Saline County Bios
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties," 1893
HENRY WHITLEY, who is engaged in the furniture business in Solomon City, is an honored pioneer of this place, where he located June 4, 1859. He was born in England, September 14, 1830, and is a son of Edmund and Elizabeth (Carnley) Whitley, who came with their family to Canada in 1840. When a youth, our subject learned the trade of a shoe-maker. On attaining his majority he went to St. Paul, Minn., in 1857, and there remained for two years, during which time he saw a regular Indian war-dance on the streets of that city. He was a musician and while there established an orchestra.
In November, 1858, Mr. Whitley married Miss Catherine Hall, daughter of Jabez Hall, of Whitby, Canada. After the birth of their first child they came to Kansas, and in crossing a creek three or four miles east of Topeka, the wagon was overturned and the babe, only about four months old, was killed. They buried the little one in Topeka, and then came on across the country to Lecompton. Mr. Whitley secured a pony and in this way traveled over the country in search of a location. He was much pleased with the country in this vicinity and decided to locate on the Solomon River. His nearest neighbor was at Mud Creek, now Abilene, nine miles away. The nearest post-office was at Junction City, thirty-five miles away, and the nearest market at Leavenworth, one hundred and seventy miles distant. The first winter about three hundred Indians camped in the tend of the river a-half mile from Mr. Whitley's cabin. He and his wife lived for a while on the meat of buffaloes and wild turkeys, but it afterward became impossible to get buffaloes and they had to depend upon small game, corn-meal, and coffee made of parched corn. In 1860, Mr. Whitley broke land and planted a crop of corn, but raised nothing on account of the hot wind. The next year, however, he secured a good crop. He took his first grist to mill sixty miles away and in order to make the trip had to leave his wife alone for ten days.
In 1858, the Government had bridged Solomon River, but at the time of high water this was washed away, so in 1861 Mr. Whitley secured a ferry boat, which for many years was in use on the river. For a number of years he drove a stage between Leavenworth and Ft. Ellsworth for the Kansas Stage Company, and was afterward connected with the Butterfield Overland Stage Company. His home was a station on the route, and he did a good business, continuing until the railroad was built. In 1859, many of the emigrants en route for Pike's Peak passed through this locality-. Mr. Whitley also built the first stock yards and did an extensive commission business. In the fall of 1863, he opened the first store in Solomon City and since 1865 has been successfully engaged in the furniture business. No other man has done more for the upbuilding and improvement of this locality than our subject.
In 1887, Mr. Whitley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 1st of October, after having been an invalid for several years. She was an estimable lady and is well remembered by many throughout the community. The children now living are: Charles, who is engaged in business with his father; Nellie, wife of George Orr, of Kansas City; and Lulu, who is keeping house for her father.
Mr. Whitley is a charter member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge of Solomon City, has passed all of its chairs and been representative to the Grand Lodge. He is a member of the Baptist Church, which was organized in 1865, and has ever been identified with those interests calculated to improve and upbuild the community. In politics, he has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party, has labored earnestly in its interests, and is now a member of the Central Committee of the county.
In 1860, he was appointed Postmaster of Solomon City by President Buchanan and served three years. He was Police Judge in the old wild days, and did much to quell the rebellious spirits who wished to rule the town. In 1860, he was elected Justice of the Peace and held that office continuously for twenty-seven years. He was also Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and carried the records of that body in a carpetsack as he went to and from Salina. To no man is the history of this county more interesting than to Mr. Whitley, whose name is inseparably connected with its best interests. He has been one of the important factors in the upbuilding of Solomon City, and no man has more friends or is held in higher regard than this genial, jovial, honored pioneer.
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This website created June 15, 2011 by Sheryl McClure.
� 2011 Kansas History and Heritage Project
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