978.101 '^«
I.76d
1148218
QENEALOGY COLLECTION
1833 01064 8936
EX-GOV. L. U. HUMPHREY.
HISTORY
O F
MONTGOMERY
COUNTY,
KANSAS.
By Its Own PeopI
pie.
ILLUSTRATED.
Containing Sketches of Our Pioneers— Revealing their Trials and Hardships
Planting Civilization in this County— Biographies of their Worthy
Successors, and Containing Other information of a
Character Valuable as Reference to the
Citizens of the County.
PUBLISHED BY
L. WALLACE DUNCAN.
lOLA. KANSAS:
PRESS OF lOLA REGISTER.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1903. by L. WdlUce Duncan,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. D. C.
1148218
Preface
The histoiy of Montgoniei v <<iimty reveals this locality as the spot
where the Osage ludian made his last stand before the white man's
advance in spreading civilization over the plains of Kansas. It was here
that he was crowded oft' of the reserve traded him by the "Great Father'' in
1825, but which lie had really occupied from the first years of the nine-
teenth century. For at least fifty years he had been master of this domain
.-^ and here mudi of the tangible history of the several bands of the tribe
^ was made.
^ From the <'ra of "sciuaiter" settlement, the final treaty with the Red
\) Man and the legitimate settlement by the white man, down through the
j\ organization and development of the county, the pages of this book are
^. replete with events and incidents which mark the stages of advancement
1 toward the splendid civilization of the present day.
' The publisher of this volume and those who have rendered valuable
- assistance in the preparation of its descriptive part have realized the
Y importance of the work and have, therefore, labored assiduously toward
^ an accurate and reliable production, and one which shall not only be full
and thorough as to substantial facts, but which shall serve as the basis
of future publiciitions touching the history of Montgomery county.
For the prejiaration of valuable articles for this volume we acknowl-
edge our obligation to the following citizens of the county and commend
their ettorts to the confidence of the generations to come : Ex-Senator H.
W. Young. Hon. William Dunkiu and Hon. W. T. Yoe, of Independence;
T. F. Andress, M. 1)., of Liberty; Dr. T. ('. Frazier, of Cofteyville ; Hon.
J. R. Charlton, of Cauey; and Miss Josie H. Carl, of Cherryvale. To the
many citizens who have furnished information and extended other favors
to the writers hereof we desire to express our appreciation and hei-eby
extend to them the compliments of the literary board.
Tc John S. (iilmore, of Fredonia, are we indebted for an important
article for this work, jirojjerly ])laced to his credit, and we wish, publicly,
to make acknowledgement of the same.
In the bi(igra]<liical department of the work are rejiresented worthy
citizcrs frcm evcrv honorable walk of life. It was our wish that everv
'distiiiL'uislied cili/.cn of ihc (•(.tiiily p:irlicip;iU" in tlic s]K\ri' allotod lo lliis
(l('li;iiiiiieiit, ;uh1 wiiik' hosts of llicin liavi' done so. soiiio of them havft
dciiit'd lis not only thoir story. l)ul their snhstaiitial to-operatiou ; yet the
merits of the hook liave not thus been imjiaired. Our ac(omi)auying
illusti-atious represtMit pioueers, worthy people of a later day, aud well
known and historic objects of the county. These add interest and
attractiver.ess to the hook, on the whole. niakin:>- the biographical and
pictorial deiiartment bv no nieaiis the leasi iiiijiortant features of the
work
If this volume shall meet Tl;e expectations of its jiatrous aud shall,
in some measure. ren<ler them an equivalent for tlie contidenee bestowed
upon the enlcrjirise. then shall we feel that our elforts have not been in
vain. THE PUBLIiSlHEK.
HISTORY
OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
KANSAS
CIIArTEK I.
Organization, Location and Land Titles
During the earlier liistory of Kansas the territory •which now consti-
tutes Montgomery county formed a part of Wilson county. The latter
county was created by act of the territorial legislature in 1855, but it was
not organized until September lS6i, at which time it extended from
Woodson county to the south line of the state. Montgomery county was
created by act of the legislature in 1867, a little more than half of the
southern part of Wilson county being taken for the purpose. By the act
of the legislature which created the county, its boundaries were fixed as
follows :
"Commencing at the southeast corner of Wilson county; thence south
with the west line of Labette county to the thirty-seventh parallel of
north latitude; thence west with said parallel twenty-four miles; thence
north to the southwest corner of Wilson county; thence east with the
south line of Wilson county to the place of beginning."
This description depended entirely on the bounding of Wilson county,
and, in 1870 the statute was changed to read as follows:
''Commencing at the southeast corner of Wilson county ; thence south
to tlie south line of the state of Kansas; thence west along the south line
of Kansas twenty-four miles; thence north to the sixth standard
parallel; thence east along the said sixth standard parallel to the place
of beginning."
This description seems to have meant exactly the same thing as the
other, and yet neither of them is accurate, as the width of the county east
and west, owing to the botchwork made in fitting together the surveys of
the ceded lauds and Diminished Reserve, is considerably more than half a
mile above the twenty-four mentioned.
^\'hile all of the county except the three mile strip of ceded lands on
the east side was still Indian land, and there was no treaty even pending
-6 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KA^^SA^^.
for tlu'ii- (vssion to the United States, saving the Sturgis alidiiiinatiou,
whhh was never ratified, the eounty was organi/ed Ity iirorhiiiiatiou of
Governor James M. Harvey, on Jnne ;!d. ISCi'.t. It was claimed that at
this lime the county had the requisite puinilaiiiui of (iim. and wliether this
was true or not. the progress of events soon made it an accurate
statement. Verdigris City was designated as the temporary county seat,
and a l)oard of county commissioners was api)ointed. For further details
as to the early history of the county and the story of the struggle which
resulted in the selection of Independence as the county seat, the reader is
referred lo the chai)ter on the political history of the county.
Location
]\I(>ntgomi'i'y county now ranks as the seventh Kansas county in pop-
ulation and, as shown by tlie United States census of l!l()0. forms a part
of tl!( largest contiguous area west of tlie .Mississiiiju river, having a
population in excess of forty-five to the sijuare mile. It is between
tweniy four and twenty-five miles in width east and west, and between
twenty-seven and twenty-eight miles in length north and south. It is the
third county west from the Missouri line, on the southern tier, and adjoins
the iTidian Territory on the south. Label tc county forms its entire east-
ern boundar\- and Wilson its mntlici-n, while on the west it adjoins
('hauiau(pia and a jiortion of Elk. Neosho county corners with it on th(i
nortiic;ist.
{{■< i>liysical features and soil are extremely varied. The Verdigris
is the principal river, entering its northern boundary and meandering
across to its soutliern. The Elk enters the west line of the county and
foni s another winding valley, emptying into the Verdigris about four
miles northeast of the center of the county. The Caney cuts across the
southwest corner of the county. I*esides these rivers there are dozens
of ci'eeks and runs with much fine alluvial land adjoining them, in
addition to the bottom lands of the rivers. I'.etween the streams there are
here and there rock-cajijied mounds and much high, thin, stony land, fit
for little but ])astin('. Use is, however, now being found f<)r the limestone
that c.qis sonic of the mounds and outcrops along the streams in the man
ufaclurc of ccnicnl. while the shale that is abundant in the hills is
extensixcly ciiiiilo,\cd in the nuinufacture ot vitrified brick. Taking her
agricnltui-al res(iurces in connection with the abundant dcjiosits of nat-
ural gas and jieti'oleum oil found in the earth liiiiHlrcds of feet below the
surface, and remembering that .Montgomery is I be only county on the
south line of the state that lies wholly within the gas and oil belt, we are
certainly justified in saying that nature has done more for her than for
any other eipnil area in I he slate.
The seclion of which (his county of such boundless lesources and
]iossii!ililies forms a iiarl. was tirst a jiorlioM of Hie French domain in
lIlSTOIiV OK .MO.NTCiOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 7
Aiiu'iii-.i, having been taken possession of by tlie Canadians, who drifted
down the Mississippi to the gnlf in 1682. Eighty years later it was eeded
to Sp;iin. t>y whom it was retained until 1800, when it was retroceded to
France. In eoninion with the entire area of Kansas, except a small frac-
tion in the southwest corner, it formed a part of the Louisiana purchase
made by Jefferson in 1803, and has ever since been American territory,
though little was known about it during the first half of the 18th century.
The first legislation in regard to this section appears to have been
enacted in 1834, when all the territory west of the Mississippi and Arkan-
sas was declared "Indian country," with the laws of the Ilnited States
in force; and the country of the Osages was attached to Arkansas
territory. In 1854 the territory of Kansas was organized and, in l.S(il, the
tei'ritory became a state.
The country from which the present county was to be made still re-
mained Indian territory, however. The Osage Indians were first found
on the Missouri river, and, later, were forced down to the Arkansas. In
1808 they ceded their lands in Missouri and Arkansas to the United
States government and went west. In 182.'") they relin(iuished their lands
in Kansas .e.xcept a strip fifty unless wide along the south line of the state,
beginning twenty-flve miles west of the Missouri line, near the present
eastern boundary of Labette county, and reaching west to an indefinite
line extended from the head waters of the Kansas river, southerly, through
the Rock Saline. This was the Osage reservation, which conipi-ised the
largest body of good land in Kansas, remaining unsettled when the civil
war closed in 18(J5.
Land Titles
The white men wanted these lands and were bound to get them soon
in any event, but the return of the soldiers of the Union to civil life in
1865 no doubt hastened the movement to send the Indians westward again
and make homes and farms out of these fertile Southern Kansas valleys
to which they held title. At Canville trading post in Neosho county on
September 29th, 1805, a treaty was negotiated which became opei-ative
January 21st, 1867, by whose terms the Osages sold a thirty-mile strip off
from the east side of their lands for $300,000. This strip' embraced the
counties of Xeosho and Labette, and a fraction about three miles wide
along the east sides of Wilson and Montgomery counties. The contest
between the settlers and the Missouri, Kansas iV Texas and the Leaven-
worth, Lawrence & Galveston railroad companies for the title to these
lands forms one of the most interesting chapters in the history of Labette
county. This contest also involved the three-mile strip on the east side
of Montgomery county and interested a considerable per centage of its
population. It was finally decided in favor of the United States, under
whom a portion of the settlers claimed title, leaving those who had bought
8 HISTORY or MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
their lauds from the railroad coiiipaiiies to seek to perfect tlieir titles
anew.
These ceded lauds were eventually entered under the pre-emption
laws and paid for to the credit of the Osage fund in the government
treHsury.
The same treaty which cut off these Osage lauds on the east also
sliced off a twenty-mile strip on the north, leaving the -'Diminished Re-
serve" but thirty iniles in width, and as the territory narrowed the eager-
ness to possess it became greater. The corporations had an eye upon it, as
well as the settlers, and on May 27th, ISGS, a little more than a year
before the rush of immigrants began to fill the county, there was negotiat-
ed on Drum Creek a treaty which for downright infamy outranks any
other transaction in the history of the opening of the west to settlement
and civilization. This treaty was known as the "Sturgis Treaty," aud is
liberally treated under the head of "Drum Creek Treaty'" in this volume.
Owing to a discrepancy between the southern boundary line of the
state of Kansas and the south line of the Osage Dimiuished Reserve, there
was a strip of land along the south line of Montgomery county, varying
between two and three miles in width, which was claimed by the Cherokee
Indians, and which was eventually sold for their benefit several years
later. Actual settlers were given a preference in the purchase of these
lands, but those which remained were disposed of in any desired quantity,
and at a price somewhat higher than the settlers were asked to pay.
land titles in the county were thus of four different kinds. The land-
holder may find his chain running back to a government patent originat-
ing in a purchase from the Cherokees or the Osages. aud if the latter, it
may be either of "Ceded" or "Diminished Reserve" lands. Or he may hold
by virtue of a purchase from the state school fund commissioners. It
was fortunate for the settlers, though, that for all except a small fraction
of the area of the county, the ccmtest between the corporations and the
l)eople was fought out before the lands were entered. They were thus
freed from the long period of strife, the expense and the uncertainty which
were the fate of their neighbors in Labette county and on the "Ceded"
strip. The titles which they obtained when they paid the purchase price
to the government and received their final receipts from the land office of-
ficials, have never been called in (juestion. and the courts have been resort-
ed to only to settle individual and isolateil cases of rival claims to
proprietorship.
The original government surveys of the lauds in the county, however,
were made in a very careless manner, the section and (piurter section
cornel's often being many rods from where they should have been, and
the surveys of the "Ceded" and "Diminished" lands wei-e so loosely con-
nected that in ii:;niy cases there are (piarter sections on the line between
[ISTORY OF MOXTGOJIERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
CHAPTER II.
Important Events
The lU'iini Creek Treaty, The Elk Kivcr Valley Floods. The Volcanic Up-
heaval at Coffeyviile in ls!»4, the Eeed Family Tragedy, Why Did
Poiueroy Trtist York?, The County High School, and the Daltou Raid
lit Coffeyviile.
The Drum Creek Treaty
r.Y JNO. S. GILMORE.
On May 27th, 1808, a treaty with the Osages was concluded on Drum
Creek. Montgomery county, for the disposition of the Diminished Reserve,
or thirty -mile strip. This was popularly called the Drum Creek treaty
or the "Sturgis treaty." Wm. Sturgis was the controlling spirit in its
negotiation. By its terms the entire Diminished Reserve, comprising
8,003,(»00 acres was to be sold to the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston
Railroad Co. for |1,600,000, or a fraction tinder 20 cents per acre. It was
understood that Sturgis would be the indirect beneficiary of this stupen-
dous wrong. The treaty was a premeditated, thoroughly planned and
successfully executed fraud from its iucipiency up to the stage of its
submission to the United States Senate for ratification. It was even
more — a brazen steal, so extensive as to be infamous — and the oflScials,
politicians and leading men who approved or aided and abetted in the
attempt to carry it out deserved to be buried so deep under popular
obloqtiy that they would never again publieally show their heads. The
Indians were no doubt unduly influenced by the promoters and retainers
of the L. L. & G. railroad company. The treaty commission, with special
interpreters, Indian agents, and advocates of the scheme had gone into
the Indian country accompanied by a detatchment of the Seventh Li. S.
cavalry commanded by Capt. Geo. W. Yates. (Yates and his troop went
down to death with General Custer on the Rosebud, June 2oth, 1876,)
The commission composed N. G. Taylor, President; Thos. Murphy, Geo. C.
Snow, Albert G. Boone and A. N. Blacklidge, Secretary ; with three inter-
preters. Those signing the treaty by way of attesting the signatures (X
marks) of the Osage chiefs and their adherents were Alex. R. Banks,
special U. S. Indian agent; Geo. W. Yates, Captain Seventh cavalry;
M. W. Reynolds, reporter for commission ; Charles Robinson, I. S.
Kalloch, Moses Neal, W. P. Murphy, Wm. Babcock and the interpreters.
Alex Beyett, Lewis P. Chouteau and Augustus Captain. The first Osage
X mark was under the title of Joseph Paw-ne-no-pashe, White Hair, prin-
cipal chief, followed by the Indian names of lOG other chiefs, councilors
lO msTt)RY OK MONTCJOMISRY COUNTY. KANSAS.
aiul l.iavt's of llie Big and Little Osage tribes. Of Indians signing the
dociinient wlio were known by many Moutgouiery county pioneers were
lUack I»og. Little Beaver, No])awaila. Strike Ax. Wyohake. Chetopali,
Hard Kobe. Walisanka and ^Mclotuiinini (Twelve O'clock, i Little Bear
was dead.
B\ the time this treaty reached the Senate the settlers on the reserve
were aroused a nd their friends throughout the State and many newspap-
ers shared ojienly their feeling and espoused their cause. A determined
fight was made against the ratification of the treaty, led by Hon. Sidney
Clarke. Kansas" sole Congressman. Both Senators were silently for the
robber measure. Senator E. G. Ross, a year later, rei)orted it to the Senate
so amended as to divide up the lands with other railroad comi>anies,
witluut adding to the price or making any provision for the interests or
rights of the settlers. But Congressman Clarke did not relax in his bitter
opposition. He brought to light the objectionable and unjust features of
the treaty, stood for the opening of the reserve to actual settlers as the
Trust Lands had been opened, and as a result of his protests and efforts
and at his request General Grant, soon after becoming President, on
March 4th, 186!), withdrew the treaty from the Senate.
Sidney Clai'ke framed and offered in the House the section in the an-
nual Indian appropriation bill, ai)proved July 15th, 1870, which opened
the ]>!minished Reserve to actual settlers only at .fl.25 per acre, excepting
the lOtli and 36th .sections, which were reserved to the State of Kansas for
school purposes. After a two years' contest he had prevented the con-
summation of the greatest swindle on Indians and settlers alike ever con-
cocted in Kansas. The railroads, losing the rich prize which seemed
almost securely within their grasp, combined in the campaign of 1870
against Clarke and defeated him for renomination for Congress,
At a council held on Drum Creek in Septend)er, 1870, arrangements
were effected for the final removal of the remaining Osages to their new
home in the Indian Territory, just south of the Kansas line. By the act
ai)iir(.ved .Inly l."ith of that year the I'residciit bad been directed to make
such removal as soon as the Indians would a^rcc thereto. They went.
The Elfc Valley Flood of 1885
.\ner till' grasshdiiiier plague of 1S71 .'i laoliably llic wurst .-alamity
that h;!s bcrallcii Monlgonicry county sinre its scltlcmcnt was the flood
wliicli s\ve|,l down the Valleys of the' l-:ik an<l Verdigris (ui Friday, Sat-
urday and Sunday. .May l.l'th, KJth, and 17tli, LSS.".. Perhaps the most
comi)i'eiiensive account of this disaster was the one imblished by the Star
and Kansan. at Independence, on the Friday following; and it is from
this account that the facts for this sketch are gleaned.
That fateful Fridav was noted at Jndependence as a day of clouds
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY'^ KANSAS. II
au(l sliowei's with heavy Imiilcs of cloud along the western horizon
Toward night news canie of a great storm in Elk county and that the
railroad track had been washed away in the neighborhood of Elk Falls.
No more trains were able to get through on the Soullicrii Kansas line of
the S'anta Fe railroad in either direction, and on Saturday morning a re-
pair train loaded with material for bridge building had gone out to the
neighborhood of the bridge over the Elk at Table :M«)und. About half
past ten o'clock a telegram was received from this train stating that lives
were in danger and help was needed. All the available boats in the city
were taken to the depot, and a little after noon the repair train, which had
returned to Independence, stai-ted for the scene of danger with about a
hundred and fifty men on board. A few nunutes run brought the train to
the locality of tlie tlood, and at the southwest corner of Table Mound the
boats were unloaded and started out over the waste of waters on their
errand of mercy. Among those who risked their lives in these frail crafts,
to rescue those in peril, were Eugene B. White, Milton Gregory, Lewis
Bowman and Elisha Mills.
During the morning the waters had risen so high as to touch the sills
of the iron railroad bridge over the Elk, and a gang of men were at work
on the bridge dislodging the mass of corn stalks which had lodged against
it on the upper side. Beyond the bridge, to the west, the railroad track
was out of water as far as the trestle over the slough, and this strip Mas
the only bit of dry land visible in the entire valley from bluff to bluff. On
it were gathered a few cattle and hogs which had tied to it for their lives,
and to which the waters were bringing the scattered ears of corn they had
gathered. To the left of the railroad, chickens were seen roosting in the
trees near a deserted house, and still nearer a bunch of them had gath-
■ered on the upper ends of a pile of posts which projected a little above
the surface of the water; and away to the north of the railroad were a
number of horses which had been tied on the highest ground in the vicin-
ity, but were still nearly covered by the waters.
It was not, however, until the writer climbed the slope of Table
Mound and stood upon the rocky ledge that marks its outlines that he
realized the extent of the calamity which had befallen the residents of
these fertile valley lands. Up and down the river basin, as far as the eye
could reach, there was water everywhere. Only a small fragment of a
single wheat field showed above the flood in this entire rich valley district.
Still the waters were dotted with trees and groves, while a fringe of
timber marked the windings of the channel of the Elk; and houses and
barns could be seen here and there, the highest of them with apparently
not less than three feet of water on their first floors, and the lowest sub-
merged to the eaves. Probably the watery area in sight from this point
was not less than ten scpiare miles in extent; and at one jdace the width
of the vallev is scarcelv less than five miles.
12 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
In one instance a family refused to leave the bouse when tlie rescu-
ing boat appeared, but when a second downpour came later in the after-
noon they were fain to seek the shore. Some of the dwellers in the valley
wei-e landed on the west shore, having made one portage across the rail-
road during the trip. There they were warmly welcomed by the neighbors
gathered on the opposite mound, who could be seen from our side running
across the grassy slope to meet them. And all this while the sullen roar
of the angry waters rang in our ears and we bad only to close our eyes to
imagine we stood on the ocean's beach listening to its endless refrain.
About us were the most lovely of our wild flowers, the graceful, nodding
columbines and the crimson hued verbenas ; but above us the heavens were
again gathering blackness and the inky pall of cloud along the western
horizon was ever and anon illuminated by a vivid flash that left it blacker
and more ominous than before ; while below, in dozens of swift curi'ents,
the thick and noisome waters rushed onward unresting to the sea. Prob-
ably no one who gazed in fascinated awe upon those thousands of acres
which at dawn had been covered with luxuriant fields of wheat, promising
within a month a harvest of golden grain, and which were now buried
from five to fifteen feet in depth beneath a swiftly flowing volume of water
wider than the Mississippi, will ever forget the scene.
Meanwhile the panorama was not without an exciting and, what
threatened to be, a tragic interlude. One of the boats — Bowman's it was
said — ventured into the swift current setting under the trestle west of
the iron railroad bridge . In a flash it was sucked under and upset, one of
its occupants clutching the timbers of the trestle and being drawn out
from above, while the other apjieared on the bottom of the u}tturned boat
as it drifted down stream. Fortunately he reached the fringing grove of
the river channel unharmed, and was able to halt the boat there until
another came to its rescue.
During the afternoon, the iron wagon bridge. I wo and a half miles
north of Independence on the Neosho road, was swept down stream and,
shortly after, the one on the Radical City road, a couple of miles farther
west, went to keep it conifjany. Sunday morning the flood was at its
height in the Verdigris in the neighborhood of Independence, and the
water to the northeast of the city had backed up as far as Pennsylvania
avenue, just south of the railroad trestle. Kock creek on the south was
also full and almost impassable, while the entire valley from the bluff at
the east side of the city to the hills a mile away to the northeast, was one
vast sheet of water. The railroad was washed away at a small trestle
near the east side of the valley, and that afternoon the passengers coming
in from the north were ferried over to the city by boat, among them being
some returning visitors from the New Orleans exposition.
Until Sunday no loss of life had been reported in the county, but dur-
ing the forenoon came the melancholy tidings of a pathetic fatality at the
HISTORY OV MOXTfioMERY COVNTY. KANSAS. I J
month oi C:ud ncek in Rutliind towusbip. Saturday niovuiiij!,- Dr. I. H.
.McCov. of thai iH'i.sihborhood. who had recently been engaged in business
in Independence, with Mr. Greer, a neighbor, had hastily constructed a
square box boat which could have been little more than a raft, as the work
on it is said to have taken tiieni but forty minutes. With this Ihey rescued
the family of a Mr. Wallace, living in the path of the flood, in whoso house
the water had risen to the ceiling of the first story, and brought them safe-
ly to laud. Finding no more [leople in danger in their neighborhood, they
liext ferried a cow out of the flood, one of them holding her by the horns
while the other paddled. About noon John E. Rice, an unmarried young
man 23 years of age. took Mr. Greer's place, but Dr. McCoy, though a man
of family, refused to permit anyone to become a substitute for him.
Manned by McCoy and Rice, the boat put off to a knoll lying a little to the
west of tlie mouth of Card creek and south of the river, where a uumber
of people were to be seen. Here were found Mrs. Eliza Woods, a widow
who had resided iu the county from the date of its first settlement, and
several other people, among whom were John McCarty and Maurice and
George Heritage. The two latter were at work upon an old and heavy
boat Avith which they had been engaged during the morning in rescuing
those who were in danger, but which had sprung aleak. The story of the
fatal accident which followed is as told the writer by Maurice Heritage.
When he went to the Widow Woods" residence to take her away, he found
her nearly beside herself with fright and excitement, and engaged in con-
strucling a raft with which to start for the shore. When McCoy came to
the knoll, she eagerly assented to his proposal to take her to the mainland,
though the water had already fallen a foot and a half and all danger was
past.
With her youngest child. Toiiimy, a boy six or seven years of age, and
another little boy about the same age, the son of Ira VanDuzeu, a neigh-
bor, Mrs. Woodsgot into the box boat with McCoy and Rice. It was only
sixty rods to the shore, but they had not gone more than three before they
were in a strong current, and their boat, which was evidently overloaded,
became unmanageable and was sucked through an opening in a hedge
wherj this current was setting most strongly. vSeeing their peril Mr. Her-
itage and Mr. McCarty rushed toward them, thinking they could make a
sort of living chain of themselves, and while one of them held to the
hedge, the other holding fast to the first could reach the boat and swing
it out of the current and into safety. By the time Heritage had got with-
in twenty-five feet of the boat it went under and he was sucked in after it
just where the boat had disappeared, the water being eight or nine feet
deep. Here Heritage says he lost consciousness, until v»-heu he came to
the surface ten yards away, he was recalled to a knowledge of his peril
by McCarty calling to him. and swam out of the current.
Mr. Rice.though an ex]iert swimmer, did not arise again, and it is
14 HISTORY or MONTiJOMERV CorXTY. KANSAS.
thonslit that he was stunned by a hlow across the bridge of the nose
whicli left a bruise perceptible when the body was recovered. The boat
was afterward seen floating down stream with McCoy and Mrs. Woods
both clinging to it, but it kept rolling over in the waves so that they soon
lost their hold. As McCoy was also a good swimmer, it is inferred that
but for an attempt to rescue Mrs. Woods he would have saved himself.
The boat did not upset until its occupants attempted to jump from it as
it was going down ; it simply foundered from overloading. The bodies
were found about seven o'clock the next morning, from seventy-flve to a
hundred yards fi-oni where they disappeared, having lodged in a hedge, at
rigiit angles to the one through which they were passing when the boat
sank.
hi this cduiily no oilier fiil:ililii-s wei-e rcjiorled. lliough the losses in
the destniitioii of growing crops were almost beyond computation. On
Sunday A^'. If. Linton's Houring mill, three miles southwest of Liberty,
fell into the river, entailing a loss of «:',.()(»0. :McTaggart's mill, northwest
of Liberly. and near the sight of the oi-iginal town of that name, was
flooded to a depth of thirty-three inches, which was sixteen more than had
been observed there since its erection in the pioneer days. At Elk
City the wafer was three feet deep in the depot, and many residences were
damaged by the Hood, but the business quarter was not inundated. Tiie
raih'oad was overflowed three miles north of Cotfeyville at Kalloch
station, and during the first of the week that city was ciit oft' from mail
communication with the outside world, except by hack to Independence.
The "cloudburst" which caused this flood originated in Chautauqua
county, and in Ihat county the loss of life was greater than in ]M -utsoin-
ery, no less than eleven fatalities being reported. Twn bodic-. were re-
covered at Matanzas and three in the neighlxuhood of ( \uiey : while six
deaths occuried in the vicinity of Sedan. The following; vi\i(l and strik-
ing story of the storm and its work in Ihat county is from the columns jf
the Sedan (Tra[)hic of the next week :
"Last Friday commenced like a balmy spring morning, with southerly
winds, and it bade fair to be the most jileasant day of the week; but be-
fore noon dark clouds had begun to rise in the north, and by half past
eleven the northern part of the county was the center of one of the most
disastr(nis rainstorms ever rec(U-ded in the annals of the state. The rain
and hail. accomi»anied at times by winds of a <'ycl(>nic natttre, fell for
eight consecutive hours. The water stood on the level i)rairie at times
nearl\ (wo feet deep. The clouds from this place looked as if they were
rising and moving oft', when other clouds, if anything of a more fearful
character, would i evolve aroui-d and taUe the place of the one which had
just si)ent its fury. The northern sky all the afternoon was a dark mass
of revolving clouds. The clouds would apjicar in the northeast, and fol-
lowing llic circle, (Iisaii|.car in the norihwest with terrilde regularity.
UlSTOUY UF MO.N'niOMEKY COlNTYj KANSAS. I 5
At about five o'clock in tlie evening the first approadi of the stoi-ni was
announced here by the dark circling clouds overhead, acc<)nii)anied by a
deluge of rain, which converted our strets and water ways into boiling
torrents. A few minutes after the rain had commenced to fall it was re-
ported that the river was out of its banks, and in less than half an hour
from the time of the first indications of the rise, the river was fifteen feet
higher than it had ever been before since the first settlement of the county,
and our iieople. for the first time, began to realize that those farmers liv-
ing in the low river bottoms had either escaped by marvelous exertion or
been carried to destruction. Horses, cattle, hogs, wagons and farming im-
plements were driven past by the mad torrents at a frightful rate. The
water came down in walls four feet liii:li. crushing and carrying away
everything that opposed its forces; fenifs and lanii improvements disap-
peared in an instant, and great trees that liad stood the test of ages were
uprooted and leveled to the earth ; while the roar and swish of the waters
made the bravest stand back and shudder as he contemplated the awful
consequences that must inevitably follow. People began to move out ofi
the lower part of town to the high points. Xight coming on and the rain
still falling, nothing could be (lone till morning to relieve the sufl'erers
on the bottoms.
"Next morning the cries of the sufferers in tree tops were heard, and
rafts and boats were speedily constructed to render assistance. One raft
was made out of the side of a house and set afloat by William Harbert
and others, and rescued Ben Adams, his wife and two children out of the
tree to])s. where they had taken refuge the night before. Their house
started ofl:' about six o'clock. The woman caught in a tree top and lifted
her two children on to the same limb, her husband going still farther and
catching to another tree. The plucky little woman sheltering her children
all night and fighting the drift wood and everything, to keep from being
dragged oft their only hope of safety. Just above them, and four miles
from i^edan, Mr. Witt, his wife and one child, also. Mr. Green, seeing the
flood coming, tried to make their escape to the highlands in their wagon,
but were carried down with the flood. Mr. Witt making his escape, and
the child, woman, and Mr. (Ireeu being drowned. Their bodies have all
been recovered. Ed. Chadburn. a freighter from this city, was on the
road to Moline, and was drowned in a small rivulet north of town. His
body was discovered early Saturday moiniug, and was brought home and
interred Sunday evening. Two children of Mr. Rogers, on Xorth Caney,
east of Sedan, were drowned; their bodies were recovered. Mr. and Mrs.
Rogers escaped after a perilous swim of a mile."
The next great flood in the "\'erdigris came in Septend)er. ISflo, but
was unaccompanied by loss of life, and while it ruined most of the corn
fields in the valley only injured wheat in the stack.
In the latter part of :May. l!)(i:!. the highest water since the settle-
I6 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
ment of the county swt'i^t tliroiif;!! IjotU the Elk and Vercligris valleys,
and at midnight on Friday. May I'lid, it reached its maximum at Indepen-
dence, three feet above the high water mark of 1895. The wheat crop in
all of the valley lands of the county was ruined by this flood, but the only
loss of life reported was in the upper part of Sycamore valley, where J.
W. Burke was drowned by the ui)setting of his buggy in the rapidly flow-
ing stream, which was not more than three feet deep at the ford where
he attem))ted to cross. His wife, who was in the carriage with him. was
rescued. lie was a ])i(ineer and a well known citizen and had beo.u prom-
inent for years in the councils of the INipulist party.
The Volcanic Upheaval of 1894 at Coffeyville
Viewed from the standpoint of the geologist ami the student of physi-
cal ])!ienomena, in the entire history of the slate of Kansas, from the days
of Coi-ouado to these opening yeais of the Twentieth century, there haS
been no more interesting spectacle than was witnessed by those who vis-
ited Major Osborn's pasture adjoining the city of Coffeyville in the
summer of 1894. The location of the volcanic upheaval which occurred
there on the night of Sunday, July 22d, was only about four blocks north
of the Eldridge House and the business centre of the city, and not more
than seventy-five yards west of Ninth street, which there marks the west-
ern limit of the town. Had the upheaval occurred fifteen hundred feet
south of where it did, it would have made utter wreck of most of the
business buildings of that city.
As compared with the un<l('rgi-<iun<l distiubance on that July night,
the Daltoii raid which brought ('oHVy\illc so much unenviable notoriety,
was but a ri])])le on the surface <>f events. That affair was transitory and
left no such abiding scars on the eartli's surface as did the elemental up-
heaval that occurred two years later. Aside from events which are of
interest because th(»y attect those of our own race, there has been no other
happening in the entire histoi-y of Kansas so far out of the usual order of
Things, nor so significant in its suggestions. Elemental commotion above
die earth's surface we ai(^ accusiomed lo. and the violence and destruction
wrought by cyclones and tornadoes do not excite our special wonder, as
they would if they were new to our ex]ierience. Hut when the solid earth
itself begins to rock and vomits forth ston(^s by the ton from depths that
have not .seen the light for uninniibered aeons, ]M'o])le have reason to pause
and (luestion whether there is nnythiiig stable, anything abiding in
this old world of ours.
The writer of this aiticie visited CotVeyville two days after the ex-
plosioii. aiKl ihis is wlial lie s.iw as he ihen reconled his obsei'vations :
The main cralei- extends in a nori Invesierly and southeasterly di-
rection about a liuiidred feel. It is oblong in shape and varies in width
from thirly lo fifty feet. The pile of stone and earth that surrounds it
HISTORY Ol' JIONTGO.MERY COL'NTY^ KANSAS. I7
is ten or twelve feet high at the southeast corner, but the crater is scarcely
lower on the inside of this pile than the ground just south of it, so that
the bowl-shaped or crater-like appearance is due in large measure to the
piling up of earth and stone around the region of upheaval. Most of the
central depression, as well as the surrounding elevation, is covered with
jagged and irregular stones of various sizes, giving the scene a slight
resemblance to some of the stone gardens among the Rocky mountains.
These stones are principally fragments of sandstone, but among them is
some bluish soapstone. The gas men who have drilled here say that the
latter is not found nearer the surface than thirty or forty feet. And yet
right in the center of the crater is a great mass of this stone, consisting of
four or five layers, all tilted up on edge, about six feet in thickness and
fifteen feet long, with their lower edges concealed by the debris about
them. This is the mass which has been repeatedly described as "about
the size of a wag(m box." As a matter of fact there is stone enough in
that mass to fill a good sized wagon train and to weigh from fifty to one
hundred tons.
The force re(piired to tear this stone loose from the horizontal strata
in which it lay so quietly imbedded a week ago, as it had been ever since
it was mud and ooze in the bed of a great inland sea, to break up and lift
all the layers of sandstone That lay above it, and to instantly raise the
thousands on thousands of tons of rock and soil between it and the sur-
face, is beyond all computation. It must have been something titanic
— something compared with which the charges of dynamite u.sed
in shooting oil wells are as toy pistols to the great Krupp gun we saw at
the Chicago Exposition. That an explosion of gas in a pocket scores of
feet below the surface might have stirred the bosom of the sleeping earth
and opened a seam to ease the pressure would be credible ; but what kind
of a force, how sudden the explosion, and how beyond measure the pres-
sure, the force, required to produce so stupendous a result !
Yet this one minatui-e crater, where a bit of smooth, grass-grown
Kansas prairie had been, in the twinkling of an eye, transformed into
such a scene of stony desolation, by no means told all the story. Running
thence southwest for nearly fifty yards were great cracks from six to eight
feet deep and a foot or more in width. They terminated in another small-
er crater where the eruption seemed to have been much less violent, the
soil merely boiling up from the effects of the blow-out by the pent-up forces
below. Still farther to the southwest, traces of the exjjlosion and smaller
fissures could be perceived for a thousand feet or more out into the
pasture.
The main crater could have been little short of a full-fledged volcano
at the time of the explosion. Eye witnesses say that stones and earth
were thrown to a vast height — some think as much as four hundred feet,
which T am inclined to believe is more nearlv correct than the conservative
iS nisTiJKv nr Mu.\i(i(i.Mi:i:Y cdrNTV. Kansas.
estimate of one limuhed ami titty feet. The fiiomid fi-diii ilie i eiilei- of tlie
crater east to Waluut street, a distance of seventytive \:irds. is iliickly
strew!! -with stoues varying in size from the smallest ijaiiirle ii]i id l>nil<en
pieces of rock weighing two hundred j)ounds or more; and there is hardly
a bit of ground large enough to i)lace your hand ujion that is not covered
with this crumbled stone. There are jdenty of j>ieces in the street, too;
and so lu'a\y were the rocks tailing along its east side that a wooden
sidewalk, not less llian a hundred yards t'roiii the crater, built of plank
two inches thick, was broken in several places by the falling fragments.
For I block farther, more or less of the stony rain fell, some of the pieces
of blue soa])st(me here being large enough for building slabs. In the lot
directly east of the crater is a two-story residence jirobably twenty-ftve
feet stpiare. Here the window glass was all broken <>n the e.\]ios(Ml side,
and in one jilace the weather boarding had been crushed by the bomlnird-
menr. Mr. K. 1'. Kercheval occu]>ied the n]i]M'r story of this residence,
and his bedroom window was shattered and stones thrown over on to
the bed. fortunately withotit injuring any 4ine.
At the n(U-theast corner of this house is a small cistern about six feet
deej) and eight feet in diameter. It is of the shai)e of an inverted bowl,
and the native rock formed the b<itl<nii and a portion of the east side.
Here the effects of still another e.xiilosion were perceptible, the rock in
the renter of the l!oor being torn loose and thrown up with such force
as to crush the arch at the to]i. leaving a
ho
le in the bottom where the
firmest jiossible foundation had been befo
re..
Of course the cistern was
drained, the water disaii|peariug down the
' llo
le. Why the only break in
the surface (d)servable east of the main
cral
ter should have been made
right in the bottom of this cistern is one
of 1
Ihe many curious and inex-
plicable facts connected with this exjilosion.
Looking for something to throw light on the causes of such an tip-
upheaval. 1 note that a gas well had been drilled just northeast of the
crater in the i.asture and not more than fifty yards distant. That this
well had something to do with the exjdosion is an almost universal con-
cltision. Indeed. Major Osborne, the owner of the jnoperty, is talking of
suing the gas company which drilled ilie well, lor damages. Again, two
wells in the vii-inity are reported to have behaved sirangely before the
explosion. One of them, only about .-i Imiidivd xards to tite southea.st, is
thirty feet deej. and usually has six or ei-hi feel of water in it. Here,
before the exidosion. Ilie water is said to !ia\c lisen to within four feet
of the stirface. a fad dillicnlt to explain at smli a dry season as had been
previiiliiig. The wal.'i- ha< subsided to the iioinial level since the explo-
sion. .\nother well, a block larilKM- away, had been bubbling with gas for
two or Ihree wi'cks. bni simc has be.-ome (piiescent. The day after the
(^xjilosion. while a linndred people weic viewing the scene, one of those
HISTOKY OK .\rO.\T(;OMEUV rorXTY. KAX8Art. I9
ed tliat they have uo business to. stiuck a niatch and iguiled gas enough
to cause an expk>sion and some trembling of the earth.
All these faets tit in vei-y nicely with the theory that the gas well
had been leaking into some tissures comparatively near the surface, and
(TOW (led ilicm with gas until the pressure became very great, when the
St nil exploded in some unaccountable way. In that case, though, it is
naturally questioned why some of the force and effects of the explosion
were not manifest in the well itself. That seems to be uninjured, and
the gas escapes from it now with considerable roaring, burning at night
with a great mass of Hame and a noise that may he heard blocks away.
People who were awake at the time of the explosion say that it was
jjreceded by a heavy rund)ling and roaring that seemed to come from
the southwest; that the earth i-ocked and then tlie dirt and stones were
thrown high into the air. At the same time people living three miles to
the northeast rejiort that dishes were thrown from a table by the tremb-
ling of the earth.
Tlie explosion occurred at two o'clock Monday morning. A few
minutes before one o'clock Tuesday afternoon, the sound of a heavy ex-
plosion was heard at Caney, twenty miles to the west; dishes rattled,
buildings rocked, and there were all the phenomena of an earthquake
shock. The same afternoon several people from the neighborhood of
Independence, who were attending a sale two miles '.orth of Jefferson
and about twelve miles northwest of Coffeyville, report having heard a
loud explosion. Threshers in Rutland township observed the same thing,
and llieir machine was shaken as if by a rolling of the earth's surface.
Where this explosion heard by .so many jjeople in such widely separated
localities actually took place, no one ever learned; and it seems hardly
possible that it could have all been the work of the Cotfeyville boy with
his little parlor match, as the noise he made could not have been heard
at so great a distance.
That the gas which exjiloded was far above the dee]) veins from
which the gas wells draw their suiqily seems probable. That electrical
or other conditions which accompany earthquakes could ignite subter-
ranean gasses is well known. Why an upper vein should be exploded &nd
the lower ones remain undisturbed by the effects of an earthquake,
whose tremblings are supposed to originate hundreds or thousands of
feet below the surface, is hard to understand on the theory suggested.
That the gasses which filled the tissures comparatively near the surface
could have been exploded by any other agency than one originating deep
in the bowels of the earth seems unreasonable — the more especially as
there was no thunder or lightning on that eventful night.
The years that have passed since the occurrence who.se effects are
detailed above have witnessed no other like jihenomena anywhere in the
gas belt; nor have they thrown any ailditioiial light on the cause which
20 HISTORY (IF :MllN-|i;0>Ii:i!Y Cm-NTV. KANSAS.
produced tluil blow-out. Aiul 1 am still iiiflined to believe that it could
only liave been the frictional or eleetrical effects of a slight earthquake
shock that could have exploded the gas in its underground chambers and
jirodiK ("d the resulting volcanic ujdieaval.
The Reed Family Tragfedy
Manj terrible tragedies have darkened the annals of Montgomery
county, but among them all there has been no other that has so profound-
ly moved the jieople as that of the suffocation of the family of George W.
Reed, at Independence, cm the night of Saturday, December 31st, 1893.
The calamity was due to the imperfect consumption of natural gas, on
account of the entire stoppage of the flue of a chimney, resulting in the
formation of that deadly product of combustion, carbonic oxide gas. This
fact, however, was not learned until days after the tragedy, and
meanwhile the mystery and the horror which surrounded the affair so
impressed the public mind that the jieople of the city could neither think
nor talk of anvthing else, and foi' a time business was almost at a stand-
still.
The Keed family at the time consisted of Mr. Reed, who was manager
of the Long-Bell Lumber Company, his wife. Ella, who was a sister of
E. P. xMlen, president of the First National Bank, their son Allen, a boy
of five yeai-s, and Miss Eda Scott, a young lady 22 years of age who had
been in their employ for several months. On the night mentioned Mr.
Reed had gone for a doctor for a neighbor's child, about nine o'clock in
the evening, which was the last seen of him alive. On the Sunday follow-
ing, at least six or seven times attempts were made to obtain entrance to
the house, but every one who came found the doors locked and received
no response to repeated knocks. Tom Foster, who was a step-son of a
married daughter of Mr. Reed, had been invited to take dinner there on
that day, and not only came at the appointed time but when he found the
door locked, the curtains drawn and everything still about the house, sat
down on the jiorch in the warm sunshine of that New Year's day and
waited for an hour before going away. J. A. Sparks, then turn-key at the
jail, was the affianced husband of the girl. Eda. and he not only went
there once but rejieatedly. in fulfillment of an engagement to take her for
a buggy ride that aftei-noon. without learning why it was that no re-
sfjonso came to his knocking.
Everyone of course concluded that the family had gone out aud so
no attenijit was made to break into the house. When, however, the next
morning came and .Mr. Reed did not a])pear at the lumber yard, his
friends, and Mr. Sjiarks as well felt that it was time to make an investi-
gation. Accordingly a jiarty was formed, consisting of Allen Brown,
whose tirst wife was .Mr. Reed's daughter. Rev. J. E. Pershing, Charles
Yoe. of I he Tribune. Justice C. E. Cilmore. .L A. Sparks, H. J. Fairleigh,
HISTORY OF MONTCJOJir-UY COINIV. KANSAS. 21
and Geo. L. Remington, which prqoeeded to the residence and obtained
entrance through an unfastened kitchen window. Mr. Brown went first,
followed by Mr. Yoe. The kitchen tire was burning brightly, but the air
was hot and foul, and Mv. Yoe stopped to turn off the gas. I'assing on
into the sitting room Br. Brown was heard to exclaim "My God. what a
sight!" Sweated within two feet of the stove was the body of Mr. Reed,
already so far decomposed in that over-heated atmosjihere that long lines
of blood and corriijition were stealing down his clothing to the floor
forming a pool on the carpet and soaking through into the pine tloor be-
neath.
Haste was made to throw open doors and windows and change the
stifling and pestilential air which was charged with the odors of death
and decay. Had not this been done, the cause of the calamity would
have been sooner discovered in the asphyxiation of some of the party.
Further search disclosed that the wife and child, who were in the bed-
room most distant from the fire, were still alive, though unconscious.
The girl upstairs had been stricken while at her toilet and had fallen to
the fioor and died many hours liefoi-e. as was indicated by the stage of
decomposition that had been reached.
The efforts to resuscitate Mrs. Reed proved successful, but the child
lingered only until Monday evening, when his young life went out. Mrs.
Keed could throw no light on the cause of the awful tragedy, though she
remembered that Mr. Reed had complained of feeling chilly after re-
tiring and had got up and lighted the fires, which had been turned out.
It was later that he had responded to the call to go for a doctor for the
neighbor's child, after which, she said he had retired again.
Autopsies of the victims of this tragedy were held, and it was an-
nounced that nothing inhaled into the lungs was responsible for it, and
that in neither case was death due to as]jliyxiation. This was the dictum
of a Kansas Ciiy expert who has never exjilained his blunder. The local
physicians. Kuctors MeCulley, Masterman and Davis agreed that death
was due to poisoning, and two of tliem said the symptojus were those of
strychnine. From this, however, Masterman dissented. Xo people stood
higher in the community than Mr. and Mrs. Reed, and so far as was
known they had not an enemy in the world. How or why they could have
been poisoned was a mystery that baffled every attempt at solution. And
yet, that they had been poisoned by something other than gas from the
stove, every one was forced to believe. It was more than a nine days'
wonder. It was a horror which was inexplicable. Speculation ran riot,
and everything imaginable was surmised. To solve the problem, if pos-
sible, it was decided to have a chemical analysis of the contents of the
stomachs of the two adults and of Mr. Reed's brain as well. Dr. Davis
accordingly took them up to Kansas City and the inquest was adjourned
to await the result. When word came on Saturdav. a week after the
fatal evening, that no trace of poison could be discovered the mystery
seemed deeper tlian ever. Many people were demanding that a test be
made by subjecting dogs to the same conditions that prevailed in thejiouse
when tlic viclims were found. The idea was that in some way the heated
air h;iil pioxcd falal. Sroutiiig this suggestion, one of the physicians
had assiMicd iliai a dog wnuld live for a month in just such an atmos-
phere as those tires had i)roduced.
Unintentionally a test was made, however, in a way that set all
doubt, as to the calamity being due to the flres in the stove, completely
at rest. Mr. Keeds' married daughters, ;Mrs. E. L. Foster and Mrs. R. O.
Barbee, had been summoned from New .M,cxi<'o and Kentucky to attend
the funeral. On the following Tuesday. Mr. K. P. Allen accompanied
his wife and Mrs. Foster to the Reed house and lighted the flres to warm
the rooms foi- them while they proceeded to look over the clothing in the
bureaus and closets. Fortunately the outer door was left open. Each
noticed that her eyes were smarting, but as the articles they were
handling had become saturated with foul odors, they remarked that it
would not do to rub them. Mrs. Foster soon complained of a smarting
sensation in her throat also. A moment more and there was a strong
twitching sensation in each side of her neck, and she felt her head drawn
backward. She started for the open door and had barely reached it
when nIic slaupcicd. icclcd and frll bac'liward on the porch. Her head
struck a posi as slir ti'll, and sultcring fiuni a terrible nausea she vomited
profiisely and h<Taiii(' in.sensible where she fell. Subsequently there was
observed frothin.g at the mouth and the same convulsive symptoms that
had been manifested in Mrs. Reed's case, as she was being slowly brought
back to life. Not only that, but in her case her hands had remained
clasped for twcnly-fonr hours, and her jaws were set so that it was with
the utmost ditli<nlty they were forced apart to permit the administration
of nourishnii'ni.
There was of course no lunger any doubt that, whatever had been
the cause of the trageily, it was still potent aTid might easily j)rove fatal
to any one who should venture to enter that charnel house. One fact like
this was worth a million theories in solving the problem of that awful
calamity. The jirojiosed experiment with living animals confined in the
places in wliicii the jieople had been found was now undertaken. On
Wednesday, .lamiary 10th, Marshall Griffey got together three dogs and
a cat. and under the sniierintendence of the sheriff and several physicians,
they were locke<| up in the house with the fires burning. The dogs were
in crates or ciges, and in ad<lition to placing them where the bodies had
been found, a cai w.is fastened at the foot of the stairway.
An interested iiuwd lingered about the house all day watching the
exiieriment. Son;i' ilimlied to the roof of the kitchen from which the dog
in the girl's room up stairs cmild be closelv observed. It 'vas noticed
IIISTOKV (H- Md.NTi.d.MUKV Cdl N'lV. KANSAS. 23-
that llie tiro in the siltin<; nxim was acting <nic('i-ly. the Ida/.c fi-oiii the
gas coming out of the door for several inclu« and showing a reversed
draft. Step by step the mystery was being cleared up. On the roof it
was finally noted that while a large volume of heated air was coming
from the kitchen chimney, the one from the sitting room remained cool,
and no draft of any kind was i)erceptible. The cliinuiey had been choked
up by the mortar which had fallen in when it was repaired and pieces^
had continued to fall until there was no longer any vent.
By half past two in the afternoon the dog in the sitting room was in
convulsions and the one up stairs had begun to show signs of distress
and was frothing at the mouth. From this time on the crowd of inter-
ested sight-seers increased, and there was a constant concourse of bug-
gies and wagons in the street. The dogs were not rendered suddenly un-
conscious, as Mrs. Foster had been the day before, but suffered one spasm
after another, each of them exceedingly severe. In the intervals between
the convulsions the animals lay panting, the one near the stove with his
tongue- jirotruding and very rapid respiration. At half past seven this
dog died, and just bef(!re midnight the last signs of life wei'e observed in
the one up stairs. When the animals were taken oiit on Thursday morn-
ing, the dog in the bed room was still living, but it lay sprawled and
stiffened with convulsions so that its recovery was deemed impossible'
and it was shot. The cat alone survived and with its i>roverbial hardi-
hood ran away as soon as liberated and jilunged its head rejieatedly into
a vessel of water, as if to free itself from the poisonous effects of the air
it had been breathing for twenty-four hours.
An autopsy of the dead animals was made by Doctors McCulley,
Chaney and Davis, which resulted in disclosing the cherry-red ajipearance
of the blood that is noted as one of the marked indications of i>oisoning
by carbonic oxide, a gas that is formed in large quantity wherever there
is imperfect combustion of fuel in a stove. This gas is not immediately
fatal and its evil effects consist chiefly in shr.tting out oxygen, though it
has a positive deleterious (piality also.
The mystery was at last fully solved, and in the ten years since there
has never been another fatality in the county from poisonous gasses de-
veloped by natural gas stoves. Though learned at such a terrible cost,-
the lesson proved effective beyond expectation.
A further demonstration of the deadly character of this carbonic
oxide gas was made at the office of the Independence Gas C'omjiany the
same week, which will prove both interesting and instructive in this con-
nectioTi. In the plumbing sho]) stood a stove with no pipe, the pi'oducls
of combi^stion being allowed to pass oft" into the air of the room. Placing
a board over the hole for the pijie, at the to]) of the drum, the products
of combustion were confined in the drum. In a short time, with the stove
door open, the flames would project two or three feet and burn with the
24 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
reddish Inu- of imperfect combustiou. If tlien the stove door was closed,
the tire wouhl soon go out entirely, there being uo oxygen to support
combustion. Had the stove iu iMr. Reed's sitting room been of this sort,,
the only result of the stoiipage of the flue would have been to put out
the lire: but with the niii-a i-aiicls in ils door bvoki-n, Ihe tlanies came
out as when the stove door at tjic slio]! was oiicii. and the air grew more
deadly every moment.
Visitors at ilr. Reed's a day or two previous to the tragedy had no-
ticed that the air was bad; but it did not become deadly until the vent in
the chimney was entirely closed, and he was such a sufferer from catarrh
that he did not detect the changed character of the air as the fatal gas
began to poison it.
"Why Did Pomeroy Trust York?
i;y II. w. Yot'xc.
That "tnith is stranger than tictiou" is among the most trite of prov-
erbs. Ami \i't, that it is the tarts of human life rather than the wildest
vagaries uf the romancer that appeal to us more powerfully as weird,
strange, wonderful, or inexplicable, is evidence of the intiiiite versatility
of nalure. The materials that go to make the warp and woof of events
are often the most unexpected, and are ever blended in any way that
sets at naught the greatest foresight and the wisest predictions. Indeed,
the more one reads and studies the lore of the past and the fiction of the
present, the more fully will he be convinced that all there is of interest
or value iu the creations of the novelist is the truth they contain.
During the first five years of Montgomery county's history, the most
striking events, seen with the clear perspective of almost a third (»f a cen-
tury's distance are the lender tragedy and the exposuic by Senator A. M.
Yoi"k of the attemjjt made to purchase his vote by Tnited States Senator
S. C. Pomeroy, who was a candidate for re-election. Another less im-
portant, but still remarkable event, was the location of the Osage District
land office at Independence. That there could be any connection between
events so entirely dissimilar, or that one of them should stand to another
in the relation of cause and efi'ect, would seem to be especially unlikely.
And yet not only was this the case, but we find one name — and that of a
man wh i was mniucst ionably the foremost citizen of Montgomery county
in those early days— coming to the front iu all three of those events. It
was only the fad ili;it Dr. William York was the best known of the Ben-
ders' victims. ;iii(l thai ii was his disaiipcarance which led to the search
that hroughl ihcir ciimcs to light thai connected Senator York with that
tragedy in is?:'.. What an event lul period that was for our Senator be-
tween .lainiary IsTii and .Inly 1ST:!. How much of thrilling personal
experience was crowded into it.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 25
When ill the early winter of 1872 the mayor and conucil of the city
of Independence decided to leave no stone nnturned to secure the removal
of the United States land office from Neodesha to their own town, they
raised |3,000 for the purpose and sent Senator York to Washington to
engineer the deal. What he did there he shall tell in his own language,
as it is recorded in the report of a legislative investigating committee at
Topeka, testifying before which on January 31st, 1873, the Senator said:
*'I was authorized as an attorney or agent of the town of Indepen-
dence, by the mayor and council of that place to visit Washington last
winter, and to do all I could to get the land office located at Indepen-
dence. I think I left for Washington in January, 1872 ; anyhow I knew
Mr. Caldwell was at home, being absent through the holiday recess. I
took with me a letter of introduction from Mayor Wilson to General
McEwen. I visited Messrs. Tomeroy and Lowe frequently with reference
to the land office removal, and had consultations with the Kansas dele-
gates in Congress separately and collectively, and could do nothing for a
long while. I also calletl tm Secretary Delano and ascertained from him
that Mr. Pomcniy had ilie control of such orders. I then saw Mr. Pome-
roy again and wanted him to promise that the office should be removed
when the "strip bill" passed, but he told me it could not be done, and
advised me to return home. This conversation I think was in February.
However, I have a record of all my conversations with the delegation and
with every member thereof. I recorded the conversations inmiediately
after the respective interviews occurred. Thereafter I called on General
McEwen and presented my letter of introduction, and as our companion-
ship grew he made me acquainted with the details of the Alice Caton
scandal and showed me the original affidavits, similar in every respect to
the printed affidavits circulated in this city recently. And now let me
say here that I did not countenance the circulation of these affidavits
during the late Senatorial canvass, but did renmrk to a friend that they
were word for word of the original affidavits which 1 had then and have
now in my trunk. After reading these affidavits in (ieneral Mc-
Ewen's presence, I received permission to keep them, and the following
evening called to see Senator Pomeroy at his private residence in W'ash-
ington. I found him in the middle parlor. I think there were three
parlors or reception rooms in his house, communicating with each other
by folding doors. Senator Caldwell was there that evening and other
gentlemen, and, I think, several ladies. Seeing Senator Pomeroy occu-
pied, I requested the privilege of an interview at his committee room
early the following morning,, and the Senator said he guessed the com-
pany would then excuse us. and he invited me into the back parlor. We
went to the further side of the room and sat down close together, my
chair facing him. I said: 'Senator, you have all this time failed to ap-
preciate the earnestneiss of my demands for the removal of the land office
;26 UISTORY OF MUXT(iU.MERY COIXTY, KANSAS.
to IiKleiieudeiue, and now I want to show you some docninents That will,
I think, appt'al very forcibly to yon.' And thereupon 1 took from my
pocket the affidavits referred to and showed them to him. He commenced
reading and sotm his face began to change color. I leaned forward and
put the question direct to him: 'Did you jio to Baltimore (naming the
day) ; did you stop at Barnum's hotel?' He said he did. 1 then asked
him if Alice Caton went to the same city the same day and sto])ped at
the same hotel. He said she did go to BaJliiiiore that day. and he
thought she stojjped at Barnum's hotel. I asked him if he did not room
in Xo. . He said he could not recollect. I asked him if there was not a
door directly communicating between his and her room. He denied that
there was. and said he slept with a young man that night whose name
he did not remember. At length he agreed to have the land office re-
moved on the first of April, preferring that the scandal should not be
revived as coming from a resjjectable source; and the land offiiv was
removed to Independence according to agi-eement."
In reply to a question by a member of the investigating committee
as to the means he employed, Colonel York said he thought "they were
questionable, but the peo]»le of Indei.)*^iidence sent me to Washington to get
the land office and 1 got it."
It has always been :i wonder how so astute and exjiericnced a pol
itician as Senator I'omeroy could ]iul himself so entirely in the jjower of
a political enemy ::s he did when he placed those packages of bills in
York's hands to Imy his vie. especially in view of the fact that York was
made secretary of the anti I'omeroy organization in the legislature, of
which \V. A. Johnson, afterwards Justice of the Supreme Court, was
chairman. The st(uy told above by York throws a flood of light on this
(|uestion. York was not a stranger to I'omeroy. The latter naturally had
concluded that the Montgomery county man was as unscrupulous as he
was himself, and that he would employ any means, no matter how '"ques-
tionable" to accomplish the purposes he had in view. York had black-
mailed him into locating the Osage land office at Independence, and ho
had evidently set him down as a bird of his own feather. That the man
who would extort a favor foi- his town by a threat to expose Pomeroy's
moral coirujilion to his const jiuents. would be any too good to pocket
$S,(MI<) as the jirice of a vole for ilie same i-e]probate in the joint convention
never seems to have occiired lo llial slalesniau. He would not have
trusted a siranger in any such way. Inil a peddler of scandal! Why not
c(nint him sale?
So il is iliai liiii loi- liie removal of the land office to Independence
it is eiiliiely iiii|M-. Iiali'c iliit York would ever have been in a position to
"exiiose" i'(. menu's ( ni rii ja ion. Thus wtrangely are events linked to-
gelhe: That York was an honest man is attested by his civil war record.
.He was made captain in a negro regiment and ollcred an oi)Uortnnitv to
III.STUUY OF MON'TliO.MEllY TurNTY, KANSAS. 2"]
line his pockets bv putting fictitious iiaiiics mi ilic \\\\\ roll, aii<l dcfiaud-
inj>- the ignorant negroes of their ]iav. 'I'liis hi' stcrnlv refused to do. and
he was in ronst>(|ueiu-e ](roiiioted 1o he lieulenaiil colonel, whence liis
title.
It was in the same y(>ar. IS?:'., and only Ihi-ee months later, that
York was again brought into prominence in an entirely ditVerent way,
by the discovery of his brollu-v's body in that well-plowed garden of the
Benders'.
The Mont§:omery County High School
During tlie fall and early winter of is'.ic, there was some talk about
the establishment of a county high school at hideiiendence. and mention
was made of the matter in the newspapers, as one which might come be-
fore the legislature. On the 8d of February. 11S!I7. a bill was introduced
in the Senate by Senator Young, providing that a high school for Mont-
gomery county should V)e established at Indei)eudence. to be carried on
under the jjrovisions of the general high school law of 1880. The same
bill was introduced in the House by Representative Fulton, February
4th, 1897. Immediately on the introduction of this bill in the Senate,
the people of the county were notified of the fact through the columns of
the Star and Kansan. and invited to exju'ess their ojiinion in regard to
it in the following words, which will be found in ■■The Kdilor's Letter,"
written from Topeka by the Senator from this county, and published on
February 5th, 1897 :
A bill to establish a county high school at Independence was intro-
duced in the Senate this morning. I should like to hear a general ex-
I)ression from the people of the county as to the desiraliility of ])roviding
facilities for higher education at home, thus saving a jiortion of the large
sums now paid to send young men and women of our county to distant
institutions of learning.
Both the Senator and Representative from this county received a
large number of letters urging the jiassage of this special act. and favor-
ing the establishment of the school, while neither one of them received
a communication opposing it. The bill was held nji for a time in the
Senate committee, but when it became apparent that the jieoide inter-
ested were making no opposition to the proposed school, it received a fav-
orable report. It passed the Senate on February iOtli, 1897. without a
dissenting voice, by a vote of 'I'l to 0. In the House there was some op-
position to the bill in committee of the whole. Representative Weilep, of
Cherokee cininty. speaking against it, but it was recommended for pas-
sage February :i7th. 1897, and (Ui March l.'d, 18!»7. it i)assed that body by
a vote of 97 to 1. the Senate liill in the meantime having been substituted
for the House bill. It was signed by the governor March 5th, 1897, and
HISTOIJV OF .M(
ml)
iMICltY COUNTY^ IvAX
> ollicial stato pajic
Mill
;th, of
Jnsl as soon as llie hill had been passed, howi'vcn-, considerable
.opposition to Tlie scliool was dcvelojK'd in certain sections of the covinty,
iioruL:;.- in S.vcaiiiore. ("heiry. Drum Creek, Louisburg and Cherokee
lownshiiis. Meetings were held t() i)rotest against the establishuient of
the school. ;iiid jietitious were widely circulated requesting the couuty
THE MONTGOMIi
CO
mniss
iol
ers
to a],point
as I
SC
lool. ;
wl
o would, it
was
I'l
)\ isio
IS
of t
le law.
Wh
'U
the
coinniissioi
lers n
"!
. and
it
was
agreed am
"ig 1l
se
ected
t
lerc
should be
1 w • 1
tr
ct. The
boa
rd of conun
ission
of
Inde
)('!
den
■e: .Ic.hii t
i\ciis.
of
I'ark
■r
o\V
islii,,. The
Iwo 1
t.
els «
IS
aga
list the scl
..ol. 1
.nuht. t;
own to be
o action t.
■;tile to the
rrv out the
t in April, isi»7, they took the matter
ni that as there were six trustees to be
pjiointed from each commissioner dis-
s at that time consisted of 1'. S. Moore,
if West Cherry; and David A. Cline,
Icr fell that tl'ic .sent iiiient in their dis-
t were luiwilliiig to attempt to nullify
HISTORY OF .M0NT0O.MEUY C'OLNTY, KANi^AS. 29
tli(> law hv making the appointiuents petitiomvl for. Fii.in the northern
district Kevilo Newton, a banlcer of Cherryvale, and -M. L. Stephens, a
farmer of I.ouisburg townsliip. were uauied. neither of whom were
thought to heartily favor the school at llie time of their appointment.
For the middle district William Dunkin, of Independence, a lawyer
and capitalist, and Thomas Haydeu, a farmer of Liberty township, were
selected. From the southern district. J. A. Moore, a farmer of Caney
township, and E. A. Osborn, a stockman, of Coffeyville, were chosen.
Both Dunkin and Hayden were enthusiastically in favor of the school.
Moore also favored it,'while Osborn was not only opposed to it, but took
little interest in the matter, attended but a few of the meetings, and de-
clined to be a candidate at the following election.
So far as the six trustees were concerned, the Board was equally
divided between the friends of the school and those who were less fav-
orably disposed toward it, but the law making the county superinten-
dent n member of the board cr-officio and its chairman, prevented a dead-
lock at any time. The board met for the first time on April 22d, 1897.
and organized by electing Kevilo Newton secretary and ^^"m. Dunkin
treasurer.
I'nder the general high school law, a site for the building was re-
quired to be furnished without expense to the county. On May 28th the
board accepted the offer of the city of Independence to furnish a piece of
ground 300 feet square, comprising a block of land in the southwest
corner of out-lot .5 for this purpose. It was also stipulated in the con-
tract with the city, that a sewer connection should be furnished without
expense to the county. On tlie following day it was voted to make to the
county commissioners a certified estimate of six mills on the dollar as the
amotmt of tax needed to erect a suitable building. On this proposition
the six trustees were tied, three of them, namely : Messrs. Osborne, New-
ton and Stephens, being in favor of making the levy tw'o mills a year for
three years. The six-mill proposition was. liowever. adopted by the decid
ing vote of President Dollisou. At this meeting H. :M. Hadley, of Topeka,
was elected architect of the board.
On September 7th the plans and specihcations j»repared by Mr.
Hadley were accepted and the board advertised for bids for the constv-
tion of the building in accordance therewith.
At a meeting held on October 2Sth. ten bids were submitted for the
whole or part of the work, and on the following day the bid of M. P. T.
Ecret to erect the building for |1!),.d47 was accepted; also the bid of
W. A. ^lyrick. to furnish the heating and ventilating appratus and to do
the plumbing for gas and water, for f3,530. This made the total contract
price for the building |2:;.077.
Meanwhile the opponents of the school had not been idle. They had
temployed Hon. T. J. Hudson, of Fredoiiia. as their attorney, and on Sep-
30 HISTORY OF MONTGOJIEKV COVNTY, KANSAS.
teniber 14th. 1807. they filed in the district com-t of the ((unity, a jietition
iiskin*; for a restraining order to ]irevent the levying i>v cdl lection of the
tax for the bnilding. and to forbid the trustees from doing anything
further looking toward its erection, or the establislinieut of the school.
Lewis Billings, of I>runi Creek, and seventeen others, were named as
])laintitts in this petition.
The case came on for hearing at the Xdveiiilier term of couit, and on
the :.'9th day of that month .Indgc Skidisiore granted the injunction
prayed for. fortifying his action by an extended opinion. The ground
on which this order was asked and granted was the claim that the special
act establishing the school was unconstitutional, for the reason that a
general law was applicable. This point had been raised iu the supreme
court and overruled when the Labette county high school was established
by a similar special law; and two of the three judges who concurred iu
tiiat opinion were still on the bench, so that the chance of winning the
case in the final outcome did not seem esi)ecially promising. Neverthe-
less. Judge Skidmore reversed the sujireme coui't with a great deal of
alacrity, and the work of the tinstccs came to a ^*tandstill, while the case
was carried up to the suiircmc court.
By the terms of the injnintion. the county commissioners were for-
bidden to make a levy of tlic tax for the building, the county clerk was
forbidden to extend this levy on the tax books, and the county treasurer
was forbidden to collecr it. The original petition for a restraining order
had been made in the jirobate c(nirt ; but as it had been refused there, by
the time (he case was decided in the district c(uirt. the tax had been
levied and extended on the books. J. K. Blair, who was county treas-
urer, therefore refused to accejit any jiortion of any tax unless the county
high school tax was ]iaid. so that the collection of the money for the
building fund went right on. in spite of liie injunction. Nor was any at-
tempt made to ininisli Mr. lilair for contemiil of court in doing what the
law comiielled him to do. in making the collection.
While this case was pending, the oiijuments of the school hoped to
elect a board of trustees at the Novend)er electi(ni who were opj)osed to
the school. The Republican convention, which was held Septendier ISth,
•■o'^jniinated Messrs. Dunkin, Hayden and Moore who were friendly to
the . !,ool. and three more candidates who were thought to be unfriendly.
The I'o])ulists and Democratic conventions, held September 2'Jth, agreed
in conference committee to noniinale the old board with the exception of
Majoi Osborne, who jiositively declined to jiermit his name to be used.
In his jilace .Vdam Beatty. of Cherokee township, was named. The elec-
tion of either the Keimblican or the fusion candidates would have insured
a majority favorable to the school. So the plan adojited to defeat it was
to vole for the three unfavorable candidates on the Keindilican ticket and
the most liike-w.-iini li.embers of the old board. Ciivnlais were dislrihuled
HISTORY OK MONTCiOlIEUV COfNTY. KANSAS. 3I
nl iiKist (if ili(> polling i)lares advising that tiiis be done. The result was
till" election i>( the old board, with Mr. Beatty. by overwhelming major-
ities. The totals ranging from 3.459 votes for Thomas Hayden to 2.!l3()
for Eevilo Newton while the largest vote cast for an avowedly oi)posing
candidate was 2.622. This vote etfectnally settled the (jnestion as to the
feeling of the people, and also as to the possibility of defeating the school
by electing an unfriendly board.
On January 11th. 1898, the new board organized by electing William
Dunkin secretary and Revilo Newton treasurer. The question how long
each trustee should serve was decided by lot, Hayden and Newton draw-
ing the three-year term, DunUin and Moore the two-year term and
Stevens and Realty the one-year.
After various posti)onements and delays the case in the supreme court
was decided May 7th, and the judgment of the lower court reversed. This
dissolved the injunction and left the trustees free to proceed with the
erection of the building. On -Tune 14th the contract with M. P. T. Ecret
was (hanged so as to include H. A. Hrewster & Co. with him. W. A. My-
rick at the same time transferred his contract foi- plumbing to E. \.
Chaney. of Topeka.
(Jround was broken for the building Monday, June 2((th, 1898; and
on June 29th W. H. Hack was appointed superintendent of construction.
From that time the work was pushed rapidly all through the summer and
fall, so that by Thanksgiving the walls were up and the work of roofing
was in progress.
It was on Monday, November 28th, that a very pleasant impromiitu
affair occured at the building. The tower was already in place, and noth-
ing rensained to finish it except to paint the tin of the roof. A portion of
the scaffolding the builders had used still surrounded this tower. Miss
Mena Jones, a young lady of Sycamore township, and a daughter of
William Jones, had expressed a willingness to raise the American flag
upon a staff at one corner of this tower. She proved her grit and the
steadiness of her nerves by climbing the tower, walking erect and unat-
tended along a narrow plank near the top, at the same time waving her
hands to acquaintances in the street a hundred feet below, as coolly as if
she were standing on the firm earth. She attached the flag to the staff,
and it was greeted with a ringing cheer from the group gathered on the
roof, followed by another for the plucky girl who had performed the dar-
ing feat.
Tlip work of plastering and inside linishing proceeded through the
winter of 1808-99, and by the first of April the building was practically
completed, though some minor details prevented its foi-mal acceptance
by the trustees at the hands of the contractors until June fith, 1899. On
August 1st, 1898, the trustees made an estimate fixing 1% mills as the
fiuciint of tax levy neeced to raise a sum sufficient to furnish the build-
22 HISTOUY OK MONT<;OMEKY COUNTY. KANSAS.
ing, pay for all further iniproveineiits. and run the school until the close
of 181)9.
At the November election of 1898. Adam Beatty was re-elected tnis-
tee and P. H. Fox. of Fawn Creek townshiji. was elected to take the place
of M. L. Stephens.
March 20th. 18!»0. the board elected Samuel M. Xees, who had for nine
years previous been at the head of the Independence city schools, as
principal.
A contract for furuiline for the Iniilding was made with O. C. Clark
& Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, on April 11th. This included 500 opera chairs,
300 single desks. 9 teachers" desks, and 1327 feet of solid rock slate for
black-boards. The contract price was $1,721.82, and the next highest bid
was about §1,200 more.
J t was decided on April 25th to elect three gentlemen and two ladies,
\vh(j, with the princii>al, shoiild constitute the faculty, at salaries of f750
per annum each, for the former, and ^(iOO for the latter. T. B. Henry, W.
E. Ringle, Richard Allen, Georgia Cubine and Lura Bellamy were elected
to these positions.
At the meeting on June 6th, after the building had been received
from the contractors, a course of study was agreed upon and a set of by-
laws for the government of the school adopted.
At the meeting on June 28th the tax levy for 18!l!t was fixed at 2
mills. Rules and regulations were adopted and a list of text books
agreed upon July 18th.
On Monday, September 4th, 180!», the school was opened with very
simple ceremonies. After prayer by Rev. S. S. Estey, short addresses
were made by President Dollis<m of the board of trustees, Mr. Estey,
Principal Nees, and other members of the faculty. The enrollment of
pupils during the first week of school exceeded* 200, and the school,
which had been so long in jirej^aration and so bitterly fought over, was
fairlv launched among the institutions of the state devoted to the higher
education.
Classes in the following subjects were organized for the first term :
Beginning Latin, Ciesar, Cicero, Algebra, Geometry, I'sychology, Greek,
Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, General History, Bookkeping, Vocal Music,
German. Rhetoric. English Literature, Arithmetic and Physical Geog-
raphy.
At this point it is fitting to bear testinumy to the fidelity and de-
votion with which the members of the original board of trustees per-
formed their duties, and the intelligence and zeal with which they labored
to provide a home for and build up a school which w<iuld he a credit not
only to all connected with its establishmcnr, bnt to the c(ninty and the
state as well. Ii mutln-cd nut :it ull that son f tlicni had been at first
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 33
opposed to the undeitakiug; no sooner did they put their hands to the
work tlian it began to grow broader and higher in their minds, and they
became inspired with the ambition to make everything the best. The im-
mense possibilities of good, not only for the young people of today, but
for the generations to eome, loomed up before them as they became inter-
ested in the work, and they gave to it time without stint, and their best
energies. As a result they could rejoice in having been instrumental in
providing for Montgomery county a High School that admittedly ranks
at the head of schools of its class in the state, both in its material equip-
ment and in the character of the work it is doing.
At the November election of 1899, E. P. Alien and Wilson Kincaid,
both business men of Independence, though candidates on opposing tick-
ets, were elected trustees. At the meeting held January 8th, 1900, the
new board organized by electing Thomas Hayden, Vice-President; P. H.
Fox, t^ecretary; and Eevilo Newton, Treasurer.
The Dalton Raid at Coffeyville
In all the annals of trinie in our country, few if any events have fur-
nished more dramatic incidents or created more of a sensation than the
raid if the Daltons at Coffeyville, on the morning of Wednesday, October
5th, 1-p^- - There have been other bank robberies where larger amounts
of nioTi&y have been at stake, and some in which better known bandits
and outlaws have participated, but in the sanguinary nature of the strug-
gle, the number of shots fired, and the victims on both sides, the Coffey-
ville affair must stand preeminent.
The "I'alton Cang," whose leaders organized aind perpetrated this
raid had already arquired an unenviable rejmtation as outlaws and train
robbers, and were ready for any crime if the stakes were large enough.
Three of the Dalton brothers, with two ordinary criminals of the sort
that could be j)icked up almost anywhere in the Indian Territory, con-
stituted the party. The Dalton family originally consisted of Lewis Dal-
ton and his wife, whose maiden name was Adaline Lee Younger, and who
was born in Cass county, Missouri, in the neighborhood whence came
other Youngers, who achieved notoriety as bank I'obbers. They were the
parents of thirteen children, of whom two died in infancy. The family
were not strangers at Coffeyville, having settled in that vicinity in 1882
and remained there until the opening of Oklahoma in 1889. In fact,
Lewis Dalton remained in this county until his death, at Dearing, in
1890. The rest of the family went to Oklahoma and took up claims. The
old people seem to have been jieaceable and law-abiding, but three of the
boys became deputy T'nited States marshals in the Indian Territory, one
of tlu-m also serving for a .^liorl time as chief of jiolice of the Osage Na-
tion. Familiarifv with crin.e and a<i|naintance with outlaws in the.se
The Dill tons
are cr
edited wiili inn
territory about i \
so far as know n,
tlie enrly i)art of
il,i'.\ 1
rs pivvi.Mis t.. r
.M,k 111,- liisi de
liailon. Willia
(■(1 fur train roltlx
n-y in
Tulare county.
34 iiisTOKV OF MoxT(;oMi:i;v cointv. Kansas.
positions seems to have developed a passion for criminal adventure, which
may have been also, to some extent, a matter of heredity on their mother's
side, (iratton, Emmet and Robert were the Halrons in the gang, and the
two other mend)ers of the quintette who r.-iidi-d tin- t 'olleyville banks were
known as Kill Powers and Dick P.roadwi-il. Itiilicri, the leader of the
gang, was only 22 years of age. while i:niiuct was a mere boy two years
younger. (Jratton was 31.
slcih'u a herd of cattle in the
vents to be here narrated, and
in outlawry at that time. In
lid Emmet I>alton were arrest-
iforuia. Emmet escaped, Wil-
liam was ac(|nitted, and Gratton was convicted and sentenced to twenty
years in the i>eniteutiary. He escaped from the county jail before being
taken to Eolsom, and there was a standing reward of |<),0(I0 offered for
(Jiaiion and Emmet by the Southern I'acitic Railway at the time these
men inel their fate at Coffeyville. Tn :\lay ISIM there was a train robbery
by masked men at NVharton, Imliiiii 'rcnii..i\, ..n i In- Santa Fe Railroad;
and in July of the same year aiimlii-i' :ii Ad.iir, mi the ^lissouri, Kansas iV:
Texas botii of which were credited To the l»allMns.
On the morning of the ( 'otfeyville raid, the tjve nM-n mentioned were
seen by several ]ieople riding toward that city, an<l they were taken, in
every instance, for a Enited Stal<-x Hepnty Marshal and'his posse. They
<ame in cm the main road fnnii lln- west, turned south (me block from the
business part of town and hitched ili,-ir horses in the alley running
hack from Slossen's drug store, which has since become famous as "the
Alley .if Death." They then started down the alley, (Jratton. with Pow-
ers and Proadwell in front, and Emmet and Bob following. As they
crossed the sidewalk, on emergiii- fmni the alley, they passed withiii
five feet of a citizen who was acnmiiitcd with theni well "enough to recog-
nize them in sjiite of the disguises ihey had assumed on coming into 'a
locality where Ihey were so well known. A moment later he saw the three
men who weic in front enter ('. .M. (•(imhrn ^\; ( 'o."s bank and present a
Winclicster at the cashier's counter. He raised the alarm at once.
.Meantime the other two had crossed Fnicm street and entered the
First National bank. They were followed by some citizens who suspected
their object and the alarm was sjieedily raised on the east side of the
plaza, also. Immediately half a dozen men rushed to the hardware stores
of Isham P.ros. & :Mansur and A. P. P.oswell c^c C... on the east side of
Enion street, and iiroceeded to provide themselves with rilles ;ind ammii
nition, deiei-mined that the bank robbers should nol -el ;iway if it was
possible to pi-event it.
In Condon .V Co.'s hank were ('. T. Carpenter, one of the iiroiirietors.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 35
Chas 51. Ball, the casliicv, ami T. V. Babb, the bookkeeper. The leader of
the raiders, (irat. I>alt<iii. ordered the men behind the counter to throw
up their hands; and on lookin*;- up from his work at the desk. Mr. Car-
penter saw three Winchesters aimed at his head, and heard such reassur-
ing words as these :
"We have got you, O d .von 1 Hold up .your hands"
As soon as Daltou had passed around into the inside of the eucdosure
at the bank, he ordered Mr. Ball to hold a grain sack he had brought with
liirn, while Carpenter was told to put the money in the canvas sacks in the
safe into it. There was $3,000 in silver in the three sacks, and when he
had got that Daltou ordered Mr. Ball to open the burglar proof chest in
the vault. Ball replied :
"It is not time for it 1o o]ien." ^ ^ /1RQ1 Q
"What time does it o]ien?'" asked (ivatton. J— L'iO^XO
"Half pa.st nine." answered r..ill. guessing what o'clock it might be,
sparring for time.
"What time is it now?" cjueried llie bandit.
"Twenty minutes past nim-." glibly answered Ball, looking at his
watch.
As a matter of fact, it was twenty minutes of ten, but Daltou did
not know this and calmly proposed to wait until the chest could be
opened. In a moment or two he began to suspect the truth and turned on
Ball and cursed him and threatened to put a bullet through him. With
the money from the counter the robbers now had .f4.000,"but the firing
which had begun from the outside was getting so hot that the robbers
ordered the sack carried into the back room, where the currency was
sorted out and the silver left. The bankers and two customers who hap-
pened to be in when the raid was made, were lying on the floor now to
escape the rain of bullets that came crashing through the plate glass.
Broadwell had already received a bullet in the arm that disabled him,
and the robbers nuide Imste to get out into the street whence they had
come.
Meanwhile, a good deal had been happening at the First Xational
across the street. Bob i>alton and Emmet entered here about the same
time the other three men went into Condon's. They covered the cashier,
Thomas G. Avers, and the teller, W. H. Hhepard, with their guns and
ordered everyone present to hold up his hands. The men in the bank in
front of the counter at ihe time were J. H. Brewster, the well known con-
tractor, who built the county court house, A. W. Kuotts, who was after-
ward deputy sherift, and C. L. Hollingsworth. Leaving Emmet on guard
in front. Bob went around to the rear and entered the private room, where
he fo)ind Bert S. Ayres. the boid^keejier. and ordered him to go to the
front and get the money on the counter. He then ordered the cashier to
35
lIlSTOltV (
)1- M
lii-iiijr liiiii
Iho
nioiu'V tlia
1 Wil
i;ot \v(int
into
the v'iUllt 1
llilll^
rainiiiji ti\
•(' Uv
imsand doll
a IS
in the safe, and not satisfied with what he
If and took two jiackajies of ctiiTency con-
each, and added them to the collection in his
sack, which now amounted to .|;2(l.(Ml(l. Oiderin<;- the bank foire and cus-
tomers out befoi-e them, tlie bandits started to ,ud (Uit the front door, but
some shots drove them back and tliey then retreated by a back door.
Right at this time tlie murderous work began. 8o far, only two men
liad been wounded, Broadwell. on the inside of ('ondon's bank, and
<'harles T. (Jum]), wlio had taken a jiosition outside of the First National
with a gun ready to slioot at the r)l(bers when they started out. I'.i>l)
B alton fired a shot which srnck him in the hand and disabled him.
When tlie two robl)ers emerged from tlie rear door of the First National,
liaviiig the teller. M'r. Sliepard with them, they came across Lucius M.
I'.aldwiii. a cUmIc from Kecnl I'.rotheis" store. He was holding a revolver
at Ills side and <oming forward as if to join the others. Both the Daltons
leveled their \\'inchesters at liim and commanded him to stoj). For some
reason he failed to obey and kept moving toward tliem. Bob remarked,
••{"ll have to get that man," and jiulled the trigger which sent a bullet
tliroiij;li Baldwin's breast near the heart. He was only about fifty feet
away at the tim(>. He was ]iick(>d ui) by friends and carried away but
only surviwd for about three hours.
The Daltons ran north up the alley to I-^ighth street and turned west
when they reached that street, ^^■hen they got as far as Union street on
the east side of the Plaza, they looked down that street to the south and
tired a couple of shots, apijarently for the purpose of friglitening their
assailants away. liy the time they had reached the middle of the street
on their way a.-ross to tlie "Little block" in the center of the Plaza, they
discerned (ieorge Cubine standing in the doorway of Rainmel Brothers'
drug store, which adjoined the First National bank building on tlie north.
He had a Winchester in his hand and was looki'ng the other way, toward
the door of the bank from which he was expecting to see the outlaws
emerge. They each fired twice at him, and as the four shots rang out, lie
fell to the pavement lifeless, with one bullet through his heart, another
through his left thigh and a third through his ankle. The fourth ball
went astray and crashed through the plate glass window of the store
beliini] him. Charles Brown, an old man whose place of busines.s was
next north of the drug store, rushed out to assist the fallen man; but see-
ing that lie was dead, seized the Winchester Cubiiie had and turned it
on his slayers. Four more deadly shots rang out from the bandits' guns,
and Brown fell bleeding and dying. He stiivi\ed three hours in drea Iful
agony and then jiassed away.
These three murders had been commilt<'d in l.'ss time than it has
taken to tell it, l!v this time the Italtoiis cauuht si^lii of another iiia-i
HISTORY OF M0XT(;0MER1' COUNTY, KANSAS. 37
Ts-ho was watching the entrance of the bank, ready to fii-e when they
should emerge. When turned out of the bank at the time the outlaws
started to come out the front way, Cashier Ayre s ran into Isham's hard-
ware store, just to the south, and procured a Winchester, with which he
took a position in the doorway, where he could command the enti'ance
to the bank. As they were stepping up on to the sidewalk on the west
side of Union street, and across the street from the Eldridge House, Bob
took deliberate aim at Ayres, who was about seventy-five yards distant,
and fired a bullet which struck him in the cheek, just below his left eye
aind came out at the back of his head near the base of the skull. He fell
bleeding and unconscious and for days hung between life and death, but
finally recovered.
Just at this time, (irntlon and his companions had reached the alley
adjoining Slosson's store, up which tlicy had left their horses, and before
the prostrate form of Mr. Ayres could be removed they fired nine shots
into the front of the building where he lay. Bob and Emmet proceeded
west on Eighth street and were not noticed again until they reappeared
near the junction of the two alleys, having come down back of Wells
Brothers' store. Their escape would have been comparatively easy, had
they not returned to that spot, but made a break for the open country and
taken the first horse they came across.
As it was, the whole force of the bandit band was now gathered in
what has since been known as "the Alley of Death," and there they all
fell beneath the bullets of the volunteers for law and order, though not
until another good citizen lost his life. For the facts thus far published
we are indebted to the painstaking and carefully written work published
by Colonel I). Stewart Elliott, of the Cofteyville Journal, entitled: "Last
Raid of the Daltons;" and for the story of the concluding scenes of that
raid we can do no better than to reproduce the chapter of that work on
"The Alley of Death" almost verbatim.
When the alarm was first given that the banks were being robbed,
Henrv HI Isham, the senior member of the firm of Isham Bi'others &
Mausur, was busy with a customer, as were two clerks in the store, Lewis
T. J)ietz and T. Arthur Reynolds. This store not only adjoined the First
National bank ou the south, but from its front a clear view is to be had
acro«s the I'laza and up the alley at the west side to which the Daltons
first came and to which they finally retreated. Mr. Isli:nn ilismissed his
customer, closed his safe, and, grasping a Winchester, siaiiniinl liimself
near a steel range in the front of the store where he could sec :ill that was
going on in the front part of Condon's bank. Dietz snatched a revolver
and stationed himself close to Isham, while Reynolds, having observed
the robbers enter the banks, was so eager to prevent their escape that he
seized a Winchester, ran out upon the sidewalk and commenced firing
38 HISTORY OF .MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
upon the robber who was statioDed near the southeastern door of the
Condon bank. A shot from the hitter's rifle struck some intervening ob-
ject and glanced and hit Reynolds on the right foot at the base of the
little toe. coming out at the "instep. He was the third man wounded in
the store, and was now forced to leave the field. Indeed, with its blood-
bespalteded floor, the store now began to look like a slaughter house or
a section of a battle field. M. N. Anderson, a carpenter, who had been at
work a couple of blocks away, now arrived and took the Winchester Rey-
nolds had dropped and stationed himself beside Isham, where he per-
formed valiant service until the close of the engagement. Charles K.
t^mith. a young m:m from a barber shop near Isham's store, also procured
a \\'incliester and joined the forces in the luudware store in time to help
exterminate the gang.
From five to nine shots were fired by eath man who iiaiidled a Win-
chestei- at this point. The principal credit, however, for the successful
and fatal work dtme at the store was due to Mr. Isham. Cool and col-
le<-te(l. he gave directions to his comiianioiis and at the same time kept his
own gun at work.
The moment that (irat. l>alton and his rouiiiani.ins. ]»iik I'.roadwel!
and Kill Powers, left the Condon bank after looting it, they came under
the guns of the men in Ishanr's store. Grat. Dalton and Bill I'owers each
received mortal wounds before they had gone twenty steps. The dust
was seen to fly from their clothing, and Powers in his despei'ation at-
tempted to take refuge in the doorway of an adjoining store, but the door
was locked and no one answered his request to be let in. He kept his feet
and clung to his Winchester until he reached his horse, when another ball
struck him in the back and he fell dead at its feet. (irat. Dalton, getting
under cover of an oil tank which had been driven into the alley just about
the time the raid was made, managed to reach the side of a barn on the
south side of the alley, about two hilndred feet from Walnut street. The
])oint Mhere he stopped was out of the range of the guns at Isham's on
account of an intervening outside stairway. He stood here for a few
minutes firing wild shots down the alley toward the Plaza.
.Vbont this time John J. Kkiehr, a liveryman. Carey Seaman, and the
City ."Marshal, Charles T. Connelly, who were at the south end of the
Plaza, near Reeds' store, started uj) Ninth street so as to intercept the
gang before they could reach their horses. Connelly ran across a vacant
lot to an opcniiig in llic fence at the alley, right at the corner of the barn
where <!r:ii. Dalion was slill standing. There he sprang ilnto the alley,
facing the west where tlic horses were hitched. This movement brought
him with his back toward ilie iiiurdei-ous Dalton, who was seen to raise
his Winchester to his side ami. without taking aim, fired a shot into the
back of the brave olli,-er. (^miiellv fell forward on his face, within
lllSTOItV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 39
Iwcnlv fwt of where his innrdeier stood. He breathed his hist just as the
tight ended,
Dielv r.roadweil. in llie meantime, had reaelied cover in the Long-
Hell Lumber Companv"s vaids, where he lay down for a few moments.
He was wounded in the back. A lull occurred in the firing after Grat
Dalton and Bill Towers had fallen. Broadwell tood advantage of this
and crawled out of his hiding place, mounted his horse and rode away.
A bail from Kloehr's ritle, and a load of shot from a gun in the hands of
Carey teaman, overtook him before he had ridden twenty feet. Bleeding
and dying he clung to his horse ;n!(l passed out of the city over a portion
of the' road by which the pMiiy eiilered it not more than twenty minutes
befovc. His body was suhsiM|\ieiiiiy found by the roadside half a mile
west of the city, and his horse with its trappings was captured near
where he fell.
Almost at the same moment that JIarslial Connelly went down be-
fore the deadly ritle of Grat. Dalton, Bob and Emmet emerged from the
alley by which they had left Eighth street in their eftoi-t to rejoin the rest
of the party where their horses had been left. They had not met with
any resisteuce iu passing from where they had shot Cub^ne, Brown and
Ayros, as the firing toward the south end of the Plaza had attracted gen-
eral attention iu another direction. The north and south alley through
which they reached "the Alley of Death," has its terminus opposite the
rear end of Slosson's store. When they reached the junction of the al-
leys, they discovered F. D. Benson climbing through a rear window with
a gun in his hand. Divining his object. Bob fired at him point blank, at a
distance of not over thirty feet. The shot missed. Bob then stepped into
the alley and glanced xip at the tops of the buildings as if he suspected
the fusilade that was pouring into the alley came from that direction.
As he did so, the men at Isham's took deliberate aim from their positions
in the store and fired at him. The notorious leader of the Dalton gang
evidently received a severe if not fatal wound at this time. He stagger-
ed across the alley and sat down on a pile of dressed curbstones near the
city jail. Still true to his desperate nature, he kept his rifle in action and
fired several shots from where he was sitting. His aim, though, was un-
steady and the bullets went wild. While sitting on the rocks he espied
.John Kloehr on the inside of the fence near Slosson's store. He tried to
raise his Winchester to his shoulder, but could not, and the shot intended
for Kloehr struck the side of an outhouse and failed in its mission. Bob
Dalton then made his supreme eftort. He arose to his feet and sought
refuge alongside of an old barn west of the city jail, and, leafning against
the southwest corner of the building he brought his rifle into action again
and fired two shots in the direction of his pursuers. They were his last
shots. A ball from Kloehr's rifle struck him full in the breast and he fell
40 HISTORY OF .MONTIiOMERY liUNTY. KANSAS.
over backward aiiioiig the stones wliirli coveicd the i;i-(nnul there, aud
which were reddened with his life bludd.
After shoot ins Marshal C.innelly. (irat. I>alt<>n made aiiuther at-
tempt to reach his horse. He passed l.y his fallen vidini. ahid had ad-
vanced probably twenty feet from where he was standing when he fired
the fatal shot;" then tnrning his face i.i his pursuers he again at-
tempted to use his Winchester. John Kloehr's rille blazed out again
now. and the oldest member of the band drojiped with a bullet in his
throat and a broken neck. He fell within a few feet of the dying marshal.
I']) to this time Emmet Dalton had managed to escape untouched.
He k(-i>t under shelter after he reached the alley until he attempted to
moiiiJ his horse. A half dozen ritles were then fired in Ins direction, as
he nndertook to get into the saddle. The two intervening horses belong-
ing to Hob Dalton aud Bill Powers were killed by some of the shots in-
tended tor Emmet; and the two horses attached to the oil tank-wagon
being directly in range received fatal wounds. Emmet succeeded in get-
ting into the saddle, but not until he had received a shot through the
right arm and an.other thi-ough the left hi]i and groin. During all this
time he had clung to Ihe sack conlaiHing the UHiney he had taken from
the First National bank. .\ml ihcn. instead of riding off, as he might
have done, Emmet boldly and conrageonsly rode back to what he must
have known was almost certain death and came up beside where Bob
was lying and attempted to lift his dying brother onto the horse with
him. "It's no use," faintly whispered the fallen bandit, and just then
Carey Seaman fired the contents of both barrels of his shot-gun into
Emmet's back, as he was leaning over the prostrate form of his leadei-
and tutor in crime. The youthful desperado dropped from his horse and
the last of the Dalton gang was helpless. In falling, the sack containing
the tvrenty thousand dollars he had jierilled his soul and body to get went
down witii him, and he l;;|nde(l al the feet of his brolher. P.ol.'. who breath-
ed his last a moment later.
Citizens who had followed close after the robbers, and some of whom
were close at hand when they fell, immediately surrounded their bodies.
Emmet responded to the command to hold u]( his hands by raising his
uninjured arm and making a jtathetic appeal for mercy. Lynching was
suggested, but better councils prevailed and he was taken to the office of
a surgeon, who dressed his wounds. He i-ecovered with the quick elasti-
city of youth and was taken to the jail at Independence, where, in the
following March, he jdeaded guilty to murder in the second degree and
was sentenced to a ninety-nine years' term in the i)enitentiary, ten of
whii-li he has .-ilready served. His aged mother is untiring in her
etVoits to secnie i.ardOn and ft lom for her wayward boy. but no
HISTORY OF MOXTGOMERY COUNTY;, KANSAS. 4!
governor has yet dared to brave the indignation of the friends of the vic-
tims of the raid by granting her prayer.
I^ss than fifteen minutes had elapsed from the time the raiders en-
tered the banks until four of tliem were dead and the others helpless with
wounds. And it was only twelve minutes from the firing of the first shot
until the last one sounded the knell of the Dalton gang.
Summarizing the reports, it appears that eighty bullet marks and
numerous evidences of the impact of small shot were visible on the south
front of Condon's bank when the battle ended. Not more than fifteen
guns were actively engaged iu the fight on both sides; and yet eight peo-
ple were killed and three wounded. While all the citizens who were
killed or wounded were armed, (ieorge Cubine was the only one of them
who had fired a shot before being striu-k down. Amtfng the scores of by-
standers and onlookers about the I'laza. including many girls and little
chidren. not one was struck by a sh(»rt or bullet. It was war, an^d very
sanguinary war, while it lasted, the percentage of victims to combatants
being greater than iu :',ny battle that was not a massacre; but no wild
shooting was done.
While the i)eople of Coffeyville wiped out the outlaw gang at a terri-
ble cost of valuable lives, they insured their city against any more such
visitations during the lifetime of the present generation, and conferred a
service upon the state and upon society by demonstrating how risky and
unprofitable such raids are likely to prove.
CIIAI'TER 111.
The Press of Montgomery County
BY H. W. YOUNG.
There is a fascination about the newspaper business which even
those who have spent their lives in the editor's chair would find it hard
to exi)]aiu. Certainly it must have been this fascination, i-ather than the
pecuniary reviards in sight, which have induced three score and ten men
to establish newspapers in nine different localities in Montgomery county.
For of all the seventy or more publications which have .been started in
this county as local newspapers, there is only one which has as yet placed
its jnoj-.rietors in independent circumstances, given them any bank ac-
count to sjicak of. (ir enabled them to become landowners on any but the
most limited scale. And the success which has attended this exceptional
venture, is without question, attributable to the public patronage it has
enjoyed rather than to profits from the sources of income accessible to all
newspapers alike, as the rewards of industry, energy and perseverance.
Before attempting even the briefest mention of the scores of news-
papers which have been born and lived their short lives within our bor-
ders, it is fitting to refer a little more in detail to the men and the papers
42 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
wliich have kept their places lougest ou tlie slippery surface where falls
have been so frequeut.
The only newspaper in the tdiinty which has ever reached its ma-
jority under the same ownershi]i and nianaf;enient is the one referred to
above as the one instance of financial success. The South Kansas
Tribune, of ln(lc|.cii,l,.|i. r. was established in March, 1871. W. T. Yoe, one
of the present ]ir(i|irict(n s. Iii'Iiijl; a half owner, and the other half being
the pro]ierty of the law lirni of Yoik & llunii)hrey; though Humphrey's
name alone a])]iearcd as repiesenting this interest and York was a silent
jiarfnei-. This partneisliip contiinued only aliout a year, when George W.
Bnicbard jmrchased York & Ifuniphrey's interest, and became editor of
the paper, with W. T. Yoe as local or associate editor. At this time the
Tribune was the best edited [taper in the county, and perhaps in this sec-
tion of the state. This arrangement continued until 1S74. when Mr. Burch-
ard's Republicanism became so attenuated that the only way to preserve
the ])olitical integrity of the paper was to remove him from his position.
Mr. Yoe accordingly bought him out. aind his interest was transferred to
Charles Yoe who has ever since been associated in its publication. For
the twenty-nine years since, this ]iaiier has kejtt the even tenor of its way,
as a defender of tlic licpuMiian faiili; and its unwavering adherence to
that organizalion has made it one of the landmarks of journalism in
Southeastern Kansas. Its publishers have become comparatively weal
thy; and while it has never reached the highest levels of journalism, it
has never sunk to the lowest dejtths. It has been careful and conserva-
tive, and it is usually found on the popular side of public cpiestions. It
has not only enjoyed a lucrative income from the county jirinting almost
uninlerrupledly for the past twenty years, but its senior editor has held
such jiaying official positions as member of the State Board of Trustees
of Charitable Institutions, and iKistmaster of the City of Independence,
while llie junior member was until recently secretary of the same board.
^ext to the Y'oes, the second oldest editor and publisher, in the time
s]ieii' on Montgomery county newspapers, is H. W. Y'oung. now of the
Kansas Pojjulist, but heretofore publisher of the Coffeyville Star, the In-
dcjicndcnce Star and the Star and Kansan. ilr. Y'oung rekons nineteen
years (!e\()1ed to editorial work in ^Montgoniery county and has held the
olliccs of Keceiver of the United States Land Office at Independence and
Slate Senator for the Montgomery county district. By his frequent
changes and his impulsive — some would say erratic — methods of con-
ducting a ncwspajicr Mr. Young has illustrated the old adage that "a roll-
ing stone gathcis no moss;" and while friends have often commended his
ncwsiiapci- as ••llic best in tli(> county." he has never demonstrated any
sjiecial ability as a iiioney get tcr.
T. X. Sickcls. of the l>aily Kcpoitcr. of Independence, conies third
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 43
ill l(Mij;11i (if service, having liecoiiie proprietor of that paper iln May,
ISSd, aud having published it uninterruptedly since, with the exception
of three or four years spent in the pension office at Topeka during Presi-
dent Harrison's administration, when it was in charge of his son, Walter.
Mr. Sickels is one of the few men who have been able to make a local
daily self-supporting in towns like Independence, and now rejoices in a
subscription aud advertising pati'onage in keeping with the growth of a
prosperous city in the gas and oil belt.
C. E. Moore, of the Cherryvale Eepublican, has also been a long time
in the harness, having become connected with the Globe of that city in
1881, aud having been engaged in the printing business there for nearly
all the time since.
Although ^Montgomery is a comparatively young county, hav-
ing been organized in 18G9, and is not in the first rank in population,
there are only four counties in the state which can boast larger newspa-
per graveyards. Untimely deaths of publications which have stai'ted out
with bright hopes and boundless ambitions have occuri-ed at the rate of
about two a year during the thirty-four years of our county's existence,
and we now have but twelve living.
When a company of Oswego men in the summer of 1869 determined
to locate a county seat on the ^'erdigris fJnd get in "on the ground floor"
in the new county to the west, one of the first things they did was to pro-
vide for the publication of a newspajier; aud so we find the first paper is-
sued in >J'ionrgomery county to have l)een the Independence Pioneer. The
first number bore date of September .5th, of that year. It was published
by E. R. Trask. of the Oswego Register, and printed at that place until
March, 1870, when it was provided with an outfit of its own, and David
Steel became its editor. In December, 1870, it was sold to Thos. H. Can-
field, who changed its name to the Republican. The paper remained at
the county seat for about two years longer, changing proprietors every
few mouths, and in the spring of 1873 again went west "to grow up" with
some other county.
The second paper established in the county was the Westralia
Vidette. by McConuell & Mclntyre, in the spring of 1870, It lived only
three months and two days, succumbing to lack of nourishment. Follow-
ing it came the Record, founded by G. D. P>aker at the new town of Par-
ker. It is said to have been an excellent paper, but when Parker faded
away it had to give up the ghost.
The first paper ou record as being avowedly in opposition to the dom-
inant Repulilican party in the county was the Kansas Democrat, which
the well known Martin VanP.uren Bennett removed from Oswego to In-
dependence in December, 1870. •'^'an" is supposed to have intended to
use this publication as a lever to boost him into congress; but his paper
< lie hopi-d.
aiul iu 1S72 he sold it to-
aftciward.
leiiioved it to the state
44 HISTOU\ OF .\10M(
was sensational and not as popnl
Peacock & Sons who, a year or
capital.
In casting about for sonicthin<; to do, after the sands of his official
life had run out, ex-United States Senator E. G. Ross concluded to try his
fortunes in the new county just opened down on the south line of the
state; and in the fall of 1871 established Koss' Paper at Coffey ville. Mis-
fortune still pursued the man who had saved Andy Johnson from im-
peachment, however, and in March. 1872. his office was destroyed by a
tornado. He did not re-establish it but removed to Lawrence.
Following this came the Circular, by E. W. Perry; alud in the
spring of 1873, the Courier, by Chatham & Scurr. Jim Chatham was one
of the best local itemizers who ever struck Montgomery county, but his
abilities as a business man were not adequate to the strain, and bad luck
compelled him to suspend in July 187.5. His office was i)Ut on wheels
and taken to Independence, where he jtnblished the Independence Courier
for a time, to be succeeded by the T>aily Courier, and the Workingman's
Courier, which was published by Frank C. Scott until 1S7!I.
The Independence Kansan was established in the fall of 1875 by W.
H. Watkins. The paper was Democratic, though Watkins was known to
be a Republican. While the Tribune, started in the spring of 1871. still
lives under one of its original publishers, the Kansan has seen changes
and vicissitudes without end. Will H. ^^■arner took it off of Watkins'
hand in December 1876. and ran it at high presstire for a little more
than two years, vastly increasing its subscription list, getting the county
I)rinting, and filling it with live local news; giving, however, too much
si>ace to salacious gossip. Finding the income of the paper insufficient to
enable him to "sit in" on ](oker games at Kansas City as freiiuoutly as he
wished, he sold it in January 187!l, to (i<'orge W. lUirchard. the only ma'n
in iMontgoniery county who has edited both the Republican and I>emo-
cratic organs of the county. In less than a year F>urcliaitl disposed of
the paper to Frank C. Scott, of the Courier, who merged the two papers
into one. Scott sold the Kansan to H. W. Young of the Star in February
1882, but at the same time transferred the good will and business to A.
A. Stewart, who published a new paper with the old name. Independence
Kansan until January 1885, when he also sold out to Mr. Young, who
has bought more ^lontgomery county newspapers than any other man
living. The Kansan and the Star were then consolidated as tlie Star and
Kansan. The Star was originally established at Coffeyville by Mr. Young
iin Aiii'il 1881. as the Coffeyville Star, but was removed to Independence
in October of the same year and jiublished as The Star until the merger
just mentioned. The Star and Kansan was jiulilislied by :Mr. Young until;
June 180(1, when he removed to Coioiado. leaving Charles T. Errett in
HISTUUY OF MONTCJOMERY COINTY, KANSAS. 45
clijirfie of tlie )iai:t'i-. 11 was jml.lislied iu Mi-. Y(Hin;;'s 11:11110 uiilil Sep-
tciiihcv l^^it^. wlit'ii Erirtt Ix'i-iiiit' pniinietni-. Jn .Jaiiiiaiy 181)3, Mr.
