PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF OKLAHOMA 1901

Biographies on this page:

Arnote, Andrew
Bixler, George N.
Clements, Rhodes
Malaley, William E.
Stone, Ira M. D.
Walton, J. W.


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ANDREW ARNOTE.
The Arnote family has included among its members those who have been conspicuous in the religious world, and who have exerted through the medium of their noble and upright lives a great moral and intellectual influence upon their respective communities. A notable follower in the world of unselfish usefulness and large-hearted devotion to the principles of kindliness is this latter-day descendant, Andrew Arnote.

Mr. Arnote was born in Ray county, Mo., in 1844. His father, Adam B., of Monroe county, Va., was reared in Virginia, and moved to Hawkins county, Tenn., with his parents, when but a boy. When grown, he went, in 1832, to northern Missouri, and pre-empted government land, upon which he conducted general farming, and there he lived for the remainder of his life, dying in 1880, at the age of eighty-five years. His father, William, who was born in New Jersey, migrated to Virginia, and from there to Tennessee, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. He was an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, and is still remembered in Hawkins county, Tenn., in which place he was numbered among the most enterprising and progressive of the early settlers. He was a large landowner and slave-holder, and had much to do with the development of his locality. An extremely religious man, he was a devout member of the Methodist Church, and an exhorter in the same. He served with courage and fidelity in the war of 1812. His father, Jesse, the great-grandfather of Andrew Arnote, came from England and settled in New Jersey at a very early day, where he died at the remarkable age of one hundred years. One of his ancestors was John Arnote, a famous preacher of England. The mother of Andrew Arnote was formerly Polly Bishop, a native of Virginia. She became the mother of eight children, five of whom are living, viz.: William, Alien, John, Andrew, and Catherine, who is the wife of Robert Womsley. Mrs. Arnote died at the old homestead in Missouri, in 1899, at the age of eighty-eight.

Andrew Arnote spent his youth on his father's farm in his native state, and later became self-supporting when he engaged in farming on his own responsibility. He studied diligently at the public schools, and at the age of twenty-nine became connected with the Church of Christ in Christian Union, and soon after began his ministerial career. In 1874 occurred his ordination by the Missouri council, which was succeeded by a nine years' charge of the Rocky Fork Church. This was followed by seven years of service at Knoxville, and in 1890 Mr. Arnote was sent by the Missouri Annual council as a missionary to Oklahoma, his field covering Sherman and Skeleton townships, Kingfisher county.

The first meeting was held in the schoolhouse on Bertwell's farm, and the congregation assembled constituted the members of the newly organized church of which Mr. Arnote became pastor in 1891, continuing his service until 1898, when he retired from active participation in pastoral work. During his ministrations he traveled all over the section of country assigned him, which stretched for a hundred miles east and west. In 1893 he began the organization of the different churches in the territory into one body, known as the Oklahoma council, the same being effected at the Spring Valley Church, and of which council he was elected president. The first council meeting was held in January, 1894, at Christian Union chapel. The original president has continued ever since to hold his position, and the organization is in a flourishing condition. Whatever of material gain has come to Mr. Arnote has been through the medium of his farming enterprises, for his work towards the uplifting of the people in a spiritual way has been gratuitously given. October 28, 1866, Mr. Arnote was united in marriage with Maropia Burgess, of Ray county. Mo., and of this union there have been eight children, viz.: Ralph; Edgar; Minnie, who is the wife of M. G. Clevenger; Walter, Perry, Wesley, Arthur and Lillian.

In the fall of 1891 Mr. Arnote bought the farm upon which he has since spent the greater part of his time, and brought his family from Missouri to share his home. The land was originally raw prairie, and its present condition of cultivation and utility is entirely owing to the untiring efforts and practical agricultural ability of Mr. Arnote. He makes a specialty of wheat, and usually sows about two hundred acres to this useful and nourishing grain. The harvest averages eighteen to twenty bushels to the acre.

Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Arnote takes a keen interest in all that pertains to the development of his locality. For a time he served as a member of the school board, but resigned, owing to failing health. During the Civil war he served his country with courage and fidelity, enlisting in Company D, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, under Col. E. C. Catherwood, and serving for three years and two months with the Missouri and Kansas division of the army. He witnesessed many hard-fought battles, but did not suffer materially from the vicissitudes of war, and was mustered out at Springfield, Mo., March 24, 1865. While living in Missouri he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Tom Gordon Post, at Polo.