Youni;- i-ftuiiii'd and re-iniicliascd the \>i\\>t'v. again becoming its editor
and piililislier. In Novemher ISilC. lie sold a half interest to A. T. Cox.
hut the jiartiiership was inicoiijuenial and lasted not much over a year.
Indeed, the jiartners were unable to even agree as to the method of get-
tign unhitched, and the courts liad to be resorted to to divorce them.
Walter 8. Sickles was appointed receiver in January, 181)8, and ran the
paper until May 1st when it was sold by the sheriff and purchased by Mr.
Cox, who has since conducted it. A couj)le of years later Mr. Cox began
the issue of the Daily Evening Star, which he still publishes.
In June 1898. Mr. Young, deciding to continue in the newspaper
business in Independence, purchased the name and list of the Kansas
Populist from Mr. Ritchie at Cherryvale. He has published the paper
since that time, having recently associated his son, H. A. Young, with
him in the business, under the linn name of H. W. Y'^oung & Son.
The Daily Reporter was established at Independence in August, 1881,
by Harper & Wassam. They published it only a year or two, when it was
taken in hand by O'Ci'nner & McCulley. who held claims upon the ma-
terial. Subse(|uently, for a time, it was published by Charles H. Harper,
a son of one of the fcmnders, and then in 18S~j it was sold to T. N. Sickles,
in whose ownership it still remains.
Of short lived jiapers published at Independence, mciilioii may be
made of the following :
The Osage Chief, bv Ed. Van Cuiidv and A. M. Clark, in the spring
of 1874.
The Itemizer. triweekly, by J. E. Srinson. in 1870.
The Living Age. by I'. P.. Castle, in 1881.
The Montgomery Monitor by Vick Jennings, in December 1885, and
January 1S8(). .Jennings was the only newspaper publisher who has died
in the harness in Independence.
The Independence News, dailv and weeklv, bv Cleveland -T. Revnolds,
in 1886.
The M,^intgoniery Argus, by Sullivan & Levan, in 1880-87.
United Labor, by A. .1. Miller, was an Alliance organ established in
1892 and published until 1894. John Callahan, who was then deputy
sheriii', christened this sheet "The Dehorner," and it came to be much bet-
ter known by that appellation than by the name printed at its head.
The Weekly Call and the Daily Evening Call, by Rev. J. A. Smith,
in 189(5.
Turning again to Cotleyville. we Hiid that Hon. W. A. Peffer, who
subsequtiutly became I'liited States Senator, established the (''offeyville
Journal in the fall of 187."). After four or five years he removed to Topeka
46 HISTORY OF MONTGOIIEBV COUNTY^ KANSAS.
au(l left tlie pMiier in the hands of his son, W. A. Peffer, Jr.. better known
as "Jiike," who continued its management until Capt. D. l^tewart Elliott
assumed control in 1885. Elliott was sub.sequently elected to the legis-
lature, but owiug to financial reverses was coinpelled to sell the paper in
18'JG, when it went into the hands of a coinpiiny, with W. G. Weaverliug
and 1. K. Arbogast as editors. They have rouducted it very successfully
since that dale, and have for several years been publishing a" daily edition,
which is the newsiest paper of the kind now published in the county.
The Gate City Independent was established at Cotfeyville in the
early nineties, and for the past ten years has been pxiblislied by C. W.
Kent. Sometimes it has been a weekly, but most of the time a twicea-
week; and often, as now, it has had a daily edition.
In 1895 or 1896, John Tedder established the Montgomery County
Democrat, which he published for .several years, to be succeeded Ity J. P.
Easterly. Still more recently the paper has had a number of editors and
publishers; but about a year ago its name was changed to the Record, and
it has been made a daily by the CoftevviJle Publishino- Company 'with
Will Felker as editor.
Another weekly published f.-ir -AU.ui the same length .,f time is the
Coffeyville Gaslight, established in ISiis, by \\\ A. Bradford It now car-
ries the name of Fred R. Howard as editor.
.o-oS'"'"'-''"'''"''' ^''^* P'^i'*^'' '™'- ^^^^ nerald, which was established in
18(.^. but pined away after a sickly existence „f b„t si.x weeks. Following
It came the Leader, which flourished Un- a xnIiII,. in is77 The Cherrvvale
Globe was established in 1879, the Cheiiv vnh- News in 1881 and the Cher-
^^^n ^r\'"- ^•'^'%- '^^'' ^''"'"' ="■"' ^■'■^^•^ ''■'-'■' consolidated in 1882
and the Torch joined the same ,„,nl,ina, i.,„ in 1885. The Cherrvvale
St n 'I" ^ f ••" .\ r)<?"'0<-™tic n.nvspnp-r ('herryvale has ever had.' was
established by Major E. W.Ly.ui in 1SS4 an,l continued until 1888. The
Cherryvale ('iiam])ion ran from 1SS7 until IS!).',. Other short lived Cherrv-
vale papers are the Southern K.u.sms F;,rmer and the K.-.nsas Common-
wealth. 1S91; the Morning T..l,-r,.nn. IS-H-; the CiMMTVvale Kepublic and
llie HepublicMn-Plaindcalei-. 1S!»;;.
The Cherryvale I!epubli<-;iii was (■si:ihlisli..(l in 1SS(; and is sfill i.ub-
lished by ('. E. .Aloore.
The Kansas Populist was siwi i,-il by .1. II. Kit. hie in 1894 as a weekly.
In conn.'clion with it he has publislid li,,. |.;ii|y x,>ws. and sin,-e 1898 tlie
weekly luis also been known as ilu- Xcws. The pnblisluTs arc J. II. Ritchie
& Son.
The ClicrryvMlc Clarion, .laily -.uu] weekly. w,-is established in 1898,
and IS now jmhlishcd by L. I. Pniccll.
Elk City lias had the Times, rslablislicd in the fall of 1880, which
turned lip lis toes when only ten weeks., Id; tlie(;iobe, from ISSl' to 1887:
HISTORY OF MONTCiOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 47
the St;u- in 1884-8r.; the Deniociat. iSS.'-Slj; The Eagle, ISStJlS'JO; and
the Enterprise from ISS'.l to tlie i)resent lime, with W. E. \\'oi-lnian as edi-
tor and iJiiblisher.
Caney has the t'hrouicle. whii-h was established in 1S8."), and is still
pnbllslied by Harry E. Brighton.
Other papers that have been pnblished there are the Times and the
Phoenix. The Times was established in 188!) and ran until the later nine-
ties, having had Cleveland J. Keynolds. Hon. J. R. Charlton and A. M.
Parsons as editors.
Havana has been without a newspaper for the past ten jears, but had
at various times the Yidette. the Weekly Herald, the Recorder and the
Press and Torch, none of which survived to reach the mature age of three
years.
Liberty has had the Light, published for a short time in 1880, and the
Review from 1887 until 1892.
All sorts of newspapers have been published by all sorts of men in
Montgomery county ; but the local conditions have never been favorable
for the building up of a great countj newspaper of universal circulation.
The railroads have not all centered at the county seat, but have run all
around the edges of the county. This has resulted in the development of
towns at the four corners of the county, two of which have come to be
cities rivaling the county's capital, and all of which are newspaper
towns. So instead of being concentrated, the newspaper business has been
split up, and no newspaper, no matter how well edited, nor how accu-
rate and euterjirising a jiurveyor of news, has yet been able to command
the patronage that would make it or give it a commanding j)Osition, (nor
the three or four thousand rirciilation which is sometimes found in
counties the size and iKiimlaliun of ours.
• HAl'TER IV.
Gas and Oil Devlopments in Montgomery County
r.Y H. w. Yorxi;.
T'util the later eighties no one sus]iected the existence of natural gas
in Montgomery county in sutticient quantities to be of any use. Indeed,
during the early history of the county, and up to 1885, or later, the exis-
tence of vast reservoirs of natural gas beneath us was unsuspected and
nudrea.med of. People would have listened to predictions of gold mines
to be opened here on the i)rairies much more readily than to suggestions
that the time would come when our fuel would flow out of the earth in
iron pipes all ready to burn, and transport itself to our doors. It was
different, though, about petroleum. The pioneer settlers in plowing up
the sod in son-e of the lavines near the Verdigris had noticed an oilv
48 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
sciiui slaiidiiig in the fun-ows if tliey were left uiulisturlted for a time.
And as long ago as April 2Sth. ISSl, we tind the following item in the
local columns of the Coffeyville Star:
"Last Friday morning we foiuul a group of men in eager consultation
in front of Isham's store. A couple of old tin cans tilled with water and
covered with a brownish coat, looking a little like varnish, were the centre
of attraction. Tested by the nose, there was no doubt that the greasy
scum on the water aind the coating of the cans was crude petroleum, of
the heavy or lubricating grade. They had been filled from the contents of
a well that ^Ir. D. Davis was sinking at his residence on Ninth street; and
the incontestible evidence they afforded that there was a reservoir of kero-
sene beneath us naturally caused considerable interest. It seems that Mr.
Davis had struck a vein of fair wad-r previously, but the qimutity being
deemed iusuHicient had gone down to the depth of twenty-flve feet,
where, much to his disgu.st. he ••struck oil." Whether this developmout
indicates the existence of oil in paying (juantities in our section, we do
not presume to say, though the matter is certainly worthy of further in-
vestigation. We learn that oil has hei'etofore l)eeu observed on the surface
of the water flowing from sjirings in this vicinity, and it is possible that
we may yet be shiiiping petroleum, little as such a product would be ex-
pected from a ccmntry with tlie jiliysical characteristics of ours."
It was almost twenty twd ye;ns later before petroleum began to be
shipited in any considerable ip;antities from the county, but the forecast
was correct. Six years later, in the early spring of 1887, W(> began to
hear alxmt the curious phenomena to be observed in an abandoned shaft
over at Liberty. It was on the farm of IJeiijamin Grubb. adjoining that
place on the north. Finding indications of coal he had sunk a shaft six
or eight feet s(piare. After getting down some distance a vein of gas was
istrnck which c:nne out of a crevice in the rock in such quantity that the
men at work in the shaft lighted it to fni-nish illumination for their work.
On (|uilting tliey uTiwisely fanned it out with their jackets. One day they
went down and struck a match with the most surprising results. The gas
exidoiled. Ilirowiiig olV the covering at the surface and blazing up as high
as the tallest t ices in the neighborhood— tifty to one hundred feet.
The diggers, who were below the civvice, escajted with their lives, •though
terribly burned. The vein of c(i:il was found to be only 8 inches thick,
but in <'i>nnecti(in with it was :;•_' inches cf slate so thoroughly saturated
with oil that it wonid bla/.e uji on being tin-own into the stove. So here
were foniid together coal, gas and oil.
I'rioi- to that liriie. Tlraiias (). .\yres, in digging a well at < 'otfeyville.
had found a i.ocket of oil c.hilaining several gallons. ('. M. Kalstiu. at
Ills farm three miles southwest of lnde]ienden<-e. rejx.rted that in a well
in his cellar (Ju feet deep the gas kept bul)bling up in sui-h volume that it
inSTonV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTV. KANSAS. 49
could he iK'iud all tliM>nj>h the house at night. Aud in drilling
for coal, where the mineral bath is now, here in Independence,
it was reported that there had been an explosion of some
kind which threw mud over the top of the derrick, aud that the drill
passed through 150 feet of gas-bearing strata. By this time everyone was
satisfied that there was some natural gas here, but whether in paying
quantities was a problem that remained to be solved.
Gas was first found, in quantity to be worth utilizing, at Cherry vale,
November 20th, 1890, in a well drilled by J. McSweeney. at a depth of 600
feet. It threw the water about fifty feet high, aud was prouounced at once
"the strongest flow in the state." Within a week this well was piped and
tested and gave a blaze 25 feet high. By the next year the people of
Cherryvale, or a portion of them, were enjoying natural gas fires, though
the quantity available was small at first.
Cofteyville came next, and her resources began to be developed in 1891
and 1892. Her first wells were sunk, like those of Cherryvale, right in
town. By the winter of 1892-3 she not only had gas to burn but in such
quantity that with the full pressure of the wells, there was talk of their
being danger that the stoves would melt down. About the same time
William Mills, who had been the first to bring in an oil well at Xeodesha,
found both gas and oil in the neighboi'hood of Elk City, but neither of
them were utilized.
At Independence, the first well drilled for gas was put dowin in the
summer of 1892 by J. I). Nickersoii, with the assisteuce of th(? people of
the city. It was located down near Rock Creek, at Barnes' Garden, south-
west of the city. A little gas was found — about enough to supply one
stove. In the fall of the same year Mr. Nickerson drilled another well
on the farm of Cai)t. L. C. Mason, just east of Independence. Although no
gas was found here, there was such a body of gas sand that this inde-
fatigable i)rospector was convinced that he was on the right track. The
next drilling he did was on the J. H. Brewster place five miles southeast
of the city, in the early spring of 1893. April fith, at the depth of a thous-
and feet a very strong flow was struck, and from this and other wells in
this vicinity gas was piped into Independence late that year. By the
time cold weather came in earnest, a year later, in the winter 1894, how-
ever, the supjjly from this field was found entirely inadequate, and it was
not uintil wells were developed on the Barr and Gi-eer i)laces, a couple of
miles west of the city, that confidence in gas as a fuel was restored in the
mind of the Independence citizen.
Before gas was piped into the city, Mr. Xickerson had associated with
himself A. P. McBride and C. I>. Bloom, exprienced prospectors and drill-
ers from Miami county, and from this partnership was evolved the Inde-
pendence Gas Company, which has ever since supplied the city with gas
50 HISTORY OF MOXTGOMEKY CorXTV. KANSAS.
ami wbith liohls leases on must of the lands tributary to the city. As
drawn at first, these leases provided that if drilling was nut begun within
a limited period, the farmer should be paid a royalty of 25 cents i)er acre
until development work was begun. Then he was to have a tenth of the
oil. and a rental of $50 a year for a gas well, with gas for household pur-
poser in addition. Since then the company has deemed it more econom-
ical to furnish gas to all its lessors, in lieu of jiaying a cash royalty, in
order to hold the lands on wliicli it was not prejiared to drill. To do this,
it has laid pii)e to some two hundred farm houses, at an expense of tens
of thousands of dollars. The same )ilan has been adojited by the ( "olfey-
ville Gas Company, and it is probable that nearly five liundved farm
honses in the county are now supjilied with this ideal fuel.
Although petroleum was found in considerable quantity in the first
wells drilled on the Itrewster place in 1803. there was no market for oil
and no attempt was made to develo]i that branch of the mining industry
ill the <-ouiity until nearly ten years later. It was in 1S!)8. however, that
Wm. H. Mills drilled a couplc'ot w.-lls at Neodesha. just over the line in
\\'ilsun county, and found nil in smli i]uanty as to convince him that
southern Kansas was going lo bi'come an oil iiekl. The rumors that cir-
culated in regard to his wells, and the stories about oil from them shoot-
ing out over the top of the derrick and saturating the soil so that it was
necessaiy to cdver it with fresh earth to conceal the strike, vAn-e listened
to as tairy tales. ;in<l no credence given them. And yet Mr. Mills suc-
ceedel in making such a showing as to induce James H. Guffey and John
H. (ialey. two w(^altliy and experienced oil ojierators in the Peiilnsylvania
and Ohio fields, to come out here and begin leasing land in this county,
as well as \Mlson and others adjoining. During the sunmier of 1893 these
genthmen drilled 15 wells in the immediate vicinity of Neodesha, all of
which were oil producers with the exception of two gas wells. In 1894
they were pumping large (piantities of oil and drilling new wells. In July
of that year they had forty wells and not less than 3,000 barrels of oil
were stored in the tanks in the field, and a 35,000 barrel storage tank had
just been completed by them. A year later it became evident that the
Standard Oil ("omjtany would be able to freeze out any other operators
in this field, and Guft'ey & Galey made the best jiossible terms with that
monopoly, receiving, according to icporis. all they had expended in the
field and a bonus of .§10(i.i!(H) in aildiiion. At this time there were sixty-
eight wells in the field con I vol led by them, and the "Standard" continued
to drill more when it took charge, in the name of its western branch, the
Forest Oil <'ompauy. .\ number of these new wells were in Montgomery
county, in Sycamore township; some being as far south as the neighbor-
hood of Table .Mound. These ].roved to be ga.s wells rather than oil wells
and J. I>. Xickersou iiurcase(l the gas rights in the Ringle and Brown-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 5 I
field wells for the Iiulepeudence Gas Company, in 1898, for |6,000. A
week or two later the -Standard" beoau to realize the value of such gas
wells, and regretted their bargain. Since then that company has gone in-
to the gas business, and is now furnishing gas ])iped from Wilson county
to the city of I'arsons.
In June, 1898, the "Standard" jpeople erected a!n extensive refinery
for oil at Neodesha, with a rapariry dt 500 barrels per day, but still they
bought no oil and there was no inducement for any independent oper-
ator to drill for oil while there was no market.
\ieantime the Independence Gas Company continued to drill more or
less wells each year for the city's supply; tlie Coft'eyville company did the
same, and there was a second or I'eoples' company organized there. At
Cherryvale, the Edgar Smelter was located, with its own gas field and
gas wells. Vitrified brick plants were located at Coft'eyville, Independence
Cherryvale and Sycamore, and finally at Cauey. At the latter place a
company organized by E. B. Skinner, then county treasurer, had found
gas iu such (piantity in the sjjriug of 1901 that, in July of that year, the
town was jdped and the new fuel came into use. It was not until the fall
of 190:i that Elk City was supplied. Init now Jefterson, Bolton and Syca-
more are also supx)lied, and of all the cities and villages in the county.
Liberty, Havana and Tyro, only, remain without gas.
During the summer of 1902. the Indpendence Gas Comjiany drilled
six wells within a mile and a half of the village of Bolton, all but one of'
them to the south and east of that place. Of these six, five were gas wells,
with daily capacities ranging from ten to fifteen million cubic feet per
day. The fifth was an oil well. The aggregate output of this field is
estimated at 70 million cubic feet of gas per day, ahid during the fall of
that year this supply was made available for the needs of Independence
by a pipe line. With such a supply to draw from, the inducement to fac-
tories in search of cheap fuel liecame so manifest that representatives
of various industries in the Indiana field, where the gas was nearly ex-
hausted, began to visit this section in considerable (numbers, seeking
locations.
In August 1902. the Standard Oil Couipany. for some I'eason,
changed its policy and announced an open market for oil in this
territory. More than that, it jtroceeded to secure the right-of-way for a
pipe line through the county from Bartlesville in the Indian Territory,
by way of Caney and Bolton, to its refinery at Neodesha. This has not
yet been c( Instructed, but the indications are that it soon will be. The
development of a considerable oil field in Neosho county, to the northeast
of us. and the market now made for oil led to new activity in this county.
A large nund)er of wells have Ijeen drilled in the vicinity of Cherryvale,
ana a little to the north and west of that city, from which oil is being
shipped in (piantity at this time. Two of these wells are pumping twenty
52 HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY I'OUNTY. KANSAS.
barrels a day eat-li. Meantime new ()j)eratois by the score have come
into the field, the leasing industry has been prosecuted with great vigor,
thirty rigs are now engaged in drilling in the county, the National
Supply Company has established a branch house at Independence, the
formation of new oil companies goes on apace, and it only needs the dis-
covery of some pool of oil to set Hre to the train that is already laid. As
yet, however, no well lias been drilled in the county that gives more than
a moderate yield of oil. and it is probable that from forty to fifty barrels
a day is the maximum. This is about the amount claimed for wells at
Sycamore and Caney that have not yet been regularly pumi)ed. With
thirty or more companies doing business in the county, and all of them
holding leases that require immediate develoimient, the number of wells
going down is greater than ever before and it is expected that the record
of wells drilled in the county during the year 1!MI3 will not fall much
shoi-t of two hundred, and that the amount of money spent in development
work will aggregate nearly a milli(»n dollars. Prior to 1903 about two
huiidrt'd wells had been drilled in the county of which two-thirds were
dry holes and the remaining sixty or seventy, gas and oil producers.
With the advent of new oil and gas companies, the inevitable liti-
gation over leases and oil rights has begun, and the Independence Gas
Comjiany is in ((nnt defending its claim to the Brewster jilace, on which
its first well was drilled. The jilare lias been re-leased to the New York Oil
and Cas Ciinipany, which has been granted a second franchise by the city
of Independence. When the New York i)eople tried to go upon the place
with a rig in March, the Independence Company met them with a show of
force, and would have kejit them out but foi- the employment of a little
stialegy. a feint and a flank movement. IJotli companies are in po-
session now, and under orders of the court each can go ahead and do
all lh( drilling it pleases and sell all The ..il proiliiced, provided a strict
account i.s kejif.
The new wells drilled this year te. thi' north and west of I^.olton have
fnot made such phenomenal showings as those oiiened there last year, and
just now the ipiestion whether Montgomery county is first-rate oil terri-
tory is as unsettled as it was when the first well on the Brewster place
made stich a good showing of heavy black oil. The gas resources of the
coimt\. however. ha\-e been develojied to such an extent as to render it
certain that the su])]ily is sulticient for a generation to come, and that
manufacturing enterprises will continite to be attracted to our towns by
the fuel that nature has provided so laxislily in the bowels of the earth.
The oldest prospei'tors will tell yon that in this field there are no
certain indications of the existence of either oil or gas beneath the sur-
fai'c. and that every well must be drilled at a venture. The depth of the
wells varies froiii (iHO to 1,."(MI feet, but in most cases the gas or oil sand
HISTUUV UF .MUNT(;(IM1:RV ^'OliXTY, KANSAS. 55
is sii-uck between S(M) and 1.2(M) feet below tbe surfare. No considerable
<iuautity of gas has been found outside the Cherokee shales which overlies
the l)ed rock of Mississijipi limestone. No attempt has been made in this
county to go very much deeper with a view to find whether anything
worth while underlies that limestone; but at Neodesha the Standard Oil
Company went down twenty-two hundred feet without finding anything
that it deemed worth developing, or that encouraged it to make a second
attempt to explore the nether regions.
At present there is but little of the county that is not under lease for
oil, gas and other mineral substances that may be found: but the more
recent leases only run for a short time and reipiire development work to
be begun in a few months to keep them alive. And the validity of the old
leases, which were drawn to run indefinitely so long as an annual rental
was paid or gas was furnished the lessor for household purposes, is be-
ginning to be gravely questioned. In most cases the leases provide that
the party to whom the lease is made may droj) it at any time, while the
land owner is held indefinitely if the rental is jiaid. Lawyers are coming
more and more to hold that the decisions in other and older gas and oil
states that such leases are void or voidable for lack of mutuality, will be
held to be good law here and that the attempt made to monojiolize large
areas by leases under which no development work is beg'un. will fail.
So far no gas has been piped out of the county, and people generally
are solicitous that it shall \not be. Indeed, three-fourths of the farmers
who gave the Standard Oil Coni])any rights of way for its \n\>e line in-
sisted that a clause be inserted forbidding the iiijiing of gas and restrict-
ing the use of the pipes to the transjjortation of oil. And many of the
leases for gas all over the county contain a x>i'<>vision forbidding it to be
piped outside the boundaries of the county. There seems to be a general
disposition, in fact, to keep the gas at home and economize it. The idea
that it will not be permanent, but can be very readily exhausted, is very
generally held, and the fate of the Indiana fields is constantly referred
to as a warning against recklessness in handling this wonderful fuel.
The gTOwth of Montgomery county in population during the last ten
years, and her rise from the twelfth to the seventh in relative rank in the
state are unquestionably attributable to the gas and oil resources that
have been developed here, and the prediction that the same influences
which have increased (uir jiojiulatidn ten thousand within the last ten
years will continue to operate until we shall have tifty or sixty thousand
people in place of the :!:!.44;'. mir last censuc showed, does nor seem un-
warranted.
54 UISTOHY or IKINTfiOMERY COrNTY. KANSAS.
ClIAPTEK V.
The Political History of Montgomery County
I'.Y II. -W. YOUNG.
All Iniiiiaii ;h linns aic subject to the limitations of time and space.
SulijiTt Hilly to those liiiiitatious. Kansas stands unrivaled in her politi-
cal (k'vel')i)nient. For her area and llie time she has been doing busilness
as a coiiinionwealth, she docsii"i lake a back seat for any state or any
people. That her citizens have taken more interest in public affairs and
studied matters of government more than those of other states and sect-
tions is not to their discredit. It testifies to their intelligence, their public
spirit, and their mental activity. If "eternal vigilence is the price of lib-
erty.'" our ])eople will be the last on earth to be reduced to slavery. In a
market where that sort of coin is current, they will be able to outbid all
competitors.
.Although Kansas was ei;;lii Ncars old « hen the bars were let down
and the Osage Diminislicd Kescrve, of which :Montgomery county forms a
])art, was oiicncd lo white settlement, her citizens have been hustling ever
siiK-c to inakr iiji tor that lost time; and no one would now accuse the
Montgomciy roiiniy jioliticiaus of lagging in the rear of the procession,
or failing to furnish their share of representatives at the pie counter. Of
men vrho have been fiu' a longer or shorter time residents of this county,
two have been Tnited i>tates Senators, one has been governor of the state,
two lia\c held the office of lieutenant governor, one has been assistant
si'crctaiy of the interior, and two have been judges of the district court.
\\'liilc no citizen of the county is on record as having been a represen-
tative in Congress, or licail of a department at the state capital, there are
certainly few (oiiniii's whirh have struck more of the high places in the
]ioliti<al world than our own. And when it comes to the honorable po-
sition of reinesciitatixc in Coiigiess. it will be entirely safe to assert that
no otlii'i- (•ouiity v,lii'-li has never seen onp of her sons answering the roll
call at the south end of the national cajiital. has ever had more who indi-
cate.l thai I hey wanted to.
In passing, it may be noted that of the Coiigressnien elected from
within the lionndai-ies of the present Third Congressional District, Cowley
comity has had two, Wilson two. Crawfonl Iwo, Labette one; and none of
the other live has been favored — so that .Moiilgoinery does not stand alone
in being ■■wliileuaslied."
The lii'sl polilieal (inesiion that .■onfronled the voters of :\lontgomery
coiinly was the same llial lias always |n-o\'ed such a bone of contention
in excry iii'w stale and section — the local ion of a county seat. Naticlnal
].oliiical issues were for ilu' time allowed lo fall into the background,
while cities were being located on iiai:er. and every settler was interested
eilher lo have lli!> cMimiy's c;i]>ital as ne,-ir his claim as possible, or at least
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 5^
to keep it on the same side of the Verdigris river, wliiih liiscrls llio ((Hiiity
from uorth to south and which Avas. of foursc. imirii nunc <if a barrier
before auy bridges had been built than it is now.
Montgomery county was organized by indclainaliiin of Coxernor
Harvey on the 3d day of June, 18(J9. It was named for (ieiieral Kiciiard
Montgomery, the hero of the battle of tjuebec, who shed his heart's blood
for his country on the Heights of Abraliam. There has been some question
whether the jierson intended to be honored when the county was chris-
tened was not Colonel James Montgomery, of Linn county, rather than
the "French and Indian"warrior. In the Independence Kansan of July
7th. ISTO. is published a very strong argument to show that it was the civil
war soldier for whom the county was named, but an examiuatiou of the
proceedings of the legislature at the time leaves no room for doubt on the
question ; the concurrent resolution stating distinctly and unequivocally
that General Richard Montgomery gave name to Montgomery county.
In his proclamation Governor Harvey appointed H. C. Crawford, H.
A. Bethuran and R. L. Walker special commissioners, and E. C. Kimball
special clerk, and designated Verdigris City as the temporary county seat.
Verdigris City was located east of the Verdigris river, about one mile
southeast of what is now known as ''Brown's Ford." and on the west half
of the northeast quarter of section 22. townshiji :{:> south, i-ange 16 east.
The land on which the town was laid <iut is now a part of the farm of
Senator H. W. Conrad. Walker has since hccii promiiicuT in state poli-
tics, and died early in 1903.
On the nth of June ISCi). the board met at the county seat and
qualified before Capt. W. S. McFeeters. notary ])ublic. The Captain was
perhaps the tirst notary commissioned in the county. He was a lawyer
by profession, and was the first to locate at the county seat, having his
office in the log court house. Not relying alone on the slow and precarious
rewards of the legal profession in a new country, he was the following
winter convicted of horse stealing at Giiard, Kansas, and sentenced to a
term in the penitentiary.
The board organized l)y the election of H. C. Crawford as chairman.
It divided the county into three toA\nships, each about nine miles in
width, extending across the county east and west. Beginning at the
north they were named Drum Creek, \'erdigris and Westralia, with vot-
ing places at Fitch's Store, Verdigris City and Westralia. At a meeting
on August 27th. Captain Daniel McTaggart was appointed county treas-
urer, E. K. Kountz, probate judge; and S. B. ^loorehouse, justice of the
peace.
From this time until the date of the election, on Xovend)er oth, little
was talked of except the county seat question. Verdigris City, the pro-
visional capital, had a rival on the east side in Montgomery City, near
56 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
the iiiHinli uf Drum creek, but as a division of the east side forces would
l)e ruiiiinis, tliey met midway ou tlie hill above M,cTaggart's mill, aud lo-
cated the cit.v of Liberty, across the street to the east of the McTaggart
liomestead. The west siders were a unit for Independence, though some-
one Ivied to butt into the game with a city in the air called Hamaria,
which was suiiposcd in be located siiiiicwlicrc in the neighborhood of
Walk, i-s iir.iuid.
The story of how the Indej)endence jicople started out to steal ,1
niarcii on the Liberty partisans and get contiol of the election board at
V<n-(ligris City, has been often told. Notwithstanding their daylight
.start, they were discovered just after crossing the river and only suc-
ceeded in getting Adam ('amp on as a matter of courtesy. He did his
Avhole duty, though, challenging all voters from the east side of the
coun ty.
When I lie coniiiiissioners came to count the votes they did the only
])Ossii)le tiling that would givi^ Liberty a majority, by throwing out the en-
tire \oic if hruiii Ci-i-ek. on tlii^ jiretext that the returns were not the
originals hut a certified copy. This gave Liberty 162 votes to 103 for
Independence. At the same time the whole east side ticket for county
otiticeis was electeil as follows: Representative, John E. Adams; County
Cleik. T. .M. Noble: Sheriff. Daniel Bruner; Probate Judge, E. K. Kountz;
Coroner. Sidney Allen; Register of Deeds, (iusso ("hontean, a half-breed
hi<lian: Conniy Surveyor, Edwin Foster; District Clerk, Z. R. Overman;
County Attorney, (ioodell Foster: Sujiei'iliilendent of S<-liools. J.A.Helph-
ingsTine; Treasurei-, -I. .\. Jones: Assessoi-. ^V. X. Cotton; Commissioners,
T. J. M(AVhinney. J. S. Oarrett and W. Allen.
Thirteen of the defeated candidates on the west side ticket at once
institnt.'d a contest in the proluile court of Wilson county, C. M. Ralstin,
of Iralejiendence. ilie defeated candidate for county attorney, and F. A.
Hettis of Oswego, rejiresenting the c(uistesiors. (ioodell Foster and
John A. llel])liingstine, of Liberty, appeared tor the contestees. The
jirize of the seat of government of the new connt,\ hung in the balance,
and so sti-enuo)is was the contest that L. T. Stephenson, of Independence,
carried the Oswego adorney. Ileitis, on horseback sixty-five miles to Frc-
donia. arriving in a drix ing s!;n\v storm at 3 A. ]\L. on the day set for the
'i'lie decision was that there had been no legal election — aud so every-
bod\ was delealed. The old lioard of commissioners appointed liy the gov-
ernor held o\cr and ihommI the log court house and the county clerk's office
from N'erdigris Ciiy to Liberty. They also called a special election for
the ."id -if V.-.iy lo select county officers. Full tickets were placed in the
fielii. :.nd the historians of the early linii's tell us that the canvass was
the niesi exciting e\ci- 111 Id in thecunnn. 'i'lie candidates who were suc-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 57
cessful in this election never lielil office by virtue of tlie votes they re-
ceived, tliouj^h two of the conniiissioners ami the county clerk got in by
appointment. The vote for commissioner was as follows: T. J. McWhin
ney. 4i;!l ; Thomas Brock. :5.50; W. W. Graham. 3.14; Thomas Hanson. 27«;
.lolin Klapiiel, lili'J: S. B. Moorehouse. 247. The first three comjirised the
Indej-endence ticket and the last three the Liberty ticket. J. M. 8cudder
got 40!) votes for probate judge, to 2()G for L. O. Judson. J. A. Helphing-
stiue, in the language of the day "ran like a scared wolf" for county clerk,
receiving 4'.MI votes to 181 for E. C. Kimball, the incumbent. A. J. Busby
(had it unanimously for treasurer with 070 votes. A. A. Hillis had 461
for clerk of the district court, to 209 for J. K. Snyder. C. H. WycofE for
county attorney had no opposition and received GCo votes. The same was
true of J. C. Price with 650 for coroner, and Johu Russel with 065 for
register of deeds. Edwin Foster got 448 for county surveyor io 224 for
J. L. Scott. E. D. Grabill beat A. H. McCormick for superintendent of
schools, 396 to 280.
A few days before this election the Independence party had sent
Charles White to Topeka with a certified copy of the record in the contest
case before the ^Mlson county probate court. He returned on the evening
of election day with the ajipointments of a new set of commissioners by
the governor, which also rendered the last election ineffective. Two of the
successful candidates and one of the minority party had been api)ointed,
the new board, which was the fourth in chronological order, but the sec-
ond to serve, consisting of W. W. Graham, Thomas Brock and S. B. More-
house. Gharles White and L. T. Stephenson lost no time in carting this
board down to the site of Verdigris City, which really seems to have been
entirely deserted, where, sitting in a wagon on May 5th, 1870, it was
organized by the election of Mr. Graham as chairman. The board then
appointed John A. Helphingstine county clerk, Sanuiel Van Gundy, coun-
ty treasurer; B. R. Cunningham, SDerintendent of schools; and J. K. Sny-
der, register of deeds. Not only this, but they made thorough work of it
while they had their hands in by naming the Independence Pioneer as the
official county paper, and ordering the district court which was to con-
vene on May 9th. to meet at Inde})endence, to which place the county
ofHces were also temporarily transferred, there being no accommodation
for them at Verdigris City. On the 13th of May an action brought in
the district court to compel the removal of the county offlces to Liberty
was dismissed at plaintiff's cost. This practically settled the county seat
war, though it was not until the following November that the matter was
formally ratified by a vote which stood 839 for Independence to 560 for
Liberty.
On petition, the commissioners, on .lune 4th, 1S70, divided the
counts into nine townships making the boundaries about as they are to-
58 IIISTOKY OF MOXTGOMliKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
(l;i.\ . I'xcfiit that the three east side townships were, hiter, each split into
two. The names of the townships, the voting places and the tirst trustees,
who were appointed at the same time are here given:
Cherrv, Clierryvale. J. D. Hillis.
Sycamore, Radical, Wui. Comptou.
Lonislnng. Lonisburg, James Kelley.
Rntland. Thomas Young's, S, W. :Mills.
Indei)endeiice, Independence, AV. O. Sylvester. :
A'crdigris. Liberty, John Lee.
Westralia, \\'estralia, R. Brewer.
Fawn ('reek, ililler's Store. Frank 1!. I'olley.
<"aney. Bellviers. .lasom (^ <"orbin.
The trustees for Clicrry, A'cniigris and ("aney never (iiialitied and W.
P. IJrc-wer, .T. Nels.in llairis and -lohn \\'est were appointed to till the
\arani-ics.
i:icilii,!is .anu" tliick an<l last in those early days, and on -lune 21st,
of the san:c year the question whether to issue -iliUO.dOd to aid in the con-
strnnidn of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston railroad was sub-
mitted to a vote, which resulted arcording to the returns, 1,340 for and
S2(i against the proposition, (hi the 24tli the vote was canvassed and the
bonds issued. That the vote was fraudulent, and that the bonds ought
never to have been issued was subse(piently demonstrated beyond the
shadow of a doubt, but aft(>r a long legal contest and the payment of
souic f:;(i.O(iO in attorncNs' fees and expen.ses, a compromise was finally
made with the "innocent ]iur(hasers" of these bonds at about 05 cent's
on the dollar, and we are still jiaying this debt.
At the election held in ^■ovember ISTO, \V. \V. (Jraham, H. I). (4rant
a/nd John .M( Donald were chosen <-ommi.ssioners, Setth M. Beardsley,
clerk; Frank \\"illis. county attorney; Charles White, sheriff; Samuel
Vantiundy, treasurer; W. H. Watkins, jirobate judge; L. T. Stephenson,
district clerk; W. S. Mills, register of deeds; Nathan Bass, superinten-
dent of schools; and JL L. Ashmor(-, c(.roner. Thos. L. Bond and W. A,
Allison were elected representatives.
The comniissioners got in a wrangle with Willis and employed E. W.
Fay. an altiriicy located in Peru, in Howard county, to attend to all the
<(>uniy busiiii'ss. They also came to a disagreement with Stephenson, the
disiriil ilcrk. aiiti on his refusal to furnish the additional bond they re-
(|iiircd. they declared his office vacant. Not to be outdone in that sort of
business. Stephenson issued his proclamation, which he published in the
oflii-ial county paper over the seal of the court, declaring the commission-
ers" ollices vacant. Ste])henson was a man of tall and commanding ap-
j.earaiice. and prominent in imblic affairs for many years. He at one time
owned a large tract of land adjoining and near Independence on the
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEUY COrXTY, KANSAS. 59
southeast, but his specuhitioiis did uut always "pau out." aud in the early
nineties he was convicted of cattle stealing in the district court and sen-
tenced to a term in the penitentiary. There was always some doubt as
to his guilt, however, and when his application for pardon was pending,
he appeared before Governor Morrill and the Board of Pardons and made
a convincing argument in his own behalf, they meanwhile suiii)osing him
to be an attorney for the convict, and having no suspicion that he was
arguing his own case.
The year 1871 found the people of Montgomery county in the full
tide of prosperity, due to the rush of settlers and the rapid apprecia-
tion of land values, and the county having gotten over the teething stage
of its county seat fight, settled down to a contest for the offices on straight
political lines. The results of the election, however, were a good deal
mixed. In general the Republican ticket was successful, but both the
Democratic candidates for representative were elected. L. U. Humphrey,
who must be counted the most successful politician Montgomery county
has ever had, made his uiaiden race as a candidate for the lower house,
and was defeated by B. F. Devore liy a majority of 48. In the southern
district, Capt. W. J. Hhrrod, the Republican candidate, fared even worse.
Dr. Dunwell receiving 539 votes to his 301. The commissioners, as elected,
were J. C. Frazier, William J. May and W. t>. Rentfro. For sheriff, Capt.
J.E.Stone was elected, receivitng 911 votes to 686 for his Democratic com-
petitor. Capt. J. B.Rowley, Avho subsequently became editor of theKansau.
Charles White made the race for the same office on an independent ticket
and fared about as well as independents usually do, getting only 280
( votes. Dr. A. J. Busby led J. B. Craig just one vote as a candidate for
treasurer; Heljihingstiue got in again, as clerk with 105 to the good over
Cavanaugh; Norman Ives, afterward postmaster at Independence, beat
Ashbaugh 135. Of these candidates Devore. as well as Ives, afterward
became postmaster at Independence, and Capt. J. E. Btone is now serv-
ing in the same capacity at Caney. The office-holding habit, once con-
tracted, is apt to retain a strong grip on its victims.
The following year, 1872, was the one of the Grant-Greeley campaign,
and the Republicans regained all they had lost in the county. Devore
and Dunwell both went down to defeat. M. S. Bell and Maj. T. B. Eldridge
carrying off the honors in the representative contests. A. B. Clark, who
had been Coft'eyville's first mayor, became county attorney; E. Herring
began his long incumbency of the office of probate judge; and Nathan
Bass was elected superintendent of schools. The Democratic candidates
for these offices were C. J. I'eckham for probate judge; J. D. Gamble for
county attorney and Daniel Woods<in for superintendent. A fight was
made on W. J. H'arrod. the Republican candidate for district clerk, on
account of his c(uinection with the railroad, which was then becoming
very unjiopular because of the bond business, and he was defeated by
f6o HISTORY OI-- MONTGO.MIJRV COINTY, KANSAS.
his Di'iiKx ratir competitor, T. O. Ford, who, like Peckham, was named as
a lilieral nv (iieeley Republiran. The candidates for state Senator were
A. M. York, who was destined to achieve a wide notoriety in the near fu-
ture, in connection with his exposure of Pomeroy's attempt to bribe him
in the senatorial election the succeeding January, and Frank
Willis, the former county attorney, as his Democratic com-
petitor. J. 1>. McCue made his debut in ilie jiolitics of Montgomery coun-
ty at this time as an unsuccessful asiiirant for the Democratic nomi-
jiatiovi for county attorney.
T"n(Hiestionably the political sensation of the year 1873, so far as our
state was couceiiied, was furnished by Senator York, of Montgomery
county. When Kansas was admitted to the Union in 1861, Samuel (5.
Pomeroy was named as one of her first United States Senators. Six years
later he was re-elected; and now after twelve years service in the Ameri-
can ■•House of Lords," he was back at Tojieka determined to secure a third
term, if money without stint would do it. He had made the Seniitor bus-
iness so ])rotitable financially that it was understood that he could and
would sjiend -fldO.OdO rather than be defeated. He had, of course, ac-
qiiired the rejiutation of a boodler and a purchaser of legislative goods
that were in a damaged condition, and there was a strong sentiment
against him when the legislature met. An organization of the Anti-
Ponieroy members was formed and of this f)ur senator York was made
secretary. To make sure of Pomeroy's defeat it was determined to entraj)
him into giving a bi-ibe to some member who would afterward expose
him on the floor of the joint convention. James Simpson, afterward
secretaiT of state under (iovernor Humphrey's administration, and a
prominent political wire-jniller in the Kepul)lican ranks for many years,
is credited with devising this scheme. York had had some previous deal-
ings with Pomeroy when he was sent to ^^■asllington the previous winter
to ^d tlic land office removed to Indejiendence, and he was hit U[pc>n as
the most available man to touch Pomeroy for his roll.
l^xcryliiing worked as planned. Y'ork not only got Pomei'oy to jtrom-
ise him |H,(MI(I for his vote and a speech stating that after investigation
lie was convinced that the charges against Pomeroy were groundless, but
he secured .^T.lHKi in advance. The legislature being almost unanimously
Rejiublican, no ijukus was held. On Tuesday, January 28th, the two
houses balldii'd in separate session, and Pomeroy received 50 votes, the
rest being scanning. It was n>]iorted and believed that he had 70 mem-
bers jiledged, liT licing sritlicient lo elect. Only 60 were standing out
against him. and his election seemed inevitalile. And yet after the Mont-
gomery county senal(M- had made his talk in the joint convention the next
day Pomeroy did not receive a single vote.
There have been many dramatic incidents in the legislative annals of
Kans;is. bul no other ever eniialled in intensitv of inferest and unexi)ect-
HISTORY OF MONTciOJIEUY COUNTV. KANSAS. 01
t'diioss thiit climax of Col. York's speech when he advanced to (he clci-k"s
desk and laid down the two packages, one of them open and containing
fL'.OOO. and the other, a brown paper parcel, tied with twine, which,
when opened, was found to contain 13,000 more. Pomeroy's friends sug-
gested an adjournment that he might have an opportunity to be heard in
his own defence, but the mine had been sprung and the legislators were
in no mood for temporizing. \\'hen the roll was called John J. Ingalls
had received llo votes — all but 12 — and was declared elected, although
in the two houses on the previous day he had but a single vote. Of the 12
scattering, two were cast for Alexander M. York, and in view of the way
he had upset all the calculations of the politicians it seems a wonder that
he did not fall heir to Poir.eroy's seat.
For a time after York had thus exposed Pomeroy and secured the
overthrow of that rotton old rascal it seemed as if the sun rose and set
about the Montgomery county senator, and there was nothing in the way
of i)oliti(al preferment he might not seek and find. The press of the state
and nation rung with laudations of his course. His speech on the floor
of the joint convention was pronounced unequalled since Cicero uttered
that awful philippic against Cataliue. A magnificent reception was
tendered him when he returned to his home at Independence, and men of
all parties united to do him homage. The name of York became a house-
hold word, and he would have been deemed a pitiable croaker who would
have even suggested the posibility that higher honors would
not, in the future, be bestowed upon the incorruptable statesman from the
banks of the Verdigris by an admiring and grateful people. After some
time was past, however, the efl'ei'vescence of hysterical sentiment passed
off', and York dropped into such obscurity as has fallen to the lot of but
few other men in public life anywhere — certainly to tnone in Kansas.
When it became known that York had not only solicited a bribe, but
that he had done it as the culmination of a plot laid by Pomeroy's ene-
mies to insure his downfall ; when York's own testimony convicted him of
being a blackmailer, in the interest of his town though it was, the Mont-
gomery county martyr found how fickle was public favor and his fall was
as sudden and unpitied as his rise had been unexpected and meteoric. To-
day there can be no (piestion, that if York had put that .fT.OOO in his
pocket and walked oflf with it, in-stead of laying it on the table at the
capitol, the people of Kansas would have more respect for him than they
now do. For say what you will, it does not ])ay to fight the devil with
fire, and of those who do evil tliat good may come, it shall be said forever
and aye that "their damnation is just.''
Although 1873 was an "oft' year" ]>oIitically, 2.309 votes were cast,
which was doing very well for a county that had been an Indian reserva-
tion only four years previous. At this time the entire board of commi.s-
sioners was choseu. and there was a new deal all around. Tieorge Hurst,
62 lIISTOPa" OF MiiNTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
W. .1. Wilkius aud 1. H. Itiulil Ikmus; elected. ]*.. W. IVi-kins appeals ou
till- s((<iH' as a candidate for district judge — perliajt.s, even then hoping
the lie would be Congressman and Senator hereafter. He carried tlie
conniy hy 1.198 votes to 1.007 for J. M. Scudder. his Deuiociatfc oppo-
nent. The candidates for representative in the 6oth district were A. A.
Sicwart and J. S. Riissuni. Stewart was elected hy (58 majority. He
ser\ed another term later, published the Kansan. deserted his wife and
left the county to settle in Washington state wh.ere he has since died.
Russuni has been leasing lands heie for gas and oil for some years past.
In the Ooth district the returns show that .lohn Hoyd received 570 votes
to C S. Brown's 507, but Brown got the oflice. J. E. Stone was reelected
sheriff aud John A. Helphingstine. clerk, ("ary Oakes got the treasury
and George S. Beard, the lone Democrat elected, became register of deeds.
Edwin Foster again became county surveyor and J. H. Kington, coroner.
In 1874. the Republicans l)agged most of the game. L. A. Walker,
one of the most far-sighted men Montgomery county has ever numbered
among her citizens, was elected representative in the Independence dis-
trict, over Ben >!. Armstrong, the Tt.'iiublican candidate, and Ex-Mayor
James DeLong. T. (>. Ford so hvimI -a ic ilcriimi as district clerk, leading
f'.T. Beach 44 votes. The old jmii,\ Ii;i.| ilir nsi ; Wm. Huston, that un-
compromising Scotch-Irish prchihiii.iiiist. ;is representative from the
eastern district; E. Herring, again for probate judge, defeating J. W.
Hodges, of C'aney ; B. R. runningham again for superintendent of schools;
aud A. B. Clark for county attorney, his Democratic com]ietitor being
Will. Diinkiii. 1!. W. reikiiis ag.iiii carried the county for district judge.
J. ]>. .McCiic being liis Dcnioci-ntic c,>iiiiietitor this time.
Results wevc somewha.t mixeil in 1S75. The Democrats got the of-
fices of shei'irt' and register of deeds — the former for the first time — J. T.
I5rock securing that position and George S. Beard being re-elected in the
latter . Brock has been in evidence in :\[ontg(unery county politics almost
ever since, in one way or another, and is now d()ing business at Cherryvale
as a real estate and insurance agent. Beard was. later, ihi the drug liusi-
iiess with Thomas Calk in the Opera House riiarniacy, but went to Texas
and located at San Antonio. The Keimblbans got E. T. Mears in as
county clerk, re-elected Cary Oakcs as tieasurei-, and made B. R. Cunning-
liaiii county surveyor and W. ^1. Robinson, coroner. Clears is still doing
an abstract and real estate liusiness in Independence, but has be\n. for
years, allied, politically, with the Broliibitionists. In the district, Wm.
Stewart was elected re]iresentative o\cr Ceo. \\'. r.nrcliard, by a majority
of one \dte. Burchard began his public career in ilie county as the editor
of the Tribune, but got out when he had lo be dumped to keep it from
straying from the straight and narrow path of Republicanism. He, later,
became the editor and publisher of the Kansan. In the Coffeyville dis-
trict the Republicans were likewise successful. J. ^f. Heddens being sent
HISTORY or MONTGOMERY COUXTY, KANSAS. 63
u> ToiicUa i>\vv \V. II. IJell. The tliree c-ouimissioner.s elected were J. E.
Cole, over I ». C Krone; W. H. Barter, over J. S. Cotton; and T. K. I'itt-
iiKiii. (ivcr .1. F. Outt. This made a I (euiocratic board. Harter being the
oiilv IJcimblicaii elet-ted. It divided the county printing, giving it half
and half to the Tribune and Kansan.
The Hayes-Tilden contest was on in 1876. and not a solitary oppo-
sition candidate was allowed io sli]i in. the Republicans cleaning up the
lilatter. as they have almost always d-)ne in Presidential years. Colonel
Daniel Grass, whose i)rea(hing al()ng some lines was so much beWer than
his practice, and who did yeoman service on the stump for the Prohibitioji
aniendn;ent four years later, was elected to the state Senate over B. F.
Devore. the Democratic candidate. For this office there was also another
Kichniond in the held in the persoin of ex-Senator A. M. York, who had, by
this time, severed his connection with the Republican party and was mak-
ing his canvass on the Greenback ticket. As this was his farewell ap-
liearance in Montgomery county politics, and he had up to this time
]ilayed the most conspicuous jiart of any citizen of the county in the
drama of state politics, it must be noted that he polled 019 votes out of a
total of 3. 829, and led his ticket a long way. For Representative O. F.
("arson defeated Gapt. J. P.. Rowley, of the Kansan. in the first district.
In the second L. I'. Hnmi>lney was again a candidate, and this time won
over l>r. McGulley. against whom he was later to be pitted as a candidate
for the Senate, and made his entrance into the field of state politics. In
the lower district, W. C. Martin beat Levi Gladfelter, who, in after year.s,
hecanic postmaster at Cauey, and J. P. Rood, who was later a successful
candiilate for the same legislative office. H. H. Dodd got the district
clerksliiji; John D. Hinkle, who is now judge of the city court of Spokane.
Washington, became county attorney ; Herring went in again as probate
judge; and Chas. T. Beach was made sujierinteindent of schools. This
year the Greenback i)arty had a full ticket in the field and polled an
average of nearly four hundred votes. That well-known citizen, George
T. Anthony, was being voted for as a candidate for governor, and M. J.
Salter, who subsequently became a resident of Independence, as Register
of the r. S. Laud Office there, was elected lieutenant governor.
In February. 1877, considerable excitement was occasioned when
it was learned that County Treasurer Oakes had 139.34.3 of the county
funds, which were by law required to be kept in the safe in his office, on
deposit in Turner & Otis' bank, and the board of county commissioners
took action on the lotb of tbat month, censuring him for that act and de-
manding that he replace the funds in the safe in compliance with the law.
This year a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor was occa-
sioned by Mr. Salter's acceptance of the land office appointment, and L.
V. Humphrey became the republican candidate for that office and was
elected. He carried Montgomery county by a majority of 278. but at the
64 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COIXTY. KANSAS.
same lime A. H. Hoit.m. wlin was also inniiiiii; to till a varancy, on ac-
roiiiit of tlio resiiiiiati.ai of Cliicf -I list ire Kiiigiiiaii. lost tin- .•oniity bv
Oil the coniity tirket in 1STT ilif Democrats came nearer iiiakiuj; a
clean swccji iliaii on any other oc.-asion in its history. .1. T. P.rock was
re-elected sheriff ; John Mc('nllat;li <^oX tiie county clerk's place over
Mears. who was a eauciidate for re-election: Joseph Barrieklow. an old
Indian trader at Coffeyville, heat E. E. "Wilsou :j:5 votes for treasurer; and
]•:. I'. Allen became register of deeds. The same iiarty got all the com-
missioners, Henry Mxmnger in the first, (ieneial W. R. Brown, in the sec-
ond and A. V. Boswell in the third. It only lost the coroner's and sur-
veyor's ]ilaces. which went to W. M. Kobinson and A. (t. Savage.
Over the result of this election the Kansan. the Democratic organ of
the county, made merry Avith all the ]iicfures at its command, and har-
rowed up the feelings of the Ke];ubli(ans Ity ridicule and sarcasm to such
an extent that when the next year rolled around they were all lined up for
the straight partey ticket. The only county office that got away was that
of commissioner in the first district, where ••that sly old fox." as Henry
Mounger was termed, easily won out auain. For governor, John P. Bt.
John, whose name, later, became so much of a household word in the state
and the nation, carried the county liy -j:'.:?; while Humphrey had nearly
twice that majority for re-election as lieutenant governor. For the dis-
trict judjieshiii. J. T. Brcadliead. of Indeiiendence, was pitted against
Judge Perkins, but the latter was in the heyday of his popularity, and
had a jilurality of l.tUH in the county. Harry Dodd was re-elecetd as dis-
trict clerk; Judge Herring to the probate office; John D. Hinkle as county
attorney; and (\ T. ISeacli as school superintendent. In the representative
districts the o]iiiosition got two of the three; C. J. Corbiu winning in the
4Tth and J. P. Kood in the 4!)th. The iStli was carried by A. B. Clark
over three well known citizens. Abe Canary. M. S. Stahl. so long the land-
lord at the Main Street hotel, and ex-Mayor James DeLong. This year
was high water mark for the Greenback party, which jxdled more votes
than the Democrats did for some of the offices. John S. (\»tton receiving
l.ri.-(i for j.robate judge and (ieo. W. Clemmer >S7 for district clerk on
that ticket. This was ( 'lemmer's second race in the county, and he s.xm
afterward went back to Indiana wh<-re he succeeded belter as a candidate
for county office.
W hen the smoke cleared aw;iy after the political battle of 1879, the
KeiMiblicaii oigau rejoiied that Moiilgoiiieiy cmiiiIv had been ''redeemed''
again. For sheritt. Lafayette Shadiey had 14S majority over his Demo-
cratic opjionent, Ellis. The third man in the race was the Greenbacker.
S. B. S<iuires. who was to be a successful aspirant for the same office
eighteen vears later, and hold it longer than any other incumbent ever
h;rs or ever will ai;aiii unless our const itiil ion is clianiied. Shadiey. after
IIISTOKV OF MO.NTCOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 65
two terms as slicrill in Ihc niiiciics. Iiccaiiii' a iiiciiihcr of llu> T. S. Indian
police down in the ((sajic Nation, and was icillcd in a lijiiiit willi outlaws
there — it being supposed that the notorious Dill Dalton tired the fatal
shot. There were three ooinplete tickets in the field this year, and the
Greenback party proved a formidable competitor to the old parties, poll-
ing about 750 votes to the Republicans 1,30(1 and the Uemociats l.liOO.
Karricklow was defeated for reelection as treasurer. Col. F. S. Piilmer
winning that prize. The same fate befell John JlcCullagh, the clerk's
office going to Ernest A. Way, a bright young school teacher whose undo-
ing it proved. E. P. Allen was the only one of the old set to pull through,
aside from the commissioner, as he was also one of the few office holders
who were able to save money from their incomes. He subsequently went
into the loan business and became president of tjie First National Bank,
a position he still holds, (i. 15. Leslie was elected surveyor and Josiah
Coleman, coroner. For commissioner. Gen. W. R. Brown, of the second
district, j)ulled through by the rnarrow margain of two votes, beating P. S.
Moore, who v.as subsequently to hold that offilce for three terms. "If at
first you don't succeed, try, try again," seems to have been the hitter's
motto.
The year 18S0 will forever remain memorable in the history of Kan-
sas as the one in which the prohibition amendment was adojited. Mont-
gomery county gave it a good majority, every precinct contributing to it
with the single exception of West Cherry, where the vote stood 59 for to
fifl against. On the presidential ticket, the Republicans carried the coun-
ty, but they lacked a good deal of having a majority over both the oppos-
ing parties. Garfield had 1,77-1 votes, Hancock 1,295, and Weaver 694. No
wonder fusion should be resorted to by the members of opposing parties
in later years! Indeed, this year, the Republicans lost only the two
places where the opponents had united on one candidate. This
let A. P. Boswell in again as commissioner in the third dis-
trict and helped J. P. Rood to knock t^enator Pefl'er out as
a candidate for Representative in the same southern district.
For Peffer this was the "unkindest cut of all," and he soon shook
the dust of Montgomery county from his feet, to return no more, as he
later, deserted the state when the Populists refused to reelect him as
T'nited i^tates S'enator in 1897. Harry H. Dodd was elected for the third
time as clerk of the district court, getting a longer incumbency of this
office than any other clerk. lObeneezer Herring won his fifth and last
race for the jn-obate judgeship. Ed. ^'anCJundy, a young lawyer, who had
been a printer and newsjiaper ]iublisher in the early days, was made
county attrrney, and given the first oiqioitunity to run up against that
])itfall for such officials — the prohibition law. C. T. Beach also won a
third race for school superintendent, the ''unwritten law" which forbids
a Republican official in ^lontgomery county to be a candidate for a third
66 IIlSTonV OF MONTGOMERY COINTY. KA.NiSAS.
leriii not luning been enacted until (ilick defeated St. John iu 1SS2. For
the Senate A. B. Chirk made a snccessfnl race — his hist one in the county
— thou<:h he tried to get into the ganie time and ajjaiii afterward. The Re-
publican Icuislativc candidates, J. H. Morris and Alexander Moore, were
successful in the two northern districts.
Tht)uyh the opposition united on candidates for every office except
sheriU' and conuiiissionor in ISSl. they failed to score and the Republi-
cans swept the jilattt'i- of cvcrytliing- in sight. Tom Mitchell, mar.shal
of Independence, thought he was running for sheriff against Lafe Shad-
ley until the returns came in. ^^'ylie, on the Greenback ticket, knew he
had never been in it. The Democratic camjtaign was managed by Judge
Mct'ue. and he made the mistake of supposing that the fewer Democratic
caiulidates there were on the ticket the more chance there would be of
electing tlctse. So when, on the eve of election, J. M. Ne\ins withdrew as
a candidate foi clerk, he was sure Tom, on whom his hopes had been set,
would win. Shad ley had ."lOii majority, however. E. E. ^^■ilson, who had
been deputy tr.-a.surer for two terms, was promoted to the head place by
a vote of 2.257 against (542 for his (Jreenback opponent. Gilbert Dominey.
Ed. T-. Foster got there as register of deeds, Ernest Way was re-elected
clerk, and <t. R. Leslie surveyor, while Dr. B. F. Masterman, the Repub-
lican chairman, won whatever honor there was in the coroner's place.
That hitherto successful politician, Henry Mounger, at last went to the
wall as a candidate for re-election as commissionei-, and Will S. Hays,
the most fearless and independent commissioner the (•■unity has ever had,
took his place.
When 1.S82 came around the rrohibition law was iu working order iu
Kansas, and a good many people did not find it all they had hoped. The
result was that George W. Glick, the first Democratic governor Kansas
has ever had, was elected over John P. St. John, who was the third term
Republican candidate. And yet, today, you will find Glick and St. John
lying hap])ily in the same political bed. Montgomery county went back
on her Republican record and gave Glick 310 majority. George Chandler,
of Independence, received the entire vote of the county, 3553, as a candi-
date for judge of the district court, and was elected. For the county
offices the race was very close, only two of the candidates receiving over
a hundred majority. Nelson F. Acres, the Democratic candidate for Con-
gress, carried the county by ten votes over the ]ioi)ular Dudley C. Haskell.
For probate judge, Thomas Harrison, one of the oldest settlers, beat
Thos. G. Ayres, a Coffeyville attorney, only 15 votes. J. D. Hinkle got
into the race again as a candidate for county attorney, but was beaten
out of sight by J. D. McCue, who got the largest majority given in the
county that year, 354. S. V. Matthews landed for district clerk by 4!).
and G. B. Leslie, for re-election as county sujierintendent, by 28. Ilonois
were easy in the representative districts. A. A. Stewart, of the Kansai!.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 67
being elected iu the western, and Daniel JfcTaggart in the eastern. This
was the beginning of the latter's protracted legislative career, which in-
cluded three terms in the House and two in the Senate, and gave him a
long lead over any other Montgomery county lawmaker. In the Indepen-
dence district. Gen. Brown was knocked off the perch as conniiissioner by
Wilson Kincaid, which gave the Republicans the control of the board for
the first time since the pioneer days. The county printing went to the
Star another year, but at ruinously low rates. And that was the last
year in which an opposition newspaper has ever had it in the county.
The proposition to build a new court house, submitted to the voters at
this election, was defeated by 203 votes. Only 29 votes were cast against
it in the city of Independence, and only 9 in its favor in Parker township,
which included the city of Coffeyville. At Cherryvale, and in Cherry
township only about half the voters took the trouble to express them-
selves on the proposition, but those who did voted four to one against it.
Only four of the townships — Caney, Rutland, Drum Creek, and Indepen-
dence, gave majorities for the proposition.
Although 1883 was another "off year" in politics, the opposition to
the Republican party i)rofited little by that fact, all they succeeded in do-
ing being to I'e-elect A. P. Boswell, from the southern district, for a
third term as commissioner. Boswell was a thorough-going business
man. and it was during his incumbency that county warrants were paid
on presentation, for the only time in the history of the county, though as
much credit must be given to Will S. Hays, the Republican commissioner
from the first district from 1881 to 1883. as to any one for that result.
J. T. Brock made his third race for sheriff this year and was beaten ouX;
of sight by Joseph JlcCreary, a popular but peculiarly excitable citizen t^i,,
Coffeyville, who later continued the enjoyment of oflice-holdjng by be- "^
coming postmaster at Coffeyville. E. E. Wilson, one of ^ue pioneer
settlers, and perhaps the first historian of Montgomery county, was
again elected county treasurer. Thomas R. Pittman, of Havana, a^former ' "
county commissioner, and for years one of the Democratic wheelhorses
of the county, had the pleasure of making the race against Wilson. H.
W. Conrad, who is now, at the expiration of his term in the state Senate,
serving as deputy in that oliRce, was elected county clerk. J. F. Nolte,
then a Rutland township farmer, but now a rice planter in Texas, got the
position of register of deeds. W. B. Rushmore was elected surve.yor alud
E. A. Osborn, coroner. This year the Greenback party again had a
ticket in the field, but it mustered only a corporal's guard of voters. H.
Preston leading the ticket with 39 votes for surveyor. Owing to irreg-
ularities in the office, Ernest Way had resigned the position of county
clerk this year, and for the short term of three months his father, J. S.
Way. was elected to fill the vacancy.
In the I'residential year. 1884, the Democrats won in the nation, but
68 HISTORY OF MONTGOMKKY CurNTY, KANSAS.
iu our couiily the Republicans not only elected every candidate ou I heir
ticket, but rolled uj) a greater average majority than ever before. Blaine,
for president, had 826 to the good, a nd I'erkins, for Congress. S."i(i. the
latter being then at the zenith of his popularity. Iluniphrey was again
pitted against I>r. McCulley, this time for the state Senate, which provei
for him the stepping stmie to the governorshij). J. A. Burdick and Daniel
MVTaggart were elected Hcpicsentatives, the latter for his second term in
the House. Samuel (". l{;iliott defeated J. 1). ^IcCue as a candidate for
county attorney, his majcuity of 148 being the smallest for any candi-
date. Elliott is credited with having enforced the prohibition law more
vigorously and favored the liipior sellers less than any other county at-
torney since the law went into effect. He lost his health in the early
nineties, and died in the insane asylum at Osawatoiuie. Matthews was
re-elected district clerk over A. A. Stewart, of the Kansan ; and (i. B.
Leslie beat Mrs. K. C. Nevins. the Hemocratic landidate for sujierinten-
dent of schools, and the first woman to run foi- office on the t-ounty tiikct
of any ]iarty. .John Castillit. a Keiuddican, who afterward became idi'ii-
titled with the Populist party, was chosen commissioner from the tirst
district. The question of issuing bonds for the building of a court house
was again submitted to the voters, and this time the projiosition carried
by a majority of :n. The oj.position ai)peal<Ml to the courts anil delaye.l
the bnildiiig for a year (U- mor(>. but the corner sl-me was laid Xoxem-
ber ailth. ]88().
After the defeat of St. John as the liepidilican candidate for govern-
or in 1SS2 — that defeat being erroneously altiilmled to tln' fad that he
was then a candidate for the third term — it became the unwritten law
that no Republican candidate in Montgomery county should be exposed
to defeat by a third nomination, and the only exception made to the
rule since that time was in the case of S. L. Hibbard. who was named as
a catndidate for surveyor, in 1885, and duly elected, as were all the Re
publican candidates that year, and who has held the ofMce ever since, be-
ing re-nominated and re-elected as often as his term drew to a close.
That year was not an exciting one politically. McCreary and Conrad
got their second terms. Millard F. Wood was chosen county treasurei-.
and .loliu L. (Jriffln, register of deeds. Dr. .M»< 'alley, who never refuse!
to lead a forlorn hope, was defeated by I. 1!. W allace as a candidate for
coroner. T. M. Bailey was chosen commissiDiiei- tr.-mi the liideiiendeiice
distri<-t. Altogether it was a Republican crowd, the opjiosition being
completely "whitewashed."
In Novend)er, 1880, although there were a governor and state olliceis
to elect, it was a f(U-egone conclusion that the Re])ublicans would win;
and Colonel Tom Moonlight's campaign for governor against Colonel
•lolni .\. .Martin, ^\ ho was out for a second term, was ratlan- a perfunclor\-
oii.>. This year the Republican majority in the county was 410. In the
HISTORY OF ilONTOOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 69
fii;liT (i\('i' tlie local oflices, the battle \vaged fiercest about (lie jirobate
jii(!<;('^lii]). For this place General W. K. Brown, who had not only com-
manded President Hayes" regiment in the civil war, but who had been
county commissioner for two terms here, was the Democratic candidate
for that office and Colonel A. 1'. Forsythe, who had at one time been
elected to congress by a Greeinback-Republican combination, in Illinois,
was his oi)i>oiient. Hrown won by 223 votes. The rest of the ticket the
Republicans elected. J. B. Ziegler and Captain Daniel McTaggart going
to the Legislature; J. \V. Simpson being made district clci k ; I). W.
Kingsley. superintendent of schools; and Sam Elliott get ling a second
term as county attorney. George Foster was elected commissioner from
the Coffey ville district, A. V. Boswell at last going down in defeat. It
was thought that he would be re-elected as long as he lived, but having
been made one of the appraisers for the right of way for the I). M. & A.
Railroad across the soutli side of the county, he failed to please all the
men who wanted big damages and lost his popularity to a degree that
insured his defeat.
This year George Chandler, of ludeiiendence, was the Republican
candidate for re-election to the office of district judge and there was no
organized opposition to his candidacy in the district. In fact, as in 1882,
he received the entire vote of the electors of Montgomery county for that
high office, 4,7t)5 of them recording their ballots in his favor and none
against. Chandler made a fine reputation as an upright judge, but was
noted for being especially harsh and severe with applicants for divorce,
having no patience with men and women who had found their matrimon-
ial bonds irksome, and were endeavoring to sever them. His incisive
questions going down to the most sacred privacies of the marriage re-
lation and his bullying manner came to be dreaded by all such unfortun-
ates, and the procuring of divorces gi'ew unpopular. Probably there
were far fewer divorces in the district during his term on the bench on
account of this idiosyncracy of his. When Harrison became President
in March, 1889, Judge Chandler was tendered the position of Assistant
Secretary of the Interior, which he accepted, resigning the judgship to
do so. • After some yeai's in Washington his family returned to Indepen-
dence, but he still remained there, having formed a law parttnership with
Ex-Senator Perkins, when the latter's term expired. Subsequently, in the
year 1895. Mr. Chandler became the defendant in a suit for divorce
brought by the mother of his children. He did not contest this suit and
consented to a decree by which his property in this county was settled
upon his wife. Subsequently came the news that he had married a woman
who had been a stenographer or typewriter in his office while he was still
living with his family at the national capital. In view of these occur-
rences many people thought it a great pity that he could not himself have
70 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY', KANSAS.
profited by the lectures on conjugal constancy that he had been so free
to give those who came to his court asking for divorces.
The fall of 1887 witnessed another perfunctory political canvass in
whicli the Republican ticket was elected by default, the only contest
worth the name being over the sheriff's office, where -John C. Hester, of
Fawn Creek, beat John J. Anderson, the best known auctioneer Mont-
gomery county has ever had. by 249 votes. Wood, (iriffin, Hibbard and
Wallace were re-elected by majorities between 7(10 and 1.(1(1(1. and George
W. Fulmer l)ecame county clei'k. Xoah K. Itoiunn got the conimissiener's
j)lace in the first district.
Republican i)luralities in this county reached another high water
mark in 1888 when Benjamin Harrison led (irover Cleveland 1.054 votes,
and rs. W. Terkins, for Congress, had 1.084 better than his Democratic
competitor. John A. Kalon. There Avere tlnee rickets in the field, so far
as state and nalimial caiididali's wnc cMici'iiicd. ]n\t the opposition to
the Re]mblicans iiiiilcd (ui si-vciiil (if ilii- iiiiiiiiy i-aiididates. and we saw
the first beginnings of the fusiun thai was lining to pUiy such havoc with
Reiiublican ho])es a few years later. For stale Senator there was a tri-
angular contest of great bitterness. Daniel MiTaggart was the Repub-
lican nominee. Wni. Dunkin, the Democratic, and Adam Beatty. the Union
Labor. A good deal of op])osition to ilcTaggart develojied in the Repub-
lican ranks, so much, in fact, that he ran more than :500 votes behind his
ticket, but in the three-cornered fight he pulled through by the safe plu-
rality of 347 over his Denu)cratic opponent. J. B. Zeigler was re-elected
licjiicsentative in the western district, and Captain I). Btewart Elliott
was successful in the eastern. Such a contingency as the hitter's death
from a riiilijijiine bullet in the island of Luzon was then as remote from
his tlumghts as anythifng in the future can possibly be from the readers
today. Foi- inoliatc judge (ienej-al Brown was defeated for re-election by
Cliailcs TL Ilog.iii. a liepublican then, but since a I'ojtulist. who made one
of the most efficient officials the county ever had in that position. Sinij)-
son and Kingsley got their second terms, and O. I'. P]rgenl)right was
elected county attorney. V. S. ]Moore. who had been defeated in 1870 as
a candidate for county commissioner, won out this time and Began his
nine years' term in that position.
^^'hen the office of judge of the district court for the eleventh district
becan.e vacant by the resignation of George Chandler, the governor ap-
pointed John N. Ritter. of Cherokee county, to fill the vacancy until an
election could be held. Against Judge Ritter as a candidate on the Re-
l)ublican ticket in Novendjer, 1889, the Democrats ran J. I). McCue. of
Independence, in many respects one of the finest jurists the state has
produced. Although Ritter carried Montgomery county by 150, McCue
■was elected for the remaining year of the Chandler term.
For the county offices at' stake that fall the L'e|)ublicans did not
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 7 I
UKikc .III t'lilircly clean sweep, T. F. Callahan getting the sheriff's office
away from -loliii <'. Hester, who was a candidate for re-election, but who
had proved an unpopular official. The Union I^abor party had a full tick-
et in the field this fall, and so did the Democrats, except for the office of
county clerk. For this position Geoi'ge W. Fulmer was reelected by a
majority of 1,681, which is the largest thus far recorded in the county
where there was any contest at all. Thomas H. Earnest, now postmaster
at Cherryvale, was successful by only 74 over his Democratic competitor,
George B. Thompson, for register of deeds. Mark Tulley got the prize of
the county treasury, which then paid a salary of .14.000 a year; and S.
Tillman, a coloi'ed barber at Independence, was made coroner. W. N.
Smith was the new commissioner chosen in the southern district this fall.
He is now a member of the city council of Independence.
The "Alliance year" is what 1890 has come to be termed in the polit-
ical annals of Kansas, and the wave swept over ^Montgomery engulfing
the entire Republican ticket, with two exceptions. The Democratic and
Peoples' parties did not unite on the state ticket, and with two candi-
dates to divide the opposition vote Humphrey got through with a plu-
rality of 411 for governor in the county. On the local ticket, however,
tliere was complete fusion. For district judge, McCue ran against
A. B. Clark, a ])0])ular Republicrin, and led him by 736. Ben. Clover beat
the hitherto invincible I'erki ns for Congress and left him over three
hundred votes in the shade. Samuel Henry and A. L. Scott, the fusion
candidates, were elected to the legislature. Daniel Cline became probate
judge; J. H. Norris, district clerk; and J. R. Charlton, county attorney.
The successful Republicans were Alexander Nash for superintendent of
schools, aind Noah Bouton, who got through for re-election as commis-
sioner by the narrow margain of four votes, over John Hook. For a sec-
ond time the opposition to the Republican party had broken over the
fence and got into the pasture. Although a popular favorite, Mr. Nash,
one of the Republicans referred to, long afterward made a record that
is unenviable by deserting his wife at Coffeyville while their child lay
dead in the house. Since that time his whereabouts have been known to
none of his friends in Montgomery county.
It took the Republicans but a short time to get their "second wind"
in the county and make a successful fight against the combination that
had downed them. In 1891 they were confronted by a united opposition,
but easily elected their entire ticket, with the exception of the candidate
for sheriff. In this office Tom Callahan had rendered himself very popu-
lar, and was besides an excellent politician and a good campaigner. Still
he pulled through with the beggarly majority of 26, only. George H.
Evans, jr., became county clerk; and Tulley, Earnest, Hibbard, Tillman
and Moore were re-elected. The "Alliance" wave had evidently spent its
force.
72 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
lu 1892 the Democrats of Kansas supported General Weaver and the
Populist electors for Cleveland's sake, but this county gave the Harrison
electors 1!I3 majority, and two more for Ex-Governor Anthony for Con-
gressman-at-Large. Humphrey made his last political race as a candidate
for Re])reseutative in Congress from the Third district, and while he was
defeated and retired to private life at the expiration of his termasgovern-
or in the following January, he ran about a hundred votes ahead of his
tii'kel in his house county. McTaggart was re-elected as state Senator by
the straight i)arty vote. The county had been unjustly deprived of half its
rei>resentati<)n in the House, and A. L. Scott was the fusion candidate.
Against him was pitted F. M. P.eneflel. of Cofteyville. a man who played
a conspicious part in the politics of the county for several years, and
who was capable of making a very taking stump speech. The old member
fared worse than most of the other candidates. Nash was i-e-elected sup-
erintendent of schools by an overwhelming vote, and Norris was defeated
for re-election as district clerk by W. C. Foreman. W. E. Ziegler won the
jirizc of the comity attorney's office, and W. X. Smith was re-elected
as coiiiiiiissioiu'r li.iiii tlu' sonlhern district. In fact the only thing the
ojiposition to ilic K(pr;oli(:i!i party sav(Ml out of the v.-reck was the pro-
bale judgeshi]). wliicli went to Haiiicl ("line, a ropulist. by the narrow
mai-gin of eleven votes.
The fall of is;»;'> witnessed another triangular fight for the offices,
the Democrats and I'o])ulists running separate tickets. The latter polled
about twice as many votes as the former, but their combined vote barely
equalled the Rei)ublican strength. The i)endulum had swung clear over
again and the o]i]>osition did not elect a man. Frank C. Moses became
sheritT, and served the full limit of four years. The office-holding habit
still clung to him, however, and he is just linishing his second term ij*
mayor of Indpendeuce. J. R. Blair came uj) from Caney to become treas-
urer, defeating two Confederate veterans, E. T. Lewis and J. ]\I. Altaffer.
John AA'. Glass, of Colfeyville. was made county clerk; J. T. Stewart, of
Sycamore, got the ].ositioii of register of deeds;'Dr. R. F. O'Rear replaced
the coloied liailn i ::s ccvoiicr; and N. F. Veeder. of Clierryvale, the most
corntpt. (irobably. or all Montgomery county's corruiit jxditicians. got
into the boar<l of county comnnssioners.
l.dw water mark for the Democrats of MoiitgoiiuMv county came
with the election of 1804, when their candidate for governor, the brilliant',
but shifty, Overmeyer. received but 429 votes to 2,ftf}4 cast for L. D.
1-ewelliiig as a candidate for re-election. And there was no single attri-
bute of manhood in Avhich Overmeyer. with all his faults, real and al-
leged, did not tower high above the first Populist governor of Kansas.
Morrill, the Re])u1)!ican candidate, had a clear majority of 142 over both.
:Many DeiiMicrats undoubtedly voted for Lcwelling as the only way to
be;it (lie ccu:ic.<ii! enemy; and the I'oj.iiiist sicvci- llnd such a lead as the
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 73
fij^ui-cs ahove given would indicate. McCue was agaiu a candidate for
district judge, but failing to get the opposition parties to unite on his
candidacy, ran as an independent, his name appearing in a column all by
itself. He was o])i>i)sed by A. R. Skidmore, of Columbus, a man hitherto
unknown in puliiiis outside of his own county. To tell the whole story
of the fight m:i(!r :m:iiiisi .Judge ilcCue by ex-C'ommissioner Will S. Hays,
who went over ihe disuict charging him with venality and with subser-
viency to corporations, and convincing the voters that he was lacking in
integrity, would require a volume in itself. So confident was McCue of
election during the early days of the canvas that he used to introduce his
opponent to voters, and then egotistically remark to his frieinds what a
poor show the Cherokee county man made beside him. Skidmore, how-
ever, beat him 850 in this county and some thousands in the district, and
McCue's political career was ended.
r.enefiel was elected agaiu as Representative over S. JK l>ixoii. an-
other good talker, who soon found he ])referred other fields when office
was denied him here. And Beneflel was the man, who, during the next
sessi(.n of the legislature, was credited with having killed the bill to re-
duce <1 ;'■:.- M ■'.'.:■ stock yards, for a considerati<(n. N. E. Bouton, the
out-goiiiL I --inner, became i)robate judge, defeating H. 1). Farrel,
who w;- ;:i-i linily to fill the office for two terms, and J. J. Mull. It
was a tlucc-curiieicd contest all the way through oin the county ticket,
exce])t the county superinteudency, and there Miss Anna Keller, the first
woman ever elected to office in the county, defeated M. C. Handley by 265
votes. ^V. E. Ziegler was elected county attorney over two leading at-
torneys at the Independence bar at this time — Thos. H. Stamford and
F. J. Fritch. W. C. Foreman beat John T. Caldwell and Tom Harrison
for district clerk. James Thompson, an utterly illiterate Coffeyville ne-
gro, became coroner. P. S. Moore was re-elected commissioner from the
first district. It was again a Republican year.
At this election the woman's suffrage amendment to the constitution
was voted on and there was a nuijority of 256 against it in the county.
Cherryvale, Louisburg, Rutland and Parker, alone gave majorities for the
proposition. A proposition to make an appropriation if |8, ()()(» to buy a
county poor farm carried by a vote of 2.708 to 1,321.
The last triangular contest that has occurred in the county took
place in 1895. Frank Moses was re-elected as sheriff over Revilo Newton
and J. B. Sewell. J. R. Blair got a second term as treasurer, distancing
Ben. Ernest and Daniel Cline. John W. Glass came up from Coft'eyville
to take the cour.ty clerkship, running in between B. F. Devore and Jos-
eph H. Xorris. J. T. Stewart became register of deeds, defeating E. B.
Skinner and J. W. Reeves. Hibbard. of course, succeeded himself as
surveyor, and so did Thompson as coroner. D. A. Cline, one of tVe most
forceful of our county commissioners, made his appearance on the fieM
74 IIISTOnV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of county politics as the uew lueiiiljer from the Coti'eyville district, de-
feating J. P. Etchen and Joseph Lenhart.
After so long a series of unbrolien successes, tlie Republicans nat-
iirally and reasonably expected to elect their entire ticket in the pi'esi-
dential year, 189G. The promulgation of the gold-standard platform at
the Si. Louis convention was a solar plexus blow to those hopes, however.
So general aind so earnest was the protest against this change of base on
the i)art of the Montgomery county Republicans, that it is a conservative
estimate to say that a thousand of them, or one-third of the total strength
of the party in the county, were outside of the breastworks when the
June roses were blooming. Every device known to the most astute poli-
ticians was employed to bring them back into the party ranks during that
summer and fall, however, and day by day the recalcitrants were being
whipped into line. When election came in November, probably not more
than l'.")!) of those June bolters were still bolting. But that was enough.
The decisive day approached with each side confident of victory. When the
votes had been canvassed it was found that the fusion ticket nominated
by the Topulists, Democrats and Silver Republicans, and sui)ported by
all the Bryan men, had been elected from top to bottom. It was the most
sweeiiiiig political victory ever won in the county, extending to the town-
shij) offices, as well as those higher up. Indeed it was facetiously said
that only a single road overseer had been saved out of the wreck. This
was a slight exaggeration, but the usual dominant party had failed to
carry a single township, though having a majority in all the cities, and
had but one township trustee to its credit — the Cherry township candi-
date having scratched through.
Bryan led JIcKinley -134, while the Gold Democrats counted 27 votes
and the middle-of-the-road Populists, 29. Ridgley had 398 over Kirkpat-
rick for congress; H. W. Young, a Populist editor, was elected state Sen-
ator over Oeorge W. Fulnier. who made that record-breaking race for
county clerk in 1889, by 346; Isaac B. Fulton, an old Greenback war-
horse, was made Representative by a nmjority of 332 over the Republican
candidate, J. F. Guilkey; H. D. Ferrell turned the tables on Noah E.
Ronton, and got the probate judgeshij) by 209; H. :M. Levan, the first
Silver Re])ublican to be elected in the county — and the only one — had
359 over A. R. Slocum; John Gallahan, for county attorney, "led" the
ticket with a majority of 548 over W. N. Banks; J. N. Dollison, for
county su])erintendent. came next with 437 more votes than Miss Keller;
i'n the first district John Givens got in over Yeeder by the narrow mar-
gain of 10 votes. It was the first clean sweep the ojiposition to the Re-
pul)lican party had ever made in the county, and to the present writing
they have never made another.
According to precedent, ii rciwiinn fnim the free silver victory of
1890, and a swing of the pendulum in the opposite direction, was to have
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 75
been expected iu 1897. It was cmly partially realized, though, and the
fusionists succeeded in baggiug the best of the game. The Populist Leg-
islature had passed an act at the Legislative session of that year estab-
lishing a county high school at Independence. This act had caused a
great deal of criticism iu some portions of the county. Notably, this fire
burned brightly wherever there was an aspirant for Legislative honors,
who had failed of nominaticin or election in the recent past. The Popu-
list members of the Legislature were denounced without stint for their
share in the passage of the measure, and many Republican politicians
seemed to be of the opinion that the anti-high school sentiment alone
needed to be appealed to in order to insure the success of their ticket.
Accordingly Indepeindence Republicans were turned down hard when the
nominating cclnventions were held, and a ticket, that was, on the whole,
a weak one, was placed in the field. The fusionists were afraid of the
same issue and also tabooed Independence aspirants, except for commis-
sioner, where Henry Baden was i'nduced to accept a nomination in order
to prevent both Populist and Democratic candidates from going on the
ballot. The contest was a close one, and it required the official count to
decide who had been elected treasurer. E. B. Skinner, a Democrat, of
Caney, won the place by only fifteen votes, over J. A. Palmer. S. B.
Squires, the defeated Greenback candidate of '79 got his iinning at last,
with a majority of 237 over T. C. Harbourt. D. S. James, another Pop-
ulist, got in as county clerk by CO votes over R. B. Handley. And the
same figure told T. F. Burke's Republican majority for register of deeds,
M. D. Wright being his ••Silver Republican" opponent. Dr. Rader was
re-elected coroner, and Hibbaid ]iullcd through once more for surveyor,
with, for him, the meagre mujoriry of lii7. F. E. Taylor left Baden just
51 votes behind in the race for coiiiniissioner, thus obtaining a Re'publi-
caln majority in the board.
This year the first election of a board of county high school trustees
occurred, and the opponents of the school made a strong efl'ort to secure
the election of the candidates known to be opposed to the school. The coun-
seat took care of its own in this matter, and the three candidates who
were fought because friendly to the school won by over 900 majority.
The board as elected consisted of Wm. Dunkin, Thomas Hayden, .J. A.
Moore, M. L. Stepheins, Revilo Xewton and Adam Beatty. Except the
last named, they were the same as the appointees by the commissioners
the previous spring. Mr. Beatty was chosen in place of E. A. Osborne,
who had declined a nomination.
In 1898 the Republican reaction, which was so pronounced in the
state, barely gave that jiarty a lead in the county, which Stanley carried
over Leedy for governor by 27. For Congress the fusioin candidate,
Ridgley, won by 40. For the county offices the fusion candidates who
iad been elected in 1896 were all again candidates and were everj one re-
76 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
elected. By virtue of his office County Superintendent Doilisou was
president of tlie hoard of tj-ustees of tlie county high scliool. and as bit-
terly as lie was fonj;lit on that accou'iit in some of the townshijis, no less
ardently was he supported hy his townsmen re-jardless of party. But
for the fifiht made on Independence and Independence candidates by the
anti-l;igh school party, it is hardly probable the fusion ticket would have
been again elected. As it was the Republican candidates for Represen-
tative H. W. Conrad, in the western district and F. M. Benefiel in the
eastern, were both successful, as was also D. A. ("line for re-election as
commissioner in the Cotfeyville district. Rkidmore carried the county
again for judge by a majority of 593 over Thos. H. Stanford, of Indepen-
dence, the fusion candidate.
The incumbents of the county offices were all candidates for a second
term in ISO!), with the exception of Commissioner (livens, and they were
all successful. Sijuires had only 57 for sheriff and James but 55 for
county clerk. The former ran against Paxton, who is now a dejmty in
the office, and the latter against McMurtry who won the clerkslii]! at
the next election for that office. Perseverance in office-seeking, as in
everything else, counts in the Jong run. Skinner had Palmer for an op-
ponent again for the treasniy. biil it didn't require the official count this
time to settle the matter, his majoiiiy being 242. Burke, the only Repub-
lican in the crowd, ran against P. S. Brunk and had the largest majority
— 353. For commissioner in the northern district, N. F. Veeder made his
third race and won his second electicm, defeating M. L. McColluni by 15(1.
Wilson Kincaid, on the Republican ticket, and E. I*. Allen, on the fusiofn,
were elected high school trustees, both being Independence men. At
this time there can be no (piestion that the county had a normal Repub-
lican majority, but the aiteiiiiil of Ihc Rejiublicans to make political cap-
ital against the fusionists o\ci- ilic jiigh school issue was still resented,
and the small vote the Kciiuliliiaii candidates received at the county seat
was responsible for their defeat. The commissioners submitted at this
election a pro](osition to appro5)riate .f 5,000 for the erection of addition-
al buildings at the county poor farm, which was overwludmingly defeat-
ed, receiving but 1,L'94 votes to 2,10!) cast against it.
By the time the Presidential election of 1!J(I0 r.illcj arouiKl, tiu' Re-
])ul)licans had regaiUied their hold on ^Montgomery count \. and elected
their full ticket for the fust time since 1895. The majorilies were not
lai'ge. but ample. McKinley had 21S over Bryaii ; Wooley, tiie Prohi-
bition candidate, received :!1 votes; the Socialists appeared for the first
time in the couiily i-etnrns, Eugene V. Debs getting 1!) votes; while Whar-
ton Barker, as a niiddle-of-the-road Populist, had one lone supporter,
Henry W. Conrad, one of the j)ioneer settlers, who came to the county in
IXiJS, was elected stale Senator by 2i!7 voles over .1. II. Wilcox, the fusion
candidate. 11. C. Dooley was elecled represeulalive in the eastern dis-
IIISTOUY OF IIOXTUOMEUV COITXTY, KANSAS. 77
ti-icl, i;('tliiij; 1 .S(I2 votes to 1 .IJil!"! cjist for (i. W. Wingiito. In the wcst-
fiii disfiict .1. (). Whistler won, with 1,51] to 1,4:^ for T. W. Truskctt.
M'. 1'.. Soulc. :i <"ht'rr.vvale attorney, was elected probate judge by ISO,
oMM- E. T. Lewis. L. I). Winters beat B. E. ("ole 826 votes for district
clei-k. J. N. Dollisou ran for the third time as the fusion candidate for
sujierintendeut of schools ;i)nd was beatiui I'M) votes by Sullivan Loniax.
J. H. Dana and Mayo Thomas were jtitted against each other foi' county
attorney, and Dana got 90 votes the most. Henry Norton, the fusion can-
didate fo rconimissioner, came within four votes of landing, but F. E.
Taylor was re-elected. J. M. Oourtney and E. D. Leasure were elected
hiiih srhool trustees.
Tlic co'iistitutional anu'iuliiicnt increasing the number of judges of
tli(^ su])renu' rourt from tlirc(> to seven received a majority of 1,.")79 in the
county.
The year li)01 saw less politics in the county than any other itn its
entire history. The legislature had enacted a law doing away with
elections- for county officers, as far as possible, in the odd-numbered
years, and there were only two county high school trustees and a com-
missio'ner in the southern district to elect. A very light vote was cast,
but Abner Green and P. H. Fox. the Republican candidates, were elected
high school trustees, and D. A. ('line was made commissioner for the third
AA'hen 10(12 came around there was. of course, a full complement of
county officials to elect. JJeauwhile the sheriff, treasurer, county clerk
and register of deeds had held over for an additional year, making a five-
year term for each of them. This year Republican majorities begain to ap-
proacli high water mark again, the influx of population resulting from the
establishment of many manufacturing industries in the cities, having
very evidently inured to the benefit of that party. W. J. Bailey, the Re-
publican candidate for governor, came out 580 votes ahead. For con-
gressman. P. P. Campbell, the candidate of that party, led Jackson, the
Democratic incumbent. 005 votes. The majority for judge was even
greater. For this office T. J. Flannelly, who had been serving by appoint-
ment since the creation of a new district composed of Montgomery and
Labette couneies. was the Republican candidate. Against him was pit-
ted Captain Howard A. Scott, a veteran of the Twentieth Kansas, who
had served in the Philippines. Flanuelly's majority was 090. Soule was
re-elected probate judge by a majority of 013 votes over (i. R. Snelling,
The fusion candidate. Winters succeeded himself as district clerk, beat-
ing Roy Baker 810 votes and leading the ticket. Lomax for county sup-
erintendent, got a second term, ruuining 090 ahead of J. O. Ferguson, his
Democratic competitor. For sheriff, Andy Pruitt beat Squire's deputy,
A. W. Knotts, 272. J. W. Howe was elected treasurer over Charles Todd
by 409 majority. S. McM.urtry ran again for county clerk ami led Arlev
78 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Kijigs, liis KiMiiitc-ratic coiupetitor, 791 votes. Foi- regi.stei- of deeds an-
other rhilippiue soldier, T. J. Straub, aud the first to get office in the
oouuty. wou over George Hill, bis Democratic competitor, by a majority
of 374. Hibbard aud Rader, for surveyor aud corouer, weut iu along with
the rest. For representative in the western district, J. O. Whistler was
re-elected by 228 over J. A. Wylie. In the eastern district, J. H. Keith,
a Cofl'eyville Democrat, won by 2<> over Dr. T. F. Andress, liis Republican
oi)i)oueut. The hardest fight was over the office of county attorney, for
which Dana and Thomas, the candidates of two years previous, were both
in the race again. Daina had failed so utterly to enforce the prohibition
law, or to even make any attem])t to do so. and it was so generally under-
stood that he was in the jiay of the violaters of the law. that he ran some
hundreds behind his ticket, and lost out by just eight votes. For com-
missioner in the first district. A'eeder was a candidate for the fouth time
and for a third term, but he lost by 1(> votes to John Givens, who had
defeated him l)y a still smaller majority in 1896. This could hardly be
counted a Republican defeat, however, as there were localities in the dis-
trict where nioic Rcjiublicans voted for Givens than for Veeder, whose
record as a biidgc liuilder and a friend of the contractors who had bribes
to dislribnic, liad (inncd nianv of th<' best nidn in his own partv against
hiiii.
Siiili in brief is the record of th(^ iiolitiral history of Montgomery
comity, 'i'lic c.ilaiogue of the men who have held office or been candidates
in llic coi.iiiiy is a long one. but the list of men who have been enriched
tinan<ially n\- laid the foundations of a comfortable competency from
savings out of official salaries is so small that it can be checked off on the
fingers of one hand. The time, the money and the energy that have been
devoted to office-seeking here in the jtast third of a century would cer-
tainly have told for niore in almost aliiv other line of business.
• 'llAl'TKi: VI.
Towns of Montg-omery County
I'.v \i. \y. vol Nu.
Lost Towns
Among (lie liisloric towns of Montgomery county which no longer
lia\c an abiding |ilace on the earth, nor a locati'm on the map, the first
to be nicnlioncd must lie Verdigris ("ity. which was laid out by Captain
]>aiiicl .McTaggait. aind others, in .May, iscii. Its location was about
two and a half miles west ;lnd half a u\\\v north of the present town of
Libeily. The farm of Senator H. W. Coni-ad now occupies the site of this
city llial was lo be. which was ihe first county seat of Montgomery coun-
ty. Il had. |)cr!iai.s. a dozen houses and fortv or flflv inhabitants in the
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 79
lievday of its pvosiicrity. but it was i;i-eater in ('xpt'ctations than in any-
thins else.
Montgomery City comes next in order. It was founded near the
mouth of Drum ("reek by K. W. Dunhip. who was an Indian trader there
and the first postmaster commissioned in the county. It was in this
neighborhood that the treaty for the cession of the Osage U\nds, which
opened the coii^nty to white settlement, was ratified on the 10th of Sep-
tember, 1870. This embryo city also had county seat aspirations; but it
early became evident to the founders of the towns east of the river that
to divide their forces was to lose the fight. So the two cities which have
been mentioned were abandoned while too young to shift for themselves,
and the i)artisans of both united in locating "Old Liberty" on the hill
about a (|uarter of a mile to the east of ilcTaggart's dam and mill on the
V>erdigris, and just across the road to the east of the resid(<nce so long
occupied by Senator McTaggart. and on who.se porch he breathed his last.
The contest for the location of the county seat was a short one, and
when Independence won in the district court in May, 1870, Goodell Fos-
ter, who had been he wheel horse in the tight for Liberty, accepted the sit-
uation among the first and moved to Independence. A few months later
he traded his corner lots in what was to have been the metropolis of
Montgomery county, to a Liberty merchant, for four hats of medium
quality. When the railroad was built down the east side of the county,
Liberty was moved, houses, name and everything, to the railroad three
miles to the southeast, where the present city of Liberty is located.
As mentioned elsewhere iu this volume, when the founders of I nde-
I)endence reached that place they found the town of Colfax already laid
out by George A. Brown, a mile and a half to the northwest. That site
was at once abandoned in favor of Independence. The only other com-
petitor Tndepdndence ever had on the west side of the river was the
wholly mythical town of Samaria, which was supposed to be somewhere
in the neighborhood of Walker Mound, and which received the honor of
a vote at one of the elections as a candidate for county seat.
Then there was the city of Morgantown, located two and a half miles
northeast of Independence, about where the school house now stands
iln district No. o(i. which is known as the "Morgantown" school house.
Hei'e Morgan Brothers had a very extensive general store in which they
had almost everything for sale that could be needed in a pioneer com-
munity, and there was a blacksmith shop and several houses. Charles
Morgan, who has been so long since a prominent character at Indepen-
dence, and who is now city marshal there, was one of the firm that gave
name to this embryo city. Competition with Independence i>roved too
strong for the young town, however, and its business was gradually ab-
sorbed by its rival across the Verdigris.
As a co-nnecting link between the dead and the living towns of the
8o HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
couHl.v Kadiiiil (Mty. six miles northwest of ludepeuileiue ainl lialf a
mile iiorlli nf KIk liver, iiiiist be mentioned. It was founded in 1801) by
Colonel Samuel Young, but it never tlourished, and at the best made but
a rural hamlet. When the Missouri I'acitic railroad was built itt 1886,
the station of Larimer was established a little more than a mile to the
•northeast, across Sycamore creek, and the i)Ostoftice removed to that
point. Since then Radical ("ity has been fading away.
Villag'es and Postofftces of the County
Tyro
.Vmonji the villages of the county. Tyro occupies a front rank, with a
humlicd Iniildings of all kinds and about two hundred people. It was
laid out lln the tall of 188(), when the Denver. Memphis & Atlantic rail-
road was built through the south jtart of the county, and has been a sta-
tion on that line ever since. Joseph Lenhart was the founder of the
town and laid it out. He and William Chambers moved in the spring
of ]S,'»:7 on the town site from a (piarter of a mile south, Lenhart estab-
lishing a general store near the depot, and Chambers locating his hotel
in the same vicinity. Lenharfs store has ever since been the largest mer-
cantile establishment of the jjlace. There are now four other stores, a
lumber yard, meat market, barber shop, restaurant, feed mill, livery
stable and three blacksmith shops. There are also two jihysicians, three
or four grain buyers. car|ienters, jiainters and other mechanics.
The question of a hall for jiublic entertainments and religious meet-
ings early agitated the peojde and it was solved by the donation of a site
by .Mr. and .Mrs. Lenhart in the following uuiipic document;
To all whom it may concern:
Know all men by the.se presents that we. Josejjh Lenhart and S. D.
Ivenhart. Imsba ud and wife, do covenant and agree with the people of
Tyro and vicinity, in the county of .Montgomery, and state of Kansas, that
lots Nos. 22, 2:? and 24, in block 42 in the village of Tyro, county and state
aforesaid, as ]ier recorded plat thereof, shall forever lor so long as it may
be used for such jmrposes) be for the use and services of the said people
of Tyro and vicinity; together with the buildings thereon; for the pur-
pose of holding public meetings, either moral, social, religious, scieln-
tiflc or politiral ; wc only reserving control and alloting to each a time of
service; pledging oiiisclves to maintain e()ual and exact justice to all re-
gardless of I i-crds or hi'licfs. in accordance with our best judgment.
Signed: — JosErn Lexiiakt, S. D. Le.nhart.
'I'lie fuinls liir a luiilding were raised by publi(> subscriptions, and
amoiiu the iio\cl iiiciliids employed was a (piilt scheme which brought i'n
!?11(; for names worked ot, it. and .flSt; more when it was .sold. The cor-
ner stoiir w:is laid .lune 27lli. ISill. and the dedicatory services were con-
ducted bv the -Masonic loduc of Canev, Kansas. This hall is used bv all
rilSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 8 I
llie icli.uious sdcictics and other oi-<>auizatious of \\w villajie. to ilic iinin-
l)er of seveu.
Tyro is jirinripallv famous fur its excclhMit soft water, its suii]ily
bei'ng- thought suiieiior to that of any otlier locality in Kansas. This
water is found in abundance at a depth of from six to ten feet iu the high-
er part of town, and from twenty to twenty-five feet in the lower.
Jefferson
Jefferson on the Missmri racitic lailroad midway between Indepen-
dence and ('otfeyvillc, has a p<>[iiilati(>n of sixtytive. It was laid out
when the Verdigris Valley. Indeppindence & Western railway was built
in ISSf). on ground owned by Albert Jefferson Broadbent, who donated the
right of way to the railway on condition that a station be maintained
there. The place was named Jefferson in honor of Jlr. Broadbent. The
land o'n which the town is built was originally a part of a claim settled
on by E. M, Wheeler in 18(!9. He built a hewed log house on it, and had
lumber for fencing sixty acres of land piled near the house and on March
1st following the survey, he moved in and began to make a home. That
night a rival claimant, who had been surveyed in the same section, set fire
to Wheeler's log cabin, thiiuking to get possession of the tract in that
way. It happened that Mr. Wheeler and his brother, George R., were in
the hotise at the time, though the incendiary did not know it. They es-
caped with only one pair of trousers for the two, and the former went
across the prairie with no clothing but a shirt, falling into a mud hole
by the way. Wheeler later traded the land to C. C". Wheeler, of Troy, Kan-
sas, who, in 188S, sold it to Mr. Broadlwnt.
The town was .surveyed a'nd i)latted by B. W. DeCourcey. The first
store was opened by Fletcher & Stentz. The first church was built by
the Methodists in 1S85, and is now credited with a membership of 113.
The Christian church was built in 1894 and has a membership of 40. The
school house was built in IftOtt, at a cost of .|2,.^00. and is a modern Tjuild-
ing heated with gas and capable of accomodating 100 pupils. Two teach-
ers are employed. The M. E. parsonage for the Jefferson circuit is located
here.
There are two general stoi-es, a hotel, a blacksmith, a resident physi-
cian, a grain buyer : 'nd a stock shipper. There is neither saloon nor drug
store. The railroad station was burned in 1002. and a new and well
ef|ui]iiied one has just been comjjleted in its place, with telegrajjh opera-
tor for the first time in the history of the village.
Mr. Wheeler, who is mentioned above as the i)ioneer settler, now lives
across the railroad to the east of the village where he is growing the finest
and biggest red strawberries to be found V'l the county.
Bolton
Bolton is a ]ilai(> of some twenty dwellings and about a hundred in-
hnbitaiits, located on the Indeiiendence vV; SouthwesTeni line of the Santa
82 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Fe railroad, eight miles southwest of the county seat. It was hiitl ont
when the railroad was built iu 1880, by the Arka'nsas Valley Land and
Town Company. There are two churches, three stores, a blacksmith shop,
a wagon shop, and a resident physician. Bolton is central to the great-
est oil and gas field yet discovereil in Montgomery county, and the work
of drilling is being i)rosecuted more vigiinnisly there than at any other
jioint in the county. Six gas wells, not one "f them of less than ten mill-
ion cubic feet daily capacity, were oi)eiied there in l!tOL' and llXio, and
all of them give indications of oil as well as gas.
Sycamore
Sycamore is another laidroad town lo<ated when the Missouri I'a-
citic. or Verdigris Valley. Indejiendence ..^ Western railroad, as it was
then named, was built through the county. It is just seven miles directly
north of hndependence. and is a growing i)lace with good stores. Two
vitrified brick plants located in its immediate vicinity afford a founda-
tion on which to l)nild hopes of future greatness. Gas is abundant in the
townshiji. and it is claimed that veins of coal from three to eleven feet
deep have been found wherever the drill has gone down in the surrou'nd-
ing township of the same name, oil wells have also been found in the
vicinity, though no oil is ycr sliiii]i(Ml. Indeed it is claimed that one such
well is a forty l)arrel producer.
Wayside, Dearing and Crane
N\'ayside is a station and postollii-e between Bolton and Havana on
the Southwestern. Dearing is a station and hamlet five miles west of
Cort'eyville on the Denver. Memphis & Atlantic division of the Missouri
I'acific. and the jmint of junction with the main line runining north. It
has a jiostottice and store. Crane is a station on the Southern Kansas
division of the Santa Fe. five miles northwest of Independence. It has a
jKist office and coiitntry store.
Havana
Havana was founded in the summer of 1870. when Lines & Cauft'mau
established a general store there. They were preceded by ('allow & Myers
who went into business in the fall of iStiil, in the same neighborhood, oa
v.Jiat afterward became the David Dalby farm. Lines & CautTmau cou-
tiinied in busiiness until the spring of L874 when they sold to W. T.
Bisho]). He disposed of the business in IST.'i to J. T. Share. Havana con-
tinued to thrive as a country trading jiost. without a railroad until 1886,
when the Southwestern extension of the Southern Kansas line of the San-
ta Fe was built through there. It now has a jiopulation of 180 and is
the slii])])ing i)oint for a large amount of grain and live stock from the
surrounding country. The fertile valley of Bee creek adjoins the town,
and forms one of the best wheat sections of the county.
Havana has three church organizations, the Methodist and U'nited
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 83
Brethren with a hundred members each, and the Trimitive I'.ajitists with
about twenty members. There is a <jraded scliool, with two dejiartments.
Tlie Independent Order of Odd FeHows has a stioii-' organization with 83
members. Tliis order liuilt and owns a substantial bricii; st<u'e building,
with lodge rixuns and liall en tlie seiond fioor. The Rebekah lodge has
80 members; the Modern \\'o<Mlmeu of America, sixty; and the tlome
Builders, thirty; the Koyal Neiglibors, forty-three; and the Anti-Horse
Thief Association, fifty.
The oldest merchant is T. R. Pittman, the postmaster, who conducts
a hardware and implement and boot and shoe store. He has been in bus-
iness here for eighteen years. Other business men are: P. H. Lindley, drug
store; J. A. Xollsch, barber and harness shop; S. A. Evans, restaurant;
('. E. Campbell, hotel; (". X. Harrison, lumber; M» H. Ross, livery stable;
P. H. Dalbv and D. W. Howell, phvsiciaiis; and J. S. Reyburu and John
Sharpless, blacksmith shops.
Independence and Its History
In all southeastern Kansas there is no other city whose location pos-
sesses so many advantages as does that of Independence. Built at a
])oint where the blulis come close to the Verdigris, and have a solid foun-
dation in the "Independence limestone," which outcrops forty feet thick
at the river bridge just east of the city, the site selected for the future
metropolis is high and well drained, and sntticieutly rolling to render
the scenery picturesque, while furnishing tine natural drainage. Possess-
ing so many advantages, and lying so near the geographical center of
Montgomery county, it was almost inevitable that the city should be-
come the county seat of the new county. And this was of course what the
company of Oswego men who came here on the 21st of August, 1869,
under the lead of R. W. Wright, intended from the start it should become,
Indeed, they made no secret of this intention but boldly pi'oclaimed it on
the tirst night they spent here when camping out at Bunker's cabin
which was located on what is now the Pugh family home on North Xinth
street. This is one of the highest points in the city and was then, and for
some time afterward, kn^qwn. as "Bunker Hill."
Speaking about this cabin of Frank Bunker's, in a Historical Sketch
of Montgomery county delivered as a Fourth of July address in 1876, the
late E. E. Wilson, who was the leading historian of the pic'neer days of
the county and from whose writings we shall have occasion to draw very
liberally in the pi'eparation of this chapter, says, that at that time Bunker
complained that the cabin, "instead of being treasured up in canes, base
ball clubs, ear rings and pulpits, like other land marks, has been prosti-
tuted to the vile instincts of domestic fowls and beasts that perish." In
other words it had been converted into a hen roost and cow stable.
Besides Frank Bunker, the other earlv settlers in the vicinitv of In-
HISTORY OF MONTCOJIERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
IIlSTdKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 85
(IciieiHlt'iut' wt'io liis l)i()1hcr, Fred Bunker, W. O. Sylvester. Taildv Cil-
liila and Georjie Keed. all of whom are said to have cdnie in June 1809.
The first claimants to any part of the original townsite of rndependence
were Frank Bunker, Shell Reed and W. (). Sylvester. Bunker was in-
duced afterward to move the lines of his claim so as to make room to plat
the city, and "Bunker's Addition" to the northwest of the lity was one
of the first, and probably the first addition to the city.
While the United States government did not coinclude a treaty with
the Osage Indians for a cession of their lands in this county until July
1870, individual settlers had been making treaties with the red skins for
larger or smaller tracts of land for a couple of years previous, and, in
September 1869, George A. Brown, after a protracted council, coincluded
and solemnized an agreement for the cession to him, of a tract of land
lying between Rock Creek on the south and Elk river on the north, the
Verdigris river on the east and Walker and Table Mounds on the west.
Probablly, at that time, Brown had no idea that the whole of the tract to
which he thus acquired an irregular and not exactly legal title would be-
come the site of the Greater Inde])endence of the future — and there are
plenty of i)eoi)le today who do not yet see that this entire territory is
bound to be covered by the city and its suburbs during the first half of the
twentieth century. The region embraced is an irregular one, about five
miles long by as many wide, and embraces very nearly twenty-five square
miles of land. For this tract, a sitngle acre of which now has a land
value of over |25,(lfl0, Browu paid the munificent sum of .f50. The stipu-
lations of the treaty were few and plain. Each jiarty bound itself to pro-
mote peace between the two races. Brown was to build all the houses he
wanted, and Chetopa, the Indian chief who took the part of grantor, was
to have free pasturage for his ponies. Finally, Chetopa began to count
the houses that were going up on this tract a*nd to estimate what his rev-
enue would have been at the customary tax of ^.5.00 each. He came to
the conclusion that he had been swindled, and asked Brown for a new
council to rescind the treaty. Brown was ecpial to the occasion and pic-
tured in glowing terms what the immaculate word and unstained hc^nor
of a great Indian warrior re(iuired in the observance of svich sacred and
binding obligations, demanding, if it were possible, that he would for-
ever disgrace himself and his tribe by going back on his plighted woiJ.
Still, Chetopa insisted that there were too many houses, and that his
people were bei'ng imposed upon. The upshot of the matter was a further
stipulation; that the |50 already jiaid should exemi)t the town, and that
the settlers outside might pay him |3.00 per claim in addition.
While the Oswego people brought the name "Independence" with
them all i-eady to apply to their county seat that was to be, they found
a competitor in the town of "Colfax,"' which Geo. A. Brown had already
laid out, a mile or more to the northwest, where the flr.st city cemetery
86 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
was afterward located by Mavor DeLoiig. At the age of three weeks this
town was already provided with a full equipment of streets and alleys
and beginning to take rank among the towns of the county. After
looking the ground over on the day following their arrival, Brown was
jiersuaded to abandon (\ilfax and cast his fortunes with the Indejiendence
]>nrfy. With a jxx'ket comi)as, a survey of the town site was made by
( "aplaiii Hamner. E. R. Trask. Frank Bunker and one or two others, which
approximately determined the boundaries of the city that was to be.
For a time we can do no l)etter than to follow Mr. Wilson's narra-
tives as closely as may be. He says : "Returning to Oswego they organ-
ized the Independence Town Comjiany, contracted for the publication of
the "Independence Pioneer." for the location of a sawmill and for the
cari-ying of a weekly mail from Oswego. A week later L. T. Stephenson
returned to manage the business of the company and began the erection
of a double log hotel, known as the "Judson House." In September a cele-
bration was held, the main feature of which was a barbecue. Speeches
were made by E. R. Trask, R. W. Wright and L. T. Stephenson. All the
settlers in the viciinity, perhaps one hundred in number, were congre-
gated. The refreshments consisted of the ox, four kegs of beer and two
barrels of bread. They were brought from Oswego by J. N. DeBruler's
ox team. In crossing the Verdigris the team became unmanageable and
dnni]icd the whole outfit into the river. Xo lime was lost in fishing it out,
and of course csiiccial care was lakcii 1o save (he beer, which ranie fiut
unihimaged.
About October 1st. ISC'.), i:. K. Wilson and F. D. Irwin ojiened a
store, having received their first iiivuirc of goods, by wagon, from Fon-
tana. Miami county, whirh was as near as the railroad then ran. (Custom-
ers were infrequent in those early days and the proprietors employed their
leisure in making hay, where is now the intersection of Main street and
Penn. avenue. Lumber was scarce before the saw-mills got to running,
and none was to be got nearer than Oswego. But the crop of hay was
immense, and the pioneers busied themselves in the erection of hay houses
in which they found very comfortable shelter during the winter, and which
gave the city its fir.st nickname "Hay town."
In October 1869, too, R. S. Parkhurst. better known as "Uncle Sam-
my," arrived from Indiana with a colony of eighteen families thereby
doubling the i)o]>ulation of the town. These pi-ovided themselves with
hay houses also. And it is W(u-thy of note that of all the sixty-niners
who laid the foundations of this growing city, ilr. Parkhurst and O. P.
(laiiililc are the only ones still living here. Althimgh at an advanced
age Mr. Parkhurst is still hale and hearty and is taking a most active
interest in every movement for the upbuilding of the city and its indus-
tries. Since the beginning of the present year he made a talk in a public
meeting at the Auditorium, telling something about those early days, in
IIISTdKY (IF MOXTCOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 87
which he stutcd that he never tlien expected to see Iiideiiendeuce become
what she is today, but at the same time unhesitatingly alHrmed that he
now expected to live to see her with a hundred thousand population.
On the ICth of November 1869, Alexander Waldschniidt reached In-
dependence with his saw mill. Immediately Carpenter & Crawford locat-
ed east of town on the Allison famn, and A. L. Ross at the mouth of Elk
river. All were running in December, but Carpenter & Crawford sawed
the first luml)er. Their enterprise may be inferred from the fact that
for the first week they carried water in pails from the river to run their
engine. Mr. Waldschniidt was very enteri»rising and proved one of the most
important factoi-s in the building of the town. He erected the first grist-
mill in the county, on the river just above the site of the present ice fac-
tory, and began grinding grain there in the fall or winter of 1871. He
also made the first shipment of tiour from the county. While all the other
north and scmth streets of the city bear numbers, the one next the river
is named "Waldschniidt Avenue." in his honor.
The story of the struggle for the location of the county seat is re-
ferred to elsewhere in this history, and need not be detailed again herei
From the first a majority of the people of the county favored Indepen-
dence, and it was only a question of time when their will sliould be
obeyed. At the election in November 1809, the first vote was taken, and it
was only by throwing out the northern precinct, known as Drum Creek,
on a technicality, that a majority was secured for Liberty, by the east
side board of commissioners then in office. This was the first backset In-
dependence received, and, though shi* has had them in plenty since, she
has always done as she did then — buckled on her armor and fought it out
on that line. And in almost every instance, she has won in the end, as she
did the following May in the courts, and the following Xovcmber at the
polls, in the county seat fight.
Unfortunately our State Historical Society did not begin business
until 1875, and prior to that date newspajier flies are not accessible, and
onlv oc<-asional copies of Independence newspapers of earlier dates have
been preserved. Indeed, the burning of the office of the ••Independence
Tribune," with its flies, in February 1883, and of the ••Iinlepciidence
Star," with the flies of the earlier issues of the ■•Independence Kansan,"'
in December 1884, resulted in a loss of material for early history that is
not only irreparable but well nigh incalculable. The first newspaper
published in Independence was the "Independence Pioneer,"' of which one
of the flrst, if not the first, copy issued, bearing date November 27th, 1869,
and another dated January 1st, 1870, are to be found in the collection at
Topeka, but no others. In the former issue most of the business cards are
of Oswego firms, but among the Independence advertisers are Wilson &
Irwin's grocery and Ralstin & Stephenson's real estate, insurance and gen-
eral convevancing office. In the latter we note that Ralstin & Coventrv are
88 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
in ihc liai-thviuc Imsinews ;it Iiuleiiendence ; Allison & Bell, "eneral nier-
cliiUHlisc ; I »i . Swallow, dry jjoods. jn-ovisions and uiucciies ; ( 'has. \Yise,
fni-nitnrc; <"lias. ("oventry. dnitrs and jirocciics ; Urowii cX; Kisburg and
Kiioklc .^t Delinilcr. meat markets, .'^t Westralia. Crawford ^^c MjCue an-
ntniiicc ilienisel\c's as :ii tdiiicys at law and land agents.
'I'lie •Pioneer"' was )iiiiiic(l at Oswego nntil some time in January
ISKi, when it iMM-aiiie, in fad as well as in name, an Independence insti-
tntion. and was fnrnished with an onttit of type and a press here. In one
of its earlier issues it tells an interesting story about a pioneer settler in
the neighborhood of Indejiendence who was living in a log house and
whose wife woke him one night to startle him with the information that
the baby was gone. Lighting a candle and making a search, no trace of it
conld be found in the cabin, but on going out doors it was discovered ly-
ing on the ground unhurt and fast alseej). having rolled out of bed be-
tween ilie logs that formed one side of the cabin.
In its eilitorial cohmin. the •'Pioneer" inid begun the work, in which
we arc still engaged, of booming IndeixMidence and Montgomery county:
and from the issue of .lanuary Isl, ISTtl. the following forecast is wortii
quoting:
only visited liy Indian tiaders occasionally, is now teeming with intelli-
gent, enterprising immigrants fioni the eastei-n and northern states; ami
seltlcnienls and towns have siirnng up as if liy magic. Sn]iplie(l, as the
vallev is. with abundance of timber iov fencing, its vast (|uarr)cs of white
ami brown sandstone for building ]iurposes, ami its inexhatislible beds
of excellent coal —it does not re(]nire a very vivid imagination to jjicture
a future exceeding in brilliancy the ]tasl history of western improvement.
liMlependence is growing. Forty frame buildings h;ive been er<'cted in
as many <lays since our saw mills ha.ve been turning out hiniber. Tli(> work
ot buildinii has went ( sic I (ui liglil nierrily. ;ind sul)stantial frame build-
ings li:i\c taken ilic place ot 1 iiis. lints and liay houses that a few weeks
ago \\('rc scadeied pi omisciiously o\ci' our iownsite. Four months ago
the tall prairie i;rass waxed when' today are scores of buildings and the
scenes of busy life. To one unused to'the rajiid growth of the west it
would seem liie work of magic."
Xotliing here, it will he observed, about natural gas. vitrified brick,
cement ]ilants, rolling mills, wimiow glass factories, jjaper mills, electric
railways, foui' story .^^asonil• Temiiles. or .fllll.dOll hotels. So, ever does
the re;ility surpass the most enthusiasi ic dreams in a develo])ing civi-
The tirst school house in I ndepemieiice was built in the winter of
ISC.it-TO, and was dedicated Ajiril Kith. 1S7I1. with literary exenuses
which are said to have been of unusual merit. The school was opened
April 21st, with M'iss Mary Walker, the first female teacher in the county,
HISTOUV Ul' .MU.NTliUMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 89
in clmi'op. TIio building was aftprward rcniodeU'd and occnpied by the
rnh('!i. l^hi-otlii-i'ii clun-ch. Tlie tirst teachoi's' institulo in the connly was
licid at Vandivpi-'s Hall in tlie sunimei- of 1870, and was conducted by
Prof. Holes.
In the fall of ISdO the first Snnday school was oriianized in the hay
house of Mi-s. McClnng. The lii'sf seiiiion was preached by T. 11. Canfield
in the same house. Kev. J. .1. ihown orj>anize(l the First f'reshyteriau
chinch of Independence April :5. 1870, and the Methodist and ljai)tist
churclies were omanized the same month. The IJaptists erected the first
church buildinii. which was dedicated March 12tli, 1871. Kev. Mr. Atkin-
son, ol ()swe,ii'o. officiating.
About Fel)!uar\- 1870, K. AV. Wright addressed a uieetiog at A\'ilsou
& Irwin's store in advocacy of an east and west railroad. On the first
day of -June 1870. the people greeted the arri\'iil of the stage coach from
Oswego. The stor\- of the vol lug of .f2t)0.(l00 in bonds to enable the county
to miike a subscription of .stock to the same amount to the Leavenwortli,
Lawrence & (SalvesVou railroad company, which was the second among
the n :',ny adverse e\ents in the history of our city, is elsewhere told.
Intil along in 1870, says \V. H. Watkins, in his sketch of the city's
history published in the •■IndepcMidence Kansan"' ou January 2, 1878, the
l)riucipal part of the business was transacted on Penn. Avenue, between
Laui'el and iiyrtle streets, or north of the present location of Baden's
store. The mad, as travelled, did not follow the avenue south of that
jioint but sL<i1 acrcss lots from ^rtle in JIain, reaching the latter at the
corner of Sixth. >Ahere Zutz' grocery now stands. The merchants then in
business on the north side of .Main street f<mnd it necessary to have their
signs ever their back doors. To the nortii of the crossing of Main street
and Penn. Avenue was a quagmire, and loaded teams frequently stalled
there.
^laii facilities weie meager during the first wiiUer in "Haytown."'
and the government did not act as ])roniiitiy in establishing a postottice
as it has since, in the Indian Territory on similar (!(;casions. While the
county seat was at Verdigris City, ii is said that the ])ostage im letters
brought in varied from ten to twenty-live cents, according to the state of
the weather: but at Independence a service was airanged fron.i Oswego.
L. T. Ste]>lienson l)eing the fii'st carrier, and the charge being uniformly
ten cents straight. lie was succceced by 31. L. llickey, and he by J. ('.
Woodiow, who carried the mail until the advent of the stage coach. At
fir.st letters in and out were charged for alike, but later the only charge
was for those brought in. One i»oor fellow thoughtlessly wrote a line to
a Boston paper telling about the new ElDorado here in southern Kansas.
;•!•■' '• - :■■■•■' '■■'■ '■•'■■• ' " ^ ' lu-n the mail arrived, there
■ readv with his fractional
i90 HI.>T(.)UV UI- .MUNTtiUJIKUY COUNTY, KANSAS.
On the Isl day .,f .Inly. ISTd, the i)e(>i)l(' greeted the airivul of tlie llrst
:Stage coach from Oswego, and on the first of July F. 1). Jrwin was
ajuiointed ])ostniaster at a sahiry of .f ll'.OO per year. At the present time
the salary of the postmaster is |:2,300, and the payroll of the oflBce, in-
cluding the salaries of four city and five rural delivery carriers, amounts
to IlL'.lioO per annum.
The Fourth of July 1S7(I. was a|.i.i-.ipria1ely celebrated in a grove
south of town on Kock creek. Nearly JIM) peojile were present, and Cap-
tain M. S. P.ell was the orator of the day.
On the :2."5tli of July ISTO, J. D. Kmerson. as j.rol.ate judiic. in accord
anc(> with the jietitiou of a majority of the voters, incoijiorated the place
under the style of •■the inhabitants of ihc town of Independence," and
ai.pointed the folh.wing board of trustees: IC. lO. Uilson, J. H. I'ugh ,J. E.
Donlavy, K. T. Hall and O. P. Smart, of this lirst governing body of the
eity, O. P. Smart, alone, is still a icsiilcnt here. They met the next day
and organized by electing K. T. Hall, chairman; and on the loth of Sep-
tond)ei' they a])pointed J. ]>. ("raig as clerk. Their first ordinance jiro
vided that the board should meet on the sccdiid Tuesday of each month.
They next decreed that all sidewalks on .Main street and Penii. A\enne
should be twelve feet wide. The third made it unlawful to drive any ani-
null of the hor.se or mule kind through the streets faster than a trot, or
more than seven miles an hour. The fourth prohibited gaming-tables and
all devices for iilaying games of chance, also bawdy houses and brothels.
On the Kith of Xo\einber 1871, the trustees voted to .iccept the ]U-o-
\isions of the act goverriing cities of the third cla.ss. Immigrants had
come in rapidly during the spring and suntnier, and on November 29th, a
little more than fifteen months from the time the town was laid out, a
count was made of 8(111 jieople. On the date named an election for city
officers was held. J. P.. ("raig was elected the first nmyor, receiving 93
votes to 89 cast for E. E. Wilson. The councilmen elected at the same
time were : A. Waldschmidt, Thomas Stevenson, W. T. Bishop, F. D. Ir-
win and (i. H. P>rodie. Irwin failed to (]ualify and on December 8th,
Goodell Foster was appointed to serve in his place. On the same date
William Heudrix was ajjpointed the first nmrshal of the young city, and
CouncilmeTi ^^'aldschmidt and P.islio]i were made a committee to draw up
j)lans for a city prison, while the task of drawing up a set of ordinances
was confided to .Mr. Foster.
On the ."ith of Jaunary ISTl. Preiitis iV Warner were authorized to
.erect hay scales in the street muth of Pugh's drug store. This is, per-
haps, the only business house then in existence, which, in all the thirty-
two years that have since elapsed, has changed neither its name, its busi-
ness nor its location, "PughV Drug Store" being still located at the south-
feast i-orner of I'enn. Avenue and Laurel streets. At this meeting the first
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 9I
drain shop license recorded was granted to Henry Kaiser, who was to pay
a fee of $50 for a period of six months.
On the 23d of Jaunarv, tlie city printing was awarded to the "Kansas
Democrat," which was published by ^lartin ^'an^.llren Bennett, at the
rate of three cents a line. On Febrnary 2, Mr. I'.ishop was appointed a
committee to see about deepening the two public wells. The work was
done by Lewis & Mossman, who were i)aid fo2.0S for going down 2!) feet
in one of them. On the 2()th of February, it was ordered that a well be
sunk at the corner of Laurel street and Penn. Avenue.
irarch 30th, 1871. C. il. Ralstiu as city clerk repoited a population of
1,382 souls. On the same day John J. Jack was licensed to keep a gro-
cery and sell beer, on payment of |25.00 and the giving of a |2.000.00
bond. On the same date H. A. Jimmersou was granted a dram shop li-
cense. By this time the wants of the thirsty must luive been pretty well
provided for, with three public wells and as niany saloons.
The city election held April 5th. 1871, resulted in the choice of E. E.
Wilson as mayor and J. E. Donlavy as jiolice jiulge. and on the following
day J. D. Emerson was apjiointed <ity clerk and T. P. Trouvelle, city
marshal. The first record of a prohibition sentiment appears on Septem-
ber l.'th, when Judson & Saylor and H. ^'anderslice a]>]ilied for permis-
sion to sell liquor, presenting petitious signed by 130 people, and a remon-
strance signed by another 130 people was jiresented at the same time.
Notwithstanding the remonstrance, the licenses were granted, Councilmen
Waldschmidt and Gray voting aye and Bishop no. December 7th, Good-
ell Foster resigned as city attorney and Colonel Daniel Grass was ap-
pointed to succeed him. Three weeks later, on the 29th, Grass resigned
and J. D. McCue was appointed. Among other citizens who afterward
became prominent here and elsewhere, who were honored with appoint-
ments to this otlice. were William Dunkin. (ieoriie ('linndlcr and George
R. Peck.
In 1871 the title of the Independence Town (_'om])any, which was re-
sponsible for the existence of the city and to whom it owed so much,
began to be seriously questioned, and for the next year the matter was
kejtt jirominently to the front. Between the spring of 1871 and that of
1872 the growth of the city was most rapid. Two hundred houses were
built and the population rose from one thousand to twenty-three hundred.
This was nu)re than the entire gain during the succeeding ten years, and
made the period a marked one in the history of the young city. In the
summer of 1871 the Town Company was losing ground rapidly. The lot
so long occupied by Jasper & Boniface as a meat market was jumped by
them during that summer, and a building started. The title to this lot
was held by a man at Fort Scott by certificate from the Town Company,
but those interested in maintaining the titles of this company assembled
and hitched a couple of yoke of oxen to the building, drove the carpenters
•92 UISTOKV Ol- MONTGOMERY COrX'I'Y. KANSAS.
otV ami jpailiallx- liaiilod tlip building into the street. It was. however, the
last show of vijior on the i)avt of the ("oiiiiiany. Its iiifluenee was ou the
wane, and lots were soon i)ein<; taken everywhere, regardless of its warn-
ings. Houses began to he bnilt on wheels and hauled on to vacant lots at
niglil, or tliev weic claiincd by some other act of occupancy. After the
defeat of ilie comi^any. ihc -imkI wo; k it had done for the city was fully
recogniy.ed. ami. wiiiiug of it in 1S7S. W. II. Watkins says: "It is of the
past and the Time has come to acknowledge the good work it did. Its ob-
ject has been grandly attained but the benefits hiive inured to others. It
entered into politics, met with success and disaster and came to its end in
litigation. It dug wells, built hi>\ises. established a iiewsiiajier and by its
wise policy induced peojde to locate here."
Following the voting of county bonds in aid of the Leavenworth. L;iw-
rence & (ialveston railroad, in June ISTO, which was acconijilished by the
most unblushing fraud, that road was built down th.e east line of the
county in July 1S71. and a great nuniy peoj)le thought that a death blow
had been struck a) I lie new city. Its people were not made of the stuff to
be easily ilis( (iiira;;cd, I hough, and from the very day that it was decided
that the road should bi' buili there they went to work to secure a line from
Cherryvale. Committee fnllowcd conunittee in rapid succession, and re-
ceived from the railroad (llicials the same courteous treatment and ac-
comiilished the same barren results. !So anxious were the i)eople, that,
during this time, it was jirivately hinted by an employee of the company
that a I ash contribution of four thousand dollars and one hundred town
lots, in addition to the |T,r)()(l per mile in bonds, would secure the branch
beyond question. The town lote were selected and individual notes to
the amount required were placed in the hands of J. B. Craig and E. E.
\Vils<rn. After a whole round of failures, Frank Bunker, M. D. Henry
and Charles W. Trent iss succeeded. This was late in 1871, and the de-
mand was so urgent that a bond in the sum of $50,000 was signed by a
majority of the voteis as a guarantee that the bonds would be voted so
that the work might begin at once. An election was held Sept. 30th, and
|2.">.00(» in bonds voted. Frank Hunker, by a generous donation of land,
secured the location of the depot on his premises, and the road became
known as "Bunker's Plug." The railroad was built in December 1871,
and the first train of cars whistled into Independence on New Year's
day 187li. The termius remained here for seven years — until 1879 — mak-
ing this a wholesale point for the supply of the entire southern Kansas
trade for a hundred miles to the west and contributing very materially to
the growth and jirosperity of the city.
.\ wonl more is titling in i-egard to Frank I'.unker, whose name will
be indissolubly c(-nnecle(l with thi' early history of the city and who. per
haps, did more than anyone else to promote its welfare in Ihose pioneer
days. He died at And«iver. .Massachuesetts, on the 12th of August 187(),
HISTORY OF MONTGOMKRY COUNTY, KANSAS. 93
In :ii( I'ltiluarv notice sliovliy after that date, the "Indeiicnilcnie Kansan"
said: •Hut little happened iu which Frank was not consnllcd ur did not
take an active i)art. His vivacity, brilliant wit ,dash and droll anecdotes
made him sought after in society, ^^'hen disposed, few men were more
entertaining- than he conld be and none was warmer hearted." And E. E.
\\'ilson says of him in his history of the county: "Frank Bunker was a
man of some rare native talents and, in some directions, of fine culture.
A natural musician, an ea.sy and brilliant writer, in conversation he del-
uged his hearers with song and story. His fund of humor was rich and
Ills witticisms truly a bonanza. His long continued ill health had made
liim whimsical and, at times, very irritable, but withal Frank was a gen-
ial fellow and a generous friend. After travelling from the Pacific to the
shores of Africa in a vain search fi)r health he died in Massachusetts in
the autum of ISTfi."
During the year 1S72, Independence and .Montgimiery cnunty were in
(he heyday of their early prosperity and enjciying what is known as a
"boom." E. E. Wilson had l)een the second mayor the i)revious year, as he
was the first storekeej)er in 180!), and was followed in that oHice by James
I >eLong, formei-ly consul at Tangiers, Morocco, and a most eccentric char-
acter. So soured was he with the world that we who knew him only in his
later years invariably referred to him as the "chronic growler." It was
during his administration that the removal of the Osage District Land
Office to this city occurred. Speaking of the removal of this office from
Humboldt to Neodesha, in December 1871, Mr. ^Yilson says: "On the 8th
of December the United States Land Office passed on its way from Hum-
boldt to Neodesha. As it passed down Main sti-eet and north on the aven-
ue it was not a very imposing pageant, but its intrinsic value of |10, 000.00
was determined before it passed the limits of the town." If the Neodesha
people paid that much to secure it they made a very poor bargain, foil no
later than March 2(ith, 1872. the same office was opened for business in In-
dependence, where it remained until discontinued by order of President:
Cleveland in the spring of 1885. The means used to secure its removal
to this city are detailed iu another chapter of this book, devoted to Sen-
ator York's betrayal of Senator Pomeroy. The city council appropriated
$3,000.00 to secure the land office, but of this amount it was found neces-
sary to spend only .fl, !)()(>, and even this small fraction of an "intrinsic
valii^ of flO.dOO" w<mld mit have been ])aid. so it is said, by DeLong's
economical administi-ation. had it not been that "the town site was hang-
ing in the land ottice."
After its location here, the officers of the land office were P. B. Max-
on, register; and M. W. Reynolds, I'eceiver. The subsequent registers
were W. W. Martin, M. J. Salter and C. M. Kalstiu. The receivers were:
E. S. Nichols, H. M. Waters and H". W. Young.
In March 1882. there was found here a population of 2.300, and the
94 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
goveruor was petitioned to mnke Indepeudeiic-e a city of tlie second class,
wliicli he did by i>roclaination on Mairli 2(itli. Tlie following day the city
was divided into four wards, with the sanieboundariesastodayexceptthat
the fifth ward has since been carved out of the second. The first election
under the new title was held April .^)th. when James DeLoug was elected
mayor, receiving 445 votes to 14(; for I.. T. Stephenson. Osborn Shannon,
DeLong's son-in-law. was elected ]Mili(e judge; T. V. Trouvelle. marshal:
J. I. Crou.se. treasurer; and A. I». (iihsdu. justice of the peace. The first
board of education was elei ted at the same time, and it is noteworthy
that two of its members. Mrs. .1. .M. Ne\ins and .Mrs. II. T. Millis. from tho
first ward, were the first women elected to oltice in the city. The mem-
bers of the council elected at the same time were J. M. Nevins, Wm. Daw-
son, S. A. Wier. John Beard. John Kerr, J. iloreland, Josei)h Bloxam and
E. T. :\rears. Of these six. Dawson and :\Iears still reside here.
Ajiril (itli. owing to the prevalence of small pox. wholesale \accinal ion
was ordered and the following physicians appointed to do the work: i'or
the first ward. Dr. :M!isterman ; for the second ward. Dr. Tlirall; for tlie
tliird ward. Dr. :Mc('ulley: for the fourth ward. Dr. Miller.
The year ISTl* was one of the most jn-osjierous ever witnessed in In-
dependence. The transplanted members of tlie community were taking
root and growing togetlier into a homogeneous citizensliip. while times
were good and values so far above tlie fLli.") an acre the lands cost to
enter, that everybody felt rich. During this year, seventy-one school
houses were built in the county at a cost of $70. (•43. and the fourth ward
brick scjiool building at Independence compleTed at a cost of $28,000.(10.
Thougli it was nicknamed "the Tannery." 011 iicroiiiii of its box like otit-
lines. and laiiie into bad repute in later years bcrinisi- of ii cracking of thj
walls which was Tliotight to render it unsafe, it scr\cd its ]ini-]ios(^ in mak-
ing a home foi a generation if srhocl <liil(ireii, and when il was demol-
ished in 1901'. it was found to he substantial enough to have stood for
cenluries.
If .Mar<-li ISTli, the city coniiril ordered the issue of .<!10.0(I0.()0 in city
scrip to jiass current as money, and to run until January :>(). IS74. It
cost $(;."( (.00 to get this scrip jirinied. Half of it was in one dollar bills
and half in two dollar bills. Travelers would carry this novel currency
back lo Iheii- homes in the east unnoticed and then write back to know if
the bank was good. Half a million dollars in interest-bearing debt luol
been incurred liy the county in (he first three years of its existence, and
times could not but be |iros|ierous for the fellows who had the spending of
the money. Right atlnxart this boom, almost without warning, came the
]ianic of ]S7:{, to be followed the next year liy a rainless season, drying
and jiarching everything on the farm, except the mortgage and taxes. And
llieii. to cap the climax, came the Itocky iiioiiutain locusts or grasshoj)-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 95
'IMS \\( le under fouti'iiet to \niy three per cent a month for the use of
jiuinc.v. The fat years were followed by others as lean as Pharaoh's kine.
Ill April 1S73, DeLong was re-elected mayor, and he continued his
sTicmiDiis lij;lit for the settlers and against the old town company with
all 111;' sturdy vigor of his nature. One of the old settlers characterizes
liiiu .;s "the Croiuwell of Independence." He was erratic, unselfish and
•/.caions, and laliored without stint to secure the land for the settlers and
relieve them from the necessity of buying their homes from the town
coni])any. At the same time he charged every man six dollars for a deed to
a lot, as expenses, and he and those associated with him never made any
accounting of the money. In fact it is understood that, during the time
The settlers were paying for their lots, UeLong was living out of the in-
come he received from the office in this irregular way. He was not pe-
nurious and did not lay up money but was always ready to spend it for
liic town and the pcdple. He \\as autocratic in his methods and did a
great (leal to build u]> the city. He was pugilistic, too, and always ready
tor a tight. The issue of city scrii)t was his scheme, and, notwithstanding
the (loiibttul legality of the undertaking, he carried it through very suc-
cessfully. The stutf circulated and was never at a discount. Every dollar
(if it was e\eutually redeemed, and the result of the undertaking might
well be used as an argument in favor of municipal currency. Altogether
DeLong was, in many ways. The strongest and most uni(|ue personality
in the city's history, and, had a popular novelist known him and his
works, he might have served as a leading character in some work of
fiction. His declining years were soured and embittered, however, liy
dwelling upon the ingratitude of the people for whom he had hibored, and
he seemed to have a grudge against the world.
The most prominent event of the year 1874 was the burning of the
railroad depot on Jaunary 15th, which resulted in the purchase of a fire
engine by the city council within a week. The DeLong dynasty ended on
the TTh of April that year, with the election of D. B. Gray as mayor.
The new fire engine did not prevent the most destructive fire in the
history of the city on February 1.3th, 187.5, when eighteen business build-
ings were consumed. Down the east side of the avenue, from where Bad-
en's dry goods store stands now, and up the north side of Main street to
The location of Zutz' grocery, everything went ,except Brown's three-story
brick, where the Baden clothing house now stands. That was reserved to
be burned later. That year W. E. Brown was elected mayor and William
1 »unkin city attorney. The session of the South Kansas Conference of the
^1. E church, which convened March 3, and was presided over by Bishop
Merrill, was one of the leading events of the year. At the election for
city officers this year, W. E. Brown won the mayorality, having 278 votes
To IC!) cast for ex-Mayor DeLong. Wm. Dunkin now became city attor-
ney, and J. L. Scott was continued in office as police judge. The steady
96 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEHY roUXTY, KANSAS.
UVowdi (if ;i pi-oliiliilioii siMitiiiuMiI \v;is iiitliciitcd \i\ llic iiisl nicl ions j;ivt'ii
the city at ionicv in XvAvrh to draw up an (u-dinanic to jii-dliibit dram
shops fi-om keeping oiieu on Sunday. The last mcntioii of tlie city sci'ipt
appears in Xo\-eniber of this year, wlicn it was ordered that .If^.OOU.Od of
that currency lying in IIiill's hank, and whidi had l)een redeemed, he re
issued to take u]> outstanding wairants, and tiiat the rest he destroyed.
The years hetween IST:; and 1SS1 ,iie not prolitic of material for' the
historian of Mtontgoinei-y rounty's <a|iital. Hard limes had the new coun-
try in its gri]i. and it was sinijdy a matter of "hanging on" and "waiting
for the rlonds lo roll by," witli the business men then there. Independence,
having reaciied aliout .'i.dIKi in population. <anie to a standstill and re-
mained a country trading post merely, except for ihe wholesale business
in the region to the southwest. Merchants adxcii ised but sjiaringly in the
local jiajiers until the hiter seventies and there was nothing to indicate
the brilliant future in store for the city.
lieckless exjienditure of jiublic fuiids had liccoiiie unjiopular and' in
Kecendier 1S7.". a |M-oposilion lo use .'< lH.tKHI.IK) in building a daiu a< i-oss
the \'erdigris rivci- lo hr.nisli water pcpwci' for factories was voted down.
In ISTIi. there was not even life enough To get u|i .-i contest over the
mayorality. and F. ('. -locelyn had all the votes cast, except nine scatter-
of ^^'yandotl(• county, was ciccieil city marshal, and .loseph ("handler
city aitorncy. Iiotli <t{ tliem being fepe,-i redly re-elected in fidlowitig years.
In August of that year the citizens were worried by a rumor that the
United States land otliic was to be removed, and the cily ccuimil appro-
priated .1i;4( II ).()() to defray I lie expenses of sending Col uiel l>aniel Crass
and Kdwiii Foster to ^\'ashington to prevent such a lal.imily.
In January 1877, a counterfeiters' den was disco\<'red in a house .it
the foot of the hill on Fast Main .stivet. and Marshal I'eters<.n arrested
three of the manufactureis of the "ipieer" and turned them ovur to the
United States authorities. Not luily were molds, frames and all ]iarai)her-
nalia of this illegal business fouml. but llM half dollars and Ki ipiarters,
well enough executed to pass i-eadil.\. 'I'lie same iminth the land office
authorities awarded to L, T. Ste|ihensou the (Uie Imndred and sixty acres
adjoining the city on the south lor which he was contesting and the may-
or was permitted to enter for (he settlers the l-vmerson tract in the soutii-
west part of 111,' <ily between lOth and U'.lh streets. In April, William
Dnnkin was elected mayoi-. the minority candidate again l)eing ex- .Mayor
l>el,(nig. whose only ambition in life api)ears to Inive been to get gack in
the chair of (hat oilice again. .Miciiael ^!\c Euiry was clu)sen as police
judge, a position he held for many years and lilled with dignity and dis-
cretion.
Norman II. I\es was now postmaster, beiim l he third incumbent of
HISTORY OF .MO.NTIJO.MEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 97
11i.li >,i)uv. A. 11. Mooic liaviii- sii.c.'cdcd liwiii. 111.- liisl a|.|M.iii(('(>. L.
.M. KiKiwIcs was snp<Miiil(Mi(li-nl .if llic .ity s.l Is. In -Imu' .1. 1!. IT.Dbor
bt'y,an 111.' I'lc.ii.iii .if a Iw.i si.nv bii.k Imtcl on \\'(\sl .Main street over
whi.-li he iircsidi'ii f.ir s.. many y.-ars and which is still i-imnins;-, with the
name cliann.Ml from ■■Ji.nili.'i" t.i "Hc-knian." At tiiis lime the saloon
business must have been .me .if tlie ]iiin.iiial industries of the city, and the
manufacture nf diiinkards ji'.iiiii;- .in apace. There were eleven licensed
gr.iji sli.ips. and the levemie they jiaid into the city treasury amounted to
|3.S0(I.(I(I a yi^ir.
The year i.'<77 was render.'d notorious, not only in lnde|iendeuce but
tlirough.mt the country, by the "lIuU I'.aby" case. Hull's bank here was
one of the strongest financial institutions in southeastern Kansas, in fact
the .inly bank in the county tliat weathered the financial storm of 1873
without suspending payment for an hour. It was established by Latham
Hull, of Kalamazoo, il.i.-higan. and his two sons, Charles A. and Edgar,
were connected with it. Charles, the elder one, was a ba.helor. lint he fell
a victim to the wiles of a rlever adventuress and married her. No sooner
was this former "schoohnanu" installed as the mistress of the banker's
home than she began to sigh for other woilds to con(]uer. Charles' father
had oH'ered a standing jirize of .f.'i.dOO.OO for the first male grandchild born
in tlie family, ("arrie's fingers itched to get hold of that r.ill, and she
pro.-ured, fr.im an oi'jihans" home at Leavenworth, a young infant of the
re.piisile sex. to which slie {iretended to have given birth. The fraud was
t.Hi transiiaient to imjiose long on the parties interested, and her husband
dis.iwned the brat and began suit for divor.:-e. Not to be outdone, the al-
leged mother began suit against Latham Hull, her father-in-law, Edgar
Hull, her brother-in-law. (leorge Chandler, their attorney, and the Home
for the Friendless at Leavenworth, for alienating the attections of her
husband and damaging her character to the extent of |4(),()(lt).»)(l. In De-
cember the divorce case of Charles Hiill versus Carrie Hull was heard
and decided in the district court . Mrs. Hull claimed to be in very poor
health, so that her testimony could not be taken publicly, and those who
were expecting to see all the dirty linen in the <-ase aired in court were
disaii]Miinted. Charles got the de.-ree, however, but Carrie was allowed
1300 alimony. I he honseh.ild goods and |1.'0(» for counsel fees, which, con-
sidering the wealth of the husband, was not all that she might have ex-
jiected. Yet she was still eager for the main i-han.-e and ]iroceeded to
construe the "h.inseh.ild goods" .lause \ery liberally, in fact, she tore
a mantel out of the h.iuse whi.h she thus .-laimed a right lo dismantle,
and sold it. F.ir this ofiense she w;is arrested .m the Sth of .lanuary fol-
lowing by Sheritt' Hrock. As he did not like t.> take her to jail he i-e-
mained in the h.mse t.) guard her until she .-ould have a hearing in court
or s.Hiiie bail. I Miring the iiiglil Cunslabl.' Xels.in came willi another
warrant t.i arrcsl her on a snil liv Or. M.-Cullev. t.i whom she had niort-
gS HISTORY OV MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
gaged her goods for uiedical atteudauce. The constable was refused
admission and had to tear off a shutter to get in. And when he did, he
found not a thing left of all the goods the court had awarded Carrie,
except the cradle of that famous baby, which she still retained. Of eoui"se
another arrest followed. When at last the heroine of this romance got
free from the meshes of the law, she went west seeking fresher fields and
pastures new. While her money lasted she cut a great swath at Pueblo,
Colorado, as a rich young widow; and finally wound up there by bewitch-
ing the landlord of the hotel where she made her home, who deserted wife
and children to elojie with her.
Early in 1S7S the school lioard expended §.jl.") in the purchase of block
No. 1 in Coiicannoii's addition, and pi-ixeeiled to erect a four room school
building there at an expense of $8.IMM>. One of the city papers com-
l)lained that the location was too far out for the little folks. Now, with
another building at the same jilace the ditlHculty is that it is too far in.
The election for mayor this year was hotly contested and George W. Bur-
chai-d won by a majority of !)0 over A. <'. Stich. P.urchard had been both
a Ke}iubli( an and a Democrat, and had e<lited both the ■•Tribune" and the
"Kansan," but he was able and popular. April 5th, another counterflt-
ers" (uitfit was unearthed in the old land office building and Matt M,
Kucker arrested for the crime of making money on his own account. In
the summei" of this year the ju-esent city building was erected.
About this time the railroad (piestion was exciting lots of interest
as it was known that the St. Louis & San Francisco line was to be extend-
ed west from Oswego, and Independence was anxious for something more
than the "jilug." which was all she yet had. Besides, there were propo-
sitions for a road southwest from Parsons, and the papers of that day are
full of the i-epoi-ts of meetings held and committees api)ointed to bring
hither three or four different lines, the initials of whose titles mean noth-
ing now. Piobabiy if all tlie citizens of the town had pulled together, the
•' -Frisco" wouhl have <(>me here instead of edging off to the north from
("heiiyvale .itid angling tliiougb \\'ilson county. But there were divided
counsels in ilmse days, and a jealousy betv>'een i)roperty liolders on the
noith and south sides which Wduld not permit them to work together har-
moniously, ami so the line v.as lost and the population which would other-
wise hM\e come io swell the census of Indei)endence went to build up
Chcrryvale. Probably Indejieiidence would have been a city of 1.5,000
many years sooiht than it now will, if the " 'Frisco" road had been land-
ed. Not only (lid the year 1S7!» witness the loss of this road, but the same
year the "pin.-" was extended out into the counties to the west, and the
city's (rade ihii-ehy nialeiially cii-cnmscribed.
!n AjMil IST-.l. P.urchar.l' was recle.ied mayor, defeating Dr. W. A.
-MiCiilley. Ill' to i.'(;(l. In Sepiembei- of that year Cary Oakes. who was
Then ((innly treasiiier. losi a suit instituted by the county to recover $4,-
HISTORY OF MONTfiOSIERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 99
((7:^3(1 wiii.li lu- hiul unwittingly allowed to gvt into tlio Meisiiii I'.ank
at Kansas ("i(y llio day liefore that institution closed ifs dooi-s. It was in
the shajie of a draft from the state treasurer for the school fund account,
and Oakes had put it in Turner & Otis' hank for colle<-tion. They for-
warded it to their correspondent at Kansas ("ity, and it disappeared in
that hole which at the time engulfed so many other fortunes.
In the year 1880, the law in relation to city elections was changed,
giving to mayors a two years' term ; and the year witnessed so little of
interest here that it must remain a blank, so far as these annals are con-
cerned. In the spring of 1881, L. ('. Mason was elected to the head of the
city government, defeating B. F. Masterman. The following summer the
people who have seldom refused to do anything asked of them to promote
the educational interests of the city, voted .|4,(H)(I.(R) in bonds to repair
that ill-fated fourth ward school building which had cost -IfliS.OOO.nO in
the start. This year the board of education drew the color line by pro-
viding a separate building for the accomodation of pupils of African de-
cent, but they all refused to attend, and the courts decided they could not
be discriminated against in that way. The ])rohibition law went into
effect on liny 1st. and, before the year was over, twelve drug svores in the
county, of which five were located in Independence, had taken out permits
to enable them to sujtply alcoholic medicine to the thirsty.
Februaiy ."ith. 18S'J. witnessed the second disastrous fire in the history
of In!ie]iendeiict'. tive buildings on the west side of Penn. avenue, south of
the bank building on the coi-ner of Myrtle street, going down, while two
more were badly damaged. All the five were wooden structures, though,
and when th.ey came to be repla<-ed « ith substantial l)rick and stone build-
ings two stories in height, it was evident again that what had seemed to
be a cijamity was really a blessing in disguise.
May 2.^th, the new iron railroad bridge in ])rocess of erection over
the Verdigris was swept away by the Hooded stream and went down
about ten minutes after a heavily loa(]ed (lassenger train had ])assed over
it. The loss to the comi)any was .ifiMi.OdO.dd. At the close of tliis year,
the city counted among its actjuisitions during that period a canning fac-
tory, a four story stone flouring mill, a foundry and a woolen mill. The
location of so many manufacturing jtlants was secured at considerable
effort and expense, and was thought to indicate that th<> future (»f the
city was assured. Of the four, tlie I'.owen tiouring mill, alone. pi-o\i'd a
permanency.
.January 1.5, 1883, the .flO.ddd.Od in bonds asked by the school board
for the ere<tion of a new school building in the tirst ward were voted by
the bare majority of twelve. A two-story seven-room building was put up
during the \ear. to be torn down just twenty years later to make room
for one that was more modein and of larger size.
Independence's third great fire occurred February 17th, when the
lOO HISTOKY OF MONTGOMEItV CorXTY. KANSAS.
half block on (he east side of llic avcutif and south of .Main sli-wt went up
in snioUe. In M. J. Paul's thi-ee-slorv brick liiiildin<i on the corner were
located, besides his grocery, the "Tribnue" ottice and the Masonic lodge
room. Sjieaking of this tire at the time, the writer of this article said, re-
ferring to the burning of the tiles of that iiaper; "The early history of
Montgomery county can ue\fr be so well written since the destruction of
these tiles." Since atteniiiling l'> wi-ile some of that early histoi'y I real-
ize most iHiifiiniiilly the truth of that remark of twenty years ago. The
loss of i)i<i[ierty in this tire was estimated at 175. 0(10. ()(). on which there
was insurance to liie amount of .134,000.00.
.\l the .\|nil election Dr. J5. F. Masterman won the niayorality by a
majority of l!)t over X. H. Ives; and H. D. ('.rant became jioiice judge.
in A])ril 1S.S4 a local paper says, "the coal bore is down 850 feet and
the jirosiK'cts were then better for oil than coal." In view of subsequent
developments, it .'^eems strange that our oil resources were not sooner
brought to light. lu June of that year, the Southern Kansas railroad be-
gan running a second daily train between Independence and Kansas City,
to the great delight of all the i>eo].le here. The same month the city coun-
cil granted a franchise to .\. 11. .McCormick for the construction" of the
system of waler works which have sine.- that time supplied the city.
The first murder in the history of Independence was committed
August ISth. 1S.S4. It was a ("ain and Abel affair, the murderer and his
victim being half brothers. The jiarties were .1. II. Hlackwell. the slayer,
and Charles Xeal. the slain, liotli were half blood Clierokee Indians, and
jealousy was ilie cause of the crime. The woman in the case was Mrs.
J. W. .Ma.hlo.x. with wliom they both boarded. I'.lackwell was also Mad-
dox's partner in the tinning business. Th(> tragedy occurred at the cot-
tage home of .Maddox on U'est >?ain street, just o])posite the Christian
dnu'li. r.lackwcll was under the intluence of liipior when he fired the
shot Ihal pieiccl his brother's stom.-ich and ended his life.
• Inst lierore the Xovendter election of ISSt. on the evening of October
i.':!d. sky nickels tiied at a Iteimblii-an rally were resjionsible for a fire
which desli-o\(Ml ilii-ee business buildings on Ihe wesi side of I'euu avenue,
Shyr.Mk's i-eslauiani . Conrad Zw issler's barber shoji and Chandler Rob-
liiris" ninsir si.ne. \i ihal election .-i proposition to issue .«;.~.O,OO0.00 in
Xovenilier ITlh. the tirsi steps were taken toward building the Ver-
digris \'alley. Independence ^^ Weslei-n railroad, which has since become
the .Missouri Pacific line llirough here, 'i'he committee selected to prepare
a charter for the new line cMusisled of Win. Dunkin. K. 1'. Allen, 11. W.
for a'snrvey speedily gol .«! .•JtMi.OI). allhough «1.0II0.00 was all that had
been asked.'
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. lOI
On tlie niglit ot Deci'iiilicr ir>(li. ( "onimodoie liiowii's three-stoi-y
lirick on tlii^ uortlieast coi-nci- ol Main slreetand I'enn.aveniie was burned.
<J. Gottlipb'.s clothiuji- house, ilic "Star"' office aud the Odd Fellows hall
were (he vietinis of this disaster. This tire resulted in the purchase of the
"Kansan" utlice by H. W. Young of the "Star" aud the consolidation of
the two ottiies under the name of the "i^tar and Kansan."
At ihe spring term of the district court in 1885 Judge Chandler re-
fuseii liie iujunclion prayed for against tiie issue of the court house bonds,
but the case was carried uji to the state supreme court, aud, although the
decision was the same there,-the legal battle delayed the work of building
for nearly a year. At the city election in April there was a very spirited
contest for mayor between two prominent citizens, L. A. Walker being
supported by the progressives and John l^cCullagh by the conservatives.
Walker was elected by a majority of 48. He was, by far, the most far-
sighted and progressive head the city government had ever had, and it
is due to him that grades were established throughout the city, and that
the sidewalks in the business part of the city were widened from 12 to 16
feet and the old wooden awnings removed. Although Mr. Walker lacked
the powers of expression to make himself fully understood at all times,
he was a man of very .strong individuality and of wonderful mental grasp
and I'oise. He was a deep thinker, and a man of strong convictions and
great independence, never following the crowd in his conclusions but
always working them out for himself. He was radical in his views and
policies and made many enemies, but everyone esteemed him for his in-
tegrity and manly virtues. He had many of the characteristics of a
leader of men and would have reached higher positions but for the defect
adverted to.
During 188.") Independence maintained its record as a bad town
for the insurance companies. On March 8()th, seven buildings on the
west side of I'enn. avenue, between ilyrtle and Laurel streets, were de-
stroyed, including the old Wilson & Irwin store building, which was the
tirst erected in tlie town. All weic wooden buildings, as were all of the
five on the south side of East Main street which were burned June 13th.
The last tire was evidently of incendiary origin, but as a result of the
two. about the last of the wooden shacks were removed from the business
(piarter. so that the city ](ut on a dilferent as])ect thereafter.
Oti the fifth of Sei)tember the !!f:!.-),(l()0.00 in bonds asked for the build-
ing of the Verdigris Valley road were voted with ])ractical unanimity,
only 1 against to 4:!8 for. The vole was also favorable in SycauKU-e and
Tnde](en(lenc(> townshijis. insuring the building of the road, and adding
some .<?7.~. I )(!(•.( HI to the interesi h(>aring debt of the county. In October
AV. T. Voe. of the Tribune, turned tlie lnde].endeiice iiostoffice over to B.
I02 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
V. Devoi-e, President Clevelaud's appointee, aud the tirst Democrat t«
hold that office.
The year 1886 was one of the iimisi uneventful in the city's history,
It had reached a population of 3,!tO(i, and was steadily growiug. The new
railroad was completed down to the south line of Independence township,
In July, two men. Samuel Unibenhauer and Thomas Birch, were suffo-
cated while digging a well in the northwest part of the city. Frank V.
Burchard, a dissipated scion of an excellent family, committed forgery in
a real estate transaction and was sentenced to the penitentiary. The
most noteworthy event of the year was the laying of the corner stone of
the new court house on November :{()tli. The event was appropriately
celebrated and the ceremonies were imposing. The principal address was
delivered by H<in. Wm. Dunkin. and was historical and retrospective in
character.
The second murder which stained I he annals of our city was com-
mitted February 2.")th. 1887. the victim being Joseph Tonkinson, who was
shot after an exciting cha.se by Frank Meyer, whose sister Tonkinson had
been unduly intimate with. Indeed the husliand of the woman had given
Tonkinson a terrible beating some time jirevicmsly and threatened his
life. As in the tirst murder case, it was a quarrel about a wonum that
resulted in the killing. At the city election in April, M^ayor AYalker was
defeated for reelection by H. H. l>odd, who received 1.5G votes to Walker's
401. Dan Wassam. a well known printer, who has since a'cquired a com
petency in the real estate business at Neodesha. was elected probate
judge. This was what was known in Kansas as the boom year, and In
dependence had the fever as severely as any city of its size, indulging in
dreams of sjteedily becoming a great metropolis, and marking up real es-
tate values to correspond Another east and west railroad was projected
wliich even reached the bond-voting stage in Liberty township, but never
materialized lo any further extent. There began to be whisperings about
natural gas. loo. though the stories of burning wells were regarded as
faiiy tales h\ most levelheaded people. Still, in May the city council
votc'd a thousand dollars to ]>ay for prosjiecting for gas. and the same
month granted D. V. Alexander, of Wichita, a franchise for a street rail-
way which he did not build. In Derember the new court house was com
l)leted and the dedicatory ex.Tcises orcnii-ed. with mote historical ad
dresses by Judge George Chaiidlef. .1. I>. MrCne. Captain :McTaggart and
others.
To judge from the newspaiieis imbli.shed in Independence, politics
was almost the sole subjeit of iiileresi during the year 1888. That was
not only a Presidential year, but ln(le|iendeuce's honored son. Lyman U,
Humpliiey. was a candidate for govei nor. When he returned home, after
securing the nomination, he was ae.oided a most flattering reception by
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. I03
bis f.'llow citizens of all parties, and the city felt itself iioiiored wlieu tlu;
vote ill \()veiiil)er showed that alonj>- with Harrison he had received over
SO, (1(1(1 iihir.tlity. the lariiest ever <ast for the candidate of any party iu
the state.
The uijiht of the Kith of .lamiary ISSi), a laiidiiiark of the early days
went up in smoke, the stone hotel on east Main street, familiar to the
travellini; i)ul)lic as the "^fain Street Hotel," was entirely destroyed by
tire. The site remained vacant for fourteen years thereafter. On the 28th
of February the I'nited States land office here, which had outgrown its
usefulness — practically all the public lands in the district having been
entered — was discontinued by order of the Interior Department. The
contest for mayor- this year was between Wilson Kincaid and Dr. G. C.
rhaney. Kincaid received 379 to Chaney's 347 and made a very popular
official. November 23, the postoffiee passed from the management of B. F
Devoi-e to that of E. E. Wilson. Mr. Wilson being one of the original
.settlers and founders of Independence, and having devoted a great deal
of time to the records of pioneer days, everyone v.'as gad to see him suc-
cessful iu getting the office, which he conducted with diligence and fidel-
ity. It was his last official position, however, as he died not long after
the expiration of his term.
If "no news is good news," the year 1890 was one of the best Indepen-
dence ever experienced, for nothing out of the ordinary happened in the
city during that year. It was, however, another political year which will
always be prominent in the annals of Kansas. The ''Alliance" was then
in tlie height of its prosperity and the columns of the press were filled
with accounts of its ])icnics and public meetings. But it was not an
especially prosperous year for Independence, the city having, by that
time, experienced the full effects of the reaction from the manufactured
boom of the later eighties, and business being dull. Indeed, it began to
look as if the town would go to seed, as so many county seats in farming
sections which had enjoyed "great anticipations" often do.
-Vt the city election in April 1891, Wilson Kincaid was re-elected
mayor without oi)position. At the same time J. B. Underhill became po-
lice judge. I>uring this year the press was bemoaning the removal of the
electric light plant, which had been shut down for some time previous, to
Aurora, Missoui-i. Hut notwithstanding all that was said and done, our
streets remain dark to this day. while a generation of children have grown
to manhood and womanhood here.
In March 1892, Tom Boniface,' the fat and jolly Englishman who had
been in the meat business on East Main street ever since the pioneer days,
was convicted of obtaining money under false pretenses and sentenced
to the penitentiary. While awaiting sentence he caused something of a
.sensation by confessing that he and a man named Kinnie, who was then
104 IIISTOUY OF .MON rcllMKIiV ror.NTY, KANSAS.
iiiiiiiiiiii Ihc inaiki'l. and I>. '1'. Sic|ihciisoii. lia.l. Ilic tall pivvidiis. stolen
<-o\vs iH'loiiiiiiif"- to (Jeorjiv Waii'idMcr and A. C Siidi. One or both of
these gviuk'nieii had bought al tlie luarkcl. and eaten on Uieir own tables,
the meat of the cows stolen from them witliont having the slightest sus-
picion of the way in which those animals liad been disjKtsed of. Stephen-
son's prominence as a lawyer, land speculator, county ofKcial. and in oth
er luisitions in the public life of tiie commuuity since he came here as-
one of the original settlers in IH'.!). made his arresl the talk of the town,
At that lime, and since, many have been charitably in<-lined to hold him
guiltless and i'.oniface a perjurer who was anxious to pull others dowiV
witli him. Stephenson was sentenced to the penitentiary, but after ho
had served a portion of his term I!onifar<> made allidavit that his charge
was false, and Stephenson was iiard..m-d and soon removed to New
ISIexii'o.
Early in 1893. the Indejicndcm v rity r.iumil grant. ■.! .1. I). Xickerson
a franchise f(n- natural gas, and lie began drilling on the iJrewster place,
live miles east of the city, after having secured a ]dedge from tlie business
men to ])ay him -Ifl.dllO.IKl when gas was ready for delivery to the subscrib'
ers to the fund. After so many vain attempts to secure gas for the city,
this one materialized and before the en<l of the year the ](ii(es were laid
and the city was using natural gas for fuel. This was tiie beginning of a
new era foi- the city, and, though its recovery fr(un the dejiression that
followed tiie boom times of 1SS7 was slow, it was sure and steady. Prop-
erty lic^gan to roniniand belter tigures and values were more firm. Neg-
lected ipuildings were jiainted and ilie signs of recovery from the
'■dumjis" began 1o manifest themselves on every hand. While no one
fully realized what the new <-(indiiions that were beginning to develop
would do for 11h> city, contidem-c in her fut\ire was restored, and she
(»n the 7lh of .Mar<-h iMumeit l»allon was brought into court and
])lea(k'd guilty to murder in the second degree for |i;i i i ii ip;i i ion in the
i-aid on the Coffeyville banks the jjrevious October, in which ihe other
members of the Dalton gang, as well as several citizens, wcie killed.
Judge .McCue sentenced Enimett to the jienitentiary for '.)'.» years, and he
was at once removed to the ti-iin : there being giave fears (hat an attempt
rescue him. Indeed, during The live months he had been
)nnly jail SherilV ("allahan had maintained an armed
■t Ihmisc in view of Ihe jiossibiliiy if such an attempt,
I feeling of i-eliet iha.t ilie peojile saw this weak and
of the most eventful eiiisode in Ihe historv of the countV
WOTlld b(>
made t
confin(>d
guard at
and it w
Ihe ,-oi
as with
dep;
es for the fir-st
ndilican candi-
HISTORY OF J10XTC;0MERY COUNTY,, KANSAS. I05
<l;it('. rccciviMl r>4r> voles to 47.'"> r;ist for IIciii'V I*.:u1(mi. the .-iti/.t'ii ciuuli
(laic.
Oil llic Fomlli of -Inly .Nfilloii Caiiiioii Iffl his Iioiik- in liiis city, stal-
iiiii' that lie was lioiiiii To ( 'liciiyvalc to take a train for Si. I.oiiis. He was
not af(er>\ar(l seen alive, so far as is known, but five days later his
({('(Mniiposeil remains were found in a ravine neai' the river. Whether he
had heen niuriH-red was a jirave (|nes1ion. Charles Merril was afterward
Hied for coni].licity in the iiuirder. on the theory that Mcrritt had aided
ill killinj;- him to avenj-e the honor of a sister. Merritt wis acquitted, but
(ieoriie Stevens, who was the leading witness ajiainst him, had been ju'e-
vionsly convicted of the same crime and sentenced to lie imii.n. Me is still
ill jirison e.\;|iiatinji- an offense of which many (|iicsiioii liis jiuilt, and of
which he never would haxc been convicted but for his p'licial dcjiravity.
Indeed, most of the parties .■oniiected with the case wer.' of smh unsavory
rejiiitalion that it was impossible to give credem c to their testimony.
This was tlie tliird murder comiiiitted in the city — ii murder it >vas.
Tile tirsi day id •laiiiiaiy 1S'.(4. witnessed the worst fatalitx' from the
use <>{ fias tliat e\cr occurred in the Kansas iield, and one that caused a
thrill of horror through this entire section. The story of the Keed tragedy
is deiailed in another cliajiler in this work. No other event in !he iiistory
of the city ever caused such a sensation as this did.
Near the close of the same month, the coiiimunity was again lioiritied
to lieai of the suicide of L'hilip Shoemaker, a prominent citizen and busi-
ness man, who hung himself in a granary out at his farm one Saturday
morning, during a period of nervous depression.
This year was signalized throughout by tragedies. On the night of
Jlareh 2r)th, Night Officer J. I). Burnworth shot and killed an unknown
man who was preparing to rob the postoffice, and who had the drop oil
him with a loaded revolver pointed at him and \\ithin ■Jnve feet of his
breast
When the electiiui for city otficers came oft" in April ISiC. Dr. «'haney,
who had been elected mayor two years previous as the regular Republi-
can candidate, was found heading the opposition citizens' ticket, with
Carl Stich, the regular Kepublican standard bearer. Chaney had 50G
votes and Stich 4U.").
A very jdeasant occurrence was the celebration on the 14th of -Tune
at St. Andrews church, of the twenty-fifth annivercary of its jiastor's min-
istry as a priest of the Catholic church. Leading citizens of all denonii
nations united in testifying to the appreciation in which Reverend Fath-
er ['hilip Sclioll was held as a man, as a Christian, as a friend of human
ity and as one who went about doing good to the sick and sorrowing.
The question of the purchase of the water works by the city was
voted mi. June •2T)t\\. and although the proposition to issue bonds for that
I06 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
purpose received 215 votes to 115 cast in opposition, it was defeated for
lack of the required two-thirds majority.
Coniin<:f to ISlXi, tlie year of the greal silver tij;ht Un- the ])residency,
we find, as usual wlien j)olitics absorbs so iiiudi uf ilie attention audeuer-
gies of tlie jieople. that very little else of interest seemed to happen. The
old adage that "Salan finds some mischief still f(H' idle hands to do."
misi'h; be para])lirased to read,•■^^'hen The politicians don't keep the people
busy, they will find some other mischief 1o amuse themselves with.'' A
noteworthy event of the year was the ajipearance of Samuel C. Elliott, a
jiroiuisiiii; young lawyer who had been county attorney for two terms and
had securcni an enviable practice, before the jirobate court as a candidate
for the insane asylum. He was sent to Osawatomie where he gradually
grew worse and died a few years later.
At the spring election in 18!IT \\'. 1*. Mowcn was chosen mayor by a
majority of i.'77 votes over I. (J. Fowler. I'nder a new law just enacted,
the whole coips of eiiy otlirers was cleiiive. even where they had previous
ly been aiipoinleii by the m.iyor mid ((.nncil. and the ticket this year ran
down ro street ( ninuiissioner. .1. It. rnderliill was elected clerk. Joseph
Chaudlci, 1 iiy atimiiey. and II. W. Hazen. police judge. During the year
the legal fight to jirevent the luiildiug of the county high school estab-
lished by act (if the legislature in February, was kept up; but the prob-
ability of its success was not great enough to seriously disturb the
efjuanimity of the city. Another cluijster in this volume gives the full
details of' this contest. One of the celebrated cases of tlie county was
tried in the district court early in December, when Henry Sheesley w-as
arraigned f(U- the murder of Captain Daniel McTaggart. The victim was
one of the early settlers of the county anil had been jirominent in politi
car life throughout its entire history. Indeed, he had served in the state
Legislature for fourteen consecutive years and had been twice elected
state Semitdi-. Sheesley was ;i tenant of McTaggart's, renting his flour-
ing mill on (lie- \'eii'ii;i is, .nnl it was as the outcome of a dispute about a
settlement of acceiinis early in Auiiiist that the fatal affray occured. Mc-
Taggart was shot anil li\e(l but a few hours. Sheesley's lawyers nuide a
strong ellori to |iro\e that he was insane, and he went through the forms
of ha\ing an epile|itic lit in the court room, but the jury concluded that
he was res|)'>nsible foi liis acts and convicted him of manslaughter. He
was seulenced to fixe yens in the jtenitenriary. which most of those
familiar with the facts considered a very light punishmenf for the offense
of whi.-h he was guilty.
l-;a!-ly in !s:is. a vitrified brick |.l,ant was established in the city, and
(lie oiiiicil iirovided for jiaving flu' business streets with its products.
AbouT the same time the Indejiendence <!as Company secured a greatly
increased gas supply for the city by extending its mains to connect witli
HISTOEY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. lOy
tlic wells drilled by the Standard Oil Company out in the neijjlihorhood
of Tiihk' Mound — that company having drilled foi' oil, and being williiig
lo (1is])ose of the gas to oni- lionie (•onii)any. From this time on the city
had an abundant sup]ily foi- manufacturing purposes, and efforts went
on williout cessation to secniv their location and make Independence a
manufacturing center.
hi -ASay ISitS. the Twentieth K;insas regiment was enlisted for the
Si)anish war, and coni])any ■•(;" wa.s recruited at Independence, and for
the most part consisted of .M/,)ntgomery county boys. On the eve of their
dejiarturi' for the state capital, the citizens tendered tliem a reception
;ind bantpiet which was largely attended and proved a most interesting
occasion, with a grand outflow of patriotic spirit. The oliicers of this
company were: Captain, 1). Htewart Elliott, of ('offeyville ; First Lieu-
tenant, H. A. Scott, of Sycamore; Second Lieutenant. William A. M'-
Taggart. son of the late Senator McTaggart. When the company accom-
])anied its regiment to tlie rhilippines, it was to leave there two of these
three— Klliott and :McTaggart falling under Filipino bullets.
This year Independence city voted |13,0()0.UO in bonds in aid of the
extension of the Southwestern line of the Santa Fe down to Hartelsville
in the Indian Territory. There were strings attached to the jiroposition.
however, and one of the c;)nditions — that a depot should be built uptown
and within about three or four blocks of the crossing of .Main street and
reiin. avenue — the road had no disjiosition to comjily with, so that the
\-ote was futile. I'robably this was the last vote of bonds for railroad
aid which the city will ever make.
Fire again made holes in the business portion of Independence early
in 1S!I!(, Anderson's dry goods store and Gottlieb's clothing house going
up in smoke on the night of the 31st of January, and the LaGrande hotel
going to keep them coiii})any on the 13th of February. At the session of
the legislature this winter the city was empowered to expend $.5.(10(1.00
in building the out-let sewei- that was so urgently needed and the w<M'k
was at on<e undertaken.
Like Mnyor Chaney two years before. Mayor Bowen in 18!)!», having
held one term after his election as a regular Republican candidate, be-
came, at the end of the term, an independent candidate for the same
office. I'nlike Chaney, though, he was elected, by a majority of 55.
The business of the Independence postoffice having increased to over
$8,000.00 annually on July 1st, 1899, it was raised to the second class
and the postmaster's salary increased to $2,000.00 a year. Edwin Foster,
one of the pioneers whose name is met frequently in the early chronicles
of :Montgomery county, was now postmaster. He succeeded George Hill,
who was the incumbent during Cleveland's second administration, and
who made, perhaps, the most efficient and popular official who ever filled
the office.
I08 IIISTOKY OF MONTCO-MEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Next vcnr ilio pustofVirc iiiruiiic li:u] risen to -f in.OOO.OO, indicating a
\evy rapid jirowtli in bnsincss, and witli the result that before the end of
the year free mail delivery was established, with I.on T. Hwdson. Frank
C. Ihnper and Dale Hebrank as the resnlar .arriers, and Will WiUiani.s
as substitute.
•Tune llHh. 1!)(»0, another election was held to decide whetiier to issue
bonds and buy the water w(n'ks. and the ])roiK>sition was ai;ain defeated,
as it had In^en tive years before, the arjiunieiit most successfully used be-
ins;- that as tiie franchise of the comiiany would expire in five years it
would be poor policy to i)ay them for a run-down and worn-out plant at
this lime. when, by waitin<>-, we would be absolved from all necessity to
do sii and cmild cicct an independent plant in 1905,
'I his year the Republican ticket for city officers, headed by F. C.
.Moses, was elected from top to bottom. IMr. Jfoses was opjiosed by Guy
]. U';',tt, on a citizens' ticket, who was beaten by 109 votes. The most
ini[)(M-1ant event of the year was the voting of $40,000.00 in bonds for the
const luction of two new modern school buildings, of twelve rooms each,
to take the place of the three exi.sting buildings, all of which were to be
deiiK dished. To destroy school houses as good as we then had, seen)ed to
many ])eople like reckless extravagance and prodigality; but the prac-
tical condemnation of the Fourth ward building, erected in the pioneer
days, made some action necessary and the voteis stood by the Board of
Kducation and adopted the very radical proposition they submitted, the
elect i-.n being h(dd on the .30th of April, every ward in the city giving a
niajor'ty in ilieir favor and the total being ItiT.
.V very i)!easant feature of life in Independence during the hot and
dry summer of 1901 was the open air theatre at Gas Park, opposite the
court house, where a i)rofessional actor, assisted by his wife and some
very good amateur talent, gave weekly ])erforman(es all through the sea-
son. Indeed, so popular a meeting place did this become that the union
services of the churches on Sunday evening throughout the heated term
The most ilesi ructive wind storm that ever visited the city occurred
on the inclining of .Inne iMst. For abotit an hour, between two and three
o'clock, the wind not only blew hard but hot from the west, the calm that
followe 1 being acc()ni])anied by a temjjerature above 90 degrees and
in some Icciiliiies in the country re])orted to have been over 100 degrees.
The lireatest damage was <loiie to the court house where th.e galvanized
iron work of the towei- \\a^ blown olf, and some of the windows broken
outward, imiicating a cyclonic vacuum in the (mtside air. Aside from
thi-^, the damage consisted iirincijially in the unroofing of buildings and
awnings. The wind, however, had a very deleterious efi'ect on the corn
crop, ihoiigh that was a failure all over the country that year.
in r.M)2, Indeiiendence began lo see the substance of things iioped
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. IO9
f(jr. :iii(l lici- |ie(>|il(' lo realize that she was passing out of liic chrysalis
slauv and hcconiinj; a cilN in fact as well as iu name. The '•\\'ashiu';ton"
and •■J.incolii"' sciiool huildinys were completed and school opened in
tlieni about the middle of October. The magnificent five-story ''Carl-
Leon" hotel was building and was opened for business the following Feb-
ruary. The ^Midland Glass Company came from Hartford City, Indiana^
and built a factory hei'e, as well as a large addition to the city north of
the Santa Fe railroad. Across the river, the Ellsworth Paper Company's
mill was finished and put in operation, and the Adanison Manufacturing
Company's sugar plant was erected and began the maunfacture of sor-
ghum syr\i]i. Business buildings of a superior character were put up,
and everywhere evidences of the new life the city had taken on were
manifesting themselves. Meanwhile real estate was doubling and treb-
ling in value, and the demand for residences was entirely in excess of
the sujtjily, notwithstanding they were going up by the score. It was
what, in earlier times, would li;ne been called a "boom," but seemed now
to be only a healthful and normal growth. During this year the Indepen-
dence 'ias Comiiany opened the great Holton gas field, with a capacity of
seventy million cubic feet of gas per day, and connected it with our city
system by i)ipe lines, thus making it contribute to our industrial develop-
ment. At last things were coming our way, and they have continued to
do so up to the present time, in a way that makes the air castles of the
early settlers look like pinch-beck jewelry.
The enumeration of the spring of 1!)02 showed a population of (>,20S in
the city, a gain of over 2,000 in two years.
On Octoljer 1st, a shocking double tragedy was added to the list of
liomicides that has marred the history of the city. The victims were C.
W. Hooper and his divorced wife, Luzetta. They disagreed as to th^
custody of the children, and he was jealous of her still, although sepa-
rated. After consulting an attorney in his ottice over the postoflice, they
stepped out into the hallway, where the man shot the woman iiud then
himself, both dying at once. They had not long been residents of the
<ity. having come here frojn Wilson county a short time previous.
The city election in April 1903, resulted in the choice of W. P.
Boweii for a tliir<l term as mayor. The opjtosing candidate was A. C.
Stich, of the Citizens Hank, i'oth ran on indepeudent tickets, by jjeti
tion, and Poweu won by ll.T votes, after (me of the most hotly contested
tighls the city had ever seen.
Although it is in no sense history, 1 find it hard to draw Ihis nar-
rative to a close without saying something about the great things in the
way (.f nuinufacturing industries that it is expected will soon materialize
and ('ouble or treble the pojiulation of the city and extend its boundaries
and multiply its business. But these things are. as yet, only ideas iu the
minds of men and as sucli onlv can thev be chronicled.
no IIISTdKV OF MnNr(;iiMi;i!V COtNTV. KANSAS.
fail li vcali/.c li<>\\ very imiicrtfit ly it lias ln'cn pcitornicil. lii luokiiiji-
Mvei- iiioic than a lliousaiid newspapers aud culling a few of the more
strikiuii incidenis of eaeli year. I have not really been writing history,
hut only chronicling a mere fragment of the story of the life of a growing
lowii. Think of the pe()i)le who have l)een horn and grown to manhood
and V cniianhood liere, of the stories of their lives, of the steady growth of
ihc ciiy. (if the shade■emilo^^•(M■('d streets that now stretch out in all
directions: of the thousands of tnculs that have Irappened here and heeii
found worthy of mention in tlir city press, and of the tens of thousands
of incidenis that have not liccn chronicled, hut of which many \\(:uld
jiossess an interest surpassing tliose that have been ])reserved by the
types — think of all lliese things and you will realize with me how little
.if history is contained in the books that are called history, and how
much must remain unwritten in our meager annals.
Town Buildingf in the South-East Corner of Montgfomery County
f.V nU. T. c. llIAZIi:!!.
Claymore, Westralia. Tally Springs, Parker, 0!d ColScyville, Colfeyville and Liberty
The \'('rdigris rixcr (so nansed on account of the dark green color of
its wafers! has its origin in Woodson and (Ireenwood counties and, run-
ning in a southeasterly direction, crosses the south line of the state near
the southeast corner of Montgomery county.
In the early days, just preceding the opening of the Osage diminish
ed Hc.-crve to white settlement, no less tlmn four Indian villages oc-
cii]ii:Ml the banks of this stream, near liii' iiuint of its emergence from lUe
stale (it Kansas on the way to its continence w itli ilie .\ikansas near Fiwt
lishcil theniselves near these Indian villages, the idea that ait imjiortant
city wdulil soon spring u]> near this ]>oint seems ti haxc taken fast hold
upon the minds of the early settlers.
So nearly unanimous was this oiiinion among the hardy ]iioiieers
that no less than si.\ towns were projected, within an aii^a encloseil by
the segment of a circle drawn from a iioint tixc miles u|) the east line of
the county to a corresponding point on the south line, within two years
after the country was <i|)ened to settlement. Some of these were laid out
and idats iirejiaied for tiling even before the ratification of the treaty l)y
whicli the Indian title was extinguished, and almost e\-ery "siiuatter" in-
dulged in rosy dreams of the time when his claim would become a jiart of
the metro[iolis of the count\.
There can be no doubt, now. that the contldence of the earl\ settlers,
in the litness of this location for the u]il)uilding of an inijiorlaiit ira'ie
renter, was well founded, but the eagerness of so man\ of them to enjoy
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. Ill
juTou'^ litv. caiiic near disappointing the hopes of all, for the fierce battle
for siipieinaiy. by whiih the aspiring villagers were rent ami torn, so
dissipated the town-building energies, which should have been concen-
trated in one united effort, that capital, which might have been attracted
to any one of the sites chosen, was driven away by uncertainty as to
what the outcome would be.
What might have been the result if either of these locations had
been backed by a united effort, none can know, but any old settler will
tell you. that the energy wasted in the fierce struggles for supremacy,
among those rival towns, wo\ild, if expended in building up one locality,
have made it the best and biggest town in Southern Kansas; as it is I
doubt not that many loyal citizens will now tell you. that the best, if not
tlie laigest. town in Southern Kansas is to be found in the southeastern
(<iriicr of Montgomery county.
In .June 1869. Governor Harvey issued a proclamation organizing
the county of Montgomery and aj>ponitiug three commissioners who, at
their first meeting, in the following mouth, divided the couuty into three
townships, indicated by two parallel lines crossing the couuty from east
to west. Later on these townships were subdivided by two parallel linos
crossing the couuty from north to south, thus creating nine townships,
each having an area of about seventy-two square inilers. Of these sub-
divisions, the southeastern, comprising the territory now included in
Parker and Cherokee townships, was known as Parker township and
within the limits of this territory much of the eai-ly history of the county
was made. Here the towns of Claymore, Westralia. Tally Springs, Parker
and Old Cotteyville rose aud fell in rapid succession, to be succeeded by
the present city of Coffeyville. all located, as above stated, in the south-
east corner of the township, near Avhere the Verdigris river crosses the
south line of the state.
In iis much as the early poj)ulati<m was concentrated in and about
the villages, and that it shifted from one to another as confidence in the
stability of one site waned, to be succeeded by a boom movement in a
rival place, it is evident that the makers of the early history were inter-
ested in the growth and develojiiiieut of more than one of the rival towns.
It seems advisable, therefore, that certaiu early events, which affected
the community as a whole, should be treated of before entering upon the
re'ital of the s] e<ial life history of the individual villages.
Early Settlers
Lev^i> Scott, a colored man, who made a settlement in the Verdigris
valley iiii,]-v>ay bet«-een the sites subse(juently chosen as the location for
the towns of Coffeyville aud Parker, in February 1867, claimed to be the
first "white" settler in 5I(mtgoii;ery county. This claim is confirmed by
the late E. E. Wilson, author of a valuable historical sketch published in
I 1SS1. Aii.li-cas. ill Ills liis-
II may W due to llio \ni>ur,-i-
n .laimni-v ISCi;. sclllfd al t
iclillv sclrcl.Ml as llic sili- lor
>\vrNci-. is ill cn-or. (im-ii l>,
I rivcJK ill lS(i(i, as slated liy
of i.alicllf i-ounty. one of tlif
still bears his iiaiiic. From
S(iS to a TKtiiit lower down tlie
112 insiOKY or MuN ri;(>Mi;i:v i
Kdwai-d's Ilisi.-.rieal Atlas of the eoiiiiix
lory of Kansas, aeeords whal<ncr lionor
settler lo Creeii L. Canada who. he says.
|poiiit on riim]ikin creek, whii-h w.is siilis(
the villa-e of Clayniore." This liisl.,rian.
Canada did make a setllen;eiil on rnmi.
.\iHlre:is. hnl at a |ioinl within the horde
subdivisions of which- -Canada lownshi|
Ihis idac.' .Mr. Canada moved in heccmbei
.•reek which was siil)se(iuently seledeil as the site for the villai;t> of Clay
more. So the fact remains, as stated liv .Mr. Wilson, that Lewis Scott
was tlie |,ioneer selller of the coiinly.
In hiMciidier ISCT. Zachariah C. Crow seitled on a claim ad.jcniiin.!'-
that id' Lewis Scott. The following names are remembered as beinsi-
am..iiu- llnise who came to this corner of ihe county in ISCS: .John .\.
Twiss. T. C.. -L li.aiid Allen (iraham. -L F. Savaue, .la.k Th(.m|.son. F,.
K. Koniice. William Fain. Mrs. IC. C. l'ow,dL .lohn Lnshbanuli. Cccn L.
Camo'a. -lohn .Mclnlvre. Joe ijoberls and W. T. and S. W. .Ma,\s. Of
ihese. ,„ily .L F. Savii.uc .Ldm .\lclnt.\ie ami .Mrs. !■:. C. Lowell remain,
while many who came in ISti!) are si ill in're.
Wiiliin ilie liiiiiis of i'arkiM- township, as ori-inallv constituted, tiie
tiisl llirec sclio.d districts in the couniN were oi-ani/ed. Within this
lerrilory ih,- lirsl school house in llie cMinly was built ; the tirsi sclio.d
laiii;lil :' the tlrst sermon incache.l : the lirsl marriai;e soh-nmi/.e.l ; 1 he
chiircli |mri».ses erected. Here was ladd Ihe tlrst im|nesf and the tirst
invliminary e.xaminaiion on a chai-v of murder, conducted under the
forms of law. Wiihin the limits .d' this lowiiship liie most siartliii.u and
sensational act of moli violence known in the hislory of the county was
enacted, and iiere an enormous bonded ilebl was fastened ujion the
couiilv bv id.'ction methods the most dariuu and coiisi-ienceless that <-aii
be .-on.-ei'wd.
The lirsl sciio.d house, erected near Tally S|.iini;s. in the early siim-
mei- n\' lS(i!l. was a very ])rimitive structure indeed. Its walls consisted
.d' slabs set on cud and sui>ported in an upriiihl position by jioles at
laciied to lour jnists set in the jironnd. The bare earth served as a Moor
and the roof was i>artly of ela]. boards and partly of straw cut from the
prairie near liy. Windows were unnecessary, as the chunks between the
slabs .d' Ihe walls admitted all the liiilil and'air Ihal was needed. In ilrs
riKh- siructure .I.din C. Kounce, a yonn- son of l>r. !•:. K. Koumc. tau-lil
)Mdie\.'d to be the pioneer siliocd of the ,-oiint\. lUiriiiL;' the winl.'i' .d'
lSt;i>-7u .Miss i>aura Foole condu<-ted a school at the village of ClayiiMU'e
IIISTCIltY OK MONTCiOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 113
hill llicrc <-:ni lie no lioiihi iIimI tlic Ki.iiii.-c si-Ikm.I i.i-(TC(icil ili;i1 taiij;lit
l)v Miss Imk.Ic 1i\ si'V.Tal iiioiillis.
Relig:ion
Till- iliiicraiil Mcrlnxlist iiicuclii'i- is usually the lirsl lo s|Mca(l (lie
■■<;la(l n(iiii;L!s" ill |ii(incci- sell leiiieiils of the wcsl. hiil in llils coiiiily lie
was |.|(tc(1im1 \,\ his I'.aptist hvotluM'. Kev. F. L. WalLcr. a Baptist min-
isiiT IK.iii (»s\\c^i). Kansas, pi-oaclied an <i|i('ii air serinou at Tally
S]iiiii-;s in ilic siiiuiiifi- of ISIiit, wliii-li is believed to he the first cffovc at
leliiiions teachini; excr at teiii|)1e(l in the county. At this time the first
chnicli organization was effected under the name and title of Salem Bap-
tist chni-ch.
A little hilei- ,111 KIder .hiliii Kaiidlc. a Christian minislcr. inciched
a series ot sermons in the same localitx sdinetimes (icciipyin^ the srluiol-
house above described and sometimes Inddinii forth in the oiien air. or at
tile houses of the neijihboriii}; settlers: esjiecially at the home of the
widow Fike whose daiisiiiter the Keverend iientleman afterward mar-
earliest protraried mectinu. or reiiiiions revival held in the county.
The (dd loji cliiiicli which stood on an elevated ](oinl in the north-
west c(>riier of the township, beside the wajion road leadinji' from Coffey-
ville to Independence, was undouliledly the first bnildinji erected in the
county to lie used exidiisively for clinrch purposes. It was built by the
iiniteil efforts of tlie settlers in that [lart of the townsliiii. of roush hewn
lotis. coiitrilmted by tlie "siiuaiters" on the timber lands alonji the river
and raised by an asseml)laj>e of neif;libors fjathered tojiether liy previous
ai)|iointment for that jiurpose; the four corners lieinji- securely notched
tojiether; the s].ace between tlie loi;s filled with bits of wood plastered
with clay and the whole beinu' covered with a substantial roof of clap-
boards.
This old church was, for years, the shrine toward which younji- and
old l)eut tlieir steps ou each recurring Sunday, but time, which effaces
all tilings, has left nothing, save tlie neighboring graves, to mark tlie site
of the sacred edifice.
Wedding Bells
Aliimt midsummer of 1811!) "Old Man ^■asser,■■ the pioneer gun-
smith, living (ui a- claim just north of the village of Claymore, gave his
daughter, Catherine, in marriage to one, James Danehu. This was believ-
ed to be the first marriage in the county and the men and boys from the
village, and neighboring claims, proceeded to celebrate the event in true
frontier style; creating such a frightful din that some unsusjiecting
neighbors tied from their lionies in morlal fear of an Indian ujirising.
114 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
The First Murder
In March or April 1870, an old man named Mc-rabe. living alone in
a little cabin a short distance northwest of Tally Springs, was found
dead a few yards from his cabin door. The discoverer of the body, hav-
ing rei)orted his ghastly find to George ('aril. .11. a claim-holder living
near by. alarmed the neighborhood and led a jiarty of half a dozen or
m(>re to the scene of the tragedy.
The condition of the })remises, as seen at tiiis visit, indicated thai
the old man had been stealthily ai.|M(.ache<l while silting at his l)rcak-
fast : that a shot, which jtassed through his boot leg. had given the tirst
intimation of danger; that McCabe had risen hastily and engaged in a
struggle with his assailant, and that the victim, after being shot through
the bodv at such close range as to set Hre to his clothing, had run from
tiie hut and fallen forward'on his fare, and thai the b.idy had been roiled
over and the pockets rifled.
This murder furnished the occasion for the first inquest held in tlu'
.•oiiiily, and incidentally showed the "squatters'" respecr for orderly
methods of procedure in such emergencies. The county not yet being
fullv orgaiii/.cil. iheie was no ollii-ci- in reach, so far as these settlers
knew, wlio was (niaiitu-ii to lake cliaiuc of this case, but the assembled
neighbors, desiring, as far as iiossible, to observe the forms of law, pro-
(■eeded to elect a jury comjiosed of -I. F. Savage. George Carlton, Mike
Carlton. !•:. K. Kounce, John McGaleb and John Swarbourg. These gen-
tlemen elfecied a formal organization by electing Mr. Savage foreman
and were sworn in as a .(ironer's jury by < '. H. Wyckotf. :in attorney at
law.
This jtiry instituted a formal investigation which resulted in the
conclusion that the facts were substantially as stated above, and that
the motive was robbery. A bullet digged from the earthen floor where
it had iiuricd itself after passing through the vit-tim's trousers and boot
leg. indiiated that the attack had been sudden and unsuspected, and the
upset table and scattered ware showed that the man had risen hastily
to defend himself, or escape by flight. The burned clothing at the point
where the fatal bullet entered the body indicated close contact Avith the
jiiurderer. as if there had been a struggle for life, and the similarity of
the exiiiimed bullet to the one cut from the body of the murdered man
was evidence that the assault was made by but one ])erson. while the in-
veited pockets showed robbery t(f be the motive for the deed.
it was also aj.parent that the assassin had done his bloody work
hastily, as several dollars in bills were left in his victim's vest imrkct
and a i)iece of script, or fra<tioiial paper cnrreiicy. was found on the
ground beside Ili< bodv.
The flnding of the jury was. that ■•de.eased canie to his death by
i-.m! from :
, pistol
in III
(■ iia
lids of SI
)iiio pcr-
was Www
l-(Mllll\('
(1 1o
111..
lioiisr of
(Jeorge
iiial whi.l
1. lH.\vrV(
•r. \v:
IS fi;
ll-liuT .l.'l
ayed, as
iiicaiis (,t
son iiiil'CiH
First Preliminary on the Charg-e of Murder
The uiiauthoiized i.roiccdinus of tiic Tall.v Siniiifis settlers, iu the
matter of tlie McCabe iiuirchM-. althoui-h honorable and well meant, were
not lierniitted to pass unclialleimed. Wiiile .MrCabe's body still waited
tor burial lOli Dennis, of Wesiralia. who had recently been eonimission-
cd a .Insiice of the Peace, appeared n]>oii the scene with a po.sse and.
lakiiii; jiossession of the body, proceeded to hold another incjuest. I am
not informed as to the tindini; of the second jury .but it mnst have cast
sns]iici(in on three brothers named Shaw, who were hcddinji' a bnnch of
cattle in the neighborhood and contesting the rioht of ?>I<-Cabe to hold
the .•laim he occui.ied.
h w.is .ille.ued by the selllers on the north si<h- of the creek, that the
We.stialia party came out prepared not only to hold the imiuest but to
-execute the murderons Shaws, who. it is believed, were already adjudged
guilty of the crime. An air of jircbability is given to this suspicion by
the fact that one of the eiiuipments of the party was a length of new rope
which could have had no legitinuite oflfii-e to perform in the ceremonies
attending a legal incjuest ui)on the dead body. Hk>wever this may be,
word had gcme out that the Shaws were in danger and the Tally Springs
party liastened to the scene of action where they found the suspects under
arrest, and a council in progress under a large oak, with spreading
branches standing out from the body suggestively. The most of these
neighbors having brought their long sipiirrel rifles with them the visit-
ing gentlemen from the south side of the creek, esteeming discretion the
better part of valor, silently withdrew leaving their prisoners in the
hands of the Tally Springs contingent. This movement j)roved only to be
a feint, as a i)osse was sent out early the next n.orning to re-arrest the
Shaws and bring them to Westralia for trial.
Then followed the arraingnnient and trial which, as before stated,
was the first formal examination held in the county on a charge of mur-
der. VA\ Dennis. .1. I'.. ])resided and J. M^. Scudder enacted the roll of
j)rosecutoi, while <". \\'. I'Jlis and J. D. Mcf'ue. two young men who sub-
sequently rose to positions of prominence in the judiciary of the state,
were retained as counsel for the accused. The legal battle raged fiercely
for several days but victory finally perched ujion the banner of the de-
fendants' attorneys and their clients, being released, hastily left the
country.
The real murderer (d McCabe will never 1h' knnwii. l)ut some of the
settlers north of the creek suspected one. f.ill Howell, a suspicious looking
Il6 insn^HY OF MONTI.OMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
fclldw. will) had tor smiic time ln'ou hauj;iug aroiiud the cimiii of tlic
Sliaws ami who. as was at'icrw aiil i-eiiieiiil>ered. (lisa]>peaie(l on the day
of the iinnd.T. and was iit-vci- ai;aiii seen or ht-ard of in tliis iiart of the
Bonding the County
In 1S7(» llie I.. ].. & C. Kailway r..iii|>any submitted a i-roposition
to hiiihi Iweiity-oiie miles of road in "tlie coiinly. eouditioned upon the
votinj;- to said comiiany. in aid of the entei]irise. the sum of two iiinidred
thousand d<dlars in eounty bonds. As if was evident that the road
\v<inld be biiill across The lounly near ils east line. Parker townshi]) un-
dertook lo sec that the projiosition was artepted by an affirmative vote,
and in order That tliere mij;ht l)e no failure in carrying; out that iiurjiose.
all restrictions on the elective franchise, on aci'innt of aiic se.x and
residence, were temjiorarily removed.
The election was held at the town «d' Wesiraiia and for that day the
fijiht lielween the rival towns was suspended, the citizens of each vicinity
viein^ with those <it the others in their efforts to carry the i)ropositiou
tjiroujih io a successful issue each faction, id' course, expecting its favor-
ite locality to be made the terminus of the line, and each, no doubt, hav-
ing assurances from the manijiulators of The project, that its desires
would be gratified. All were, tlierefore. animated by a determination to
jioll cuoiigh \(i|es to ove!-conie any opposition that might lie develo]ied in
W hen the day appointed for the election arrived a board, friendly to
the pro|iosition, was installed and the voTing began. It soon developed,
however, that VA\ Dennis, one of the judges, was inclined to be over-crit-
ical as to the (pialitications of voters, so a novel scheme was concocted to
get him out of the way. It chamed that he was the local justice of the
jieace aii<l numerous litigants had iiusiness with liini that dav that was
to., important to admit of delay so he was called aside for frequent and
ju-olunged i-ousnltation. during whidi intervals visitors from Labette
'•ounty. the Indian Territory. Arkansas and Missouri, and such small
boys as were and)iti«ms to cast their "maiden ballot," were rushed to the
jiolling idace and permitted io vote for the bonds, no questions being
asked, exce](t that each voter give a name, his own ov not. no matter, to
be enteied on the tally sheets.
Inder these circumstances it is not surjirising that men voted
"earlv and <dten," but even these irregularities were not surticient to sal
isfy the manij.ulators of the job. It is alleged that Fred O'ltrien, an
expert ],enmaii enqdoyed in (Jeorge H,all's grocery at I'arker, i>rocured
some blank tally sheets which he tilled with names c-oj.ied at rand<Mn from
an old New \,nk dirertory fouiul among the etfe.ts <d' his employer.
These were passe.l in to the elc'-tion board with the number (d' ballots to
HISTOKY 01' MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. II7
rom's|ioii(l with the names on lUe bogus sheets, and niatle a jtait (jf the
returns.
I can not now rerall (lie nunibcr of votes pulled at Westralia on that
eventful day but it was not far short of the total i.opnlaiion of the
county. By su<li means the coveted aid was voted and in the following
year the road was built, but with charadcristic ingratitude the company
ignored the claims of all the friendly towns and selected a site just north
of the village of ("offeyville for the terminus of the line.
This exhibition of bad faith on the part of the company aroused an
intense feeling of bitterness in the outraged community which culmin-
ated in an effort to defeat the delivery of the bonds. Suit was brought in
the United States court at Leavenworth, with Albert H. Horton as at-
torney for the county, but for some reason — which has never been satis-
factorily explained — the county commissioners suddenly changed front
and oi'dered the suit dismissed "without prejudice;" this was accordingly
done and au order issued for the delivery of the bonds, which of course,
passed into the hands of innocent purchasers, and thus another link was
forged in the conspiracy against the county.
The bonds being delivered and sold, it became the duty of a subse-
quent board of county commissioners to levy a tax for the payment of
interest and to provide a sinking fund for the ultimate redemption of the
bonds. This the board declined to do and the case again went into the
courts. This time the people took a hand in the fight and appointed an
advisory committee to collect evidence and advise with the commission-
ers as to the best method of conducting the defense. The Parker towu-
shij) contingent of the advisory committee made a thorough inquiry into
the AVestralia election methods and secured the consent of a nuinber of
the chief actors to a])pear in court and testify as to the irregularities
herein described, but for some reason the commissioners compromised the
case and the evidence failed to become a matter of record, but the facts
as herein stated may be confidently accepted by the student of the early
history of the county as being substantially cori-ect.
Murder and Mob Violence
h>. 1S71 the deliberate and cooly planned murder of an inoffensive
old man. which furnished the occasion for the startling and sentsational
act of n;jl) violence already referred to. occurred almost within sight
of the town of Parker. Old Jake Miller and John A. Twiss were rival
claimants for a quarter section of land adjoining the original settlement
of Lews Scott in the Verdigris Valley. Not succeeding in ousting Twiss
by intimidation. Miller called a consultation of his friends to devise
some more effective means of getting i-id of the jirior claimant. In pur-
Fuance of this ijurjjose John Sturman. William Ross and Jim Braden, a
negro, met at Miller's house and. after discussing the situation, concluded
Jl8 IIlSTUIiY (If lHiNii,(i.Mi;l!Y COINTV. KANSAS.
(iilious iihui was to reiiiovi' liiiii by assassiiialidii. A plan of iiroceedurc
hcinj; ajiiwHl uiion. and a certain Smiday iiijilit sot for tlie perjietratioii
of the bloody deed, the (■ons])ira1(;rs dispersed t > their several homes to
await the ai)'pointed hour for the iicrfoniiainc of l]ii>ir respective jiarts in
llie bloody drama. On that fatal Sniiday ni-hl (he chnrrh-Koinji jiart of
tiie community were surprised lo sei- old .lake Miller and his entire fam
ily enter the vilhifie churcli. and many wliispiTcd comments were made
upon the nuustial circun. stance.
The movements of Sinrman on that day are not now remembered,
but they were such as to euabU' him lo prove an alabi, if it should be
nei-e,><sar.\. Koss liM'd several miles up ilic ri\er and on that account was
not likidy lo be sus]iecled : and in liie case of the neyro. liraden. there was
no known motive to cunnect him with suih a crime. However, as was
develojied by the subseipieni invesl ii;at i ni. i;.;ss was lo commit the mur-
der and the ne.uro was to wail for him ai a certain point on the river,
where a skilf was known lo be kcpi. and there set him across thai he
mi.uhi retni-n to his home by llie mosl dire.i and li-ast iravele.l i-oute.
On the .■ifteru'KMi of ihc i]a\ a|i|ioiuled foi- Twiss' reuioval Koss i-alled
at the store of W. W. Ford, in I'arkcr. and purch;is.-d an ir.iu wed;;e.
whi.h had the price marked upoii it with while i^aiut. in the merchant's
private cii)her. He also boui;lit a Inuch of some kind and ate it in the
store, takiufi so mucli time aliout it tliat it was quite late when lie look
his departure. From there he evidently went to the home of Twiss where
he shot the (dd man as he sat at his table reading a small jxicket bible.
This shot not i)r)vinf; immediately fatal the old man appears to have
risen and i-ushed to the door, wlu-re lie was met by the nmrderer who
clubbed him with his uun. <ru.sliin<; his skull and breaking the stock from
Hie barrel of the gun.
river, sank the bicken gun in I he water and was ferried across by Hraden.
who ihi-n returned to his (iwii home in the heavy timber.
The body of the murdered man was soon discovered by a neighbor
reinrning from the church wheic old .lake .Miller had that night attended
<1hiic1i. The alarm was gi\i'ii .ind an immediate search for a clue to the
perpetrator of the crime iiist it ut<Ml.
in those days claim iroblcs were nit an infrequent cause of enmity
between neighbors, and .Miller's known contention with Twiss for ])osess-
lon of the ciaim they both occuiiied. and his sudden piety on the night of
the murder, caused him to be susiiected of i-omidicity in the crime. He
w:is. theiefore. arrested on the following Tuesday morning. The arrest of
Stnrmau and liraden soon followed, not because there Avas any evidence
against them but because of their known inliniacy with Miller subjected
Jheni to susj)icion of having a guilty knowledge of the crime.
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. II9
In the meantime search was being' made abont the Twiss cabin for a
flue which resulted in the finding and identitication of the iron wedge
purchased by Ross on the day of tlie murder. This, of course, connected
Ross with the crime and he was immediately arrested. The i)risoners
were arraigned before S. B. Morehouse, J. P., for exan)ination on a charge
of murder, J. M. Hcudder appearing as attorney for the state and ('. \V.
Ellis acting as counsel for the accused. .V plea of "not guilty" was
entered, and as there Avas no evidence u]iiiii which to hold Miller. Stur-
num and Braden, (hey were released.
Marshall S. S. Teterson, however, still kept his eye on the negro and,
finally, hy threatening to lock him uji in the little one-celled calaboose
with Ross, he was so wrought up, on account of his superstitious fears,
that he made a full confession to the facts as above recited.
On the strength of this confession Miller and Sturman were re-arrest-
ed, and Braden, being assured of his personal safety, consented to come
into court and give evidence for the state.
Following the discovery of the tragedy which had been enacted at
the lonely Twiss cabin, i)opular excitement had raged at fever heat and
the sessions of the court had drawn such crowds of interested spectators
as to tax the capacity of the little school house where the trial was held,
and it was expected that the final sitting would bring out an unusually
large attendence, and that the tide of popular excitement would reach
the danger limit. So a posse was summoned to secure the safety of court
and prisoners, but notwithstanding the rumored confession of the negro
and its confirmation by the finding of the broken gun at the place ])ointed
out by him. the finding of the iron wedge and its identification as the one
bought by Ross on the day of the murder, and the sensational story that
Braden was expected to tell about the conspiracy and crime, the attend-
ance was noticeably small. There seemed to be a sudden lapse of popular
interest in the proceedings and when the prisoners were remanded to
jail to be held for trial before the district court, only a few idle men and
boys were on hand to follow them and their guards to the calaboose,
where they were manacled and locked up for tlie night; a guard being
placed about the building for additional safety.
Some time during the night the seeming lapse of pojmlar interest in
the court proceedings at the little school house were exj)lained in a start-
ling manner. Another court, that of "Judge Lynch," had evidently been
holding a star chamber session with a full attendence. The guards at the
jail were suddenly confronted with overwhelming numbers and (piietlv
ordered to surrender. So orderly and unexpectedly was the attack that
the men seemed to have risen uj» out of the ground and in such numbers
as to nuike it apparent that resistence would be worse than useless. So
the ofticer and his posse silently obeyed the order to lay down their arms.
The jail key was taken from the pocket of night marshal. John Sowasli,
[20
I.MICRY COUNTV. KAXSAS.
he (looi- iiiil.Hkca and llic piis.-iicis li
guards, ('xcciii iwo vnuii- Icllows. \mmv
n(i\.- Idi- a j;iv.-ii lime on pain of ,1c:
vliirh ihc lu-isoniMs Wfiv niciinlrd and
1 III lie \\a\ cast and tlicn inrncd nn-ll
;lii foith. The olliccis and
lird into the jail and liie door
nnu tVllows were siaiinned i
■s Id ihe -west and lolil not to
A wauon was prornicd into
o(M-ssion loi-nicd wliirh vod
lh(> diivi-tion of the sccnr oi'
Ihr latr ti"i<i('dv. All these inoveineiils were executed so silentix llial llie
slec|iini; inmates of the nearest resi(h'in-es were undisturbed.
The two youii<; men witli their fai-es to the west stood like slaines
until sure tlieir ]irol)ation had expired, when ilu'\ pi-ornred a sledge ham
mer and I)r(>ke tlie loek from tlie jail iloor. lelrasin- the otlhers and
^uai-ds. I)UI n I pursuit was at ti'iiipti'd unlil nioinlni;. when I he liodies of
their prisoners. Milh-r. Sturmai; and Ito-s wi-r.- louml hanuinu fnnii a
l.ram-h of a lar-e <.ak whi.h st 1 n,Mr ih.' door of the Twi>s .'alnn.
The man wlio kej.t tlie feri-,\ near In icpoiied that he had set an
niiihi. and liie guards at the jail estimaleil I he nnndier of iln'ii- laplors
fi-om tiftv to si.\l\. lint till' exail nnndier has ne\-i'r lieeii known. N'l'itln r
This was n.. .ir<iinarv m,.l. mov.'d to deeds of violence I,n lier.-e nn
reasonin.u passion, liul a rompan.v of cool-headed. del,.iniine,l men. wlio.
seiMM- in the Tw-iss murder a menace to the piMcid'nl and orderU adnnn
istralion ..f atVairs. so ne,cssai-v to the salVl\ and uood reimte of i he com
mnnit.v. resolved to forewarn those who were imlined to vi.-hj to the
promplinus <if i-vil jiassion. bv visitinu swift and terrible punishment
upon the stealthy and cowardly assassins of an unotfendiu^ old num.
This is amjilx pro\en by tl n'tire absence of the usual methods of the
mob. There was no noisey blnstei-. no wanton destrui-tlou of jiropei-ty,
I IVoi-i 1,1 t,-rr,iri/.,- the ,-,imniunity li.\ \hr rckh-ss discharge of firearms
and the mntilali,in of th,' li,Mli,-s of \Ur victims, but just a (piiet and
<^nlerh intlicti,.n ,if lb,- ,leath jienallx njion a ,-,invi,ted murderer an<l his
f.dhiw ,onspiral,irs.
<ir,iinaril\ no u,i,.d citiy.,-n can alford to <-on,l,ine the taking; ,)f human
life wiliiont iin,' pr,'i,-,'ss ,if law. but in a frontier settlement sn,-h exe, t.
'■,.!is as is h,M,' ,l,.s, lilMMl sometimes atiord the best possible safejiiiard fo
Ih,' livi^s an,l pr,ip,Miy of the w.dl-disposed. That such was the etfe,-t of
llie snn;mary exeiution of the Twiss murderers, there is little doubt, as
in those days there were many conflict ini; interests whiih mi<>ht have 1er-
nnmiled in inurdei- if this one had been ]>ei-mitted to pass unavenged.
IIISTOKV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 121
Rival Towns
In tlic winter of ISdS-'.l the tnulinii i)()st of (i. L. ("jinada. on I'linip-
kin ("reck, became tlie nucleus ol' the villauc of Clayiiiore wiiich grew to be
a smart little town of jieilnijis one liuiidred sonls. Kai-ly in the spring
following a town (■omi)aiiy was foi-nietl wilii (!. L. Canadii. jiresident. ami
A. M. Unncan as secretary. A few small si ores wer(> ojiened to snjiply
the \illagers and scattered settlers with dry goods and groceries and to
trade with the Indians. John Lnshbangh. on.' of the store keepers, also
kejit a tavern for the entertainment of man and beast, and Dr. Stewart,
the ])i(>neer doctor, whose armamentarium consisted of a {■?w obsolete
journals, a time-worn disjiensatory. a pair of dila]iidated saddle hags, a
tooth forceps and a dozen or so of bottles and jiackages. set nr an oftii-e in
one corner of Lushbangh's store.