To such men as Mr. Arnote Oklahoma owes a debt of gratitude, for their elevating influence upon the spirit of commercialism, necessarily mingled with the pioneer conditions of all promising lands.

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GEORGE N. BIXLER.
Coming to Oklahoma a poor man, the subject of this sketch has amassed a competence within a few years, and is now on the road to fortune. His paternal ancestors have been American citizens for generations, and it is believed that his paternal great-grandfather was a native of Germany. Certain it is that he came to the United States soon after the Revolution, and settled near Harrisburg, Pa., whence his descendants emigrated to different parts of the Union.

George Bixler, grandfather of our subject, was born near Harrisburg, Pa., and when a young man took up a tract of government land in Ohio. He cleared a farm in the forest, and in 1835 removed to Indiana, where he developed another farm in the wilderness, this, one being situated on Blue river. He died at the advanced age of four-score, at his home in Greenfield, Hancock county, Ind. He ha'd been a very active member of the Dunkard Church, of which denomination his cousin, Noah, was a preacher, his home for many years being in Ottawa, Kans.

Our subject's father, Israel Bixler, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1823, and when in his twelfth year he removed to the then wild country of Indiana. At sixteen years he moved back to Ohio, where he learned the trade of a millwright, and in a short time moved to Iowa. Being a good mechanic and millwright, he erected a saw and grist mill on Skunk river, the first, probably, in that portion of the state. He operated the mill for a short time, and when the excitement over the lead mines in Wisconsin came on he went to that region and spent four years in prospecting. In 1850 he returned to Iowa, and, in partnership with Joel Turney, built a wagon factory, where he was extensively engaged in manufacturing for nearly a score of years. In June, 1869, he sold out and removed to Arvonia, Kans., where he erected the first mill in that locality, and for ten years engaged in its operation. In 1879 he went to Sumner county, Kans., and is now living retired, at the home of his youngest son. During his prime he led a very active life, and on the frontier suffered many hardships. During the Civil war he served for three years in Company I, Western Engineers, under the leadership of Colonel Bissell, of St. Louis. For the greater part of this time he was in charge of the tool department in the field, with the Western army, under Grant.

For a wife Israel Bixler chose Caroline M. Noel, who was born near Athens, Tenn., the daughter of James Noel, a Scotchman. Mr. and Mrs. Bixler were the parents of seven children, of whom George N. is the eldest. John and Annette died in infancy, and Alice in childhood. Quinn M. is a resident of Willard, Mo.; Allie is the wife of W. L. Campbell, of Osage City, Kans., and Eleanor is the wife of M. C. Smith, an attorney of Springfield, Mo. The mother departed this life at Geuda Springs, Kans., when in her sixty-sixth year.

George N. Bixler was born in Henry county, Iowa, near the town of Mount Pleasant, in 1847, and was reared to maturity in Iowa. He completed his education in the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, and remained at home until the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, and served for three years and three months, a portion of the time as sergeant of his company. His regiment was assigned to the western division of the army, campaigning in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. The young man participated in the numerous important battles of the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps, and, most unfortunately, was captured at Dillon, Ga., October 13, 1864. For the ensuing seven months he was confined in southern prisons, and experienced the horrors of Andersonville. Twice, in desperation, he effected an escape from prison, but was recaptured, and only the closing of the war released him. It was his privilege to take part in the grand review at Washington, and to this day the battle-scarred veterans have held a warm place in his heart.

Returning to the peaceful avocations of life, Mr. Bixler pursued a business course in the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, and in 1866 went to Burlingame, Kans., with an uncle. For the next two years he was engaged in the dairy business, and then purchased a tract of land in Osage county, Kans., which he improved. At the end of six years he sold out to good advantage, and in 1875 became a resident of Sumner county, same state. For eight years he was in partnership with James Holloway in a general merchandising business at a place now called Geuda Springs. In 1887 he moved to Benton county, Ark., where he was employed as a carpenter until December 1890, when he came to Oklahoma and filed a claim as a soldier. He purchased his present place, the northeastern quarter of section 10, Banner township, in February, 1893. No improvements had been made, but the new owner soon had fifty acres under cultivation. He has made a specialty of raising fruit, and the fine orchard which he planted is now producing abundant harvests. Eleven acres are devoted to the apple orchard, which comprises ten hundred and sixty-five trees, and in addition to this there are three hundred peach trees, and a miscellaneous lot of apricots, plums, pears, etc. The vineyard comprises two hundred thrifty vines, and every department of the fruit farm is under the constant supervision of the owner, who neglects no feature of his arduous work as a horticulturist.