'lUe promoters of this town started out with high h ipe> of building
a town o*' importance but. alas, for the .stability of hiimau lioiies. the
sunujier was not halt over before the enterprise was o\eishado\\ed by the
fotmdiug of the rival town of Westralia.
This village was founded l)y ("ajjt. H. < '. Crawford and lOli Dennis
in the early summer of ISlJil. It was located on a broad plateau, midway
between Claymore and the sdutli line of the state, on an old cattle trail
leading from the south, known as the West Trail, hence the name,
"\A'estraIia.
The village sprang into prominence and in a very few months boasted
a population numbering several hundred. It was the mart toward whi<'h
long lines of prairie schooners, freighted with fruit and produce, from
Missouri and Arkansas, wended their way. anil its merchants did a flour-
ishing business with the scattered settlers in the neighborhood, the Osage'
Indians from the several villages scattered along the river and the resi-
dents of the Cherokee country on the south. When I visited the place
in the late summer of the same year it presented an air of bustling ac-
tivity snr])rising to see. in a country so sparcely settled, but it was the
supply point for a territory many miles in extent and its merchants did
a thriving trade. ]Mewhiney & Fagau. E. C. Robertson and X. F. Howard
were leading merchants. (). E. Hines condticted a harness and saddlery
shop. Louis Souger kei)t the village hotel. Joe Benoist. of Baxter
Springs, put in a stock of drugs i the first in the county) i)resided over by
John Fleming. Perry Clary and Ed. Suydam were dealers in live stock.
Joe :McCreary ran a saw mill near by and Dr. Allen, afterword famous
as a Masonic lecturer, was the village doctor. The jiioneer news]iaper of
the county was jmblished here, as ajipears in the chajiter <mi "Newsjiap
ers" in this book.
It would seem that a town with five or six hundred inhabitants, lo-
cated on a commanding site, doing a large and lucrative business in
nearly all lines of trade; its professional men. merchants and tradesmen
122 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
owiiiii}; llu'ii- stores, shops and resideucrs, might well hope to hold its
own a<iiiinst all later rivals, hut such was the state of uncertainty as to
The final location of the nietroi)olis that men held themselves in readiness
to mimnt their buildings on wheels and move them to any point which,
for tlie moment, might' seem to l)e backed by a more powerful influence.
So Westralia. with" all her business and bustle and bright prospects.
Avas destined soon to e.xperience the fate of her sister— Claymore.
Tally Spring's
In August isc.'.i. .). F. Savage. K. K. Kouncc. William Fain and Dr.
Dennison formed a town company and laid out the village of Tally
Springs, around a large natural spring of that name on Potato (.'reek,
alxuit One and one-half miles northwest of Westralia. Lying directly in
the line of the L. L. & G. R. R.. as afterward constructed, this village
miglit. by liberal management, have become a formidable rival to the vil-
lage of \Vestralia and prevented altogether the founding of Pai'ker
and the ])resent town of (^)tifeyville. but E. K. Kounce, whose claim
formed a part of the site, had such an exaggerated idea of the importance
of the location that he refused to encourage the investment of capital by
giving away building lots.
It is said that Parker, York ^S; Co.. Ilic wealthiest of all the pioneer
merchants, prepared to (»pen up their immense stock of merchandise herf»,
if given a onecighth interest in the town site of three hundred and
twenty acres, but Kounce ]ironij>tly informed them that if they wanted
lots in that town they must buy them. This undoubtedly settled the fate
of this promising village, which never attained a ])Oi)ulation above fifty
or seventy-five people. After the building of the railroad the name of the
village was changed to Kalloch. and a statiim maintained there for a few
years, but even this was finally aband)ned and the land reverted to farm
]nirposes.
Coffeyville — Old Town
.Vbont the lime the Tally S|. rings townsite was lieiiig jilattcd uv a
little later. Col. Cotiey. N. B. P.lantou. Ed. Fagan. -lolin Clarkson and
William Wilson formed a company and laid out a town around Col. Cof-
fey's trading ].ost. previously estai)lished for the purpose of trading with
the Itlack Dog band of Osages, who then had their little village south of
Onion Creek, on the site subsecpiently appropriated by Ben. Chouteau,
and still known as the Cliimteau place. The new town was named Cof-
feyville in honor of its priucii)al f<ninder, but it did not assume imich
imporlance until 1871. Col. Cofiey was (lie jiriucipal merchant, N. P..
I'.laiiloii kei)t the hotel, Peter Wheeler, an accomplished young ])hysici;'/i.
administered t> the ills of the ].eople, K. V. K.'iit i>resided at the black-
sniilh's forge, and S. H. Hickman kept a little store and handled the
Fnited States mail.
I
11 Ih
(■ hit
f sniiiiiH'i' of lS(i',(. James \V. Paikev. ot
Sta.ui
' ('.;
iiipa
ii.v. raine to soiitheni Kansas to i-e>
;tii(l i
licid.
nital
ly to try the etiect of tlie i-liiiiate on a p;
whirl
1 he
had
long been a sufferer. While liere he bei
lIlSTOliV (IF MONrco.MKItV ((irNTY. KANSAS. I 2 J
A little later on ('. W. Munn. IJarron cV; lleddon. .1. S. r.nriis and
Kead Bros., were added to the business circles, but as before stated the
real history of the place did not begin until the L. L. & d. Railroad was
built in 1871, so it will be treated under the head of ("oft'eyville, of which
it soon became a part.
Parker
the Southwestern
r and recuperate
inful disease from
ante greatly inter-
ested in the jirospect of the early growth of a good town on the border,
but not being satisfied with the conditions of either of the sites already
laid out, he purchased a claim of Peter Miller on the east bank of the
Verdigris river, about one mile from Westralia and a little nearer to the
state line. Here he laid out and jilatted a town site, and soon after or
ganized a town company, with Maj. H. ^^^ ^lartin as president, and D. T.
Parker as secretary.
This town was christened I'arkersbourg in honor of its founder, but a
little later on the ••Ixmrg" was drojiiied. as it was thcmght that the simple
name of the founder was more aiijiropriate. as well as being less cumber-
soiue. The well known character of Mr. I'arker for honesty and flnaucial
standing served to attract immediate attention to The new town and
people began to talk about the rising metropolis before there was any
thing, except the surveyor's stakes to mark the site.
U'hen T came to the place in the last days of October in i860 there
were just three houses on the town site: the original claim caliin, a small
structure built of logs, a little board shanty used by the town company as
an office, and a siuall three-room building owned and occupied by Robert
Walker as a boarding house; Init ground had lieen broken for the local i<:i!
of a large double store room soou to be oecujiied by Parker. York & ("o.
as a general store. Their .f4().00n.00 stock of goods was already being re-
ceived and stored in temporary sheds, until the building could be made
ready for occupancy.
Wright & Kirby had located a saw mill near by and a considerable
nunilier of men were engaged in felling the oak. cottonwood and walnut
trees, of which there was an abundant growth in the valley lands, and
carting them to the mill to be cut into lumlier to sujijdy the raj>idiy iu-
oreasing demand. The saw and hammer were lieard early and late, and
stores, sho]is and residences sprang up as fast as himlier could be
obtained for their construction.
Parker, York & fo.'s building was soon completed and their im-
mense stock of merchandise, consisting of dry goods, groceries, hardware,
boots and shoes, hats and ca]is, farming implements, liquors, etc. were
124 HISTOUY OF MONniOMKKY fOt'NTy. KANSAS.
(>l)('iK'(i Up ;ni(l a r..ij)s of clerks iiisiallcd I<i si-ivc tlic imiiicrdiis ciisldiii-
I'l-s who came fioni many miles anmiid.
Tlic oiMMiiiiii <if lliis mainmolli slure was followed by llie oiieiiiiij; of
many smaller jjlaces. rei)resenl in;: all lines of iiade. transformini; llie
place, in a few weeks, from a (|uiel landscaiie inlo a llirivinji coinmefcial
cenl'T.
riie wide i-e|'Utalion of the fininder of ihe new lowu. the confidence
displayed by I'acUei-, York ^K; Co. in llie invest nieiiT of a small forfinie in
mei-caiitile l)nsiness in this border land, and the iin]ii"ecedeiited growtli
of tlie county in poptilation, served to siimnlate a mai'veloiis growth in
tlie little city, so that, in less than a year, it had conipletely overshadowed
the ri\al xillages and accpiired a poimlat ion estimated at one thousand
ber {•arkei'% York i: ro' \V. W. Fonl. (li-een L. Canada,' linenaman I'.ios.,
liani.klaw I'.ios., and (ionid .S: McDonald, geiieial ineichandise ; Fra/.ier
& Fra/ier. Wells IJros.. (ieorge Ihill. John \Viij:lil. and Cox I'.i-os.. uio
ceries , Cunningham & Frazier. and Scott & Uooser. drugs; I ). A. Davis,
and Mines & Hiolly, harness and saddlery; Ziba Ma.xweli. stoves and tin-
ware, Caj.t. .V. .M. Smith, and Vaiinum \- I'etersoii. livery; S. < ). ICbersole,
jewelrv; .lohii To(bl. wagon-maker; Morehouse ^V; Iteardslev, and .hdin \j'
wark.'bl.icksmiths; .1. C. Fra/.ier. Inmbennan; -bpseph ItiMiadum. Frank
IJotigs, and .John .Mel (■maid, carpenleis and buildiM-s: C. ^V. KIlis, Len.y
Xeal. and It. F. IloriM-r. attorneys; (i. H. I'.aker. .■diior of tlie Parker IJec-
ord ; .Idhn I'.eNcrly, barbel-; Louis IJliule. bakei and confectioner; ('. M.
Ilealhi'i-inuton. billiard hall; Smith .»^ .\tillen. Siott & Kearns. John
I'riitleman. ami Xeal .V Cotliiigham. liquors; John Lijisy, Robert Walker,
John ilrown. John Warper and Henry Lee. boarding: S. U. Mondunise
and .M. D. I'.ailev. hotels; C. S. I'.rown. book-keei.er ; \Villiani Wallace.
John S. Lang. I'rnsi)er Vitiie. Fred OT.rien. i:noch lla<lder. Malt iMaper.
and Fdwin Foster, clerks; T. C. Fra/ier and F.. li. Hunwell. physicians;
several of whom are still residents of the <oniiiy.
Society in Parker
(In Chrisimas night, lM;;t, llie successful inaugural i<m of the new
town was celebrated in- the midst of a blinding srn.w storm (Ihe lirst of
Uu- s:-.!>oni by a grand ball given in the large hall over I'arker. York .^L
Co.'s store, llie bampiet lieiiig s])iead al .lames Itiown's hotel, where
plates were laid for one liundred couples. This was doubtless Ihe first
social e\enl. of an> considerable inipoiiance. in .Montgomery county and
it was conducled in a manner thai would have done credit to a much
.Much has been said and wrillen ab..nl ihe -wild and wooly" .-liar
acier of the iieople, their predilection for -a man for bi-eakfasi e\er\
HISTORY OF MONT(!OMERY COUNTV, KANSAS. 125
iiioniiiii;-," and all lliat. l)iit. as a iiialtcr of fact. iK-isonal ('iicoimlcrs were
infriMHicul and tiio low dives and dancf houses that dis«-ra(e llie average
border town, were nol tolerated. On tiie contrary, lliere was a friendly
feelinji and unanimity of iiurjiose anionj- our peojile— a disposition to act
tojjcllier in matters ]iertaininj!,- to tiie material welfare of the community,
and ai' absence of petty jealiousies lliat would have been remarkable in a
much older community. True, llie town was a resort for many roujih
(•har.icters. as every bustlinj;-, border town must be, but as a Dile i;ood ,1
lowsbip prevailed, even in the most boisterous assejiiblages.
As for our social gatherings they would compare favorably with
those of any old community. A stranger dropping into one of our even-
ing entertainments would iuive found our women as modest and well
dressed, our men as genteel and courtley. and our conversation as re-
fined and well sustained as in any part of the country. He might have
missed the music, the Howers. and the swallow-tailed coat, but in other
respects he would have no reason to consider us uncivilized.
To be sure the •■shindig" was jfatronized by the ruder element of so-
ciety, and on such occasions the hoodlum was very much in evidence, but
even in these meetings good nature usually jn-evailed. and when it was
otherwise, a black eve oi- a blood\- nose was generally llie most serious
casualty.
It was the unity of purpose, above mentioned, that enabled the people
of i'aiker to sustain, for three years., the bitter tight for supremecy which
was waged against the rival town of ("otfeyville. backed by the jiowerful
influence of the railroad company. It was this unity of ettort that en-
abled them to compel the railroad comiiany to extend its line to Parker
and maintain there, for months, better depot facilities than were sup
plied to its own town of ("otteyville, but the contest was uneipial and
some of (Mir largest cai>italists, growing tired of the struggle, abandoned
the tivht and a stampede .piickly followed.
Incidents
It is no easy task to select from the multiplicity of events which gave
color to our community life during the brief time in which Parker was the
recognized metropolis of this corner of the county, those which will best
illustrate the characteristics of the residents of that ill-fated village, but
as my st(U-y would hardly l)e com])lete without some such attemjjt, a few
of the more striking are selected, leaving much to the imagination of the
reader
The story <»f the summary justice meted out to the niurderers of .John
A. Twiss has already been recited, so it only remains to be said that this,
although itself an unlawful act, serves to emphasize the determinatio.i
-of this pioneer community to protect the lives and property of the well-
126 mSTOUY OF MONT(^OMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
disposed, evt'ii ro the point of Takinj; Iniiiian life, wlicii tlio <ir<niiistances^
seoniod to wanant siicli lieioii- measures.
On mimerons oci-asioiis our iieojile weic .a lied iiimii to exliihit tliis
deteniiinatidii in sudi an eni]iliatic manner as I<i waiii the toniili element
tliat they wonld nut lie permitted to teimri/.e the weak and timid \vit3
In the sjiiinii- of 1S71. when the lailruad was neai-inji' completinn to
("ollVyville. that village took on (piite a little Imom. Cattlemen were driv-
ing tiieir heids to that i»oint for shipment and witli these herds came the
usual quota of reckless cowboys. The influx of this element caused the
opening of numerous saloons and dance houses, and this, of course,
brought into the community the usual gang of gamblers, pick pockets,
thugs, and all-round toughs Avho constitute the patrons and hangers-on
of such i)laces. These gentry, as might be expected, soon took sides with
("offevville in the town fight then just beginning between that village and
I'arker. Almost daily threats we're made by these fellows that they were
about to raid the latter i>lace and wijre it out of existence, and the experi-
ment was actually made on several occasicuis.
Among the frecpienters of "Red Hot Street." as the locality in ('of-
fevville given over to saloons and dance halls was called, was a notorious
uang. known as the "Adams gang." These fellows had frequently giveii
it out that they were going down to J'arker to shoiit uji the town. One
morning word was br.mglit in that the "gang" was actually advancing up-
on the city, and {(reparation was made to give them a warm reception.
I'rettv sooii they were heard riding across the river bridge and in a few
moments they appeared in the south cTid «if Oak street, which was then
the main Imsiness street of the town. Here they were met by a committee
who notified them that they were not wanted in that town, at the same
time calling their attention to the gleaming gun barrels protruding from
every corner and doorway along the street: a convincing evidence of the
inhos]iitable intentions of the peo]de toward sui-h fellows as they. Tliis
eiHh'd the interview, and the "gang", esteeming discreticm the better part
of valor, (piietly withdrew to be seen in that town no more.
On another oc. asic n two young fellows ro<le into the town without
jirevions announcement, "to have some fun with the town." They were
more ilaiing than, the "Adams gang" an<l actually <-ommenced hostilities
by shooting the windows out of «nie of the hotels. The shooting attracted
liie atieiifion of the marshall. who soon aiqieared <m the scene with a
jKisse and summoned the invaders to suricnder. and u])on their refusal to
do so the marshall shot one of them through the neck, while one of his
assistants beat the other into insensibility with a club. When the man
with the bullet in his neck was picked up he was found to have sustained
a broken neck. ]U-odu<ing complete jiaralysis of tlie body and lind.s. from
which he died two days later. Has companion soon regained conscious-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 127
uoss and was ](ciiiiiltf(l lo lea\'e town, while tlie wouinlcd man was put
to bcii in till' Iiotel u]!in wliicli lie had just (h' a wanton assault, and
tendoi-ly cared for until deatii.
Out of tlie killinj- just desci-ihed j;i-ew tiie only fatal eollisiou be-
i\\<'('n resident citizeus of the town. This tragedy — tlie killing of George
('on!\ by Alex. Kearns — which was enacted on the following day, cre-
ated a more intense feeling of excitement than any other event which
ever occured in the village of Parker. These two men were rival saloon
keepers, between whom an unfriendly feeling had existed for some time,
!;:id .tfter the fra/.is above desc! '» d Conrv accused Kearns of kicking
the c'nbbed man as he lay uucon.scious where he fell from his horse.
Kearns resented the accusation and on the following morning went to
Conry's' place of business and demanded an apology, which Conry re-
fused to make, but, instead, reitteiati'(5 the charge previously made.
This so enraged Kearns that he opened lire upon Conry with a small
caliln r revolver, inflicting several l)ody wounds. Friends interferred
and Kearns then returned to his own place, while Conry went to his
boai'ding house a few rods away, where I was summoned to dress his
wounds.
As I passed down the street toward Lee's boarding house, where
Conry lived, Kearns cauie out of an alley just ahead of me and also
turneu in the direction of the boarding house. A moment later, Conry,
stripped to the waist, rushed into the street pistol in hand, and a duel
with hu'ge caliber weapons began. Several shots were fired, one of which,
from Kearns' pistol, jtas.sed through the thin w'alls of the building,
wounding Henry Lee in the arm. Finally, Kearns, resting his pistol on
his left arm, took deliberate aim and fired. Simultaneously with the re-
port ot his pistol Conry leaped higli in the air and fell dead in the street;
the ball having entered his right eye so centrally as to make only a
sight nick in both the upjier and lower lids. Kearns was immediately
])laced under arrest and then began the intense popular excitement be-
fore referred to. Kearns. who was blamed for following Conry up, after
iiaving the best of the first encounter, was a tierce-tem{)ered, over-bearing
fellow, while Conry, aside from his business, was considered a quiet and
respectable citizen; hence public indignation ran high against Kearns.
The friends of Conry were bent on avenging his death by mob violence,
but the better element determined, if possible, to prevent this additional
blot on the fair name of the city, so they formed themselves into a volun-
tary committee to protect the prisoner and (piiet the excitement. After
two days and nights of unremitting i^tfort, dispersing groups of excited
people here and tliere and doing guard duty at tlie hotef where the prison-
er was held, the committee succeeded in bringing about a better state of
feeling. Men returned to their various occupations and the law was per-
mitted to take its course. In this case, however, its course was not in ac-
<-«>rdan.(
' with
Tlie kli^
Kwii farts ami
express
;i i-e<ii'(
M lliat
the iiiol. iKid t
M0NT(;OMi;i!Y COf.NTV. KANSAS.
l\c heaid siiiiie very ^ood men
'I'll peniiilteil To work i(s will
Coffeyville
In the sprinj; of ISTl. when the Leaven woil h. I.awreme iV: (iaiveston
railro;i(1 mow fhe t^anta Fel was nearinji completion to the south line of
the state, certain ofticers and emjiloyes of the com])any selected a tract of
land lying immediately nortli of and adjoining the site of the "Old Town''
of Coffeyville. but located within the Osage Diminished Reserve, for town-
site purposes. This tract of land, being a part of .section SO. township
34. range 1(5 east of the sixth i)rinci]>al meridian, was surveyed and
platted by Octavius Chanute, chief engineer of the above-named railway,
company" as "Railroad Addition to the City of Cotteyville," and it was
entereii for the "benefit of the occujiants" by W. H. Watkins, probate
judge, on the 22d of June ISTl. On thi- I'dth day of October of the same
year. Mr. Chanute filed his ]ilat in llie ofiice of the register of deeds for
Montgomery county, and thus was hmnched on the uncertain sea of com-
mercial endeavor, another asjiiiaiit for tin' honor of being rated the best
town in southern Kansas.
The following winter The frietids of the new town ])rocured (he enact-
ment, by the state legislature, of a sjiecial law aTithorizing the incor])0-
ration of the village of Cofl'eyville as a city of the third class. This law
was signed by The governor on Tlie 'IMh day of Februai-y 1S72, and a few
days later w;is jiresented to H. O. \\'ebb. judge of the district court for
Montgomery county, together with a petition ]iraying for the issuance
of the necessary order for carrying the law into effect. This order was
issued on the ."ith day of March ISTl'. fixing the limits of the new city so
as to include only the "Railroad Addition" before mentioned.
Judge Webb's order incoritorating the city of Coffeyville ffxed March
Iti. 1872. as the date for holding the first election for city ofMcers. and
desitinated election officers as follows: Judges. T. !*.. HIdridge, (t. W.
Currv and J. .M. Sciidder: Clerks, II. A. Kelley and A. W. Hoit ; Can-
vassing Roard. J. O. Vannniii. C. J. Talinian and I». P. Hale. These
election offhers being duly (|iialitied b.-fore illi Ucniiis. .1. R., on the 18th
of March, proceeded to p( ifoiin their duties in a<cofd;ince with the order
of the <(inrt. and iriade piochinration of the result of the election as
follows:
Mavor elect. A. I!. Clark; ( ■oiiii.iliiieti ele.t. W. II. Rowers, G. W.,
Ciiii-.\. I;. .1. Talliiiati. 1). I'.lair and i:. S. I'.hlridge: I'olice Judge, G. A
The mayor and coiiiici iiiicn elect Imving been <liily ipialified, held
Iheii- liisl meeting on the L'l'd of .Match. :itid coiiipleled the organization
bv 111" aiiiiointiiHMit of I. X. Kiiee|;ni<i. citv clerk and I'eter R. Flvnn,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COINIY, KANSAS. I 29
Tims it ciuiic about that tlip terriluiv phillcd as an ad.liiicn to the
villa<;o of <'.>t1("vville iK'caiiie tho iiicoriioratod city of Cotfeyvilic to the
oxcliision of Ilic town to which it was piesunicd to be only an addition.
This anoinahins ciicunistance was iircsnincd to bo justified by the
fact tliat the ( 'lioroticc Stri]i. on whiih tlio old town was located, was not
open for entry at Tlie time of the incoi-poi-ation, and, therefore, not under
the jurisdiction of the court for such purjioses. but. as will be seen later
on. tiiis view was not a<ceiited by the settlers on the oi-ijiinal town site.
Tiie Cherokee Strip of that day was not the Cherokee Striji opened to
settlement a few years aj;o. and now a part of Oklahoma territory, but a
narrow striji of land (about two and one-half miles wide at this ]toiut)
acquired by tieaty witli the Cherokee Indians when the final survey was
made to locate the :{Tth i)arallel of latitude which marks the southern
boundary of the state of Kansas.
On this strip, which was not ojiened for entry until about two years
after the ()saj;e Diminished Reserve lands cam(> into nuuket., was located
the orifijinal village of Coffeyville and the thriving town of Parker and
this is the lircnmstance i)reviously referred to which gave Coffeyville the
advantage and ultimately enabled her to win out in the fierce struggle
for sujiremacy waged l)etween the two towns in the early seventies.
Parker, with a better site, a larger jiopulation and a stronger financial
backiiig, had to yield to her younger rival because her town company
could not tell liow long investors would have to wait for titles to the lots
on which they were asked to make inijirovements.
Having secured incorjioration and etfected the organization of a mu-
nicipal government there was much rejoicing and mutual congratulation
among the j>eo]de of <"orteyville. but the new city's troubles were by no
means at an end.
In addition to the tight made by the lusty young city of Parker, there
was war Ix'tween the two Colfeyvilles. There was blood in the eye of the
people of the "old town" Itecause of the cou]* i)y which tlie new town had
secured sejiarate incorporation and robbed the old of its United States
postofhce, which had been moved across the line. Frequent stormy meet-
ings wei-e lield at which the situation was discussed and the i>eople of
the old town, having a sufficient club in that clause of the constitution
which provides, "that in all cases whei-e a general statute can be made
a]iplicable, no sjiecial law shall lie enacted," finally jirevailed so far as to
force their neighbors to surrender their charter and seek re-incorpora-
tion under the general statute.
A petition was circulated and signed by the people of the two
villages and jiresented to K. W. Perkins, then judge of the district court,
praying for tlie incorporation of the two villages into a city of the third
class in accordance with the general law governing such incorporations
in the state of Kansas. This petition was tiled on the 25th of March 1873,
130 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
and ill! oidei- issued designating the 7th day of Ai>i'ii as the date for hold-
ing the first eh^tion. ai)i)ointing eU^rlion and canvassing hoards and
defining the houndary limits of the city so as to include the platted terri-
tory (oni])rised in both villages.
The election being held as per order of the court one hundred and
sixty ballots were cast and the canvassing board declared the following
officers elected: Mayor. Dr. G. J. Tallnian; ('Mincihiien, J. M. Hedden,
W. A. Moore. T. J. Dean. A. J. Hanna. and W. M. Molterly; Police Judge,
John A. Heckard. The mayor and councilmen elect being duly qualified,
met on the Kith of April and coini)leted the organization of the new city
government by electing W. A. Moore, president of the council and ap-
pointing the following subordinate officers: City Clerk, Luther Perkins;
Marshall. E. M. Easley; Treasurer. W. T. Reeil; and Street Commission-
er, (jeorge Tuck.
Local troubles thus being liapjdly adjusted the warring factions
found time to unite their efforts against the rival town of Parker which,
for reasons already mentioned, soon abandoned the unequal contest, but
not until the attention of investors had been diverted to other points.
Libera.l inducements were offered to the leading merchants of Parker
and also to the banking firm of Parker. York & ('o.. to remove to Coffey-
ville. which were finally accepted. This desertion of her strongest busin-
ess firms broke the fighting sjiirit of the Parker ])eople and the town col-
lapsed as suddenly as it had grown into ])rominence. but the result was
almost as fatal to Cotlcyville. as that town was so completely checked
that it was several years iM-forc her jiopulation I'cached the number boast-
ed by her unfoitiinate rival at the end of the first year of her meteoric
existence.
In the early eighties the town again began to grow and on the 20th
day of July 1S8T. by proclamation of Governor John A. Martin, it was de-
clared to be a city of the second class, the i)receding spring enumeration
having shown a population exceeding two thousand persons. The census
of 11)00 shows a population of 4,0"):} and the assessor's returns for 1903
shows a ]io])ula1ion of T.07."i.
Financial and Commercial
From the earliest iiciiod of iis hisiory <'ollcyville has been the bus-
iness center foi- an cxicnsivc i.-nilory from v.liich her merchants and
tradesmen hav<> drawn a hnge and In'cralive business. Men who began
business here in Ihe early days with a small capital have grown rich, and
the number of business faihires have lieen remarkably few, and those few-
have been due to incajiacity rather than to lack of business opportunity.
In Ihe eailv days all immigrants had a little money, received from
Ihe sale of I heir belongings in the slates from which they came, and, being
made up mainlv from a class little accustomed to handling money, they
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 13 I
scpiiicil to think their iiurscs like the "widow's inise of oil," (•oiihi never
be wholly emiitied. Many of them lived so expensively that when the time
came for enterinj; the lands they were reduced to the necessity of borrow-
inj> money at exhorbitant rates of interest with which to pay the entry
fees and make necessary improvements.
The breaking up of an immense acreage of virgin soil loaded the air
with malaria and a great deal of sickness resulted. It thus happened
that extravagent living and sickness, condtined, brought some years of
hard limes. whi<h were bad for jiurely financial concerns. The two local
banks, those of T. K. Eldridge and Noah Ely & Son. failed, and a few
snmll merchants were forced to close their doors, but with these ex-
ceptions the mercantile and financial institutions of Cofl'eyville have
always been above suspicion of weakness.
Tlie neighboring farmers have either mastered their early difficulties
or sold out to later comers who wei'e in easier circumstances. Mortgages
have been jiaid ott and many farmers, after getting their places well im-
proved and well stocked, still have a good bank account.
Tins condition of the farming interests makes the merchants pros-
perous and puts it in the power of the banks to take care of every legiti-
mate demand for money at reasonable rates of interest. The merchants
on their part are loyal to the banking institutions, as was well exempli-
fied during the last financial crisis, when banks all over the country jvere
being forced to close their doors by a wild .scramble to withdraw deposits.
When it became evident that the gereral panic would spi-ead to this lo-
cality, the merchants joined in a published statement, declaring their
entire confidence in the stability of the local banks and pledging them-
selves to keep on deposit every dollar that could be spared from their
business, instead of using it to discount their bills, as had been their cus-
tom. This action immediately restored the confidence of outside deposit-
ors and doubtless averted financial disaster.
Railroads
The people of Cofteyville have always been keenly alive to the value
of transportation facilities and have given such encouragement to the
construction of railroads as could l)e extended without over-burdening
the tax payers. As previously stated the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Gal-
veston railroad (now the Santa Fe ) was built to this point in 1871.
Since that time the D. M. & A., the V. V. L & W. and the L M. & S., (Mis-
souri Pacific lines) and the M. K. & T., connecting with the main line of
that road at Parsons, and recently extended to Bartlesville, Indian Ter-
ritory, have been constructed, thus giving the city transportation lines
in seven ditterent directions and connecting her with three great railroad
systems.
132 HISTORY OK MONTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Natural Resources
The territory tributary to floffeyville is not surpassed by any part of
the state in fertility of soil and the variety of crops which may be profit-
ably grown. The Verdigris river furnishes an abundant supply of pure
and wholesome water and is fapal)le of supplying water power sufficient
to ojierate many factories.
The city and surrounding country is underlaid with immense depos-
its of shale suitable for the manufacture of brick and tile of superior
quality. Great ledges of limestone of good quality crop out in many lo-
calities and some of the neighboring hills furnish inexhaustible quantities
of a superior quality of building stone and flagging.
This city is in the very heart of the gas belt and was the first in
southern Kansas to discover and develop this valuable fuel. On the 20th
day of March 18!)0, the city council granted to J. McCreary a franchise
to furnish the city and tlie inhabitants thereof, natural gas for domestic
and manufacturing purposes, and appropriated a thousand dollars
toward the expense of making a development test. A drill was at once
set to work, almost in the center of the town, and at a depth of a little
more than eiglit hundred f«>et a strong flow of gas was found. Since that
time more than forty wells have been drilled with not more than half a
dozen failures, and the supply of gas appears to be inexhaustible, as the
oldest and most severely taxed wells are still yielding a good flow.
Since the preparation of this paper was begun oil has been found,
and while the first well can not be called a '-gusher," it produces oil in
paying quantities and it is believed that a profitable field has been dis-
covered on the very edge of the corporate limits.
Manufactures
The discovery of natural gas, the rlieai)est and cleanest of all fuels,
together with the city's unsur|)ass<'d transportation facilities, has in-
vited the attenticm of mannfart tires in various lines and the place is
surely and steadily dcvcloipjiig into a manufacturing center of import-
ance.
Already the output of milling stufl's is L'.tlOO barrels per day; the
largest straw board mill and egg-case filler factory west of tlie Mississ-
ippi i" located here; the city has a plow factory; foundries and machine
shojis; a window glass iilant ; ice plant; numerous small factories, and a
brick jdant whose product is known from the Rocky mountains to the
Gulf of Mexico. Ground has been l)rokeii for a second glass itlant to be-
gin operation during the year l!t(i:!, and two other brick and tile plants
are now almost i-eady to begin work.
A Grain Center
In the year 1SS4 a few entcriprising citizens, anticipating the inevit-
able time when the product of the grain fields of Kansas, Iowa and Ne-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 133
biaska would seek an outlet through the Gulf ports, organized a Board of
Trade and established a station for the inspection and weighing of grain
in transit, and through the local elevators. So successful was this effort
that in a very short time Coffeyville became the most important grain
station, except Kansas City, in the state. In 1897 the weighing and in-
spection of grain became, by legislative enactment, a department of the
state government, but the business so successfully inaugurated by private
enterprise has been continued and this station has now become a close
second to Kansas City. and. with the overcoming of the railroad discrim-
ination against the Gulf ports, is destined to eclipse that city. Already
the elevator capacity has been greatly increased and with the demand of
the milling interests already mentioned, this city has become a grain
market of no mean importance.
Municipal Advancement
Since obtaining a charter as a city of the second class, in 1887, the
growth of Coffeyville, in population and commercial importance, al-
though not phenominal. has been sure and steady, and civic pride has
kept pace with the city's material development.
In 1895 a municipal water works plant was constructed at a cost of
$49,000.00. This plant has now been improved and extended until it rep-
resents an expenditure of about ^8.5,000.00 and is easily worth, on a basis
of earning capacity, $150,000.00. In 1897 the necessary companion piece
to a water works plant — a system of sanitary sewers — was constructed at
a cost of |2i;,000.(t0. This system is soon to be extended so as to cover
more than double the territory included in the original sewer district.
Immediately following the installation of the city water works the
council created a voluntary fire department and equipped it with a lad-
der- truck and hand-hose reels, which were operated by volunteer firemen
without other compensation than the voluntary contributions of such cit-
izens as felt an interest in maintaining the department for the public
good. Two years later an ordinance was pas.sed authorizing the pay-
ment of a monthly sum from the general fund of the city for the support
of the department, and this appropriation was increased from time to
time until 1902, when the department was re-organized by providing for
three regularly paid firemen and a volunteer force of six men who are
paid a fixed sura for each fire attended by them. The department is now
equipped with a drilled team, hose-wagon and other up-to-date appliances
owned by the city, and is maintained at a cost of about two hundred dol-
lars per month.
In 1898 the local Commercial Club began to agitate the question of
street lighting and in 1901 an electric light plant was installed. This plant
was constructed at a cost of |20.000.00 and is owned and operated by the
city. About f5.(KtO.(l(l have been expended in extending the system for
134 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
coninieiTial lighting aud with an additional expenditure of approximately
^2.0(1(1.(10, the plant will lie fully selfsujiporting. so that the streets will
be well lighted without ciist to the general jiublic.
Schools and Churches
^\■hile fostering and encouraging those enterprises which make for
the material welfare of a community, the people of Coffeyville have not
been unmindful of the necessity of building up those institutions which
concern the moral and intellectual well-being of a people.
The city boasts eleven churches, and a school system of which the
community is justly proud. In addition to the usual graded schools our
.system includes a high school in which pupils are e(iuipi>ed for admission
TO the State University. There are five school buildings, four of which
arc substantial brick structures, in which twenty-four teachers — and a
suiiiMinleudcnt over all — are emidoyed. whose combined monthly pay is
fl.lIOO.OO. The school population is a little less than eighteen hundred, of
whom fifteen hundred are enrolled on the school registers of the present
year. It has ever been the jxilicy of our people to enlarge their school
facilities to keep pace with the increasing population and there is now
jiendiiig a i)ro])osition to vote an aitproiiriation of |:¥l.(t(lO.(l(l for the con-
struction of additional buildings.
Debt and Taxation
( ort'eyville's municipal debt now amounts to |14(i.444.4.~) and the rate
of taxation for the present year is .|(5.8S on the hundred dollars. On the
face of the record this seems to be a very large debt and a ruinous rate of
taxation, but when we reflect ui)on the manner of assessing taxes in Kan-
sas, aud remember that $lor),00(».(iO of this debt is for a water and light
plant, which pay a profit largely in excess of the interest charges, and
that another f.34,000.00 is for special improvements for which only the
affected ])roperty is assessed, the financial horoscope is not too terrifying,
as we are simj)ly in the position of the business man who borrows money
with which to engage in a jirofitable business.
Our real rate of taxation is only about $1.85 on the hundred dollars,
as is evident when it is known that our assessment this year (1903) is
made on a basis of only 27 ]ier cent, of the acttial value of the property
assesed.
Liberty
The
village of Liberty
was
oiiginallv loc;
Ited
on a high bluff over-
bx.king ;i
1 l)caiiliful strcti-ii
of tl
,e ^■erdigris v:!
illev
. two miles north and
one mile
west of the jilvsci
It sit(
■. In the earl;
,■ d;l
ys it was a prominent
factor in
the i.oliti<-s of iIk
1' coUl
ity. being a foi
niii(
lable rival of Indepen-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 1 35
dence for county seat houors aud. in fact, the actual seat of government
for a short period in 18(59-70.
When the county was organized by proclamation of Gov. James M.
Harvey, on the third' day of June 1809. Verdigris City, located about five
miles iiorth of the subsequent site of the town of Liberty, was designated
as the temporary seat of government; the permanent location of which
was to be submitted to a vote of the people at the following November
election.
Independence, ^'erdig^is City and Montgomery City were the rival
aspirants but the few settlers in Verdigris and ifontgomery cities, realiz-
ing that their respective sites were not favorably located for the purpose,
pooled their issues, founded the town of Liberty and immediately entered
that beautiful city as a contestant for the honor of being the capital city
of the county.
This narrowed the contest down to a fight between Independence,
located on the west, and Liberty on the east side of the Verdigris river.
Morgan City was also a candidate but was not considered formidable,
except in so far as she might divide the vote that would otherwise go to
Independence.
In this contest Independence was under the disadvantage of having
to cross the river to vote, being attached to the voting precinct at Verdi-
gris City where the friends of her principal rival were in control of the
election machinery. She. however, made a heroic but futile efl'ort to cap-
ture the election board, sending two wagon loads of her citizens on an
early morning drive for that purpose ; but the plot being discovered, they
arrived too late to obtain more than one place on the board, and that had
been left open for them "by courtesy.''
Because of informality in certifying the returns from the Verdigris
City precinct the vote of Drum Creek township, in which Independence
was located, was thrown out and Liberty, with the whole east side ticket,
declared elected.
This action of the canvassing board was contested by the friends of
Indei)endence before the Probate Court of Wilson county, as is clearly
set forth in the article on the "Bench and Bar"' in this volume. The
action of the court in declaring the election invalid, left the County Com-'
missioners first appointed in control of county affairs, and as they were
in sympathy with east side sentiment, they soon met and ordered the log
court house, with all the offices and records, removed from Verdigris City
to Liberty. This, however, did not settle the matter, as the west side con-
tingent claimed that the action of the board was illegal and that the
county seat was still at Verdigris City.
In sui>p(irt ')f this contention they sent an agent to Topeka, who pro-
cured the appointment of a new Board of Commissioners. On the receipt
of their commissions the mend>ers of the new board — W. W. Graham,
136 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Tliuiiias IJrock and S. 1!. Morehouse— repaired to Verdigris City where,.
silting in tlieir wujion. they orftaiiized. and appointed a new set of county
()tlirei>. ordered tliat the next term of the District Court be held at Inde-
pendence and that the various county offices he kept there temporarily.
The old board and their api)ointees, failing to get an order of court
requiring the return of the records and offices to Liberty, soon surren-
dered and matters moved on quietly until the fall election in 1870. when
the county seat question was again voted on by the people and Indepen-
dence chosen by a vote of 839, to 5C0 for Liberty. This terminated the
aspirations of the little city for civic and commercial greatness.
In 1871 the construction of the L. L. & G. Ry. across the east side of
the county caused the removal of the village to its present site where, sur-
rounded by a good agricultural region, its business men have continued
to enjoy a prosperous country trade, although the place seems to have
reached its maximum growth. However, the village is within the gas
belt and is now jjrospecting for oil with a fair probability of finding
enough of the black fluid to libricate the wheels of progi*ess without limit.
The population of Liberty is about 300.
To one of the founders of tliis village — the late Daniel McTaggart —
we are indebted for the demonstration of the fact that cotton can be suc-
cessfully grown in t^outhern Kansas. Some years ago quite a colony of
Negroes from Texas settled in the Verdigris valley between CoffeyvillC'
and Liberty. Soon after the arrival of these iK'oj.le <"aiit. McTaggart
conceived the idea of inducing them to try cotton growing, and, as an
inducement, he furnished the seed and installed a gin at his mill near the-
original townsite. Quite a considerable acreage was planted, and while-
the yield was not large the fiber was of good quality and the yield per
acre large enough to justify the continued production of this important
staple as a side crop.
Caney and Elk City
l;V J. K. CHAHI-ION.
Caney, the Queen C'ity of Montgomery county, is situated in the
southwest corner of the county, about one mile from the Indian Territory
■ line, and about the same distance from the east line of Chautauqua
counly. It is built upon a sandy knoll,, skirted on the north by the beau-
tiful stream. Cheyenne creek, with its l^eautifnl farms, on the west by the
broad and rich viiiley of the Caney river, and <m the south by the classic
and iimi>id str<-am known as "Mud creek." while ujKm the east lies the
broad, rolling and i.rodu<tive prairie lands. N(. prettier site can be found
in all the county for a city, overlooking, as it does, for miles, the sur-
rounding country.
Looking to the south and the southeast one beholds the beautiful
mounds, and undulating ].rairics. and liie fringes of timber along the
HISTOay OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTY, KANSAS. 137
sli-eaius. where are to 1)6 found the farms and the happy homes of the
■Cherokee and the Dehiware Indians, who have accepted the fruits of the
onward march of civilization, and, with their schools and churches, living
in their neat little residences upcm their well kept farms, are a happy
and contented i)eople. Looking oft" to the south-west, as far as the eye
can reach, are to Ik? seen the hills and rolling lands, where roam vast
herds of cattle of the Osage Indian Reservation. The Osage, unlike his
Cherokee and Delaware brethren, has persistently refused to become civil-
ized to any great extent. He disdains '"store clothes," and clings to the
blanket and breech clout of his fathers. Perhaps he can be said to be
civilized, only in one particular, and that is, that he gets drunk just like
a civilized white man.
Late in the fall of 1869, the first white settlers settled upon what ia
now the townsite of C'aney. Among them were Jasper N. West and fam-
ily, J. H. Smith and family. Herryman Smith, a single man. and -rncle
John" Hodges and family. Of those earliest settlers "Uncle John"
Hodges, alone, is with us. He has been a continuous resident of Caney
from that time to the present. Jasper X. West was Caney's first post-
master. During the winter of 1869 Dr. J. W. Bell and family came to
Caney and he was the first tradesman, conducting a small store in which
was kept for sale, (in a small box house made of native lumber, which
was i>roliably hauled here from some point east,) a little sugar, coffee,
meat. Hour, and, as we were informed by one who was there, a goodly
supply of clothes pins. This structure was erected near what is now the
crossing of State street and Fourth avenue, at the public well, from
which particular point nearly all the earlier transfers of title to real
propfity had their starting.
In the early part of the summer of 1870, O. M. Smith engaged in the
mercantile business. "O. M.." as he was familiarly called, was then a
single man. He had a small stock of general merchandise, and he cooked,
ate and slept in the store building. Jasper N. West built the first log
house and it was located on what is now Block 61. and was the first and
only place for the weary to take rest, and have their hunger satisfied and
thirst quenched. Old "Uncle Robert" Hammill, in the early spring of
1870, came in with his two sons, with four yoke of Texas cattle, and lo-
cated on the farm now owned by Thomas Steel, and about the same time
"Uncle John" Badgley located the place now owned by J. A. Fleener.
Jasper N. Smith commenced, and probably completed, in the early part
■of 1870, a frame building for a hotel, on the site now occupied by the Reed
residence, in Block 54, moving from his log house to the same.
Bill Coi>en was Caney's first blacksmith. Dr. A. M. Taylor, who came
in November 1870, was Caney's first physician, and the doctor is still
with us. James G. Woodruff came in during the early summer of 1870.
Jasper N. West. J. H. Smith. Berryman Smith and James G. Woodruff
138 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
took the four claims eornerinjr at a ]Kiint where the public well, spoken
(if alxivt', was located and c-onceivcd the idea of locating and platting a
lowii. Oil .May 11 til. INTO. ('a]ii. .1. V.. Stone dropped in among them, and
the foiif claiiii holdcis. aliove named, with Stone and O. M. Smith, caused
to he surveyed and jilatted what is a jiortion of the jiresent city of Caney.
'•Uncle John" Hodges took the claim and made some improvements there-
on, now owned by S. K. Jack. Levi (ilatfelder located and improved the
fai'ni. logether with other lands, upon which ]Mrs. (Tladfelder now resides,
two miles east of t'aney. After the survey and platting of Coi^ey quite a
niind)(M of houses were erected and a mail route was established from
what was then the village of Parker to Caney and then to St. Paul on
ihc west side of Caney river. From that time on there was a steady
SI tea 111 of immigrants into Caney and the township. The latter was
rapidly settled up by a thrifty, liaiil-working. and industrious class of
peojile. and bnsines men of all classes began to locate in the village.
From that time on Caney became known as a first class trading point.
Being a bonier town, its laisiness men did a good business with the In-
dians and the whites residing in the Territ<iry'
In July ISS."), Cleveland J. Keynolds started the first paper in Caney,
the Caney Chronicle, which has been issued continuously since, and
entered ui)on its eighteenth year. It has been published " for the IrM
seven years by H. E. Brighton, is a bright, newsy paper, and has ever
st<i'id u]) loyally for Caney and her best interests.
Ill lS8(i a ])roposition was submitted to the citizens of Caney town-
ship to vote bonds in the sum of 122,000.00 to aid in the construction of
the 1». M. & A. R. R. The bonds were voted, the road was built, and thus
Caney was jilaced in closer touch with the outside world. The "freighter"'
who, with his mule teams, hauled goods from Independence and Coffey-
ville, went away back and engaged in some other business, while the ar-
ticles of merchandise and the jiroducts of the farm, from that time on,
were carried by his fleeter-footed conijietitor, the steam engine and its
train of cars. The building of a railroad into Caney really marked the
beginning of its business career
The town continued to grow until on the 5th day of July 1887, it was
incorporated as a city of the third class. Its first city election was held,
under its charter, on the ISth day of July 1887, in what is now the old
school building. The judges of the election were; l»r. A. M. Taylor, Folin
Todd and P. C. Dosh ; Clerks, J. J. Stone and J. P. Stradley.
The first officers of Caney, elected on the above date were : flavor,
P. S. Ilollingsworth; Councilmen, Wm. Rogers, Harry Wiltse, J. J.
lleiiii.liill, J. A. Summer and W. P.. McWilliams; Police Judge, F. H.
Hooker. F. H. Dye was appointed and served as the first city clerk.
In Ihe year 1801, Cleveland J. Reynolds, who was then the owner and
jiulilisher of the Caney Times, a weekly newsj)aper which he had founded
HISTORY OI- MONTGOMEUV COUNTY, KANSAS. 139
some time ln'foi-e, (■onceived antl put into execution a plan for connecting
all tilt' tAwns of Montj-oiiiery county jjy telephone. Being a man of in-
domitable will ami untiring energy, he at once organized The Caney Tele-
phone Company, and, within a few months thereafter, the "hello" girl
was at her i)ost of duty in every town in the county. The completion of
this telephone line marked a new era in the history of Caney, as well as
that of the entire county, as it was the first telephone line ever built in
the coutv.
In 1892, Col. S. M. Porter, of Caney, J. A. Bartles, of Bartlesville,
I. T., and others, organized and chartered the Kansas, Oklahoma Central
& Southwestern Railway Company for the purpose of building a line of
road from Caney, south, through Oklahoma and on southwest into Texas ;
and a franchise for the building of said road was granted by Congress on
December 21st, 1893. The construction of said road was begun in 1898
and in the spring of 1899 the old company sold out to the A T. & S. F.
Ry. Co.. and the road was completed from Caney to Owassa, I. T., a dis-
tance of about sixty miles, thus giving Caney two seperate and competing
lines of road. To Col. Porter is due, in a large measure, the credit for the
building of the Santa Fe, for he worked without faltering for about eight
years on the project before it finally succeeded, making one trip to
Europe, and countless trips to Washington, New York and Chicago.
But Caney, like other cities in Montgomery county, owes its greatest
prosperity and growth to the finding of natural gas in the earth beneath
it. In the year 1900 the Caney (ias Company, composed entirely of Caney
men, was organized and began iiros]iecting for gas and oil After putting
down .several dry holes, they succeeded, in the fall of lilOl, in striking a
very strong flow of gas about two miles northeast of town, and in a short
time thereafter they secured another well which has proved to be the
strongest well in the Kansas field, having a rock pressure of GOO pounds
and producing 16,000,000 cubic feet of gas every twenty-four hours. They
also have a very good oil well in the same field. There are now six diffei'-
ent gas and oil companies operating in the Caney field, and the prospects
are very flattering.
In 1902 the members of the Caney Gas Company organized the Caney
Brick Company and put in one of the largest and best vitrified brick
plants in the country, with a capacity of 100,000 brick per day. They are
turning out a first-class brick and have shipped as high as sixty cars of
brick in one month, besides supplying the home demand. They carry a
pay roll of sixty-five men.
The Cherryvale. Oklahoma & Texas Railway Company was chartered
on July 22ud. 1902, with Col. S. M. Porter, of Caney, as president, for the
purpose of constructing a line of railroad from Cherryvale, in Montgom-
ery county, through Caney. to ElPaso. Texas, a distance of 900 miles. We
are assured that this road will be built in the near future and will be of
j^O UISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
great benefit to Caney and Montgomery county, as it will give us another
system and competing line, probably the "Katy" or "Frisco."
■ Our high pressure and unfailing supply of gas is attracting the at-
tention of various manufacturing enterprises.
Caney is a good place to live. Those who are religiously inclined will
find four churches, all having good buildings, and resident pastors. They
are the Methodists. Presbyterians, Baptists and Christians.
Our public schools are first -lass. At present we have two school
buildings, and employ nine teachers, but the growing population will soon
renuire'^larger an<l belter luiiMiuiis and more teachers.
Caney has six phvsi.iaiis miively engaged in the practice, and many
of them riuik among the hesi iihysicians in the county. It also has a San-
itarium, run by Dr. T. A. Stevens, to which patients come for treatment
from the Territory and all the surrounding counties
We also have six lawyers who, by hard work, are able to look after
the interests of their clients and keep the community quiet a good part
of the time.
Capt. J. E. Stone, one of the first settlers, and who assisted in lay-
ing out the original town site, was elected sherifl:' of Montgomery county
in 1872, and served his county in that capacity faithfully and with credit
to himself, and is now Caney's efficient po.stmaster. having been appoint-
ed by President McKinley.
E. P.. Skinner, one of Caney's enterprising business men, is just serv-
ing the last year of two terms as county treasurer, and Dr. J. A. Rader,
one of our leading physicians, is serving his third term as coroner.
J. R, Charlton, one of our attorneys, was elected county attorney of
^fontgomery county in 1890 and served one term, refusing a re-nomi-
nation.
.1. II. Dana, who resided in Caney until the year 1900 was, in that
year, elected county attorney, and moved to Independence.
Others of our prominent citizens have been exposed to the dread dis-
ease called "ofiSce" but have never caught it.
Caney has grown from the little hamlet of a few years ago to become
one of the best towns in Southern Kansas, having a population of but a
little less than 2.000, and we confidently expect to see double that num-
ber of peo]de here in the next two years. It will make a good town, first:
V)ecause of its natural advantages in location; second, because it has cit-
izens who are public spirited, enterprising and pushing, who do not only
have money, but have faith in the future of the city, and therefore do not
hesitate to invest their money in public enterprises.
In concluding this brief sketch let me say that as a resident of Kan-
sas fdi' more than twenty-five years, I believe it to be the best state in the
rriion ; that Montgomery county is the coming banner county of the state,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 14 1
and thiit ('iuicy — well, language fails nie, and I can only add (hat "the
half has never been told.''
Elk City
Elk City, one of the prettiest little cities in Sontheastern Kansas, is
silnated at the mouth of Duck Creek, where it eniplies into Elk river, and
is about three miles from the west line, and six miles from the north line
of Louisburg township, the northwest township of Montgomery county.
The first settlement of Louisburg township was made during the
summer and fall of 1868, and during the following winter and spring sev-
eral towns were started near Elk river at the mouth of Duck Creek.
Tipton, about one and one-half miles east of Elk river, was probably
the fii'st town stai'ted in the township, and was located on the claim
owned by James E. Kelley. No living water having been found on this
town site, it was soon abandoned, and the buildings moved west about
three-quarters of a mile to a new town site called Louisbui'g, on the claim
of either Ben. I'itman or grandfather James V. Kelly, but sfter a number
of the little box houses had been located on the new town site, the same
difiSculty was encountered as at Tipton — no living water could be found —
and the third town was founded on Duck Creek, about one and one-half
miles from its mouth, called Bloomtield, better known as Fish Trap. It
was located in the fall of 18()9.
In the meantime two brothers, John and Samuel Kopple, who had
taken the claims at the movith of Duck Creek, on Elk River, organized a
town company and laid out the town of Elk City, and immediately ap-
plied for and obtained a charter for their company, and for more than a
year a bitter rivalry existed between the towns of Elk City and Bloom-
field. A saw mill had been in operation for several months at Bloomtield or
Fish Trap, owned by a man by the name of Seevers. Other enterprising
citizens settled in the town, which continued to flourish until the spring
of 1871.
In December of 1870, M> D. Wright, who is now one of the oldest and
most respected citizens of Elk City, was postmaster for a number of
years and has been connected with nearly all of the city's enterprises,
drove into the thriving city of Bloorefield, or Fish Trap, in his proverbial
prairie schooner, and, he informs the writer, that he found Jack Brock
putting the finishing touches on a two-story store building, built exclu-
sively of native lumber. Mr. Brock was laying the floor, first nailing thin
narrow strips on the joists, then laying the boards so that the cracks in
the floor came immediately over the center of the strips, so that when the
green Hackberry boards had shrunk to their normal condition, as Jack
expressed it, children and dogs would not fall through the cracks. An
assortment of braces and wedges were required to bring the warped and
crooked boards into a horizontal position. But the struggles of Fish Trap
142 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
for supveiiuuy wci-e miavailing. She was not to be a fbilil of destiny
and conti-ol the coninierce of Duck f'reek.
The natnral advantages possessed by Elk City, the buildinj;; of a saw
mill that could mutilate more lo^s into bad lumber than its rival at
Bloomfield. the advent of two blacksmith shops, several general stores,
and saloons. esi)eciany the saloons, together with several other enter-
prises, proved too nmch for Bloomfield. and they capitulated in the fall of
1871. and their citizens were given lots in Elk City, upon which they
moved their houses, including the Jack Brock store building, and the
contention between the two towns ended in their uniting and all the
people coming whei'e they could get plenty of water, which Elk ('ity had.
In the spring of 1871 Louisburg township wes sectionized. and the
supposed lines of many claims, it was found, did not conform to the gov-
ernment survey, and thus originated much litigation and many deadly
feuds. The rich and extensive farming lands embraced in the broad bot-
toms of Elk river. Duck creek and Salt creek, were eagerly sought for
and jealously guarded against all comers.
On April 1st. 1871. a village municipal government was organized for
the government of Elk City, with J. P. Morgan, who now resides at
Bartlesville, I. T.. as chairman and U. R. Dannettell. as clerk. The
names of the other trustees are not found upon the records
As evidence that there was nothing small about the early Fathers of
the City, we find Ordinance Xo. .'. relating to the duties and obligations
of the town treasurer, to read as follows, to-wit : "within ten days of
his ai)i>ointment to office the treasurer shall enter to bond to the State of
Kansas, for the use of the town, with two or more sureties to be approved
by the clerk, in the sum of Three Thousand r)ollars for the faithful jier-
formance of his duties, etc."
Xo <-opy of the bond or the name of the first treasurer fir ofhisbonds-
men ajjjiear on the records, but from the financial condition of the citi-
zens as judged from the recollection of the oldest inhabitants, it would
have required a majority of them to have qualified to that amount at tlrtt
time.
As an evidence that the deliberations of these ancient Solons were
not always harmonious, we note the discussion over the claim of Frank
;M\>rgan and Buck Brookins for destroying a dead mule, amount of bill
.|3.00. which was finally allowed and paid.
William Osborne holds the honor of being llie first justice of (he
peace, and Squire Burdick was his successor The Squire had a penchant
for horse trading, but like nearly all the other settlers of Elk City, al
that time, his i>roi»erty or his horses did not rejiresent much wealth, so he
ran but little risk of losing in a trade It is related of the Squire, that one
day he was holding court in a room fronting the, then, open prairie, when
a woman came into the room and inquired for Sipiire Burdick. The
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 1 43
Squire, who was seated near a window in the temple of justice, was point-
ed out to her. Slie at once, without regard to the fact that court was in
session, assailed the Squire, in a voice pitched upon a very high key, and
demanded the return of a horse, which she claimed belonged to her, and
which her minor son had traded to the Squire for a horse whose lease of
life expired a few hours after reaching her home The Squire listened
quietly until her tirade of abuse ended, and then invited her over to the
window, pointed out to where tlie nose and two legs of a dead horse pro-
truded above the prairie grass and said: "There is your horse, madam,
if you want him go and get him, and lake him home with you." The wo-
man, hastily vacated the room, with a puzzled expression of countenance,
as though she was trying to solve the problem as to which party did the
cheating in the trade.
Whig Southard was the first postmaster at Elk City. A. C. Clark was
his successor, M. P. Wright succeeded Clark and held the oflBce from 1872
until Cleveland's election in 1884, when he was succeeded in 1885, by
Win. Daugherty, who, in turn, was followed by J. P. Swatzell and Wm.
Wortman, the latter being the present incumbent.
Elk City, in common with all Kansas towns, was ambitious to become
metropolitan and her citizens began to importune the different railroad
companies, pointing in this direction, to extend their road to the town.
After much solicitation by some of the citizens they succeeded in
getting a proposition from General Xettleton and Col. Valiet, of Cin-
cinnati. Ohio, and the owners of the stub railroad from Cherryvale to In-
dependence by which they pledged themselves individually, together with
the earnings of the above railroad, to extend that road to Elk City making
a terminus there, in consideration of which they asked Louisburg town-
ship to subscribe to the capital stock of the company in the sum of twen-
ty-two thousand dollars. This was during the. year 1876. Here was the
o])portunity for Elk City to place herself in the front ranks of all the
towns in the country, and the promoters felt that they had accomplished
something that would benefit the citizens of Elk City and Louisburg
township, that would meet with the hearty co-operation of the citizens
generally, as it would have made Elk City the nearest railroad point for
all the country west of it for one hundred miles. Independence was awake
to the danger that threatened her commercial interests, and united in n
desperate effort to defeat the bonds at the election called to vote on the
proposition. Of course Independence was justified in any legitimate ef-
fort to hold the road at their town, but where so much was at stake it was
hardly to be expected that the advantage which money and influence gave
them over Elk City would not be jiushed to the limit; but if some of the
■citizens of Elk City, who had labored to bring about the proposition felt
a little hard toward the citizens of Lndependence. what was their sur-
prise and disgust to find some of their own prominent citizens arrayed
144 IlIsroRY OK IMONTUOJiIUKY COUNTY. KANSAS.
against tlic IkhkIs, and inanj;ui-ating a fight against them that ended in
their <h'feat b.v a niajoiity of two votes. What the township lost iu tax-
able iiro](erty and the advantage of a railroad terminating in the town-
ship will never be known. Elk (Mty e.xperienred in this defeat the hardest
blow it ever sustained. Several ])roniinent business men left the town,
man.y houses were hauled off into the eouutry for dwellings and barns,
and its population decreased one-fourth.
Three years thereafter, in 1879, after the A. T. & S. F. had acquired
the old L. L. & G. K. R. and its branches, that company sent Mayor (Sunn,
of Indei.endence. to Elk City, and in behalf of the A. T. & S. F. R. R.. pro-
posed that if Louisburg township would vote bonds in aid of that road
they would extend from Inde])en(lence west through Elk City. While this
proposition offered far less advantages than the first one, in that it simply
made a way station in the townshiji. giving it local advantages, whereas,
the terminus for three years would iiave given it the trade of three coun-
ties, to the west of it. but Uttle opposition was oft'ei-ed and the bonds car-
ried by a large majority. .Vll of which proves the wisdom of the old chest
nut. "that white man is mighty uncertain."
The advent of a railroad instilled new life into the town which grad
ually increased in wealth and importance though but little iu population
for several years. In the mean time the very rich and productive soil
around I'lk (Mty. which produced large and successive crops of wheat,
corn and other irojis. enabled the farmers in the township to surround
themsehes with all the comforts and luxuries tluit wealth can purchase.
Their (laughters were garbed in the latest styles and their sous roln^d in
tailor made suits and laundered shirts. They came to town in their ton-
buggies and carriages and ])urchased of the merchants all that heart
could desire, and thus dawned an era of i)n.s|M'rity for the City at the
mouth of Duck Creek.
During the winter ot 1!KU-2 a conijiany was organized in VAk City
and capitalized at |10.(t(l(l for the inirjiose of jinisiwcting for gas and oil.
After several failures the company was finally successful iu striking
several fine gas wells, and also good oil producing wells.
Several companies are now in I lie tidd and in the course of a few
months this will undoubtedly jirove to lie the ]ieer of other remarkable
gas fields of Montgomery ('ounty.
There is a bright future for Elk City and Louisburg Township. Tlii>
price of land of every description is advancing rajiidly. Buildings of |i(M'
manent character are taking the jjlace of old frame store rooms in tiie
town, which is growing rapidly. The City is heated and lighted with
natural gas. Nearly all the streets are lighted with the same nmterial.
It has a sj)len(lid telephone system, and all these conveniences make
it a good place to live. It lias tive good church buildings and strong
church organizations, while its schools are the best in the County.
HISTUKY Ol- .M()NT(;OMKRY COrXTV, KANSAS. 145
Elk City has no system of water works as yet, btit its close proxiiii-
Ity to abundance of water and the ease with which it can be introduced
"into the town, insures at no distant date, this additional luxury, to this
otherwise greatly favored little City.
The iTiiniense amount of wheat and corn, cattle and hogs being ship-
]ied from this place over its two railroads, the A. T. & t^. F. and the Mis-
souri Tacific. and the fine store rooms and increasing mercantile busi-
ness are evidences of the prosperity of the town and its surrounding
country.
It has at this time a population of about 800 people, but we predict
that no distant date will see not less than 2000 happy, contented and
prosperous citizens of Montgomery County making their home in Elk
<Mty and enjoying its natural and acquired advantages, and each doing
their part in making Montgomery County the best County., in the best
s^tate, in the grandest Republic on the face of the earth.
Chcfryvale
BY JOSIE n. CAKI..
Cherryvale is situated in the North-eastern part of the County, on
section 9. township 32, range 17.
It has had three distinct periods of growth, viz: early beginnings,
the coming of the railroads and the discovery of gas and oil.
Early Beginnings
The first white settler within the corporate limits, of whom I have
any account, was Mr. Ab Eaton who, with a married brother, emigrated
from Hickory Grove, 111., to this place. The brother having died, his
widow sold her claim to Thomas Whelan. This claim is now incorpor-
ated i'.s the Whelan addition. In 1869 Joseph Wise and Bill Paxson
camped on Drum Creek, and soon afterward bought Eaton's title to his
claim for .f2o0. In May 1871, Mr. Wise sold his rights to the L. L. & G.
R. R. Company for a good round price which I believe he never got. as
the Company soon changed, and the Supreme Court decided against the
R. R.'j; ownership of the Osage Ceded Lands. The story of the early set-
tlers' com est for titles to their homes has doubtles-5 been told in other
parts of this work, and will not be dwelt upon further here.
On the 3rd day of May, 1871, the first sod of the L. L. & G. R. R. was
broken on the T. Whelan claim. This point became the terminus of the
road for some time, and headquarters for supplies. The R. R. company
laid off a townsite. The location was a happy one; the neai-est towns
ten and twenty miles distant, a broad valley of wonderful fertility
stretchiiio miles to the north and south, a gentle sloping ridge, giving al-
most ]ierfect drainage aud the whole area of country, which would, in
Tfime. be tributary, rapidly filling up with settlers.
The following seems to be about the order in which the first business
1^6 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
films wei-i" established: The first house erected was the Union Hotel,
])r..iiriet<.r. Ceneral Ikur. The first store was kept by J. R. Baldwin and
('. A. Cldtfelter. followed bv Seth Taxson and N. B. Thorpe.
(). F. Carson located here in 1871. and for three years, kept the only
driiii store in the ])lace. Later he entered into a partnership with J. R.
Baldwin in the iniideniciii and hardware trade. — Two of the additions of
the .■ii\ i'.re known by their naiiu's.— O. C. Kincaid came in 1874, and has
been in the mercantile business here ever since. He and O. F. Carson
erected the first brick block at the corner of Main and Depot streets.
Charles Booth moved to town in 1871. and enjiajjed in the livery and
feed trade. In 1878. he formed a iiartnershij) with ('. A. Clotfelter and
for many years they kept the only livery barn in the town. E. B. Clark
came to" Montgomery conn.ty in 1800. His land adjoining the town site
is now known as Clark's addition. He kejit the first store of general mer-
chandise near one of the mounds, where the earliest settlers traded. R.
F. Richart came in 1878, and engaged in the drug business. He soon took
E. S. Madtonald into partnershij). In 1881.', Mr. MacDonald sold his in-
tcivsi to .1. ('. Hockett. John M. Courtney come to Southern Kansas in
IStiC. lie moved to Cherryvale so(tn after the town site was laid ott'.
The fii-st lawyers were Hastings and Hinkle. Among the physicians of
this ]>eriod may be mentioned J>rs. Hyde. Lykins, ("ami)bell, Adams and
Bradbury. I>r. O. H. P. Fall located' here in November 1877. The first
celebration was held July 4. 1872. near Main and Depot streets; canvas
and arbors ])rovided shade. Dr. Hyde was one of the speakers. The
growth of the town for several years was slow. The i)opulation in 187U.
was only ^.'O.
The Coming of the Railroads
In 1870 the second period of prosperity began. The Frisco R. R.
was l)uilt. crossing the Santa Fe at this point. The Memphis R. R. Com-
jiany extended its road from Parsons here. The Santa Fe was extended
westward, and its branch south to Cott'eyville operated. This railroad
activity gave a great impetus to business and building. The town gi'ew
rapidly until 1888. when a reaction having set in from the general depres-
sion of business and the bursting of real estate booms over the west, the
population fell from 4(t(!(l to I'.'dO. Hfowever, some of our solid business
men who are here yet, and have ever been alert to the best interests of the
town; came during this period. C. A. ^Mitchell and C. C. Thompson
came in 1880; Kevilo Newton and J. H. Butler in 1882; A. G. McCormick.
Fred Lealherock and the Dicus Brothers. The ^^■. W. Brown brick block
was built in 18S7. The physicians were. Drs. Taylor, ^^■arren, Hopkins.
Hutchison, Kesler, Sloan, Card and Cormack. A. L. ^^'ilson. a native
son of the state, came in 1881. l]v was admitted to the l)ar Septemlier
HISTORY OF MONTCJOMEEY COrNTY. KANSAS. 147
Im'cii :it Kansas City. .\ siijiar faitorv and creamei'v were liuilt (hiring
lliis iuMJod and operaled snccessfnlly for a time.
Discovery of Gas and Oil
In 1889 bonds to the ainonnt of $50(t() were voted to be used in pros-
pecting for coal. At tlie depth of OOO feet, gas was found instead of coal.
This is said to have been the first gasser of importance struck in Kansas.
Further developments only increased the richness of the tind. Later, oil
■was discovered, and the capitalist and manufacturer have been on the
ground ever since and thus the corner stone of "Greater Cherryvale" was
laid.
The Edgar Zinc Company
In 1898, S. C. Edgar built his famous zinc smelters, at an original
<ost of 1350.000. Of all the enterprises which have contributed to the
town's prosperity, none had approached this. ''Smelter Town" with its
up to date cottages, broad streets and lawns, is a village .in itself.
Brick Plants and Factories
For many years the mounds in the vicinity, while adding to the
picturesqueness of the scenery, were not supposed to enhance the value of
the farms around them, unless as windbreaks against the occasional
cyclone that skipped across their path; but about the time that oil and
-gas were discovered, the knowledge came that the best brick in the world
could be made from the shale of these mounds. In 1897, F. G. Lotterer
erected a Krick Plant on Corbin's mound. It is now owned by the Cof-
feyville Yirtified Brick and Tile Company. Corbin City, a suburb of
Cherryvale, is built on Corbin's mound and is a result of this company's
success. Six brick companies are operating in this field. Other factories
are : The Iron Works, consisting of Foundry, Machine and I'attern mak-
ing de])artmeuts, representing an investment of foO.OOO. The Glass Com-
pany. Engine Co., Barrel Factory, Bicycle and Machine Shops, Plaining
:Milis. Tannehill Manufacturing Co., Marble Works and two Elevators.
The first mill was built by Mr. Dodd in 1873. Mr. A. Busch afterward
become its owner. It iinaily came into the hands of C. A. Black who im-
proved it. In 1902 the Saner-Stephens Milling Company ijurchased it
of :Mr Black. They have rebuilt the mill and have put in the latest mod-
ern milling machinery with a capacity of 100 barrels per day. In 1881,
the Dobson's came from Minonk. 111., and built a large stone mill on
^lain street. It was burned in 1900 and never rebuilt.
Banks
There are two banks. The Peoples' Bank is an outgrowth of the old
Exchange Bank founded by C. T. Ewiug in 1880. Its present officers are,
C. O. Wright, President, B. F. Jloore. Vice-President, and C A. Mitchell,
Casliier. The ,^Ionts;omerv County National Bank was founded in 1882.
I4S HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
The i-rcsent officers are. <'. (\ Kiiuaid, President. John Courtney, Vice-
I'resi(ient. Revilo Newton. Casliier.
Schools
Tlie lirst school house was built in 1872. The lirst school was taught
by Miss Marv Greenfield, the summer of 1873. In the fall of 1882 a two-
story brick structm-e was erected. G. B. Leslie was the principal, assist-
ed bv four teachers. Now there are two large brick school houses. The
East-side buiUli'^s? has 9 rooms and the West-side 0 rooms. In 1902
117.000 bonds were voted to build two ward school houses. These are
under construe! ion and will be ready for occupancy in September, 190-3.
Number of pupils enrolled, 1902, about 1,000. The course of study runs
through eleven grades. Graduates from the High School are entitled to
enter the State I'niversity and high institutions of learning in the state
without examination. The following superintendents have had charge of
the schools since Mr. Leslie's time: Mosier. Crane, Dana, Harris, Taylor,
Kichnrdson, Myers, Herod, Moore and Lovett. The first High School
graduates of the class of '83 were Minnie Newton, Janie Fall, Mertie
Shannon and Rose Blair,
Churches
The Methodist Ejjiscooal Church was organized in 1871. The first
services wei'e held in the school house. Rev. Mott'at was the first pastor.
In 1880 a brick church was commenced under the pastorate of Wm.
Sliambaugh and com])leted under that of James Muray. It was improved
and enlarged during Robert MacLean's time. A commodious parsonage
adjoins the church." Membership in 1903. 000. Pastors have been Rever-
ends Mottat. Lampman, Sliambaugh, Murray, Durboraw, Pattee, Hark-
nes, (,'reager. Rice. MacLean, Bailey, Roberts, Ross.
The Presbyterian Church was oi"ganized December 11. 1881. Meet-
ings were first held in the opera house, until 1883, when a church was
built. This has been improved from time to time. In 1901 a commodious
man.se was built on the church lots. The first pastor was Rev. W. B.
Truax Subsequent pastors have been Revs. S. W. Griffin, Phileo and
A. E. Vanorden. Original membership, 26; present membership, 250.
7he Baptist Society was established by Rev. J. R. Baldwin May 18.
1883; original membership, 8. The first services were held in the school
liouse and ojiera house. A frame church was built in 1884. This was de-
stroyed liy lightning in 1900. It was replaced by a splendid brick
stnicttire in 19(11. The ]iresent jiastor is Rev. Eaton. Other pastors have
been. I{c\s. .1. 1!. Ilaldwin, i-^sscx. Tonlter, and King. Present member-
ship. ."OO.
The Christian Church was organized in the spring of 1884. First
pastor, Benjamin Smith. A church was built in 1880, burned December
14, 1888— rebuilt 1892. Subsecjuent pastors have been J M. Ferrel, T. W.
HISTORY OF MONTciOMERY COrNTY. KANSAS. 149
Cottinghaiu. William Flowor. C. C. Atwood. E. F. Taylor, D. D. Boyle,
J. K. Charlton. ('. (". Deweese. (ieorge Willis. Pre.sent pastor, C. Shive.
Present nienibersliij), 200.
The Catholic Society was organized in 1875. Mass was said at the
house of John Coyle until 1877, when the first church was erected by Rev.
Ponziglioni. In 1000 the ground was broken for a new edifice which was
finished in 1901 at a cost of .fl 2,000. The building is 42 feet wide by 100
feet long and 24 feet high. The tower is 110 feet high, surmounted by a
large golden cross. The church is called St. Francis Xaviers Church.
The first pastor was Father Scholls of Independence. The present pastor
is Kev John Sullivan.
Telephone
In 1900 a telephone was put in operation, connecting many of the
business and dwelling houses and affording telephonic communication
with all the surrounding cities.
Water-Works
The city was first supplied with water from Lake Tanko. a large arti-
ficial lake south of the city, by the Cherryvale Water and Manufacturing
Co. The bonds were sold to New York capitalists in 1885. A new com-
pany was organized, called the Cherryvale Water Co., Mr. MacMurray of
New York City, President, John Courtney, Superintendent. Since June
15, 1903, the city has had control of the system and important improve-
ments are contemplated.
Park and Auditc rium
Logan Park was originally the gift of Geo. R. Peck, soon after the
town site was laid oft^^. T.he gratitude of the citizens for this beneficient
gift increases with the years, and they have taken great pride in beauti-
fying it. It is well supplied with seats, lighted by its own gas and well
shaded with old trees carefully trained. In 1902 the city erected an aud-
itorium in the park. It has a seating capacity of 1,200. The district
Grand Army encampment is held annually in August, in this Park.
Lodges and Associations
Cherryvale Lodge No. 137 A. F. & A. M. was instituted Oct. 16, 1873,
with thirteen charter members. O. F. Carson. W. M.; M. L. Crowl, S. W.;
William Hummel, Junior Warden.
Cherryvale Lodge No. 142 I. O. O. F. was organized Oct. 10, 1877,
with five charter members. This Lodge owns an elegant hall on Neosho
street.
The A. O. I'. W. was instituted in February 1882.
The Lodge directory of the city includes sixteen lodges. Hackleman
Post is strongly organized in a fine hall and the W. R. C. owns a beauti-
ful building in Logan Park. For several years a Library Association
maintained a reading room and acquired a fair library, but it is now dis-
150 HISTORY 01- MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
organized. .\t pri'si'ut tlieie is a imblic reading I'ooiii in connection with
the Hajitist ("hinrh. where the best periodicals are found upon the tables.
The i:astoin Star ladies have organized themselves into a Reading Olub
which lias proved to be of interest and benefit. There is an organization
of the ("hautau(jua Literary and Scientfic Circle. The first officers were
Mrs. Dr. Seacat. Etta Hughbanks. Josie Carl and Martha Withani.
Fairview Cemetery
I*. ('. P.owcn first set off 10 aires of his farm northeast of town for a
cemetery. Five years later fifteen of the citizens formed a Cemetery As-
sociation and bought this land with the expectation that the city would
in time take it off its hands. Nothing was done in the way of improve-
ment until about six years ago, when Mrs. Ada Newton rallied ten or
twelve of the ladies around Tier in a Ladies' Cemetery Association for the
sole purpose of improving and beautifying the cemetery. The result has
been marvelous. Over $1,000 in funds raised. 300 elm trees planted,
streets graded 10 feet wide, alleys i feet wide, culverts built, tiling laid,
the land thoroughly drained, a sexton's house and cistern built, and a
sexton hired by the year to care for the grounds. Fairview Cemetery
will alwavs be a monument to Mrs. Newton's broad spirit and executive
-ability.
Fires
In 1873 the main business i)art of town was destroyed by fire. In
187!J the stone business house of Jasper (Jordon was burned and
three young men sleeping in a rear room lost their lives. In 1885 all the
buildings on the north side of Neosho and Depot streets were destroyed
by fire including Clotfelter & Booth's livery barn, with 32 horses and
G. B. Shaw's lumber yard. About 1801 the Frisco depot was struck by
lightning and burned. About 1001 the Opera House Block was wiped out
by fire.
Hotels
The earliest hotels were the Union liouse. Commercial, Buckeye,
Leland, etc. The Axtell was originally built by J. A. Hnndley and called
by his name. For a good maany years it was a losing investment to every
one i-oinicded with it but the city has finally caught up with it.
Municipal Government
In .Mnnli, fsso. pursuant to a petition signed by the citizens and \nv-
scmIimI Io Ilic coini l>y \]. j). Hastings, Cherryvale was duly incorporated
as a lily nf tiic thiiil ri.iss. On the first Tuesday of April, city officers
were I h'lteil. ('. ('. Kincaiil was the first mayor. Jan. 21, 1885, by proc-
lamation of Clov. John A. .Martin, it became a city of the second class.
The following men have served as mayors: C. C. Kincaid, A. Phalp, O. F.
Carson. J. W. Willis. M. 15. Soule,.A. S. Dulev, C. A. Mitchell, John Cald-
veil, y\v. Slmntoii. I
?ev
ii<; his second term
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 151
Newton, and E. S. MacDonald who is now serv-
Postmasters
N B. Thorjie was the first postmaster. The oflSce has since been held
bv the following citizens: Wm. Parks, Major Lyons, C. E. Moore, T. An-
derson, Leo Veeder and T. H. Ernest.
CHAl'TER VII.
The Medical Profession
r.Y T. F. AxnuEss. m. d.
To write even a sketch of a history of the times and places one has
been a part of is difficult; to be preserved from the everlasting egotism
that exalts the "1" in everything, and at the same time to preserve the
verity of history is still more difficult; but hardest of all is, to "naught
extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." To this task we devote these
pages, and if we shall throw the recollection backward, and help in any
slight degree, even to present a jticture of the early days of the county —
"all of which I saw and a part of which I was" — then our purpose will be
served and, as the lamented AYard would say, "We have accomplished
all we expected, and more too."
Early in March 1870. the writer first saw tlie mounds, the valleys,
the forests (for there were forests then) and the ever- varying and. to us,
the always beautiful scenery of this Montgomery County. When one
looked arouud, the first thing that enlisted the attention of the "tender-
foot" was the Indians. They were certainly a pictui'esque feature and
moi-e interesting at some distance than in closer contact. The Osages. at
that time, owned and occui)ied the laud. They numbered about three
thousand and theie were, perhaps, about five thousand emigrants in the
county, all fired with the ambition and desire to possess the soil, and, as
it were, devour the country in search of claims.
The Indians looked on with evident hostility, at this sudden and
overpowering coming of the "Pale Face." But the Osages were no more
a brave and war-like people, which fact as.sured the safety of our scalps.
If the Comanche, the Sioux or the Blackfeet tribes had occupied the place
of the Osage this history would very probably, read differently.
The Arapi)ahoes had conquered the Osages and, it seems, extinguished,
at the same time, their courage and martial spirit.
The white i)eople were scattered everywhere and, even at that early
date, towns and cities were being staked out and started in the race for
population and wealth. Independence had some shanties covered with
hay; Liberty — at that time the county seat, it having been moved over
from Verdigris City — gave promise of becoming the metropolis; Parker,
^52 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
down near the nation line, on the east bank of the Verdiyris river, had
.some i)reteutious hiiildinfis: Elk Citv and Louisburg were rivals, side by
side, with two or three liouses each. .\t all these plaees there were mem-
iK'rs of the medical profession, jfenerallv trying to combine the business
of the physician with that of the sfjnatter on land.
The doctors exercised and held a large influence in their several
communities and used it. in the main, for the public good, and to build
up society. As in all frontier settlements we find the most enterprising
and wide-awake coming in the lead, and so it was here; the more digni-
fied followed after. At that early date some very bright followers of
Esculapius were here— and some not so young— but, taken altogether, a
good and talented i-epresentation of the medical profession. One would
frequently find the graduate of Jefferson, Ann Arbor, or Rush in a board
-shanty frying "slap jacks" or '-lady hog's bosom," while a few vol-
umes of standard works rested on a shelf near by and a few bottles of old
-standby drugs that shai-ed the shelf gave out an intimation of the trade
of the settler.
The well-worn saddle bags and the ever-jiresent lariat completed the
picture. In some of these rude and temporary surroundings one would
often find the studious and comi)etent man of medicine filling his mis-
sion of alleviating suffering and healing the sick. Owing to the mode of
life, shelter, food and water, there w«s a vast amount of malarial trouble,
and the varied tyi)es of intermittent, remittent and bilious fevers made •
themselves familiar in almost every htmie. Everybody knew the doctor
then and welcomed liis visits. Imt some, unfortunately, had short mem-
ories and forgot flic doctoi- before the bill was paid.
Looking hack, the wonder is not that so many were sick but that so
many recovered. Drinking slough water, eating pork and corn bread
fiaviired with sorghum, and living in tents, wagons and shanties were
not tirst (lass sanitary condilions. Everybody grew familiar with qui-
nine, raloniei. Dover's ])ow(leis and the dozens of nostrums that promised
to cuK' the ■■ager" or as the allli.ted Itutchiuan said "Der damned cold
fe\('r."'
onuMv county, with his primitive out-
tninienis would not compare favorably
ire" and thoroughbreds, with fashion-
nstrunients and appliances of the city
•.M. D.'s" are the same old fellows of
if the early time and become leaders
>(ed to their chosen work, or less mer-
lave atruniiilated the wealth that their
i\ of the pioneers have acquired wealth
The doci
or of ISTll.
in Mon
fit of horse, d
rngs, apj.ar
■el and i
with his suei
•essor, with
-nihliei
able dress an
(1 with the
nioilern
«-.M. I»." .Ma
nv of these
ni(i(lel'li
],S7(I, grown
(Mil of the .
iln-vsali.
in the profesi
sion of till'
■if (hoie.
Few mei
1 have been
nioi-e ill
cenai'v, and, i
lis a result.
vel-v fev
-arduous labo
rs deserved.
\-ei-v 1
,:uid mil man.
v, e\en, are
well liM
HlSTdUY OF .MONTl.Tl.MKKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 153
Alwiivs alive lo (>\ci\ iliiiiji to liclii llic profi-ssioii ami tlieieby become
a greater blessiii<i to a contidiiiji ]mblic tlie establishment of a medical
coUoge was encoinaiicd by tiie jih.vsicians of .Moiitgoiiiei-y comity in an
early day and it was actually orjiaiii/.ed and incoriiorated at Inde-
pendence in the year lS7:!-4. Two courses of lectures were provided for
in this school and ihe (acully of ilie institution were:
l>r. !!. F. :Masterinau. I'rofessor of Surgery.
I>r. W. A. .^IcCnllev. I'rofessor of Theorv and l'racti«-e.
l>r. .John Crass. Professor of Materia Medi.a.
I>r. Fugate, I'rofessm- of Physiology and etc.
]»r. ('aini)bell. Professor of <'heniistry and Toxicology.
Dr. Moon. Obstetrics and Cynecology.
Some of the faculty of this defunct institution have jiassed away,
some have left the county and the state and a few remain with us, active'
and in the front rank of the ••]ull(lispensers" of this county. Some of the
dead have left behind a jjrecious heritage in the memory of their devotion
to duty and self-sacriticing labor.
The Osages have l)een removed and the Indian Medicine Man is gone,
except in the fakir who claims to have learned his medicine from the
Indians. . My observation is that no people on earth know so little of
medicine as the Red Man. One old Negro plantation "Anuty" knows
more about healing and nursing the sick than all the Indians we have
ever come in contact with. The doctor of 1870 who could get an Indian
pony, partly broke, and a few ounces of quinine and other drugs — with a
pocket case of instruments — was as well equijiped for the practice of
medicine as any one he was likely to meet.
In those early times we had no capsules, no elixirs, no tablets, no'
concentrated drugs; and our resources were, indeed, primitive. And it
may be here recorded that the very necessity of relying on his own re-
sources had the effect, as it always will, of developing the native talent
and stimulating ingenuity, and nuiking an alert and wide awake practi-
tioner. He may have forgotten some of his Latin and Greek, yet at the
bedside, and in cases of emergency, he could discount the professor with
his technicalities and extensive library attainments. Out of the ranks
of such men has come very mu<-h of the progress that has marked the'
practice of medicine for the last forty years. And that there has been
very marked advance along the lines indicated, all agree.
.\t Independence, in 187(1. we met I>r. Masterman. who is still there
and is the only one of the physicians of that date left in the county seat.
He is still in the active practice, jiopular and respected. A kindlv. genial
man, companionable and sympathetic. He is the Health Officer^ of the
county and one of the Santa Fe local surgeons. He is a public-spirited
citizen, an old soldier and a local l)enefactor of his race.
Of later arrivals. 1 >rs. Chaney. Davis. Kvans. Surbe,-. Tanquarry,
154 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
Barker and Kelly, of Iudej)endence. fill the field there. Several of these
have an equipment that makes tlie county seat a medical center. At Lib-
erty, in 1870. we found I>r. Campbell, now of Cherry vale, a superannuated
rheumatic. He is an old soldier with some experience in hospital work
in the army. While not extensively trained in medicine or widely read
in books or scientific learning, yet he had and still has the faculty of cor-
rectly naming a physical trouble and of prescribing the dose that will
relieve. Our practice, in an early day. covered a district larger than half
a county and the doctor feels, severely, the effects of the long rides, fac-
ing the storm and swimming the swollen and unbridged streams of that
time. He was here from 1869 and gave his time, his health and his all
toward the alleviation of humanity on the frontier. He found plenty of
work, some gratitude and a little cash, an experience ]iaralleled only by
the first doctors of the county.
At Pai'ker, in the early days, was r)r. r>unwell. a well-equii)ped man,
•<iow dead. His partner for a time. Dr. T. C. Frazier. still survives and is
in the front rank of the profession at Coft'eyville. His sketch appears
in this volume.
CHAPTER VIII.
Agriculture
BY W. T. YOE.
^^'hen the pioneer settlers of Southern Kansas began edging their
way, as trespassers, in among the Osage Indians, ou what was then
known as the Osage Diminished Reserve, the White man found he had in-
deed reached a veritable paradise; especially was that true of what be-
came known, a few years later as Montgomery County. The valleys of
the Verdigris and Elk rivers, and of the score of creeks, were broad and
rich, and covered with a heavy growth of timber, including walnut, hick-
ory, ash. pecan, hackberry. sycamore, cottonwood and other varieties
of hard and soft wood. The second bottoms and the wide exi)anse
of broad prairies, and the hill and slopelands were covered with a lux-
uriant growth of grass — generally blue stem — frequently so rank that it
reached above the horse's back and gave one visions of becoming cattle
barons and pasturing his herds ujion the government lan<l wtihoui
cost.
The agriculture of the Osage Indians was of a most primitive charac-
ter as the ••nohle red men" regarded labor as degrading, but here and
there, in their village settlements the "squaws" would cultivate small
patches of corn of a v.irjtey of blue and white, eight-rowed corn-mostly-
cob, and wlicii this maturi'd it was rubbed between stones, into a coarse
meal.
HISTORY OF MON'TGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. I 55-
Tliose eai-ly jtioneers were greatly delighted with the luxuriant veg-
etation, the extent of timber belts, the numerous streams, and other evi-
dences of a ferttile soil. As soon as ]iossilile. logs were .-ut and jtrepared
and a eabin built, and then began the breaking-out of a iiiece of prairie
sod or a clearing in the timber where, the following autumn, a few acres
of wheat would be sown, or. in the spring, corn i)lanted and vegetables
grown. The results of these early experiments were successful in a re-
markable degree and demonstrated that no mistake had been made ia
their settlemnt in "Sunny Kansas." But there came many disappoint-
ments and destruction of crops by herds, and. during the first few sea-
sons, many fanulies were dependent on coarse ground corn-meal, turnips,
and wild game, which was abundant.
After the signing of the Indian Treaty in August 1870, for extin-
guishing the title of the Osages to these lands, there was an immense-
tide of immigrants via the '"prairie schooner"' route, all anxious to get
a home in this new country ; and "claim takers" were not slow in break-
ing out a few acres and making ready for growing crops in the following
season, and, in the aggregate, a few thousand acres of wheat were sown.
The following spring a few thousand acres in small patches were planted
to sod-corn and vegetables. The season was favorable, and all began to
feel that the days of plenty had come to their homes.
There were comparatively few good teams driven into the county
and it was fortunate, as there were severe losses of horses while becom-
ing acclimated and getting used to the short rations of grain. Then it
was. the settlers learned to appreciate the long-horned Texas cattle,
which wei-e being driven here to fatten on the grass, and, later , to be
driven to market. From these herds the pioneers bought their ox teams —
two, four and, sometimes, six oxen being hitched to a breaking plow
proved the motive power which turned over most of the virgin prairie
for future cultivation. The Texas and Indian ponies, also, became popu-
lar as they were numerous and cheap, and they became the staple teams
for plowing corn and for road teams.
The new-comers were gnerally young, energetic and enthusiastic
and embraced all classes and professions; and all came anticipating the
securing of a quarter section of land and the making of a home for them-
selves and families. But all was not sunshine, as there were privations^
to be endured and lessons to be learned in pioneer life.
All men were not born farmers, and many found by bitter experience
that Eastern methods were not successful, and that they had to adapt
themselves to ways new to them; hence, when the drought nnd grass-
hoppers came, in 1874. many found it convenient to go back east to their
wife's people rather than face the serious problems of a new country.
The following season. 1875. was one of great abundance and made
glad the hearts of those who had remained — in many cases, not front
156 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
choice It further demonstrated a [xunt disputed, up to that time, that
this was pre-eeinently an agricultural, as well as one of the finest of live
stock-growing counties. It was in that year The South Kansas Tribune
made a collection of grain and grasses for the Centennial Exposition
of 187G, and one can now only iinagine the pride of the people when a
telegram was received from Hon. Alfred Gray. Secretary of the State
Board of Agriciulture. announcing that the "Highest prize. .|50.00 cash,"
had been awarded to Montgomery county samples of grains and grasses,
as the finest grown in Kansas. It was indeed a fine exhibit of grains
and grasses including wheat, rye. oats, flax, corn, timothy, blue grass,
and blue stem.
From that lime on agriculture became more prominent and for sev-
eral years this county made exhibits at the Kansas State fairs and at
the Kansas City fairs, of the various grains, grass and fruit products,
and at every one. with a large measure of success and there are il- e-icist-
ence a dozen premium tags and ribbons and one silver medal awarded
on corn, wheat, flax, cotton and fruits exhibited from this county, at
these great fairs.
In those earlier years it became necessary to settle for all time the
<;onflicting interests between the "cowman" and the farmer whether the
lands were to l)e held for a free range for grazing of herds, or to become
the homes and farms of the poorer settlers. The wealth was on the side
of 1h(> Texas steer and every season vast herds of southern cattle were
driven into this county to graze and fatten on the prairie grass. The
cattle would bereak from the corrals at night and devastate the farmers'
growing crops and thus engender bitter strife. The campaign for the
herd law was intense, but although wealth and immense profits were ar-
rayed on the side of the free range, the farmers won out in the contest
for a herd law. and gradually the long-horned cattle disappeared and
gave place to higher grades of cattle that would be confined in fenced
pastures.
It took years of time and a great many experiments to demonstrate
for just what ( lojis the dift'ereut classes of soil were best adapted, and
what varieties of cereals were the most profitable. But as the years
passed and experience was gained and more economical methods substi-
tuted, yearly accumulations increased and Montgomery County farmers
have been enjoying a prosperity rarely equalled; and for seven years
past the cry of "hard times" has not been lieard. With diversified agri-
culture ami better methods and the growing of high-grade cattle, horses
and .hogs, together with products of the orchard, garden and poultry,
our farmers entered upon the twentieth century with abounding prosper-
ity.
Moiilguincry is one of llie smaller conntics with an area of 648
t«qn:iic miles or' tlt.TiId ;uii>s. One fourtli of this is fertile valley land
HISTORY OK MONT(;OMEEY COUNTY^ KANSA3. 157
and specially adapted for either of the (jreat staples, wheat or eorn : in
favorable seasons producing from 25 to 40 bushels of wheat per acre and
some .^ears even larger yields. During the five-year period ending with
1895 the wheat product was 2,993.500 bushels, and for the next five-year
period 3.764.398 bushels, and an average for the ten-year period of
675.798 bushels of wheat each year. And for the opening year of the new
century. 1901, the average yield was 26i4 bushels of wheat per acre, a
higher average per acre than was grown in any ftthor county in Kans;is,
and aggregated 1,642.280 bushels, which was a greater amount of wheat
than was grown in twelve other eastern counties in the state. That year
the wheat yield was 117 bushels per capita for the population of the
county outside of the larger towns. The cost of growing wheat per acre
in JTontgomery County, for plowing, discing, harrowing, seed, cutting,
thi'eshing, and rent of land is placed at $9.74 per acre.
Of the other great staple crop there were produced in the five-year
period 1891-1895, of corn 5,720.513 bushels, and for the next five-year
period 8.851.569 bushels showing the effect of better farming and a year-
ly average of nearly 1 and Vi; million bushels of corn. These statistics
are from the State Board of Agriculture and are proof positive that agri-
culture is a success in Montgomery County and that it is in the corn and
wheat belt.
The general crops, so far found adapted to this county, and most
profitable, are winter wheat, corn, oats, rye, Irish and sweet potatoes,
castor beans, cotton, flax, broom corn, millet, sorghum, for syrup and
al.so for forage. Kaffir corn, timothy, blue grass, orchard grass, clover,
alfalfa, and prairie grass for hay and pasture. These staple farm crops
average a value of one and three-fourths millions of dollars annually,
to which should be added for cattle, hogs, poultry, wool, butter, cheese
and horticultural products to make a total of farm products, the first
year of this century, of $2,838,295, or $225 per capita for every man,
woman and child living on the farms.
As the years pass, greater attention is given to small fruits, poultry
iind the imiiroved class of horses, cattle and hogs.
Elue grass, red clover and alfalfa, during the recent years, have
proven sure crops and very profitable — in fact observation and statistics
prove ^lontgoniery County to Ije one of. if not the best, agricultural and
stock-growing county in the State.
Montgomery County enjoys the most favorable climatic advantages
tind is free from the great extremes of heat and cold that affect more
•northern and southern localities, and has had an average rainfall of
thirty-six inches during the past twenty years, with a growing period
extending 180 days without frost. In addition to climatic advantages
the county is in the great Kansas natural gas and oil field. Natural gas
is used for light and fuel in all the towns of the county, for residences.
158 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Imsiiu'ss liuililiiiiis. (ifficcs ;iii(l ;ill kinds of factory industries, and prob-
ably a thousand farm liouses use natural gas for fuel and light and have
the benefit of fret> rural mail delivery — two luxuries enjoyed by no other
farming community in any other state — and which contribute very lai'ge-
ly to The ]ilcasiircs. iprosperity and home-making of the farmmj; c- m-
munii\.
CHAl'TEK IX.
Manufacturing
I'.y the discovery of natural gas in all parts of the county, the cheap
fuel problem was solved, and ^Montgomery County is destined to be'X'rae
one of, if not the greatest manufacturing county in the state.
Natural gas is the ideal fuel and light for the home and adapted for
all manufacturing jairposes, and the known supply is greater now than
at any former jieriod. It is in such abundance that it is furnished as low
as three cents jter 1.(1(1(1 cubic feet, which for heat or steam purposes is-
equivalent to a rate of sixty cents per ton for coal. The industrial enter-
prises consist chietly of the manufacture of the native shales into thft
finest dry press. fa<e. ornamental, vitrified paving and building brick of
the finest ((uality known to the trade and superior in quality, in color
and finish. There are eight of these brick plants now in operation and
the extent of the industrv may be judged from the fact that one com-
pany operating three of these plants employs .500 people, manufactures
80 million brick i)er annum and pays |188,000 in wages for labor.
Among the other industries are two paper mills employing 200 peo-
ple in the manufacture of wrapping paper, pul]i boards, and egg-ca.se
fillers from wheat straw. Six large flouring mills converting our high
grade winter wheat into the finest quality of flour. One of these milling
firms employs 75 people and has a capacity of 2,000 barrels of flour daily.
Grain elevators are in each of the larger towns, one of which has a ca-
pacity of storing 2(l(l.(MMi bushels an<l of handling (id <ar loads of grain
daily.
A zinc smelter emjiloying 12.5 peojile; three window glass factories
enijiloying 2.50 people; several foundries, ma<-hine shops, and planing
mills; a cracker and sweet goods factory employing 50 people — and the
only one in the State of Kansas; a cotton twine factory; several sorghum
syruj) works — one of whicli was built at a cost of |125,000 — two artificial
ice jdants and several other industrial enterprises, are all using natural
gas for fuel.
.\mong the oilier iiidnstiics |ii-ojected for the near future are two
plants for the manufactiiic of I'ortland cement, with a capacity of 4,000
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 159
barrels (hiily; a planter mill to manufacture 2,000 barrels daily from
gypsum and two additional window glass factories.
CHArTKK X.
History of the Bench and Bar
BY WILLIAM PUNKIN.
Section I.
General Observations
.V true history the bench and bar of Montgomery County cannot
fail to awaken a just pride among its members, and to be entertaining
to those who shall populate the county in years to come.
I'he existence of this bar covers a period slightly less than the av-
erage generation of the human race and, in less than twenty years from
its beginning, it furnished a United States District Attorney for Kan-
sas, whose record in that office, for six years, and in the high places he
subsequently filled in the profession, long ago made his name a familiar
household woi-d in Kansas, and well known over a large portion of the
Union.
It also, in that brief limit of time, supplied tlieState with an honored
■Governor, who served with distinction for two successive terms and
the public with two judges of the District Court, in men of distinguished
ability, whose wide reputations as profound lawyers, acquired in the
practice* became, while on the bench, extended far beyond the limits of
the State. Within the same time, one of its members became an efficient
First Assistant Secretary of the Interior, at Washington, during Presi-
dent Harrison's administration, and another represented the stat.^ in
the United States Senate for six yeai'S, ending in 1897.
Besides these, there have always been in its ranks, numbers of well
known attorneys, who have ever been recognized in the circles of the pro-
fession, as talented lawyers. It nuiy well be doubted, if a more promis-
ing bar existed within the confines of the State than that formed by the
young attorneys, who came in the flood of immigration that poured
into the county, during the years of its first settlement.
While many — aye most — of the old members have either yielded to
that inevitable law, which fixes the destiny of every man, or sought new
fields for the practice of their chosen profession, or the pursuit of other
more alluring callings — other young lawyers now in the prime of their
physical and mental vigor have taken the places of those no longer here.
These young gentlemen, among whom are some very brilliant and
well-cultivated minds, are maintaining an enviable reputation for the
bar, and making history that, it is to be hoped, will hereafter be written
bv one or more of them.
I60 HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
Aiiiiilo nMsi.ns cxisicd for tlie fonnation of a strong bar iu the early
sselt lenient and (ieveloimient of the connty. The conditions were inviting
and tlie [iros]ie(ts teniiitiTifr to tlie talented yonng lawyers. In its native
slate, the face of the country was charming and pietnresque. and the soil
of exceeding fertility; and an nnnsnally fine climate added its induce-
ments to other fascinating features.
The early ](o])ulation was. for the most jiart. composed of young
j)ersons seeking homes, with their life and hopes before them; and these
yonnii ]ieo]ile were generally eipiipped with good health and gifted with
constitutions that enabled them to endure the toils and privations of a
new country.
These lircnmstames were attractive to the brainy, and generally
briefless, young barristers who came seeking fame and fortune in the
pursuit of their calling. Most of them, like a great majority of the first
pioneers, were men of limited means; and some had left comfortable-
homes and turned from the proffered aid of influential kindred and
friends to brave the dangers of frontier life to win fortune and fame.
While early business became brisk in their line, the litigous ele-
ment could not always respond in the "Coin of the Realm" for needed
professional services; and necessity frequently compelled compensation
to be rendered in time notes that were rarely bankable, unless secured by
mortgages on substantial })roperty. i^ometimes owing to the impe-
cunious circumstances of the client, his attorney willingly yielded his
services for an agreed upon share or interest in the property in contro-
versy.
From these earnings, and from such fees as were paid in legal tender
"greerbanks,"the young lawyer was enabled to fortify his doors against
the far-famed wolf, and to live comfortably, if not luxuriously; and from
such resources some of the more thrifty built pleasant homes and stocked
their offices with good libraries.
In the ealy days, many, who afterward commanded a lucrative
practice, advertised themselves as "attorneys at law and real estate
agents" and some of these devoted more time to the agency features than
t<i their profession, and often with profitable results.
The sources of income to the first members 'of the bar wei-e numerous
and fruitful, and as the county grew in population and develoj»ed, com-
j)ensations for legal services were usually awarded in money or its equiv-
alent.
When tlie various fountains of rcnenue to the legal fraternity are
understood., it will readily be perceived why so many brilliant young law-
yers came here so early and stayed so late.
Thei-e were eight or ten thousand people in the county when the
treaty with the Osage Indians was concluded on Sei)tember 10, 1870.
and most of these were <laiming an interest in the lands in defiance of
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. l6l
the Iiidinn's ii<>ht to the exclusive oc(Mii)anfy thereof. Long before the
treaty was signed or an official survey of the county had been made, these
aggressive settlers had staked out, claimed and possessed themselves of
tracts of lands and lots on townsites that had been laid out and platted
without warrant of law. Each claimant asserted a prime right to the
tract of land by him selected and occupied and to the town lot he had
chosen, against all, except the United States Government, in whose favor
a concession of one dollar and twenty-flve cents per acre, was recognized.
The rapid settlement of the county by persons who had generally
been strangers to each other and the exciting scramble to acquire the
best land claims and choicest lots in projected towns, often provoked
bitter disputes and controversies. In the settlement of these, profes-
sional services wei-e rendered that yielded handsome fees to the young
lawyers.
The olHcial survey of the lands made a new alignment of the
boundaries of most of the claims that had been staked out. This often
had the effect of enhancing the value of one claim and depreciating that
of an adjoining one. Sometimes such survey placed the houses and im-
provements of two neighbors and friendly claimants on a single tract,
and out of these causes, arose sharp contentious that created a pressing
demand for legal work for their solution.
Incident to the enti\y of the townsites, much litigation ensued, some-
times between the claimants of the lots they respectively professed
to occupy and own, at other times between such lot owners and the trus-
tee who held the legal title. Expensive suits were also instituted to de-
termine who were the several occupants of a towusite and entitled to
deeds from the trustee. At Independence, the Independence Town Com-
pany was created and chartered under the laws of the State. It claimed
the mayor, who had entered the townsite, held the title in trust for the
town company. Under the law, as it has since been interpreted, a town-
site is entered from the United States, for the benefit of the actual occu-
pants of the lots (see Winfield Town Company vs. Enoch Morris et al.
11 Kansas 128 and Independence Town Company vs. James DeLong, 11
Kansas 152). As the matter then stood, all parties agreed the mayor or
corporate authorities had the legal right to make the entry in trust. The
controversy was over the question as to who were the ccstuis qioe trust —
or beneliciaries. It would be foreign to the purposes of this article to
discuss this question and it is only alluded to to show that such condi-
tions developed doubts that could only be settled by the skillful lawyer,
and that the compensation for the solution of them was one of the
sources of the lawyer's income.
Among the disputants in the disagreements arising in the settlement
of the county were some daring and reckless men, who occasionally chose
to attempt a disposition of their disputed affairs "outside of court,"
l62 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
and without the aid of counselors. Usually their efforts resulted in the
creation of more serious troubles in which the State of Kansas became
the party plaintiff, and the lawyer found himself blessed with two cases,
instead of one.
While a large element in the first population was cosmopolitan, the
people at once began to take steps to encourage the building of railroads,
bridges and other public improvements. These were soon secured at
ruinously extravagant prices, in exchange for municipal bonds, many
of which are yet a burden upon the people and wealth of the county. In
accomplishing these purposes much employment was afforded to the
members of the bar.
Adventurous merchants often failed for want of caution in making
purchases, buying too much on trust, and extending credit too far.
Farmers who had not reckoned upon the disastrous drought of 1874 and
the ruinous visitation of the festive red-legged grasshopper, and other
unlooked for woes, came to financial grief. These misfortunes opened
the way to the attorney to make collections by foreclosing mortgages,
and in other suits, including attachments, receivers, etc.
The location of the county on the border of the Indian Territory,
which then furnished a comparatively safe retreat for criminals, encour-
aged the comniission of crime. Many of the less discreet among these
lawless men, often ventui"ed from their asylums of safety, into the State
and were sometimes apprehended by the officers of the law; and others
of them were occasionally, by daring officers without warrant of law
forced into the State. The prosecution and defense of these men fur
nished many handsome fees to the first lawyers who came to the county.
Besides these unusual sources of income to the members of the bar,
that arose out of the rapid settlement and improvement of the county,
and the j)eculiar conditions that surrounded it, the ordinary opportuni-
ties for the lawyer, in all countries, were ever present here.
The District Courts
i'lidi- to ISI17. the (>s:igi" Indians were in the exclusive and rightful
possession of nil the tciiitoiy of the present Montgomery County, except
a tract known as Tlie Cherokee Strij). about two and one-half miles wide
on the south border of the county, and another strip about three miles
wide on the east side of the county, that was n i>art of the Osage Ceded
Lands. Tliis Indian li.ulit reiniiined intact until, by treaty concluded
near the month of Drum Ci-eek. on September 10, 1870, these occupying
Indiiins relinrinished :ill claims to the lands forever.
Ill 1Sf;7. a few advent iiror.s settlers located in the country and these
were reinforced by others during the next year. Tn the latter part of
1868 the immigration began to flow in constantly increasing streams,
U I STORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 1 63
which .(mtiiHiod till the first United States census for 1870 was taken,
whifli showed a iiopulation of 7,638, exclusive of Indians. This was ap-
]M(.xiinatclv (he iiojiulation of the county at the time its first District
('(Hiit convened i'.t Independence on May 9, 1870.
Before that date, improvised tribunals of justice had afforded relief
to the wronged, and indicted imnishment for the infraction of those
rules that were by common consent adopted as a guide. The.se courts,
if thev mav be dignified by that name, antedated the justices of the peace
of the thre'e original townships (Drum Creek, Verdigris and Westralia),
created in June. IStJO. by the first board of county commissioners ( TI. C
Crawford, H. A. Bethuren and R. L. Walker), and assumed to exercise
jurisdiction, in some matters, after the creation of the succeeding town-
ship courts.
Before the first District Court convened, the question of the location
of the county's pernmnent capital had been the subject of many heated
controversies. Governor James M. Harvey, on June 3. 1869, by procla-
mation, created the county and named Verdigris City as its temporary
county seat. In the fall of that year an election for county officers and
to locate the permanent county seat was held. A spirited rivalry sprang
up. On the west side of the Verdigris, where the county was more sparse-
ly settled. Independence, then less than six months old, was an active
candidate ; a projected city called Tipton, located just east of the present
Elk City, divided the vote on the west side of the river. On the east
side of the river, in the beginning, three formidable candidates were pre-
sented. These were Montgomery City on the north side and near the
mouth of Drum Creek; Liberty on the hill, about three-fourths of a mile
east from the present "McTaggart's Bridge" across the Verdigris; and
Verdigris City (the temporary seat) located about the same distance
southeast from the present "Brown's Ford" on the river.
Liberty was located between and about an equal distance from each
of its competitors on that side of the river, and, during the campaign,
its advocates, by a shrewd piece of political diplomacy, secured the vote
theretofore divided between the three aspirants, and by that means ob-
tained more votes than either of its competitors on the west side of the
river.
.\ bitter contest was begun in the Probate Court of Wilson County,
to which Montgomery was then attached for judicial purposes. The court
before which such contest had been instituted decided there had been
no authorized election and hence no contest could properly be enter-
tained.
Mr; Goodell Foster, then but twenty-six years of age, was a leading
attorney on the side in favor of maintaining the validity of the election.
He had been elected county attorney but declined to qualify after the
adverse decision of the court.
164 II18T0UY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
After the trial had progressed two days. Mr. Foster retired at night,
confident of victory on the next day. He had, late on the second day,
presented a legal precedent that seemed to tnrn the "tide of battle" in
his favor.
Few law hooks hud been appealed to as authority to sustain the
views presented l>y counsel on either side: indeed law books were a rare
luxury here in those days. In legal fights, arguments and oratory ren-
dered in loud and aggressive tones, were the weapons relied upon.
Many hours before sunrise on the third day. L. T. Stephenson arrived
on the scene of confiict. He had. during the night, ridden horseback,
with his attorney, F. A. Bettis, from Oswego, a distance of fifty-four
miles. Mr. Bettis brought an Iowa "case in point," and on that author-
ity the invalidity of the election was judicially declared; and then and
there the fond hopes of the friends of Liberty vanished never to return.
The site selected in 1869 for the permanent county seat is now an
uninviting spot. Clusters of low sumac, dwarf persimmon trees and
other illgrown bushes fiourish on those portions where short grasses fail
to grow between the lime rocks that peep from beneath the surface.
Near the west line of this projected townsite is the point of a high hill
from which can be seen a most beautiful landscape, which extends for
miles up the timber-fringed Verdigris and over broad aci-es of rich bottom
lands and fertile uplands and valleys; and to the north and east, some
two miles or more from the same townsite, is a spot at the summit of a
hill from which one can look upon Independence, Cherryvale and Lib-
erty; the latter the successor of her dei»arted namesake.
The decision of the Wilson County Probate Court, so fatal to the
prospects and hopes of old Liberty, was quietly acquiesced in, until the
vexed question of the location of the permanent county seat was settled
at a legal election held in November, 1870. At this election Independence
was selected by an overwhelming majority.
At its annual session in 1870, the Legislature ]iassed an act, which
was, on the 2nd day of March, in that year, approved by the Governor,
creating the I'>leventli Jiidicial District, com]>rising the counties of
Crawford, Cherokee, Labette, Montgomery and Howard. By this law
the Ctovernor was authorized to appoint a judge for the newly created
distri(t. whose term of office should connnence Ajjril 1st. 1870. It also
provided for the eleclion of a judge, for four years, at the annual election
to be held in Novi'iiiIum- of Hint year, and fixed his term to commence on
the 2nd Monday in .l.iininry, 1S71.
This act, by lis tciiiis, was to lake eti'ect and be in force from and
after its pulilication in tlic K:iiis;is Wecklv Connnomveallh, a newspaper
then published in Top.'ka.
On the IIS lUninj Mmrh. ISlD.thi- ( lovernor api.ointcd ITon. Wm. C.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 165
Webb, of Fort Scott. Judge of the District, not\vilhstan<ling the law
(lealiiig it and conferring the power to malce the aiijiointnient was not
I)ul)lis]ied and hence did not become operative until the 2'ith day of that
mouth.
While the appointment was premature and unauthorized, a better
selection could not have been made, either at the time or after the law
went into force, seven or eight days later.
One of the novel features of the law was that by its first section it
made Howard county a part of the district, and in its next section pro-
vided "the County of H^oward is hereby attached to the County of Mont-
gomery for judicial purposes."
The law makers may have been influenced to the inconsistency in
the first and second sections of the act, by the impression that Montgom-
ery county afforded the only convenience to be had. in the two counties
suitable for holding court and in that view were doubhless correct, yet
they may not have fully realized the lack of commodious, not to say lux-
urious, appointments for such purpose, that they obtained in this, now
the sixth county in the state.
The law also fixed times for convening the terms of court "on the
second Monday of May and the second Monday after the third Monday
of October in each year."
On the second Monday in May, 1870. wliich was the 9th day of that
month. Judge Wm. C. Webb promptly appeared in the county to open
his tei'm of Court. This, uuder the law. must be held at the County seat;
and Judge Webb was always unusually technical in the strict observance
of all laws, so much so. had he known the weakness of his title to the
office, he probably would not have attemj)ted to exercise its duties.
On his arrival, he was confronted with a peculiar state of affairs
resiiet ting the location of the county seat. The Governor, in his pro-
clamation creating the county, had designated Verdigris City as its
temporary county seat; the canvas of the vote cast at the election in
18ti9 attested that the permanent county seat was fixed at Liberty, and the
election resulting in favor of Liberty had been judicially declared a
nullity.
Ordinarily, this disturbing problem would have been easy of
solution in the well trained legal mind of Judge Webb. Logically, the
county seat would have been where the Governor located it, unaffected
by the futile efforts to change it. However, other complications inter-
vened. It was the duty of the County Commissioners to provide, at the
county seat, a suitable place for holding court; and it was likewise the
duty if the commissioners to hold its sessions at the same seat. The
crude and diminutive court room that had been constructed at Verdi-
gris City no longer remained there. I'nder the compromise between the
[66
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
three aspirants on the east side of the river, the primitive court house
had been removed from its former site to Liberty, and the few inhabi-
tants who had dwelt on the haul phitted as the temporary county seat
had hopelessly abandoned it and linked their fortunes with those who
lived on the site of its former rival, after its barren victory at the polls.
Besides, the new Board of County Commissioners (W. W. Graham,
S. B. Moorehouvse and Thomas H. Brock) was friendly to Independence,
at which place it held its sessions, and on ilay 5th, 1870, made an order
as follows: "Be it known that, finding no suitable place at Verdigris
FIRST COLPT HOLSE
City in whuh 1o liuld thi lUvunl < <.un ot .M,()ntgumu\ < ountii, it is
hereby ordered that said court shall be held at Independence."
These were the conditions when Judge Wni. C. Webb, in company
with his former law partner, Mr. E. J. Hill, arrived, with the team of
their law firm, at the log structure that had been known at Verdigris
City as the court house of the county, and moved to and re-erected at
Liberty for the same ])urj)ose. This small log house still stands, where
it then stood, neglected and in a sad state of decay.
After the team in which Judge Webb came was hitched, he walked
into the sui)j)osed court house and at once, in the most emjihatic manner,
declared to its enii)ty walls that it was wholly unfit for the purpose de-
signed and he positively declined to open court under its roof.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 1 67
\A'Leu Judge Webb and Mr. Hill arrived, there was no one at the
building, but in a few moments a crowd was attracted to the spot — more
from idle curiosity than otherwise — and in a short time Sheriff White
arrived from Iude[>endeuce ; the clerk of the court, L. T. Stephenson, a
powci'ful friend in those days of Independence, had remained where his
love and friendship centered.
After a shoi't consultation between the judge, sheriff and Mr. Hill,
these gentlemen drove on to Independence when the order of the board
was made known to the judge and a new school building located on lot
17, block 52, the present site of the United Brethren church, was tender-
ed for a court room.
After some hesitation, the judge opened his court there and directed
the order of the board of county commissioners to be spread upon the
records, where it will now be found copied on the first page of the first
journal of the first term of the District Court ever held in the county.
This was the only term of court held in the county by Judge Wm. C.
Webb, and at that term but little business of importance, beyond the ad-
mission of attorneys to practice, was transacted. Court adjourned on
May I7th, 1870, after having continued most of the cases and admitted a
number of the earliest members of the bar to practice.
At this term of court. Charles White was sheriff, J. N. Debruler,
under sheriff. L. T. Stepheusou. clerk, and Clate M. Ralstin, county at-
torney.
Section III.
The Judges of the District Court
The gentlemen who have presided over the District Court of Mont-
gomery county since its creation, have, for the most part, been men of
far more than ordinary ability; and when the comparison is indulged
with judges in this and other states, who have occupied the same exalted
positions, there could be little or nothing found to complain of or criti-
cise in our judges. It is well known in the legal profession, that the of-
fice of judge of a trial court of general jurisdiction is one that is most
difficult to acceptably fill. To properly perform its duties requires accu-
rate knowledge of the law, and of the rules of pleading and of evidence,
together with business tact and administrative ability.
ilOX. WILLIAM C. WEBB, of Fort Scott. Kans.,'was the first judge
of the District Court. He held but one short term in the county and that
was in a new school house on East Maple street in Independence. Suf-
ficient allusion has been made to this feature in the preceding section of
this article.
When Judge Webb convened the first district court here he was a
man about forty-six years of age and had before been recognized in this
l68 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
state as well as in the state of Wisconsin, from whence he came to this,
as a lawyer deeply learned, accurate and profound in the profession.
After his first and only term in the county, he, on November 17th,
1870, resigned the office and shortly after became the official reporter of
the ?ui)renie Court of Kansas and, as such, thereafter produced fifteen
volumes of the reports of the court (Vols. 0 to 20 inclusive.)
After retiring from the responsible and arduous duties of that office,
he, with great credit to himself, filled various high public positions in the
state and, at times, was, in a professional way, engaged in many impor-
tant legal controversies. He became well known throughout the state,
and M-as everywhere recognized as one of its most distinguished lawj^ers.
Before coming to Kansas, .Judge Webb had served in the Civil war
as colonel of a Wisconsin regiment, and had been a member of the Legis-
lature of that state. Among the public places of trust he has filled in
this state, outside of those already mentioned, may be named those of
state senator, member of the lower house of the legislature, state super-
intendent of insurance and judge of the Superior Court of Shawnee
county.
In his old age, while bending under the burden of the heroic strife
of a well spent life, he, in 1890, undertook and accomplished the compila-
tion of the laws of Kansas. This was a herculean task and better fitted
to the energy and physical endurance of the man as he was twenty-five
years before.
Judge Webb died in 1S!)S. at Topeka. at the ripe age of seventy-four
years, lamented, honored and respected by all who knew him. At the
January, 1898, term of the Supreme Court, it adopted and spread upon
its records a handsome tribute to his memory,
HON. HENRY G. WEBB, at about the age of forty-five years, suc-
ceeded his brother, Wm. C. Webb, on the bench. He was elected to the of-
fice at the November. 1870, general election, and the term of his office be-
gan in January, 1871. Under the law, as it then existed, the second term
of court was to convene in the county on the "second Monday after the
third Monday in October." At the appointed time Judge Wm. C. Webb
failed to appear and open his court, whereupon the members of the bar
selected Judge Henry G. Webb as judge pro tern, and he. as such pro
tern judge, held the October or November, 1870, term of court, in a room
upstairs on the east side of Pennsylvania avenue in this city, in a build-
ing about 100 feet south of Main street.
At the time of his selection as such pro teni judge, he was a candi-
date against Hon. Wm. :Mathena, of Cherokee county, for the office and
at the election held a few days after convening court, was chosen by a
large majority.
After the election and wiiilc .Tudgc Wcbl) w:is serving as judge in a
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY^ KANSAS. l6g
temporary capacity, he disposed of at least one highly important matter
arising out of what is now conceded to have been a fraudulent and cor-
rupt election, held June 21st, 1870. It had been voted to issue county
bonds in the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, to secure the build-
ing of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, from near the
northeast corner of the county, via Cherryvale and Coffeyville, to the
south boundary of the state. One of the first suits brought to question the
validity of that election in the District Court of the county was the case
of Asa Hargrave vs. Charles White. The court appointed Mr. A. C.
r>arlow. an attorney of Oswego, a commissioner to take testimony and re-
port. Mr. Darlow, in a very brief time, made his report, whereupon, on
Novemlier 2nd, 1870, the court rendered its judgment, finding, among
other things, that said election held on June 21st, 1870, on the question of
voting .'ji200,000 to said railroad company was a valid and legal election.
Without venturing a criticism on the soundness of that ruling, it may
l)e remarked, that shortly afterward the bonds were issued and now,
after much litigation and the expediture of a large amount of money,
in vain efforts to defeat them, a large portion of the debt still hangs as
a burden on the county.
On the 9th day of November, 1870, Judge Webb pronounced, perhaps,
the first divorce decree in the county. It was in favor of the wife, who
was plaintiff, and on the grounds that the husband had been willfully
"absent from said petitioner for more than one year prior to the filing
of the petition."
At the same term of court pro tern Judge Webb made an unique
order in reference to the papers and files in the clerk's office, which,
among other things, provided they should not '"be loaned, borrowed,
taken away, purloined, stolen or kidnapped from the office" and also
that any person or attorney "wishing copies may have the same by giv-
ing ample notice to the clerk and paying for the same at the price per
folio allowed by law;" the order then made an exception in favor of the
county attorney, who was allowed "to borrow papers by receipting for
and returning the same in three (3) days."
Any of the early members of the bar who knew the clerk of the court
in those days and his peculiar and aggressive style of composition, will
not hesitate to ascribe the authorship of this positive order to L, T.
Stephenson, who was always an intimate friend and a great admirer
of the judge.
The May, 1871, term of court was held in the same room on Pennsyl-
vania avenue and at that term Frank Willis appeared as county attor-
ney. Judge Henry G. Webb was then "a full fledged" official with a term
of about four years before him and had formed close social relations with
a coterie of members of the bar and others. These friends of the judge,
T70 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
for some reason, so it was ilainied by Mr. Willis, had formed au un-
friendly feeling for the county attorney, which was shared by the judge.
Out of this antagonism disputes arose that were sometimes aired in open
court.
On November .30th, 1871, the court ordered the arrest of Mr. Willis
for contempt of court. The specification stated that Mr. Willis had ut-
tered the following insulting language in open court: "If the court
wants to do so and dismiss the cases here publicly just for the purpose
of stigmatizing me, why you can do that"' and further it was specified
that Mr. Willis had used in open court the following contemptuous lan-
guage- "If you want to do such things in that way and dismiss these
cases just because Bennett says so why just do it." What became of the
contempt proceedings against Mr. Willis, the records do not show.
At this term of court, on December 2nd, 1871, in the case of the
State vs. L. T. Stephenson, the defendant was tried and convicted of an
assault, and by the court fined twenty-five dollars and the costs of the
prosecution. Neither this fine nor the costs was ever paid, and no com-
mitment issued. Long afterward and on August 30th, 1872, Mr. Stephen-
son appeared in court, and, on his motion, the fine was remitted.
By an act of the Legislature, which went into effect on March 6th,
1872, three terms of court were provided for the county. These were to
convene respectively on the first Monday in April, August and December.
On the first day of the April, 1872, term of court Judge Henry G.
Webb and the clerk, L. T. Stephenson, were absent. There were present,
however, besides some of the memliers of the bar. J. E. Stone, sheriff; J. B.
Oaig, deputy clerk; and Frank Willis, county attorney, and the sheriff
adjourned court 'till the next day.
On the next day, which was April 2nd, 1872, court, with a full corps
of officers, convened in Emerson's hall, which was on the north side of
Main street and just west of the present court house grounds, and re-
mained in session for several weeks. The conveniences in these new
quarters were much superior to those afforded in the rooms formerly
used for court, but in some respects, in the opinion of Judge Webb, were
still lacking; and to supply the needs, which, under the law, it was the
duty of the county commissioners to provide, the court, on the 17th day
of April, 1S72, made an order directing the sheriff, at the expense of the
conntfi, to provide by the next term "sufficient matting of the best qual-
ity to cover the bench and bar and also the aisles in the court room and
that he lay the said matting securely on the floor • • • and cause
to be erected in said court room a platform of sufficient length and width
to comfortably seat twelve jurors, and also a witness stand, and also a
table six feet long and three feet wide and three and a half feet high for
the use of the Judge of this Court."
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. IJI
While public oflicials often iu the discharge of their duties, inno-
cently overstep the bounds of the law, an order of this character, ema-
nating from a court which is charged with the interpretation of the law
and with defining its limits, becomes of scriniis inijiort; in other words,
it usurped iK)wers that belonged to the cniiiiiy c (unmissioners.
At the August, 1872, term, and on ihc l'l'ihI ila.y of that month, in
a case then pending, iu which a former county attorney was plaintiff
and the board of county commissioners was defendant, it was, in open
court agreed that the plaint ill' should recover the amount that would
result from dividing the aggregate of the amounts named by the mem-
bers of the bar present, by the number of such members. The court ren-
dered judgment against the county for the amount ($300) thus obtained
on this unheard of proceeding. At the December, 1872, term of court a
highly important murder case was pending; it being the case of the
State vs Oliver P. Cauffman, George W. Eipley and Jasper Coberly.
On December 13th, 1872, the county attorney asked a continuance
on account of the absence of an important witness, which request was
denied, and on the next day he asked leave of court to 7wlle the case, and
this application was also overruled, whereupon, after a brief trial, de-
fendants Cauffman and Ripley were acquitted. The other defendant,
Coberly, was never aii]>rehended. This case arose from the claim that
some one charged with, or suspicioned of, being guilty of some offense,
had been lynched near Havana, in the county.
At the time rumors of coi-ruption and bribery on the bench, were
rife, in connection with this case. Whether there was any foundation
for such rumors, will probably never be determined, and being mere
rumors, it is but fair, in the absence of authentication, to say they were
groundless, so far as the court was concerned. At all events, this oc-
curred at the last term of court ever held in the county bv Judge Henry
G. Webb.
On January 21st, 1S73, the lower house of the Kansas Legislature,
adopted the following resolution: "Resolved, That a committee of three
be appointed to investigate charges againts H. G. Webb, judge of the
11th Judicial District, with power to send for persons and papers."
On January 22nd, 1873, the same body passed an amendatory resolu-
tion, increasing the number of the committee to investigate such charges
to five instead of three.
On January 23rd, 1873, the lower house adopted the following reso-
lution :
"Resolved, The committee heretofore appointed by resolution of this
house to investigate charges against H. G. Webb, Judge of the Eleventh
Judicial District of the State of Kansas, be and is hereby authorized and
required to investigate all charges of bribery, corruption and misconduct
1-J2 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
in ofiice against said H,. G. Webb and to report to this house as soon as
practicable whether the said H. G. ^Yebb has so acted in his judicial
capacity as to retjuire the interposition of the constitutional power of
inii)eachnient of the house, and for the purpose of this investigation the
cdiniuitlci' is licii'by authorized and enii)owered to si;bpoena and send for
all iicrtssaiy inTSdiis and papers and each member of said committee is
luTcbv auihori/.cil and empowered to administer oaths and afiBrmations,
and said committee is hereby authorized to employ a clerk."
On February loth, 1873, the committee, therefore, appointed to in-
vestigate the charges againts Judge Webb, made a report as follows :
"Mr. Speaker. Your select committee to whom was referred the in-
vestigation of accusations against H. G. Webb, Judge of the Eleventh
Judicial District, of the State of Kansas, beg leave to report that Judge
Webb has tendered his resignation to take effect on the 21st day of Feb-
ruary, 1S73, and the same has been filed and accepted by His Excellency
the Governor; therefore, the committee asks to be discharged from any
further investigation of the case, and recommend the testimony taken in
the investigation, be filed with the Secretary of State, subject to the or-
der of this House." "W. H. MAPES, Chairman."
"The rep)ort was adopted."
On the same day Mr. nutcliings offered the following resolution :
"Resolved, That the committee heretofore appointed to investigate
charges against H. G. Webb, Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District, be
discharged from further consideration of the subject and that the testi-
mony be not printed, but filed in the ofiice of tlie Secretary of State sub-
ject to the order of this House."
"Which was, on motion, adopted."
Judge Henry G. Webb was a most remarkable man. Nature had
endowed him with a lavish hand. He was a man of powerful physique
and possessed of a natural mental power that rarely falls to the lot of
man. He was well equipped to fill any high station in life.
In the discussion of a legal proposition, or in the elaboration of any
subject he chose to talk upon, he was most instructive and entertaining.
Hte always spoke in a deep, deliberate and sonorous voice, softened by a
musical melody that was charming to hear. His language on such oc-
casions was chaste, well chosen and refined. He was a man whose name
might have lived prominently in history a century or more after his
deafh. With his great and brilliant mind, he lacked ambition beyond
his inclination to gratify the tastes of the hour.
JrJ)GE HISHOP W. PERKINS, at the age (.f thirty one years was,
in March, 1873, ajipointed by Governor Thomas A. Osborn, Judge of the
District Court fo fill the vacancv occasioned bv the resignation <if Judge
Henrv G. Webb.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 173
At tlio next election for jndge. Mr. Terkins was the Repnblioan eau-
(Hdate to sncceed himself ajiiiinst Mon. John M. Scndder. an attorney of
Coffeyville, Kansas, an independent candidate. His large district then
composing four populous counties, was overwhelmingly Republican and
he was elected by a safe majority, notwithstanding his own county
(Labette) which was thoroughly Republican, voted in favor of his op-
ponent. The adverse vote in Labette county was occasioned by the fact
that a few ye.nrs before the election, while Judge Perkins was Probate
Judge of the county, the large estate of one Ames, deceased, had been
diverted from the rightful heirs and given to a spurious claimant, who
had fraudulently secured a record of the Probate Court showing his
adoption as the son and heir of said deceased. Bitter litigation arose
over the event during the time Judge I'erkins was serving the remainder
of Judge Webb's term. It was boldly charged during Judge Perkins' can-
vass that he was a party to the fraud, and as boldly denied by the judge,
who had in a short time he had served on the bench, become very popular,
and had won the confidence of the people, to such an extent, that the
affair exercised but little influence in the election, outside of Labette
county.
Four years afterward Judge Perkins was again elected for another
term of four years, and at the end of his last term, entered upon his
duties as one of the four congressmeu-at-large from the State, to which
office he had been elected while serving on the bench.
When Judge Perkins first went upon the bench, he possessed ueither
the natural ability nor the legal learning of his predecessor, but in many
other respects was far superior in fitness for the position. While he was
young and of somewhat limited experience in the practice, he at once
"demonstrated administrative ability of a high order. This, with his un-
flagging energy and tireless industry, aided by the fine bars, particularly
in this and Labette county, enabled him during his entire term to dis-
pose of the court's business satisfactorily to the public generally.
Judge Perkins on the bench was courteous and fair and developed
an unusual ability to clearly instruct a jury and also become a fine
chancellor.
While the judge left a fine record after his ten years' service on the
bench, he was distinctly a politician. As a political leader, he was rare-
ly, if ever, excelled in the State.
He was popular, adroit, diplomatic, energetic and uncompromising
in his political convictions; and these qualities, with a boundless ambi-
tion to serve in a public position, kept him almost constantly in otHce
from the time he came to Oswego, in April, 1869, 'till he was defeated in
1890, for congress, by Hon. Benjamin Clover, of Cowley county. After
this inglorious defeat, the first he had ever met, he seems to have lost his
iy4 HISTORY OF MONTCOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
political preslifto, and never aj^aiii soivetl in a publie office except for a
few niontlis in 1S!I2 in tlie Tnited Slates Senate, to which office he had
been appointed by (".ov. 1-. V. lliiniiplney to fill the vacancy occasioned by
the death of Senator I'hniib. The next legislature elected in his place
Senator Wni. A. retfer. a Populist, and at the same session his party
friends refused his requcsi id imiinnate him as the candidate for the
minority party. This was ].(M-liaiis the most oalling and hnmiliating
defeat he ever suliered.
Judge Perkins was born at Pdclicster, Livmine county. Ohio. October
18th. 1842. In July. 18(J'2, he enlisted in the Union army and became a
sergeant of his comjtany. He was afterward detailed to act as lieuten-
ant in a company of cavalry for special guerilla duty, in which he served
'till December. 18G3. Hie remained in the service 'till mustered out at
Nashville. Tennessee, in May. 180(5. During his term of service after
December, 1803. he filled successively the following army offices: Adju-
tant of the 10th Colored Infantry and Captain of Company "C" in the
same regiment. He was also, for a year. Acting Adjutant General of
the i)Ost of Chattanooga and served as Judge Advocate on the staff of
General Gillem and also in the same position on the stall' of (iciu'ral
Steadman.
After leaving the army he resumed the study of law, and was. in
1807. admitted to practice; and in the same year located at Pierceton,
Indiana, where he remained until he came to Oswego in 1809.
In the spring of 1809 he was appointed county attorney, and after
his term had expired, became assistant county attorney, and afterward
tilled the following j)ositions : Probate Judge of Labette county. Judge
of the 11th Judicial District. Member of Congress and United States
Senator.
He then settled in ^yashington, D. C., where he died on the 2(lth
day of June, 1894, after a short illness
JUDGE GEO. CHANDLER succeeded Hon. 15. W. Perkins on the
bench. He was born at Hermitage. Wyoming county. New York, on Sep-
tember 20, 1842, and in 1848 moved with his family to Monroe, Wisconsin,
where he remained until 1854. and then went to Shirland, Illinois, and
spent his time for the next six years, working on a farm.
In 1800 he went to Beloit College in Wisconsin, and after jiursuing
his studies there for three years, entered the University of M\icliigan, at
Ann Arbor, and three years later was graduated from the famous law
school of that renowned institution. He was then, in 1800. admitted to
practice by the Supreme Court at Detroit. Jlicliigan, and afterward in
the same year, went into the law office of Messers. Conger & Hawes and
began the practice at Janesville, Wisconsin, which he continued until
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. I75
piirly iu 187-_', wbeu he reiiiovi'd to, aud entered the practice of law at,
Independence, Kansas.
On the 3rd day of .April, 1872, on motion of J, D. MrCue he was ad-
mitted to jiractice in the District Court of Montgomery county, on the
certificate of liis admissicm to the Circuit Court of Wisconsin.
Shortly after coming to Independence he formed a co-partnership
with Ceorge E. Peck, a close friend, whom he had known at Janesville.
Wisconsin, and who had, late in 1871, preceded him here. This new
firm, under the style of Peck & Chandler, in a very short time establish-
ed a lucrative practice, and its memtors very soon became well known
as fine lawyers. The first office of this firm was upstairs in a frame
building over Page's bank, at tlie corner of Main street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue, and at the site of the present First National bank.
In 1873, the partners moved their office to the second story of a brick
building recently comi)leted by them on the east side of North Pennsyl-
vania avenue and three doors south of the well known drug store of that
early pioneer, J. H. Pugh.
When they came to this county, neither Mr. Chandler nor his part-
ner "was abundantly blessed with this world's goods" and each was
burdened with the necessity of providing a home for himself and wife.
Each had youth, energy, good health, strength, a good library and bril-
liant prospects.
Mr. Peck built a small plain, two room cottage, at the edge of the
bluff on the Verdigris, at the east end of Myrtle street, and Mr. Chandler
another, scarcely more pretentious, on the opposite side of the same
street, nearly a mile west ; these modest dwellings, which have been but
slightly changed in the thirty years, or more, since they were erected.
are often pointed out to strangers as the original habitations of the two
bright and brainy young lawyers, who joined our bar in its infancy.
In January, 1874, Mr. Peck assumed the duties of the office of
United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, to which he had been
recently appointed, and the co-i)artnership theretofore existing between
him and Mr. Chandler was shortly after dissolved. Mr. Chandler soon
afterward formed a partnership with his younger brother, Joseph Chand-
ler, and this firm, under the name and style of Geo. & Jos. Chandler, con-
tinued in the practice until January, 1883, when he went upon the bench,
and thereafter served as Judge of the 11th Judicial District until in
April, 1888, when he became First Assistant Secretary of the Interior
at Washington, under General Noble, and served with distinction in that
position to the end of General Benjamin Harrison's administration in
1893. Since then Judge Chandler has remained in Washington in the
practice of the law.
Judge Chandler was, in many respects, a remarkable man. It were
176 HISTORY OF MONTGOMUUY COUNTY, KANSAS.
\iseless, in the liniiU'd Hpuce allotlcd to us lo attiMiipt more than a very
inipevfeft descrijilion of him as lie was durinjj liis active jjractice and
service on the liench liere. for a ijciiod of more than sixteen years.
He was an imposinij- fijinre. Nature had moulded for him a massive
frame, symmetrically constructed, and fully six feet tall, or more, with
liroad shoulders, and had ^iven him a lofty yet somewhat awkward car-
riajie. It had also furnished him a very large and perfectly formed head
and stronjily carved features that at once marked him as a man of ex-
traordinary jihysical and mental powers.
He was well prepared when lie entered the practice here, early in
1872, and by assiduous reading and study and the aid of a very retentive
memoi-y, he, in a short time, became a learned and profound lawyer.
With all hei- hnisli gifis. nature had imi)osed upon him some faults
that detracted from that success which might have been his in the prac-
tice, and shaded his career on the bench, where he displayed great ability.
During his thirteen years of active i)ractice here his exceedingly
sensitive nature, impetuous disposition and untutored temper, often
made him unpleasant to opjiosing counsel, and, at times, disagreeable to
his own clients, whom he sometimes severely lectured for getting into
the trouble he was emjdoyed to extricate them from. The high esteem
in which he was held by members of the bar and the imi)licit confidence
his clients had in him — together with his undoubted sincerity and in-
tense devotion to the interests of those whom he served — furnished am-
ple reasons in court, bar and clients, to overlook these faults.
Judge Chandler never entertained a very exalted opinion of the
ability of a jury to settle "as of right it ought "to be settled"' complicated
questions between litigant parties, and for that reason had a pitiable
dread of entering upon the trial of a hotly contested case to a jury-
he always mad^ every case he tried a '"hotly contested" one.
During any term of court at which he Inid cases involving enarnest-
ly disputed cjuestions of fact, he would dismiss, for the time being, the
hilai'ious and rollicking ways with which he was accustomed to regale
his many friends during vacation, and clothe him.*elf in an armor of^im-
])atience, petulence and irascibility and enter the struggle and fight the
battle or battles with all the vclicniciicc of a nature "tilled to the brim"
with courage, industry, cnciuy. ;i<;,t;rcssi\cncss and unusual ability.
In the i)ractice :\lr. Cliandlcr was cxcccdiiigiy painstaking in thor-
oughly i)Osting himself on all questions of law involved in each of his
cases; and under the prevailing practice, in the early days, the argu-
ments of attorneys to the jury always preceded the general instructions
of the court. Often one or more pivotal questions of law went far in de-
termining the issues; and when that fact was brought to the attention of
jurors, they eagerly watched for the instructions of the court to enlighten
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 177
Iheii- understanding on such important quest .<)n or questions. Judge
Cliaudler in those "davs of long ago" sometimes began to '"sum up" his
case by addressing his remarks to the court on the questions of law in-
volved and in that way influence the court in its instructions, which he
rightly concluded would be of vital importance. To his credit it may be
said, that he never, in that unsafe practice that was indulged by his pre-
decessor on the bench, misled the court. The law authorizing the pecu-
liar iiroceedure was amended in 1881, and since then the "beacon lights
of the law'' are given by the court to the jury and opposing counsel in
advance of argument.
Judge Chandler's career on the bench began in January, 1883, and
ended in April, 1889, and was distinguished by an unselfish devotion to
duty, gi-eat energy and industry and signal ability. He carried to the
bench the same impetuous disposition, quick temper and inclination to
make unguarded remarks that were characteristic of him in the practice.
While the jury was in attendance upon his coui't he rigorously exacted
from the officers of the court the utilization of every moment of time.
He was punctual to the instant, himself, and demanded the same prompt-
ness from the members of the bar. The failure of an attorney to strictly
observe this unyielding rule, rarel.y failed to draw from the court a
severe lectui'e, that sometimes consumed more time than had been lost
by the attorney's delay. In these lectures the topics of taxation and
court exjienses were often discussed and in their delivery the court fre-
quently neglected to discriminate and applied his suggestions to all
members of the bar instead of the one whose conduct had induced the
scolding. On account of the frequency of these censures and admoni-
tions they lost much of their force with the attorneys ; yet they served to
gi-eatly increase the popularity of the judge witli the unsophisticated
who felt they never before could understand the 'iaw's delays."
While such frequent outbursts from and unseemly conduct on the
bench might seem to have emanated from a spirit of petty demagoguery,
nothing can be more remote from the truth. In justice, it may be said,
he never, by these, intended to wound the feelings of or do a wrong to
another for his own aggrandizement. While it was somewhat foreign
to his nature to offer an excuse or apologize for a wrong once done, he
was absolutely senseless to any pain or sacrifice inflicted on himself in
the performance of any public duty he undertook; and his sterling in-
tegrity, self sacrificing devotion to duty, magnificent ability and the
known absence of any intention to do wrong, furnished ample excuse to
the sometimes tortured members of the bar, to overlook and forgive.
Judge Chandler is now in Washington, D. C, practicing law, full of
years, honors and experience and kindly remembered by his old friends
<<)f the ilontgomerv county bar.
1^8 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
JT'DGE JOHN N. HITTER, of ('olumbus, Kansas, was. in May, 188!),
appointed br Governer L. U. Hnniplirey, Jndoe of the 11th Jndioial Dis-
trict, to fill the vacancy cansed by the resignation of Judge George
Chandler, to accept the office of First Assistant Secretary of the Inter-
ior at Washington. At that time the terms of the District Court of the
county were required to convene on the first Tuesday in Miarch, June and
November. When Judge Ritter opened his fii-st term of court in the
county, on the first Tuesday in June. 1889, there were on the bar docket,
as follows: Four cases standing on demuri-er, eighteen criminal cases,
sixty-seven civil jury and one hundred and sixty-four cases on the court
docket; or a total of two hundred and fifty-three. Judge Ritter was
without experience on the bench, and, of late years, had devoted much of
his time to banking and was not in very robust health. Notwithstanding
the great number of cases on the docket and the great district he was
called upon to preside over, being the largest in the state, and his frail
health, he acquitted himself creditably and gave general satisfaction.
At the fall election of 188!t, he was the Republican candidate for the
oflSce. against Hon. J. !». McCne. who was elected. Judge Ritter, after
his defeat at the pollsj, held a short term of court in the county in No-
ber, 1889, after which his health continued to decline and in a short time
he died at Battle Creek, MJch., Avhence he had gone seeking a restoration
of his broken health.
JUDGE JEREMIAH D. McClE, the successor of Judge Ritter on the
bench, opened his first regular term of court in the county on the first
Tuesday of March, 1890. At that time, outside of the attorneys, the offi-
cers of his court were, John W. Simpson, clerk ; Oliver P. Ergenbright,
county attorney; Thomas F. Callahan, sheriff; John Callahan (after-
ward county attorney for two terms i. under sheriff'; and George Gled-
hil], reporter.
The bar docket of that term showed three cases standing on de-
murrer, fourteen criminal cases, thirty-five civil jury cases and 152 cases
on the court docket, a total of 204. The election of Judge McCue was a
surprise, notwith.standing his eminent fitness for the position was well
known to the members of the bar. He had been in the active practice in
the county for about twenty years and had ever entei-tained an aspira-
tion to "don the judicial ermine." Yet, inasmuch as the Republican par-
ty, which he had always opposed, had, before that time, easily elected its
candidates to the high position, to which his laudable ambition led, it
seemed to go without the saying that he could not successfully combat
its nominee and the same party had also, in a race for the office several
years before, mercilessly defeated him. A still greater surprise awaited
the members of the bar and Mr. McCue's friends. In the practice and
in his personal afi'airs he had been somewhat slack and improvident,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 179
while on the beuch he was at once a model judge. He was courteous
aud kind to the officers of his court, patient with all, prompt and thor-
ough in the discharge of his duties; and in the thorough knowledge of
the law and in the appreciation of the duties of the oili'-c, he had never
been excelled by any who have performed its duties. His rulings on evi-
dence and pleadings were ready and accurate and his iiistruiti(ms to
juries, brief, clear and comprehensive.
AYhile filling the remaining one year of the vacancy created by the
resignation of Judge Chandler, he became a candidate for the office
agaiost Hon. A. B. Clark, who was the nominee of the Republican party.
At the election. Judge McCue was successful, having ''run ahead of his
ticket" and carried each county in the district. During the latter part
of his second, or rather regular term, he was again a candidate and un-
wisely made the race as an independent, without the endorsement or
nomination of any political party, aud was defeated by Hon. Andrew H.
Skidmore, of Columbus, Kans., the Republican nominee. Shortly after
his retirement from the bench, Judge ISJ^cCue removed to Kansas City,
Mo., and there entered the practice of his profession, where he is now
engaged in that pursuit.
The life of Judge MicCue typifies, in a high degree, the successful ca-
reer of a self-made man. He was born of Irish lineage, at Cincinnati,
Ohio, on March 3, 1843, and left, by the death of both parents, a home-
less and friendless orphan, at the age of five years. When nine years old
he was taken to Indiana and shortly after to the State of Illinois, where,
he has said, he was "buffeted from place to place without a permanent
home or kindred until the breaking out of the Civil War."
Just thirteen days after Fort Sumpter was fired upon and on the
2oth day of April, 1801, he, then a diminutive specimen of scarcely one
hundred pounds in weight, enlisted in the Union Army, and thereafter,
as a private soldier, served until honorably discharged on June 5. ISCo,
because of serious wounds infiicted in battle at Fort Blakely, Ala., on
April 9, of that year. His enviable record as a soldier does not belong
to his career as a lawyer, and for that reason I refrain from further pur-
suing his military life.
On his return from the war, he at once began the study of law, in
the office of Amos F. Watterman, at New Boston, 111., largely under
Judge John S. Thompson, a lawyer of eminent qualifications.
In the spring of 1867, at the age of twenty-four, after a searching
examination, before the Supreme Court at Ottawa, 111., he was admitted
to practice law and shortly afterward, alone and almost penniless, he
started west and landed among strangers, it is said, barefooted and in
scanty habiliments, in Oswego, Kans., in July, 1SG7. While there he soon
won tor himself a place in the front rank of the renowned bar of that
l80 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
Youug ritv. Here he met aud couteiuled in the courts with smh hnvyers
as Webb/Olasse. Bettis. Kimble. Perkins. Kishoi), Avers and other well-
known and learned attorneys.
Tu 1870. Judge MeCue formed a i)artiiersliii. with Hon. .J. K. Ziegler,
under the firm name and style of McCue & Ziegler and entered the prac-
tice at Independence. This copartnership was shortly afterward dis-
solved aud thereafter Mr. :Mcrue continued in the practice alone until
he was elected Judge of the District in ISSil. During his practice he was
widely known as an accomplished lawyer and a man of extensive infor-
mation.
He was always, after coming to Kansas, a great reader and was {pos-
sessed of a remarkable memory, which enabled him often in the trial of
causes, to cite, unerringly, cases in point, giving the title of cases and the
volume and page of the reports where they could be found.
In the practice. Judge McCue was somewhat careless in fully in-
forming himself on his evidence before going into trial, and sometimes
indulged in the dangerous experiment of jdacing a witness on the stand,
after but slightly informing himself of what such witness would testify
to ; he. however, more than compensated for this lack, with his thorough
knowledge of the law on every feature of his case. In the practice, he
was fair and honorable and never resorted to any of the little devices or
trickery that sometimes serve to deceive and to unfairly win a case. He
ever scorned to engage in a case that contained a purpose to blackmail
or extort or to needlessly blacken a i-eputation or assail a character.
^^'hile Judge McCue's early education was sadly neglected his as-
siduous reading of standard works and his fine natural talents had given
him a ready command of the English language and made him an excep-
tionally fluent orator. His t<peeches were clothed in chaste language,
constructed of true logic and filled with thoughts on a high plane and de-
livered in a pleasing voice and prescmc and generally with telling effect.
JUDCE ANDREW H. SKID.MjOKK ((.uvt-ned his first term of court
in the county on March 5, IS!)."). He had been elected as the Republican
landidate in the fall election of 1804 over Judge McCue, by a decisive
majority. When Judge Skidmore opened court there were on the trial
(bx'ket 208 cases of which 13 stood on dumurrer, 11 were criminal, 69 civil
jury and 115 court cases. At this time the district coiiii)rised three rap-
idly growing counties (Montgomery, Labette and Cherokee) which then
had an aggregate population of about 77.(MI() and this had increased to
nearly lOO.OOO when, by an act of the Legislature, which went into effect
on the 22d day of February, 1901, a new district (the Uth) was created,
comprising Labette and Montgomery counties, which left Judge Skid-
more ]>residing over the Eleventh District, then comprised of Cherokee
County only, with a population of about 40,000.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. IS I
After Judge Skiduiore's term as judge expired, iu January. 1903.
he at once resumed the practice at Columbus, Kans., in copartnership
with S. L. Walker, under the firm name and style of Skidmore & Walker.
Before going on the bench, Judge Skidmore had, for years, been in
the active practice at Columbus, Kans., where he had built up an exten-
sive and lucrative business, and had met with unusual success as a prac-
titioner. Wliilc. at the time he first ((hivciumI his court in the county,
he may not liavc jidsscsscd the jn'ofouiid know led;;.- of the law that some
of his' predeccssnis luul acquired, he (icin.nisnaied executive ability
that had not been excelled in the office. In the trial of cases he promptly
overruled or sustained objections to the introduction of testimony,
without spending time to furnish reasons for his rulings and he generally
disposed of motions and demurrers in the same summary manner. This
course often occasioned severe complaints from some of the members of
the bar, who had been in the habit of being favored with the court's
reasons for its rulings and had often indulged the habit of combatting
such reasons; yet such complaints did not serve to dissuade the court
from its course, which undoubtedly saved much time. While a more
mature consideration of many of the questions might have resulted in a
safer interpretation of the law, yet by the adoption of the course suggest-
ed, the popularity of the Judge was greatly increased with the public,
and he was generally sustained by the Supreme Court iu such cases as
were appealed.
At the November, 1S98, general election. Judge Skidmore was the
Republican candidate, as his own successor and was opposed in the race
by Hon. Thomas H. Stanford, a prominent member of the bar in Mont-
gomery County, who entered the race as the nominee of the two opposing
parties (Democratic and People's).
At the preceding annual election the combined vote in the district
of the two opposing parties had far exceeded that of the Republican par-
ty, and for that reason Mr. Stanford and his friends felt confident of his
election, and were much astonished at the returns, which showed that
Judge Skidmore had carried every county in the district.
Judge Skidmore served out his term in Cherokee County and was
succeeded in January, 1903, by Col. W. B. Glasse, a distinguished lawyer
of Columbus, Kans.
Judge Skidmore was born in Virginia on February 14, 1855, and re-
ceived a liberal education at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
in that State. He was admitted to practice on September 15, 1876, be-
fore he had arrived at the age of majority and in the same year settled
and commenced to practice law at Columbus, Kans., which he contin-
ued, until elected Judge of the District Court as before stated.
JUDGE THOMAS J. FLANNELLY, the present incumbent on the
l82 HISTORY OK .MONTGOMERY COUNTY', KANSAS.
iHMHh. \v;is ai)i»uiiU"(l to the office l.y (tov. jr^lanley. in February. 1901. TUe
Le'iislature. by au act that weut into force on the 22(1 day of February,
l!Mil. had created the Fourteenth Judicial District out of that part of
ihe i:ie\eii1h coniprisins' the counties of l.abette and MJontgouiery, leav-
ing r'herokee County only, in the Eleventh.
Judge Flauuelly had not sought the office, to which a number of
prominent attorneys in this and Labette County were earnest aspirants.
To These, as well as tlie people generally, his appointment was a sur-
prise, and to many of the active candidates and their friends, a disap
l>oinrn,ent. He, however, had presided over the court but a short time,
uulii his peculiar fitness for the high office was universally conceded.
He was elected as his own successor in the fall election of 1902 and be
gan liis full term of four years in Jantiary. I!t03.
Judge Flannelly was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, on March 23, 1808,
and thereafter lived at Newport. Kentucky, until 13 years of age. when
he moved to Kansas with his jiarents, who settled at Chetopa in Labette
County. He graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws at the Uni-
versity of Kansas in June. 1800, having jtreviously taken the degree of
l!ac!i/-lni- of Arts at the St. Louis University. He was, upon his gradua-
tidii al tlie Kansas T'niversity. admitted to the Bar of Douglas County
and li;;s since, until his appointment as Judge, pursued the practice.
The Judge first entered the practice at Topeka, in 1890, and contin-
ued there for two years, when he moved to Kansas City, Mo., and became
a member of the law firm of Beardsley, Gregory & Flannelly. After prac-
ticing four years in Kansas City, as a member of this firm, he, in Jan-
uary. 189G, located at Chetopa, in Labette County, Kans., where he pur-
sued his profession for four years and then, in January, 1901, located at
Oswego, where, in i»artnershiii with Judge Ayres, he was pursuing his
profession when appointed Judge of the District Court.
Se.'tiun IV.
County Attorneys
C.OODULL FOSTER was elected the first couty attorney in Novem-
ber, I Mi!). Ai tlie same time a permaneut county seat was selected and :>
full (1 11] IS of county officers chosen. Afterward, in a contest growing
out ot ihat election, before the Trobate Court of Wilson County, to
which Mioiitgomery was tlien attached for judicial purposes, the court
declared the election unauthorized and void. After that, none of the
counly officers so elected, qualified, except Edwin Foster, who had been
elected county surveyor. He took the oath of office and entered upon the
discharge of its duties. At that time a most urgent and popular demand
jircvailed for the services of a competent civil engineer to locate the cor-
ners and lines of the various claims. Mr. Foster qualified in response
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 1 83
to tlii': deniaiul and his work was generally satisfactory and cheerfully
acquiesced in. until the official survey of the lands by the government.
Early in ISTd. (loodell Foster moved to Indepeneuce and shortly
afterward formed a copartnership for the i>ractice of the law with O.
P. Smart, under the firm name and style of Smart & Foster; and while
this lirm existed, it was prominent in the litigation carried on in those
early days. Mr. Foster, however, from the beginning, had an aversion
to the practice and developed a decided propensity to deal in real estate,
and soon after beginning the practice here, retired from it and became
engaged in buying and selling real estate on his own account and as the
agent for others, which business he has successfully carried on at Inde-
pendence for about thirty years, during which time he has bought, sold or
exchanged a vast number of tracts of land.
CLAYTON M. RALSTIN was the first county attorney who ever per-
formed the duties of the office in the county. He was appointed to fill the
position in the spring of 1870 and served until Frank Willis was chosen
at the regular November, 1870, election. Mi-. Ralstin was a notable and
highly esteemed man among the early pioneers of the county. He was
born in Brown County, Ohio, November 14, 1840, and afterward moved
to Fulton County, 111., where he lived on a farm and was educated at
the High School at Lewistown in that county, and afterward read law
at the same place in the offices of Judge Hope and I. C. Judd. He was
then, in May, 1863, admitted to practice law at Springfield, 111.
The next year, and on December 15, 1884, he began the practice at
Prescott, Ariz., and remained there till 1809, when he came to Independ-
ence, and was the first attorney here. H;e remained here until in April,
1890, when he moved with his family to Stillwater, Oklahoma Territory,
where he was admitted to practice law in April, 1891, and died at that
place January 2, 1892.
Mr. Ralstin was a man of medium height and slender build and wore
an immense beard. He was very active and industrious and had a va-
ried experience in life. He had been a farmer, a merchant, a real estate
agent, an abstractor, a lawyer and an official, and, at times, pursued
more than one of these useful vocations at the same time.
He had practiced law and farmed in Arizona, at Independence he
dealt in lumber and hardware and pursued his profession ; and at the
same place was at one time Register of the United States Land Office,
and a1 times farmed, made abstracts and bought and sold realty. In
a closely contested suit Mr. Ralstin was a valuable man on account of
his ability to look up and arrange the evidence in the case. Few, if any,
members of the bar ever excelled or equalled him in learning thefacts per-
taining to the controversies in the courts. He was also a most genial
man and the hospitality of his home was ever ojien to his many friends.
n84 HISTORY OF MOXTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS.
HOX. FRANK WILLlt^ was elected fouiity attorney in November.
187(1. and served two years. He was a large, tleshy young- man, awkward
in his motions and had a deep, droll voice. In many things he was inno-
cent a!id easily imposed upon, yet nature had provided him with a natu-
ral analytical mind and he was a man of sterling integrity and of great
energ\. After serving Jiis term as county attorney, he embarked in the
drug business at Independence and then, finding himself unqualified
for that untried vocation, sold out and emigrated with his family to the
Pan Handle of Texas and entered the practice of his profession with
varying results.
At the time Mr. Willis went to Texas the country there was. in the
main. i)eoj)led with cattle men who were aggressive and somewhat domi-
neering. Hie was. in a short time, elected Judge of the District or Circuit
Court and his rulings failing to accord with the views of the controlling
element of the country, measures were inaugurated to depose him. The
lower house of the Legislature of Texas presented articles of impeach-
ment against him and these seem to have been sujjported by such evi-
dence, tiiat Mr. ^Villis' aiiorneys became discouraged and feared it use-
less t>' argue the case. \vlii'rcii]ion, on a broiling hot day, Ml-. Willis made
the closing speech of two hours duration in his own defense, which is
said !(• liave been masterly, and so logical, and delivered with such mag-
iiilir,-ni sincerity that he was at once acquitted and thereafter returned
to his duties as Judge, with the respect of all, till his death, about 1897.
HON. JOHN I). HINKLE was elected county attoreny in November,
1S7(;. and served two terms, ending in January, 1881. At the time of
his election to this important office he was but twenty-five years of age
and had not yet distinguished bimself at the bar. to which he had been
admitted about two years before (September 12. 1S74) after having read
law :u the office of Judge J. D. McCue. He succeeded A. B. Clark, one of
the most vigorous prosecutors the county has ever had. He was natural-
ly a modest and retiring yoiuig nuin and at that time, beardless and
boyish looking, and did not imi)ress the pid)lic with the real ability his
close friends at the bar knew he possessed. It was. however, soon learned
that he was endowed with fine judgment and that in his quiet and unas-
suming way. he was a very successful prosecutor. It was also recog-
nized that he used sound judgment in disposing of such of the financial
affairs of the county as were intrusted to him. At the end
of his first term, he was reelcted and after having served four years, left
a fine official I'ecord and then located at Cherry vale, where he divided
his time in the practice of his profession and in editing a paper in
whicli he had a((|uire<l an interest.
Ill iss;!. Mi-. Ilinkle moved to the Territory of Wyoming and in 188").
was s. Icctcd and served as luosccutiiig attorney for a term of two years.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 1 85
Ho tlifii lociiiod ;it thf city of Sjiokaue, where he served four years as the
city justice <if tlie peace and was afterward elected to the iiiijiortaDt and
responsible office of -liidjie of the ^Municipal Court of Spokane, Wash.,
on a salary of |2.r)()() per year, which position he now fills to the satis-
factit'U of the public and with credit to himself.
Mr. Hinkle was born at AYest Salem, in Edwards County, 111., on
December .31. 18.51, and was reared on a farm. He attended school in his
I)oyhood days and before beginning the study of law had taught in Kan-
Mr. Hinkle is now .'L' years old and in prime health and has but
slightly cliaiigvd fiuni wliai he ujipeared when he left the State some
twenty years ago.
EDWARD VAX (UNDY was the next county attorney. He was
elected to the office in November, 1880, and served one term, ending in
January, 1883.
Mr. ^'an (Jundy was born in Fountain County, Tnd., .January 22,
18ri.5, and moved to Independence with his parents, who were among the
first settlers here. His father, Samuel Van Gundy, at an early day, built
the brick residence at the east end of Main street, now owned and occu
pied by Captain L. C. Miison and family, and was at one time treasurer
of the county.
Edward Van Gundy spent his youth here till about 187.5, when he
went to Texas and became secretary to McDonald & Co., contractors
of public buildings in that state. He spent about two years in that po-
sition, during which time he began the study of law under Governor
Davis, of Austin, Texas, and subsequently returned to Indeitendence and
spent his time teaching district schools and studying law, till he was
admitted to the bar, about 1878.
Shortly after vacating his ofBce he located and began the
practice of his profession at Pittsburg, in Crawford County, Ivans., and
was soon elected county attorney of that county and filled the of-
fice one term. He then became actively engaged in the general practice
and became one of the most prominent members of the Crawford County
bar, and had built up a lucrative business, when, in 1804, he went to Hot
Springs, Ark., in a vain effort to recover his broken health and, at that
famous resort, died on September 20, of that year.
Mr. Van Gundy was by nature, a talented man. He posses.sed a fine
and well-cultivated legal mind. Aided by these qualities, he could, by
close application, have made of himself a brilliant lawyer. During his
professional career at Independence, he was Inclined to spend too much
of his time in the indulgence of the passing pleasures of the hour. Af-
ter going to Pittsburg, he married and settled down and devoted himself
l86 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
more closely to the pursuit of his profession and before he died had es-
tablished a tine practice.
HON. JEREMIAH D. McCUE was the sixth county attorney, having
been elected as the successor of Edward Van Gundy, in November, 1880.
Mr. McCue served but one term, during which he exercised his recogniz-
ed ability in the administration of the duties of the office. Inasmuch
as I have already written of him. under the chapter devoted to theJudges
of the District Court, I deem it unnecessary to add anything further
here.
SAMUEL C. ELLIOTT was elected county attorney in November.
1881.and served two successive terms, the last of which ended in January.
1889. During the four years that he served in the office he won the re-
spect and confidence of all. and after retiring, contrary to the usual ex-
perience of lawyers who serve as public officers, he at once established
and for several j^ears, while his health lasted, maintained a lucrative
practice.
Mr. Elliott was born at Paris, Edgar County, 111., on March 10,
1857, and when ten years of age, moved with his parents to Oswego,
Kans., where he was educated in the schools of that <"ity. Several years
before he had attained the age of majority, he aided the Clerk of the Dis-
trict Court of Labette County, where he accjuired a familiarity with the
duties of that office, which afterward became very useful to him in the
practice.
He then, at about the age of IS, entered the office of Messrs. Webb
& Glasse, attorneys at Oswego, Kaus.. and began the study of law, and
in about two years or less, had become well posted in the rudiments of
the science, but being a minor, was not entitled to admis.sion to prac-
tice. In 1S7G. ^^•hile waiting to come of age. he entered the office of Wm.
Dunkin as a clerk and continued his studies till the June. 1877, term in
Labetfe County, when he was thoroughly examined in open court, and,
having ])assed an unusually fine exanunation, was admitted to practice.
After his admission to the bar. Mr. Elliott located at Independence
but did not at once acquire a ]iayiiig ]ir;ictice. and for several years de-
voted iiiosi of his time assisting tlic county clerk and the clerk of the dis-
trict coiui as deputy. The reputation lie won while county attorney
crtMtcii a (Iciiiaiid for his i>rofessional services outside of his publicdutiea
(luring liis otiicial career and at the end of his last term he met no diffi-
cnln ill liuilding up a haiidsonie practice, which he retained as long as
his 1 callli pcniiittcd.
Mr. I'JIiotI was a wai-ni licaiicd and genial man. that is. toward his
frieiuN. lint lie never excited liiiuself to (.iease those he did not like. He
was a man of ver\ positi\e opinions on ail subjects he had investigated
;in(l when he lirsi began the duties of a useful life, was very dogmatic
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^, KANSAS. I 87
iiiul (oiiiliativc. and ever roady to argue his side of the question with
all eoniers. As he grew older and his time was more taken up with his
legal business, he became more di])lomatic.
He had a clear, analytical mind, good judgment and a quick, keen
insight into legal questions. He was usually ready, on the spur of the
moment, to give an accurate opinion on the law of a case. He was en-
abled to do this, from his thorough knowledge of Blackstone's Com-
mentaries— which he acquired early in life — and his talent for quick ap-
plication.
He had and deserved the implicit confidence of his clients, to whose
interests he was devoted. He was successful in the practice and rarely
lost a suit, as he had wi-sely adopted the policy of settling by compro-
mise, such of his cases as he thought he could not successfully litigate.
In the trial of a case, he was earnest and able and never stated to the
court a proposition of law he did not believe, and presented to the jury
only such facts as he thought were true. These qualities, with his evi-
dent sincerity and earnest and logical presentation of his cases and the
well known probity of his character, very generally brought him success.
Mr. Elliott, after a lingering and painful affliction, extending over
several years, died on May .30, 1900, sincerely mourned by a host of ad-
mirers and friends.
All of the seven remaining county attorneys are in the active prac-
tice in the county, except John Callahan, who is at present at Kansas
City, Mo., and he may return here. Tn view of this, it is deemed more
pro])er to include them in the list of practicing attorneys, who have not
closed their respective professional careers at the bar of the county and
who will be treated in the next chapter of this article.
It may be observed that all the county attorneys who served in the
two decades from 1870 to 1890. except A. P.". Clark and O. P. Ergenbright,
who served in 1889, none remain in the practice here; and that all who have
served since 1890 to the present time, except John (Callahan, are active-
ly pursuing their profession in the county.
A list of all the county attorneys is as follows :
Goodell Foster, elected in 1869, and the election declared void.
Clayton M. Ralstin, appointed in 1870, served nearly one year.
Frank Willis, elected Xovember, 1870. one term till January, 1873.
Arthur P. Clark elected November, 187ii, served two terms till Jan-
uary, 1877.
John D. Hinkle. elected November, 187G, served two terms till Jan-
uary, 1881.
Edward Van Gundy, elected November, 1880, served one term till
January, 188.3.
Jeremiah D. McCue, elected November, 1882. served one term till Jan-
uary, 1885.
l88 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Fiiiiniel C. Elliott, elected November, 1SS4, served two terms till
Januiu-y. 1880.
Oliver P. Ergenbriglit. elected November. 18SS, served one term till
January, 1801.
James K. Cliai-Kou. elected November. 1800, served one term till Jan-
uary, 1803.
'SVilliam l^dward Ziegler. elected November, 1802, served two terms
till Jfinuary, 1807.
John Callahan, elected November. 180G, served two terms till Jan-
uary, loni.
James Howard Dana, elected November, 1000. served one term till
January. lOd:?.
.Mayo Thomas, elected November, 1002, present incumbent.
Section V.
Attorneys
Since the organization of the counly there have been admitted to
practice law at its bar, over 17(1 members. It would be an endless task
to find and record, with perfect accuracy, the antecedents of each ; and it
may be truthfully said that such events as have transpired in the pro-
fessional lives of nmny of them, furnish but little or no information that
would be of interest in a history of the bench and bar of the county.
The loose restrictions and disregard of the law that have prevailed with
at least one of the judges who presided over our courts, opened an easy
way for admission to the bar; and as a consequence of this, many have
been accepted who had but little or no preparation and without being
required to submit themselves to the usual tests as to their qualifica-
tions. These unprepared yet formally, qualified members have gener-
ally borne their honors in silence in the district court, where they have
sometimes exei'cised their prerogative to a seat among the active mem-
bers, and have always, in their discretion, been exemjjt from duty on a
jiotit jury. Tn justice to many of them it may be said that notwithstand-
ing I he pi'oud distinction they have enjoyed of being among the elect,
whose science they have not practiced, they have been useful and honor-
ed citizens in other pursuits.
In wriiing a sketch of each member 1 feel the best course to pursue,
is to brielly note the antecedents of each before his admission to the bar,
and refrain fi'om commenting at length on any of those who are yet in
the jutive iiradice here. H'owever pleasant and inviting it would be to
write of many of the jiresent practicing members and record their
achie\-enients in the ]irofession. such a course would manifestly be in-
vidious and embarassing to many of the active practitioners, whose ca-
reer at the bar is not ended. It would be equally objectionable under strict
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 189
rules of propriety to coniinent upon the characteristics, mental qualifica-
tions and legal attainments of a local practicing attorney, as that would
tend to shock the finer sensibilities and appear as an advertisement
rather than a history, which can only be properly written as to each
member at the end of the subject's career in the profession.
A list of all members of the Montgomery county bar, with the
date of the admission of each to the bar of the county (so far as I have
been able to ascertain the dates) alphabetically arranged, is as followa:
Andrews, Lindlay M., admitted October, 1870.
Armstrong, Benjamin M., admitted May 7, 1871.
Ayi"es, Thomas G., admitted autumn, 1880.
Begun, Edward L., admitted about 1885.
Barwick, J.J., admitted about 1870.
Barr, Samuel H.. June 29, 1889.
Banks. William N.. September 1. 1891.
Bartlett, W. F., admitted 1871.
Bass, Nathan, admitted May 9, 1870.
Beardsley, E. M., admitted August, 1871.
Bellamy," J. F., admitted 1891.
Bennett, Martin V. B., admitted about 1870.
Bertenshaw, Johu, admitted March 27, 1894.
Biddison, A. J., admitted about 188.5.
Billings, Arthur, admitted Reptemlier 15, 1902.
Black, George A., admitted about 1873.
Blackburn. J. W., admitted May, 1871.
Blair. A. V., admitted May, 1871.
Bristol, Xorris B., admitted August. 1872.
Brown, D. B., admitted May 9, 1870.
Brown, Joseph D.. admitted September. 1896.
Brown, C. S., admitted about 1871.
Broadhead, J. F., admitted about 1875.
Brown. Robert, admitted April, 1872.
Burchard. George ^Y., admitted November. 1871.
Burnes. R. E., admitted May, 1871.
Campbell, E. L., admitted about 1871.
Cass, Phillip H., admitted November .3. 1899.
Callahan, John, admitted March 25, 1893.
Cavenaugh, Patrick, admitted 1887.
Chandler. George, admitted April 3, 1872.
Chandler. Joseph, admitted March, 1875.
Charlton. James R., admitted March 1, 1881.
Clark, Arthur B., admitted November 27, 1871.
Clark, Edgar M.. admitted 1879.
I90
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Clark. W. G.. admitted M«t, 1870.
Cox. Albert, admitted 1894.
Cox, Ira E., admitted 1894.
Cottou, John S., admitted April, 1873.
( onrtrifiht, Percy L., admitted August, 1899.
Craig. .loseiih B.'. admitted Mtiy, 1870.
Cree. Natliau. admitted October, 1872.
Cutler, E. R., adiuirted October 30. 1870.
Parnell, D. Y., admitted about 1871.
Davis, John M., admitted Mtiy .">. 1902.
Davis, C. M., admitted April, 1872.
Devore, Benjamin F.. admitted 1871.
DeLong, James, admitted about 1871.
Donaldson, Samuel, admitted August, 1872.
Dooley. Henry C, admitted 1890.
Dunliin, William, admitted April, 1873.
Dunnett, Daniel W., admitted 1870.
Dempsey. T. E., admitted May, 1885.
Elliott. Samuel C, admitted 1877.
Ellis, C. W„ admitted 1870.
Elliott, D. Stewart, admitted 1885.
Emerson. J. D., admitted October, 1870.
Ergenbright, Oliver P., admitted 1883.
Evans, Elijah, admitted April 7, 1872.
Fletcher, Charles, admitted 1901.
Fay, Elmer W.. admitted 1870.
Fifzpatrick, G. W.. admitted 1897.
Foster, Goodell, admitted May, 187(».
Foster, Emery, admitted August, 1888.
Fritch, Felex'j., admitted 1890.
Freeman, Luther, admitted June 20, 1895.
Gaines, Bernard, admitted August, 1871.
Gamble. James D., admitted 1870.
(Jardner, Xaiioleon B.. admitted November 1. 1870.
Giltner. Barsabas, admitted in 1898.
Citrord, , admitted about 1880.
Gilmore, George E.. admitted November 18, 1898.
(iiass. Daniel, admitted Mhy, 1870.
Grant, H. D., admitted 1871.
Hall. S. A., admitted Novembci'. 1871.
Harrod. William J., admitted August, 1872.
Harrison. Thomas, admitted M:ay 9. 1870.
Hasbrook. L. I'.ciijamiii, admitted August. 1871.
msTdltV OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Hastings, Elijah D., admitted September, 1878.
Helphingstiiie, John A., admitted May 9, 1870.
Henderson, Benjamin F., admitted June, 1879.
Hendrix, W. R.. admitted May, 1871.
Herring, Ebenezer, admitted 1871.
Higby, A. T., admitted October, 1870.
Hill, Riifus J., admitted May 9, 1870.
Hinkle, John ]).. admitted September 12, 1874.
Hr)ldren, Josei)h W.. admitted July, 1898.
Humphrey, Lyman T'., admitted May, 1871.
Jennings. T. h.. admitted May 9, 1870.
John, James Mv, admitted September, 1876.
Judson, L. C, admitted MViy 13, 1870.
Kountz, James, admitted 1888.
Kerrheval, R. P., admitted about 1880.
Keith, John H.. admitted November, 1893.
Light, Mi B., admitted May, 1870.
Locke. William M., admitted April, 1872.
Loring, , admitted about 1871.
Martin. W. W., admitted about 1876.
Matthews, Elmer E., admitted December 30, 1884.
Matfhews. Selvin Y., admitted December, 1880.
Merrill, William A., admitted March, 1898.
Mills, J. A., admitted August, 1872.
Moon, J. J., admitted December, 1871.
Moore, Yin W.. admitted March 28, 189.5.
Moorehouse. S. B., admitted October. 1870.
McCue. Jeremiah D.. admitted 1870.
McEniry, MSchael, admitted April 17, 1874.
McYean, J. H., admitted about 1870.
McFeeters, W. S., admitted May, 187(i.
McClelland, George W., admitted 1896.
McWright, W., admitted October, 1870.
McDermott, S. F., admitted Mjirch 9, 1880.
Xichols, Reuben, admitted November 1, 1870.
Orr, J. A., admitted 1894.
O'Connor, William T., admitted about 1880.
Osborn, Roy, admitted March 2. 1901.
Page, John Q., admitted August, 1871.
Parsons, Alzamon M.. admitted March 6. 1807.
Parks, B. F., admitted about 1878.
Peacock, Thomas W.. admitted August, 1872.
Peck, George R., admitted April 3, 1872.
192 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
I'.'ckliaiii. t'haili's J.. adinittiMl about 1871.
I'ctrci. William A., aduiittt-d 187.").
iVikiiis. Luther, adinitted June :2S. 1895.
IVttil.oiie, S. H., admitted alumt 1881.
riper. Seth H.. admitted July 3. 1889.
J'oiter. Samuel ^I.. admitted Marcli. 1881.
Fuirell. George W.. admitted about 1895.
Kossiter, J. I*., admit ti>d June L'8. 1898.
Kalstin. Clayton :\I.. admitted May 9, 1870.
Salathiel, Thomas S.. admitted 1894.
If^cott, Howard, admitted January, 1898.
Scudder, John M.. admitted 1870.
Shannon, Osborn. admitted about 1871.
Showalter, John W., admitted August, 1871.
Sickafoose, Michael, admitted April, 1873.
Snuirt, Oliver P., admitted May 9, 1870.
Siielling. George R.. admitted about 1899.
Sjiencer. Samuel F., admitted 1879.
Stanford. Thomas H.. admitted March 18, 1885.
Ste],hens(in. L. T., admitted 187tl.
Si.-wait. Joseph, admitted about 1889.
Sweeney, , admitted Decendier 12, 1872.
Swatzeil, Philip L., admitted ]S!(2.
Sylvester, W. O.. admitted April, 1872.
Soule, Martin Bradford, admitted Mareli, 1884,
Shewalter, M', ('., admitted De.'end.er 10, 1887.
Taylor. Wilbur F.. admitted about 1880,
Thomi.sou, J. :M.. admitted about 1882.
Thompson, Calvin C, admitted December 23, 1880.
Thomas, Mayo, adinitted 1897.
Tilil)ils, W. H., adinitted A] nil 17, 1874.
Turner, William F., admitted 1S70.
\anGundy, Edward, admitted Sc|ilcmbcr 10, 1879.
Wagstaff, Thomas E., admittc.l An-iist 12, 1899.
V. ade, Kifhard A., admitted Sc|iicml.er 4. 1879.
Waters, L. C. admitted about 1S7S.
Wagner, Marshall ().. admitted about 1S71.
Warner. George W., admitted .May, 1871,
Watkiiis, W. H., admitted alumt 1S7(),
AVeston, Samuel, admitted March, 1879.
■^■jggiiis, S. T., admitted alxnit 1897,
Willis, A. 1)., admitted August 1871.
Willis. Frank, admitted 1S7().
' HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 193
\Vris;lit. (Jieenbuiy. iuliiiitted Atigust, 1871.
Wilson. Albeit L.". admitted Sei>tember 9, 1882.
W yckoff. Cornelius, iidniitted Miiy 9, 1870.
York. Alexander M., ndinilted August, 1871.
Ziegler. William E., admitted March, 1880.
Zenor. Winfleld S.. admitted about 1880.
Ziegler, Joseph B., admitted 1870.
T.INDLAY ir. ANDREWS was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
County in October. 1870, on a certificate of his admission to practice in
the Courts of Record in Missouri.
He never afterward engaged here, to any extent, in the practice
and for a time was engaged in editorial work and also participated in
some litigation over the title of lands situated near the southeast corner
of the city, in which he was interested. Some time in the 70's he left In-
dependence and has never returned.
BENJAMIN M. ARMSTRONG, at one time a leading member of the
bar, pursued his juofession here until a few months before he died, on the
9th day of :March, 1889. He was born at Sheridan, in Lasalle County,
111., on December 2.5. 1842. and was reared on a farm in that county. He
pursued farming in the country of his nativity until he arrived at man's
estate, when he took up the study of law and thereafter was graduated
from the Cincinnati. Ohio, Law School, in 1867. In 1868 he was admitted
to the bar at Ottawa, 111., and was the same year chosen city attorney of
Ottawa, which ottice he satisfactorily filled for two years.
Late in 1870. he moved to Kansas, in the rush of pioneers who were
then ra])idly peoi)ling the country. At first he selected a claim north-
west of Indejiendence. near Elk River, to which he afterward acquired
the title. During the time of his practice at Independence, from 1871 to
1889. he was city attorney for four years.
Mr. Armstrong was by nature a strong man. and possessed those
elements that would have enabled him to have become a fine lawyer. He
lacked, alone, that close application to study, that is so essential to rise
to disinction in the profession. He was a genial, companionable man
and inclined to enter upon the trial of his cases without thorough prep-
ration, and with too much dependence upon the gifts with which nature
had endowed him. The analyzing character of his mind was very appar-
ent in his cross examination of an adverse witness, where the display
of his discriminating powers clearly marked him as a man who could
have won fame as a scientific lawyer of high order.
He died on March 9, 1889. after a lingering illness, in the prime
of liis life, respected and regretted by the early members of the bar. that
had known him as a man, who, by nature, had possessed a fine legal
mind.
194 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
THO.ALAS (J. AYRES was born at Andover. 111., on May 7, 1842. and
resided there until he was admitted to the bar at Cambridge, 111., Febru-
ary 25, 1871. He moved to Coflfeyville May 25, 1880, and there engaged in
the banking business in company with Mr. Steele, under the firm name
of Ayres & Steele. This firm was afterward dissolved and in its stead
The I'^irst National l^ank of Coffeyville was organized, and Mr. Ayres
continued in the business for some years with the new organization. In
1893 he retired from banking and went to Sioux City, Iowa, where he
became engaged as treasurer of a wholesale grocery company till Decem-
ber, 1804, when he resigned and returned to Cott'eyville. and, in that
place, in the spring of 1895, resumed the practice of law, which he has
followed since. He is now a member of the law firm of Ayres & Dana,
of Colfeyville. He has never held any public ofiice, except he served one
terra as mayor of Cofl'eyville.
EDWARD L. BEGUN was located in the practice at Cherry vale dur-
ing several years, about 1885 to 1888. He was a man of marked ability and
was a fluent and impressive speaker. His frail health during the time
he practiced here, furnished an effective obstacle to that success which
otlierwise might have been his. He died about 1888. or 1889.
J. J. RAR\A'ICK was one of the early members of the bar of Mont-
gomery County and did some practice extending over a number of years.
In the i)ra<-tice he was technical and inclined to be contentious. He died
here .•' few years ago at a very ripe age.
SAMl'EL H. BARR was actively engaged in the practice at Cauey,
Kans., after his admission to the bar, and pursued the same until recent-
ly, when he became interested in enterprises connected with natural gas
and oil develoiimont of the country, which for the time, engages most of
his time.
Mr. Barr was born at Mrginia, in ('ass County, 111., and afterward
lived with his jiarents successively at the following places: Beardstown
and Rock Island, 111., and on a farm just northwest of Independence,
Kans., where they located in the spring of 1878. While living on this
farm, 'Mr. Barr attended and taught school and in vacoti"" '•^i-'Ared most
of the time at fanning, until he began the study of law and was admitted
to ])ractice. Shortly after being admitted he settled at Caney. where he
I)ractjced for twelve years. He still resides there, where he is now the
office inanager of The Caney (ias Comi)any and The Caney Brick Com-
])any, in both of which coni])anies he is a stockholder and an officer.
WILLIAM N. r.ANKS is now in the active ju-actice as the senior
member of ilic law tirni of Banks & Billings. He was born at Hobart,Ind.,
on August 1.". IS(i.", ,in<l at the age of six years moved, with his parents,
to this county, wlicic lie li:is since resided. He was reared on a farm
until lie was al I I wen I. \ seven years of age, when, on Octover 1. 1892,
UISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 195
he wont into the office of Hon. A. B. Clark and began to study law. He
a(i|uired a good education during his residence on the farm by attending
and teaching the local schools during the winter months, and when
nineteen years of age he entered, and studied for two years, at the I'er-
due I'niversity at Purdue, Ind.
Mr. Banks has never served in any public office, excejit as clerk of
Fawn Creek Township one term, and as member of the Board of Educa-
tion of Independence two terms.
\A'. F. BARTLETT came to Independence from Washington, D. C,
abouf 187] and joined our bar and entei-ed the practice, which he pur-
sued but a short time, when he returned to the National Capital. Be-
fore coming here he had had considerable experience in the practice in
some of the Govermental Departments at Washington, and that which he
had learned in the General Land Office "stood him well in hand" here
at the time, as many of the decisions there were applicable to conditions
here. He was a man of ability, highly educated and of engaging address
and a brilliant conversationalist.
N.\THAN BA8S was admitted at the first term of court in the coun-
ty, on the certificate of his admission to practice in Missouri. He began
the practice in partnership with Elmer Fay, at Old Liberty, under the
firm name of Bass & Fay, and was one of the attorneys in the unsuccess-
ful suit brought to compel the county officers to move their offices from
Indejtendence to Liberty where he was located.
The defeat of this litigation paved an easy way for Independence
to ac(!uire the unquestioned county seat. Mr. Bass did not long remain
in the practice, and after retiring from it he served one term as county
superintendent of schools and then moved to Colorado, where he died.
E. M. BEARDSLEY was a conspicuous character at an early day in
the county, owing to his active participation in its financial affairs. He
was at one time clothed with the most important ])owers by the board of
counts commissioners, in connection with the .flldO.OOO in bonds that had
been voted to the L. L. & G. R. R. Co. The recital of his principal acts
and a review of his record more properly belong to another portion of
the county's history. It may be said that in the heyday of his power and
influence he was admitted to the bar. He never became a learned mem-
ber of the profession nor indulged in the practice, and, sometime in the
70's, left the county.
JOHN F. BELLAMY was born in Switzerland County, Ind., in 1843,
and was afterward graduated as Master of Arts from De'Pauw Universi-
ty at (ireencastle. Ind. He then, for several yeai-s, taught in the higher
branches. He was successively principal of Wilmington Academy at
Wilmington. Ind.. Mt. Carmel Union High School at Mt. Carmel. HI.,
and Sjrring Street School at New .\lbany, Ind. He then, owing to fail-
1 96 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
iug liealtli, abiiiuloned teaching and took up the study of law, and, in
1870, was admitted to the bar at iladisou, lud., where he theu settled
and i)ui-sued his profession until 1885, when, owing to ill health, he
moved to Girard. Kans., and subsequently, in 1891, to Cherryvale, Kans.,
where he has since })racticed law. While in Indiana Mr. Bellamy was
twice elected and served two tei-ms as prosecuting attorney of the Fifth
Judicial Circuit, from 1877 to 1881; he also, at Girard, Kans., filled
one term as jiolice judge and is now serving his fifth year as city attor-
ney of Cherryvale.
MARTIN Y. B. BENNETT, now living at Columbus, Kans., was ad-
mitted to practice law, in the couuty. at an early day, and at one time he,
in partnership with J. D. Gamble, under the firm name of Bennett & Gam-
ble, did a flourishing business in the practice, and as real estate agents.
Mr. I'.ennett, in s<niic rcspciis. was a very remarkable man. He had a
quick, alert mind and a cniinuand of language that was wonderful. He
was fond of public speaking, and in the practice and in his speeches, was
aggressive and assertive and often abusive, and always eloquent and en-
tertiiining.
Some time in the 70's he retired from the practice and went on the
rostrum as a lecturer on temperance where he was very successful. He
addressed large meetings at various points over many of the States, and
was very pojjular and in great demand with the friends of the cause he
so eloquently pleaded.
JOHN BERTENSH.\W was admitted to practice, after having pre-
viously read law since September 21, 1891, in the office of Wm. Dunkiu.
Mr. Berteushaw was born in Franklin County, Ind., on December
14, 1872, and shortly afterward moved with his parents to Montgomery
County, Kans., wliei-e he spent his boyhood days until thirteen years old,
working on a farm, and attending school in the winter. He then moved
to Elk City, where he attended the city schools from which he
was graduated in 1890. While a student at Elk City, he spent his vaca-
tions clerking in stores there, which he continued after graduating, until
he began the study of law. Since his admission to the bar, he has been
in the active jjractice at Independence, and is now a member of the law
firm of Fritcli & Bortenshaw. He served as dejiuty county attorney un-
der .li'hn (':ilhiliaii inr four years, from 1897 1<> 1901.
A .1. I!1I>I>1S()N was .1 member of the bai- of llic counly and jirac-
ticed several years a1 Cort'eyville during the 80"s. He moved to Oklahonux
where lie continued (lie jiradice.
AKTHl'IJ I'.Il.LIXGS is cme of the latest ac<essions to theMontgom-
ery <"ounty bar and may claim the distinction <>t' being its only member,
now in the jiraclicc born in the county, except .V. L. Coiirtright, who was
born in Independence in 1873.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 197
Ue was l)oi-u near Liberty on October 15, 1874, where he was reared,
isiKMuiiiiu his youthful days \v..rldii,-i' ou his father's farm aud attending
and t.'arhiiifi tlie neiohhoriiii; schools. He then entered the University
of Kansas fmni which he was oiaduated as Bachelor of Arts and also as
Bachelor of Law on June 11, 1002.
Afterward, and on September 15, 1002. he went into partnership
in the jtractice with Wni. N. Banks and this firm under the name of
Messrs. Itaiiks & I'.illini;s is now in the active practice of law at the coun-
ty si':!l.
GEO. A. BLACK became a member of the bar in the early 70's but
never engaged extensively in the practice here. He afterward moved to
Girard. Kans., where he died about eighteen years ago.
For a time after his adnussion he was a member of the firm of Black
& Hall who created some notice as the projectors of a railway, they
strenously advocated the building of, to some indefinite point in the
very far west. It was called the -Sunset Railway"' and never material-
ized.
J. W. BLACKBURN was admitted to practice at the May, 1871, term
of the district court, on his certificate of admission by the Supreme Court
of Illinois. Jic shortly after left the country and has never returned.
A. V. BLAIR was admitted to the Montgomery County bar in May,
1871. but did not afterward engage in the practice here.
NORRIS B. BRISTOL is "the oldest living member of the Montgom-
ery County Bar. At the age of nearly 53 he was admitted to practice
on the examination by aud the report of a committee. He has lived here
ever since but has never engaged in the practice of his profession. He
was born at Fulton. Oswego County, X. Y.. on August 12, 1819, and lived
a greater portion of his life, liefore coming to Kansas, in 1870, at Ottawa,
Lasalle County, 111., where he followed the mercantile business. He lo-
cated at Independence. Kans., late in 1870. and soon afterward erected
the finest residence then in the county. Since Mr. Bristol located here
he has lieen a T'nited States Circuit Court Commissioner and has also
filled the office of justice of the peace. Under the weight of his venerable
years, he is the same genial and jolly man he was over thirty years ago.
I). B. BROWX was admitted to the bar on the certificate of his ad-
mission in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. He came toln-
jiendence from Indiana and was a brother of Mrs. Theodore Filkins, one
of the early settlers of the country. He was a young man, about
twenty-four years of age and of fair attainments and displayed great
energy, industi-y and perseverance, and it was freely predicted by the
lawyers who knew him that a bright future awaited him in the profes-
sion. He contracted a severe cold from exposure in efforts to erect a
building on Penn. avenue, near where is now located the harness store
1 98 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of Johu Ciaiiier, which developed into pneumonia and ended his career
on earth.
JOSEPH D. BEOWN was born in Morgan County, Ind., on Nevem-
ber 9, 18G1, and in the county of his birth followed farming and teaching
until he began the study of law.
Afterward, and on May 31, 1887, he was. at Valparaiso, Ind.. admit-
ted to the bar, and thereafter practiced his profession in his native
State until he moved to Kansas in ISilG. In the fall of that year he was
admitted to practice in Montgomery County, and shortly afterward
formed a partnership with Hon. A. B. Clark, under the firm name of
Clark & Brown, which continued in the practice until Mr. Clark went to
Oregon and since then Mr. Brown has continued in the business here.
JUDGE J. F. BROADHEAD became a member of the bar of Mont-
gomery County in 1875 and as a member of the firm of Hill & Broadhead
did an extensive practice until about 1881, when he retired from the firm
and returned to his former home in Linn County, Kans., where he contin-
ued in the practice until his death, about ten years ago.
Judge Broadhead itresided over courts of the Sixth Judicial District
for some months, he having been appointed judge to fill the vacancy
occasioned by the resignation of Judge D. P. Lowe, in March, 1871.
The judge was past middle age when he located at Independence
and had devoted many years to the jiractice in Linn County. During
the time he spent at the bar here he was a tireless worker both in his of-
fice and in the court room. He often took an active part in political cam-
paigns and in 1878 was a candidate for the judgeship of the Eleventh
Judicial District against Judge Perkins, the Republican nominee, and
was defeated by a large majority. Two years later he I'eturned to the Re-
XJublican party, and advocated its princijiles on the stump. In the cam-
paign of 1878 he had sincerely and confidently predicted the disasters
that must follow the resumption of specie payment that had been sched-
uled to take place on January 1, 1870, and said it could not be done; and
the efforts to accomplish it would result in worse than failure. In 1880
he began each of his political speeches with an acknowledgment of his er-
ror, which he conclusively proved by saying, "I then said it could not be
done and 1 now say it has been done."
C. S. Brown was an early practitioner in the county. He was lo-
cated at Coffeyville and after pursuing his profession at that place for a
few years moved to Washington, D. <'., where he secured, and has since
retained, a responsible i)osition in the servi<e of the (Jovernment.
ROBERT BROWN did not engage in tlic practi.e here after his ad-
mission to the bar.
CEO. W. BCRCHARD liecame a mcmlier of the bar of Montgomery
• uunty (in I lie reitified record of liis admission to jiractice in tlie Su-
])it'mc Couil of Illinois. Before his admission here he had well (ju^ified
UISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 199
Liniself in the s(ieii((> of tlio law but never entered the general practice.
His tastes and inclinations tended to other pui-suits, and about the only
attention he gave to his profession while here was in looking after such
matters in court as grew out of his business of loaning money and specu-
lating in realty. From 1873 to 1SS2 he was the attorney for Austin Cor-
bin of New York, wlio did a very extensive business over many of the west-
ern states in loaning money and dealing in tax titles. Mr. Burchard's po-
sition as such attorney gave him much professional business in the
courts of this and adjoining counties for Mr. Corbin.
Mr. Burchard was born at Litchfield, H(illsdale county, Mich., June
8, lSJt4, where he resided, was educated and in June, 1866,. was graduat-
ed in the classical course from the Hillsdale College. He took up the
study of law in his native city, in the law oflSces of Judges Pratt & Dick-
erman and was afterward admitted to the bar at Hillsdale on May 12,
1868. He entered the law office of Messrs. Miller & Van Arman, in Chi-
cago, and on October 21. 1871, was admitted to practice by the Supreme
Court of Illinois.
Mr. Burchard came to Independence late in 1871 and during the
next year purchased a one-half interest in the South Kansas Tribune,
of which he was the editor in chief from June 12, 1872, to January 1,
1874, and afterward for several months did some editorial work for the
same paper. He then disposed of his interest in the pawer and did no
more editorial work until he purchased the Independence Kansan, which
he edited with marked ability and independence for about one year, com-
mencing January 1, 1879.
In 1882 he located in Chicago where he has since lived and been en-
gaged in handling real estate, loaning money on mortgage security and
promoting the building of railroads and in other important enterprises.
While living at Independence he always evinced a lively interest in
its public affairs, and was elected its mayor in 1878 and served till 1881.
During his administration the present city building was constructed. He
is an ;ible man, well educated and of extensive reading. Among the con-
spicuous traits of his character are his independence in thought and ex-
pression, his true friendship for his friends and his uncompromising ad-
lierence to principle.
R. E. BrKNS was admitted to the bar here on motion of J. B. Zieg-
ler, on his certificate of admission in the .State of Iowa.
E L. CAMPBELL was one of the early practitioners at the bar here.
He was a i)artner of Col. Charles J. Peckham and for several years, dur-
ing the 70's, the firm of which he was a member (Peckham & Campbell)
did a profitable law practice. Mr. Camjibell went from here to Denver,
Colo., and engaged in the practice there.
PHILIP H. CASS located at Coffey ville upon his admission, where
he has since actively engaged in the practice of law. He was born at Buf-
200 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
falo, Heart. 111., on June 24. 18C.!l. and lived there on a farm till February
11, 1881, when he moved to a farm near Nebraska City. Neb., where
he remained until November 11, 1881, and then located on a farm near
Brownsville, Chautau(]ua county, Kans., and afterward, on September
26, 1890, went to Beatrice, Neb., where he engaged as bookkeeper and
stenographer for William Sculley until May 4, 1893, when he went to
Washington. D. C. and entered the Govennental service as stenographer
in the Record and Pension Office, from which he resigned October 3,
1899. and was admitted to the bar by the Court of Appeals of the Dis-
trict of Columbia. About a year later he located at Coffey ville. He is
a graduate and post graduate of the law department of the Georgetown
University at Washington, D. C. and was a sjiecial student in the law de-
partment of the Columbian University at the same place before com-
ing to Coffeyville.
JOHN t;ALLAHl\.N was born in Lake County, 111., in 1858, and mov-
ed with his parents to Montgomery County, Kans., where they located on
a farm in the Onion creek valley in March. 1873. Here Mr. ('allahan
worked on the farm, attended and taught school until about 1877, when
he went to Grenola. Kans., and was employed there as clerk in the store
of Messrs. Hewins & Titus, which position he held for about four years.
He was then appointed postmaster at Grenola and served four years in
that office. After his term as postmaster expired, he, about 1885, began
the study of law, and shortly after— and before he was admitted to prac-
tice in the court of records in the State— looked after business and tried
cases in the justices of the peace courts. For about five years he devoted
his time to the study of law and to the practice in the inferior courts
until about 1890 when he moved to Independence and soon after became
deputy sheriff under hisbrother.ThomasF. Callahan, in which capacity he
served for two years and then went into the office of Samuel V. Elliott
where he studied law and was admitted to practice in the district court.
He then became a partner of Mr. Elliott, under the firm name of Messrs.
Elliott & Callahan, where he continued until he was elected county attor-
ney in 189G. He was reelected as his own suc<'essor in 1898 and .shortly
after having served two terins. the last ending in January. 1901, his
health becoming im]iaircd. he quit the ])ra<tice here and went to Kan-
sas City. Mo.
I'.VTKK'K CAVENAUGH. after jiracticing at Independence a short
lime, settled in the far west.
JOSEl'H CHANDLER began the study of law at Independence, Ks.,
in the office of his brother. Hon. Geo. Chandler, in 1874, and wasadmitted
to pn'ctice here and in the Supreme Court of the State. After his admis-
sion he at once entered the jiractice in partnershi]) with his said brother,
under the firm name of Messrs. Geo. & Jos. Chandler, which he continued
till earlv in 1883, when he formed a law partnership with Wm. Dunkin,.
insTOKY 01 MO.NTCOMKKY COfNTY^ KANSAS. 201
Avliicb. colli iuiied for two vears, after which he coutimu'd in Ihe i)ractice
aloue until his death at Indepeudeuce, ou October IG, 1902. A sketch of
his early life appears elsewhere iu this volume.
No niend>er of the bar was more devoted than Mt. Chandler to the
piofession. during his twentv-seven years of practice here; and none ever
had the implicit confideuce of his clients in a greater degree than he. He
was painstaking and conscientious in the discharge of his duties to his
clients and often rendered to them his professional services for inade-
(juate compensation. His weakness was in his custom to defer closing
out, without unnecessary delay, each matter placed in his charge and
his fciirless, tedious and uncompromising contention for every right of
his client, however insigniticant. In the trial of a case he was aggressive
and unyielding, and his evident earnestness, honesty and sincerity, won
the admiration of the bench and bar as well as that of his ciients.
He was a fluent talker and always presented his views to the court
and jury with muck earnestness and power. He left a stainless charac-
ter, after a long career at the bar of the county, and a host of friends and
admiiers whom he had unselfishly and devotedly served.
JAMES R. CHABLTON was born at Salem, in Marion Co., 111., on
July 21, 1858, and afterward resided successively in the county of his
birth and at Sedan, Kans., until he was admitted to practice law by the
district court of Cowley county, on August 12, 1880.
Before his admission to the bar. Mr. Charlton's life had been spent
farming, attending and teaching school, clerking and reading law. He
became a member of the bar of this county on March 1, 1884, and located
at Elk City in the practice. Since then he was police judge of Elk City in
1889, justice of the peace in Louisburg township the two succeeding
years and was then in 1890, while justice, elected county attorney, which
office he filled for two years ending in January, 1893. Since Mi-. Charl-
ton's admission to the bar he has spent much time preaching the Gospel,
especially at revival meetings, where, by his well-known eloquence, he has
exercised a potent influence for Christianity.
Mr. Charlton is now located in the practice of his profession at Ca-
ney, Eans.
BOX. ARTHUR B. CLARK has been a member of the bar and in the
l)ractice of law for a longer period than any other practicing attorney at
our bar — he having been admitted to both State and Federal courts iu
( )hio in 1865— except B. Giltner, recently located at Coflfeyville, who was
admitted in 1856.
He was born in Geauga County. Ohio, October 15, 1843, and spent
his boyhood days there, attending school during the winter months and
in summers working on a farm, until he was about grown, w-hen he im-
proved his education by a course of studies at Burton Academy and then
at th" Western Reserve Seminarv in his native State.
202 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
He then entered the law (leiiartment of the Ohio State and Union
Law College of Cleveland. Ohio, and was jjraduated from the latter in
1865 with the degree of L.L. B.
He entered the practice in 18C7 at Mattoon, 111., where he jmrsued
his profession about four years, and then, in August, 1871, moved to ('of-
feyville and began the pursuit of his profession. He took a leading part
in organizing the city of Coffeyville and was selected as its first mayor.
At the general election in November, 1872, he was chosen county at-
torney and in January, 1873, moved to Independence and entered upon
the discharge of the duties of the oflBce in which he continued until
January, 1877 — he having been elected as his own successor in 1874.
After his last term as county attorney had expired, Mr. Clark at
once entei'ed the general practice at Independence, which he continued
until about 1901, when, on account of the health of his family, he moved
to Portland, Ore., where he liegan the practice of his profession, which he
continued until May, 1903, when he returned to Independence and re-
sumed the practice here.
Mr. Clark represented Montgomery County in the lower house of
the Kansas Legislature in 1877 and 1878; and was a member of the
State Senate four years from 1880 to 1884. In 1890 he was the Repub-
lican candidate for Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District which then
included Montgomery County, but was defeated by the candidate on the
fusion ticket.
EDGAR M. CLARK, after reading law with his brother. Hon A. B.
Clark, was admitted to the bar of the county and afterward entered the
])ractice at Independence as the junior member of the law firm of Clark
& Clark which he continued 'till 1888, when he moved to Oklahom;i,
where he has since pursued his jirofession. He is now located at I'awnee,
Pawnee county, Oklahoma, where he is tilling the office of county attor-
ney with marked ability..
Mr. Clark is the youngest of a large family of brothers, all of whom
have become proiuinent attorneys and he is ranked among the best in
Pawnee county. He was born at Huntsburg, Geauga county, Ohio.
July Kith. 1856. and reared on a farm and taught school in Ohio and
Illinois before taking up the study of law.
\\. G. CLARK was about thirly years of age when he was admitted
and while of limited education, displayed much natural ability during
the short time he remained in the county. He was especially effective in
the trial of cases in the lower courts.
ALHIORT T. COX was admitted to practice in Douglas county. Kan-
sas, in June, 1894, after reading law and graduating from the University
of the State. He, afterward, in i)artnership with his brother, under the
lii-iii iKUiie of Co.K & Cox. pi"i(ti(('d at Independence. Kansas, about eigh-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 203
tiM'ii inuiiihs. until lS!»(i. when he i-etii'od from the practice, and about
Xowmber 1st of tliat veai- pui-chased au iiileiest iu the "Star and Kau-
saii." a weel^ly newspaper which he. in company with Hon. Henry W.
Youni;-. nndei-'the tiini name of Young- & Cox, puhlislied at Independence
'till May 1st, 1898. Mr. Cox then purchased the paper which he has con-
linncd to publish here and on .June uth, 1900, started, in connection with
it, "The Daily Evening Star," which has a wide circulation in the city.
In tlie publiciition of his daily and weekly papers he uses a linotype and
other modern machinery and appliances.
Mr. Cox was born at Morgantown, .Johnson county, Indiana, October
2nd. 186."). and in February, 1869. moved with his parents to a farm in
lyjontgomery county, Kansas, where he was reared until he began the
study of law in 1892.
IRA E. COX was born at Jtlorgantown. .Johnson county, Indiana,
February 26th, 1868, and was, in February, 1869, brought by his parents
to Kansas, where they settled on a farm in Montgomery county, on which
he was reared 'till he was twenty-four years of age. In 1892 he entered
the University of the State and took up the study of law, and was, in
1894. graduated as a Bachelor of Law from that institution. He shortly
tifter began the practice at Independence with his brother, Albert T. Cox,
and, after continuing in the business over two years, moved on a farm
and then, in 1902, went into the banking business at Anadarko, Okla-
homa, where he now resides.
.JOHN S. COTTON practiced his profession in Independence until
about 1882 when he moved to Kansas City, ilo., and went into the real
estate business, which he continued 'till his death there a few years ago.
Mr. Cotton was born at Millersburg, Ohio, in 1821, and subsequently
moved to Indiana where he lived, first at South Whitney and then at
Columbia City, until he came to Kansas in 1873. While residing at Co-
lumbia City he filled the office of auditor and treasurer of the city and
was a member of the Indiana Legislature five terms.
During a portion of the nine years he was in the practice here he
was associated with M. Sickafoose under the firm name of Sickafoose &
Cotton.
PERCY L. COURTRIGHjT was born at Independence, Kansas,
i?arch 12th, 1873, and, except Arthur Billings, is the only member of
the bar born in the county.
Mr. Courtright was reared on a farm about three miles west of Inde-
pendence until he entered the University at Lawrence in 1897, from
which he was graduated two years later, in the law class. He then, on
June 8th, 1899, was admitted to practice by the District Court of Doug-
las county and on the same day, by the Supreme Court of the State. He
has lived in Montgomery county since his admission here.
204 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
JOSEl'II 15. CKAK;, :i son of Samuel Craig and Jane Miller Craijr.
his wife, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 29th,
1814, and at the age of four years was taken by his parents to Clark
county, Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith trade, but had to aban-
don ii on account of his eyes. He afterward engaged in trade, read law
and was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Ohio, and then, in March.
1841), at the age of thirty-five years, located at AYapakoneta, where he
served as justice of the peace from 1851 to 1853, He was also county
surveyor from 1851 to 1854 and during the last year was elected prose-
cuting attorney, aud after serving out his term, was, in 1858, elected
county auditor, and served in that capacity until 1864, In the fall of
1864 iie located at Muncie, Indiana, where he, in partnership with hia
brother, William, engaged in the drug business.
In 186(; he moved to Hartford City, Indiana, where he was in the
drug business 'till he moved to Independence, Kansas, in 1870. Mr.
Craig was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county but never eugaged
in the active practice of his profession.
He was the first Mayor of Independence, aud afterward served as a
justice of the peace of the city. Judge Craig (as by that title we all
knew him) died at Independence on the 4th day of July, 1894, honored
and respected. He was a genial, honorable nuin and a courteous gentle-
man of "the old school;" and on one occasion in Ohio, refused a nomi-
nation that would have placed him in Congress rather than betray a
friend for whom he was working in the convention.
NATHAN CKEE located at Independence in October. 1872, aud in
the same year became a member of the bar of Montgomery county, he
having been, in June, 1868, at Lawrence, Kansas, admitted to practice
by the District Court of Douglas county.
After his first admission he remained at Lawrence in the practice
until he moved to Montgomei'y county, where he continued in the same
pursuit until January, 1877, when he moved to Kansas City, Kansas,
where he has since jjracticed his profession.
]Mr. Cree was born in Adams county, Ohio, on July 28th, 1841, came
to Kansas in 1859, lived on a farm and taught school in Douglas county
until April, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in the 5th Kansas regi-
ment and served in the Union army until he was honorably discharged
in April, 1S()5. He then returned to Douglas county where he resumed
his former occupations until he was admitted to the bar.
In the early days of the practice in Montgomery county, Mr. Cree
was a marked character at the bar. He was well read in the science of
his ]nof(>ssion and technical in its jiractice. He was recognized in the
lindcssion as a man of fine natural ability, and the possessor of a well
culti\ated mind. He was a man of positive convictions and fearless and
HISTORV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTYj KANSAS. 2O5
siiHCM' ill IIk" advotacv of them, and not at all inclined to compromise or
iiianiiailate to meet the exigencies of the hour; and while he was always
wiiliiiiA to accord an adversary his legal I'ights, he was ever persistent
in clainiiiig his client's dues.
He was forceful with his pen in discussing a legal question, and a
trenchant writer on the political topics of the day, and, often, during his
residence here, in a political paper published by Mr. Peacock, his father-
in-law. exercised his powers with telling effect.
While here Mr. Cree spent much time in the production of an able
treatise on the procedure and practice before justices of the peace, but
discovered it would not be profitable to publish such a work, as in the
practice in that inferior court, scientific principles of law are not gen-
erally of controlling influence.
While residing in Wyandotte county Mr. Cree has served as county
auditor for two years, ending in 1S87, and then as county attorney for
the same length of time, ending in 1889, with honor to himself and credit
to the profession.
E. R, CUTLEE, although admitted, never parcticed the profession
in the county.
D. Y. DARNALL was one of the pioneer members of the bar and
located at Elk City about 1871, after having been admitted. He prac-
ticed there about three years and then left the county,
JOHN M. DAVIS was admitted to the bar of the county on the re-
port of an examining committee and on certificates of his admission from
several courts of record in other states, and from one or more different
circuit courts of the United States. He, however, did not engage in the
practice after his admission.
C. M. DAVIS was admitted on the certificate of his admission to
practice in the circuit court of the State of Wisconsin. He did not re-
main in the county.
BENJAMUN F. DEVORE has never engaged in the active practice
of the law here although he had, for a number of years, pursued his pro-
fession in Ohio before coming to Kansas.
He was born in Washington county, Ohio, on February 11th, 1828,
and in 1830 was taken by his parents to Marion county, Ohio, where they
settled on a farm. He remained on his father's farm working, attend-
ing school and teaching until 1849 when he entered the Wesleyan Uni-
versity of Ohio, and for the next eight years spent his time studying and
teaching, and then attended the Cincinnati Law College during the ses-
sion of 18.57 and 1858 and was graduated from that institution as
Bachelor of Law in A])ril, 1858. He then began the practice at Wapako-
neta, Ohio, the same year, and continued to practice until 18G(J when he
moved to H-artford City, Indiana, where he engaged in the drug business,
2o6 HISTORY OF MOXTUOMERY COI'NTY. KANSAS.
wlii.li 111' colli iimctl "I ill ISTO. when he hunted at ludepeudeiice. where
he has sinee irsiih'.h
i))iiiiig Jlr. Devoi-e's residence here he was a merchant from 1870 to
lSS(t. farmer from ISSd to 1SS4, justice of the peace during ISSl and
ISS.". postmaster from 1885 to 1880, police judge in 1881) and 18!>(l and
has since heen in the general insurance business. He was also a member
of the Legislature from this county iu 1872. In 1880 he was nominated
for Congress by the Democratic jiarty but declined to make the race.
While he is now ]iast .scventy-tive years of age he still takes an active
interest in the jmiilic atlairs of the county and is a highly respected
citizen.
.inxiK .l.V:\li:s DeLOXt;. in the early 7(rs became a member of
the liai of Montgomery county. an<l in co-jiartnership with his son-in-
law. Osborn Shannon, did some jtractice iu the courts under the tirm
name of DeLong & Shannon. For several year.s Judge Del^ong (he had
been probate judge in Ohio before coming to Kansas) was the most con-
spicuous character in Independence. His prominence arose out of the
entry and disposition of the townsite, and the judge's peculiar methods
in handling the matters connected thei'ewith. The townsite, as originally
platted, contained about 1,500 lots besides several tracts known as ont-
lots that were located along the north side. Under the law this town-
site became subject to purchase from the General (Jovernment for one
dollar and twenty-five cents per acre by the corporate authorities of the
<ity in trust for the use and benefit of the occupants, as their several in-
terests might appear. After being elected mayor of the city the judge
made the entry in his own name in trust. The Independence Town Com-
jiany at once laid claim to the lots, contending that the trust under
■which the lots were held was in its favor, and brought suit against Judge
DeLong to secure a judicial declaration of the trust in its favor and a
conveyance to it of the lots.
With his characteristic energy and determination the judge success-
ftiUy resisted the claim of the town comjiany. The case was finally de-
cided in tlie Supreme Court of the State, where the judge's views were
fully endorsed. He at once become very popular with the lot occupants,
whose rights to the lots were doubtful while the litigation was pending.