Politically, Mr. Bixler's sympathies have been with the Socialists for several years. While in Osage county he served as justice of the Peace for some time, and also was assessor of his township and a member of the local school board. Since coming to Oklahoma he has been a justice of the peace for two terms, and has held other local offices. In the fraternities, he is an honored member of Dover Post No. 16, G. A. R., and is a charter member of Arvonia Lodge No. 54, I. 0. O. F.

Thirty-two years ago occurred the marriage of Mr. Bixler and Lucretia J. Standiferd, a daughter of James Standiferd, of Ohio. Seven children have been born of this couple, namely; Anna, wife of William Newcomb, of Woodward county, Okla.; Nettie, wife of Adnah Eaton, an employee of the Rock Island Railroad; Cora Alice, wife of E.D. Wickes; Emma, wife of William Thompson of Fort Smith, Ark; Carrie, wife of L. Q. Bond; Earl, of St. Joseph , Mo., and Pearl, who is at.

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RHODES CLEMENTS
is the largest landowner in Union township, Kingfisher county. Upon coming to the territory in the fall of 1891, he located on the northeast quarter of section 18, upon which there were no improvements, and he lived for some time in a log cabin. The land was covered with dense timber, which he at once proceeded to clear, and improved to a high degree. In addition to his original possessions he made the purchase of the south half of section 13, Center township, and the northeast quarter of section 17, Union township. At the present time he owns six hundred and forty acres of land, some of which is rented. On the homestead is a good brick house, erected in 1894, and an excellent orchard, wherein are grown numerous kinds of large and small fruits. In addition, he devotes considerable time and attention to the raising of cattle, and usually has fifty head.

Mr. Clements is a native of England, and crossed the sea to America with his parents in 1855. He is a son of Samuel and Mary Clements, natives of England. Samuel Clements settled in Lake county, Ill., and during the war enlisted in the Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry, and died in the service. In 1864 the mother took her family and went to Jackson county, Kans., settling on a farm there. In 1889 Mr. Clements went to Kingman county, Kans., where he remained until he staked his fortunes in Oklahoma.

Mrs. Clements was formerly Ida Kasebear, and she became the mother of five children: Martha, Almyra, Perry, Andrew and Roy. The children are all at home. In politics Mr. Clements is a Republican all the time, and never strays from the straight path bounded by Republican principles. He is the best type of a self-made man, and has turned to the greatest possible advantage his opportunities here, and in the other localities where he has resided. He is still the possessor of his land in Kansas and at the present time has it rented out. He is interested in all that tends to improve his locality, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who are privileged to know him.

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WILLIAM E. MALALEY.
One of the best known of the pioneers in the Panhandle and Indian territory is William E. Malaley, who has been associated with this region more or less for a quarter of a century and has witnessed remarkable changes here. He was born in Talladega, Randolph county, Ala., but his father, Edward Malaley, was a native of Ireland. The latter accompanied his parents to Alabama when he was young and for some years assisted in carrying on his father's tannery. Later he engaged in a mercantile business in Talladega, and was called to his reward prior to the Civil war. For a wife he had chosen Anna Carter, a native of Alabama, in which state she likewise died. Her father was a native of England, who, after his settlement in the south, was engaged in building and contracting. One of his sons was a commissioned officer in the Confederate army during the Civil war.

The birth of our subject occurred on New Year's day, 1851. Though he was reared in the south, his sympathies were with the Union when the storm clouds began to gather. Though a mere lad he made his way to Eastport, Miss., where he became a dispatch messenger for Colonel Wells, of the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, and continued with that regiment until the close of the war. Then, accompanying Lieutenant Stober of the gallant Eleventh to Wabash City, Ind., he attended the local schools for a period, as he felt the need of a better education. Later he obtained a position as a clerk, and was variously employed for a few years.

On the l0th of October, 1870, W. E. Malaley came to the west and purchased a farm near Burlington, Coffey county, Kans. After carrying on that place for a period he leased land in Jackson county, same state, and turned his attention more especially to the cattle business. In 1872 he made his first trip into Oklahoma, and for several years was employed in the Indian service at Darlington. On the 5th of July, 1874, while coming north on the Chisholm trail, with a United States escort, John D. Miles and a lieutenant from Fort Sill, they discovered the body of Patrick Hennessey, partly consumed by fire. He had been killed in the vicinity of the town of Hennessey, and his remains were buried at the spot now marked by a monument. Continuing in the Indian service until 1875, Mr. Malaley then went to Wichita, where he and J. A. Covington engaged in train bossing for the government, making trips between Wichita and Darlington, instructing Indians in the mode of transportation. In the meantime he also was engaged in the cattle business at Pond Creek, at which point he kept a small hotel, for it was a stage station. He also acted as the first postmaster of the place, where he remained until it became necessary for him to leave the territory in accordance with the president's proclamation.