This poi)ularity, to the extent it had begun, did not long survive, after
the judge announced his intention to make deeds, for a consideration, to
such lot ()ccui)aiits as in his judgment owned the lots they respectively
claimed. This consideration in no case was to be less than fO.Od ])er lot
and an additional dollar for making out the deed. This, at the minimum
charge jier lot. would yield about .flO.OOO.Od and the charges were excuseil
on the grounds that they were to 1k^ used to liquidate the judge's ex-
penses and attorney's fe<'s in resisting what he asserted were the law-
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERT COUNTY^ KANSAS. 207
le><s claiiiis to llie lots. Many willingly paid the judge's charges and con-
tinued to be his friends, while others denounced the charges and the
judge, and liegrudgingly yielded to his demands and generally ever af-
terward fought him in his aspirations for public office. At the end of
the judge's first term he still held the title in trust, to many of the lots
and also made apidication to enter some school land mostly in the third
ward and also a strip joining the city on the south claimed by L. T.
Stejihenson. Wm. Maddaus and others. The bold, aggressive and cease-
less fight he made to I'ccover for the city these lands ,added to his popu-
larity and he was, after one of the most bitter campaigns ever waged in
the city, elected mayor for a second term. It then became somewhat
more difficult for those who were not special friends and admirers of the
judge to secure from him deeds to lots, and in many cases they had to
pay an increase over the regular charges to secure their coveted deeds.
This increase was justified by the judge on the ground that he was "wear-
ing out his life" in making the fight for the lot owners, and they ought
not to hesitate to make the payments and if they complained he was not
slow in denouncing them in the most public and vigorous manner.
The judge kept up the warfare over the title to various lots he had
entered and had not conveyed and over the contests for more land that
he had inaugurated as long as he remained in office. His successor after-
ward, with but little trouble and less agitation, carried the contests to
a successful conclusion and secured the issuance of the patent to the
townsite after it had been held up, on account of the pending contests,
'till 1878. However, the purchase from the State of the tract of school
land mostly in the third ward by Mayor Wilson, in his individual name,
caused much litigation after the issuance of the patent.
Shortly after the i)atent was secured, Judge DeLong moved to
Wichita, where he died a few years later.
SAMUEL DONALDSON never entered the parctice here. He went
to Chautauqua county where he practiced, and where he is well known
as Colonel Donaldson, and is a prominent man and highly respected.
TO WILLIAM DUNKIN reference is made later on in this article.
HENRY C. DOOLEY, before being admitted here, was admitted to
practice by the District Court of Coffey county, in July of the pi-evious
year. He was born in Davis county, Iowa, on February 11th, 180!), and
at the age of fourteen years moved to Coffey county, Kansas, and there
worked his way through the public schools at Leroy. He then for two
years applied himself to the study of law at Burlington, in that county,
'till the date of his admission and the next year located in the practice
at Coffeyville. which he has since continued and where he has built up an
extensive practice in this and adjoniing counties, in the Supreme Court
of the State and the Federal Courts in Kansas and the Indian Territory.
2oS HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
J>in-iii<;- the last fc-n- ypiirs JJi". Dooley lias <>iven imirli attention to
(•(Hipoi-ation eases. He is now a niemlier of the law tiiiii of Dooley &
Oshorn. formed ahoiit a vear aiio and which devotes its entire time to
the jtractice.
-Mr. Donley represented the 2!)th district in the Lower House of the
]-e.!iislatnre of Kansas at its session of liini, and while he entered that
body without legislative experience, he at onee became, and continued
during its session, one of its leading members.
DANIEL W. DUNNETT was admitted to the bar of the county in
the early 70's and for several years was located in the practice at Cotfey-
ville. where he at one time practiced as a partner of Hon. A. B. Clark,
under the firm name of Clark & Dunnett. Mr. Duunett. some twenty
Years ago. moved to the western part of the state and died about two
,^ears ago.
THOMAS E. DEMPSEY was born at Urbana, Ohio, where he re
sided before coming to Kansas in 1885. He was admitted here at once
and entered the practice, which he continued for about one year, when
he located at Oreensburg. Kansas, where he practiced for about a year
and ilien moved to Illinois. Before his admission he was graduated from
the riiicinnaii Law School at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mr. Demp.sey possessed a good legal mind, which had been well
trained, and he was a diligent student and successful in his ])ractice. He
was a young man of excellent habits, of a quiet and unassuming de-
uieanor. and yet of true courage when aroused. He apjiroached a trial
with ((uisiderable timidity and was always fully jirepared on the law of
his cases.
C. \V. ELLIS located at Verdigris City in 18C9, and the next year
went to Parker, AVestralia or Coffeyville, where he entered the ju-actice
with Hon. John M. Scudder, which he continued until, in 1872, he went
to Wellington and afterward to Mfedicine Lodge, in Barber county, where
he located and pursued the practice 'till elected Judge of the District
Court.
During his short residence in this county he was known to possess,
in i\ high degree, the qualities essential to a fine lawyer. He possessed a
stroug, clear mind and was a close student and painstaking in the prepa-
ration and trial of his cases. He has nuide an honorable record in the
|)rofession in Barber county, where most of his professional life has been
s])ent.
CAI'TAIN DAVID STEWART ELLIOTT became a member of the
bar of Montgomerv counly in 1885 and located in the i>raciice at Coll'ev-
ville.
He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. Decendicr I'.'ird, isci.
and at the age of about fifteen years entered a newspaper office to learn
HISTORY OF JIONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 209
tlie l)u.«iness. In April, 1801, he enlisted in Co. "G," 1.3th Penn. Volun-
tccis, and at the end of his three months' term re-enlisted in Co. "E,"
Tiiih I'enn. Volunteers, and served therein over three years.
In 18GS he assumed the editorship of the Bedford County Tress, at
Ihereft. Pennsylvania, which he continued 'till 1873. On February 9th,
ISC.O. he was admitted to the bar of Bedford county, Pa. He was editor
of the Everett, Pa., Press from 1881 to 1885, and iu May of the last year
located at Coffeyville, where from June oth, 1885, to September 1st, 1897,
he edited the Coffeyville Weekly Journal and early in 1892 he establish-
<"d the Daily Journal and edited it 'till 1897.
Oil April oth. 1898, Captain Elliott enlisted and was commissioned
Captain of Co. G, 20th Kansas regiment and entered the Spanish- Ameri-
can war. and engaged in active warfare with the Filipinos early in 1899.
A\'liile in line of duty, on February 28th, 1899. he was shot by a Filipino
sharpshooter, and died a few hours later. His remains were brought
home and buried at Coffeyville on April 14th, 1899, with military honors.
After locating in the county Captain Elliott devoted only a portion
of his time to the practice of law. His tastes led to the formation of his
fellow men into associations, political parties and other organizations
and the promulgation and advocacy of their principles, rather than to
the irksome and methodical work demanded in the practice of law. For
this work of his choice he was by nature admirably equipped. He was
a fluent and pleasant speaker and at once took a leading part in meet-
ings to effect such organizations, or to advocate their tenets. As a writer
he'^was terse, graceful and effective and as a solider, enthusiastic and
courageous.
During his residence at Coffeyville Capt. Elliott was its attorney
for one or more terms and a member, one term, of the Lower House of the
Kansas Legislature, where he was at once a conspicuous member.
At his death he was a member of sixteen lodges.
J. D. EMERSOX became a member of the bar of the county, and af-
terward practiced law with Judge E. Herring at Independence. He then
became interested in United States mail contracts in Louisiana and
Texas and abandoned the practice.
He resided at Independence for some years after retiring from the
practice and finally returned to Ohio.
OLIVER P. ERGENBRIGHT was admitted to the Montgomery
county bar on July 10th, 1883. His life sketch appears in the department
oi biography in this work.
ELIJAH. EVANS did not, after his admission, engage in the
jiractice of the profession in the county.
(TLVELES FLETCHER was born at South Royalton. Vermont,
•lanuaiy llih. 1S44. and admitted to the bar at Emporia in Lvon countv.
2IO niSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Kansas, in September, 1879. Before beconiing a member of the bar Mr.
Fletcher resided for a time at Plainfield, Vermont, then at Ware, Mass.,
where he was employed in a woolen mill, and was afterward in the same
business in Boston, Mass., and at Norwich, Rockville and Hartford, Con-
necticut. He then moved to Brookfield, Mo., where he was a locomotive
engineer and subsequently settled at Emporia, Kansas, and engaged in
the same vocation, until his admission to the bar. He then entered the
j)ractice at Emporia, which he I'ontinued at that ])lace 'till October. I'.tOl.
when he located at Cherry vale, where he has since resided and practiced
his piofession.
(}. W. FITZPATRICK was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
county about 1897, and shortly afterward entered the practice at Cotfey-
ville as the senior member of the law firm of Fitzpatrick & Wiggins, and
continued in the pursuit of his profession for two or three years, when he
removed to the ("hoctaw Nation in the Indian Territory, where his prac-
tice still continues. The memliers of this iirm were the tirst and only
colored men that ever became members of our bar and while they prac-
ticed here, were, by court and attorneys, freely accorded all rights and
privileges that belong to the members of the profession.
ELMER W. FAY located at Old Liberty as a lawyer in 1SG9— be-
fore any court existed in the county— and afterward entered the prac-
tice as a i)artuer in the law tirm of Bass & Fay. and, later, he became
"wheel horse" in the suit brought to compel the removal of the county
offices to Old Liberty as a recognition of its claim to being the county
seat. The stone was too ponderous to be moved to Miihomet's head and
Old Liberty died in its infancy, without honors, and its eloquent cham-
pion shortly after moved westward. After remaining at Peru, Chau-
tauqua (then Howard) county a few years, Mr. Fay went to Texas where
he engaged in the real estate business and came to grief.
Mr. Fay, before coming to Kansas, had been a minister of the gospel,
but finding the restrictions imposed upon those who pursue that calling
too distasteful for his peculiar temperament, came to Kansas, and sought
to fill one of the grades in the legal profession ; and it is said by those
who have heard him speak, that he filled the oratorical features of it to
perfection.
EMIERY A. FOlHiTER was born at Dayton, Missouri, on July 17th.
1868, and the next year moved with his parents (Mr. and Mrs. Goodell
Foster) to Montgomery county, Kansas, and, in 1870, located at Inde-
pendence. He grew up in this city and spent his time attending the city
schools and in reading law. "till August. 1888, when, on a thorough ex-
aminati(m in ojien (onrt in which he evinced remarkable proficiency, he
was admitted to the bar of the county, before he was twenty-one years
of age.
HISTORY 01' MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 211
lie shortly afterward moved to Oklahoma where he bej^au, aud has
since coutiuued, the practice of his profession. At the November, 1902,
<^leclion in that territory he was chosen county attorney of Lincoln
ciniiily and he is now performing the duties of that office.
FI:L1X .1. FITCH, located at Independence in 1890 and reference to
liini will he found on another page herein.
LrTHER FREEMAN was born at Fort Shaw, Montana, on Novem-
iHjr 2Tth. 1872. His father. General Freeman, had spent his life in the
regular army and, hence, Luther, while a boy, was moved from one mili-
fary jiost to another where his father's duties called him. He became a
meinlier of the bar of Montgomery county and practiced here until June,
1902. wlien he took charge of a cattle ranch near Douglas, in Converse
count\. Wyoming, where he is now located.
Mr. Fi-eeman was a student at Kenyon Military School at Gambler,
Ohio, read law one year in the office of Judge J. D. Vandeman in Dela-
ware and was a student of law for two years at the University of Michi-
gan, from which far-famed institution he graduated in 1894 with the
degree of L. L. B.
liERNARD GAINES was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
counly on the certificate of his admission to practice in the courts of
ic(()r('l in Kentuckv. He never entered the practice here.
JAM.KS D. GAMBLE was one of the earliest members of the bar of
llie county and was, in the early TO's, a member of the law firm of Bennett
cK: Gan)ble, which, for several years, did a thriving business in the prac-
tice of law and as real estate agents. Some time before 1880 M'l-. Gamble
moved to Knoxville, Iowa, where he subsequently became Judge of the
Circuit or District Court.
NAPOLEON B. GARDNER was admitted as a member of the bar
on the report of an examining committee appointed by Ht)n. H. G. Webb
while he was presiding as judge jyio tcin. Mr. Gardner never pursued
the practice in the county.
BARSABAS GILTNER was born at New Washington, Clark
county. Indiana, on June 9th, 1832, and spent his boyhood days on a
farm "till he was thirteen years of age, when he entered Hanover Col-
lege in his native state, where he studied for the next five years. He mov-
ed to Indianapolis and taught school in aud near the city, the next four
years, and then studied law aud was admitted to the bar at Danville,
Indiana, in 1836, and at once entered the practice, which, except the
years 18(33 and 1861, which he spent in teaching school at Richland,
Iowa, he has since continuously pursued. In 1865 he located in the
[iractice at Fairfield, Iowa, and after pursuing the profession there for
iiltout eight years, in 1873, he moved to Marshall county, Kansas, where
he continued in the practice 'till he moved to Coffeyville in 1897. Owin<^
212 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
to a iib\>ioal di.sability iu the shajie of a broken ankle, he did uothiuj; in
his profession at ('otleyville until 1898. when he joined the bar of Mont-
gomery connty and has since practiced law. Mr. Giltner has never oc-
cupied any public (itlice, except that he served as common pleas attorney
in Indiana from 18.")7 to 18<>3.
Mr. GIFFORD became a member of the l)ar of Montgomery
county in the 80"s and for about three years was located in the practice
in partnership with E. L. Begun at Cherryvale, Kansas. About 1888 he
located in the practice at Kansas City, Missouri, where he now resides.
While living at Kansas City he has served as police judge.
fiEOR(TE E. OILMORE has, since his admission, pursued his pro-
fession at Independence, where he now resides, practicing law, handling
real estate, writing insurance and is a i)ension attorney. He was ad-
mitted to the Supreme Court July 3rd, 1901.
Mr. Gilmore was born at Grove City, Pennsylvania, on November
17th, 1861, and resided with his parents on a farm there until he was
sixteen years old, and from that time until 1886 he attended the Grove
City College and taught school. In July of that year he located at In-
dependence, where he has since resided.
Bince Mr. (iilmore came here he lias siurcssively clerked in the \>vo-
bate court (under Col. Brown, probate judge) taught school, tilled the
office of justice of the peace five terms, handled realty on commission
and been an insurance agent and has filled the office of city attorney for
tliree successive terms.
COLONEL DANIEL GKASIS was admitted to the bar of Mont-
gomery county and practiced law iu the county until his death at ('of-
feyvilfe, Kansas, on the 24th day of December, 1891.
He was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, on September 21st, 182.").
and thereafter lived in his native county, attending and teaching school
and farming until 1800, when he was admitted to the bar at Lawrence-
ville. Illinois, and entered the practice at that place, which he pursued
\intil the breaking out of the civil war, when he entered the Union army
as a captain in the 8th Illinois infantry, which was recruited for the
three months' service. At the end of his term of enlistment he resumed
the practice which he continued until early in 1802, when he i-e-entered
the military service as a first lieutenant in the 61st Illinois infantry.
At the end of the term of his second enlistment ,by an eloquent
speech, he induced nearly every other member of his regiment to remain
in the war, that continued for a long time thereafter. He stayed in the
army until the close of the war, and rose to the rank of colonel of his
regiment.
Colonel Grass was a remarkable man. i'.y nature he was endowed
with many fine qualities "of heart and mind" and possessed an "iron con-
HISTORY OF MONTOOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 213
stitutioii." II(> was generous and good to everyone, but Lhnself. In his
own all'airs lie was careless and improvident, to others in trouble his
generdus hand was ever ready to extend relief. He was all his life a
great reader of the choicest works of literature, and had a well stored
mind, which, with his natural gifts, enabled him to talk on many sub-
jects most intelligently and entertainingly. H/ls disposition was genial
and happy, his manners polite, courteous and atti"active — even in his
most careless attire and to the humblest. He was a keen judge of human
nature and an accurate critic of literature, and ever entertained a pro-
found contempt for a deceitful or an unworthy man and never hesitated
to dissect and expose the weaknesses of a literary production that may
have been having a season of undeserved popularity. He loved his coun-
try as he did his friends — patriotism and friendship were a part of him.
While Col. Grass was a well read lawyer, he was never technical in
the application of its principles and was sometimes careless in those
minor details that so often influence the result in a trial. His strong
forte was his oratory, in which he excelled before a jury, and as a lec-
turer and political speaker. His appeals to the jury were earnest, sin-
cere and eloquent and his lectures and political speeches entertaining,
instructive and effective. The colonel always evinced a keen interest in
politics and was always one of the "wheel horses" in each compaign. For
years he annually stumped the county for the Republican ticket and in
expounding the principles of the party and enthusing its members, never
sought for himself any public office, although any in the gift of his po-
litical friends was ever within his reach. The only public office he ever
filled in the state, was that of State Senator from Montgomery county
from 1870 to 1880.
MAJOR H. D. Grant was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county
in 1871 but never engaged in the practice of law. He was born in Chau-
tauqua county. New York, on March 26th, 18.35. He was reared 'till he
was eighteen years of age. in Herkimer county. New York, and moved
to Illinois where he worked for a short time on a farm and then entered
Central College at Jackson, Michigan. Shortly afterward he assisted in
recruiting Co. '"I," 4th Michigan, and in July, 1862, entered the mili-
tary service as first lieutenant of that comjiany, and, a month later, was
promoted to the captaincy of the same. Two months and a half later he
was assigned to the command of a battalion in the army and continued in
that position 'till May 27th. 1804. when he was taken prisoner near
Kingston, Georgia. He was taken to Charleston, 8. C, where he was one
of the fifty officers of the U. S. army placed under fire to prevent further
bombardment of the city. Two months later he was exchanged and there-
upon returned to the army and served 'till December 11th, 1864, when he
was mustered out. While in military service he participated in battle at
2 14 lUSlOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
rciTwilli'. Si ' Kivcr. Cliicamnuj'a and Missiouary Kidj;v and was
sli-hily wunnded at Sj.aila. TiMin.. iu August, 19G3.
After ilic war Ilic niajoi- held several responsible positions in rail-
iiiad >('i\ ici' in 'riMnK'sscc. and also several important public offices at
Nasliville. He removed from Nashville to Mont<>oniery county, Kansas,
locating in what is now known as West Cherry Township, on February
nth, 1870. He came to Indejiendence in 1S73, where he has since resided.
Hince living in the county he has tilled a number of responsible public
offices. inclu<ling deputy V. S. Marshal for Kansas and the AVestern Dis-
trict of Arkansas, county commissioner, justice of the peace and police
judge. The major has been in frail health for a number of years and has
retired from all kinds of business and is now (piietly living at his home
in this city.
S. A. HALL was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county, Kansas,
at the November, 1871, term of court on the certificate of admission to
practice in the Supreme Court of Illinois. He was past middle life when
he came to Montgomery county and practiced here four or five years, a
part of the time alone and a jiortion of it in company with W. O. Syl-
vester.
Mr. Hall did not have an extensive legal business and during the
later years of his practice he unsuccessfully played the double role of at-
torney and client iu most of his cases.
WSl. J. HAKKOI> was admitted to the bar of the county on exami-
nation and report of a committee.
He lived on a farm some years after, about two miles southeast of
the present "McTaggart's Bridge" across the Verdigris, but never entered
the practice, although he was a bright. a<tive and well known man and
niigli! have been a success in the profession had his inclinations led him
to pursue it.
THOMAS HAKKISOX was a conspicuous character among the first
pioneers of the county, and one of its first members of the bar. He was
admitted to practice on the first day of the first term of the District
Court in the county, held May 9th, 1870, and thereafter pursued the
practice 'till March, 1877, when, on account of failing health, he retired
from the ])ractice and moved to his farm about three miles southwest of
Indejiendence, where he renmined until his death on May 13th, 1894, ex-
«e}it during the four years he served as probate judge ending in 1887,
while he lived in the city. More extended reference is made to him else-
where in tliis volume.
Judge Harrison was a man of lofty character and was ever held in
tlie highest esteem f(M- the many noble qualities he possessed. He was
honest and sincere iu his convi<iions and a man without guile and pos-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 215
both moral and i>hysiial courage and could neither be driven nor
led into anythino; he did not believe was right.
L. BENJAMIN IJASBKOOK was. at the age of about twenty-two
years, admitted to the bar of Montgomery county, on the certificate of his
admission to practice in the courts of record in New York State. He
was of a highly respected family in the P^mpire State, and had been ten-
derly reared by a widowed mother who had spared neither expense nor
pains to educate him. He did but little practice in this county, although
fairly well skilled in the science of law, but in a short time went to Win-
fleld, Kansas, and undertook the defense of a desperate criminal and,
in the excitement or rather frenzy of the hour, was hung by a vigilance
committee.
EI.IJAHI D. HASTINGS was admitted by the District Court of the
county in September, 1878. and located in the practice at Cherryvale,
Kansas, which he continued for about twenty-two years, and then, owing
to poor health, quit the practice and took up fire insurance, at which he
is still engaged.
Mr. Hasting.s was born at Grantham, New Hampshire, on November
2nd, 1831, and spent his time there and at Newport in the same state,
farming and teaching school, until 1859, when he was, at Newport, N. H.,
admitted to practice law. After practicing less than two years he en-
tered the army and, after leaving it. located in the west. He settled at
Cherryvale shortly before his admission to the Miontgomery county bar
and while residing there has been city attorney for three years and also
a member of the city council for three terms.
JOHN A. HELrklNGSTINE wasadniitted to the bar of Montgomery
county and at once entered the practice here, which he pursued for a
short time as a i>artner of the hiAV firm of Grass & Helphingstine. In 1871
he was elected police judge of Independence and at the end of his term
was chosen county clei'k, in which office he served three successive terms
and thereafter, in 1880, moved to New Mexico, where he became engaged
in the practice, and at the same time published a newspaper and was in-
terested in mining 'till 1886, when he went to California and for yeare
did an immense business in real estate.
While in New ISlexico Mr. Helphingstine served as Inspector General
of Militia with the rank of colonel. He is still an active and vigorous
man and is enthusiastic over the mining prospects in New Mexico, and
contemplates returning to the territory and engaging in the practice and
looking after some mining interests he has in that territory.
BENJAMIN S. HENDERSON, upon his admission to the bar of
Montgomery county, located and practiced law at Independence until
early in 1882. when he moved to ('hautauqua county, where he continued
in the practice for about eight years, during which time he was countv
■216 HISTORY 01- MONTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS.
;illi)riiev fur five yt';us; one yeiir by :ii(]i(iiiitiiLen1 and two terms of two
years each by election. He tlien moved to Wiutteld where he became a
member of the law firm of Peckham & Henderson, which for several
years was the general attorneys of the Denver, Memphis & Atlantic
Railway Company during its construction. He afterward moved to Kan-
sas City. Kansas, and entered the general practice under the firm name
of Anderson & Henderson.
After several years he moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, and entered
the practice as a memljer of the law firm of Beecher & Henderson and is
now pursuing the practice at that place.
Mr. Henderson was born at Crittenden, Grant county, Kentucky,
-October 1st, 1843, and on October 4th, 1861, enlisted in the Union army
and served until he was discharged in February, 1866. Afterw-ard he
moved to Washington. Daviess county. Indiana, where he taught school
until January 1st. 1872. He was admitted to i)ractice at Washington in
f^eptember, 1871, and since January. 1872. he has been constantly in the
practice.
In the i.racticf Mr. Henderson was exceedingly active and energetic,
and in the trial of causes aggressive, full of confidence and fearless, and
in his ])leas to the jury earnest, fiuent and effective.
W. R. HENDRIX was admitted on examination to practice at the
May. 1871. term of court but did not enter the legal field here.
" KKKXKZER HERRING was admitted to the bar of the county
about 1871; and in 1872 was elected probate judge of the county which
office he filled from January, 1873, to January, 1883. Afterward, on
Jfarch 27th, 1883, he located at Kansas City, in the practice and in the
real estate business, which he jiursued there "till his death on October
16th, 1888.
Judge Herring was liorn in I'lMinsylvania and went from there, when
a young man, to I>es Mioines, Iowa, where he joined the army and was
captain of Co. "E," 34th Iowa Infantry. At the close of his military life
he went into the grocery business at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and then
entered the University at Iowa City, from which he was graduated, and
afterward, in June, 1870, was admitted to the bar of Iowa.
He then located in Independence, w'here he was associated in the
])ractice with J. 1). Emerson 'till elected probate judge of the county.
A. T. HIGBY was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county on the
certificate of his admission to practice in Illinois but never entered the
practice in the county.
RUFUW J. IIIL]/w:is liorii in the city of Ogdensburg, in the State of
New York, on the Hith day of Eclnuary, 1836, and resided there until he
was thirteen years of age, when he left home and spent about eight years
on the St. Lawrence ri\er and the Great Lakes.
lu 1857, he left the river and lakes, and, at the age of twentvone
HISTOUY OF MONTOOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 21J
yoiirs. settlcMl :it Cliatfu'ld. Minnesota, where he remained 'till the sum-
mer of 1863— during a greater portion of which time he acted as the
agent of Messrs. Osborn & Sons, who were non icsidents and owned large-
tracts of land in that state. Mr. Hill's duties extended to paying taxes,
negotiating sales and reporting to his principals. During the winter
seasons he also attended such schools as that new country afforded. He
also, from August, 1862, to December, 1863, belonged to the state militia,
which was being trained to be used, when urgent necessity demanded, in
the Civil war, then raging in the country and for protection against
threatened Indian invasions.
In the fall of 1S63 he went to the University of Michigan, at Ann
Arbor, and began a literary course, and shortly after took up the study
of the law, at that famous school, which he pursued 'till nearly the end
of the school year, in the spring of 1865. He then went to Fondulac,
Wisconsin, where he was examined and admitted to practice law in May
of that year. He remained in \Yisconsin 'till the fall of 1807, when he
moved to Linn county. Kans;is, and began the jiractice in partnership
with Judge Henry G. Webb, who had been his partner during a portion
of the time he lived in Wisconsin after his admission.
The firm continued in the practice 'till the fall of 1868, when it was
dissolved, and Mr. Hill settled at Fort Scott. Kansas, and continued the
practice as the junior member of the firm of Webb, Blair & Hill (the
senior member of the firm being Hon. Wm. C. Webb, a brother of Mr.
Hill's former partner) and remained in the practice with this firm of
well known lawyers until Wm. ('. Webb was appointed Judge of the 11th
Judicial District in March, 1870. In May, 1870. Mr. Hill came in the
private conveyance of his firm with Judge Wm. C Webb from Fort Scott
to Montgomery county, whither Judge Webb had come to hold his first
tei'm of court. He and the judge drove up to the improvised court room
at Old Libei'ty, which the judge inspected, and at once made a very em-
phatic refusal to open court in a room he considered so unfit for the pur-
pose. No one was at the court room at the arrival of these gentlemen
but shortly afterward a crowd was attracted, more from curiosity than
otherwise, and still later Sheriff White arrived from Independence where
the clerk of the court, Mr. Stejiheuson, had remained behind. After a
short consultation between the judge, Mr. Hill and the sheriff they set
out for Independence, where the judge opened and held a term of court
and Mr. Hill located here.
Mr. Hill was distinctly a criminal lawyer, in which bi-anch of the
profession he excelled ; and in the days of his active practice at the bar
here, perhaps had no sujierior in that branch. During his professional
career he has defended 158 persons charged with murder, besides many
times that number charged with other crimes and misdemeanors. He has
also done much in the civil jiractice, especially in closely contested cases^
2i8 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
Generallv. he was assigned a leading place in all cases in which he was
engaged, especially in the cross-examination of opposing witnesses. His
method of cross-examination was original, unique and astute. His ques-
tions were framed in that manner that made them an argument, and
drew from an adverse witness damaging testimony in a modified form.
He knew the rules governing the admission of evidence and in the ex-
amination of a dangerous witness played on the outside boundary lines
and sometimes stepped over. He rarely suffered, as often lawyers do,
from imprudent crossexamination.
In the days of his prime he was a dreaded adversary because of his
skill in cross-examination and the fertile resources always at his com-
mand. The opposing counsel who knew him was always on the alert;
vet often with every precaution, failed to protect against some move
coined in Mr. Hill's ingenuity. The methods exercised in one of the
earliest criminal cases he tried in Kansas will furnish some idea of him.
A voung woman in Linn county, penniless and friendless, was charged
with murdering her infant child by throwing it into a lake. That she
threw the child into the lake was established by abundant evidence on
the i>reliminary examination. The young physicians, after a superficial
examination, and as expert witnesses, gave it as their positive opinions
that llic child was alive when thrown into the lake. Tublic opinion ran
high against the sujiposed murderess. No lawyer could be found anxious
to undertake the defense; especially as neither glory nor reward was
promised, and some of tlieni had declined it. In her hopeless predica-
ment she sent for Mr. Hill, then a young nuin about thirty-two years of
age. He offered to defend her on one condition, and that was, she must
answer truthfully a single question he would ask. She agreed to this,
and he asked her if the child was alive when she threw it into the lake,
and she answered no, and he believed her. He at once, and in the night,
secretly exhumed the body of the dead infant and took it in a buggy, in
the box in which it had been buried, to Kansas City, to an eminent phy-
sician and after relating to him the conditions, the doctor reluctantly
consented to make a post mortem, and having opened the chest and ex-
amined the lungs unequivocally declared the child was dead when thrown
into the lake. Mr. Hill prevailed upon him to promise to attend the trial
jind give testimony, which he did, paying his own expenses. The local
j)hysi(iaiis again testified as before but suffered severely on cross-ex-
amination whicii Mr. Hill was enabled to make effective from the train-
ing Ills Kansas ("ity friend had given him.
Mr. Hill had also taken the ]irecaution to re-exhume the body — he
having restored it to the grave on his return from Kansas City — which he
had conveniently secreted. On the defense he introduced the Kansas
City physiciiiii and he at once, with the aid (if the lungs of the child,
demonstrated bi'vond doubt that the cliild had not met its death by
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 219
drowning; and in a very short time the jury acquitted and the court dis-
charged the defendant "to go hence without day."
While Mr. Hill was not an orator in the usual acceptation of that
term, he often made very effective pleas to a jury, and sometimes when
thoroughly awakened could hold them sjiell bound by impassioned elo-
quence. He was in the habit, at least one time in each term of court, of
opening his address to a jury— usually the first he appeared before— by
advising theiu with a smile, "that he did not intend to flatter them, that
they wei-e not the handsomest men he had ever seen, and in his life time
he iiad met smarter men than they, and that they were just like himself,
men of fair looks and apjiearance and of ordinary intelligence and fully
equal to discharge the duty imposed upon them. After this pleasant
opening he would then consume about an hour in demonstrating what
that duty was. Mr. Hill still lives at Independence but spends most of
his time in Oklahoma, in the practice of the law.
JOSEPH W. HOLDREX was born at Springhill. Kansas. November
9th, 1872, and lived there until he entered the University of Kansas, from
which he was graduated from the law department in June. 1898.
On the 8th day of the same month he was admitted to the bar of
Douglas county. Kansas, and then in July. 1898. located in the practice
at Cherryvale. Kansas, where he has since resided and followed his pro-
fession, having during three years <if that time, tilled the office of police-
judge of that citv.
GOVERNOR LYMAN U. HUMPHREY is an honored and distin-
quished member of Montgomery county's bar. His thrilling experiences
as a soldier, his achievements as a journalist and his services to the state
in high official stations, outside of his long and successful practice of
law, entitle him to a most prominent notice on pages of a history of the
Bench and Bar of the county. Since he has now retired from the prac-
tice it would seem most fitting and due to him. to include in the short
history of his career as a lawyer a brief resume of that portion of his life
that has been devoted to public duties; or rather it may be said, the his-
tory of one who has braved so many of the perils of war, rendered such
conspicuous services to his state and country as he has, would be in-
complete and unjust if confined strictly to his successful career of about
twenty years' active practice at the bar.
The Humpbi-eys are of English descent, settling in New England in
the latter part of the seventeenth century, where, in 1799. Lyman, the
father of our subject, was born. In young manhood he emigrated to the
Western Reserve in Ohio, the then far west, where he engaged in the tan-
ning business at Deerfield. It is of interest to note that his tannery
was formerly owned by -Jesse (irant. father of General U. S. Grant, be-
fore his removal to Southern Ohio. At a late date in life Mr. Humphrey
studied law and became a member of the Stark coniitv l)ar. was a colonel
220 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
of nialitia rind a niau of affair.s until his rather premature death in 18,^3.
He was survived by bis wife and two sous. John E. and Lyman U. The
maiden name of the wife and mother was Elizabeth A. Everhart, born
in 1812 at Zanesville. Ohio, and married at Xiles. where her parents,
John and Rachel (Johns) Everhart. were identified with the iron in-
dustry. Her paternal and maternal ancestry wei'e of Pennsylvania
origin, the Johns having left their name in the unfortunate, yet flourish-
ing city of Johnstown in that state. Mrs. Humphrey lived to the rather
remarkable age of eighty-four years, dying at the home of her son in In-
dependence in 1896. Bhe was a woman of splendidly developed faculties
and a sturdiness of character which gave her strength to assume and
carry to a successful conclusion the burden of family cares imposed by
the early death of her hu.sband. ^^he was intensely patriotic, and gave
her two sons to her country in its hour of need with an almost cheerful
assurance. Of the sons, John E. served first as a private in Company
"I," 19th Ohio Vol. Inf.. and in the battle of Shiloh was so severely
wounded as to necessitate his discharge from the service. Later he en-
listed in a battery of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery, and was in the service
'till the close of the war. He came to Kansas among the early settlers
and jassed away in 1880 in ilontgomcry county, where he had lived. He
was unmarried.
Lyman U. Humphrey was born July l.'."itli. 1844, in Xew Baltimore,
Stark county. Ohio. He jjassed the early period of his boyhood in attend-
ance on the village schools. develoi)iug. under the watchful care of his
mother, those attributes of character which have made him distinguished
among men. He was taught early the value and dignity of labor, the
iron industries of his home locality furnishing him the opportunity, and
he entered the jieriod of young manhood with a sjjlendid jthysical con-
stitution.
He watched the progress of events leading up to the Civil war with
intense interest and. every word uttered al)our the home fireside being
charged with that lofty patriotism, so niai-ked in the mother, it was in-
evitable that "war's full-lighted torch" should find in him a ready bearer.
Leaving the High School at Massillon. where he was at the time pursuing
his studies, he enrolled as a private in Company "I," 7(>th Ohio Vol. Inf.,
the date of his enlistment being October 7th, 18(!1. three months after his
seventeenth birthday.
The seventy-sixth Ohio regiment was aitailied to the First Brigade,
First Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps — Army of the Tennessee —
and particij)ated in much heavy fighting during the continuance of the
war. The more notable of the engagements in which our subject took
I)art were: Fort Donelson. Shiloh. Corinth. Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas
Post, Jackson, Siege of Virksbnrg. Lookout Mountain and ilSssionary
Kidge. At Ringgold, Kovcniber 27tli. 18(13, he received his first and only
rnSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 221
wound, lint rciiiainod with Iiis command and ready for duty. He also
parti(i])iited in the battles of Resaea. Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, was in
the hloody fight at Atlanta July 22nd. where the noble :^^cPherson
'\t>ave the full measure;" then at Ezra Chapel, Jonesboro and thence,
with Sherman, to the sea. The triumphant march from Savannah up
through the Parolinas, including the Battle of Bentonville, and the final
surrender of Johnston's army, completed the four years of splendid ser-
vice rendered by Lyman U. Humphrey to his country. He enlisted in the
ranks, was promoted for meritorious conduct to first sergeant, second
lieutenant, then to a first lieutenancy, in which capacity he commanded
his (■oni])any on the memorable nian-h to the sea. He was discharged at
L(nnsville. Ky., July lOtli, ISGij, just six days before the anniversary of
his tweiiTy-first birthday.
The war did for young Humphrey what it did not, do for many boys
of less observant mind. He went into the army an unsophisticated, im-
pulsive youth, with a scant knowledge of men and matters. He came
out a man schooled in self-control, with settled habits and a practical
knowledge of men and aftairs, knowledge gathered in the battle's fervid
heat ;ni(l i>assion, on the long and weary march, at the evening's camp-
tive. lie felt, however, the lack of book-knowledge, and at once devoted
himself to its acquirement, matriculating at Mount Union College for a
brief period, and later, in the law department of the University of Michi-
gan. A year in study here, however, was sufficient to exhaust his limited
supply of funds, and he was therefore compelled to forego further efforts
in the educational line. In 186G he came west to Shelby county. Mis-
souri, where he taught school and, in partnership with the Yoe Brothers
and Col. A. M. York, he published "The Shelby County Herald."
While residing at Shelby ville and in 1S7U, Governor Humphrey was
admitted to the bar. Early in the next year he located at Independence
and on the 8th day of March, 1871, he. in company with W. T. Yoe and
Col. A. M. York, established and published at that place '-The South
Kansas Tribune," of which he was one of the editors until June. 1872,
when he and Col. York sold their interest in the paper.
During the time that Governor Humphrey and W. T. Yoe conducted
The Tiibune it was ably edited, well supported and exercised remarkable
inHuence in politics and in the business concerns of the public. While
the paper was always a strictly partisan Republican paper and unspar-
ing in its denunciation of the principles of its political opponents, its
consi.'^tency and apparent sincerity won the respect of many who opposed
its public policies.
Governor Humphrey was admitted to the Montgomery county bar in
May, 1871, and after he and Col. York sold their interest in the Thibune,
they formed a co-partnership for the practice of law. and. under the
iirni name and style of York & Humphrey, at once established an exten-
2^2 HISTORY OF MONTCiOMERY COT'NTY, KANSAS.
sive iiiul protitahle i)rofessioiiul business, wbiih was fully niaintaiucd
UDtil about 1888 when tlie Goveruor left the practice to assume the duties
of the highest office in the state.
While Governor Humphrey was a well trained, studious and able
lawyer, he had a distaste for the wrangling, disputes and the application
of the technical distinctions the practice so often demands. He loved the
science of the law for its logic and beauty and could easily have been
eminent in its practice. His inclination to the study of literature, mili-
tary tactics and to journalism and politics detracted from what might
have been a more brilliant career at the bar.
The Governor's services to the State of Kansas were important and
gave him enduring fame. In ]87<! he was elected to the Lower House of
the State Legislature and served on the Judiciary Committee where, ow-
ing to his legal training and native ability, he was a most useful mem-
ber. Before his term of office had expired he was elected to fill the un-
expired term of Hon. M. J. Salter as Lieutenant Governor of the state,
and i\t the end of the term, re-elected to the same office as his own suc-
cessor. While serving in his regular term as Lieutenant Governor he
presided over the joint convention of the two houses that elected Hon.
John J. Ingalls the second time to the TTnited States Senate, after one
of the fiercest, most acrimonious and bitter contests ever held in the
state. The leading candidates, Hon. John J. Ingalls and Hon. Albert H.
Horton. were trained in the highest arts of political warfare and the
"battle royal" raged ffir several days when Mr. Horton went down in a
defeat, which was brought about by the bitter fight made against him by
the Ke]iresentatives fr()m Montgomery county. It was charged that in
the early 7(l"s ilr. Horton had been employed by the county conimisioners
to jirevent by injunction, the delivery of the 1200,000 bonds that had been
fraudulently voted to the L. L. & (i. R. R. Co., in the county, and that he,
as attorney for the county, permitted the bonds to be put in circulation
without a legal fight, and received from his client for such conspicuous
services, a fee of |20.000.00. Whatever may have been the merits of the
disputes between the contending candidates or the fact as to Mr. Hor-
ton's management of the county's business, it was conceded on all hands,
that (Jovernor Humjdirey presided with fairness and unusual ability.
In 18K4, Governor Humjthrey was elected to the State Senate from
Montgomery county, for a term of four years, and was elected perma-
nent president pro tcni of that body, and in 1888 he was chosen Governor
by the largest majority ever cast in the state for any candidate for that
offic<'. Hii' carried eveiy county in the state, except two, and his plurality
was over 80.000. At the next biennial election he was chosen as his suc-
cessoi', by a reduced majoi'ity; there having meanwhile come Into exist-
ence a new political party that so disrupted former political organiza-
lIISTORi' OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTY,, KANSAS. 223
turns ami became so strong that at the next biennial election (1892) it
iK^eanie doniiiiant in the state.
Dnring (tovernor Humphrey's nine years' service in the legislative
flejiartmont of the state, and four years as its chief executive, he dis
fharfjed his chities with fidelity and marked ability. While a member
of tlio Senate in 1SS7 he was the author of the joint resolution jiroposing
an amendment to tlieStateConstitution relating to the militia of the state.
The amendment was adopted in 1888 striking out the word "white" be-
fore the words "male citizens" with the effect of including all able bodied
male citizens between the ages of 21 and 45. regardless of color, in the
militia of the state — the 15th amendment to the United States Constitu-
tion having effectually invested the colored race with equal political
rights. His administration as Governor was characterized by honest
and faithful service in all departments, as well as eflScient management
of the different state institutions.
In his first message he recommended the passage of a law relating
to banks and banking and suggested a plan which was closely followed
in the enactment of the present law, which provides for the important
office of State Bank Commissioner. The act providing for the observ-
ance of Labor Day and making it a legal holiday was enacted in obedi-
ence to the recommendation of the Governor. The period. 1888 to 1892,
was a trying one in the number and importance of appointments to of-
fices made by the chief executive. In this field, however, the Governor's
excellent judgment of men well guarded him against errors in making
selections. Among the more important appointments he made were, a
United States Senator to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator
Plumb. State Bank Commissioner. World's Fair Commissioners, a State
Treasurer and eleven District Judges; all of the latter except one, being
chosen at the ensuing election and six of his appointees are still on the
bench.
In 1892, Governor Humphrey was nominated for Congress from the
Third Congressional District by the Republican party. He was defeated
at the polls by about 2.00(1 majority, which was about one-half of the
anti-Republican majority by which judge Perkins was defeated, for the
same office, by Benjamin Clover two years before.
After the Governor's defeat for Congress he became the financial
correspondent of the Union Central Life Insurance Company, represent-
ing a dozen counties in Southeastern Kansas, and he and his oldest son,
Lyman L.. are now looking after the extensive farm loan investments of
that company, which affords them full, profitable and pleasant employ-
ment, and him a pleasant relief from the toils of public service as well as
from the necessary annoyance incident to the persistent applications of
aspirants for public places. The Governor is now living a quiet life at
Independence, with his wife, whom he wedded here December 25th, 1872,
224 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
and liis SOD. A Lincoln. His oldest son and partner in business, with his
bride of a few months, lives "next door" to him.
The Governor's wife was Miss Amanda Leonard, a daughter of
James (\ Leonard, at one time a prominent citizen and banker at Beards-
town, Illinois, and later engaged in the same business for several years
at Independence. She is an accomplished lady, of most refined tastes
and gentle breeding, and, like her distinguished husband, live.s in the
highest regard of the people of this city, where more than thirty years
of her life have been spent.
T. B. JENNINGS was admitted to the bar of the county on May
9th. ISTO. but never practiced here.
JAMES M. JOHN came to Independence in 1875, and after reading
law something over one year was. at the September, 187G, term of the
District Court, admitted to practice after an examination in open court.
At the date of his admission he was in frail health and at once went to
Colorado and New Mexico on a sheep ranch to try the effect of the
climate. After several years on a ranch, his health having very much
improved, he located at Trinidad, Colorado, and entered the practice.
He soon established an extensive business in the line of his profession
and at the same time carried on mining, ranching and speculating and
acciinuilated a largi' furtuiic.
He is now located at Trinidad and divides his time between the
practice and looking after his extensive investments. Since he has lived
in Colorado he has served in the State Senate four years and has been
Mayor of Trinidad for three years, and is well known as one of the ablest
and shrewdest lawyers in the state.
The history of M\r. John as a member of the bar belongs to Colorado,
but having studied and been admitted here, it may be of interest to re-
cord that he had one of the keenest and quickest minds that was ever
j)ossessed by any member of our bar and also possessed natural and ac-
quired elements that would enable him to succeed in almost any vocation
that he might have chosen to follow.
L. C. .Jl'DSON was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county on
May 13th, 1870, but did not enter the practice here.
JAMES KOl'NTZ. after studying law about two years or more at
Independence, was, on examination in 1888, admitted to practice by the
District Court of Elk County, Kansas, and shortly afterward moved to
Tojieka, where he entered the railroad service which he has since pursued.
REUBEN I*. KERCH EV.VL was a member of the bar of Montgom-
ery county and located at CotTeyville. Kansas, where he practiced law a
number of years during the 8()"s and 90's. He moved to the Indian Ter-
ritoiy several years ago and entered the practice there.
•loHN II. KEITH was liorn in Warren county, Kentucky, on De-
ccnihrr llrd. l^tiT. wlierc he was reared. He taught several terms of
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 225
Kcliool in liis iiiitive village. Three Forks, before he was admitted to the
bar at Howling; (ireeu, Ky., November 9th, 1889. Mr. Keith located at
Cottevvillc in 1893 aud in November of that year was admitted to the
bar of ^lontgoinery county and has since actively and continuously pur-
sued his jtrofession in the county and in the Federal and Supreme Courts
in this state, and in the Federal Courts of the Indian Territory. During
his residence at Cotteyville he has served five terms as attorney for that
city aud now represents the 29th District in the Lower House of the
Kansas Legislature, and is a conspicuous leader of the minority party
in that body.
M. B. LIGHT was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county in
May, 1870, and shortly after located in the practice at Sedan, where for
years he had a good practice and enjoyed the confidence aud esteem of
all who knew him. While there he filled, to the satisfaction of the pub-
lic, several important i)ublic positions. He died a few vears ago at
Sedan.
MAJOR AVM. M. LOCKE was admitted to the bar of Jfontgomery
county on the certificate of his admission to practice in the United
States Courts in Virginia and in Missouri. He had been a major in the
Union army and after his admission here, located at Cofieyville, where
he pursued the practice for something like two years and then moved to
Colorado and several years after died suddenly while journeying on a
trip to the east. M.'ajor Locke was a good lawyer and a very courteous
and kind hearted gentleman and during his short stay in the county won
the esteem of all who knew him.
MR. LORING was at one time, about 1871, a member of the bar of
Montgomery county, where he i)racticed his profession a short lime and
then left the county.
AA'. W. MARTIN was born at Crawfordsville, Montgomery county,
Indiana, and, before becoming a member of the bar, lived at Thorntown,
Indiana, where he pursued farming until he entered the Union army.
He was admitted to practice at I^ebanon, Indiana, and afterward located
at Fort Scott. Kansas, where he filled the office of attorney for that city
and was, later, probate judge of Bourbon county. He then filled one
term as Register of the United States Land Office at Indei)endence
Kansas, and after his term of office had expired he returned to Fort
Scott, and was there, in November, 1888, elected a member of the Kansas
State Senate for a term of four years. In August, 1901, Judge Martin
was appointed treasurer of the National Military Home for Disabled Vet-
eran Soldiers at Leavenworth. Kansas, which position he now holds.
ELMER E. MATTHEWS was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
count\, on examinati<in, after having read law at Independence, Kansas.
After his admission he located at Sedan, Kansas, where he pursued his
profession about ten years and then returned to Independence and quit
226 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
tlic i/iaclice. He was born at Muncie. Indiana. July 2!tlli. ISOO. and. at
llio a«i(- of twonty-one. came with his family to In(h>i.<Mi(lenr(^, whero he
has since lived, except during the ten years he was in the practice at
Sedan.
SELYIN V. MATTHEWS was born at Muncie, Indiana, on Feb-
ruary loth, 1858, and came with his parents to Independence in May,
1872, and has since resided here. His sketch appears with that of his
father, on another page herein.
WILLIAM A. MERKILL was born in Lafayette county, Missouri,
August 22nd, 1861. He taught school in Johnson county, Mo., and there-
after, in October, 1897, was admitted to the bar at Warrensburg, in that
state, after which he located at Caney, where he has since practiced his
profession. He was admitted to the Montgomery county bar at the
March, 1898, term of court.
J. A. MILLS was admitted to the bar of the county in August, 1872,
but never afterward engaged in the practice hei'e.
J. J. MOON was admitted to practice at the December, 1871, term
of court, but did not jjraetice law here.
YIN W. MOORE was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on December
9th, 1871, and was reared on a farm. He came to Kansas with his par-
ents in October, 1883, and located for a short time at lola, and then
moved to his father's farm about six miles southwest of lola, where he
lived 'till November, 1894, when he settled at Coffeyville, where he has
since resided in the practice of the law.
S. B. MOORKlIorSE was admitted to the bar of the county in Oc-
toboi', 1870, but never engaged in the practice of law.
MICHAEL McENIRY was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1845. He
came to Kansas in the late 6()'s and first settled on a claim near Hum-
boldt, where the local land office was then located.
He became involved in a contest over the right to make an entry of
his land and during the jtendency of the litigation over the dispute, be-
came familiar with the law pertaining to the rights of settlers on the
public domain, and was engaged as a clerk or an assistant in the office
of Messrs. Cates & Thurston, who had a large business trying contest
suits and loaning money to settlers to pay for their lands. In 1871, or
1872, ^Ir. JIcEniry moved to this county and took u]i a claim about two
miles east of the city, and near Morgan City, and afterward moved to In-
dependence, where he actively engaged in the business of looking after
the rights of disputants in contest ca.ses in the local land office here. He
was admitted to jiradice law by the District Court of Montgomery
county, but never aclivciy engaged in the i)ractice outside of office work.
After his admission to the bar he repeatedly served as police judge and
justice of the peace in I ti(lc[icn(h'nce, during the time he resided here.
Early in the 8()'s he moved to Cotleyville and took charge of the Eldridge
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 227
House at that place, and for several years owned and conducted the lead-
ing hotel (if that city. While at Coffe.yville he filled the ofiQce of police
judffi' and was also an oflicer and stockholder in the First National bank
t here.
Some ten or more years a<;o Judge MiEniry sold his hotel and went
to Chicago where he remained a short time and then to Litchfield, Il-
linois, where he again became engaged in the hotel bu.siness. He after-
ward left Litchfield and returned to Chicago, where ho now resides. The
judge was a most genial, free hearted and comjianionablc man, and made
an efficient and popular ofiicer, and in the administration of the duties
of the judicial offices he filled, evinced a clear knowledge of the law on
such questions as were frequently pi'esented to him.
J. H, McVEAN became a member of the bar of Montgomery county,
in its infancy, and located at Elk City, where he practiced law for about
twelve or fifteen years and died. He was a well qualified lawyer. By
nature he was talented, and, before his admission to the bar, had thor-
oughly fitted himself to enter the profession, but after entering his pro-
fessional career, gradually yielded to excesses that finally resulted in his
death.
W S. JIcFEETERS was admitted to practice law at the first term of
the District Court ever held in the county, in May, 1870. He came to the
county before its organization, and located at Verdigris City, and was
one of the most active men in the efforts to locate the county seat east of
the Verdigris. He was a bright, energetic young man, but never ap-
peared in the courts of Montgomery county after the first term of the
District Court. During the summer of 1870, while enroute on a trip to
Fort Scott, then the neai-est railroad station, he claimed and took charge
of a team of mules that were held as estrays by a farmer on the road
and took them to Fort Scott and sold them. It afterward transpired
that ihe mules belonged to a Mr. Ilargrave (a brother of Asa Hargrave
of border warfare fame). The owner set on foot a prosecution against
Mr. JIcFeeters which resulted in his conviction of grand larceny and a
sentence to the penitentiary. He never afterward returned to the countv.
• GEORGE AY. McCLELLAND was born at Nashville, Illinois, on
May 18. 1855. and lived there till 1878, where his time was spent teaching
and attending school. His education was completed at the Southern Il-
linois Normal School. He went from Illinois to Missouri where he lived
for a short time, during which, and in 1880, he was admitted to the bar
at Nevada. Missouri. The next year he moved to Kansas, and located at
Chanute. He was afterward, in 1881, admitted to the Labette county bar
and then in the same year to the Supreme Court of the State. He was
afterward located at Kinsley, Kansas, and served one term as attorney
for that city. He was located for a time at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Territory, during the exciting times of its earliest settlement, and while
228 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
there served as police judge, and in th.at oflBce spent, perhaps, the bus-
iest period of his life. In his official capacity he disposed of 4,7.50 police
court cases, and on one occasion fined some of the notorious Daltons.
McClelland joined the Montgonierv county bar in 189G and has contin-
uously pursued the practice atCherryvale. where he has since the date of
his location there, served two terms as attorney for that city.
W. McWRKlHT was admitted to the bar of Montjiomery county at
the October. 1S70. term of the District Court on the certificate of his ad-
mission io practice in Tlliiiois, but never entered the i)ractice in the
county.
S. F. JIlcI>ERMOTT was admitted to the bar of ]\[ontgomery county
on ]\Iarch !l. ISSO. and liM-atcd in the practice at ( 'oH'eyville, where he now
resides.
RET'BEN NICHOLS was, on the certificate of his admission in Il-
linois, admitted to the bar of Montgomery county, at the October, 1870,
term of the District Court, and shortly afterward located in Howard
countA . and began the practice, which he has since continued. Howard
county was, after ]\Ir. Nichols went there, divided, and formed into two
counties (Elk and Chautauqua), and Ma'. Nichols, then continued the
I)ractice in Elk county. His practice however was not confined to that
county, but for years extended over several adjoining counties. He has,
during his long career, in the profession, been widely known as a promi-
nent attorney.
■I. A. ORR, after graduating in 1894 from the legal department of
the University of Kansas, joined our bar and practiced here a short time,
when he located at ('(ilorado Springs, Colorado, where he has become
prominent in the ])rofcssion.
WILLIAM T. O'CONNOR became a member of the bar of Montgom-
ery county about ISSO, and was in the practice here for a number of
years. He began his jirofessional career as the junior partner of the law
firm of Hill & O'Connor and was afterward a partner in the firm of Stan-
ford & O'Connor and, later, a member of the law fii'm of Humphrey
& O'Connor. Mr. O'Connor left Indei)endence in the 80's and went
west where he engaged in other pursuits.
ROY A. OSRORN was born at Rock]>ort, Missouri, November30,1874,
and resided there till ISSd, when he went to Ness City, Kansas, where,
after staying al)ont five months, he moved to Wakeeney, Kansas, and
lived there until ISIC',, and then located at Salina, Kansas, where he prac-
ticed law a short time and then, March 2, 1!)()1, he became a member of
the Montgomery county bar. located at Coft'eyville and has since pursued
his i)rofession at (hat ])lace.
.Mr. Osborn was a student at the T'nivcrsity of Kansas from which
he was gradiiatrtl in (lie .\radcniii- D('i)artment in ]S'.»7. and in the law
dciiai illicit ill l!t()(l, and. on -Innc 7. I'.MIO, lie was adiiii((ci! (o i.iMc(ic!^
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY; KANSAS. 229
"by tlio District Court of Douglas county and by the Supreme Court of the
State.
JUDGE S. J. OSBORX was born at Eaton, Preble county, Ohio,
and afterward moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where his time, was, for
a number of years, taken up in manual labor and teaching school.
In September. 1872, he. having studied law and qualified himself
to practice, was admitted to the bar at Rockport, Atchison county, Mis-
souri. In .lanuary. ISSd. he became a member of the bar at Larned,
Pawnee county, Kan.sas. and in the same year located in the practice at
Wakeeny, Trego county, Kansas, and soon after became county attor-
ney for the county. He resided in Trego county till he moved to Salina,
Kansas, about February, 1895, and entered the practice there in part-
nership with T. L. Bond, which he continued until he located at Coffey-
ville in 1902, where he has since pursued his profession, as a member of
the law firm of Dooley & Osborn.
AVhile living at Wakeeny, Mr. Osborn represented his county in the
Legislature of the State, in 1885 and 1886, and in the latter year, was ap-
pointed by Governor .John A. Martin, judge of the newly created Dis-
trict Court, of the Twenty-third Judicial District, comprising thecounties
of Rush, Ness, Ellis and Trego and the unorganized counties of Gove, St.
John. Wallace, Lane, Scott, Wichita and Greely. At the end of his term
of appointment, the judge served two consecutive full terms in the same
office, he having been twice elected thereto. While living at Salina,
he rejtresented Saline county in the Lower House of the Kansas Legisla-
ture in ISii!). and was elected Speaker of that body.
JOHN Q. PAGl] was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county in
1871 on the certificate of his a<lmission to piactice in the Circuit Courts of
the State of Jlissouri.
When he was admitted here he was in the banking business at the
site of the present First National Bank in Independence. He never en-
gaged in the practice of law. but less than two years after his admission
to the bar here, became, for a brief time, famous on account of his sup-
posed connection with the York-Pomeroy embroglio, early in 1873. His
name became connected with that exciting affair, by one of the defenses
urged by Mr. Pomeroy against the charge of attempted bribery, in the
assertion that the money was paid to Senator York to be turned over to
Mr. Page for investment in loans at the high rates of interest then pre-
vailing in the country. The soundness of this portion of Mr. Pomeroy's
defense was never conclusively determined and was generally doubted,
although Mr. Page it was thought, was inclined to support it. ilr. Page
quit the banking business and left Indejieudence in a short time after the
defeat of Mr. Pomeroy.
ALZAMGX M. PARSONS was born at Effingham, Illinois, on May
IS. 18.":S. He afterward lived in Davenport. Iowa, until about thirty
230 HISTORY OF MONTt.OMKRY COUNTY, KANSAS.
years of age, when he came to Kansas and taught school and farmed
till March 6, 1897, when he was admitted to practice by the District
Conrt of Montgomery county. 8ince his admission nio.st of his time has
been devoted to the practice although he has taught school at times.
Mr. Parsons, since locating in The practice at Caney, has filled the
office of justice of the peace two terms and also that of police judge twa
terms.
P.. F. PARKiS came to Independence from or near Chicago, Illi-
nois, late in the 70"s and entered the i)ractice of law here but did not con-
tinue in the business here longer than about one year. Judge Parks, as
he was called, was a very aggressive practitioner and was gifted with:
unusual oratorical ability and possessed a good knowledge of the law.
THOMAS W. PEACOCK was admitted to the bar of the county at
the August. 1872. term of the District Court and remained in the county
a number of years, afterward as editor and proprietor of a weekly news-
paper, and then moved to Topeka where he pursued the same vocation.
He never practiced law here.
GEORGE R. PECK was admitted to practice in Montgomery county
on April 3, 1872. His long and brilliant career since then, on the highest
planes in the profession, and the great number of signal triumphs he has
won in the practice, easily mark him as our most distinguished lawyer.
A just history of Mr. Peck would contain an account of these, but
the limited space allotted to this article forbids efforts to enter upon
such a ])leasant undertaking. Inasmuch as the present purpose is to
-v\-rite more particularly of those matters that pertain to the county —
and ihat in a narrow space — we find sojue excuse for eliminating much
that would be interesting in the life of Mr. Peck after he left here. A
true history would also include events outside of his profession, as he
is not only a profound lawyer but a ripe scholar and a magnificent ora-
tor. The many classic orations he has delivered to cultured audiences,
furnish proof of the fact that he is a man of eminence in arenas outside
of his professional life.
He practiced less than two years at the Mbntgoincry county bar and
he often says. ili;it l.iid' jieriod covers the happiest days of his life.
While he wiis t.-riijicl witli life in a new country, which he now says
is ''one of tlic iznnicsi .liarms of human life."' by his genial disposition
and captivating social iiualities, he always made time pass pleasantly
to the comj)anions of his young manhood; and now. after a lapse of thir-
ty years or more, many easily recall the pleasant hours spent in his com-
pany. This was the social side of Mr. Peck during his short professional
sojourn here and while, in history, it may become paled in the light of
such achievements as lead to enduring fame, it should ever be accorded a
place.
Before he had been in Kansas two months, he wrtjte to a home pa-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY', KANSAS. 23 I
per in Wisconsin (Janesville Gazette, January 18, 1872), "There is no
cliance for sleigh riding, but if one is fond of mud, he can be accommo-
dated. Tastes differ, but with tlie little experience I have had, I must
say that I had rather put up with the mud here than the intense cold in
Wisconsin. • » • There is only one way in which you can arrive
at a decision of the vexed question whether 'tis nobler in the mind to
suffer the slings and arrows of an eight-months winter in the north or
a sh(M-t winter here, and that is by trying it." A few years later, during
the destructive drought, there was but little, if any, difference in his opin«
ion or the mud question in Kansas; as more mud was "a consummation
devoutly wished" from early in the summer of 1874, till late in the win-
ter of 1875.
Mr. Peck was born in Cameron, Steuben county, !N^ew York, on
May 15. 1843. He was the youngest of a family of ten children. When
about six years old he moved to Palmyra, Wisconsin, with his parents,
who settled there on a farm, on which Mr. Peck spent his time until he
was about sixteen years of age, teaching and attending the local schools.
When about seventeen years old he entered, as a student, Milton College
in Wisconsin, where he remained three terms, during which he spent hia
vacations teaching.
He had intended to enter an eastern college and complete his edu-
cation, but under the call of President Lincoln, for 300,000 more volun-
teers, he enlisted as a soldier in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery,
in which he served three months and was then commissioned first lieu-
tenant of Company '-K," Thirty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and
afterward, in June, 1864, was promoted to the captaincy of the same com-
pany, and served in that capacity until he was mustered out in July,
186.5. He then returned to Wisconsin and studied law in the office of
Hon. Charles (J. Williams, of Janesville. On February 15, 186(). he was
admitied to practice by the Circuit Court of Rock county, Wisconsin,
and in the fall of the same year was elected clerk of the same court, in
which office he served from January 1, 1867, to January 1, 1869. At the
expiration of his term of office he entered the practice at Janesville,
which he continued until he moved to Kansas in 1871 — reaching Inde-
pendence in December of that year, by stage from Cherryvale. On his
way from Lawrence he met Edgar Hull, then on his way to open a bank
at Indejiendence. and arranged to become the attorney for the contem-
plated financial institution. After his arrival at Independence, he at
first went into the office of W. H. Watkins, probate judge of the county,
and at once applied himself to the study of the Kansas Statutes and de-
cisions, which he continued for a month or more, when his friend and fu-
ture partner. Oeorge Chandler, joined him. Mr. Peck and Mr. Chandler
then fornsed the well-remembered law firm of Peck & Chandler, and
opened an office over Page's Bank on the corenr of Pennsvlvania avenue
232 HISTORY OF JIONTGOMKKY COl'NTY, KANSAS.
Mild Main stiwt. at the present site of the First National Bank, and this
tinn a* uncc ac(niired a lucrative jn-actice.
Karly in 1873, Jlessrs. Peck & Chandler purchased a lot on North
Penusylvania avenue, and erected a twostory brick building thereon and
occupied the second story as law oftices, until January, 1874, when Mr.
Peck retired from the firm and moved to Topeka to assume the duties of
United States attorney for the District of Kansas, to which oflSce he had
been appointed by President Grant.
On locating at Topeka he went into partnership with Hon. Thomas
Ryan, a former United States Attorney and afterward a member of
Congress and Minister to Mexico and now First Assistant Secretary
of the Interior. This firm, under the style of Peck & Ryan, did a large
general practice during the six years Mr. Peck served as United States
Attorney — he having been appointed as his own successor by President
Hayes, and after serving two years on his second term, resigned the of-
fice to devote his entire time to the general practice.
During his term of office and for several years after, he had been
employed as attorney for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Com-
pany, and, in May, isSl, was appointed general solicitor for it. He held
this" responsible position most of the time until 1803, when he moved to
Chicago and continued in the same office till September, 1895, when he
resigned to accept the position of general counsel of the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul Railway Company, which high office in railroad cir-
cles he has held since that date.
Mr. Peck was by nature endowed with extraordinary mental force,
and is a man of extensive information acquired from reading the works of
the best authors. He is a "born leader" in any walk in life he may be
placed. While at Independence he was at the head of our young bar and
has, so far. wherever located, maintained the same ascendency.
When he l^ecaine United States Attorney in Kansas he was about
thirty years of age and was without experience in the practice in the
Federal Courts, and a comparative stranger to many of the lawyers who
controlled the practice of those courts. These attorneys, for the most
part, lived in the large towns along the Kaw and Missouri rivers, where
the State was first pojjnlated, and they distrusted Mr. Peck's ability to
acquit himself creditably in the important office to which he had been ele-
vated from the obscure bar recently created on a late Indian reservation.
His first case in the Unites States Court was against one Holmes who
was charged in forty-two counts, with opening registered letters and oth-
er malfeasance in office, and defended by such eminent criminal lawyers
as Thomas Fenlon, .1. W. Taylor and Albert H. Horton. Mr. Peck con-
cluded the nrgnnients in a close, able and logical address of one and one-
half lionrs. and easily convici.Hl the defendant and dispelled from the
minds of tlKPSc who lic.iid him all doubts of his ability to fill the office.
HISTORY or MONTUO.MEnV COUNTY, KANSAS. 233
Aliiml ;i year after, ho was associated with such ronowncd lawyers
as .!( !i'iiiiali S. Black and William Lawi-ence. and opposed liy (!coi-<j;e F.
I'.diiHinds and P. IMiillijJS in two cases i)ending in the Suinenie Court of
I he I'liited States, involving the title to many valuable tracts of land
on the Osafie Oded Lands in Kansas: and as some of these were located
in this county, a short review of the history of one of the eases may, prop-
erly, lie hietly noted here.
One June 2. 1825. by treaty, certain lands were reserved to the great
and little tribes of Osage Indians which included a strip about three
miles wide, now on the east border of ifontgomery county. On March 3,
1863, Congress ceded to the State from the public lands therein, alter-
nate sections designated by odd nundjers. to be used to secure the con-
struction of railways within her borders. On February 9, 1804, the State
by an act of its Legislature, accepted the grant so made by Congress and
tendered a portion of such lands to the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Fort
Oibson Kailroad Conipay to induce it to build a line of road as provided
in the act.
On September 29, 18C5, by treaty with the said tribes of Indians
they ceded a portion of their reservation (including said strij) on the
east border of Montgomery county) to the t'nited States.
In 1870 and 1871, The Leavenworth. Lawrence c& Galveston Railroad
Company — the name of the company having been changed by an act of
the Legislature, passed February 24. 1806 — constructed a line of I'ailroad
through a jiortion of the Osage Ceded Lands and claimed the odd-number-
ed sections within the ten-mile limit, and secured a patent to the same.
A suit was instituted by the United States in its Circuit Court in
Kansas to vacate such patents on the ground that no portion of the
lands included in the Osage Ceded Lands was intended by Congress in the
act of March 3. 1803, to be embraced in the grant to the State, for the
reason, among others, that Congress could not or would not donate
lands to which the title of the Indians had not been extinguished.
The T'nited States was successful in the Circuit Court, and the
railroads appealed to the Supreme Court, where some of the best legal
talent in the Union was engaged, and the cases vigorously contested on
every feature, and the decree of the Circuit Court affirmed. Mr. Peck
wrote an elaborate brief, which was a remarkable alignment for one so
young and of such limited experience in the courts of last i-esort. In it
the issues were clearly set forth, the authorities aptly and succinctly
cited and applied, and his logic unanswerable. This able brief ended on
the 33rd, and last page in this language: "I can only look upon the claim
of the railroads to these lands, as a flagrant attempt to secure a magnifi-
cent domain by the mere force of incorporated audacity. It is not the
United States alone which is interested in resisting these pretensions;
other rights are involved. These lands are thickly settled by a people
234 IIISTOUV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
Avho canie uiioii tliciii. not as trespassers, but invited by their govern-
ment. Tliese are their homes." Perhaps nothing ever gave Mr. Peck
more i)leasiire than to hear his brief complimented bv one of the very
first lawyers in the Union — Jeremiah S. Black — who adopted Mr. Peck's
theory on all the questions involved. He and his friends as well as the
settlers on the disputed lands, were rejoiced at the great victory he won
in the case.
The many other brilliant achievements of Mr. Pe(k at the bar have
no particular significaiice to ]\Iontgomery county and for that reason I
refrain from furtlier following him in them.
I.-i the practice he was quick, accurate and profound. He «;eemed
to possess an intuitive faculty of at once grasping and solving the most
intricate legal problems, and the power of elucidation. These qualities
have long been recognized by many of the greatest corporations in the
TTnicn, and have kept him in enviable ]>rofessional employment for near-
ly a quarter of a century. While he has occasionally edifled the most ex-
acting audiences with his almost matchless oratory, his life has been de-
voted to the duties of his profession. He has ever evinced a keen interest
in politics, yet has never sought a public office, and on one occasion de
clined to accept a seat in the T'nited i?tates Senate, which was uncondi-
tionally tendered him; and on another, resigned from an important of-
fice as before stated.
Ii is a pleasing feature in [Mir. Peck's career, to think of him in 1873
using the poetry of Shakespeare in describing to his old friends in
-Tanesville the mud and climatic conditions of his new home; and to see
him thirty years after, at the head of the legal department of a great
railwa.^ corporation that is being ojicrated where "the slings and arrows
of an eight-months' winter'' i)rcvnil. This railroad company is operating
nearly 7,000 miles of road, and in 1002, its gross earnings were over
forty-five millions of dollars.
(^OL. CHARLES J. PECKHAM became a member of the bar of
Montgomery county about 1871. So far as I have been able to learn,
the Colonel was born in one of the New England States perhaps in
the .30's. When a boy he spent two years on the seas as a common sai-
lor and afterward enlisted in the Union Army where, during the Civil
War, he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was admitted to the
bar in Illinois. After practicing some eight years in this county he
moved to Sedan about 1878 and a few years later to Winfield and then,
during the OO's, he went to Oklahoma where he died a few years ago.
Col. Peckham was recognized by the members of the bar wherever he
practiced as a very fine lawyer, and during the time he practiced here
stood in the front ranks at the bar.
WILLIAM A. PEFFER was a practitioner at our bar for about six
jears, from 1875 to 1881. During this time, however, his time was mostly
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 235
takpn up in other pursuits, and lie never liei anie ()rominent in the pro-
fession. From his other achievements during his aitive and industrious
life, he has fairly won a jilace amon^ the distiniiuished members of our
har.
lie was l)i)ni in ( 'unilperlaml eounty. Pennsylvania, on September
10. l,'^:!!. and resided there till lS.-;3. when he located in ISt. Joseph coun-
ty, Indiana, where he remained till IS."!), when he moved to Morgan
county. Missouri, and stayed there till ISOl.
In 18()2. he settled in Warren county. Illinois, and while living
there, and on August G, 1862. enlisted in the Union Army and became a
member of Company F, Eighty-third lUinos Volunteer Infantry, and re-
mained in the service till he was mustered out on June 26.186.5. Beforeen-
tering the army Jlr. Peft'er's life was silent working on a farm, attending
and teaching school, and after leaving the military service he settled at
Clarksville. Tennessee, where he was admitted to the bar and practiced
law till in 1869. He then, in 1870, located in Wilson county, Kansas,
where he divided his time, till 187.5. in practicing law and editing and pub-
lishing The Fredouia Journal, a weekly newspaper devoted to the Repub-
lican party doctrines. In 1875 he was elected to the State Senate as a
Representative for Wilson and Montgomery counties, and located at Cof-
feyville where, during his term of oftice in the Senate, he practiced law
aiid edited and published the Cotfeyville Journal from 1875 to 1881, ex-
cept during the "close times" that prevailed in 1878, when he quit the law
and 1 aught a district school in Liberty township. In 1881 Mr. Peflfer
moved to Topeka where he edited the Kansas Farmer till 1890, meanwhile
assisting in the editorial department of the Topeka Daily Capital. In
the fall of 1S90. he became a i>owerful leader in the populist party which
elected a majority to the Legislature and he was chosen to represent the
State in the United States Senate for six years.
After his retirement from the Senate of the United States, he de-
voted much of his time to literary work, and to publishing the Topeka
Advocate during 1897. He is now. at the age of 72 years, actively engaged
in perhaps the most important work of his life, and that is the preparation
of a complete index, by subjects, to the discussions in Congress from the
beginning of 1789 to 1902 inclusive, which work was authorized by an act
of Congress. For the most part. Senator Peft'er's life, after leaving the
army, has been devoted to the discussion of the public questions that
have from time to time agitated the public mind; and his writings on
these subjects have shown deep thought and have been trenchant and ef-
fective. While in the United States Senate he evinced a marvelous
knowledge of statistics and figures and was a recognized authority by
even those who did not agi-ee with him in their application.
JUDGE LUTHER PERKINS was born in Boston, Massachu-
setts, on April 25. 1814, and lived there and at Chicago before locating in
236 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
('(illVvvillc. Kansas, about thirty-three .years ago. He graduated at the
IJostou Law School in his native city in June. 18G4. but never became a
lueniljcr of tlie bar of Montgomery county until June 20. 1895. Since lo-
catinp- at Coffey ville he has always been one of the prominent men of that
city, and has spent his life in loaning money and dealing in real estate
on his own account and as agent for others. Before his admission to
the bar he did considerable of that charactei' of business that belongs to
the legal profession — such as drafting ]>ai)ers. examining abstracts of
title, rendering advice on legal problems, etc, and did some prac-
tice in the justice and police courts.
Since his admission he has not engaged in the practice extensively,
as his time has been fully taken up with his personal affairs and in ful-
filling the duties of the office of Judge of the Court of Coffeyville, to
whicli he was elected about one vear ago.
SAXFORD H. PETTIBONE was born at Springfield, Illinois, De
cember 13, 1848. In September. 1802, when less than fourteen years of
age, he enlisted in Company "D," Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infant-
ry. While in the army he lost both legs in a railroad wreck at Butte,
Louisiana, and afterward remained in a hospital at New Orleans until
July, 18()5, when he was taken to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, where
he wan discharged August 4, following.
In 18(17, he entered the Illinois Soldiers' College at Fulton and was
graduated tlicrefiom in 1871, and then read law in the office of Judge
('rook u1 Spiiiigfield, Illinois. In July. 1872, he was admitted to the bar
in Illinois and in the same year located in the prac-
tice of his profession in Mcl'herson County, Kansas, being the first at-
torney to settle in that county. In February, 1877, he returned to Illi-
nois and practiced at Vandalia until 1881, when he returned to Kansas
and locatiMl in the practice at Independence as the junior member of the
firm ol Hill & Pettiboue, which he continued till about 1887, when he lo-
cated at Kansas City, where he pursued his profession for a number of
years and then moved to the South.
SlOTir ir. PIPER was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county
at the age of twenty-one years and has since been in the active practice of
the law. He was born in Shelby county, Indiana, May 4, 18G8, and resid-
ed there till 1878 when he went with his parents to Champagne, Illinois,
where he spent about three years, and then, in 1881, moved on a farm
in ]\Iontgoniery county, Kansas. He worked on this farm till he was
nineteen years old when he engaged as a clerk in a store and read law for
two years before his successful api)licatiou for admission to practice.
After becoming a member of the bar he at once located at Elk City
in the practice, which he pursued there until he moved to Independence
on January 1, ItlOO. While living at Elk City. Mr. Piper filled to the sat-
isfaction of the public these offices: member of the school board three
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 237
years, city altoniey of Elk City from January, 1890, to July 189G, mayor
of the city two terms and dejiuty county attorney for four years; and
since locating at Independence he has served as deputy county attorney
for eighteen months and is now serving as city attorney of lndei)eiidence,
to which office he was appointed May, 1903.
Tie is now in the active practice in partnership with O. P. Ergen-
brighr under the firm name of Ergenbright & Piper.
SAMIEL M:. porter was born at Walled Lake, Oakland county,
Michigan, on December 14, 1849. and lived there on his father's farm
till he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor, from which he graduated in 1874. He had, before entering the
university, taken a literary course at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michi-
gan, and had also, before graduating at Ann Arbor, and on August 20,
1873, been admitted to the bar by the Circuit Court of Alpena Co., Michi-
gan, and at that ])lace actively pursued his pi-ofession for several years.
He then came to Montgomery county, and, in March, 1881, was admitted
as a member of its bar and has since continued in the general practice
in the county.
AVhile at East Saginaw. Mr. Porter served as alderman for two
years and Judge of the Recorder's (Criminal) Court of the city for one
year.
For several years, in addition to his jiractice. Mr. Porter has lent his
energies to the promotion and building of a line of railroad from Caney,
south to Bartlesville and is now successfully promoting the development
of a coal field in the Indian Territory, and other important enterprises.
GEORGE W. PURCELL was born in Saline county, ]\Iissouri, about
fifty years ago. and when about grown pursued farming and teaching,
till about 189.5, when he was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county
and entered the practice at Caney. which he pursued about three years
and then located at Baitlesville. Indian Territory, where he practiced
about two years and then moved to Gray Horse, Indian Territory, where
he now resides pursuing his profession.
JOSEPH P. ROSSITER was born at Norristown, Pennsylvania, on
September 20, 18G9. Ht spent his childhood at Girard. Pennsylvania,
and graduated at the State School at Edinbcro, in the same State in
1890. He was principal of several different schools, the last being one of
the ward schools in the city of Chicago, Illinois. He also has worked
at life insurance and been connected with building and loan associations.
He was admitted to ihe bar of Montgomery county on June 28,
1898, and at once located in the practice of his profession at Coflfeyville
and has since devoted his time exclusively and successfully to profession-
al work at that city.
THOM.VS S. SAEATHIEL was born at Lawrence, in Douglas
238 IIISTOUV OF MOXTGOXIERV COUNTY. KAXSAS.
coiiiitv. K;ms:is, in Oclober. 18GG, and a sketch of liis life and family
genealoiiy is inesented in another place in this volume.
CAPTAIN HOWARD A. SCOTT was born near I'arker's Landing
in I>ntler connt\. Tenusylvania, on Ai)ril 7, 1873, and lived there till Sep-
tember 24. iss:i. when he moved with his parents to Neodesha, Kansas,
where Ihey s)ient about six months, and then settled on a farm in Syca
more townshij) in ^Montgomery county, where Mr. Scott remained,
working on his father's farm until he was eighteen or nineteen years of
age. He then attended the high school at Neodesha, Kansas, and after-
ward look a business course in a college at Kansas City, Missouri. He
was admitted to the bar of Wilson county, by the District Court in Sep-
tend)er, 1897. and to the bar of this county in January, 1898, after hav-
ing read law with Hon. T. J. Hudson of Fredonia, Kansas, and after
having attended a course of lectures delivered at Kansas City, IMissouri,
by the leading lawyers of that place. Before becoming a member of the
bar. Cu]>tain Scott had taught four terms of school in this county. At
tirst he held a third-grade certificate, then a second and finally a first
grade. .Vfter his admission to the bar, he at once entered the practice at
Independence, Kansas, and continued in it luitil May 3, 1808, when he
enlisted in Company "G," Twentieth Kansas Volunteers, and entered the
Spanish-American War, and spent eighteen months in active military
life. At the organization of his company he was elected first lieutenant,
and en February 12, 1899, was promoted to the office of captain and as-
signed to the command of Company "A" in the same regiment and on
^larch 1. 1899. was transferred to the command of Company "G."
During his term in the army he served in threegeneral courts martial,
one in San Francisco, California, one in JIololos, Philippine Islands, and
anotlier in the city of ^M^anila, Philippine Islands, in which last two he
l»resided over the courts. The court in Malolos was held in a cathedral
that had just previously been occupied by the Filipino National Con-
gress.
He was also several times detailed to defend parties on trial before
courts martial and served in the Philii>pines on Colonel Fuuston's staff
as ordnance officer.
On his return from the war, and in the fall of 1S99, he resumed the
practice of his profession at Independence in which he has continued to
the i)resent time, and is now deputy county attorney under M'ayo Thom-
as.
He was a candidate for the office of judge of the Fourteenth Judicial
Distiici at the Xovendier. 1902, election and was defeated by Judge Flan-
iiely, liic present incundjent.
JOHN :\I. SCT'DDER was one of the pioneer mend.ers of the bar
of .Montgomery county. He came from Tennessee in the (Id's and first lo-
cated in Douglas county, and in 18G9 or 1870, came to this countv, where
III8T0UY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 239
he first settled ;it Westiiilia or Tarker. He shortly after moved to Cof-
fe.vville. wlicre for tliree or four years he did an extensive and profitable
])rofessional Inisiiiess. In 1873, he was a candidate for Judge of the Elev-
enth Judicial District and was beaten in the race by Judge B. W. Per-
kins and a few months later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he prac-
ticed for a short time and then located at Virginia City, Illinois, where
he died about 1S77. Mr. Scndder was a talented man, a fine lawyer, and
had an eager taste for literature, in which he was well informed.
OSBORN SHANNON located at Independence about 1871, he hav-
ing i)reviously been admitted to the bar in Douglas county. He married
a Miss DeLong, whose father served several terms as mayor of Independ-
ence, iind as such, made the entry of the townsite. Out of the jjurchase
and disposition of the land so entered by the mayor, much litigation re-
sulted for several years and Mr. Shannon was actively engaged in mat-
ters connected with such entry and disposition of the lands and in the lit-
igation that ensued.
About 1876 he returned to Lawrence, where his father, Governor
Shannon, then one of the most eminent lawyers in the west, resided and
was practicing. Later Mr. Shannon moved to Chicago, where he died
a fev,- years ago. He was a genial, companionable and warm-hearted
man.
JOHN T. SHOWALTER was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
county in August, 1871. he having, the year previous, been admitted to
practice at Ashley, Illinois. He was born at Clarksville, Missouri, July
27. 1840, and before coming to Kansas had lived with his parents a few
years in Grant county, Wisconsin, and afterward resided for a time in
Ohio, and later in Illinois. After his admission to practice, in 1871, he
opened an otlice here but shortly afterward followed the local land
office to Neodesha, Kansas, to which place it was moved under orders
from Washington. Shortly after, the land office was returned to Inde-
pendence and Mr. Showalter came back with it, and located, entered and
continued in the practice here until about May, 1872, when he moved to
Wellington, Kansas, where he has since resided and pursued the business
of an attorney, real estate and loan agent.
Since he went to Wellington he has served the public in various of-
fices, among which are, register of deeds of the county from 1877 to 1879,
member of the Legislature in 1891, deputy bank commissioner from 1891
to 1893 and is now serving his term as probate judge of Sumner county,
to which he was elected in November, 1902.
MICHAEL SICKAFOOSE was born in Whitney county, In-
diana. June 12th, 1842, where he was a school teacher until 1868, when
he was admitted to the bar at Columbia City, in that state. He then en-
tered the i)ractice and continued there in the same until the spring of
1873, when he located at Independence, where he practiced law for two
2^0 HISTORY OF JIOXTGOMERY COI-NTY. KANSAS.
ycnrs in pni-tneishij) with Jolm S. Cotton, nnder tlip tiiin name of Sick-
iifoose & Cotton. He then returned to Columbia City where he continued
tlie iiijictice until 1SS<.». when, on account of failint; health, he moved to
Lincoln. Nebraska, where he has since lived. Mr. Sickafoose was, while
here, a talented young lawyer, well read and a courteous gentleman.
OLIVER P. SMART was born in Union county, Ohio, on December
13th, 1839, and lived there until August, 18C8, when he went to ^Yarsaw,
Benton county, Missouri. Prior to leaving Ohio, his life was spent on a
farm, except six years, while he was a student at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
versity, from which he was graduated in a classical course in 18G9. He
was admitted to practice in December, 18G9, by the Circuit Court of
Benton county. Mo., on an examination, after having read law in the of-
fice of Col. A. C. Barry at Warsaw, Mo. In March, 1870, he located in
the practice at Independence, and a few months later became a member
of the law firm of Smart & Foster, which continued in the business until
Mr. Foster retired, and engaged iu leal estate business. Mr. Snuirt was
one of the first members of the bar of Montgomery county, having been
admitted on M''ay 9th. 1870.
After Mr. Foster retired from the firm, Mr. Smart continued the
practice "till 1890. and then for the next six years spent his time on a
farm. In 1806 he returned to Independence, where he has since resided.
He was county attorney for a short time in 1870, and a member of the
city council one term. Since his return to Independence iu 1890 Mr.
Smart has devoted but little time to his profession.
CEORGE R. SWELLING was from Iowa. He located some years
ago in the practice of law at Anthony. Kansas, and afterward tilled
the oHice of Assistant Attorney General for two years under General
Boyle, during Governor Leedy's administration, ending in 1899. Short-
ly afterward he located in the practice of his profession at Coffeyville,
which he has since pursued at that place.
SAMUEL F. SPENCER w^as born at Greensburg, Kentucky, about
1850, and was admitted to the bar there about 1871, and practiced at
ihat place 'till late in 1878, when he located at Independence, Kansas.
Early in the next year he was admitted to the bar of this county, and
jiracticed law until about October, 1880, when he moved to Colorado,
where he remained about six months and then returned to his old home
in Kentucky. About 1884 he married and moved to California, where he
pursued his profession 'till he returned to Kentucky about 1890, and
died there about two years later.
Mr. Sjicncer was a young gentleman of polished address and of fine
ability. His father. General Samuel A. Spencer, was a distinguished
lawyer in Kentucky, and practiced his jirofcssion at Greensburg, that
state, from his early nuinhood 'till his deatii a few years ago. at the age
of over ninety years.
IIISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,, KANSAS. 24I
TFIOMAS H. STANFORD was born at Xew Albany, Indiana, on
>rar(li Ttli. 1851, and was reared on a farm near Brookston, in that state,
until he was seventeen years of age. He then taught school for four
years and was afterward, and on June 17th, 1879, admitted to the bar
of White county, Indiana, and since that date has devoted his time ex-
clusively to his profession. After pursuing the practice in Indiana for
nearly six years, he moved to Kansas and located in the same business
at Independence, where he was admitted to the Montgomery county bar
on March 18th, 188,5. He was shortly afterward admitted to the Su-
preme Court of the state and to the Federal Courts.
Mr. Stanford now gives his whole time looking after his extensive
professional business in the various courts above named. The only pub-
lie position he has ever filled was the office of city attorney for Indepen-
dence. He was the fusion candidate for Judge of the 11th Judicial Dis-
trict, then composed of Montgomery, Labette and Cherokee counties, in
1898, and defeated by Judge A. H. Skidmore, who was elected as his own
successor.
L. T. STEPHENSON was one of the earliest practitioners at the bar
of Jlontgomery county, and was in many respects a most remarkable
rhaiaiter. He was a man of fine natural ability, indomitable eneigy
and industry, aggressive and fearless and generally "in a peck of
trouble," during which times he never failed to furnish the cause of a
liberal supply of perplexity to his enemies. While his achievements in
the lu-actice of law, on true si-ientiiic lines, were never conspicuous, his
jiower and influence were often felt in important cases, especially in the
numerous land contest suits incident to the settlement of the country
and in many of the grave criminal cases that arose from the struggks
between the pioneers.
Mr. Stephenson wrote a beautiful hand, having spent at one time a
portion of his life giving writing lessons. He was clerk of the district
court for one term in the early 70's and performed many of the legitimate
duties of that office through deputies, while he energetically looked after
various interests on the outside. He was one of the very foremost men in
locating and laying out the townsite of Independence, and was ever on
the alert in looking after the welfare of the city, when it was struggling
in its infancy. He located on a valuable claim at the southeast corner of
the townsite and became involved in a number of suits and contests over
it and adjoining lands. These contests in the U. S. Land Office and suits
in the District Court lasted for years and were bitterly fought and very
expensive, and during their progress Mr. Stephenson was, in the night,
shot at on two different occasions, and at one of these times his life was
probably preserved by a large gold collar button against which the bul-
let lodged. On another occasion he "horse-whipped" on the public streets,
the mayor, with whom he was having a contest in the land office. He
242 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
finally built a flue house on one of the most sightly places near the city,
and traded a lot of his lands south of his home, for a herd of thorough
bred, short horn cattle, and for several years peacefully devoted his en-
ergies to raising fine cattle. This business, as was generally his misfor-
tune in all he undertook, resulted in financial loss, his hcmie burned
down and he finally lost all his property and a few years ago, at the age
of about sixty years, went to the Rocky ilountains. where, through some
of his close friends, he became interested in mining. He carried with
him all the appearances of the activity and energy that were character-
istic of his younger days, and the absolute confidence of quickly realizing
a fortune in the new enterprise. "Colonel Sellers" was never a greater
optimist than was L. T. Stephenson.
MR. SWEENEY was an elderly gentleman in 1ST2. and lived
in Wilson county. He was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county
in December of that year, but never entered the practice in this county.
He did some practice in Wilson county and died in that county a few
years ago.
JOSEPH STEWART was born in Allen county, Kansas, October
30th, 18.59, where he was reared. After working in the Humboldt bank
two or three years he, at the age of twenty years, joined his father, Hon.
Watson Stewart, at Independence, and worked in his otHce about two
years, when he went to Washington as the private secretary of Congress-
man Fimston, and served in that capacity 'till about 1883, when he went
into the service of the Government in its Postoffice Department, where
he remained for aboiit five or six years and then came to Independence,
where he was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county about 1889.
After remaining here a few months he located in the jJi'^ctice at
Kansas City and pursued his jirofession there and in Allen county, Kan-
sas, for about two years and then, about 1891, returned to Washington
and entered the Postottice Department as an important oflficial and has
since remained there.
While serving as private secretary to Mr. Funston, he began read-
ing law. during his leisure hours, and afterward took a course in the law
department of the Columbia University at Washington, from which he
was graduated, and then, in 188.5, admitted to practice in the courts of
record in that city and afterward to the SupnMne Court of the United
Staes.
PHILIP L. SWATZELL was born in Crittenden ccmnty, Kentucky,
on May 4th, 1805. After coming to Kansas he settled at Elk City, in this
county, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until he accumulated
sufficient funds to enable him to take a course at the State University
of Kansas. After having graduated from the law department of that
institution he was, on the Kith day of June, 1892, admitted to the bar of
Douglas county, Kansas, and at once entered upon, and has since con-
IIISTOItV 01' M(I.\T(;(IMEUV COUNTY, KANSAS. 243
tinupd. the practice of his piofession at Elk City. He was mayor of Elk
City one year, ending April lOth. 1893, assistant postmaster at the same
l)lace for" four years, ending October 20th, 1894, United States Census
I^nunicrator for Loui.sburg township and assistant to the chief clerk of
(he Legislatures of 1901 and 190.3.
\^'. O. SYLVESTER was admitted to practice in the District Court
of Montgomery county in April, 1872, and practiced here for a few years,
a [lortion of which time in partnership with Mr. S. A. Hall, under the
rtrm name of Hall & Sylvester.
JUDGE MARTIN BRADFORD SOULE. the present Probate Judge
of the county, is extensively mentioned in the department of this volume
devoted to biographies of our citizens.
M. (". SHE WALTER located at Cherry vale in the practice of law in
the SO's, having gone to that place from the State of Missouri. He was
admitted to the bar of Mnotgomery county December 16th, 1887, and
jtracticed law here for several years and then returned to Missouri. Mr.
Shewalter was a talented man and a well versed lawyer, and was pre-
vented from doing a larger professional business by his frail physical
health. During the time he was at our bar his ability as a lawyer was
well known by his professional brothers, all of whom held him in the
highest esteem.
WILBUR F. TAYLOR was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
county about 1880 and located and parcticed at Independence about two
years, and then went west. He came here from Lafayette, Indiana.
J. M. THOMPSON was admitted to the bar of the county about 1882
and practiced here a few months and then went to McCune, Kansas, and
shortly afterward moved to Iowa, from where he soon afterward went to
Oregon, where he now resides.
CALVIN C. THOMPSON was born in :\r-adison county, Indiana, on
January 19th. 18.5.5. and lived there and in LaSalle c(mnty. Illinois, until
September 23rd, 1880, when he was admitted to practice law at Ottawa,
Illinois, and on December 23rd of the same jear became a member of the
Montgomery county bar. After his admission here he devoted about
fifteen years to the practice of his profession and then engaged in the in
surance and real estate business, which he has since pursued at Cherry-
vale, Kansas. During his residence at Cherry vale he has served on the
school board of the city and was president of the board one year.
MAYO THOMAS was born in Tipton county, Indiana, on January
29th, 18(!9, and is of Scotch Irish descent. When eight years of age he
iiidvcd with his paients to Reno county, Kansas, where they lived five
years, and thence to Elk county, where he lived 'till about 1897, when
he located in the practice of law at Independence. He was admitted to
the bar of Elk county at Howard, on February 5th, 1897, and to the
Jfontgomery county bar in May of the same year, and has, since the date
244 UKSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of his ndiiiissioii here, devoted his time exclusively to the practice at In-
deiieiHlenco, where he ucnv resides.
Ill ISST Ml. Thomas entered, as a siiidciit. Tlic Ottawa I'liiversity,
where he found employment to sustain him throuj;h a four years' course,
by doing chores and janitor work. AVhile at the university, by the ex-
cellence of his work, he won the Nash prize, which had been otfered to the
student, of the Freshman or Sophomore class, passing the best exami-
nation in Natural History. After leaving this institution he taught
school, and then, in 1803, entered the law department of the University
of Kansas. At the Eleventh Annual State University Oratorical Contest
on January 26th, 1894, he was awarded the third prize and at the spring
oratorical contest, at the same institution, he was on April 27th, 1894,
awarded the second prize.
He served as clerk (if tlic nisiiict Court of Howard cdunty during
1895 and 1890, and in 1897 was appointed by Governor Leedy. on the
State Board of Pardons, where he served 'till 1899, when he resigned.
At the general election in November, 1902, he was elected county at-
torney— he being the only candidate elected on the Democratic ticket—
and he is now jierforming the duties of that office.
W. H. TIBBILS became a member of our bar April 17th, 1874, and
located in the practice at Coft'eyville, Kansas, where he pursued his pro-
fession for a number of years. He then moved to Sedan, Kansas, where
he practiced several years and then returned to Coft'eyville about 1890,
and after practicing there some time, located at Vinita, Indian Territory,
and pursued his profession there "till about 1900, when he died. At the
time of his death, he was United States Probate Commissioner and per-
forming duties similar to those imposed upon our probate court.
JUDGE WM. F. TURNER was, at a very early day, a prominent
member of the bar of Montgomery county. He was boru in Milton, Penn-
sylvania, in 1816, and spent his boyhood in that state, Mississippi and
Louisiana. His father. Dr. James P. Turner, was appointed General
Land Commissioner for the States of Mississippi and Louisiana in 1826,
through the influence of Henry Clay, then Secretary of State. His office
was at Bayou Sara, Louisiana, where young Turner served under his
father for six years. After Dr. Turner's removal by the General Jack-
son administration — two years of his term being under "Old Hickory"—
he moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and William ciitcied Gambler College,
at Gambier, Ohio, from which he was graduated in the class of about
1835, along with ex-President Rutherford P.. Hayes and ex- Justice Stan-
ley Matthews. After graduating, he read law at Jilt. Vernon, Ohio, and
was admitted to the bar in that lity, about IS.'iS, where he practiced as
a nieml)er of the firm of Butler, jiiller & Turner until 1854, when he
moved to Keokuk, Iowa, and entered the practice at that place in part-
nership with Hon. John A. Kasson, who afterward served twenty years
HISTORY OF MOXTCO.MEKY COVNTY, KANSAS. 245
in Congress and then becaiiio sonipwliat famous as a diplomat in state
affairs.
In 1863 Judge Tuiiier was a]i]ioiiite(l liy Tresident Lincoln. Chief
Justice of the Territory of Arizona, wliicli position he filled nearly seven
years. He then, about 187(1. located in the practice at Independence,
Kansas, as a member of the law firm of Turner & Ralstin — after having
lived a short time at Colleyville. After pursuing his ]irofession about
ten 3'ears he retired from it and engaged in banking business at Indepen-
dence in partnership witli Wni. E. Otis, under the firm name of Turner
& Otis. This new venture was at first very prosperous, but after a few
years resulted in financial disaster, and a few years later Judge Turner
and his estimable wife returned to their former home in Ohio, where she
died, and he then moved to Indianapolis, where three years later, on
December 24th, 1900, he died at the age of eighty-four years, of senile
decay.
THOMAS E. WAGSTAFF was born at Galesburg, Illinois, July
23rd, 1875. and at the age of two years moved to Kansas City, Mo., where
he lived until April 10th. 1870. when he went to Lawrence. Kansas, where
he resided until 1897. While at Lawrence he attended the University of
the state, from which he was graduated just before he was admitted to
the bar of Douglas county, on June 8th. 1897. He afterward, at the New
York University, in 1898, took a post graduate course in the law depart-
ment of that institution, and since then has been in the active practice
of his profession.
He located at Coffeyville in 1899, and was admitted to the bar of
Montgomery county on the 12th day of August in that year, and has
since resided in that city. MV. Wagstatf was graduated from the Kansas
University on June 8th. 1897. with the degree of L. L. B., and from the
University of New York on June 21st, 1898. with the degree of L. L. M.
While at the University at Lawrence, he was a member of the Honorary
Law Fraternity, the Phi Delta Phi, Green Chapter, which was installed
at the University of Kansas April 10th, 1897. He also belonged to the
Sigma Chi Fraternity while in college and is a Mason and an Elk.
Since Mr. Wagstatf took up his residence at Coffeyville, he has sei'ved
one year as attorney for that city, from April 3rd, 1900, to April 3rd,
1901, was judge of the court of Coffeyville from October 1st, 1901, to
February 7th, 1902, and was, during' the last half of 1902, assistant
county attorney.
He was recently wedded to Miss Jennie Wilson, an estimable young
lady, who was born and reared in Independence, and was a daughter of
E. E. Wilson, who, for years before his death, was one of the most promi-
nent citizens of Independence.
RICHARD A. WADE came to Independence from Western Missouri
and joined the bar of Montgomery county. September 4th, 1879. After
246 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERV COUNTY, KANSAS.
practicing law here for a few years, he moved to Chicago and entered the
practice in that city, where he now resides.
L. C. WATERS was an active practitioner at the bar of Montgom-
«ry county for nearly twenty years. He was atllicted with a frail con-
stitution and for years made a heroic struggle with a pulmonary disease
that carried him away, less than a year ago.
MARSHALL O. WAGNER was one of the pioneer lawyers at the
bar here. He came from ('leveland, Ohio, and entered the practice with
a very fine library for those days iu this country.
While here he became the owner of a very .sightly and valuable tract
of land about a nule west of Independence, which was long after he left
the country known as the "Wagner Tract," and was purchased by J. H.
Pugh, and is now owned by some of the heirs to his estate. Mr. Wagner
returned to Cleveland about 1872 and has since lived there.
GEORGE W. WARNER was. at the :May. 1871. term of the District
Court of Montgomery county, admitted to the bar. He never after en-
tered the practice here.
JUDGE W. H. WATKINS became a member of the bar of Mont-
gomery county in its infancy, but never engaged here in the practice
of the" profession, for which his natural talents and learning well fitted
Tiim. He was the first probate judge elected in the county, and served
in that oflBce one term, ending in January, 1873, with marked ability.
He founded the "Kansan" at Independence in the fall of 1873, and
a^bly edited and published the same for five or six years when he sold it
and moved to California.
SAMUEL WESTON was bom at Bangor, Penobscot county, Maine,
in 1857. He resided there and at Newton and Boston, Massachusetts,
until he moved to Chicago and studied law in the office of his cousin,
Hon. Melvin Weston Fuller, now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
-the United States.
He afterward located at Elk City, in the Spring of 1879, and in the
same year, after having passed a very searching examination in open
court, was admitted to the Ijar by the District Court of Montgomery
«ounfy. After his admission he at once entered the practice of his pro-
fession at Elk City, Kansas, which he successfully pursued 'till 1893,
-when he moved to Pond Creek, Oklahoma, where he continued in the
same business. While residing in Oklahoma he tilled, for one term of
two years, the office of county attorney of Grant county.
A few years ago, on account of poor health, Mr. Weston retired
from llic itractice and went to Meade. Kansas, where he engaged in the
lundier business.
S. T. WIGGINS was admitted to the bar of Mbntgomery county
•about 18!)7 and pursued the practiie a few months at Coffeyville, when he
HlSTOPvY OV MONn.OMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 247
moved to the Indian Territory where he was afterward joined in the
practice bv his former law partner, G. AY. Fitzpatrick.
A I)."WILL1S became a member of the bar of Montgomery county
August, 1871. but did not enter the practice here.
GREENBURY WRIGHT was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
county in August, 1871. on the certficate of his admission to practice in
Illinois. He did not afterward engage in the practice in this county.
ALBERT L. WILSON was born in Anderson county, Kansas, on
November 12, 180(1. and resided there on a farm until he was seventeen
years of age. when he commenced teaching school and reading law. He
was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county September 9, 1S82, after
having studied some time in the office of Hon. John D. Hinkle at Cherry-
vale. At the date of his admission he was under twenty-two years of age,
and in the thorough examination by a committee in open court, he evinc-
ed a full comprehension of the basic principles of the science of law.
After his examination he at once located and entered the practice at
Cherryvale, Kansas, where he soon built up a remunerative business,
which" he well maintained till he moved, a few months ago. to Kansas City,
Missouri, where he now resides, and is pursuing his profession. During
Mr. Wilson's professional career here he was one of the leading lawyers
of tho county and a successful practitioner at the bar. In the trial of
causes, he was cool, deliberate and thoroughly self possessed and his
cases were very generally well prepared and ably handled.
CORNELIUS WYCKOFF was admitted to the bar of Montgomery
county on M'ay 9, 1870. on the certificate of his admission to practice in
Illinois, but never engaged in the practice of his profession in the
county.
COL. ALEXANDER M. YORK was at one time a leading member
of the bar of Montgomery county, to which he was admitted in August,
1871.
He was born at Byron. Illinois, July 7, 1838, and admitted to prac-
tice iu Carroll county, in that State, on December 31. 1861, and at once en-
tered the practice at Lanark, Illinois. On September 4, 1863, he enlisted
in the Ninety-second Illinois Volunteers and remained in the army till
the close of the war, and was mustered out of the service in April, 1866.
He entered the army as a private soldier and was then commissioned as
second lieutenant of Company "I" of his regiment and, in 1863, promoted
to the First Lieutenancy of the same company. In 1864 he was commis-
sioned as Captain of Company "G." Fifteenth Colored Infantry, and af-
terward, in the same year, raised to the rank of colonel of that regiment.
After leaving the army Col. Y'ork began the practice of his profes-
sion at Shelbina. Missouri, in partnership with Col. J. W. Shaur, and
afterward, in March. 1871, located at Independence, Kansas, where he,
in company with Governor L. U. Humphrey and W. T. Yoe, established
-248 UlsroK'l 111 MUN TGli.MKUY COUXTY, KAXSAS.
aiul coiKliii-icd Till' South Kansas Tiibime. A little more than a year
latei- the Ciiloiicl and the (Toveruor. haviug sold their interests inthenews-
paper. liinniMJ a paitnership to practice law, under the firm name of
York & lliiiuiiliicy. This firm at once established a profitable practice
which it tirnily held and increased for about five years, wlien tlie Gover-
nor began his political career in which he became distinguis»ied, and the
Colonel went to Louisiana and remained there two years, where he was
interested in mail contracts in that State and in Texas. He then went to
Fort Scott. Kansas, and became interested in the "York Nursei-y." in
which business he continued five or six years. Since then he has been en-
gaged in the real estate business at xarious places and is now located at
Denver, Colorado, in that pursuit.
While Colonel Y'ork was a num of fine native ability, and possessed
a well trained mind, and was learned in the law, he lacked some of the
necessary attributes to a successful life in the most learned of all profes-
sions. He could never have been the i)lodding. methodical and tireless stu-
dent, that closely analyzes and ri.ses to eminence in the law. He was too
active, zealous and enthusiastic for that; he could not "sit down and con-
tentedly waif for anything. He was a remarkably fluent and forceful
public sjieaker. either at the bar or on the rostrum. Indeed on one occa-
sion his oratory was superb and the student of Kansas history will, long
after he is dead, read with pleasure and astonishment, his extraordinary
ex tempore speech made in 1873 to the joint convention of the two Houses
of the Kansas Legislature, in exposing the attempted bribery by U. S. Sen-
ator Pomeroy, of members of the Kansas Legislature. Col. York was then
rei)resenting Montgomery county in the State Senate and closed his won-
derful effort in these words: "I stand in the presence of this august and
honorable body of representatives of the sovereign people; and before the
Almighty Ruler of the I'niverse, I solemnly declare and affirm that every
word T have si)oken is God's truth and nothing but the truth."
jriXiE WILLIA:M EDWAKD Z1E(;L1:R was born in Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, in 18."i!i, and was reared near Mechanicsburg, in
that State, teaching school and farming till he was about nineteen
yeai-s of age. when he moved to Independence and began the study of law
in the office of his brother. Hon. J. P.. Ziegler. After pursuing his stud-
ies till March. ISStl, he. then scarcely twenty-one years of age, made ap-
plication to the District Court of this county for admission to practice,
and after a searching examination by a committee in open court, was
adiiiitted without iiesitaiicy, as he evinced a clear conception of the rudi-
ments of file science, and plainly showed that he was a thoroughly
trained student of lilackstone's Coiiimentaries and other necessary text
books.
.\ftcr his adiiiission. he at once ciilcrcd the |.i-arlice at Indeiiendence
iind has since devoted his time exclusively to his cho.seu profession. Af-
HISTOUY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 249
tiM- liciiiji in ilie practice at hulei)en(]ence for about ei};lit years, he was
chosen city attorney, wliich office he then filled for five and one-half
years, ending in 181)8. At the fjeneral election in November, 1892, he
was elected county attorney, and at the end of his term re-elected and
served two terms in that public callin};;, ending in January, 1897. After
the end of his second term as county attorney, Mr. Ziegler moved to and
located at Coffeyville, where he at once established for himself a profit-
able business in his profession, and is now residing there, pursuing the
practice.
During the time .Judge Ziegler has lived at ("offeyville he filled for
nearly two years, from ]\Parch. 1899, to October, 1901, the important of-
fice of Judge of the court of Coffeyville, which is a tribunal of extensive
jurisdiction extending over the county.
WINFIELD 8. ZENOR joined our bar about 1880 and in partner-
ship with B. S. E^euderson, under the firm name of Henderson & Zenor,
practiced law here several years. He then returned to his former home
in Indiana and subsequently moved to Missouri, wlicie he now resides,
devoting a portion of his time to teaching.
JOSEPH' B. ZIEGLER was born in Cumberland county, Pennsyl-
vania, on the 19th day of May, 1843, and lived on a farm, in that
county, until he was seventeen years of age. when he entered Dickinson
College, at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1864,
after a classical course of four years. He then enlisted as a private sol-
dier in Company ''A," One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, and served till the <-lose of the Civil War and wat?
mustered out the last of June, 180.").
He, after leaving the army, took up the study of law and was admit-
ted to the bar at Carlisle. I'ennsylvania, in 1867, and the next year
moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was admitted, in 1868, and en-
tered and continued the practice there till the spring of 1870, when he
locatfid at Oswego, Kansas.
A year later he joined the bar of Montgomery county, and since
then has, for over thirty-two years, devoted all his time and energies to
his chosen profession at Independence.
He first entered the practice at Independence as a partner in the
then well-known law firm of :McCne & Ziegler, and after the dissolution
of that firm, about a year later, continued the practice alone until about
1885, when the law firm of J. P.. & ^^'. E. Ziegler was formed, and he has
since pursued his profession, as the senior member of this copartner-
ship, which has an office under his charge at Independence, and another
at Coffeyville under the control of his partner.
In the practice, ilr. Ziegler made a specialty of commercial law,
and in the early 70's established an extensive business in that branch,
which extended over a number of counties in Southeastern Kansas ami
250 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
far rioutli into the Indian Territory. This business was very profitable
^md was maintained and increased from year to year until Congress, in
1898, passed a bankrupt law, which, in a great measure, had the effect of
greatly lessening the value of the services of the alert and proficient col-
lection attoiney. This resulted from the fact that under the provisions
of that law the creditor ''coming in at the eleventh hour" shared pro rata
with those whose activity would otherwise have secured to them a valua-
ble advantage.
xVdded to the loss thus sustained, Mr. Ziegler bad the misfortune, in
February, 1809, of losing by a destructive fire, his fine law library and
his office with its entire contents, including a well devised and thorough-
ly indexed office brief book, covering about every conceivable question
that could arise in commercial law, and which he had been compiling for
a quarter of a century or nuire.
Mr. Ziegler enjoys tlie distinction of having been in the continuous
practice at the Montgomery county bar for a longer period than any oth-
er of its members; of having been a member of the county's bar longer
than any other member now in the practice here, and of being one of the
two members that practiced here during the 70's, and still in the active
practice, the other being Hon. A I*. Clark who was at the bar during
nine years of that decade.
WILLIAM DT-NKIX— (I'rei.aml by fx-Covenior Humphrey, at re-
quest of ].ublislier)— Mr. William l>nnkin was horn at Flint Hill in Rap-
})ahaiino(k county. ^'irgiIlia. April 7. ISl."). His jtarents belonged to old
Virginia families whose record runs back to Colonial days, and on down
tlirougli the jieriod of the American Hevolution.
The father, though a slave holder, was, in fact, opposed to the insti-
tution of slavery and. like many other Southern men of his time, hoped
for its ultimate abolition. During the Civil War, as before, he was an
unconditional Union man and stoutly supported the Federal govern-
ment throughout that memorable struggle for its existence. He lived
to see the Union preserved, slavery destroyed, and died June 23, 1868.
It may, however, be said that, while the subject of this sketch took no
part in the controversies of those days, he was not in full accord with
his father's political views and failed to fully appreciate their wisdom
until years afterward.
The son, William, when less than a year old, moved with his father's
family to Harrison county, Virginia. His father was a physician and his
family consisted of his wife and two step-children (W. M. and Mary 0.
Late) and an infant daughter and the subject of this sketch. The doctor
and his wife and step-children owned a number of slaves, which were
brought to the new home of nearly one thousand acres, which was pur-
chased in 184G and located about four miles from Clarksburg — and ad-
jacent to Bridgeport — and on which a large stone house was built,
UISTUKY OF .MUNIXlO.MliUV COUNTY, KANSAS. 251
■nhei-e William Dnukin, Jr., and the family of eight chiuldren were
reared.
The doctor, soon after his arrival in Harrison county, established
a lucrative practice which he held for fifteen years, when he retired, and
resigjied his eteusive professional business to his step-son, who had
graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsylvauia at Philadel-
phia.
Up to the breaking-out of the Civil War. in 1861, William Dunkin,
Jr., and his brothers and sisters received only such education as the
primitive subscription schools in that new country afforded, and during
the war, their home being near the line of hostility between contending
armies, but slight educational ojiitortunities were offered. However, this
lack was, in a manner, conii>ensated for in the instruction received by
the children from their father and private tutors at their home.
At the age of eighteen years. William Dunkin took "French leave"
of his parents and went to New York City where he spent four months
in the oflflce of Edward P. Clark, a distinguished lawyer in that city, and,
upon his return home, was forgiven and sent to the academy at Morgan-
town. West "N'irginia — the jiresent State University — where he began a
classical course. Eight months later, he left this school, on account of
impaired health, and remained at home until 1871, having, in the mean-
time, administered on his father's estate. Some of the assets af the
estate being located in the State of Michigan, he spent the winter of 1871
and 1872 there and, having closed up its affairs, he went to Lawrence,
Kansas, and began the study of law in the office of Thacher & Banks
in that historic city. After about one year of preparation he was ex-
amined by a committee and admitted to practice law in the District
Court of Douglas county. Kansas, and a few months after, in the Su-
preme Court of the State. In March. 1873. he opened the office in Inde-
pendence, Kansas, which he still occupies.
Though remarkably free from personal vanity, Mr. Dunkin felt the
just and laudable pride of a true Virginian in the splendid history of his
native State — the Mother of Presidents; but as a young and ambitious
lawyer he drew his controlling in.spiration from the more enduring fame
of the Pinckneys, the Marshalls, the Wirts and other great jurists and
lawyers of Virginia whose brilliant careers have so profoundly impress-
ed the judicial history of the country, and shed imperishable luster upon
the American bar. Indeed he was guided, from the start, by the well-
known advice of William Wirt to a yonng lawyer, ''to read law like a
horse, pursue it indefatigably and suffer no butterfly's wings or stones
to draw you aside from it.'' Accordingly, he resisted the temptation
that conies to so many young attorneys to dabble in politics, or other
lines of business, and confined himself exclusively to the study and prac-
tice of his chosen profession. Notwithstanding his unusually thorough.
252 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
equipment, in the way of preliminary study, he devoted bis leisure time
to his books with remarkable assiduity.
He did not long wait for t-lients. Almost from the beginning, busi-
ness came to bini and in less than a year he was retained in much of the
more imi)ortant litigation pending in our courts. He rapidly acquired a
jtracticc rliat kc])t him busily employed, not only in the District Courts
of this and neigliboring counties, but extending to the Supreme and Fed-
eral Courts of Kansas.
His practice grew upon him steadily until it taxed his energies and
time to the utmost limit, though few men equaled him in that peculiar
faculty of dispatching business rapidly and well done. This practice he
held for nearly a quarter of a century, down to the last few years, when
he voluntarily relinquished part of it, in a measure, retiring from active
professional work ; retaining, however, his large library and his old oflBce,
or "work-shop," as he calls it. where he has spent so many of the best
and busiest years of a strenuous professional life.
Of an active temperament, and being as vigorous as ever, both men-
tally and physically, he seems loth to entirely abandon his work as a law-
yer and still retains a limited clientage among his old friends — includ-
ing his attorneyship for the Santa Fe Railway Company — and acts as
advisory counsel in the more important cases, especially in connection
with the younger members of the bar, who consult him freely and draw
liberally upon him for his judgement and advice.
In addition to this Mr. Dunkin devotes much time and attention to
his extensive private business concerns, including the care of his large
and valuable real estate holdings, taking special pride and interest in
the management of his extensive farm properties in Montgomery county.
The very marked success of ^Ir. Dunkin as a lawyer, is easily ac-
counted for by those who know liim best. First, his natural gifts and
mental endowments were decidedly favorable to the legal profession.
Second, his preliminary training and education for the bar wei-e thor-
ough. Third, he supplemented these advantages by devoting his leisure
to hard and persistent study of the law, after coming to the bar, observ-
ing Wirt's advice, before quoted, most faithfully. He thus became a
strong lawyer, fully armed and equipped at every point, displaying a
versatility of legal talent that was, to say the least, remarkable; and it
is no dis])aragement to others to say, that as an all-round lawyer, he has
had no superior at the Mlontgomerv county bar, one of the strongest in
the State.
To his thorough knowledge of the general principles of law, he adds a
remarkable clearness of judgment in the application of these principles
to the facts of the case under consideration, so that he is seldom mis-
taken as to the remedy to be invoked or the facts necessary to entitle a
client to the relief asked for. He is skillful and resourceful in the trial
nisTonv OF Montgomery county, Kansas. 253
of causes, especially in the examinatiou and cross-examination of wit-
nesses. Elie is especially strong in the art of developing, marshaling and
jtresenting testimony to the best advantage in support of his theory of a
given case, and very artful in the examination of witnesses called to give
expert testimony, particularly medical or surgical in character.
As an advocate, he att'ects neither the flowers of rhetoric, nor the
finer graces of oratory; and yet, he is a strong, ready and fluent speaker.
His success as an advocate lies in clear thinking, cogent reasoning, an
earnest and forcei'ul manner, with an instinctive grasp of the salient
questions of law and fact involved in the cases at bar.
Mr. Dunkin is further aided in the trial of causes by the unbounded
confidence of court, jury and his brethren of the bar in his absolute sin-
cerity and the high .sense of honor and probity which characterize his
conduct at the bar, and in all the relations of life. It is safe to assert
that (hiring his longer service at the bar of the county, his word, once giv-
en, his promise once made, concerning the management of cases pending,
was ac(ej)ted with implicit confidence by his fellow lawyers, who never
challenged or called in question the good faith or motives of his conduct.
He detests the sharp practices and doubtful methods occasionally
employed by some, and at all times seeks to practice law on the high
piano of an honorable and learned profession.
These well-known traits have contributed much to his standing with
the courts and juries, giving him the victory in many a closely contested
case, where the scales of justice seemed evenly balanced.
His conduct toward the court is ever respectful and dignified, but
he never sought special favors from the bench. He asks only for fair
treatment, relying on the law and the facts of his case, jealous of his
rights as an attorney, and the interests of his client under the law which
he has undertaken to protect.
His relations with his fellow-members-of-the-bar are always cordial
and friendly, and his treatment of them uniformly courteous and manly.
While he is justly regarded as a dangerous antagonist in the trial and
management of hotly contested lawsuits, yet he commands the respect
and confidence of both bench and bar by the frank and open methods
that ever characterize his coui'se both in his private and professional
business. He never recognized the false distinction sometimes attempt-
ed between personal and professional integrity, and, as a lawyer, he
has ever observed the same high standard of ethics, and lofty conception
of honor that governed him in all the walks of life. His reward has been
rich in a long and successful career at the bar, and in the unqualified
respect and confidence of his ])rofessional brethren, whii-h he richly de-
serves and enjoys; a well merited tribute — ''more precious than rubies"
— to his learning, integrity and ability as a lawyer.
Though a close student of political questions, and keenly interested
254 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
in imlilic atVairs. Mr. Duukin uever soiioht political preferment. He
served a term or two as city attorney of Independence, and also as may-
or, at a time when important pnblic interests seemed to call for espe-
cially careful attention regardless of partisan considerations; and it
is nee<lless to say that he discharged the duties of these public trusts
faithfully and efficiently, displaying a high order of ability for public
affairs, both executive and administrative.
Too broad and tolerant in his mental makeup to be a rabid partisan,
he is jiolitically a Democrat of the Jefferson school. Positive in his
convictions as to principles and policies, he is so fair and liberal in his
conduct toward those who hold a different political faith, as to com-
mand the general respect and confidence of all his fellow citizens; and
even his closest personal friendshijis and professional associations have
been formed and maintained absolutely regardless of party lines. When
he transplanted himself from Virginia to Kansas, had he followed the
example of many others, and allied himself with the dominant lEepub-
Hcan) party, in which he had so many personal friends, there is little
room for doubt that he would have found an open door to a successful
political career, if his tastes and ambitions had inclined in that direc-
tion. He fully realized, however, that "the law is a jealous mistress;''
that eminence in the legal profession requires a constancy of applica-
tion that forbids the dissipation of time and energy necessary to the inir-
suit of political distinction, which, at best, is but transitory and fraught
with untold disappointments, vanity and vexation of spirit.
Probably, only judicial honors ever tempted him, as they do most
lawyers at times, but these, like political honors, in Kansas, are cast in-
to the general partisan hotch potch and controlled by the conventions of
the dominant political party to which Mr. Dunkin does not belong,
though within its ranks he has hosts of personal friends who would be
glad 10 see him round out his long and successful career at the bar, by
an experience on the bench for which his talents and life work so emi-
nently fit him.
To the younger as])irants for i)rofessional honors at the bar. the
career of William Dnukin is valuable as a striking example of the suc-
cess that can come only by the singleness of purpose, diligently jmrsued,
which held him to his books and his briefs "without variableness or
shadow of turning," coupled with a true conception of the high calling
of a lawyer in connection with the administration of justice, concerning,
as it does, the most vital affairs of society.
Whatever the future may hold in store for Mr. l^unkin in a profess-
sional way, his record as a lawyer, already made, is certainly a most
gratifying one to him. as it surely is to his multitude of friends. Like
a veleran soldier, justly iinrnd of the scars received as he stood on the
"perilous edge of baiilc" on many historic fields, Mr. Dunkin can survey
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 255
and review with modest and becoming pride and satisfaction, his quarter
century of active service at the bar. with its conflicts fierce and furious,
its battles lost and won, its varied experiences, both pleasurable and ex-
citing, that make up the life work of a busy lawyer; a retrospect, sad-
dened only by the recollections of so many members of the Montgomery
county bar, once so bright and active in the years gone by. who have re-
moved to other fields of labor, or have gone to "that undiscovered coun-
try from whose bourne no traveler returns."
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
BIOGRAPHIES
EBENEZER ERSKIN'E WILSON— One of the incorporators of the
conutv seat of Jlnntf^oniciy county and tlie jiioneer merchant of that city,
was the late subject of this memoir, E. E. Wilson. His life, from that
August day in 18()9, when he first occupied a spot on the Independence
townsite. to the day of his death, August 28th, 1894, was a leading and
active spirit in the public affairs of the county and by the character of
his citizenship won the confidence and esteem of his city and county.
Ebenezer E. Wilson was a native of the "Keystone State." He was
born at Elizabeth, in Allegheny county, November 21st, 1838, and was
reared on his father's farm. His father provided him with only the ad-
vantages of a country school education. When the Rebellion came on
his }(atriotic enthusiasm led him to enlist as a private soldier at McKees-
port. Pennsylvania. Ajiril 22nd, 18(;i, but he was rejected because of a
crip]iled hand. Sejitember 2.">th. of the same year, he enlisted in Company
"C," of the 2nd West Virginia Cav., and passed into the service without
question. His record shows his service to have been meritorious and he
received promotions from the ranks to a captain's commission, as fol-
lows: Sergeant, November 1st, 1S(>2; Orderly Sergeant. October Kith,
ISeS; Second Lieutenant, April 0th. I8ti4; First Lieutenant. November
20th. 1864; Captain, January Tth, 18(i5, and, as such, was mustered out
at Wheeling, West Virginia, June .30th, 18C5.
Returning home he remained a citizen of his native stale 'till March,
1867. when he immigrated to Kansas, settling at Fontana, where he main-
tained his residence 'till August, 1860, when he drove into Montgomery
county with the goods necessary to stock a small store in the proposed
town of Independence. It was the first stock of goods brought to the
place and the expense of getting them to their destination was f2.25 per
hundred pounds. The building in which he installed it was one with
dimensions 14x24 feet, and cost .foOO.OO. It was one story high and the
business that was done within its walls rendered it an important mart
of trnde in those days. In company with F. D. Irwin, he began business
(October 1st. and the partnership lasted two years. He was one of the
earliest business men of Elk City, where he was identified perhaps two
yeais, but his chief concern was for his favorite. Independence, and he
maintained his residence there in almost unbroken continuance for
twenty five years. His high standing as a citizen commended him to the
best consideration of the voters of the town and county and he held sev-
E E. WILSON.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 257
eral oHircs. hcjiiiiniiif; with tliaf of Mayor of Iiulepeiidence. He
was a iiieniber Of the board of trustees, who incorporated the town July
23rd, 1870, and the next year was elected its chief executive officer. In
1S74. he was aiipointed deputy county treasurer and did the work of the
office as such "till 1882. when he became treasurer himself. He was ap-
pointed postmaster of Independence by President Harrison, and died the
incumbent of the office. He was prominent in the Grand Army, was post
commander of Mcl'herson J'ost, and was president of the Independence
Keunion in 1881 and 1882.
Mr. Wilson was first married to Rebecca Braden, a lady of Washing-
ton, rennsylvania. who died in a few months, at (Jrand View, Illinois,
January 30th, 1872, he married Morna Moore, a native of Knox county,
Illinois". January 30th, 1890, she died, leaving children: Zell, wife of
Assistant General Freight Agent of the Mo. Pac. Ry.. Arthur T. Stewart,
of St. Louis. Mo. ; Albert E., manager of the Hall-Baker Grain Co.'s ele-
vator business in Cofteyville; Sallie B. and Floyd M.. twins, born March
15th, 1878; Jennie M.,'wife of Thomas E. Wagstaff, of Coffeyville, born
May 2.5th, 1880; and George T., born March 24th. 1883, who is in the
state grain ins])ection department at Coffeyville.
Albert E. Wilson, second child of our subject, was born in Indeiten-
dence, Kansas, February 24th, 1876, and grew up and was educated in
the public schools of that city. He took a course in short-hand in St.
Louis, Mo., and at nineteen years of age began life as stenographer for
Hall and Robinson, in the grain business in Coffeyville. He filled this
position eighteen months and was then made the company's book-keeper,
in which capacity he served two years. l)eing then made manager of the
firm's business in Coffeyville, in 180ft. This firm was one of the leading
exporters of grain in the west and their business in Coffeyville marks this
city as one of their most important points.
Like his father, Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and was a delegate from
Montgomery county to the state convention at Wichita in 1902, where he
helped nominate W. J. Bailey for Governor of Kansas. He is commit-
teeman for the third ward of Coffeyville and is secretary of the city cen-
tral committee of his party. Hte is a Master Mason, an Elk and is un-
married.
HORACE H. CRANE— The names of some of the pioneers of the
West are preserved in the names of towns and cities in the localities
where they settled. This is true with the name which is here presented,
it having taken its name from the gentleman who is herewith reviewed,
and who, in 1808, first settled on the tract which now furnishes the site
for the railway station of that name. Mr. (_'rane purchased the protec-
tion and right of settlement from the noted Osage Indian chief, Xopa-
258 HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
walla, for tbe sum of one hundietl tlollars. This was to guarantee pro-
tection for ten families, which Mr. Crane wished to settle in that vicin-
ity. It is worthy of note that while no paper was signed between the
parties, the chief carried out his part of the agreement without a breach.
There were at that time some four hundred Indians in that immediate
vicinity, and some of them remained until the government removed them
by force.
Horace H. Crane was born on the l.~>th of November, 1836, in Shalers-
ville, Ohio, the son of William R. Crane, who was the son of Belden
Crane, a native of Connecticut. Belden Crane reared seven children,
Jerusha Chamberlain. Orville, Laura Tildeu, William, Frederick, Asenath
and Orlando. William B. Crane was born in Shalersville, Ohio, in 1803.
He married Sallie Ann Olney, who was a sister of Jesse Olney, the author
of the Olney (Geography. To this union were born Asenath Fitch, now
residing in Oklahoma; Calista Ryan, deceased; William W.. who resides
with Horace; Helen Cavert, deceased; Horace H.. the subject of this re-
view, and Oscar, deceased.
Horace H. Crane resided in the place of his birth until the age of
nine, when he accomi)anied his parents to Api)leton. Wisconsin, where he
was living at the time of the (^ivil war. In 18()2 he answered thecall of
his country and enlisted in Co. "I." 3rd Wis. ^'ol Cav.. under Col. Bar-
ratow. General Blunt's division of the Army of the West. lu this regi-
ment he saw some active service, participating in the battles of Cane
Hill and Pea Eidge, and in numerous skirmishes. Much of his service
was in the escorting of government trains through Missouri and Arkan-
sas. He was mustered out at Fort lr5(0tt. in August. 1863.
Before returning home from the army he purchased, in the vicinity
of Fort Scott, a car load of horses, and took them through to Wisconsin,
and disposed of them at his old home. After a short visit he returned to
Kansas and settled on a farm nearLeroy, Coffey county, from which place
he came to Montgomery county in 1868, as stated.
'A'hile living in ("olfey county. ^Ir. Crane met and married Elizabeth,
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Hunter) High, these parents being
natives of the Keystone and Blue Grass states, respectively. Mrs. Crane
Avas born in Warren county, Indiana, March 27th. 1812, where she lived
until she was eighteen years of age, when she accompanied her parents
to Coflcy county. Kansas. To the marriage of ilr. and Mrs. Crane four
children have been born, viz: Charles ().. of P>ristol, I. T., who is married
I0 Minnie St. -Idhn and has three children, Fred. Be.ssie and Paul;
Frankie resides at home; Horace O. and Frederick H. reside at Elgin,
Kansas. The quarter of land which Mr. Crane selected and filed on was
in section r)-32-l."). To this body he has added until he now owns 330
acres. Since the discovery of oil and gas he has been very active in drill-
ing on his land and has met with much success.
HISTOKY OF MOXTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 259
Dui-iuj; the lesideme of Mr. Crane in Sycamore towuship, he haa
evinced n lively interest in the educational and religious welfare of the
coniniunity and has served in the various unpaid offices of the school dis-
trict and township. He is a firm believer in fraternal principles and is
a member of several of the most worthy fraternities. He is a Knight
Tem]ilar Mason and a Shriner, is also a member of the Elks, the Wood-
men ..f the \V<irld. and of McPherscm Post. Grand Army of the Re])nblic.
JOHN NEWTON— Since 1884 there has lived in Sy. aniore township
the gentleman above named, who has establislK d a ic]iutation for up-
rightness and integrity equaled by few and surpassed liy none. He re-
sides on section 7-31-15, where he cultivates one of the most tasty farms
in the township.
Mr. Newton is a native of the "Buckeye" state, his birth occuring
in Hi rrison county. March 14th. 1842. He was reared to farm life and
accompanied his parents in their removal to Tuscarawas county, Ohio,
where he continued to reside until the date of his coming to Montgomery
county, Kansas. In May of 1865, he enlisted as a private soldier in Co.
"D," Kith Ohio National Guard, under Colonel Taylor, and General
Siegel. of the Army of the Potomac. He spent some four months in the
service — being at Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry — and was mustered
out a^ the capital of his state.
Mr. Newton takes a good citizen's part in the life of his community.
He has served on the school board and as road overseer of his district. He
is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been a Repub-
lican since he was able to cast a vote.
Turning now to the points of interest in the family history of Mr.
Newton, the biographer recalls that he is a son of Isaac and Rachel
(Murj.hyi Newton, both natives of Ohio. Isaac was a son of Levi and
Marv Newton, whose children were: Ransom, Isaac, Levi, Zimena. Rox-
ina and Annie. To the marriage of Isaac Newton and his wife were born
nine children, as follows: Louise Hasebrook, Anne Smiley, of Jewit, O.;
Martha Walker, of Urichsville, O. ; Jane Brewster. of Montgomery
county; Matilda Kennedy, of Columbus, Ohio; John, the subject of this
review ; Robert, of Illinois ; Luther, deceased, and Albert, who resides in
Ohio. After the death of the mother of these children, Isaac Newton
married Mary J. Tope, to whom were born Cora Baumer and Netta
Thomas, both of whom reside in Ohio.
The domestic life of our subject was begun March 2. 1806, when he
was happily joined in marriage with Mary E. Balitt. Mrs. Newton was
born i!i Tnsi-arawas county. Ohio. March 23rd. 1845, and is a daughter of
Samnel and Mary A. (Baltzey) Balitt. natives, respectivelv, of Pennsvl-
vania and Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Newton's children are as follows: Mary
26o HISTORY OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTY, KANSAS.
C. Wilson, with her four chiklren, Xellie. Harris, Frauk and BiUah. re-
sides in Montgomery coniity; Sarah L. Mathis, resides in Indian Terri-
tory with her children. ;Maude, Frederick and lister M.; Isaac, yet at
home ; Daniel O.. of Montgomery county ; Luman B., at home, and Carrie
M. Oliver, with her daughter, Flora, resides in Sycamore. Kansas.
As a member of this family there is at present the mother of Mrs.
Newton, Mrs. Mary Balitt, now in her 80th year.
^VILLIAM CAHOON BAYLIES— The pioneer has been the advance
guard of civilization and about his personality clings the story of the ad-
vance, the struggle and the final victory. What is true of him in other
localities is true of him in Montgomery county. He has helped to lay the
foundation for the sfileiidid work going on about us and to him who came
at the beginning, icmained to the finish and is here now. is due great
credit, now and everlasting. In this list and belonging to this class we
are pleased to present William C. Baylies, the subject of this review.
Mr. Baylies came to Montgomery county in July, 1809. when the
Red Men ruled, but chaos reigned. He came as a settler and in search
of a home and he located on section 16, township 32, range 15, just south
of Table Mjound, where the transition from nature to art persistently and
systematically took place. He came to the county by wagon, with less
tlian tifty dollars in his jiocket, from the state of Iowa. He is. by nativ-
ity, a Southern man but by disposition and training, decidedly North-
ern. He was born in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, July 27th. 1843, and
is a son of Nicholas Baylies, who was born in Vermont's capital April
9th, 1S09. His grandfather was also Nicholas Baylies, born on the 9th
of Ai)ril. 180!), in Massachusetts, and Nicholas and ^lary were the par-
ents of three children, namely: Horatio N., Mary R.. and Nicholas.
They emniigrated from the Old Bay State and settled near Montpelier,
Vermont, where their childi'en grew up. Their youngest child married
Harriet Helen Gaboon, a daughter of William Cahoon, of Lyndon, Ver-
mont, a lineal descendent of the famous founder of the Colony of Rhode
Island. (It is a distinction worthy of record to descend from the first
great jiicmeer ])r('a(li(M-. Roger Williams.) Fight chililren were born to
Nicholas and ITnnicl Baylies,' as follows: William C, Ripley N.. Lawson
W., ^Mary 11.. CliaiJcs lO..' Oscar S., Francis A., and George A.
When ^^'illialll ( '. Baylies was eight years old his parents I'oturned
north will) (licir family, after having spent several years in the South,
and located in (iriggsville. 1 Hindis, where they resided 'till 1858, going
thence to Des ^loines. Iowa. Tlii' lonimon schools had to do with the
education of our subjecl and when the Rebellion came on he enlisted in
Com])any "K." Htih Iowa Inf., under Col. Perczell. His regiment formed
a part of the 15ili .\iiiiy Corps, Army of the Tennessee, and was in bat-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 26 1
tie at Island Xo. 10, New Madi-ia.CoriiiTh.Viiksburf-', theuce east to the aid
of ]{osecrans at Chattanooga, thence on the campaign of Atlanta and the
luarcli to the sea. Its service ended with the march up through the Con-
feder;icy from Savanna to Washington, D. C, where Mr. Baylies received
orders to proceed to Little Rock, Arkansas, from which point he was or-
dered to Davenport, Iowa, to be mustered out, on the loth of August,
ISO.'). lie enlisted as a private, was promoted through the grades of non-
coiiuiiissioned ()tli<-ers and commissioned a First Leutenant, and as such,
was mustered out.
In the spring of 18()0. ilr. Baylies liegan a trip which gave him his
first experience with the frontier. He went to the Territory of Montana,
where he was employed in the gold diggings, and in other ways, without
much profit to himself and, after three years, returned to Iowa and a
mouth afterward started on his pioneering trip to Kansas.
February 14th, 1878, Mr. Baylies married Kachel M., widow of Dr.
William E. Henry, and a daughter of H. T. and Nancy I. Butterworth.
By her first marriage Mrs. Baylies has two sons. Prof Thomas B. and
William E. Henry, mention of whom is made on another page of this
volume. A daughter, Caroline C. is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Bay-
lies. She is a junior in the Kansas State University. Clara, an orphan
girl, is a member of the Baylies household. She has found a welcome and
comfortable home there for twelve years and is a valuable acquisition to
the family.
Table Mound, on which the Baylies home is situated, is one of the
highest points in Montgomery county. It rises more than two hundred
feet above Elk river and contains an area of some six hundred acres, and
forms a large part of the one thousand or more acres of the Henry and
Baylies estate. The Baylies cottage stands on the eastern edge of the
abrupt decline and overlooks, from its almost dizzy height, the entire
landscape below and furnishes a magnificent "birds eye"' view. The
The mound is underlaid with lola limestone and commercial shale and
is. perhaps, doomed to destruction for the manufacture of portland ce-
ment.
Mr. Baylies is honorable in dealing, modest in bearing and influen-
tial as a citizen. His home is filled with good cheer and hospitality and is
presided over by a genuine woman, his wife. In early life Mrs. Baylies
was a teacher. She is a lady of culture and refinement' and in the rearing
of their children she and her husbaud have honored society and won dis-
tinction for themselves.
GEORGE B. SMITH— George B. Smith, a farmer of Svcamore town-
ship, and a citizen of the county since 1896, is a South Carolinian by
birth and an Indianian by adoption. Born December IGth, 184.5. in Ander-
262 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
son dis-trict, he left the 'Tahuetto State" with his parents at the age of
five years and became a resident of Boone connty, Indiana. Here he
grew to manhood — the war interfering somewhat with his education, so
far as book-knowledge goes — but giving him an opportunity to take les-
sons in that greater, and in some respects, more important school — the
school of experience. Many a boy left the school-room in those days with
but a smattering of "book larnin' " and graduated from Uncle Sam's
Technical School in 1805. with that broad culture which comes with
travel and association with kindred minds. Mr. Smith enrolled in this
school on the 22nd of December. 1803, Vjecoming a memlwr of Company
"F." -tOth Ind. Vol. Inft., Col. .John W. Blake commanding.
This regiment mobilized with the Fourth Army Corps and reached
Sherman's army in time to participate in the battle of Eesaca, and short-
ly after at Buzzard's Boost, At the spectacular fight at Kenesaw Mt.,
Mr. Smith's enthusiasm carried him within the enemy's lines and he be-
came an unwilling hostage at dreaded Andersonville. Owing to the fact
that "Uncle Billy" had gathered up a few of the Confederates, which
Hood thought he might need on his trip north, exchange became possible,
and Mr. Smith was thus compelled to experience the horrors of that noted
resort but a short time. He rejoined the army in time to help General
Thomas administer the two castigations at Franklin and Nashville, and
then spent the remainder of his service in the Southwest, not being mus-
tered out until January of 1800, that event occurring at Texana, Texas.
After the war, our subject returned to Indiana, and after a jieriod
in his home county, iu 1871 he moved over into Carroll Co., Ind. Here he
engaged in farming unlil 187(i. and Then came to the "Suntidwer State."
Up to 1800. he farmed in .Tefterson. Elk and Labette cdunties. in which
latter year he settled in Montgomery county.
Mr. Smith is a gentleman of good sense, popular in his community,
and active in all that promises well for the people. He has been a mem-
ber of the school board for the past five years, is a working member of
the Christian church, and is, of course, a member of the Grand Army.
Mentioning the salient points in Mr. Smith's family history we note
that he is a son of Thomas G. Smith, who was born in South Carolina,
and is one of twelve children. Their names as far as known being George
W., Nancy. Thomas. Millie and Joseph.
Tlimiias (i. Smith was born in Pickens district. South Carolina. .Jan-
nai'v 22nd, 1811, was there reared and at maturity married Jane, daugh-
ter of George Braswell. This lady was a native of that state and was
born November 11, 1817. She became the mother of fifteen children,
seven living to maturity; their names being: Caron E. Franks, of Mul-
vane. Kansas; Nancy .1. Moore, of Montgomery county; Camilla E.
Decker, of Claypool, Indiana ; George B., Sarah C. Thompson, of Hopeton,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 263
Ok.; Miranda A. Coppoek, of Hamilton county, Indiana, and Madison S.,
who resides in the same county.
George B. Smith, the honored subject of this review, married in Kan-
sas on the 30th of June, 187S, Rachel E. Wilkerson. Mrs. Smith is a
daughter of J. C. and Eliza Wilkerson, all natives of Kentucky. To her
husband she has borne four children— Charles L. resides in Independence,
Kansas; John T. in Montgomery county, as also do Inez and Lulu, the
latter at home and the former tlie wife of Homer L. Bretches.
Mr. Smith and his family are highly regarded in the county of their
adoption, where they expect to pass the remainder of their days.
J. M. COURTNEY — Cherry vale was still in its swaddling clothes
when J. M. Courtney took up residence within its borders. He helped
nurse it into vigcnous and lusty youth, witnessed the passing of the line
into niauhiiod, and glories now in the evidences of its strength and pros-
perity. During Ihese years he has been constant in his interest in the
progress of the city and has given much time and effort to the building
up of those institutions which constitute its pride, and particularly in the
line of education. His various ofiScial duties as justice of the peace, su-
perintendent of the waterworks, and vice president of the Montgomery
Counly Bank, kee]i him in close touch with the people and nuike him a
potent factor in the development which is now taking place in his sec-
tion of the c-ountT.
March 3lst, 1840, and Trumbull county, Ohio, mark the date and
place of birth of Mr. Courtney. Michael and Grace (Piersol) Courtney
were the names of his parents, both natives of the "Buckeye State," and
the falier a shoemaker by trade. They were respected members of society,
devout communicants of the Methodist church, and of intense and loyal
patriotism. They removed to Illinois in 1845, where the father died in
Yermilliou county the same year. His wife survived him over a half cen-
tury, (lying at the advanced age of eighty-three years, in 19(tl. They
reared nine children, four of whom still survive. After the death of the
father the family went back to Mercer county. Pa., in 1847, where our
subject was reared to man's estate. He passed the years of early man-
hood in helping cultivate the home farm, and was thus occupied when
the tocsin of war resounded through the land, calling those of patriot
blood to save the nation from disunion. In October of 1861, he left the
furrow and became a private in Company "I," Second Penn. Cav. This
regiment joined the forces about Washington, but Mr. Courtney did not
see much of the active fighting, as he was soon taken sick with that sol-
dier's scourge, the measles, which in turn was followed by an attack of
snuill]»ox. After a dreary time in the hospital, our subject recovered suf-
ficiently to act as a nurse to the wouni'.ed. and, owing to the urgent de-
264 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
iiiniul for that kind of help, he was kept there on detail until he was dis-
charged for disability, the smallpox having; left his eyes in bad condition.
After the war. Mr. Courtney went to Vermillion county, Illinois, for
a period, and in 1866 located in Labette county, Kansas, where he con-
tinued to reside to the date of his coming to Oherryvale, 1876. With the
exception of a year spent at Eureka Springs in the vain attempt to im-
prove the health of his wife, our subject has held continuous residence in
the city. He ran a drug store for several years, then went into the real
estate business, which he has followed in connection with his duties as
superintendent of the water works, his appointment dating from 1892.
During these years he has been most active in the civic life of the com-
munity, serving as city treasurer, trustee of the County High School,
member of the city school board, and has been now for three terms a jus-
tice of the peace.
]\Iarried life with Mr. Courtney began July 15th. 1806. The wife of
his youth was Mary E. Wood, daughter of Daniel Wood. Her death oc-
curred without issue, and on February loth, 1885, our subject was joined
to the lady who now presides over his household. Flora C. Willis. Her
parents were J. W. and Mary Willis, residents of Illinois. Two children
have been born — Earl M. and Rhea M. Mr. Courtney and family are
members of the Methodist church, while he belongs to the Masons, the
Woodmen, the A. O. U. W.. the K. of H. and the G. A. E. He is an ardent
Republican and a valued worker in the jjarty. No more highly respected
citizen is to be found within the coutines of the city.
ROBERT SAMUEL PAEKHURST— Conspicuous among the
pioneers of Montgomery county is the venerable subject of this brief
notice. His advent to the county was at a date prior to the removal of
the Red Man to his new reservation in the Indian Territory, and when
things social were in a somewhat chaotic condition ; yet he went about
his daily task of driving the initial stakes toward the building of his
Western home and laid the foundation for a career of success and use-
fulness.
Robert S. I'arkhurst settled in Montgomery county, Kansas, in Oc-
tober, 1869. He was at the head of a colony of Indiana settlers, few of
whom now remain, but some of whom are still represented in the county.
There were seventeen families of them and they drove teams overland
from Johnson county, Indiana. Mr. Parkhurst had resided in that state
since 1826, and, with the excejition of three years, was engaged in the
successful cultivation of the soil. During this three years' exception he
was one of the proprietors of the "New York Store" in Franklin, the
county seat, and out of both his ventures — as farmer and merchant — he
realized abundantly to give him a good start in Kansas. When he drove
R. S. PARKHURST AND BROTHERS.
HISTOItY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 265
1)11 to the towusite of Independence it had only just been laid off. He
came out to accoin])lisli something permanent with the several thousand
(lollais lie brought along and some sixteen houses sprang into existence
ill the new town as a result of his ])ublic spirit and foresight. Hfc took up
laud also and began the prepai'ation of a country home. His efforts at
farming were amply and ra])i(lly rewarded and as he approached the
cveniiig of life he found himself possessed of many hundred acres of land.
Twelve hundred of this he divided amongst his children and, a few years
later — when he had accumulated other large areas — fourteen hundred
acres more were set off to his heirs, and still his resources were far from
being exhausted. Perhaps few men have made the soil of Montgomery
county respond so freely as he. He has centered his efforts in the one
line and, except for his connection with the First National Bank, as a
stockholder, he has not deviated from the life of a farmer.
Mr. Parkhurst was born in Kentucky, February 2nd, 1823. His par-
ents were John and Abigail (Sellers) Parkhurst, the former born in
Tennessee about 1790, and died in Johnson county, Indiana, at about
seventy five years old. His wife died in the same county being the mother of
the following children, namely : Matilda, Owen, Kobert S., James, Polly
A., Sarah, John A., Caroline, Abigail, Wilson, Elijah, Daniel and Martha.
The youth of R. S. Parkhurst was passed chiefly at work on his
father's farm. He acquired little education and began life in a limited
way. When he decided to come west he induced many of his friends to
join him and five weeks of the autumn of 1869 were passed making the
trip out to Independence. The first winter Mr. Parkhui'st housed his
family in a hay house in which his horses also were sheltered. In the
sj)riug other buildings of a frontier character were provided and the work
of actual improvement was begun. How well he accounted for his first
twenty-five years here is told in the property accumulations already al-
luded to. Political achievements he has none. He was reared a Demo-
crat and has given support to the faith all his life. He has had no ambi-
tion for office; has been ambitious to be a good citizen and provide for
his domestic wants.
In April, 1813, Mr. Parkhurst married Lueretia Henry, a daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Musselman) Henry. Mrs. Parkhurst was born in
Keniicky in 1824 and is the mother of four daughters, as follows : Abi-
gail, widow of Louis Hudiberg, of Montgomery county; Mary E., wife
of John Hefley, of Independence, Kansas; Matilda, who married Richard
H. DeMott. a prominent farmer of Montgomery county; and Lucinda,
wife of William E. Smith, of Independence.
ilr. Parkhurst is a Mason. He belongs to the blue lodge and chapter
and is a Baptist of the old predestinarian order, and has been a member
of the denomination manv vears.
266 HISTORY OF JIOXTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
A H( 'III BALD L. ^COTT— Anioiig those sottlers of Montgomery
county who have ein])hasized tlieir presence in the world of achievement
in the field of agriculture prominently ap])ears the name of Archibald
L. Scott, of Sycamore township, farmer, soldier and honored citizen. To
win a pronounced victory in the domain of agriculture, to accumulate
and improve a vast body of land, princely in dominion, in less than two
decades and to establish a wide civil and political confidence, ranking
one as a leading citizen of his municipality, mentions, in brief, the events
in the career of our subject and serves to indicate the real character of
his citizenship.
■March 10th, 1884, he became a citizen of Montgomery county, and
settled on section 10, township 31, range 15. Then his identity with Kan-
sas farming began and the history of his efforts in this and kindred voca-
tions finds its strongest utterance in the possession of an estate of nine
hundred and two acres of land.
The native place of Mr. Scott is Tyler county. West Virginia. He
was born near Sistersville, October 6, 1841, was a son of George Scott,
and grew up on his father's farm. The latter was born in County Donne-
gal, Ireland, in ISll, came to the T'uitcd Stntes in ISIG with his father,
Archibahl Scott. Tiic grandfather had a family of sons, John and George,
both of whom died in Hancock couTity. Hlinois, the former in 1882 — leav-
ing a family — and the latter in 1808. George Scott was an active, posi-
tive citizen of his community, took an interest in its various affairs, was
first i! Whig, then a Democrat and finally a Republican. He married
Easter West, who died in 184G. being the mother of the following child-
ren : Wesley S., of Pleasance county, W. Va. ; William, deceased ; Archi-
bald L., of this review; Margaret A., who married Wm. 0. Sine, of To-
ronto, Ohio; Amos C, of Carthage, Illinois. Rachel Williams became the
second wife of George Scott, and her children were: George N., of Hamil-
ton. Illinois; Charles A., of Bradv's Bend, Pa.; Ellen, deceased, and
David O.
The education of Archibald L. Scott was limited in quantity. The
log school house was both his preparatory school and university, and his
service in school seemed to be of less importance than his services on the
farm. The serious responsibilities of life began with him before he was
twenty years of ago, and in 18(;(), he crossed over inio Martinsburg. Ohio,
where he was employed for a time in a tannery. June 5th. 1861, he en-
listed in Company "B," 4th Ohio Inf., Col. Loren Andrews, of Gambler
College. His service began in West Virginia, at Clarksburg, and he par-
ticipated in the fight at Rich Mountain. He was enlisted for three
months, but the regiment was reorganized in Camp Denison for three
years, it being one of the first Ohio regiments so to do. From the Rich
Mountain battlefield the command followed the Baltimore & Ohio Ry. to
Fort Pendleton and took Rumney, was engaged at Patterson's Creek,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 267
ilartinsburp;, Winchester and finally fought Stonewall Jackson at Kern-
town, si^'i'iS that Confederate chieftain his first and only defeat on a
fair field. The next move of the command was toward Fredericksburg,
and then to the Shenandoah Valley by way of Manassas Junction and
Front Royal. An advance was made to cut off Jackson at Port Republic,
thence back to Front Royal, to Alexandria and to Hhrrison's Landing,
where a junction with the Army of the Potomac was effected. The main
battles foujjht while with the Army of the Potomac were the closing days
of the Seven Days' Fight, Antietam, Fredericksburg. Chancellorsville,
Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. At this juncture Mr.
Scott's time expired and he was ordered to Columbus, Ohio, to be mus-
tered out of service. He enlisted as a private, declined a sei'geancy, was
color bearer in two engagements and was wounded three times in the bat-
tle of Chancellorsville. in the hand, thigh and by a piece of iron under
the left ear. The ball taken from his left thigh is in his possession, a
relic of the great citizen war.
Mr. Scott changed his uniform for a workingman's garb and became
an oil well driller, with a spring-pole for power, in the West Virginia
field. Leaving there he went into the Pennsylvania field and was con-
nected with oil production in the two states for nineteen years. In the
meantime he came to Kansas — in 1870 — and was located for a time in
Neodesha, where he did carpenter work and served the village as its mar-
shal, the first one it had. While there — June 10th, 1872 — he married and
soon after returned to the Pennsylvania oil fields, where he continued an
operator 'till his final advent to the Sunflower State, in 1883.
Mrs. Scott was Clara McWilliams, a daughter of Wallace and Mary
McWilliams, pioneers to Kansas from Knox county, Ohio, settling at
Geneva, in Allen county, in August, 1800. The parents afterward moved
■ to Neodesha, where they died, leaving children : Rena, deceased wife of
Abraham Ross; David, deceased; William B., of Caney, Kansas; Burnie,
deceased, married E. X. Lewis; Moses and Charles, deceased; Mrs. Scott;
John, of Coffeyville, Kansas, and Eugene, of Neodesha, Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott's children are Howard A., deputy county attor-
ney 0/ Montgomery county, Kansas, who was commissioned First Lieuten-
ant of Co. "G," 20th Kansas — Filipino insurrection — and was promoted
to captain of Co. "A," but mustered out as captain of Co. "G," having been
assigned back to his first company; George W.. married Mabel Lane, re-
sides in Montgomery county, and has one child, Edna Cleo; Archi-
bald L., Edwin P., Walter W., and Henry J. Scott conclude the list.
As a citizen Mr. Scott has wielded a political influence in Mont-
gomery county. He was a Republican when he became a voter and acted
with that party 'till the confusing and discordant elements of the politi-
cal atmosphere began to vibrate in 1890, and for the next eight years as-
sumed positive shape and shook the very foundation stones of the domi-
268 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
nant parties, finally absorbing one and uuifvinfj the whole into a mass of
"unterrifled." To this new political force ^Ir. 8cott gave his allegiance
and by it he was nominated, in 1S!)(I. Representative to the Legislature.
He served the winter of 1890-1 in the House and was chairman of the
committee on assessment and taxation. He was a member of the library
and other committees, but gave more attention to the reform of our tax
laws and succeeded in getting a l>ill through the House covering the sub-
ject, but the Senate sounded its death knell by inaction. He served with
Elder and other once noted and prominent I'opulists, and while he was
for Judge Doster for United States Senator, he voted for Wm. A. Peflfer.
Mr. Scott has been a member ot the Masonic fraternity since 18fi8,
when he joined the order at Spencer, West Virginia, Siloam lodge. He
holds his membership in Harnumy lodge. Xeodesha.
DANIEL STARKE Y— February 12, 1878, Daniel Starkey, of this
personal mention, came into Montgomery county and settled in West
Cherry township. At the end of a half dozen years he purchased a quar-
ter section of land in section 22, township .31, range 16. and })ersonally
conducted it till 1898, when he moved to Wilson county, where he yet re-
sides, leaving the conduct of the old homestead to his son, Harvey.
LaGrange county, Indiana, was the native place of Daniel Starkey
and h.is birth occurred March 1, 1848. His father was Thomas Starkey
of Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and his mother's maiden name was
Sarah Holsinger. The father was a son of P>enjamin Starkey, who mar-
ried into the Francis family and was the father of nine children.
Thomas Starkey was a colonel of militia in Ohio, was born in Penn-
sylvania, and descended from Pennsylvania ancestry. He was a justice
of the peace for a quarter of a century in Indiana and was a well-known
auctioneer. His wife was a daughter of William Holsinger and bore him
thirteen children. Those mentioned here are William, who died of
wounds received on Sherman's march to the sea: Mrs. Jane Case, of
LaGrange county, Indiana; Mrs. Susan Quinn, of California; Benjamin,
of Clinton cotinty, Indiana; Priscilla, wife of R. Finley; Daniel, our sub-
ject; Adaline, who married Charley Bartlett, of Indiana; Mrs. Ida Em-
inger, of Indiana; Mrs. Ada Shamblin, of Michigan; Mrs. Lettie Sturge,
of Indiana; Mrs. Bessie Coleman, of California; ^Mrs. Alice Myers, of In-
diana; and Mrs. Rhoda Lovitt, of Illinois.
Mr. Starkey of this notice, took for his wife. Abbie Brown, who was
born in Erie county. New York, December 2.5, 18.54. Her parents were
Irving and Jane (Mann) Brown, people of New Y'ork birth. Two sons
constitute the issue of Mr. and Mrs. Starkey, viz: Harvey, a Montgomery
county farmer, whose wife was Miss Ella Hull, born in Nodaway county,
Missouri, and a daughter of Eleazer and Emma Hull, natives of New Jer-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 269
sey. An only child, Marcus M., is the issue of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Star-
key. Charles Starkey is the younger child of our subject and he married
Hlla .McKinney. Their family has one child, Ernest.
Mv. Starkey was one of the prominent and active members of the
Farmers' .Mliance. years ago, holds to Populist principles in politics, has
served on various coiiiinittees, and a number of terms on the school board.
KIOVILO NEWTON — Cherryvale, of this county, had not been incor-
jiorated very many years when this worthy and respected citizen took up
his residence within its borders. He, at that time, was connected with a
private bank, which afterward beca the .Afdiitgomery County National
Kank. of which he has, since its inic|ii icjii. Iiccn cashier. He has taken a
keen interest in the advancement aii<l diMclijpment of the town and has
iieen especially active in the building up of its educational institutions
and ii< giving tone and strength to the religious life of the community.
He has been superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School for twenty-
live years and since his settlement in the town has been a potent factor in
shaping, through that institution, the moral tone of the community.
During much of this time, he has been connected, in an ofiieial way, with
the school systems of the county, and has been exceedingly active in se-
curing the best educational facilities for the use of the growing munici-
pality.
Revilo Newton is a native of Illinois, born on the 11th of April,
1842, in La Salle county. He was there reared to man's estate, receiving
a fair common school education, though this was interrupted by the ap-
proach of the great Civil War. He took a gallant part in this sanguinary
struggle. He went from the school room to the field, enlisting in August,
18(>2, in Company "A," Eighty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. This
regiiiient became part of the army of the Ciimberland, its first smell of
powder being at the bloody battle of Perryville and subsequently at the
Stoiu Kivci struggle. He then went with Rosecrans to Chattanooga, but
licfd'c :n ii\c operations were begun at that point, he was taken sick and
was riiiiijielled to return to the hospital, where he received his discharge
in December of 1863. This ended his military experience, as he never
recovered his health sufficiently to bear the rigors of military life. He
resumed his school life, taking a commercial course and then entering
the mercantile business in Tonica, Illinois. Later he removed to Iowa
whero he continued business five years, thence to Monunk, Illinois, where
he spent twelve years behind the counter. This brings us to the date of
his settlement in Montgomery county. In 1882, he made Montgomery
county his home, as stated, and became connected with a private banking
institution. This was later merged into the Montgomery County Nation-
al Bank, in 18!t2. one of the safest and solidest financial institutions of
270 HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, EANSAS.
Soiitliern Kansas. ('. C. Kiiicaid is jnesident. ^Ir. Xowtoii casliitM- ami S.
.1. Howard assistant casliicr. The bunk has a capital of ^.Id.lMIO and t-ar-
rios a suridns of .ifd.OOO.
In the different coninninities in which our subject has resided, he
has always taken a most active part in its municipal life, havinp; been, at
one period or another, mayor of the four different towns in which he has
lived.
At the time he left Illinois he was the representative of his district
in the State Legislature and was one of the best known men of that sec-
tion. Since his residence in this State, he has been active in many differ-
ent lines of service, having been a memljer of the board of trustees at the
inception and building of the present county high school of Montgomery
county and on this board he served a period of four years.
lie and his family are active workers in the M. E. cluiich. in which or-
ganization he holds several official positions. His love for children has led
him to be active in any work that looks to the proper development of the
child mind and he has. as already stated, devoted practically a life time
to Sunday School work, having been superintendent of the Sunday School
from six years jirior to the date of his coming to Kansas. Xo more ear-
nest worker in this line resides in the county.
Mr. Newton is a member of the Masonic order. Blue lodge. Chapter
and Commandery. and is also a mend)er of the Noble Order of the Mystic
Shrine. In political affairs Mr. Newton has always taken an exceedingly
active and prominent part and was a delegate to the Kansas City conven-
tion of the Democratic party in 1900.
The domestic life of our subject has been a happy one, beginning in
1865. when he was joined in marriage with Ada Anderson, a native of
Kipley, Brown county. Ohio. To this nmrriage two daughters were born,
Kevilla. and Minnie, deceased.
Mentioning briefly a few points in the family history of Mr. Newton,
the biographer notes that he was the son of Major George M. and Fanny
(Loomis) Newton, both of whom were natives of Green county, New York.
They were farmers by occupation, and the father also followed carpenter-
ing and the millwright busines. They were early settlers in Illinois, hav-
ing removed to the State in 1834, traveling overland by wagon. George
Newton was a major in the New York militia and was very active in the
])ublic life of the different communities in which he resided. He was
postmaster of Tonica. Illinois, for a number of years, that point having
been located as a station when the Illinois Central was built through his
farm. He died at the age of seventy years, his wife having passed away
some years previous at the age of forty-five. They were prominent mem-
bers of the Bajitist church and stanch supporters of every good cause in
the communities \u which they lived. They reared a family of six cliil-
<lren. of whom but three survive.
HISTORY UP MONT(;OMEnY COUNTY, KANSAS. 27 I
HARVEY A. TRUSKETT — The readers of this volume are here in-
troduced to one of the best and most favorably known men of Montgom-
ery ctmnty ; one whose eounertion with the business interests of the enter-
]>risinp; community of Caney has been of great value, and whose wide ac-
quaintance among financiers makes him a potent factor in the develop-
ment of this section. As president of one of Montgomery county's solid
financial institutions, the Home Xational Rank of Caney, he wields an
influence widespread in its beneficieut tharacter, and always exerted in
the interest of good government and right living.
Harvey A. Truskett is a -'Buckeye" by birth, borne in Monroe county,
October 7," 1855, the son of Thomas W. and Elizabeth (Williams) Trus-
kett, pioneer settlers of that county. They were both natives of Penn-
sylvania, Thomas having been born November 25, 1822. the wife the pre-
vious year on the first day of August. Reared to maturity in the "Key-
stone State", they there married and at once began life in the then "far
west," the county in which our subject was born. They were farmers by
occupation and well fitted to play their part in the development of a new
agricultural community. Remaining in Ohio until 1859, the family re-
moved to Cooper county, Missouri, where they continued tilling the soil.
Morgan county, of the same state, and Vermont county, Missouri, then be-
came their home until 1880, when they settled on a farm in Montgomery
county, Kansas. Here the parents were worthy and respected citizens
until their death, the father passing to rest on the 16th of January, 1887,
the mother on September 20, 1894. Mr. Truskett is remembered as one
of tlie immortal band who. in the dark days of '61 '65, offered themselves
as living sacrifices for the principle of equality before the law. He be-
came a Hiember of the First Xebi-aska Volunteer Infantry, in which
regiment he fought valiantly to th.e end. While in the service he suffered
cai)ture and imprisonment, but was fortunate enough to be exchanged.
Mr. and Mrs. Truskett became the parents of eight childi-en, of whom
six are yet living.
Of the family Harvey A. was the seventh child. Though born within
the confines of the "Buckeye State"he is by rights a true westerner, as he
was but four years of age when he crossed the Mississippi. The cruel
war and the disturbed condition of the country immediately succeeding
it deprived him, as well as thousands of others, of that precious boon, a
good education. The school of adversity through which he passed, how-
ever, taught him many valuable lessons of thrift and economy, which com-
pensated to some extent the loss of book knowledge. He early became
his own business man and engaged successfully in farming and stock rais-
ing, accompanying the family to Montgomery county in 1880. He was oc-
cupied at a point known as Elgin. Chautauqua county, for a period of two
years, when he went down into the Territory and for" the following twelve
years was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising.
272 HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
hi tlio year 1892. Mr. Truskett located iu Caney, cngaf-iiiii in the
liiiiilH-r and frnun bnsiness until 1896, when he organized the jireseut fi-
luuK-ial iustitution. of which he has since been president. The Home
Hank is capitalized at ,^25,000 and carries a list of deposits aogregating
some ninety to one hundred thousand dollars.
Mr. Truskett is held in high esteem iu his ((niiunniily, where he
has been honored by membership in the town council and has also served
as township clerk. Politically he aflSliates with the jiarty of reform and
is looked upon as one of its trusted advisers.
^jarriage was contracted by our subject in Elgin, Kansas, on the Sth
of December, 1880. Mrs. Truskett was Ida F. Gepford, daughter of Silas
B. and Jennie Gepford, early pioneers of Bourbon county. Kansas. She
is the motlier of four promising children — Edwin E., Harvey H., Arthur
F. an(! Lita M. To this family was added a niece. Miss Elsie Truskett,
whon: they reared and educated, and who is now an efficient enijiloye of
the bank.
Keared to exacting and toilsome labor, schooled by adversity's
hard knocks and fighting his way step by step from j)enury to prosper-
ity. Harvey A. Truskett has reached a ])lane. while yet iu the jirinie of life,
where he can give full reign to the promptings of a nature benevolent
and full of the milk of human kindness. No worthy case of need is ever
turned from his door unaided and the struggling youth finds in him a
sym]iatlietic and kindly adviser and helper. He an(i his family merit the
large ])lace which they are accorded in the hearts of friends and neigh-
Iiiirs ill Caney and Montgom(>ry county. He is a nieinher of the I. O. O. F.
M1\S..TANE BLUE — The tide of imjnigration to Montgomery county
in the earlier years was at its flood in the year 1871. Many of the pioneei'
families of the county date their coming in that year, among them the
lady whom the biographer is now permitted to review. She was born
in \'erniillion county, Indiana, in the year 183(5, and was reared in that
<-ounty and educated at Eugene, Indiana. Her parents were Jacob and
Sarah (Hall) Coslett. They were farmers in Vermillion county and
pioneer settlers of that section of the State. Their family consisted of
six children, three, only, of whom are now living: William, who lives in
Douglas county, Illinois, and is a prominent farmer of that section of
the Stale; Mrs. Jane Blue, the subject of this sketch; William, also a
leading farmer, of Cherokee county, Kansas.
Mrs. Blue was first married to David Wise in the year 18.")3 in her
native county in the "Hoosier State." Mr. Wise was a leading farmer
of the county and they reared seven children, four of whom are now liv-
ing; Margaret A., who married William Blancet, a native of Ohio, and
HISTOKY OF MONTliOMEKV COUNTY, KANSAS. 273
luis thi'co fliildien, two living, viz: Miunie, wife of Thornton McCune, of
nklalidiiiii, and Alice, who mai'ried William Carpenter and lives in
.M»iiit<i()niery county, Kansas; the four children of Alice being
Xcttio. Orval, Bertha, and Earl. Clara Belle Wise married Frank Smith,
of Independence, with two children, Donoven and Forest. Minnie
Wise iiiank'd Itohert Perry and lives in Bourbon county with their sev-
en children. Eliza E. Wise married David A. Clark and had four child
rcii. Harry. Charlie, Ira, and Grace. Mrs. Clark is now dead.
Itavid Wise died in 1S74 and in 1878. Mrs. Wise was joined in mar-
riage to Jacob Wise, a brother of her first husband. Four years later he
died. In 1896, March 1, Mrs. Wise married David Blue. He was a na-
tive of Ohio and was a gallant soldier of the Civil War, having enlisted
as a \i)lunteer in an Indiana regiment in Ajjril of 1801. and served his
country faithfully to the close of that sanguinary struggle, and being dis-
charge in 18G5. He was a commercial traveler by ocupation, handling
nursery stock. He traveled for a period of nine years for the famous seed
house of D. M. Ferry, and later for a silverware manufacturing com-
jiany of Detroit, Michigan.
The farm on which Mrs. Blue now resides was purchased in 1871 by
her first husband. It is located four miles from the county seat town
of ludependence and consists of eighty acres, making one of the best
farms in that section of the county. In religious belief. Mrs. Blue is a
member of the United Brethren Church.
ABIGAIL HUDIBERG— One of the worthy pioneers of Mont-
gomery county, whose memory runs with remarkable clearness l)ack to
the days of 1869. the date of her arrival here, is Mrs. Abigail Hudiberg
of Independence township. The events of the long and weary overland
journey hither from Johnson county, Indiana, together with fifteen other
families, are as happenings of yesterday to her, and that first winter in
their strange new home in the straggling village of Independence, with
the biundless prairie all about them, peopled with Indians and co votes,
yet howls its lonely requiem in her ears. The comfortable farm house
of the present day is in Strang*? contrast to the 14x16 board shanty in
which they shivered through the winter, and the little log hotel, the four
"straw" houses, and the single general store of that time make an odd
picture in contrast to the splendid business and residence properties of
the present.
Mrs. Hudiberg was born in Johnson county, Indiana, March 7, 1843,
the daughter of Robert S. and Letitia (Henry) Parkhurst, a full sketch
of whom apjieais elsewhere in this volsme. In 1863. she married in that
((.ui.ty. Louis Hudiberg, son of John and Elizabeth Hudiberg, whose
•other children were Samuel. Thomas, Marv A.. Lorinda and' Elijah
274 HISTORY OF .MOXTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
(twins) aiul John. ^Iv. and Mrs. Hudlberg resided in Johnson eouuty
lor six veins and Then came to Kansas. When s{)rin<i; eanie after that
first uncomfortable winter, they located on a claim six miles from the vil
lajre. where they have since, in the main, maintained their home. Here
the jiarents and three children began the battle of life anew and succeed-
ed, before the death of the husband, in making a very comfortable home.
Mr. Hudiberg died in 1890. leaving Mrs. Hudiberg with a
family of nine children, as follows: Robert 8., a farmer
of Chautauqua county, who married Anna Gray and has
four children — Nellie. Alice. Matthew and ]May ; John E., Independ-
ence; George, a farmer of Sycamore township, married Jessie Webber
and has two children — Leo and Bessie; Lorinda and Wilfred are twins;
Lorinda lives at home ; Wilfred married Mattie Berger and resides with
his mother, with his two children — Louis and Amy; Albert, a farmer of
the county, married Lillie Drennen and has two children, Hazel and
Glenn ; Walter S., Myrtle and Elmer are at home.
These are all "likely" children, well trained, and of good capabili-
ties, who, together with their revered mother, are highly regarded in the
community where they have so long made their home.
JUDGE THOMAS HARRISON— In the passing away of the subject
of this memoir. Moniiiomcry ((lunty lost one of its landmarks of (•i\il-
ization and a venerable and worthy pioneer. He identified himself with
this frontier municipality in August, 1869, and from thence forward to
his death was an active participant in its affairs. As scholar, lawyer,
public official and farmer his citizenship w'as of the genuine type and his
character unreproached.
Settlers were widely separated in Montgomery county when Thomas
Harrison, of this review, cast his lot with the frontier municipality and
took a government entry near Verdigris City in 18fi9. The McTaggart
mill and homestead marks the sight of his original "claim," taken up not
so much with the intention of proving up on it, perhaps, as to the more
closely identify himself with the county and to seal a tie of common in-
terest with its citizens. He did little toward the actual improvement of
his claim, being a lawyer and engaged in the practice of his profession
at old Liberty. When the question of a permanent county seat was set
tied in favor of Independence he ultimately established his office in that
place and maintained it there till March 30, 1877, when failing health
(forced him to relinquish the law and seek rest and renew his vigor in the
pure air and exercise of the farm. He purchased an eighty-acre tract ad-
joining in the four corners of sections 2. 3. 10 and 11. township 33, range
1."). where, wilh the exception of his years in (illirial scivicc. he ])assed the
remainder of his life.
JUDGE THOS. HARRISON.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 275
Judge Harrison was born in Northamptonshire, England, on the 21st
of September, 1825. At seven years of age his parents came to the United
States and settled in T'tica, New York, but remained there only four
years when they came on west to LaSalle, now Kendall county, Illinois,
where they died. His father was Thomas Harrison and his mother was
Mary (Musson) Harrison who reared to maturity eight of their nine
children, namely : William, deceased, ex-member of the Kansas Legisla-
ture from Butler county, ex-probate judge and a prominent citizen of the
county ; Mary, who died in Wisconsin, married Richard Hudd and was
-the mother of the late ex-Congressman Hudd, of Green Bay, Wisconsin ;
James, who died at Santa Barbara, California, passed his life chiefly
in the dairy business in Chicago; Ann, who married Warren Chapin, died
in St. Francis,. Indiana; Hannah, who died at Remington, Indiana, was
the wife of George Bullis; Theresa, of Santa Barbara, California, is the
wife of Henry H. Polk; Thomas, of this sketch; and John, of Morrow
county. Oregon.
Judge Harrison was educated at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.
He was poor and worked his way through school, as a farm hand or at
teaching or other honorable employment, and graduated in 1853.
Amonp; his classiiiates were Chief Justice A. M. Craig of the Illinois Su-
preme Court and A. A. Smith, a prominent lawyer of that State. The
Judge was educated primarily for the ministry but when he came to em
bark in life's realities his views somewhat digressed from the orthodoxy
of the time and he turned his attention to law. He established himself
at Galesburg, Illinois, where he practiced till his entry to the army in
1862. He was a sergeant of Company "A," Seventy-seventh Illinois^ In-
fantry , until near the close of the war, when he was commissioned a first
lieutenant and assigned to Company "A," Seventy-third U. S. Colored
Troojis. The war over, he resumed the practice of law and was located at
Galesburg, Illinois, when he decided to come west and started on his jour-
ney to Montgomery county, Kansas.
Ir his new home in Kansas Judge Harrison was ever a prominent
figure. In politics he wielded an influence which contributed to many
victories for the Republican party but his views changed somewhat on
the approach of the avalanche of reform which annually swept Kansas
from ISJMI to his death, and his sympathies went out to the jiolitical
movement engendered and fostered by the Farmers' Alliance. In 1882
he was elected probate judge and served in that capacity with credit and
ability. He filled the office four years and retired to his'farm to enjoy the
peace of a private citizen.
December 28, 1854, Judge Harrison married M. Eliza Chambers. Mrs.
Harrison's father was Matthew Chambers, likewise her paternal grand-
father. The latter was born a Scotchman, was'the second son of his par-
ents and. for some displeasure at home, ran away and went to sea for
276 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
several years. On hearing of the sti'uggle of the American colonies for
independence he came to their assistance, offering his services in behalf
of the cause. His worth was discovered and rewarded by his being com-
misioned and placed in command of a company of men. Among his sev-
eral battles was Saratoga, where Gen. Burgoyne surrendered and where
Mr. Chambers met an own cousin of his in a British uniform, a prisoner
of war, and the storming and capture of Stony Point in which assault
Captain Chambers received a wound by a bayonet passing through his leg
below the knee. From this wound he never fully recovered and it firjally
induced his takingoff. After the war he located at Londonderry, New
Hampshire, where he reared his family and died. He had a family of
three sons and two daughters, namely: John, who settled in western New-
York, reared a family and finally disappeared as if lost; Margaret, who
married Thomas Dickey and died in New Hampshire; Eobert, who passed
his life in Vermont and introduced the Spanish Marino sheep into that
country ; Mary, who married John Lund and died in New Hampshire, and
Matthew, who died at Galesburg, Illinois, in January, 1869.
Matthew Chambers, the second, was born in 1785 and was a soldier
in the War of 1812. He was a colonel of Vermont militia, was a mer-
• liant in Bri<lge]iort, that state, and left there in 1S:!(; and came out to
Illinois. For a wife he married Hannah Smith, a daughter of Jacob
Smith, a Jerseyman. Two children living from this union, viz: Edward
P. Chambers, of Galesburg, Illinois, and Mrs. Harrison, the widow of our
subject. Five others are deceased, viz: Jacob Smith Chambers, Matthew
Carey Chambers, H. Cordelia (Chambers) Willai'd and William Henry
Chambers. !Mrs. Harrison was born in Bridgeport, Addison county, Ver-
mont, on the 23d of September, 1832. She was the wife and companion
of Thomas Harrison for forty years and is the mother of the following
children : Mary, wife of Seth Starr, who has two children, Harrison C.
and Ruth N. ; Thomas J. Harrison, of Scammon, Kansas; and Cordelia
E., wife of Frank E. Lucas, of Park Place, Oregon, who have five children,
to wit : Frederick, William, Charles, Helen and Mary.
We are fortunate in this article to be able to present to posterity the
j)aternal chain of the Harrison and Chambersfamiliescompletefromtheir
English ancestry. The spirit of Americanism was dominant in both
families and both have furnished ample evidence of their love for the in-
stitutions of our Republic. To their descendants we commend this brief
biography in the belief that it contains lessons worthy to be learned.
y\. D. WRIGHT— M. D. Wright, retired merchant and honored citi-
zen of Elk City, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, November 12th,
1832, and is a scm of Jonathan and Susanna B. (Jones) Wright, natives of
Maryland. The father was; by occupation, a miller and plied his vocation
in T'"iinsy]vania until about the time of the war of 1812, when he removed
HISTORY OF MOXTOOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 277
to Cincinnati. Ohio, and embarked in the mercantile business. After
the war he traded for wild lands in Fayette Co.. Ind. and subsequently
moved to Richmond, Ind.. where he continued to reside until his death
at the age of seventy-nine years. Our subject lost his mother the day of
his birth, she being- then forty years old. The parents were devoted
adherents of the Quaker faith. Their family consisted of eight children
— thrre now living, M. 1)., our subject; Thaddeus. of Minneapolis. Minn.;
and Martha, widow of Paul Barnard, who resides with her brother in
Elk City.
jl. 1>. ^^■right has liad a somewhat remarkable career, in his earlier
days partaking much of adventure. He began life at sixteen years of
age as a clerk in a country store, but soon went to Cincinnati, where he
spent three and a half years in a wholesale establishment. He then went
east, where, for the next two years, he was similarly engaged in Phila-
delphia and New York. The Australian gold fields were, at that time,
creating great excitement and he concluded to try his fortune in those
regions. Embarking on the sailinc; vessel "Rockland"' he made the trip
in one hundred twenty days, going via Rio Janeiro and the Cape of Good
Hope. He reached the Australian mines in May of 18.51, and. for the fol-
lowing year, had varying success. He. however, did not fancy the hard
life of the gold miner and engaged with a firm to act as clerk in their
store in New South Wales. Here he spent fifteen months more pleasantly,
but by this time he was ready to again return to civilization in the states,
but was loath to do so empty handed, and he determined to take a drove
of horses to Sidney and dispose of Them, if possible, at a profit. This
enteriirise, for various reasons, proved a failure, financially. From Sid-
ney he embarked on a small trading vessel, trading among the South Sea
Islands, finally landed on the Sainoan Islands, where he remained six
months. He shipped on a man of war and cruised in the Caribbean Sea.
The vessel put in at Valparaiso, where, on account of sickness, he was
discharged. A four-months' whaling voyage followed, filled with excit-
ing adventures with these great saurians of the deep. Resolved again to
return home, he, after a most tempestuous voyage around the Horn, at-
tended with desperate scurvy sickness, which attacked every one on
board but the captain and himself, found the quiet home of his boyhood,
mid the blessings of civilization, and where he was ready to I'epeat with
the sweet singer, John Howard Payne,
"To us, in despite of the absence of years,
"How sweet the remembrance of home still appears;
"From allurements abroad which but flatter the eye.
"The unsatisfied heart turns and says with a sigh,
"Home, home, sweet, sweet home,
"Be it ever so humble.
There's no place like home!" ■
280 UISTOKY ill- MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAXSAS.
jiioiKHM- in Lake rouiity. Illinois. He was one of three sous, Felix, Kich-
ai-d and Charles, and married Catherine Tiavlin. who bore him four child-
ren, \iz: Mrs. Rose Callahan, of hhleiieinlence, Kansavs; Mrs. Mary A.
Kiley, of Chicago, Illinois; John, of ihis rerord, and Felix, of Nebraska.
Mr. Givens married, after three years of bachelor life. Miss Jennie
Burt, an Iowa lady, and a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Burt.
Seven children have come to bless the home of these parents, namely:
Mrs. Catherine Henderson, of Montgomery county, with two children,
Pauline and Harold; Josophine and Cecelia, with the family homestead;
Mrs. Blanche Siangan, of Montgomery county, with two children, Edith
and John Me. ; Charles and Louis, in California, and Paul.
In his various relations with his fellow man Mr. Givens is most
worthy and honorable. He has always manifested a warm interest in
public matters and has I)eeu called to serve as treasurer and trustee of
his township two terms, as member of his school board and is now serv-
ing his second term as commissioner of Montgomery county.
L.VFAYETTE M. CABSOX— The gentleman here named is a mem-
ber of one of the oldest and most resjiected families of Montgomery
county, and is himself deservedly jioimlar for the many sterling qualities
which' he has manifested since coming to years of discretion. His ser-
vice in connection with the law-enfor<ing branch of the county govern-
ment has been of a high order and will receive recognition from his party
associates in the furture should he manifest a willingness to allow his
name to be used.
Lafayette Carson was born in Iowa, where his parents were pioneer
residents* of Keokuk county. The date was July 1. 1857. He was a
bright thirteen-year-old boy when the family settled on a claim in Louis-
burg township,'and where they have continued to reside. His boyhood
was passed in the labor incident to farm life, his schooling being of such
a character as could be secured in the limited time at his disposal in the
winter. Being of a more than ordinary observant turn of mind, however,
this lack of book-knowledge has been "largely atoned for. He very early
began farming for himself, and, with the exception of one or two periods
of otTicial life, has continued to till the soil. He did not wait for his
majority, to become interested in public affairs, and, even in his 'teens,
was helpful to those who were in charge of the Republican organization.
His obliging and courteous disposition soon won him many friends and
his s(n-vices were recognized by his appointment by Sheriff Frank Moses
as his deputy, with headquar'tei-s at Elk City. In addition to his one
term in this position he has served a number of years as constable of his
township and in all his otlicial dealings with the people has, by his con-
siderate and thoughtful ads of kindness, drawn forth many expressions
•of appreciation.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 28 I
Touching brielly on the liistorv of the faiiiilv, the biographer notes
the parents of Mr. Carson as William and Seletha (Marr) Carson. The
father was a native of the "Keystone f^tate." the mother of Tennessee.
Passing his boyhood in Pennsylvania, ^^'illianl Carson came with his
jiarciUs, at twelve years of age, to ^Miami county, Ohio. Later he removed
(o Shelby county, Ind., where he jiurcliased a farm and began life for
himself. In 1847, as stated, he settled in Keokuk county, Iowa. Mr.
Carson was a man of the strictest probity of character, careful in all his
dealings to give value received, and of stern ideas of justice and right. He
died in 1S7() and lies in the family burying -ground on the farm which he
settled six years before. In religious faith he was a strict Presbyter'au,
though always according liberty of opinion to others, as in the case of bis
wife, who was a Missionary Baptist, and in her younger days a great
worker in that organization, and who still survives her husband, at the
advanced age of seventy-seven years. He was a prominent Mason and the
lodge in Elk City was named in his honor, being known as Carson Lodge,
No. 1?2. Children were born to them as follows : Robert, a farmer in
Oklahoma ; Lafayette ; Thomas, a farmer of this county ; M^ittie, Mrs. Dr.
Davis, of Independence. Kansas. These children are all useful and re-
spected members of society in the different communities in which they
reside and deserve the uniform esteem in which thev are held.
^YILLIAM X. BANKS— William N. Banks, of the firm of Banks &
Billings, lawyers, was born on August 15th, 186.5, at Hobart, Lake
county, Indiana. In August, 1871, his father, George L. Banks, moved
with his family to Montgomery county, settling on a farm seven miles
west of Coffeyville on the Indian Territory line. Since that time Wil-
liam N. has been a resident of Montgomery county.
At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school and after
teaching for two years went to I'erdue University at Lafayette. Indiana,
for two years, after which he returned to his home in Kansas and con-
tinued teaching.
Cpon the 13th day of July, 1887, he was married to Ollie M. Jones,
after which time he and his wife resided ujjon the farm, M,v. Banks con-
tinuing his teaching in the winter time, until October, 1892, when he en-
tered the law office of A. B. Clark as a law student. In August, 1894,
he was admitted to the bar and in the following March formed a part-
nership with O. P. Ergenbright for the practice of law. This partnership
continued until July, 1902, when Mr. Banks became senior member of
his present law firm.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Banks three children, two of
whom, Thomas L. and Edith M., are living, the third having died at the
age of three months.
282 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
'Slv. Banks has never held public ofiace, except while living in Fawn
Creek township he was clerk of the township, and is at the present time
serviajr his second term as a member of the board of education of In-
dependence. In politics he is and always has been Republican. He is a
member of the Presbvterian church, a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a mem-
ber of the Modern Woodmen of America.
DAVID P. GREER— One of the solid men of Sycamore township,
and a farmer who has made agriculturp pay. is David P. Greer, who re-
sides on section 36-32-15.
He dates his birth in Morgan county. Indiana. April 6th, 1856, where
he continued to reside on the old home farm until he came to Montgom-
ery county. Kansas, in 1880. His first location was seven miles west of
Independence, in Rutland township, where he lived until 1889, when he
bought his present farm of 160 acres.
Mr. Greer is a son of Captain John E. Greer, well known throughout
the county as one of the jiioneers. who made a large property during his
life time. The captain was a native of Kentucky and was one of seven
children, viz: James M., of Montgomery county; John E., deceased;
Mrs. Mary Carrell, deceased; Lyman M., of Indiana; Jlrs. Ruth Williams;
Alexander C. of Montgomery county, and ^Nlrs. Amanda I'oor. deceased.
The birth of Captain Greer occurred January 1st, 1829, and at two
years his parents moved up into Indiana, where he continued to reside
until the breaking out of the Civil war. He entered the Union army and
participated in much of the severe service during the four years' war.
The following from the Independence Tribune is to the point: "Captain
John E. Greer, of Independence township, is dead, at the age of sixty-
eight years. In the early part of the Civil war he enlisted at Waverly.
Indiana, and went to the front as Lieutenant in Co. "F." 5th Ind. Cav..
and was with his regiment, afterward merging into the 90th, in three
years of war — except while a prisoner in the hands of the Confederates
—and was promoted to a captaincy for bravery. His regiment was the
first to enter Knoxville. Tenn., and was engaged in twenty-two battles.
"During the service. Captain Greer was captured and was, for
months, a jjrisoner in Libby prison. He was active in (lii;iiiiig the famous
Straight tunnel, but ))efore he could get away was ii:iiislcrrc(l to Relle
Isle and from lliere was exchanged, after being in cajitivily one year.
"After hisrelurn home. Captain Greer was elected to the Indiana
Legislature. About 1877 he removed to this county and purchased a
farm in Rutland townshiji and gathered his children" about him. adding
largely to his acreage. lie prospered and also became prominent in pub-
lic affairs."
The wife of John E. Greer was Margaret Petree, of Decatur county,
A. C. STICH.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 283
liidiaiui. She bore him ten chihlien. as follows: Xancy E. Pettet, of
Montgomery county; William M. and Joseph G., deceased; David P.,
Lucy C. Wagaman and Abrani L.. of Montgomery county; ^largaret V.,
deceased; James E.. of the Indian Territory; Annie L. Holden and Oliver
L., both of Montgomery county.
David P. Greer, on February IGth, 1877. married Alice Jolly. Mrs.
Greer is a native of the "Hoosier State," and is a daughter of Samuel J.
and Frances (McDowell) Jolly. Her children are Oliver G.. who mar-
ried Maude Perkins, and lives in Sycamore township, with his two child-
ren, Euby Z. and Opal E ; Tula F. resides in Independence with her hus-
band, Orion Page; Icey M. and I>avid C. are young people at home.
The beautiful rural home which Mr. Greer now owns is the result of
his own untiring efforts since coming to the county. He began with the
small capital of four hundred dollars, and now owns one of the best
quarter sections in the county, well stocked and in a good state of culti-
vation. He devotes his land to general farming, and takes a special in-
terest in the breeding of rolaiid China hogs, having this year 100 head of
these fine animals.
In a fraternal way, Mr. Greer is a member of the Modern Woodmen,
of the A. H. T. A., and of the Home Builders" Union. He has taken an
intelligent and helpful interest in matters pertaining to good govern-
ment in the two places where he has lived in the county, there being but
three years since his coming that he has not held a place on the school
board. In political life he is also quite active, being one of the staunch
workers of the Republican party. He served two terms as justice of the
peace in Rutland township, was township treasurer two terms and has
been a delegate to numerous county and state conventions, during the
past twenty years, having been a delegate to the state convention which
nominated Governor ilorrill. He and his family have the good wishes
of a very large circle of friends in the county and the esteem in which
Mr. (Jrcer is held is most universal.
ADOLPH C. STICH— There was born in the quaint little town of
Stade, in the ancient province of Hanover, in the German Empire, Oc-
tober 13, lS-t6, a babe, whose early childhood was passed within the
shadows of familiar haunts in his native phice and gave no promise of an
uncommonly strenuous and eventful life. He was a son of humble par-
ents, whose household was sustained by the rewards of honest toil and
whose righteous lives were a guaranty of the proper rearing of their oflE-
spring. He became a hardy and rugged boy and finally a strong and
vigorous youth and the change from the crowded and decaying conditions
of the Old World to the openness, freedom and freshness of the New
World was an auxiliary to both his bodily and mental development. Thfr
284 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
serious affairs of life beoan witli him after he had acquired a liberal
training in the coniniou schools and with the early appearance of that
ambition which seemed tinally to consume him and. under pressure of
which, have his life achievements been wrought. Industry seemed as
natural to him as hunger and the reward which it brought was treasured
in some way which marked the stepping-stones of his advance. He wasted
neither time nor substance and the age of maturity brought him near to
the point of occupying a distinct station among men. Spurred on by the
enthusiasm of success and guided by the wisdom of a superior and uner-
ring mind he has, when just past the meridian of life, reached the acme
of his career and shown to mankind the real genius of his mental bent.
Born j)Oor and reared without luxuries, but to habits of a moral and up-
right life, and having achieved, through individual efforts, the gratifying
rewards of wealth, position and intlueuce, Adolph C. Stich, of Inde-
dence, stands a citizen to be prized and a man to be admired.
September 17th, 1872, he began a residence in Montgomery county,
Kansas, which has been constantly maintained and which has grown in
importance with the lapse of years. The effects of his business connec-
tion with the various affairs of the county have been felt to the extreme
of every cardinal j^oint and. as it were, by the stroke of his hand con-
ditions have been changed and once dormant and slumbering communi-
ties have sprung into life and become active industrial centers. His
brain and his capital have been a powerful stimulus in awakening the
activity that now is and which has placed Montgomery county among the
wealthy and progressive municipalities of our commonwealth.
Coming to Independence with some experience as a merchant he be-
came a member of the firm of Stich Brothers, doing a general mercan-
dise business, and for ten years his energies and his foresight contrib-
uted to the wealth and poi>u!arity of the firm. In 1883 he purchased, in
partnership with Henry Foster, the Hull Bank and became its cashier
at once, occupying the position till the change in the name of the insti-
tution, in 1891, from The Citizens' Bank to The Citizens' National Bank,
at which time he took the presidency of the new concern. This position
he lias occuiiied. uninterrnitted. since and has tilleil with exceptional and
singular ability and to the great profit of the institution.
As the demand for factories has s]»rnng up in his city he has been
alert to subscribe liberally io their construction and included in the list
of enlcri»rises he has thus aided are the Independence (ias ('om])any and
the Iiuleiiendeiicc Brick Coiuitany. The enteriirise which has distin-
guished Iiiin most as a man of ]iublic sjjirit, even in advance of the age,
is the jilannirig ami lonstiiiction of the magnificent Independence hotel,
the "Carl Leon." wiiliont doubt the finest hotel in the State of Kansas.
In comiiaiiy with (1. .M. (•ari)enter. of Elgin, this structure was erected in
1902, at a cost of many tliousand dollars and was opened to the publi(5
UISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 285
Fchinaiy IS, 1 !)():>. As an enduring monument to the enterprise of Mr.
Siicli this buildinj; is uniivaled hy any to the credit of a citizen of Mout-
jionieiy county. His splendid residence, approaching the magnificence
juid jiroiioi'tions of a modest pahice. is one of the beautiful structures in
the city, expensive in appointment and popular as a hospitable home.
liike most boys of foreign birth. A. C. Stich began life on the farm.
His father was a merchant in the old country but when the family was es-
Tahlif-hed in the United States, and at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
young .Vdolph's industrial inclination cropped out strongly as a hand at
fS.OO a month on the farm. His meager earnings served to reenforce his
natural capital and in time he engaged in the agricultural implement
luisincss in the famous "celery city" of the "Wolverine State." Leaving
there his advent to Independence, Kansas, is announced.
The Stiches came to the I'nited States in 18.57. Carl Stich, our
subject's father, married Eleanor Hdlbers. They represented old fam-
ilies of their native Hanover and passed away in Michigan, being the
parents of four children, namely: John, of Seattle, Washington; Wil-
liam, of Paola, Kansas; Adolph C, of this review; and Dorette, wife of
John Harris, of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Among the first acts which indicated the latent and constructive
ability of A. C. Stich, was his invention of a bed spring and the patent
of the same. This happened before he was twenty-one and he handled
the invention to his advantage, turning it into some of the money which
constituted his capital to engage in regular business.
One of the domestic improvements of Montgomery county, which
was of momentous interest to its citizens, was the construction of the In-
dependence. Virdrgris Valley & Western Railroad, now a prominent
part of the Missouri Pacific railway — main line to the south. Stich &
Foster secured the contract for. the building of the line from Leroy, Kan-
sas, to the south line of Independence township. Mjintgomery county.
This piece of road was completed in ISSfi. and turned over to the Gould
interests who consolidated it with the D. M. & A. railway and con-
structed the link from near the town of .Jefl'erson to Bearing .where it
connected with the latter railroad. The building of this line and the ex-
ecution of this contract by Stich & Foster marked the completion of the
largest enterprise ever undertaken by Montgomery county promoters.
It brought another system of railroad into the county iu competition
with a single line of road and thereby became a great saving, in the way
of rates, to every shipper and merchant iu the county.
Mr. Stich was first married in Hillsdale. Michigan, his bride being
Anna Winsor, who died in Independence, Kansas, in 1882, being the
mother of three deceased children : Carl, Adelaide and Eleanor. In^lSSS,
Mr. Stich married Mrs. Catherine Eaisor. a lady of refinement and edu-
cation and occupying a high social position in the city. Mrs. Stich has
286 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
served three years as president of the Ladies' Library Association of In-
dependence and is a prominent worker in the Presbyterian chnrch. She
is the mother of Mrs. W. E. Ziegler, of Cotfeyville, wife of one of the
leading lawyers of Montgomery county. Mr. Stich's deceased son, Carl,
is honored in the first word of the compound name "Carl-Leon'' given to
the famous hostelry before mentioned, the name, "Leon." being in honor
of a deceased son of Mr. Carpenter, one of the partners in its construc-
tion.
In this review only the salient featui-cs of a busy life have been
touched. It is offered to posterity as an illustration oi tlie versatility of
one who performed a conspicuous part in the commercial affairs of Mont-
gomeiw county. "Not letting go of one thing till he gathered hold of
something else" shows his characteristic tenacity and exemplifies a life
of ceaseless and determined activity. He has manifested some interest in
the politics of his county and, as a Kepublican, has wielded a positive
influence in local jiolitical affairs. He is a thirty-two degree Mason and a
member of the I'rcsbvterian church.
DEWITT C. KRONE— xV record of the pioneers of Montgomery
county would be sbject ti> just and severe criticism without some ex-
tended mention of D. C. Krone. He is so widely known in the county and
has been here so long that few can gainsay that he was here, really in
the beginning. When he drove his mule team from LeEoy, Kansas, down
into this county, winding his way about over the ])rairies over unknown
roadways, across nameless creeks and through untamed valleys and head-
lands, nobody here now witnessed his passing, save those who might have
acconii)anied the caravan cm the same mission with himself.
He selected, as his future home, a tract of land on Sycamore creek,
in section 22, townshij) 31, range 1.5, where he has, for thirty-four years,
carried on farming with its attendant auxiliaries successfully and ef-
fectively. His settlement was almost in the midst of a band of Osages,
whose chief, Xopa walla, was a frequent visitor to the households of the
scattered settlers and with whose tribe a reluctant sort of business and
social intercourse was carried on. The minutia which made up the year-
ly incidents of a life on this frontier can not be touched upon here and
only as they are revealed in the experiences of the numerous pioneers
mentioned in this volume will these incidents become kno.wn again to us
and to our ]>osterity.
The very <-(>mii<)si1ion and makeup of the man has maintained D. C.
Krone a leading citizen of his township and county. It has been with no
jiresumiilion on his part, or any disregard of the jiroper reserve, that his
name is firsl mentioned amcuig the citizenship of his townshi]). or that
be is (oordinale with only a few distinguished ]iioneers of his countv. He
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 287
■seeiiied designed to take the initiative iu matrers and the propriety of
his acts was so apparent that, of one accord, the voice of neighborly ap-
proval came back. In the social life of his community, in its political
ontaiiglemenfs or upheavals, in the cau.«e of public education and in the
religions atmosphere of his church he is unconsciously a power iu the pro-
motion of jjvogress and harmony unimpeded.
He lias anticipated, in a way, the needs of the future in the pres-
ervation of incidents of the past. A student of events himself, his genius
has jn'ompled him to make records and to preserve data concerning the
salient, historical events of his locality that the past may not become
obscured to the future and that the works of the pioneers shall not have
been wrought in vain. He puts his thoughts readily and intelligibly on
paper and his contributions to county papers contain much food for the
searcher after historical truth.
neceml)er 4. 1808. D. C. Krone took his claim in Montgomery county.
He came to Kansas the same year he left the army and stopped for three
years near the Neosho river, between LeRoy and Xeosho Falls. He was
from Macon county, Illinois, where his birth occurred April 17, 18-14. His
father. Daniel Krone, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, February
2, 1806. and took for a wife Sarah A. Kiester." He left his native State
at an early day and settled in Macon county, Illinois, where his large
family were brought up. He was a son of Michael Krone who had
children: Jacob, Fhilo, Elijah, David, Jesse. Daniel, Tillie. Mary. Abigail
and Hannah. Daniel married a daughter of Michael Kiester and was the
father of twelve children, as follows: Duquesne H.. who has resided in
Montgomery county since 1877 and who was a veteran of the Civil War,
belonging to Company "E," Forty-first Illinois; Mrs. Mary Star, of In-
dependence, Kansas ; Mrs. Susan Bradshaw. deceased : Dewitt C, of this
review; Jesse S., deceased; Ellis K.. of Wil.son county, Kansas; Mrs.
Jennie Stevens, of Taylorville, Illinois; Henry C, deceased; Charles L.,
of Oklahoma; Edward B., of Chickasha. Indian Territory; and Mrs.
Myrtle Taylor, of Independence, Kansas.
D. C. Krone acquired a country school education and grew to matur-
ity on the farm. In 1862 he enlisted iu Company ''E," Forty-first Illinois
Infantry, under Col. I. C. Pugh. the regiment being attached to the
Army of the Tennessee. The principal engagements participated in by
Mr. Krone were the Red River expedition." slege of Yicksburg, Benton-
ville. Cold Water and March to the Sea. aud on to the Grand Review at
Washington. D. C. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentuckv. and was
mustered out July 28, 1865. Returning home, his trip to Kansas was
soon made and his connection with Kansas' development took place.
Ill 1868, Mir. Krone married Margaret J., daughter of John S. Lo-
baugh. of Neosho Falls. The Lobaughs came to Kansas as pioneers from
the State of Pennsylvania. The union of Mr. Krone aud his wife. Mar-
28 > HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
{laret J., prodiK-ed the following children, viz: Naomi, wife of Jacob 8,
Corziue, of Taylorville, Illinois; Katherine M.; Mrs. Mabel M. Burke,
of AVhistler. Oklahoma ; and Walter W., of Neodesha. Kansas. The moth-
er of these children i)assed away April !). 1880. Mr. Krone married
M\iry I. White, a daughter of ('apt. Charles White, of Longton, Knsas.
Two daughters only have resulted from this marriage, viz: Edith Lucile,
and Ruth, both with the family home. The family are members of tht^
^rethodist church and ^Ir. Krone has served for thirty-two years as a
nienilier of the district board of the Krone school. In politics he is a Re-
pub] iran. and has been three times cho.^en as a delegate to the State cou-
veiiiion.
WILLIAM A. HE APE— One of the successful young farmers of the
county is William A. riea|ie. of Sycamore township, on section 5-31-1 (i. He
began his agricultural career in 1891 with a capital of |8.(I0. and. while
any number of young men were deploring the delay of opportunity to
pass their way, he boldly ])ro])osed to Robert Reis that he i-ent him a
tract of 392 acres of wheat land, cash rent to be .«1,2()0. Mr. Reis liked
the spirit of the youug man, chanced him and was not disa|iiiointed. To-
day 51r. Heape owns his (juarter section of land with its iiii])rovements,
and he has demonstrated to the .satisfaction of all that the possibilities
of agriculture to the man of industry are without bounds.
William Heape was born in Perry county, Illinois, September 19,
1809, a son of Abraham Heape, a native of the ''Keystone State." When
William was nine years old his parents located on a farm in Montgomery
county, near Bolton, where he was reared and given a good common
school education. His first venture for himself was in (Mark county,
Kansas, where he worked on a stock farm for |16 per month. Anxious
to get ahead in the world, and not seeing much in the future at such a
figure, he determined to return to Montgomery county where he was well
known and try farming on his own account. The opening lines of this
sketch relate his success.
The married life of Mr. Heape began in 1897, when he was joined
to Rose, daughter of Albert T^tterback, both natives of Indiana. Their
home is brightened bv the ]iresetice <if a son and a (htughter, I>op and
Flazel.
For the jiuiposcs cf a family recoi-d the following is added: T'lysses
Heape our subject's grandfather and a native of Pennsylvania, married
and later moved to Ohio with his seven children: Katherine. now Mrs.
Miller. John, f4eorge, Cyrus, Levi, Abraham and Robert. Abraham ir.ar-
ried Caroline Miller, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Jacob and
Eva Miller. The result of his union was a family of ten children: Jacob,
of Meade county, Kansas; Nancy Chew, of Galena. Kansas; Sarah Davisj
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 2»9
Williniii A. ;ui(l Kathorlne Davis, of Montgomery county; Eva VeatcU
and I'lizalii'tli Kcitli. also of Meade c-ounty; Robert, who is a leading cit-
izen <i! Montjioiiu'iy county. Kansas; and John, his twin brother, resides
iu Meade county, Kansas, Tlie youngest is Frederick, who resides in
Moiitgonierv countv.
Ht)I{ERT TAl'LL— Three decades in the State of Kansas have trans-
fovnud the subject of this review into one of the popular and substantial
c.itizens of ^lontgoniery county, (liven a native of Illinois and a veteran
of tlie Civil War, and one has a combination of enterprise and loyalty
to country which is a sure guaranty of a good citizen.
The immediate- family history of Mr. Paull begins with his father,
Johu I'aull, who was a native of Virginia and settled in Illinois in the
earlv jiart of the nineteenth century. Here he married Nancy Potter,
M'ho also had come from the State of Virginia. John I'aull was a black-
smith by trade, though he also tilled the soil, and he remained in Illinois
until .ifter the Civil War, when he came out to Kansas where he passed
the remainder of his days, dying at the age of fifty-nine years. The
wife had died at thirty-eight, after having borne a family of fourteen
children. Robert was the eldest of the family, and there are five other
living children.
Robert Paull was born in Adams county, Illinois, on the 2(!lh of Sep-
tember, 1841, and was reared to know the value of hard labor and the
necessity of economy in the home. He was able to secure a fair education
and was about ready to begin life on "his own hook" when "Uncle Sam,"
through President Lincoln, informed him he was needed to help disci-
pline some of his unruly children. Loyalty to country being one of the
cardinal principles of the Paull family, it was not a difficult thing to se-
cure the consent of the father to become her defender, and Robert was
therefore enlisted as a private soldier in Company "K," of the Ninety-
ninth Illinois Infantry, In this company he served three long years,
years busy with battle and strife and marchings, but years which saved
and unified the grandest country on the great round globe. ^\i: Paull
was with Grant in the notable siege of Vicksburg aud took i)art in the
battles of Champion Hills, Jackson, and many skirmishes. His regiment
was the first to cross the river in the final charge at Vicksburg where he
was struck by a sjient bullet in the left side. After 'N'icksburg, the regi-
ment was sent down into Texas, where, in a small skirmish. ".Mr. Paull
again received a close call, this time on the right side, ihc bullet remain-
ing on the inside of his shirt.
At The close of the war, Mr. Paull came out to Kansas on a visit to
his lather and on his return was joined in marriage with ilary E Mil-
ler, the date being 1867, He settled on a farm in Pike countv! Illinois
290 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
which he cultivated until 1873. when he followed the example of hiss
father and came out to Mjontgomerv county. He settled on an eighty-
acre tract three miles northeast of the present town of Havana, and
which is a part of the valuable farm of 236 acres he now owns.
Hpre he has engaged in general farming and his well-tilled acres dem-
onstrates what persistent and intelligent agricultural effort will accom-
plish in Sunny Kansas. The small box house he erected on the eighty
later was replaced by the commodious and handsome residence in which
he now resides, and where he and his wife extend their friends a most
cordial welcome.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Paull. a son and a
daughter: Frank L. is in the hotel business in Independence, while the
daughter. Nancy, is the wife of Milton Bowersock, a prosperous farmer
residing in the neighborhood.
M. F. CARSTDY— :M,ichaeI F. Cassidy. one of the "GOers," and thus
entitled to meiiiberslii]) in the Society of Pioneers, is one of the race
whose magnificent battle against the wrongs and oppression of England
has challenged the admiration of mankind and which is now evidently
drawing to a close in the peaceful transference of the land back to its
rightful owners. "Ireland for the Irish" is about to be realized. But
it has cost England the flower of the Irish race to realize that homes, and
homes only, make a contented people.
One of the thousands of families who came to America in the middle
of the last century was that of Michael M. Cassidy. who left the old coun-
try in 1848. Alichael F. was born in County Monaghan. October 22, 1835.
His father was one of four children — his mother being Katherine. daugh-
ter of Owen Bird, of the same county. The family of Mr. Cassidy, Sr., con-
sisted of six children, all born in the island, as follows: James, Thomas,
Ann. the latter dying in Ireland; Mary McOuire, -Joseph, of Clinton coun-
ty, Iowa; ]\Ii(lia('l F., subject of this review; and John, of Minnesota.
At maturity, Jlicliael F, Cassidy married Bridget O'Brien, a native
of Canada, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth O'Brien, natives of
County Cork, Ireland. This wife became the mother of three children,
two now deceased. To Ellen A. Dunn, the lady who now presides over
the hnnie of Mr. Cassidy and whom he married in 1875, there were born
five children: Michael P.. deceased; Mary A., a teacher of the county;
John O.. express mes.senger on the Frisco road; Nellie, at home; and
Teresa, a
student
of the coun
ty hig
h sH
hool.
Ml
■s. Cassidy is also "to
the maiioi
V boi-n,"
lieing the d;
imght(
>r of
Join
1 ai
id Bridget Londergan,
of (^ountv
Tipi.er:
iry, Ireland.
Mr. '<
"assidv
was a wide:
uvake
tl.ir
teen-;
.car
iild when he came to
America '
ivilli his
parents. Tl
hey s;i
il.'d
from
Dii
ililin ou the good ship
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 29I
"('liar.(i'llt)i' St. .Idhn" and came by way of New Orleans. A rough voy-
age was exiiericueed, tlie ship having struck on the Island of Hayti, two
of her masts being carried away. The journey was thus leugthened to
a tiresome i)priod of fourteen weeks. At New Orleans the family secured
passage \\p the river to St. Louis and were about to embark when the
overloaded condition of the boat caused the father to decide to forfeit
tickets rather than risk their lives; a decision which showed much wis-
dom, as the boat actually went to the bottom of the river. Boarding tho
next boat, they again were providentially hindered from reaching their
destination, having to disembark at Memphis on account of cholera break-
ing out on the boat. Here they remained four months, when the jour-
ney was resumed. Xot long after reaching St. Louis cholera became epi-
demic there aud Mr. Cassidy decided to move farther up the country.
Thus near Dubuque, Iowa, they had their first experience in American
agriculture. Davenport, Scott county, and Clinton county of that State
were joints of residence for the family until 1869, when they came dowu
iiitci :\l(intg(iniery county, Kansas.
In liic sjtring of 180!), the journey was accomplished by team i'nnw the
old home in Iowa to the undeveloped region of Southern Kansas. Our
subject filed on the claim where they have since lived, in West Cherry
township, on section 3-32-lfi. Neighbors were few and far between—
unless line might call the "noble Red Man" a neighbor— in which case they
were plenty. However, Mr. Cassidy always liked the Indian and got
along splendidly with him. Only once was there trouble, and that had
such a laughable denouement, it passed off quietly. While he was away
one day. Chief Beaver's son undertook to frighten Mrs. Cassidy. After
worrying her as much as he desired in the hou.se, he climbed on top of the
chimney, and the first sight Mr. Cassidy had of him was in that position,
wavirg a red blanket. To his orders to come down the boy gave Mr. Cas-
sidy the laugh, whereupon that gentleman proceeded inside, placed a
goodly portion of i)owder in the firejilace and while the boy was at the
height of his glee, touched it ort". The sight of that boy "scudding" off
acros--. The jirairie still remains in the memory of our subject as one of the
iauglmble occurrences of that early day. ^Mr. Cassidy is responsible for
the uinue of Irish creek, the Indians having learned that he was Irish,
thought to compliment him, and to some enquiring whites gave that
name because the Cassidys lived on that creek.
In l^C.!*, Mr. Cassidy aud his family were the only white i)eople in
Montgomery county. Kansas, to celebrate the Fourth of July. Mr. Cas-
sidy had been invited by Captain Ayers, mayor of Osage Mission, and
Mr. Gilmore, an old Indian trader, to come over to a war dance of several
tribes which met for several days at Osage M.lssion and during these davs
the celebration took place.
With the exception of seven years in the lumber business in Iowa,
292 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
]\Ir. ("assidv has passed his life as a tiller of the soil. His .standing in
]\I()ii(^()niery eonnty is of the best, as he has ever evinced a dispo.sition to
jiive his iiifiiieiice to those things that make for the material and intel
lechial advancement of the community. He is a member of the school
board and acicd as rcnsus enumerator in 1900. Both he and his family
are devout rdiiiiininicnnts of the Holy Catholic church, and deserve, as
Ihey receive. I he esteem of the entire community.
A. ]'. FOKSYTH— The subject of this sketch was born in New Rich-
mond. Cleimont county. Ohio, May 2-1, 1830. He is of Scotch decent. His
jiareuts moved to Indiana when he was five years old and settled twenty
miles noitheast of Vincennes, where he remained most of the time until
he reached manhood.
His education was received in the conunon schools of that time, sap
plemonted with two terms at Asbury T'niversity (now De Paw).
He was married to Miss Louisa S. Hinkle, November 27, 18.")1. They
had 'oorn to them six children, four of wliom are living, three sons and
one daughter.
He was admitted into the Indiana conference of the M. E. church a»
a travelling itreachcr in IS;":! and sustained that relation for eight years.
II(> enlisted in 1 he scr\ ice of liis country in -Inly, 18(i2, and, upon the
organization of ilic regiment, was commissioned by Gen. O. P. Morton,
fiirst lieutenant of <'oniiiany •]." Ninety-seventh regiment. Indiana
Volunteers, and \\as discharged in .August. 18(U. l>y reason of disability
incurred in the service.
He then moved lo Illinois, in the sjiring of ISC,.-), and settled on a farm
thirteen miles west from Paris, the county seat of Edgar county. He
took quite an active jiart in the Grange movement; was elected and
served three terms of two years each as master of the State Grange of Il-
linois; was elecliMl lo the Forty-sixth Congress from the then Fifteenth
district, as a Crceiibacker or National Republican, the district having
.-|.(i(io Dcniociaiic ni.ijority. During his term in Congress, he acted and
voted with llie Kc|.iil>lic,in party upon all National questions.
It. issi, he nidvctl 111 K.-iiisas and settled on a farm in Lilierty town-
ship, six miles s<inilieast of Indciiendence. He took quite an active pact
in loral ],oliiics ami in the state cani].aign of ISSS and IStlO. when Ly-
man r. lliimiiliicy was the candidate for governor, and sixtke in a num-
ber ot cnnties in'diireii'iit p.-irts of the si,-ite; .also took an active i>arf in
the caini,ai-n of Is'.n' when A. W. Smith was a candidate for governor.
Since Ihcii he has lakei active part in jiolilics.