As early as 1879 Mr. Malaley had gone to Texas and established a ranch near Wheeler, at the mouth of the Sweet Water river. For eight years he was interested in raising cattle there and then sold out his interest in that section. He was one of the leaders in the movement of securing leases for cattle ranges in the Cherokee, Cheyenne and Arapahoe strip, and was financially interested in the great concern known as the Cheyenne & Arapahoe Cattle Company, as at one time he had $76,000 invested in the same. The president's proclamation necessitating evacuation of this property caused him a heavy loss, and an exceedingly severe winter also proved disastrous to cattle men, Nevertheless he was instrumental in preserving order, and, being under the protection of government troops, he frequently arrested desperate characters, some of whom were engaged in distributing ammunition and whiskey. He was a leader in the pioneer days of this locality and has experienced some exciting times. Naught but his great courage and coolness in times of danger saved his life on more than one occasion, and among the names which the Indians gave to him is one especially significant, as, translated, it signifies, "White Man Chief sees all the time." He it was who originated the plan of paying the red men a certain amount per head for allowing cattle to have range of the prairies, this matter being satisfactorily arranged with Chief Bushy Head.

Mr. Malaley continued in the cattle business until 1890, with residence in Caldwell, Sumner county, Kans., when he returned to Texas, and continued in the same line of business in Lipscomb county, there managing a ranch of seventy thousand acres, but still making his home in Caldwell. In May, 1893, he disposed of his extensive interests there and came to Hennessey, where he bought one-half interest in the livery business of W. T. Havard. Together they continued until 1899, when our subject purchased his partner's interest, and since that time has been alone in business. The Red Barn, as the livery and sale stable is known, is the largest in the city, and without doubt is one of the finest in equipment of any in the territory. The proprietor handles a great number of horses and mules annually and makes a point of keeping an excellent line of carriages and road wagons. In addition to this enterprise he has been engaged in the grain business for some time and had a branch office at Waukomis.

For several years Mr. Malaley was a member of the Panhandle Live Stock Association. In politics he is a Republican and has been very active in national and county affairs. Some time ago he served for a year as a member of the city council, and was again elected to the council in 1900, but the multiplicity of his business duties leads him to decline many public honors. Fraternally he was initiated into Masonry in Coro-nado Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M., of Hennessey, and he now has reached the thirty-second degree, belonging to Guthrie Consistory. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. Generosity is one of his chief characteristics, and many are his donations to charities and church organizations.

The marriage of W. E. Malaley and Miss Katie Lamb took place in Wellington, Kans., in 1880. She is a native of Bethel, Morgan county, Ill., and was reared to womanhood in that state, and in Kansas received a good education. Our subject and wife have one child, namely, William Eugene.

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IRA G. STONE, M. D.,
who has been engaged in the practice of his profession more than a score of years, stands well among his medical brethren, and since his arrival in Kingfisher has been identified with the Oklahoma Territorial Medical Association. Formerly, during his long residence in Nebraska, he belonged to the Nebraska State Medical Association and took a leading part in the councils of that honorable body. Moreover, he was, and is, connected with the American Medical Association and has contributed articles to the leading medical journals of the period.

Dr. Stone is a direct descendant of the patriot Thomas Stone, who was one of the founders of this republic and was one of the immortal men who signed the declaration of independence. For several generations the Stone family dwelt in New York state and bore a prominent part in its pioneer history. The doctor's paternal grandfather, William Stone, removed to Delaware, Ohio, at an early clay and there spent the remainder of his life. His son, Stephen, our subject's father, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., and was reared to manhood in the Buckeye state. Until 1853 he was numbered among the thrifty agriculturists of Ohio, and during the ensuing fifteen years lived in Iowa. In 1868 he went to Booneville, Mo., where within a year he was summoned to his last reward.

When the Mexican war was being waged Mr. Stone volunteered his services to his country, and was commissioned colonel of an Ohio regiment, in which capacity he acted during the conflict. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order. His wife, the doctor's mother, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1817, and in her girlhood was a schoolmate of Rutherford B. Hayes. She bore the maiden name of Emily Moore, her father being Sidney Moore, general in the Ohio state militia at one time. He was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the early settlers of Delaware county, Ohio. Mrs. Stone departed this life in Nebraska in 1899, loved and revered by a large circle of acquaintances. Both she and her husband were devout members of the Episcopal Church and lived worthy Christian lives. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are deceased. One son, M. W., was a member of an Iowa regiment in the Federal army, and, having been graduated in a medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, was appointed surgeon of his regiment. He is now engaged in medical practice at Wahoo, Neb.

The birth of Dr. Ira G. Stone occurred in Washington, Iowa, November 27, 1854, and fourteen years of his life were passed in that section. Then, for about two years, he resided near Booneville, Mo., and in the spring of 1870 accompanied the family to Polk county, Neb., where they were among the first settlers. For six years he remained on the homestead, attending to its management and looking after his mother's business interests. Polk county was not organized until after they located within its borders, and the school districting was made thereafter.

In the Centennial year Dr. Stone went to Wahoo, Neb., and commenced his medical studies under the guidance of his brother, M. W. Subsequently he went to Chicago and pursued a course in Rush Medical College, where he was graduated in due time. Returning to Wahoo, he then practiced in company with his brother and laid the foundation of his future success. He continued in partnership with him for several years, and then established an independent practice in the town of Mead. He also lived in Lincoln, Neb., for about one year, and in the spring of 1899 came to Kingfisher, where he embarked in general practice, paying due attention to surgery. He is a profound student and neglects no opportunity for advancement in his chosen field of effort. His office is located in the Bohling building.

While a resident of Wahoo Dr. Stone married Miss Katie Andrus, who was born in Sandusky, Ohio, and in 1874 went with her father, Phineas Andrus, to Wahoo, where he became a prosperous merchant. Three children bless this union, namely: Hutoka, Gordon and Wilbur. The doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this city and are actively interested in the promotion of all worthy, religious and benevolent enterprises. He is affiliated with the Masonic order, having joined the same in Wahoo, Neb. Politically he is a stanch Republican.

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J. W. WALTON,
one of the prominent .and most esteemed citizens of Kingfisher, is a worthy representative of the "old South." His paternal grandfather passed his entire life in Virginia, and his father, William P. Walton, a native of the same state, was one of the early settlers of Missouri. He died in 1875, respected and loved by all who knew him, and is survived by his wife, who is making her home in Clinton, Mo. A native of Cooper county, Mo., she is Louisa, daughter of Samuel Turley, who was born in Kentucky, and was one of the historic "old-timers," associating with Daniel Boone, Kit Carson and others of that heroic band of frontiersmen. In 1816 he located in Cooper county, Mo., which then was an almost uninhabited wilderness, and after contributing greatly to the upbuilding of that then far western region he was called to his reward, having attained his eighty-third year.

The birth of J. W. Walton, the fourth of nine children, who grew to maturity, took place upon the parental homestead near Booneville, Cooper county, Mo., July 3, 1853. His education was that of the neighborhood schools, and on the farm he acquired practical knowledge of agriculture. When he was twenty years of age his father sold his property and.removed to Clinton, Henry county, Mo. The young man continued the cultivation of the soil until 1876, when he went to Webster county, Mo:, and there became interested in the live stock business. In 1882 he was elected to the position of sheriff of the county and served in that capacity until January, 1885. At that time he became a resident of the thriving place, Garden City, Kans., and for four years was connected with the real estate business there. Since coming to Kingfisher in April, 1889, ne nas been extensively engaged in dealing in real estate and in making loans, and to his influence much of the local prosperity is attributed. Few have been more certain of the future of this place, and his confidence has inspired many to make investments and settlement here. In 1892 he located a claim at a point eight miles west of Kingfisher, but he did not retain the property long. From time to time he has built residences and business blocks, and has improved property in various ways. In June, 1899, he embarked in the grocery business also, but sold out in April, 1900, as he found that his real-estate interests demanded his whole attention.

Four years ago Mr. Walton was elected by his Democratic friends to a place in the city council, representing the first ward. He served efficiently for two years, and in 1900 was again elected to the board of city fathers. He is active in the ranks of the party and has been a member of the county central committee. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Woodmen of the World.

The marriage of Mr. Walton and Miss Maggie Schwendener occurred in Kingfisher September 18, 1894. She was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Christian Schwendener, now numbered among the farmers of Kingfisher county and of Swiss descent. Three children grace the home of our subject and wife, namely: Louisa, Ruth and James, bright, promising little ones, dear to all who know them.

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