He served three leriiis of (liree years each as regent of the Kansiui
State .Vgri(aillitral College, being appointed thereto by (Jov. John A.
]^lartin and Lyman C. Humphrey, successively. He continued farming
W. H. SLOAN.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMIiUV COUNTY^ KANSAS. 293
until !!M)(I. wlicTi lit* rented his farm and moved to Independence, Kansas,
where he now resides.
WILLIAM H. SLOAN — Louisburg township became the home iu
July, 1868, of William H. Sloan, one of the solid men of Montgomery
county, who shares, in large part, the credit for the splendid development
that lias since come to the county. As stated in the review devoted to
the liischo family, these two gentlemen came together and filed on ad-
joiiiiiig claims, Mr. Sloan's (piarter being on section 13-32-14. Here he
passeii through all the trials incident to pioneer life and is now enjoying
the fiuits of his well-directed efforts, being, at the present time, in posses-
sion of a farm of 845 acres and having his home, since 1900, in Rutland
township.
He landed on his claim that hot July day with a frying pan, a cof-
fee pot, an axe.a sack of corn and a piece of bacon ; having come from
Hardin county, Ohio. He put up the usual 14x16 house and the follow-
ing year began farming operations. He soon became well acquainted
with the Indians and, though not being able to "conjure" them as his
friend, "Medicine Man" Inscho, still, he lived with them in comparative
peace. He became especially well acquainted with interpreters Alvin
Wood and Paul and with Chiefs Nopawalla, Chetopa and Strike Axe,
and found them, in many respects, not wanting in the noble qualities of
the '"Fenimore Cooper" Indian.
As time passed, Mr. Sloan gave his best endeavors to the esatblish-
ment of schools, churches and "other civilizing and refining influences
and has always been particularly jealous of the good reputation of his
township and county. He has served faithfully in the unpaid offices of
township trustee and on the school board and is ready at all times to en-
ter into any enterprise that will advance the public good. He is an old
time ilason, belonging to ail the different branches of that noble order,
from Master Mason to Mystic Shrine.
Touching briefly on tiie family history of Mr. Sloan, John Sloan, his
grandfather, was aii Irishman of Reformed Presbyterian faith who, to-
gether with a family of eleven children, came to America and settled on
a farm in Ohio. The names of these children were: William, Samuel, Jo-
seph, John. Thomas, James, David, Robert, Margaret, Elisha and Fannie.
Of these, William married Ann Scott, also a native of the Emerald Isle,
who became the mother of: Sarah A. Weaver, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Stew-
art, Mrs. Frances J. Shaw, Margaret H.. Mrs. Agnes L. Stewart, John,
William H. and Joseph G.
William H. Sloan married Rhoda Debo, a native of the "Hoosier
State" and daughter of William and Henrietta Debo. These parents
were cliildreii of the i)ii>neer families of that state and passed their lives
294 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
ill IIk ciillivulidu (if its soil. To Mr. aii.l Mrs. Sloan have hceu born:
Homer, Ethel, Jessie, Helen and Fay.
Born Jannary 15, 1842. William Hpnry Sloan was reared in his na-
tive connty of Champaign, in Ohio. and was at that age when the blood
runs most freely, when the darkening clouds of the Civil War gathered in
terrible array. He chafed under home restraint until September, ISCl,
when he enrolled as a private in Company "G," Ninth Ohio Volunteer
Cavalry, under Col. William Hamilton, General Kilpatrick of the
Third Cavalry division. Army of the Cumberland, commanding. He
reached the front in time to take part in "Uncle Billy" Sherman's picnic
excursion to the sea. and jiarticipated in the closing scenes of the war
in the Carolinas. His mustering out occurred at Concord, North Caro-
lina, in July, lSf>5, when he returned home, to ne'er again engage in mor-
tal strife with his fellowman.
THOMAS HARBISON— A period of thirty-three years takes one
back to the beginning of things in Independence. Those were the days
of "shacks," prairie schooners, bad Indians and worse cowboys; a con-
trast, indeed, to the beautiful homes, elegant equipages and refined and
intelligent citizenship which fill the city today. There are a few of those
early landmarks left, but on the principle of the "survival of the fittest''
the old settler of today is generally a well-to-do. self-respecting citizen,
whose earlier strenuous days have given place to the quiet jog-trot of
prosperous old age. On the 22d of September. 1870, the gentleman whose
honored name initiates this paragraph took up his residence in Inde-
pendence, and the entire stretch of the three decades has found him
first and foremost in every movement that had for its object the better-
ment of conditions in the town of his adoption.
Somersetshire. England, was the place of birth of our subject, the
time January 8. 1835. He was a son of William and Ann (Chapman)
Harrison, both now deceased. Following the good old English custom,
Thonuis was apprenticed to a trade after he had received a fair common
school education, the jieriod of apjirenticeship in his case occupying the
eleven years prior to his majority. This gave him ample time to thor-
oughly master the saddlery trade. He worked as a journeyman in the
city of London until 18(!8, when, in September, he carried out a resolu-
tion he had made some time before of seeking his fortune in the new
world. He settled in the city of Detroit and worked at his trade two
years, by which time he had succeeded in laying by enough to think of
starting business for himself. Favorably impressed with representa-
tions concerning the new State of Kansas, he began an investigation
whicli iiiliiiiiialcd in Jiis selecting Inde])enden(e as the most likely point,
a (Iccision he has never regretted. In comi)any with his brother-in-law,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 295
Jaiiios CuUyfoi'd, Mr. Iliirrisou entered upon his business career under
the firm name of Cullyford & Harrison, saddlers, a firm which was dis-
solved five years later, the occasion being the first disastrous fire that
visited llie business section of tlie little town, and in which their building
aud its contents were destroyed. With the proverbial l^nulish grit, Mr.
Harrison started at the foot of the ladder aud again began its toilsome
asi-eni, this time alone. Ten years later, he again sutlered severely by fire,
but since which time he has had a peaceful and successful career. Singu-
larly enough, both fires originated next door, and both are said to have
bwn of incendiary origin. Mr. Harrison is engaged extensively in the
sale .)*' leather goods, all kinds of farm im]ilenients and vehicles, which
he houses in a commodious two-story business building, 23x140 feet.
His trade is not confined by county or state lines, as his reputation of
dealing in none but the best goods was a matter of cai-eful calculation
in the earlier days of his business career.
As intimated, Mr. Harrison's citizenship has been of the helpful
kind. He has, at different times, served in offices of trust connected with
the government of the city; a member of the fire company for eleven
years, in the council eight years, during which many of the substantial
improvements were made in the city, his last term being honored with
election as president of that body. For one term he was a member of the
school board.
Before leaving the laud of his birth. Mr. Harrison had secured a
partner to share with him the joys and sorrows of this life, the lady be-
ing ilary A. Cullyford, a native of Somersetshire. Her three children
were: William, in business with his father; Louisa, single; and Charlie,
who died in infancy. The mother of these children died just one year
from the date of Mf. Harrison's coming to Independence. The lady who
now presides over his home aud who became his wife in 1872, was Mrs.
Catherine ilorrison, aud to them one son was born, Charles T., now a
young ])harniacist of the city.
Believing in the fraternity idea, Mr. Harrison early became a mem-
ber of the I. O. O. F.. in which order he has filled all the chairs and is
at present Chief Patriarch of the Encampment. He is also an active
member of the Woodmen, having held the office of Sovereign Lieutenant
for a number of years. It is not fulsome praise to say that no more high-
ly respected citizen lives in Montgomery county than Thomas Harrison.
His life has at all times been an open book whose leaves remain stainless.
BERNHARDT ZAUtiCi— The late pioneer whose name initiates
this memoir was a character, somewhat unique, whose career of twenty-
seven years in Independence and vicinity was marked for its unabated
industry and f<u- its versatility. He came here in 1870, when the town
296 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
possessed scarcely more than the name, engaged in the bntcher business
the first three yeans and followed it with a term of years in the whole-
sale liquor business. On retiring from this, he occupied his farm in the
Verdigris bottom just east of the city and was emjdoyed with its conduct
until failing health forced his withdrawal from ])hysical labors. He
again became a citizen of Independence where he died June 8. 1897. Such
is a brief synopsis of the life and achievements of Bernhardt Zaugg who
filled a niche in the business life of Montgomery county. Widely known,
respected by all, with honorable ancestry and without posterity he left
to the world the proud record of a successful life.
Bernhardt Zaugg was a Swiss by nativity. He was born in the
jiKiv ii ce of Berne, April 12, 1840. and was a .son of Tlrich and Elizabeth
I I'unkhouser) Zaugg, somewhat extensive and well-to-do farmers of the
]iii)\ iiue. The parents were born and died there and were communicants
in the Lutheran church. Fourteen children were born to them, the sec-
ond oldest being Bernhardt of this sketch. Two sisters and two brothers
of them came to the United States. Bernhardt in 18ti8 and Peter and the
sisters — llrs. Elizabeth Euberg. deceased, of Colorado, and Mrs. Barbara
Avenerius, of Ottawa, Kas. — following later on. Bernhardt Zaugg was
fairly educated in the schools ])rovided for his station in Switzerland and
learned the butcher's trade, lie jiassed through ("astle Garden, robust
and strong, and made his way to Saint .Tose](h. ilissouri. where he ob-
tained work at his trade. Leaving the ^lissouri town, he drifted
down to Baxter Springs. Kansas, from wliiih point he came to Independ-
ence.
Montgomery county was the scene of Mr. Zaugg's effective work.
"With the aid and counsel of his wife he laid the foundation for and built
a modest fortune. While he was young and ftill of vigor no task requir-
ing industry was he unable to accomjilisb and it can be safely stated
that he amassed his wealth by intelligent and jnoperly directed effort.
The farm he owned in the river bottiun sold for iflC.OOO.ilO. a greater sum
than was paid for a like estate before that time in Montgomery county.
His wife, whom he married in lii(l(']iendence December 24, 1872. was an
ever-present aid to his amiution. She was Bernhardtina Tanner, born in
Switzerland January 24. 1844. and a daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth
(Sonderheger) Tanner. Her parents had five children of which number
she is llie sole survivor. .Mrs. Zaugg was educated liberally in the ordi-
narv schools of the Swiss republic and. as it hai)pened. came to the
TTnited States the same year her husband did. Slie passed from New
York fo (irand I{ai)ids. Michigan, and came on to Kansas as soon as the
government Irealed willi the Osage Indians for their reservation. She
and her late husband lit'u;ni life in an liiindile way and the quarter of a
century in which they lahorcd tog(>ilicr their efforts achieved financial re-
.S)ilts that were gratilving indi'cil. Her aid of different industrial enter-
HISTORY 0[- MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 297
])iis(w (if Iii(le]ieii(lt'in(' show lici* 1o be progressive mihI ]iul)lic s])irite(].
The l)ri(k ]ilaiit, the ( lacker factory and the eottou mill have each been
beneficiaries of her generosity and it i.s with a spirit of loyalty to her
favoi'ite city that she is ])ronii)te{l to these favoring acts.
As ipjoneers Mr. and .M,is. Zangg were among the first. As citizens
they p(>rfi>rnied a iiiddest but iiosiiivc part in the internal affairs of Mont-
gomery coiinly and sustained their names unsullied and uuimpeached.
JAMES F. BLACKLEDGE— No other county in the state owes its
phenomenal development to the fire and snap of youth to a greater extent
than does Montgomery. Here in the years immediately succeeding the
great Civil War. settled men whose youthful fiber had been steeled by
war's exacting duties, and who are now referred to as "old settlers."
Though still active, they have gradually given way to the younger ele-
ment, whose educational equipment fits them to take up the more compli-
cated work of advancing civilization. Among this number the gentle-
man whose name initiates this paragraph is noted as a leader, adding
to the restless energy of youth the sound judgment that coiues from suc-
cessful contact with the business world in various capacities.
James F. Blackledge is the present efficient cashier and manager of
the Caney Valley National Bank, of Caney City. The place of his nativ-
ity was Rockville, Indiana, the time October 29, 1869. He is the youngest
son of William and Phoebe (Johns) Blackledge, his parents belonging to
that sturdy class of artisans which has made the ''Hoosier State" famous
in the field of labor. The parents are natives of Ohio, the father born in
1S32, and upon arriving at manhood beconuug a builder and contractor
in Indiana. In this state he passed his early manhood and cheerfully
laid aside the implements of peace to wield the sword in the glorious
cause of freedom during tlie three long years of the Civil War. In 1879,
hecasthis lot with the "Sunflower State," settling first in Oswego, then at
Coffeyville, where he and his wife now reside, honored members of socie-
ty. Seven children were born to them, three boys and two girls yet liv-
ing.
A lad of but ten years when he first looked upon Kansas prairies,
Mr. Blackledge lays claim to being a Kansan "to the manor born," the en-
tire formative and educational period of his life being passed within the
borders of the State. The foundation of his excellent education was laid
in the district schools, from which he passed to a course in Salina Col-
lege. At nineteen, after passing a creditable examination in the Civil Ser-
vice, he received an appointment in the railway mail service as clerk, his
first run being on the Ft. Scott & Webb City R. R., from Ft. Scott to
Webb City, The facility which he rapidly acquired in the service and a
fine grasp of the more intricate problems which came up for solution al-
298 HISTORY OF SIONTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS.
most daily, soon marked him for promotion, and he was tested in many
different positions in the succeeding five years, in all of which he proved
eflBcient.
The marriage of Mr. Blackledge, in 1890. had thrown him into con-
tact with a master of finance in the person of his fatherin-law, E. P. Al-
len, president of the Bank of Independence, and with whom, in 1893, he
became associated in a banking venture in the then village of Caney.
Joint purchasers of stock in the Caney Valley Bank, they operated it as
a stale bank until 1!)(I0, when it was incorporated under the name now
known, with a cai>ital of .f25.0(l(Ml(l. X'lulcr the splendid management of
Mr. Blackledge. This bank has beionie one of the solid financial institu-
tions of the county, with a working deposit of nearly fKKI.OOO.OO. If one
thing more than another has contributed to Mr. Blackledge's success in
the business world, it is his absolute fidelity to a trust, and the careful
consideration he gives to the minutest detail of the work.
Politics, as such, proves of but little interest to Mr. Blackledge. He
votes with the Rei)ublican i)arty, and, yielding to the solicitation of
frieufis, has served his municipality in the board of couucilnien. To this
he adds the sinecure of city treasurer.
The home life of our subject has been peculiarly felicitious, Miss
Mattie H. Allen, daughter of E. P. and Mary Allen, becoming his wife
as stated above, ip 1890. To this union have been born f'oui' bright
children — Ralph T., Paulina, Gwynne and Mercedes.
Mr. Blackledge is a member of Masonic Blue Lodge, a K. of P.
and an M. W. A. and Mrs. Blackledge is a member of the Presbyterian
church.
ELIZABETH BRYANT— The lady mentioned is one of the most in-
teresting of the few pioneers of Montgomery county still left. She de-
lights in reminiscences of the early days when wild game and the wilder
Red Man roamed in undisputed possession of the prairie, and can tell
many tales of adventure in which the "noble Red Man" figured, and gen-
erally to his discredit. Mirs. Bi'yant came to Kansas in 1858, with her
husband and family, first settling in Atchison county, thence, in 18C0, to
("otlcy county, where they resided dujing the war. In 1867, they moved
down into Jlontgomery county, where they have ever since been among
its best citizens.
Jlrs. Bryant was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, on the 31st of
January, 1836, the daughter of John and Fannie (Harper) Geer, both
natives of Kentucky. John Geer was one of the early settlers of the
"Hoosier State," having come from Kentucky when a five-year-old boy.
He lived in Indiana until 1853, when he removed with his family to Iowa,
and ia which state he died at the advanced age of eighty years, the wife
HISTORY OF MONTGOJIEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 299
at sevonty-one. In August of 1855, Mrs. Bryant was married to Hezekiah
F. Hryant. a native of Keutueky, born April 12th, 1832. He came over
into Indiana when a boy and accompanied Mr. Geer's people when they
moved out to Iowa. They rented a farm for several years in Iowa and, in
1858, came to Kansas, as stated. The family were living in Poffey county
when the war came on and Jlr. Bryant at "once enlisted. This left Mrs.
Bryant to look after affairs at home and for the entire period of the war
she bravely fought the battles necessary to keep her young family to-
gether—and who shall say the brave women did not have battles to fight
that took as high a degree of courage and as great display of generalship
as were required on the actual field of carnage.
Early in lS(il. Mr. Bryant enlisted in the Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and
served nearly five years with that organization, participating in many
important engagements of the west. As stated, the family moved down
into Montgomery county in 1807, where they located a claim on Elk river.
This was in pioneer days, in truth, when but few white families were in
the county, and when thieving Indians roamed over valley and hill. The
Bryants were unfortunate enough to become the victims of these pests,
losing their only team soon after their arrival, and even a coat and brace
of revolvers that had been carelessly laid aside. Claim-jumpers were an-
other species of varmint the new settlers had to reckon with. While Mr.
Bryant was gone on his trip back to Coffey county for the rest of the
family, an effort was made to jump his claim, which his return in the
nick of time prevented. As it was, the family moved into their cabin be-
fore the roof was put on and slept the first night under a few rough
boardii. The first year was one of privation and almost of suffering, but
after their first crop was raised it became easier, and, as years passed,
hard work brought prosperity and plenty to their door.
This first farm was cultivated until the year 1885, when it was sold
and a move made to where Mrs. Bryant now resides, two miles from
Tyro. Mr. Bryant died on the 1-Ith of March, 1889, at the age of fifty-
six years eleven months and twenty-eight days, in Saint Andre Bay,
Florida, while in search of health. He was a man whose fine traits of
character won to him many friends. He cai'ed little for public life, but
was most envious of the good will of his friends and neighbors, among
whom he was exceedingly popular.
Mrs. Bryant was the mother of eight children : Marion, deceased in
1886; John W., James, Benjamin X., deceased at one year and eight
mouths; William A., B. Simeon, Ida IMay, deceased in infancy; and~an
unnamed infant.
Of this family, William A. has dutifully remained at home, caring
for his mother. He was born in Coffey county in 1867, and has passed
the entire period of his life at home. The farm which he cultivates evi-
dences in its well-tilled acres the stroke of a master hand, and presents
300 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
as fliif- an appearance as any in the confines of the county. He makes a
specialty of breeding fine horses and takes great pride in driving the best
in his stable, in the cultivation of his farm. Ills devotion to his mother is a
matter of common remark, and he has resolutely remained single with
the purpose of giving her the better care. He is i-egarded in the com-
nninity as a worthy son of a worthy father, whose many virtues he so
aptly illustrates.
JOHN CRICK — John Crick, a farmer of Louisbnrg township, Mont-
gomery county, is a native of Old England, where he was born, in Roln-
hurst, on the 25th of February, 1842. His father was James H. Hopwood,
and his mother Sarah Crick. The parents lived and died in the Old
Country, where, in Redfordsliire, our subject was educated and learned
his trade.
In the year 1800, the latter crossed the ocean and located in Phila-
delphia, where he woi'ked at his trade, as a machinist, with the firm of
Bement & Dougherty, and also with the Sellers Tool Co. He remained in
Philadelphia about one year and then went to Su.squehanna, the same
state, where he entered the employ of the New York and Erie Rail-
road. Later, he came to Chicago and worked for tlie Rork Island Rail-
road Company. He was with the Kansas Pacific for two years at dif-
ferent points and then, finally, abandoned the life of a machinist and, in
1871, located on the farm where he now resides. This farm consists of
160 acres of fine land, which our subject keeps in a high state of cultiva-
tion. It is stocked well with the best grades of cattle and horses and
shows the skillful hand of the master agriculturist.
The domestic life of Ml". Crick began April 15th, 1863, on which date
he was joined in marriage with Mary, a daughter of Valentine and Cla-
rinda (Durand) Cryderman. Mrs. Crick's father was a native of Canada,
where he was born in 1816. In early manhood he located in Indiana and
there married. He, later, moved to Illinois, where Mrs. Crick was born,
she being one of a family of ten children, viz: George, deceased; Amelia,
first married John Smith, but is now the wife of Edward Hays; Silvia,
deceased wife of Jesse N. Gallamore, her children being: Nellie, Rose. Ivy,
Jessie, Florence, Clarinda, Maude, Amy and Vane; the fourth child is
Mrs. Crick; Mci ril I L., lives with his mother in Wilson county, Kansas;
James N'alciilinc Amos inaii-ied Cornelia Rauland. lives in Neodesha,
Kansas; William Adna, .lolm mairi.-d D.na Wcllniing and lives in Wash-
ington, and an infant unnamed.
To. Mr. and Mrs. Crick have been born a family of six children, as
follows — Nettie, born January 4th, 1875, resides at home; Jesse, born
October 5th, lS7t;; Daisy 1?., born July 14th, 1870; Amy E., born Septem-
ber 22iid, 1881; Harry, born November 12th, 1884, and Frank V., born
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 301
Sept. 7th, 188(i. Of tliese cliildieii, -Jesse, the oldest son, enlisted in the
SiKinish-Anieiii-an \v;iv in the sjiring' of 1898, and served until his dis-
chiu-ge at San Fnimiseo, >Jovenibei' 1st, 1899. He resided, for a time, in
Missoula, Montana, and is now an employe of the Northern Pacific rail-
way, and at present resides in Aguascolientes, Mexico, where he is a loco-
motive engineer.
Mr. and Mrs. Crick are devout and consistent members of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church and are leading members of society in the com-
munity, where they interest themselves in every cause which looks to gen-
eral betterment. He has never sought public office, and is pleased to sup-
port the principles of the Republican party by his vote. He is a charter
member of William Penu Lodge of Elk Ci'ty,'l. O. O. F. He joined this
order in 1870. in Wyandotte, Kansas, and has been a life-long member of
the same. Those who know Mi'. Crick and his family best are uniform
in their opinion of the splendid character which they maintain in the
community.
JAMES A. McDowell— Since 1869, there has lived, five miles from
Elk City, a gentleman, who, by his upright character and by his unity of
purpose has earned the esteem of a large community of friends. There
are few in the ranks of the "old settlers" of the county who are better or
more favorably known than Mr. McDowell, and we present his record in
brief, that posterity may know him. and something of his antecedents.
October 9th, 1858, marks the date of birth of Mr. McDowell, in Cald-
well county, Kentucky. He is of Irish extraction, his father, Allen Mc-
Dowell, having been a son of Alexander, who was the Irish founder of
this American family. They settled in Kentucky, where Allen McDowell
was born, and where he married Martha Freeman, daughter of Hardy F.
Freeman, of a North ("arolina family, which settled in Caldwell county,
Kentucky.
Allen McDowell enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war,
and died at home while on a furlough, but his widow still lives and resides
with her son, our subject.
James A. McDowell was a lad of ten jears when his mother settled
in Montgomery county, Kansas. With her came her father, together with
a brother and two brothers-in-law. Each of the male members of the
party preempted a quarter section of land in Louisburg township, as also
did our subject's mother. The latter proved up on her claim, sold out
and purchased the farm of eighty acres upon which Mr. McDowell now
resides, and which he has continued to cultivate since he grew to man-
hood.
Mr. McDowell married, in January, 1893. Miss Lola Lewis, (laugliler of
Abraham and Martha (Keed) Lewis. To tliis marriage have been born
302 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
three diildreii : Alvis, born Deeeinber 8th, 1891; Frances Anna, born
Mareh :28th. 181)(;; and .Tames Allen, born June 7th, 18!)8.
The farm on which Mr. McDowell now resides is not extensive in
acreage, but it is well kept and shows the hand of an intelligent and
skilled agriculturist.
In fraternal life, Mr. McDowell is a member of the Modern Wood-
men cf Anier'ca. and in i.olitics he attiliates and votes with the Republi-
can part.v.
CAl'T. J. E. STOXK — This name is an honored one in >rontgoiiiery
count V, where its bearer lias resided for uuiny long years, he being one of
the earliest settlers in the southern part of the county. Capt, Stone set-
tled in the county soon after the war and one year prior to the laying out
of the townsite of Cauey. Here he purchased a large body of laud, on
pari of which now stands that city. During his residence hei-e. ('apt.
Stone has filled several important public positions, notably that of county
sheriti, in which otiice he served two terms, and as postmaster of the city
of Caney. a position he has held since 1897.
Capt. Josejih E. Stone is the eldest son of Jonathan and Sarah ( Stev-
ens i Stone. Llis birth dates in the state of Maine, where he was born, in
\Aaldo county, on the lIGth day of July, 1842. His parents were by occu-
pation farmers. The records give the date of the birth of Jonathan Stone
as .March 27th, 1810. his death occurring July 20th, 1SS:^. The dates of
birth and dealh of the wife are resjiectively, March 27th. 1818, and
January l.^th, l!t(l(t. These pareuts reared a family of live children, ("apt.
Stone passed the days of his youth and young manhood on the home farm,
his early education being that which was common in those days in the
country districts of the east. With this as a foundation he attended ses-
sions at the Maine State Seminary, and at the early age of sixteen had
qualitJed himself for the noble work of a teacher. He taught success-
fully for a i>eriod of live years in the country districts about his home.
As tlie rumblings of war became more and more distinct the young
teach(>r followed events with an all-absorbing interest and when opportu-
nity offered he was ready to offer his life as a sacrifice on the altar of de-
votion to country. He enlisted in Company "B," of the 41th U. S. Color-
ed Infantry, a regiment recruited with white officers and colored troojis.
Capt. Stone was enlisted as second lieutenant and was later jircimoted to
first lieutenant, which jiosilion he was holding at his discharge. He par-
ticijialed in several im])ortant engagements and was at the surrender of
Eee at Appomattox. His regiment was sent to the extreme south im-
mediately after the surrender and he was mustered out in the city of
New Orleans. The service, however, had proved so fascinating to our sub-
ject that he soon re-enlisted in the regular .service, this time as first lieu-
J E. STONE.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 303
tenant of Company "B," 125th Colored U. S. Infantry. In this position
he experienced service on the jilains for two yeai-s and then closed his
military life at Fort Leavenworth, in December of 1867.
A trip to the old home in Maine preceded his settlement at Lee Sum-
mit, Jackson county, Missouri, where he conducted a commission busi-
ness until the spring of 1870. This year marks the date of his coming
to Kansas, the exact day of his landing in the vicinity of the present city
of Caney being the 11th of May. He took up a claim just north gf Caney
and since that time has Iteen one of the largest individual land owners in
the county. His holdings aggregate at present some 1.200 acres, 500 of
which adjoins the city limits. Some idea of the strides real estate have
taken in this vicinity may be gathered from the fact that this land,
bought at 17.00 an acre, is now valued in the neighborhood of $100.00.
Capt. Stone has figured actively in the development of Caney. In
188(i, a company was organized, of which he became president, and which
purchased 240 acres north of the city. This was platted and is now a part
of the city proper. He has built himself a handsome residence on the
corner of Fourth avenue and Wood street, where he is passing an active
and pleasant old age.
As stated, the public life of Capt. Stone comprised two terms in the
oflSee of sheriff, in the early days, and his present position of postmaster.
His exi)erience in the former office was immediately after his arrival in
Kansas, and was in a day when it took a man of some nerve to adminis-
ter the office. Our subject can tell many a good story of "border war-
fare," when the man quickest with his gun was the master of the situa-
tion. During his term as postmaster at Caney the office has passed from
a fourth-class to a presidential office. His administration of the office
has been eminently satisfactory to the patrons and the department at
Washington. In financial circles Capt. Stone is known far and wide.
He is vice president and one of the principal stockholders in the Home
National Bank of Caney, and is regarded as one of the solid men of the
southern part of the state.
Our subject has been most active in political life, and it is not ful-
some praise to say that the present condition cf the Republican party is
due in large measure to his wise counsel and efficient management as
chairman of the County Central Committee.
The marriage of Capt. Stone occurred in February of 1874, while
serving his second term as sheriff. The event occurred in Independence;
the lady's name, Anna Vansandt, a native of Missouri, a daughter of
Elijah and Mary K. Vansandt. Mirs. Stone was a lady of many excel-
lencies of character and on her death. May 16th, 1897, she was mourned
by a large circle of friends throughout the county. She was the mother
of five children, all of whom are living: Arthur F., Herbert G., Myrtle
Moy, Roy M; and Edwin Earl. This latter son inherited the taste for
304 mSTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COL'NTy, KANSAS.
iiiilitiuy life fii.ni liis fiitliei- and is at i.rcsont a ineiiil>er of the T'. S. flav-
ali-.v. 14tli Kcuiiiiciif. stationed at Foi-t (irant, Arizona.
Foi-cctul. yet. withal, most kindly, shrewd in the nianagenient of his
att'airs. yet <;enerous to a fault ; lieli)ful in his association with friends
and neiohbors. <'ai)iai!i Stone merits the large measure of esteem in
whieh he is held in ("aney and Moutgomerv eountv.
ISAAC M. AK(;()— In the vicinity of Costello, lives some of the
most enterjirisiiiii and industrious farmers of Montgomery county, among
whom is the gentleman whose name heads this notice. He has been a
resident of the county for nineteen years and he and his family are es-
teemed for their many sjilcndid (|nalities and personal virtues.
Isaac ^\. Arud dales his birth from the year 1854, in Champaign
county, Illinois. His jiarents, David and Mary (Shreve) Argo, came to
the town of Neodesha, Kansas, in 1872, near which place they preempted
a claim and where they continued to reside until their death.
Our subject was eighteen years of age when the family came to Kan-
sas and he aided his i)aients in opening the farm until he jiassed his legal
majority. Re then began life on his own account and, in 1891, started
an establishment of his own. being joined in mairiage that year with Miss
Jlay, daughter of James II. and Margaret (Weller) Ashbaugh. His wife's
father was a native of Hardin county. Kentucky, where he was born in
1817, the mother, also, being a native of the same county and state.
They were early jiioneers of ^Montgomery county, Kansas, having settled
here in ISOO, and preemjtted the farm where Mr. Argo now resides. Two
of his daughters. Mary and Martha, also took and proved up a claim of a
quarter section of land neai'by. Mr. Argo died in 18S2, and his wife pass-
ed away in 1889, leaving six children: Mary I., now deceased; Martha
A., who married Garland Watson and lives near Kansas City; Margaret,
deceased; Victor, who lives in Colorado; Cenrge J., also of Colorado,
married Fannie Ashbaugh. an 1 has a son, William; tlie youngest child
was Mrs. Argo.
To the home of Mr. and Mrs. Aigo linvc coir.e (wo children: Victor
X.. born February 1. 1SS4, and David, wiio was born -Inly S.',. 1'.)(I2. In
his social relations Mr. Argo is most happy, being a member of the Mod-
ern Woodmen, and I'cady at all times to take part in any movement which
has for its object the iniprovenieiit of society alioiit him. He is i:ot active
in the matter of pojiiirs. biil is |)1(m><m1 in Miiipdii. ],\ bis vi>i, Die pl;it
form of the Fopulist ]iariy.
SAMCKL McMli;Tl{V-The subject of this sk<
•lerk of :Monlgom(M-y county, and has been a factor
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 305
fails for the i)ast eleven years. He is one of the great tliri>uf; of honor-
able and creditable citizens who have been filling up Kansas from the
"Hoosier State" since the war of the Rebellion and, himself, sought its
borders in the year 1887.
Mr. McMurtry was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, September
10th. 1854:, and is* a sou of Ansel McMurtry. who died November 18th,
IS.jl. the year of our subject's birth, at the age of thirty-two. The father
was a native of Kentucky, where his parents established themselves on
couiiug to the United States from the British Isles, just after the war
of 1812. Samuel McMurtry, grandfather of our subject, was the pioneer
ancestor above referred to, and was the head of the McMurtry family of
this branch in America. About the year 1830, he accompanied several
of his children into Hamilton county, Indiana, where he passed away at
a ripe old age. Uv married Elsie Reid, a lady of Irish birth, and reared
a large family of children. In business affairs he was a trader and
farmer.
Ansel McMurtry grew up in Indiana and there married Polly Burris.
She was of English birth and was born February 8th, 1827. She still
resides in Hamilton county and is the widow of Thomas Phillips. By her
first marriage five children were born, of whom three survive, and seven
children were born to her last marriage, only one of whom now lives.
The McMurtry children a re : Mrs. Maria Wilson, of Arcadia, Indiana ;
!Mrs. Rosa I'hillips, of Lawi'ence, Kansas ; Mrs. Sarah Scully, who died in
Hamilton county, Indiana, in 1875; and Samuel, of this review.
Orphaned at the age of two months, our subject never knew the guid-
ance and protection of a father. The training of the farm and the rural
school fell to his lot in boyhood and ho tiiiislied his education with gradu-
ation from the Union High A<adciiiy. ar \\'csTtield, Indiana. He took
up the study of law in Xoblcsvillc. Indiana, with the firm of Kane & Davis,
and was admitted to the bar in 1879. after a due course of reading. But
instead of engaging in the practice of law he took up the work of teach-
ing school and followed it in his native state for ten years.
In 1887, he came out to Kansas with the intention of teaching one
year and then taking up the profession of law. An attractive offer was
made him in Kinsley, where he located, to take charge of the city schools,
and this caused him to deviate from his original plans, and he presided
over the destinies of the schools of the county seat of Edwards county, as
superintendent, for five years. The dejjressitm of the times brought busi-
ness 1(1 such a low ebb in western Kansas that, in 1892. he decided to get
nearer the center of population, and away from the region of the western
plains. He chose Montgomery county for his field of labors and located in
<■oft^^e^ville, where he became associate editor of the Coffeyville Journal,
Jhen under the managenrent of the late Cai>t.I). S. Elliott. Soon after
306 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
Lis arrival lie was apjioiuted lity attorne.v of the thrifty town on the
border, and performed his public duties iu connection with his newspa-
per work for one year. For four years he occupied his position on the
editorial staff of the Journal and then left it to engage in the real estate
and insurance business in that city. In this line of activity he was en-
gaged when nominated and elected, and finally installed, as county clerk,
January 12th. 1003.
Samuel McJIurtry was bnmj^lit nji a Republican. His father was a
Whig, but his son's political training was left in the hands of others, and
it was supplied by teachers of the Republican school. In early manhood
he became a factor in local political affairs and his services have always
been freely given to his i)arty. as a worker and a speaker. He was nomi-
nated for county clerk, by acclamation, in 1809. but was defeated by only
fifty-four votes, at a time when the Fusionists had (piite a substantial
majority. In 1002. the Republican County Convention renewed its fealty
to him and gave him another nomination by acclamation, with the result
that he defeated his opponent at the polls by seven hundred and ninety-
one votes.
■\A'hile Mr. McMurtiy is an ardent advocate of Republican policies,
and, of the cause of its <<nididates, yet he never fails to manifest a cour-
teous and respectful attitude toward those of opposing beliefs and, as a
coufsecjuence. his candidacy has drawn heavily from the forces of the
Fusionists when he has been in a jwlitical race.
December 28th, ISTC. ^Nlr. McMurtry married Miss Julia A. Ranimel.
in Wcsttield, Indiana. Mrs. McMurtry is a daughter of Rev. Eli and
Cassa (("ash) Rammel, and was born in Middletown, Henry county, In-
diana. Her parents came to Kansas in 1879, lived on a fai-m near Coffey-
ville and there died, the former October 2Gth, 1882, and tlie latter August
10th, 1887.
Eli Ranimel was a Methodist minister and was a member of the
Noi'th Indiana Conference for forty years. By his marriage he was the
father of ten children, five of whom are living.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. McMurtry are: Ansel E.. of Kansas
City, Mo.; Elmer E. and Gertrude, living; while Vinita died in Coffey-
ville, in 1808, at the age of sixteen years, and Sliarley and Carrie died at
Kinsley, Kansas, in infancy.
Mr. McMfurtry is a MJison, a Knight of Pythias, a Modern Woodman
and a member of the Fraternal Aid Association.
ALVIN J. INSCHO — Living on neighboring farms in Rutland town-
ship are two old friends. William II. Sloan and Alvin J. Inscho. These
two gentlemen are among the very earliest settlers of the county, having
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 307
settled on their claims in Jnnc. 1S(;S. The years that have passed since
that early day have been fnll of ihe multifarious duties of life; at first, the
hard, grinding toil and discomforts of pioneer life, which gradually he-
came softened by the comforts and luxuries of civilization.
Authentic information concerning the early history of the Tnscho
family is lacking. Mr. Inscho believes, however, that the name wa.s
brought to this country prior to the Revolutionary war. Exact know-
ledge locates his grandfather, Robert Inscho, in Virginia in the early
part of the 19th centui-y, where he reared seven children, whose names
were : Joseph. Robert, Henry, Nancy, Mary. Maria and John. The young-
est of this family married Clara Foot, a native of New York state, and a
daughter of Robert and Mary Foot, both natives of that state. The child
ren of this marriage were : Ozias, Edwin, of Sterling. Kansas ; Perry and
Alvin J.
Alvin J. Inscho dates his birth in Huron county, Ohio, February
Kith. 1844. He was reared to farm life and, while busily engaged in aiding
his parents in the summer and securing an education in the winter,
watched the gathering of the war cloud with absorbing interest. With
liis heart throbbing in unison with the drum beats of the enrolling officer
he, in July, 1SG2, enlisted in Wood county, Ohio — where his parents had
removed when he was yet a child — in Company "A," 100th Ohio Vol. Inf.,
Col. Groom commanding. This regiment became a part of the Third
Division. First Brigade — Gen. Gillmore in command — which was mobil-
ized with the 23rd Army Corps. His first taste of "the realities" was at
the siege of Knoxville, the initial action in a series of victories in
which our subject subsequently shared. Some of the more important
were: Resaca, Atlanta, then with Thomas to Tennessee — where he partici-
pated at Columbia. Franklin and Nashville. Crossing the mountains, his
company was "in"' at the Wilmington fight and then to Washington, I).
C. where it swung into the grandest line of veterans ever marshalled in
review. His muster out of service occurred July 3rd, 1865, in Cleveland,
Ohio.
Short periods at Toledo and Perrysburg. Ohio, and at Ann Arbor,
Michigan, in which places he worked in drug stores, preceded his coming
to St. Joe, Mo., in 1867, and in the summer of the following year he be-
came a resident of Montgomery county, Kansas. Here he began life
anew on a 160-acre tract which constitutes a part of the five hundred and
forty acres which he now owns, in section 24-32-14. Reminiscences of those
early times are of exceeding interest from the lips of Mr. Inscho. His
knowledge of drugs enabled him to play the "medicine man'' with the In-
dians to good advantage, so that he was not annoyed as much as other
settleis. Too much cannot be said in commendation of the character al-
ways sustained by Mr. Inscho. Suffice it to say that no citizen is more
308 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
widely and favorably kuowii than lie. and the interest he takes in securing
the best advantages in matters o1 education and good government, en-
dears him to all. He is a uiemlM'r of the board of education and, in a
patriotic way. holds memliersiii]. in the Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1882. Mr. Insciio was liapjiily joined in marriage with 'Dora M.
Turner, daughter of David and Louisa Turner, of Ohio. Mrs. Inscho is a
lady of endearing (jualities, and a sjilendid mother to her five children,
whose names are: r.essie. Clvdc I'.irdie. Fav and Frank.
WILLIAM A. MEKKlLI^This gentleman is a prominent citizen
and leading lawyer of the stirring little municipality of Caney, where he
has, in the short space of four years, succeeded in winning the respect of
the entire community and establishing a lucrative practice. Caney has
no nuire indefatigable woiker for the advancement of her inter-
ests than Mr. Merrill, and he has shown his faith in hci- future by invest-
ing in one of the best residence properties in the city.
William A. Merrill came to ("aney in 1898, from Warreiishuig. Mo.,
where he had been a jiroiiiinent and leading citizen for a nuiiibei- of ye:ns.
He is a native of Johnson county, of that state, where he was born (ui the
l,'2d of August, 18IJ1, the son of Leaven H. ^Merrill and his wife, formerly
Husan F. tSmith. The father's nativity lay back in . the old State of
M'aryland, from whence he removed with his parents to Missouri when a
child. When he arrived at num's estate he chose the occupation of a
farmer. In 18(J8, Leaven H. Merrill being a slaveholder and southern
sympathizer, was forced to leave his family in M|issouri. He went as far
south as Batesville, Arkansas. Instead of going into the regular army,
he put out a crop, and. in the fall of that year, was killed by the "Moun-
tain Browns," being shot from ambush. He left three children to be
cared for by the wife and mother, who bravely took up the task. She
lived to see them well educated men and honored citizens, before passing
to her rest, at fifty-two years of age. The names of the other two chil-
dren are: Josejih A. and Florence. Fbu-ence uurrried J. \V. I'.lackwell.
and lives with her family near Chelsea, Indian Territory.
William A. Merrill was the youngest of this family thus early de-
])rived of a father's care. From earliest boyhood he was accustomed
to the severest labor, but adversity taught him many valuable lessons,
which have borne their fruil in making him a stalwart and independent
soldier in the battle of life, lie was reared to farm work, but by dint
of close ap|)licatioii was enabled to prepare himself for the teaching
lirofessioii. He attended sessions of Central College at Fayette, Missouri,
and. later, al the State Normal at Warrensburg. and for tirteen years was
continuously engaged in the school room, establishing a reputation as an
educator not surpassed in liiat section of the state. He then took u])
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^, KANSAS. 309
the siiidv (if huv. ;m(l. ill 18!>7, was adinitted to the bar in Warreiislmi'g.
Tiie l'(.llu\\iiig \('ar he fame to Kansas, as hereinbefore sta<ed.
Mr. ^Herriil was married on tiie .".tli day of March. 18S!», to Laura P.
Keen, of .loluison county. Jlissonri, wiio now presides over liis home
witli tliat dignified grace which denotes the true housewife.
The political convictions of our subject lie in the line of Jeffersonian
Democracy, though his rather retiring disposition precludes his taking
little more than a voting i)art in matters of that kind. Socially, he is
a popular member of the Masonic fraternity, being, at the present time,
secretary of Lodge No. 324. He and his good wife are held in the high-
est esteem bv the citizens of their adoiited city.
\^' ILL I AM H. BRCNTON — Prominent as a contractor and builder
of Elk City and junior member of the firm of Reed & Bruntou, William
H. Urunton has been a citizen of Montgomery county since 1872. He
was born in Missouri, February 21, 1862. His father, the venerable
Thomas Brunton, who resides near Jefferson City, that state, was one of
the early settlers of Louisburg township, where he took a claim as early
as 1871. Some years later, he returned to Missouri, his native state,
where he is retired fi'oni active life at about sixty-seven years old.
Thomas Brunton married Lucinda Bagsley, an Indiana lady, and the
first years of his active life wei-e passed as a carjienter builder. Toward
the close of the war, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Missouri Infantry,
and soldiered in the west in the Union army. In 1875, his wife died at
thirtvflve years of age. leaving children: Mary, deceased; Phoebe, wife
of John Heritage, of M,ontgomeiy county; William H., of Elk City;
Clariuda, who married Philip Jones and resides in the state of Washing-
ton; Cyrus A., of Montgomery ((uinty: and Lucinda, Mrs. Chas. Jones,
of Washington.
William H. Brunton acquired his education in the public schools of
Montgomery county. Ou leaving school he learned the stonemason's
trade and at this he worked several years, before taking uj) carpenter
work. He has been a carpenter builder since 1885, and. in 1!MI3. formed a
business alliance with his partner, Jft-. Reed.
December 2.5. 1888. Mr. Brunton married Ethel Kelso, who was born
in Logan county, Illinois, June 22. 1870. She is a daughter of William
and Maggie (Doyle) Kelso, both deceased, who left five children, as fol-
lows: Mrs. Brunton. Arthur, of Chicago. Illinois; Emma, now Mrs. Mor-
ris O-sborne, of Montgomery county, Kansas; David, who died at twenty-
one ;and Pearl, wife of Roy Bailey, of Burden, Kansas. After her hus-
band's death, Mirs. Kelso married Joseph Goodwin and. at her death in
1886, left a daughter, Maggie Goodwin. Mr. Kelso was a nier<hant in
310 UISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,, KANSAS.
Corn Laud, llliiK.is, \v;is a jiislice of the i>t'arc there, and died at aboui
thirty years ohl.
Mr. and Mrs. Uniiitoirs family roiisists of: Kov \'iiiceu1, Fav, and
Lela, deceased.
AVILI>IAM i;. W(M»1>— .Itiiie L'S. ]S(iS, in Whitley .(umty. Kentueky,
William I>. Wuud. of Kailand township, was l)orn. In infancy he was
brought to Kansas by his parents, who settled in Montgomery county,
where our subject was brought up and has since resided. The fact of
their very early settlement here numbers the family among the pioneers
of the county, and their entry of a tract of the public domain in section
22, township 32, rauge 14, marks them as original settlers.
William B. Wood was the son of Thomas F. Wood, of Tennessee
birth, but of Kentucky growing-up. He was educated liberally for his day
and entered ujton the serious duties of life as a teacher in the rural
schools. AMieu he reached the frontier in Kansas he laid aside the ferule
and devoted his time to industrial pursuits. He was variously employed,
as a supplement to his meager earnings on a new farm, but teaming and
freighting, and the like, constituted his chief occupation during the first
years of his residence here. He was employed by Nopawalla's band to
haul their effects off of the reservation to Chetopa and by this species of
intercourse came to know the red man of this locality very well. Some
of the lower bands of Indians ordered him out of the country and even
tried to burn wliat scant improvements he had nuide, but Thomas F.
Wood was from tlie wrong country to be scared away, and he remained.
The first building to house the Woods was a cabin 10x12 feet, and
the next one was of siuiilar construction but larger and more convenient,
and in this did its owner live till his death in 1S77. His treatment of the
Ked ^lan made warm friends of them, and in 187!), a band of five hundred
of then) came to visit him and turned back sorrowfully wlien they learned
he was dead.
Jeriah Wood was the grandfather of William I!. "Wood. He was a
nativ(> Teiinessccan and haij children: -lohii 1., \Mlson, Ambrose, Jo-
sejih Mrs. Lucinda Hamond, of I'iue Knot, Kentucky; Jeptha, Mrs.
Saial, Meadows, of .[ellico. Tennessee, and Thomas F.
Thomas F. Wood married Eliza A. Morgan, a daughter of Griflin and
Ann (Shepard) .Morgiin, of Whitley county, Kentucky. Two children,
William 15. and John II.. of ^lontgomery county, Kansas, constitute the
living issue of their marriage. During "the Elk* river flood of ISS.j. Mrs.
Wood and a son, Thomas F., ten yearsOf age, were drowned on the Kith
■of May.
As a child. William I!. Woo(i's as.sociates were fre(iuently the Osage
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 311
Indian and his papoose. He almost lived at their camps and ate their
buffalo meat and spoke their language and, even now, the dialect of the
wild man lingers about his tongue. He was left without parental guid-
ance at the age of firteen years, and saw the inside of the school room as
a student, seldom, from thence forward. In 1891, he married Josephine L.
Miller, an Ohio lady and a daughter of H. H. Miller. One child, Lelia,
is the issue of this union. He occupies the family homestead of pioneer
days, and is now replacing the burned dwelling erected by his father in
that era.
WILLIAM THOMAS Y(»K— William Thomas Yoe was born in Cal-
vert county. JLiryland. March 2ti. 1845, and reared in a christian home.
His parents were Walter and Elizabeth (Harris) Yoe, native Maryland
and Virginia people. In 1848, the parents left their old home and estab-
lished themselves among the pioneers at Rushville, Illinois. The father
was 1 carpenter and pursued the arts of peace and won the affection and
regard of the community. To the three sons, W. T., Charles and Frank
F., the parents left the heritage of a good name and an inspiration to
righteous and useful lives.
Thomas Yoe, as our subject is universally known, passed his child-
hood and youth about Rushville, Illinois, where he had some acquaintance
with the common schools. His education assumed a practical turn from
the age of thirteen years, when he went into a print shop, from which,
as a business, he has never been separated. Toward the end of the Civil
War he enlisted in Company "K," One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Il-
linois infantry, and saw service at Memi)his, Tennessee.
After the war he located at Shelbyville, M^issouri, where, for a short
time, he was a hardware merchant, and then at Shelbina, where he be-
came associated with Col. A. M. York in the publication of a Republican
newspaper. After nearly five years, he decided to exert his energies
among the people of the progressive frontier State of Kansas.
In the winter of 1870, he founded, with others, the South Kansas
Tribune, and, in February following, brought the plant to Kansas and
established it in the new town of Independence, in Montgomery county.
L. U. Humphrey, afterward governor of Kansas, was associated with the
new paper, on its editorial staff. The proprietorship of the "Tribune"
came, later, into the hands of W. T. and Chas. Y'oe, where, with a single
exception, it has since remained.
Mr. Yoe has been a part of >k)ntgomery county nearly a third of a
century and has shared in its development work, both rural and urban.
Little that has been of general interest to the county has not known hifj
hand, or felt the influence of his voice or pen ; and the confidence he thus
312 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAXfi.VS.
iiis|piic(l wjirninled the conferring of i)ul)lic liniiois mid the bcslowal
upon him of public trusts. The jiructical ch;iracter of liis views, his ma-
ture juilgnieiit and the evident sincerity of his purp(tse are traits which
have commended liim tiiroujjh life and marked him as one of the promi-
nent citizens of his city and county. He has been at the head of his news-
l)aper since its estalilisliment and his personal standing has given it
weight and jxiwer. He has hel]ied make governors and other state oflBcers
and furnished ellective advice in the disirilmtion of local oflices which
■showed abundant wisdom and brought a stiong ciuicnt of jiublic senti-
ment to his party's ap])roval.
Ak an ai)pointee to juiblic ottice. Mr. Yoe has rendered his chief pub-
lic service. I'resident Arthur appointed him jiostmaster of Independ-
•euce and he served three years but resigned upon the election of Mr.
-Clleveland. (Jovernor Humphrey appointed him secretary of the State
Board of Charities, where he remained three years, and (ioveruor Stan-
ley made him a member of the Board of Regents of the State Agricultural
Coll'ge. As a Kei)ublican he has occupied a high position in party
councils. He has a single standard of honesty and ai)plies it In business,
religion and politics, alike. He is an active and leading member of the
Methodist congregation in Independence, and the influence of his life is
41 potent one in the spiritual and material affairs of the church.
In 1S7(», in Shelbina. Missouri. Mr. Yoe married Jennie E. Weather-
by. The issue of this union are: Harriet E, a teacher in the Deaf and
Dunil) Institution of Kansas; Roy W., a farmer, of Tyro, Montgomery
■county; Edna Mu.\. assistant in the Indejiendence jpostofHce; Earl A., a
jirinter in the Tribune oflicc; and Ruth, ^^'arl■en and (ieorge.
j:I»WAR1) I'AVSOX ALLEX— The First ^■ati<mal Bank, of Inde-
])endence, is fortunate in having for its executive head, a man of such
wide and varied ex])erience, of such unerring judgment and a gentleman
of such popular personal ti'aits as he whose name introduces this per-
sonal revie\\-. He came to Montgomery county almost with the earliest,
and embodies, in his career as a citizen here, experience as a farmer, mer-
chant, jtublic olKcial and tinancier, all of which stations he has hon-
oi-ed and in all of which has he displayed a natural ajilitude and adapta-
tion, jiassing from one to another as a reward of industry and indicating
the favor and contidencc of his fellow citizens.
A\'ithout the ]iale of the jiioneers it excites a riiiple of merriment to
state that i;. I'. Allen was once a farmer. His training for years has been
so foreign to the calling Ihat lie has lost even the most familiar and com-
mon atlribnlcs of (he rural business man. yet lie was once a farmer in
E. P. ALLEN.
IIISTOKY OF MONTliOMEUY COUNTV, KANSAS. 315
towiisliiii :■.:!. v:\\\«e 1(5. where the primitive c-ottage he erected still stands
and wli.Mv ihi' recollections of poverty still linger. Men who came to
Kansas as pioneers, capitalized chiefly by the fruits of their daily toil,
and niideitook to maintain their families from the i)rofits of a new farm,
had disapiiointnients and hitter experiences, alike, and if they plowed
Willi a mixed team and. in tlieir straits, went barefoot, it was forced econ-
omv dial caused it. and was an o))en concession to poverty. Mr. Allen
jiassed ilironiih it all and the tires of adversity only served to harden the
metal that was in him. and better eqni]) him for the contest with less
formidable obstacles.
The vear 1S73. witnessed the close of Mr. Allen's career as a farmer.
That year he brought the proceeds of the sale of his heartaches and
memories of disappointments down on Clear creek into Independence and
became a merchant. In this, too. his experience led him into the most
humble service— most honorable though it was— and on any frequented
street corner of Independence today can be found men who have seen
••Ed" Allen driving his delivery wagon. At whatever employment, he
"followed his trade well" and became absolute master of the situatiou
and of himself. Four years of merchandising brought him to the next
step in advance and he carried his poi)ularity into public office. He did
the work of the recorder's office almost alone for six years, and when he
emerged from it. haggard and nearly worn out, he established himself
ill the iiisnraiice and brokerage business, where the initial chapter of his
financial hisioiy was written. F.ecoming a director of the First National
I'.ank. in INS."), he became interested in its success aud drifted toward
financiering with such a pace that the next year he was elected president
of the safe, and most conservative, institution of its kind in the county
seat. Reserving further mention of his business connections till his na-
tvity aud family geneology have appeared, we digress and take up the
family thread.
Edward P. Allen was born in Green county, Kentucky, .January 3.
1843. He was a son of a lawyer, William B. Allen, who was born in the
same county and state in 1S(I3. The father passed his life in Greensburg,
Kentucky, was a graduate of Nashville, Tennessee, seminary, and of a law
school, and practiced his profession successfully all his life. He was a
Royal Arch Mason and was once the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Kentucky. His father, David Allen, and the grandfather of our subject,
was born in Rockbridge county. Virginia. October 16. 1773, came to
Kentucky with his father about i7s:{ and served with the Kentucky troops
in the war of 1812. dying in Green .ounty in 1816. David Allen's
father and oldest paternal uncle were Revolutionary soldiers, and he and
three brothers migrated from the "Old Dominion"' about the close of that
struggle, and their bones mingle with the dust of the iState of Daniel
314 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Uoonc. Tlii'sc Aliens caiiie orisiiiiilly froni the North of Iiehuul aud
settleri in Roekbridge county, Virginia, about 1030.
William B. Allen married Huldah Wilcox, whose Puritan ancestors
came to America in the seventeenth century and settled, of course, in
New England. Huldah Allen was born in Connecticut of "Bay State"
parents and was a daughter of Eli Wilcox. Seven childi-en were born to
lier and her husband, as follows: Martha, deceased; Jennie, deceased;
the latter the wife of A. B. Nibbs, of Houston, Texas; Harriet B., de-
ceased wife of John Cunningham, of Coles county, Illinois; Edward P.,
our subject; Mary, deceased, married William Hunter, of Houston, Tex-
as; and Ella M., widow of George W. Reed, of Coles county, Illinois.
E. P. Allen acquired a liberal education in the schools of Greens-
burg, Kentucky. In 18G1, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Kentucky Infant-
ry, Company "E," as first sergeant, under Colonel Hobson. The regiment
saw its first service in Kentucky and was in battle at Mill Springs,
was at Shiloh. Perryville, Stone River and in minor engagements and
skirmishes. Mr. Allen was promoted in three months to be a lieutenant,
and was discharged as such in Louisville, Kentucky, at the expiration of
three years.
The mercantile business attracted Mr. Allen immediately after his
release from the army and he engaged in it at ilattoon, Illinois. He re-
mained there till ISO", when he returned to his native town and opened
a store, continuing business there for two years, when he again sought
Coles county, Illinois, and resided, and was in business, in Mattoon, till
thefall of 1S70, when he started overland on his journey to Kansas, arriv-
ing in Jlontgomery county, October IC, of that year.
Everything was "out of doors" in Montgomery county at that early
time and there seemed nothing to do but to farm. While the prospect was
not the most exhilarating, our new-comer had no intention of turning his
back on it, and he took uj) his sand-hill "claim" on Clear creek, as noted
elsewhere in this article. Two years a farmer aud four years a merchant,
brings us to the autumn of 1877, when he was elected register of deeds
of the county. His election was a special compliment to him. for it was
accomplished in the faceof great political odds, his jiarty, the Democratic,
being several hundred votes in the minority. He was reelected in 1879,
serving with great efficiency and justifying in every way the confidence
his Ih'Hiocratic and Republican friends reposed in him. From 1884 to
1880, his all(Mitioii was given to the insurance, loan and real estate busi-
ness, his offi((> JK'ing at the cornei- of Main and Sixth streets. His pe-
cuuiar\ resources at this time were assuming respectable proportions and
• of handling them revealed his financial ability. He became
nd then a friend, of the First National Bank of' Independence,
•kholdcrs made him a director in 188."). In 1880, the then cash-
)ank sold his interest to Mr. Allen, the management reorgan-
his
njannei
a pi
ition, a
and
its sto
ier
of the 1
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 3I5
izcd autl he was cliosoii jn'osident. He has sucoeeded himself in that office
fopsixteen years, and, with his able assistants, has made it an institution
as safe and enduring as time Itself.
May 2, 1865, in Coles county, Illinois, Mr. Allen married Mary F.
Vansant, a daughter of Isaiah Vansant, of Fleming county, Kentucky.
Mrs. Allen was born August 27, 1840. and is the mother of: Mattie N., wife
of James F. Blackledge, of Caney, Kansas; Edith, Lillian and Annie. The
family are members of the Independence Presbyterian church and are
highly and most honorably connected in their social ties.
I\lr. Allen was made a Mason in 1864. He has taken the Blue Lodge,
Chapter and Knight Templar degrees and in his life exemplifies the prin-
ciples of the order. He is a Kentucky Democrat and is as loyal to his
partv tenets as he is to the rules wJiich govei'n his moral and exemplary-
life.
JACOB SICKS— The generations of the future who inhabit Mont-
gomery county will wish to know something of the people who snatched
this municipality from nature's embrace, and wielded the brush with
which its surface has beeu adorned with landscape and garden and
beautiful homes. They will expect to find, for their information, a record
of the characters who have been conspicuous jjlayers in the drama of
civil and municipal affairs while the county was being launched and
started on its voyage through time. By a knowledge of their forefathers,
they may be able to explain some otherwise mysterious phenomena of
their posterity aud thus intelligently account for things done or not
done. It is important then, as well as in good taste, to preserve, with
other civil records of the county, the life work of its worthy pioneers, as
gleaned at first hand from the very actors themselves.
In the subject of this article, we have presented for review a settler'
whose coming into the county was from the very first, whose connection
with its history has been modest yet energetic and whose chai-acter as a
citizen and a man has wielded an influence potent for good in the younger
generations of his race.
In October, 1869, Jacob Sicks came into Montgomery county, Kan-
sas. It was on the 18th of that month that he drove on to the side-hill
on the southwest quarter of section 4, township 33, range 15, and thereby
did the initial act toward making that spot of ground his permanent
and future home. While he was complying with the formalities of the
law ill the matter of a homestead, a little log cabin, 14x14 in dimensions,
grewout of this side-hill as if by magic, and the first family in that neigh-
borhood was soon housed without either door or floor. It is nearly
thirty-four years now since that eventful day on which one of
the most attractive and fertile farms in the countv was born. Bv the
3l6 HISTORV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
industry of man has wild nature departed and by the toil of his household
has Jacob Sicks become the owner of an estate which provides him and
his with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
From the advent of the lirst white man to the departure of the Ind-
ian, Montj;oniery county was on the frontier. Its few settlers were har-
rasscd and iiclaitored by liun<;ry Red Men from the bands of Big Hill Joe,
Chetoi)a. Strike Axe and Ulack J>og, all of which chiefs had camps some-
where in the county. In 187(1, the government treated with the red man
for his title to "The Diminished Rserve" and he was removed to his new
country — "The Osage Country — " just south of the Kansas line. The
aborigines gone, Montgomery county seemed to acquire civilization by
leaps and bounds and the old landmarks of the county felt very much
penned up, so rapidly did settlers tlock in and take possession of the un-
claimed lands. While Mr. Sicks adjusted himself to the frontier condi-
tions of the sixties, was satisfied with his lot and content with the honor
of being a pioneer, he was nevertheless pleased with the advent of neigh-
bors and extended to them a helping and friendly hand. He was poor
himself, when he unloaded his goods at the door of his log cabin home in
1869, but '"the wolf was kept away" while his family was growing up and
increased jirosperity came to him yearly until he felt warranted in retir-
ing from active farm woik.
Jacob Sicks was born in lioone county. Indiana, November 2, 18-37.
His father, Pliili]) Sicks, settled there two years before, and was a resi-
dent of the county till 1888, dying at the age of eighty-three years,
Philip Sicks was a native of Nicholas county, Kentucky, and was a son of
Jacob Sicks who was killed by a corn thief at middle life and left two
sons and a daughter, namely: John. Philip and Rebecca; the last named
becoming the wife of William Peckner and j>assing her life in Rush
connt\. Indiana. PIiili|) Sicks mairicd Nancy Slain, the issue of the
union being ten children, as folhiws: Sarah J., who married James Cun-
uiugham; Mai'v, wiiV ot James Siddons; IMahala. who became Mrs.
George Cross; Francis M.. who took to wife Margaret Siddons; Thomas
O., whose wife was Susan I'^lder; Jacob, our subject; Lucinda, who mar-
ried Samuel Jones; John N., who married, first. Nancy J. Davis and. after-
ward, married Mrs. Siddons; and Amanda, wife of (ieniuc I'.eadles. The
motlu !■ of tiiese children died in 181S.
Jacob Sick's yoMlhtiil advantages were exceedingly limited. His
ediic.iiioii was, ot necessity, neglected and he grew uji in the timbered
couiitiy of the 'ilodsier Sta(<>" a JTisty, indiistrious honest but un-
learned yoiilli. Nature always comes to the relief of the less fortunate
of hei- kind and she endowed our subject with commendable auxiliaries
toward surmounting obstacles through life. He was converted in youth
come to him along life's p.-ilhway to not only enal.le him to live I'iglit but
HISTORY or- MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 317
to accoiiiiilisli a niodcst but good work for the Master. Twice he felt
vailed to tlie ministry l))it eai-h time he resisted through fear of weakness
and inal)iiity to aciiieve results, hut the third time he yielded to the de-
mands (if the Sjiirit and lias for fifteen years done an irregular and sup-
jilenientary work in the puliiit of the ("hristian denomination.
November 4, ISHS, Mr. Sicks was united in marriage with Sarah F.
rtterback, a daughter of Henry I'tterback. of Kentucky. Mrs. Sicks was
born in Putnam county, Indiana. November 28, 1840, and is the mother
of (he following sons and daughters: Mary E., deceased, nuirried N.
Londry and left three children; Mari.i M., of Mound Ridge, Kansas, is
the wife of John Edington ; Philip, of lola, Kansas, is married to Mary
Christy; Thomas, of lola, Kansas, married Dora Bordenhammer, de-
ceased; Emma, wife of Ed Main, of Montgomery county, Kan.sas; John,
of Independence, is married to Ella Barlow; Lizzie, deceased, married
Ed Adams, who is now the husband of her sister, Annie; Vernelia, wife
of Thomas McMahan; George, of the old homestead, is married to Laura
Moore; Mittie, who died at fifteen years; and Charles, the only child left
under the parental roof.
Mr. Sick's disposition and inclination have not led him to figure
much in the public affairs of Montgomery county. He is a Democrat of
the ancient school and has manifested a strictly conservative attitude
toward all movements looking to a striking innovation or serious depart-
ure from the old regime. By this attitude some would infer that he op-
jposed public progress and is against new ideas, but it is purely from his
desire to occupy a position not too far in adance of the old way that he
takes this stand. With his neighbors and friends he is cordial and oblig-
ing and exercises a practical charity wherever the circumstances war-
rant. He is fond of his family and has reared them in the fear of God
and to become honorable men and women. In his declining years he is
in the enjoyment of some of the practical blessings and luxuries of life.
Natural gas and the daily delivery of mail at his own door lead him to
])raise the achievements of modern progress. A moment's reflection lo-
cates him, with meager means and a small family, on the bleak prairio
with a temporary shelter in 1869, and. thirty-four years later, in the full-
ness of years and with family grown up and scattered, we see him pro-
vided with a comfortable home, overlooking a splendid farm, and made
comfortable by the reward of toil, and with the fondest wish at his fin-
ger tips.
WILLIAM COTTON— Near the rural village of Costello, resides one
of the leading farmers of Montgomery county, ^Mlliam Cotton. He is
a native of the "Blue Grass State" where, in 1832, he began life in Madi-
son county. His father, Thomas Cotton, was a son of Charles Cotton who
3lS HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
caiiio from Viij;inia and was one of those sturdy pioneers who redeenieil
the wilds of Keutucky for civilization. The mother of o\ir subject was
Paulina Braudus. of one of the early pioneer families of Kentucky, who
came into that state from North Carolina.
AVilliani Cotton is one of a family of six children, of whom four are
now liviuji, viz : James, who resides in Missouri ; Elizabeth and Lucinda
are deceased; Mary, the wife of John Graves, resides in Illinois; Belle
is living in Indiana, the wife of Squire Tatum. The parents of this fam-
ilv removed from Kentucky to Indiana where William was reared to farm
life.
Vt twenty years of a^c, uur subject married Ann. daughter of Dr.
Travis ^1<-Miliaii. of Cina'i-d roumy. Kentucky. Tu them have been born:
Bettie, wife of John Di-yltread. a fai'mer of Louisburg township; Clar-
ence, who married Catherine Hand, who died leaving five children, viz :
John. Emnm. I'rentice. William and Clara. Prentice, the third child of
William Cotton, resides in California with his wife, nee Juliet Stewart;
John ;M.. a bank clerk residing in Elk City, married Mamie, daughter of
John Castillo, of Louisbnig township; his two children are Clyde and
Cornelia.
The coming of 'Williain Cotton to M(uitgomei-y county in ISS."). con-
stituted a distinct gain lo the jiopulation of the county, as his citizenship
since then has been such as to deserve the plaudits of all worthy members
of society. In political att'airs. he supports the principles of Lincoln and
McKinley, and he and his family are active members of the Christian
church. They are held in great respect in the neighborhood in which they
have passed the years since their coming to the county, and are deserv-
ing of mention in a volume devoted to ]Siontgomerv's best citizens.
JOHN C. 1' ACE— One of the well known of the later settlers of
Jlontgomery county is John C. Page, of Independence township, whose
lot was cast here in Ajiril. 1883. He purchased eighty acres in section
fi. tov.iiship 3;?, range 10. known as the Wiley Wise farm. He came here
from Crawford county. Illinois, where he was born on the 17th of Decem-
ber. 1824. His was one of the old families of the "Prairie State." his
father having migrated thereto in 1818. the year of the admission of the
state into tlie union. Jesse I'age. father of our subject, emigrated from
Virginia to the new sate on the prairie. He was born in the "Old Domin-
ion State" in 1777 and came to manhood there. He was a son of Robert
Page whose three sons, David. Joel and Jesse, settled in Illinois. Jesse
Page sjient his life as a tiller of the soil and in 18.54 he married Polly Ar-
nold who lived to the age of eighty years. Illinois was not yet rid of its
Indian population when the Pages settled there and for some years af-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY;, KANSAS. 3I9
terwiivd thoy roamed at will about the homes of the new settlers. It was
the Miami tribe that our subject remembers distinctly as being and af-
tiliatinf,' with the pioneers of Crawford county. Jesse Page's children
were: k(il)ert A., who died in Oregon: r.enjamin, who died in Illinois;
Hache'. of Flat Rock. Illinois, married Samuel Stark: John C. Pinnin-
nah, of Marlinsville. Illinois, is the wife of William Patterson; James,
•who died at Hebron. Illinois; and two died young.
John C. Page passed his childhood and youth amid surroundings
very primitive and rude. The country schools of his day afforded him his
elementary education and at twenty years old he spent a year in the city
schools of Terre Haute, Indiana. He became a teacher at the conclusion
of this school year and was engaged actively and successfully in the
work for a jieriod of seven years. He became a farmer about this time,
in a small way. and began the im]irovemeut of a new farm. His record
as a teacher induced his political friends to make him a candidate for the
office of county superintendent and to this he was elected in 1860. He
filled the position so satisfactorily that he was reelected in two years for
a second term. At the close of his public service he engaged in other bus-
iness but was called to serve in another official capacity in 1866 by his
election to the office of county treasurer in which he also served four
years. Going out of office in 1870, he took i\\> farming and never after-
ward tilled an office of such responsibility. He continued his efforts at
farming till 1883, when he disposed of his interests in Illinois and came
to ^lontgomery county, Kansas.
In January. IS.jl. 'Slv. Page married Fidelia Newlin, a daughter of
Nathaniel Newlin and Elizabeth, his wife. The Xewlins came to Illinois
from North Carolina about 1816 and were a large and numerous family.
Of this marriage. Mr. Page is the father of: Harry, of El Paso. Texas;
Genevra, wife of John Ferguson, died at Emporia, Kansas, leaving three
children ; Eulalia. deceased wife of George Higgins, died at Neodesha,
Kansas, in 1887; and Chester, of Paris, Texas. Fidelia Page died in
186:1, and the next year Mr. Page married Phebe Meeker, who bore him :
Belle, wife of James Doily, of Mjiyfield, Kansas; Emma, a teacher of
Cripple Creek, Colorado, was educated in Marshall, Illinois and is single;
Olive, of Ft. Worth. Texas, is the wife of E. ('. Cochrain. editor of one
of the Ft. Worth jiapers. Mr. Page was married a third time. February
17. 187.J. to Mary Smith, a daughter of A. J. and Elizabeth Smith, of
Johnson county, Indiana, where Mrs. Page was born September 18, 1845.
A. J. Smith was born in New Jersey and his wife, nee Elizabeth Darrell,
was born in Indiana. Mr. Smith died in 1897, in Johnson county, Indi-
ana, at the age of seventy-three. His children were : Mrs. Page. Ursula,
deceased wife of James Balser; Sarah, who nmrried Wallace Bears and
resides in ^^'hiteland, Indiana; and Martha, now Mrs. George Darrell,
of Johnson county, Indiana. Mr. Page and his present wife are the par-
320 inSTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
eiits of oue fliild. ;i xnn. Mnnf<ii<l. who nianied Rose Carle and has a-
son, Alfred C.
The politital liisKny <it (lie I'ajics is told in the one word — Democ-
racy. Our subject was elected to iiublic ottice as such in Illinois and he
has aftiliated with the same j»arty in Kansas. He was prominent in the
Farmers' Alliance in ^lontgomerv county and suj)ported heartily, fusion,
as ojijiosed to the dominant jiarty. and is in harmony witli the I'.ryan
idea as e.xpressed at Kansas City.
JAMES HAMILTON STKWAKT— The late subject of this review
was one of the substantial, worthy and honored citizens of Indejiendence
townslii]!. Montgomery county. He became identified with its affairs as
a farmer on his entrance to the county in 188I5 and from thence forward
to his sudden takini;-otf won the regard of his fellow townsmen.
Mr. Stewart settled on section 23. township :{3, range 15, in which
he owned one hundred an<l sixty acres, well improved, well tilled and
jirolitable. When he took jiossession of it a small stone house, a shed for
stork and some jdowed land were the extent of it improvements. Being
from I'ennsylvania, from which state come nothing less than efficient
men. he was possessed of the iijans for a pattern farm and the industry to
carry them out. General farming occupied his attention and his prosper-
ity showed itself in the ever-advancing condition of his premises. He
was no less worthy as a citizen than as a farmer. He believed in and
practiced the golden rule. Kight was always might with him and it won
him ^lie universal regard of his neighbors. He was a man of conviction
and when he took a ]iosition it took evidence to remove him. His preju-
dice in favor of some family custom may have given rise to some friendly
criticism of him but his heart was right and he never intentionally gave
l)ersonal offense. He had a firm lielief in the reward after death and the
teachings of the Holy Word served to guide him in his daily walk. He
was a member of the .Tcffcisoii rongrcgation of the Methodist church and
when he died. Novemiier S, 1S!I7. one of its substantial su])ports was
taken away.
In ^Vashington county, IVniisyhaiiia, Mr. Stewart was reared but
his birtii occurred near Hethany. West Virginia, on the 24th of January,
1S41. He was a son of a farmer. -lames H. Stewart. His mother was
Sarah Balwin. a daughter of Levi Baldwin, a blacksmith who had the
<listinction ()f once having shod tlie horse of (ieneral Washington, as that
officer was passing through Pennsylvania, ^^■llen Mr. Stewart was five
years old his fathei' died and his mother then took her family to Washing-
ton county. Pennsylvania, where she remained till her death in 1894. Her
children were: .lames II., of this notice; Thomas, of Pittsburg, Pennsyl-
UISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 321
vaniii: ICliziibeth J., widow of Robert Sweeny, of Wheeling, West Virgin-
ia; Williani.of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Annie, wife of Jacob Laughman,
defeased, of Washington county, Pennsylvania.
James H. Stewart acquired a country school education, oi% perhaps,
better, a coiumon school one, and learned his trade before the war came
on. He enlisted for that struggle in 18G1, in Company "C," Twenty-sec-
ond Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. He served with the Army of the
Potomac ill the Shenandoah Valley and his regiment formed a part of
Sheridan's cavalry. He took part in Hunter's Raid and the Battle of
Cedar Creek and remained in the service until the war was over. Return-
ing to civil life he resumed his trade which he followed till he started to
Kansas.
December liO, 1800, Mr. Stewart married Elizabeth R. Deltes. a
daughter of John Deltes and Margaret Geyer, husband and wife, both of
German birth. Mr. Deltes died in Baltimore. Maryland, in 1885, and his
wife preceded him two years. Their native province was Wittenburg.
Their children were: Amelia, married Charles Schmidt and died in Wash-
ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1892; Rosa, who died in Chicago in 1896,
was the wife of Charles Leonheaus; Mary, of Baltimore, Maryland, is
the wife of James Bamber; Catherine, of the same city, is now Mrs.
Bishop Carnan; Maggie, single and residing in Baltimore; John, of
Pittsburg. Pennsvlvauia; and ;Mrs. Stewart, who was born April 17,
1847.
The children vi Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are: William H., of Niotaze,
Kansas; James H., of Cherryvale; George W., of Independence; Mary
E., Charles S., Samuel H., Estella O. and Lulu E., all at home except
Samuel, who resides in Kansas City.
Mr. Stewart took a warm and patriotic interest in county politics.
He was a Republican and was often a delegate to party conventions. He
was a member of the Grand Army and interested himself generally in
whatever seemed for the upbuilding and welfare of his county. He con-
tracted rheumatism while in the army and was afflicted all his remain-
ing years, this being the prime cause of his sudden demise.
ANI>REW J. COLLINS — One of the early settlers and prosperous
farmers of Montgomery county is the subject of this personal sketch. He
came to the county in 1877 and jjurchased a farm on the "Tenth street
road" which he occupied some six years and then purchased a new and
unimproved quarter of prairie land in section 21, township 30, range 15,
which he occupied and went through the formula of bringing under
subjection, as settlers were wont in pioneer days. As he prospered he
added another eighty acres to his already half section and now he owns
322 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
five eighties, or four hundred acres, the majority of which represents the
accumulations accruing to him and his industrious family in the quarter
of a century they have spent in Kansas.
]Mr. Collins has been and is a farmer, pure and simple. The grow-
ing of gi-ain and the handling of stock in a modest way are the important
things with which he has had to deal and, on the whole, he has achieved
a degree of the thrift which only determination and perseverance can
win.
County Meath, Ireland, was the birthplace of Andrew J. Collins.
His natal day and year was April 17, ISoD, and his jtareuts were Daniel
and Mary (O'Brien) Collins, who brought their family to the United
States in 1849 and landed at Castle Garden in New York. Princeton,
New Jersey, was their objective point and there the younger generation
grew up. They had a family of fifteen children, all told, but those now
living are: Matthew, of Boboken, New Jer.sey; Andrew J., of this notice;
Michael, Daniel, and Catherine, who married Patrick Campbell JUid re-
sides in New Jersey.
Andrew J. Collins acrpiired only a limited education in the inferior
schools of his time and place and at the age of twenty-two he married
and settled down to the toil of the farm. In 186(5, he migrated to Illi-
nois and stopped in Sangamon county, where he resumed farming and
followed it until his removal to Kansas.
In April, ISIU. occurred the wedding of Mr. Collins to Ann Clark,
a lady of Irish birth and a daughter of Owen (Jlark, of County Cavan.
Mrs. Collins died in Montgomery county December 8, 1898, and was the
mother of Thomas and John, of the family homestead; Andrew, de
ceased; Willie, Laura, widow of Henry Mollidor; and Sarah, wife of
Herbert Hill, of Independence.
Mr. Collins is a Democrat and has been road overseer of his road
distric t for twentv-flve vears.
MARY A. KEESLER— Since the year 1872, the subject of this bi-
ographical review has been a resident of Montgomery county. She accom-
panied her husband to the county two years previous and their settlement
was made near Havana, but this settlement proved to be little more than
temporary and in 1873, they came into Cherry township where Mrs.
Keesler has since lived and where her husband passed away.
The Keeslejs are among the well known and honorable citizens of
their township. The heads of the family were eastern people — the Kees-
lers being original New York settlers — and the Snyders and the Riggles,
ancestors of Mrs. Keesler, from the "Keystone" and "Buckeye" States.
Mary A. Keesler was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Oc-
HARVEY KEESLER (Deceased).
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 323
tober 5, 1833. Her father, Jiuob .Suyder, was born in Adams couuty. that
state, and her mother. Margaret Riggle, was a native of the same county
with our subject. Jacob Snyder was, early in life, a mason but, later,
becante a farmer and, in 1839, moved his family to Ohio from whence, ia
1848. he immigrated to Allen county, Indiana, where he died in 1871, at
sixty-three years of age; his wife dying the year previous at fifty-six years
old. The eight children composing their family were: Mary A., George
R., Elizabeth, Melissa, Jacob M., Williain. F.liza and Emma.
Mary A. was the first born of the Snyder children and came to wo-
manhood on her father's farm in Indiana. She tvas married January
30, 18.^5, to H.arvey Keesler, born in Vermillion county, Ohio, March 20,
1831. Mr. Keesler was a son of John and Susan (Ewing) Keesler, both
of New York birth. These pioneer i)arents migrated to Ohio in an early
day r.ud settled in the wooded portion of the state, where they brougtit
op a family of eight children and died. These children were: Harvey,
Lucy, Charles, Martin, Mary, George, Frank and William.
Harvey Keesler was the oldest child of his parents and his youth,
like that of his wife, was passed upon the farm. He took up the occupa-
tion ol his fathers in the county where be met and married his wife and
was, for some time, a tenant on a rented farm. They purchased their
first homestead in the green woods of Indiana, where their beginning in
life was most primitive indeed. Prior to his marriage, Mr. Keesler had
followed the canal as a boatman on the Erie canal but seemed ready te
exchange this life for one, with a life companion, in the beech timber of
♦he "Iloosier State.'' His tenure of the farm was undisturbed until Jan-
uary 3. 18G4, when he joined Company "H," Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, in which command he served till the close of the Civil war. He
took part in the famous March to the Sea and the Atlanta campaign and
was wounded near Kesaca. Georgia, in the left hand, the ball renuiining
where it lodged for twenty-two day.s, thus crippling Mr. Keesler for life.
He left the hospital to rejoin his regiment before he was fully recovered
but was prevented by the heavy fighting then going on in front and,
having taken down with a fever, was furloughed home. Becoming again
able for duty, he reported at Covington, Kentucky, was sent to
Evansville, Indiana, and there remained until the surrender of Lee's
army. June 1, 180.'), he was disiharged and he soon rejoined his family
on his little farm.
For seven years Mr. Keesler continued to reside in Indiana, and
when he departed from the state to become a citizen of the Kansas prai-
ries he brought a limited supply of money with him. When he settled in
Cherry township he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty-nine
acres north of Cherryvale, which he occujiied and improved for eighteen
years and then exchanged it for one of four hundred and twenty acres on
324 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Drum creek, well adapted to the raising of grain and stock. Here he
died in the height of his success and popularity, Ai)ril 2, 1899.
A man of great energy and industry, Harvey Keesler made his mark
as a citizen of Montgomery county. He was not only identified with its
business but its politics also. He affiliated with the Republicans, who
honored him, without his solicitation and against his wishes, with the
township clerkship, but he would never consent to neglect his private
afifairs to accept a public trust. He was thrifty and provident and left
his family in good circumstances at his death. Two hundred acres of the
farm have been set off to the children while the remainder, with the splen-
did impi'ovements, provides Mrs. Keesler with a comfortable home during
her declining years.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Keesler, namely: Willard
F., W'ho is married to Lydia Cornelius and has two children, Harvey C.
and Gladys; Charles, whose wife is Eva Cornelius, has a child, Ethel;
Clara, wife of D. W. Osborn, is the mother of five children, viz : Loren,
George, Lewis, Arley and Eeryl ; Laura, married George Seymour and
died February 25, 1882, leaving a daughter, Jlary L. Seymour, who is her-
self married to W. H. Thompson and is the mother of Lewis L. Thomp-
son, the only greatgrandchild of Mrs. Keesler. Thus, with the names of
five generations of her family, is the history of Mary A. Keesler closed.
Her seventy years of life have been years of labor and of devotion to the
bringing-up of an honorable posterity.
HORACE OSCAR CAVERT— < N-nlciinial year, the ('averts of this
revie\t became settlers of Montgomery county, Kansas. They were
headed by J. Curtis G. Cavert, father of our subject, and located on Elk
river in Sycamore township, where the brief period of two years were
passed on a farm. In 1878, they changed their residence to Independence
where they have since resided and where the business life of H. O. Cavert
has been spent.
Oscar Cavert was born in Outagamie county, ^^'isconsin. March 27,
ISCd. His father was a native of the State of New York and settled in
AN'isconsin in 1847. His grandfather, William Cavert, was a direct de-
scendent of an Irishman who, with a brother, settled in New York state,
fresh from Erin. Foi' some unknown reason they each decided to change
the siielling of the name from "Calvert" to Cavert. One brother went
into the south and Ihe other i-eiiiaiiied in New York and the generations
that liitve followed rrom ea<li branrli has maintained the American spell-
ing of the name.
.3. (". G. ('avert grew up, was maiiied and entered the volunteer ser-
vice in Wisconsin. The Third Wisconsin cavali'y. Company "I," was his
command and he was commissioned a first lieutenant. He was promoted
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 325
to a captainfY aud was mustered out as such after having served four
years, chietly iu the westeru department, where guerriUas and bush-
whackers hugely prevailed. For a wife, he married Helen M. Crane, a
(ian.i;liter of W. W. Crane, formerly of Akron, Ohio. Seven children were
liorii to this union, those living being: Mrs. Mattie Calhoun, of Tulsa,
Indian Territory; Horace Oscar, our subject; Callista, of Tulsa, Indian
Territory ; and Stella, wife of C. M. Flora, of Independence, Kansas. Of
the three deceased, two sons died young and a daughter, Frankie, wife of
John Tarker. died in Portland, Oregon, leaving a son, Cleo.
51 r. ("avert, of this review, acquired his education in the common
schools of Wisconsin. He was approaching his sixteenth year when he
came to Montgomery county, Kansas. After leaving the farm in Syca-
more township, he was in the employ of Crane & Larimer, shippers, for
live years. Iu 1883. he engaged in the real estate business which he has
followed, catering to the local trade, and in this way doing his part to-
Avard the development and improvement of the town and country. He is
serving his second term from the second ward on the city council, where
he favored street paving, electric lighting and other, minor, public im-
provements. He is a Republican in politics, is an Odd Fellow, a Modern
Woodman, a Workman and an Elk.
September, 6, 1888, Mr. Cavert married Adda B. Ferrell, a daughter
of Elder J. W. Ferrell, of the Christian church and formerly from Jes-
sanune county. Kentucky. The issue of this marriage are : William Cur-
tis and Herbrt Oscar.
LORENZO D. WINTERS — Competency in public service is strictly
to be desired and is too frequently inattainable at public elections. Of-
ficials are often chosen in utter disregard of the essentials for the public
service and in response to a general clamor for a popular idol. But
where common sense rules good judgment prevails and the citizen who
wins official honors in response to this condition never fails to exceed
the expectations of the patrons of his office. Such is strikingly true of
the present incumbent of the office of clerk of the court of Montgomery
county. L. D. Winters of this review.
For more than two years he has officiated in his present capacity
and the multifarious duties of his responsible office are as positively and
effectively in his grasp and under his control as were the more cumber-
some details of his farm down in Cherokee township. He was peculiarly
situated as a candidate because of his ready adaptation to a clerical posi-
tion and because of his immense popularity with the voters of the county,
and when it was discovered that he led heavily over other candidates on
his ticket it was not a matter of either general or special surprise.
Lorenzo D. Winters came to Kansas in 1879 and settled, with his
326 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
I)arents, in ]\rontgoinery county. The family was from Oweu county, In-
diana, where our subject was born February 6, 1863. His father, Obediab
J. Winters, is a substantial farmer of Cherokee township, Montgomery
county, and was born in the same county as his son, in 1832. The father
was united, in Clay county, Indiana, in marriage with Clara C. Roath,
a daughter of Lorenzo D. Roath, of Stark county, Ohio. Their two
(hildien are L. D. and Edward B.. the latter, of ("oft'eyville, Kansas.
The common schools and the Cotfeyville and Independence city
schools furnished L. D. Winters with his educational equipment. He
was eighteen years of age when he left school and turned his attention to
farming on the old home. He followed the vocation of his early training
until the close of the year 1900 when, having been elected Clerk of the
Court, he moved his family to Independence to assume the duties of his
office. His majority at this election was 320 votes and when his friends
had all voted for him two years later his majority was found to be 826
votes.
Decendjer. 188.5, ifr. Winters married I.ydia -T. Vennum, a daughter
of Frank H. and Harriet Vennum. old settlers of ('her()kee township, in
Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. ^^'inters have Two cliildren, viz:
Fthel Ruth'and Ma'bel Harriet.
The Modern Woodmen, the A. K. T. M. and the Odd Fellows claim
Mr. Winters as a member, likewise the Elks of the capital city of the
county. He lends great strength to the local Republican organization
of his county and his personality has "led many wandering erring ones"
to return. He maintains his farm on Pumjikin ci-eek and it and his cat-
tle interests are under his scrutinizing eye.
JOHN C. MATTHEWS— The late .John C. ^Matthews was a char-
acter well known to the citizenship of ^fontgomery county. He was one
of its earliest settlers and was identified with its affairs for almost thirty
years. When the V. S. Land Office was located in Independence he was
sent out from the east as a clerk in the office and when the removal of the
office occurred some years later its clerk remained behind to continue
acitizen of Montgomery county and to participate in its ordinary affairs.
John C. Matthews was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January
22, 1823. His father, Elias Matthews, emigrated from Baltimore, Mary-
land, in the first years of the nineteenth century and settled near Dayton,
Ohio, where he reared his family and became one of the leading and
well known farmers. He took an active part in the public affairs of the
community and was a Whig in jiolitical belief. He was born in ITitl and
was accidentally killed at the age of fifty three. He married Susannah
Keplingei', who was born in 17!I2 and died >fay 8, ]S70, at ^funice. In-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 327
diana. hcinji tlio mother of the following children: George W., Thomas
J., James M., Elias M,., John C, Sarah J., William L., Mary C, Henry C.
and Hanici W. The fifth son. John <".. grew up near Dayton and, when
about L'O years old. went to Delaware founty. Indiana. He acquired a com-
mercial school training and began life as a bookkeeper in his new Indiana
home. In 18.")!), he was elected (.'ounty Treasurer of Delaware county and
filled the office two terms. Succeeding this, he established a foundry and
planing mill in Muuice and, later on, engaged in the marble business in
the same place. He was identified with Munice's afl'airs till his selection
as the first clerk of the Independence Land OflBce. His ability as an ac-
countant and in a clerical capacity, generally, was universally recognized
and he was appointed, in consequence, deputy Register of Deeds and later
deputy Clerk of the Court of Montgomery county. Succeeding these
clerkships, he engaged in the abstract business and was one of the most
reliable and trustworthy of the profession. He passed away in Independ-
ence May 29, 1902.
On the IGth of October, 1850, John C. Matthews married Margaret
M. Jordan, a daughter of James Jordan, a native of Beaver county,
Pennsylvania. The latter settled in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1818,
where Mrs. Matthews was born August 29, 1832. The children of this
union are: James C, of Independence, Kansas; S. Valentine and El-
mer E.
S. V. Matthews was born in Delaware county, Indiana, February
15, 1858. He acquired a common school education and among his first
acts toward the preparation for life's serious affairs was to begin the
study of law with Judge McCue, of Indeiiendence. He was admitted to
the bar December 30, 1880, but permitted himself to become interested in
other matters and never engaged in the practice of law. In 1882, he was
elected Clerk of the District Court and, in 1884, was reelected. He was
deputy in the same office some time later and when this service was con-
eluded he engaged in the business of abstracting, in company with his
father, the subject of this sketch.
June 17, 1883. Mr. Matthews was united in marriage with Anna W.
Vance, of Findlay, Ohio. The issue of this marriage are: Erma F. and
Dean V.
The Matthews of this branch are Republicans of the original school.
John C. Matthews came into the party when "John and Jessie" were
making the race for the presidency as the party's first candidate in 1856,
and within its fold has he. and his sons also, fought their political
battles.
THOMAS B. HENRY — In this personal record is presented one of
the original members of the faculty of the Montgomery county High
School — filling the chair of mathematics — whose family history has.
328 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
siiu-0 1871, been associated with that of the early settlers of Montgom-
ery county. This nuinicipality is the place of his nativity and it has been
the stage ujjou which his business and professional career has been
chiefly enacted. Born and brought up on the farm and inured, somewhat,
to its developing and toughening influences, and trained in the classic air
of our state educational institutions, he now honors one of the noble
professions of his state.
Thomas B. Henry is a son of the late well-known pioneer. Dr. Wil-
liam E. Henry, who settled on Table Mound in 1871. On the top of that
sightly elevation, far above the surrounding country, much of his pos-
sessions lay, and he passed the closing scenes of his life in the improve-
ment of his claim, while also in the pursuit of health. The doctor was in
feeble health, as a result of his army service, and his advent to Kansas
was prompted in the hope of physical, more than financial, benefit. While
he busied himself with the initial work of improving a prairie farm, he
also practiced medicine and was identified with a medical college, estab-
lished in Independence in an early day. holding the chair of chemistry in
the institution.
The birthplace of the head of this prominent Montgomery county
family. Dr. William E. Henry, was Warren county, Ohio, in the year
1842.' He received an academic education and graduated in medicine in
"the Ohio Medical College,"' of Cincinnati, Ohio, and during the Civil
war served in the 2nd Ohio Vol. Inf. as a private soldier. In the battle
of Murfreesboro a musket ball shattered his left arm, the injury finally
causing his death, on the 23rd of August, 1876. He was married in War-
ren county, Ohio, in 1870, his wife being Miss Rachel :M. Butterworth, a
daughter of Henry Thomas Butterworth. and a cousin of the late Hon.
Ben. Butterworth.' M; C.. of Ohio. The two surviving issues of this mar-
riage are: Thomas B. Henry, of this notice, and William E., of Topeka,
Kansas.
Brof. T. B. Henry was born on Table Mound, in :Montgomery county,
August 17th, 1872. The farm continued to be his home 'till about his
twentieth year, when he finished his course in the Independence High
School and, after teaching a term in his home district, he entered the
State Normal School. Hie completed the academic course in that institu-
tion in June, 1894, and the same fall took the position of teacher of
mathenmtics in the Arkansas City, Kansas, High School. At the ex-
piration of his year's work he resigned to enter the State University of
Michigan, where he took special work in mathematics and philosophy.
He tiaiisfciied himself, in 1897, to the State University of Kansas, and
gradn;i1cd from that institution in 1898, with the degree of A. B. He was
a"I'hi l)el1aTheta"man, in the university, and, while in the normal school
represented his society with credit in essay and oratory in the annual
contests. His school education finished, he assumed his present station.
HISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 329
in life, as a member of the faculty of the Montgomery County High
School, to the educational success of which he has contributed in a high
degree.
June Sth, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Henry and Miss Ellen
Pugh, a daughter of the late pioneer, J. H. Pugh, of Independence. They
have fi splendid home on North Ninth street in Independence and their
residence is one of the most attractive and commodious in the city.
PiOBERT MAWSON DOBSON— Prominently identified with the
live stock and farming interests of Montgomery county is K. M. Dobson,
of Fawn Creek township. He is one of the self-made young farmers of
the county and has been a resident of it for twenty-one years. A history
of the successes and reverses in the rise of Mawson Dobson would detail
a somewhat checkered career, yet it would show a gradual upward ten-
dency, a continual nearing of the goal in the life of an ambitious man.
Determination does much toward the accomplishment of a heart's desire
and the achieving of life's aim is filled with experiences which add zest
and interest in this particular career.
Starting in life with an empty hand, but with a full heart and a
strong head, states the condition of our subject at the real beginning of
his career. At about sixteen years of age he assumed the station of doing
a manly part toward the maintenance of the parental home. He was
equipped with only a country school training, but it was sufficient to
meet all the requirements of an ambitious youth of the farm. A part of
his early life was passed as a farm hand and the profits of this toil served
to provide him with the sinews of warfare in the more serious battles of
life. Having no legacy, except a strong frame and a good name, he has
provided both the opportunity and the material out of which his modest
fortune has finally been carved.
R. M. Dobson is a native of Illinois. His birth occurred in Scott
county, that state, March 19th, 1861, and he grew to maturity where he
was born. His father, the venerable Robert Dobson, of Tyro, Kansas,
was a native of the Queen's Dominions, being born in Yorkshire, Eng-
land, April 7th, 1828. The latter came to the United States at twenty-
one years of age and established himself in Morgan county, Illinois. He
joined the 91st Illinois Vols, during the Rebellion and served three years
and seven months in the Union cause, which service left him, as a legacy,
a disability which has rendered him, ever since, an incapable and physi-
cally incompetent man. For his wife, Robert Dobson married Mary A.
MawEon, a lady of English parents, and who survives at the age of sixty-
five yeju-s. Her children are: George ^y., Frances A., wife of Frank C.
Moses, of Independence, Kansas; R. M., of this sketch; Elizabeth, who is
330 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COINTY, KANSAS.
married to Frank Smith, of Tyro, Kansas: Charles W.. of Illinois, and
Leslie, of Montgomery county.
April 8th, 1886, R. If. Dobson married Sarah E. Godwin, a daughter
of John B. Godwin, of Sullivan county, Indiana. Mrs. Dobson's mother
was Miss Sarah P. Halberstadt, whose children numbered seven. Mrs.
Dobson was born on the 3rd day of February, 1861, and has no children.
She came to Montgomery county, in 1882, and for seventeen years has
been a never-failing source of strength and encouragement to her enei"-
getic and industrious husband.
Mr. Dobson began farming in Montgomery county on a small scale
and in a modest way. He bargained for eighty acres of land in Fawn
Creek township in 1885 and, in 1890. sold it and purchased a part of what
is now his splendid estate. His home was known as "the Stuckle place,"
and is in section 5, township 33. range 15. one of the fertile farms of the
Onion creek valley, and one naturally adapted to the successful raising of
stock. In this tract he owns four hundred and eighty acres in a body
and, in addition, a half section of grass land near by. He engaged early
in the buying and selling of stock and when he was a youth, yet in his
'teens, he was able to "drive a snmrt bargain" as a dealer and trader
in stock. He feeds, annually, on his ranch about one h(uidred and sixty
head of cattle and owns a bunch of thoroughbred Herefords which have
contributed no little toward the income of the farm. With this class of
cattle his success has been more marked and striking than with any other
breed or grade. They are capable of more profitable development and are
therefore the money-makers of the bovine tribe.
Mr. Dobson is buried in interest in the development of his farm and
herds. Hie does little toward the political phase of the county's history,
and when he serves as a delegate to conventions and votes the Republican
ticket he has performed his whole duty, as he sees it. He is a Mason and
a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, of Independence,
and of the INIystic Shrine, of Leavenworth. He is also a Woodmen of the
Modern Camp.
JOSEPH GENTRY SEWELI^r— One of the pioneers of Montgomery
county whose brief career was filled with good deeds, and whose charac-
ter was dominated by the elements of an upright life, was the subject of
this })ersonal memoir. His history with the west began in 1871, when he
settled on section 30, township 33, range 15, Montgomery county, Kansas,
and continued and was confined to that locality 'till December 29th,
1882, when he died. The eleven years he spent here were years of inces-
sant labor in the improvement and development of a home "where his fam-
ily ni'ght be sheltered in comfort and sustained liberally with the fruits
of honest toil.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 331
Mr. Sewell purchased the ( laiiii-right of Mr. Chambers, the original
settler of his farm, and himself patented the land in section 30, as well
as a part of section 31. His career in early life had been that of a farmer
and blacksmith, and to each of these callings he devoted himself in his
new location. He erected a shop on his homestead and did the plow-
sharpening, horse-shoeing and other blacksmith work over a wide scope
of the surrounding country, tluMi'liycxtciiilini; liis aniuaintaiicc and estab-
lishing himself in the confldemc ;inil ^ikhI will of his fellow settlers. He
transacted the business of the (inliiiaiy iilfjirs ot life, as they came along,
with a plain, unassuming and dignitied air and comported himself, al-
ways, in a manner becoming the sincere and God-fearing man that he
was. His life was a conspicuous one in the community and when it was
suddenly terminated in death the shock of it and the accompanying grief
extended far beyond the limits of his immediate household.
Jo.seph G. Sewell was a native of Overton county, Tennessee, and
was born December Cth, 1829. His father was W. D. Sewell, a farmer
and a Baptist minister, of Virginia birth. He was born in 1800, went
down into Tennessee, a young man, and married there, Susan Brown,
who died at the age of seventy-six years. Rev. Sewell lived 'till 1880, and
passed away in Tennessee, where he had done his life work. His children
were: Elizabeth, who married Hardy Hopkins, and died in Missouri;
Jonathan Calvin, who died in Texas ; Joseph Gentry, our subject ; Mary,
wife of Jerre Taylor, of Tennessee; Washington, Isaac, Jesse and
Stephen, of Tennessee ; Lovania, who married Elijah Pritchard, deceased,
and Celia, now Mrs. Baalam Roberts, of Overton county, Tennessee.
In his youth Joseph G. Sewell acquired a country school education.
He took up" his trade at the proper age and acquired proficiency in it by
the time he reached his majority. November 20th, 1851, he married
Catherine Maberry, a daughter of John and Mary (Spicer) Maberry, for-
merly of North Carolina, in which state Mrs. Sewell was born, June 22nd,
1834!^ The Maberry children were William Madison, Catherine, Calvin, of
California, Serena, deceased, married James Jordan; Sarah, of Menephee
county, Kentucky, is the wife of John Williams. In 1861, Mr. Sewell
enlisted in Capt. McKinney's company — Tennessee, troops — for service
in the Confederate army, and was out two years. He participated in
battle at JIurfreesboro, ("hiiamaiiga and other engagements of im-
portance and was wounded in the chin in the Chickamauga fight. On be-
coming a civilian again he resumed his trade in his native state and con-
tinued it in the main until his removal to Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Sewell's children are: Martha J., decea.sed, was a
young girl of fifteen years; William and John, twins, both of Montgomery
county: the former a farmer of Fawn Creek township and the latter,
John B., is a resident of Bolton, and was married in 1873, his wife being
332 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Miss Maggie James, who has borne him two sons and seven daughters :
and Andrew Calvin, of Elli City, Kansas.
In iiublic matters. Joseph G. Sewell took only a citizen's interest. He
voted with the Democratic party, but liad no interest in the outcome of
any election, other than the good of the public service. He was intensely
moral and upright in his intercourse with his fellow men and, in his
churdi relations, he was a Haptist and a deacon of the congregation. He
was also a Mason.
MARTIN YANltUKEX SMITH— On the roster which contains the
names of the heroes who fought that this country might live a free and
united nation, is found the name of ilartin VanBuren Smith, one of the
pioneer farmers of the county, and a gentleman whose singularly up-
right and correct life has exercised a powerful influence in establishing
the high standard of civic righteousness now obtaining. Indeed. Mont-
gomery county owes much of her excellence in matters of government to
the "old soldier." Returning to the crowded farming sections of the east,
after those years of strife, he naturally turned to the child whose birth
had ushered in the din of battle, and whose strong young limbs were al-
ready making rapid strides toward a prosperous future. Here in Kansas,
he soon demonstrated that the discipline of army life was the best pos-
sible preparation for a civic career — that control of self is the basic prin-
ciple of all right living. Fortunate, indeed, was Montgomery county to
secure as citizens, in her earlier years, these men, for the four long years
of hardship and suffering endured for their country had taught them
well its value, and made them doubly desirous of seeing it the best gov-
ernment on earth.
Martin V. Smith passed the latter part of the 50's near the Missouri
border and was thus prepared by contact with the stirring scenes of that
time to respond readily to the call of his country. Early in ISfil, he en-
listed as a private in Company "G," of the Seventh Kansas, and, during
the struggle, followed the fortunes of his regiment in the bush-whacking
warfare carried on west of the Ozark Mountains. He was, finally, hon-
orably discharged for disability and returned to his farm in Linn county.
Mr. Smith was born in the "Keystone State," in Warren county, in 1834,
and is the son of Wilson and Nancy (Jackman) Smith, both natives of
the county, the Jaskmans having been among the earliest pioneers of that
section.
Our subject was one of a family of eight children— Charlotte, mar-
ried William McDonald and lives in Warren county; Martin was the sec-
ond; then in order came Emily, Frank, Rosaline, Charles and Betsev Ann.
Mr. Smith was reared to farm work, receiving the education common
in those times in country districts. He remained at home until his twen-
M. V. SMITH.
HISTORY OP MOXTGOMEnY COUNTY, KANSAS. 333
tieth vear, when he came west, to Franklin county, Mo. He here engaged
in work on the pioneer railroad of the west, and which afterward be-
came the Missouri Pacific. A year here and a like period in Lee county,
Iowa, brought him to Bates county, Mo., where he married and remained
until his settlement in Linn county, in 1856. This was Mr. Smith's home
until 1809, when he settled on a claim a mile east of his present location.
In 1873, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It contains
160 acres and lies four miles southeast of the county seat town of Inde-
pender.ce.
Mr. Smith has been twice married. The wife of his youth was Mrs.
Mary Forbes, nee Knapp. To her were born two children — Estelle, who
married Frank Griftin, a farmer of Independence township, and whose
children are Ethel and EfHe; Augusta is the wife of Seward C. Clark and
lives at Newkirk, Okla., with five children — Josei)h, William, Seward,
Edna and Mary. Mrs. Smith, the mother of these children, died in Linn
county, Kansas, in January of 1859, and in 1868, our subject was joined
in wedlock to the lady who now presides over his home. Miss Addie,
daughter of William and Eliza (Smith) Dickey. Mrs. Smith is one of
seven children — Sarah Ann, widow of John Brown, Honesdale, Pa. ; Caro-
line, deceased; Harriet, Mrs. Alvan Root, of Linn county; Almeda, de-
ceased: Cushman, of Bearing, Kansas; Mrs. Smith; Emma was a twin
sister of the latter. Mrs. Smith is the mother of six children — Frank H.,
who married Belle Wise, whose children are Don and Forest ; Lillian is
the wife of William Fortner, of Independence, whose son is Delbert; and
Delbert, Hugh and Wesley E. are still at home. Hattie died, aged three
years.
As before intimated, Mr. Smith and his family have been potent fac-
tors in the county's develoi)ment. They are members of the United Breth-
ren church, and he supports the Republican party by his vote.
>^\THAN M. FARLOW— Prominently identified with the agricul-
tural and general material interests of Bolton and vicinity, is the gentle-
man and worthy citizen of this review, Nathan M. Farlow. He was num-
bered among the "second relief," or the influx of immigrants who came to
Montgomery county some fifteen years after its pioneer days and gave
to it a new blood and a renewed vigor of citizenship. October 20th, 1887,
was the day he began his residence among the toilers and the prairie
pioneers, and he located on section 16, township 33, range U, munici-
pality of Rutland. He was actively connected with farm culture and im-
provement 'till November 11th, 1902, when he established himself and his,
now reduced family, in the village of Bolton, where he is modestly and
quietly passing the evening of life.
Nathan ^l. Farlow is a native of Orange county. Indiana, born Janu-
334 IIISTOItY OK MOXTGO.MEKY (.'OrNTV, KAXSAS.
;iiy ."111. 1841!. His father, .Jonathan Farlow, was one of the pioneers of
the then Territory of Indiana, having settled there in 1811, au emigrant
from the state of Xorth Carolina. The latter was born in Orange county,
the old "Tar Heel State" in 1807. and accompanied his father. .Joseph
Farlow, into Indiana, where the first work of clearing \ip the heavily-tim-
bered region was just taking jilace. The family were of the English
Quaker stock, whose antecedents settled in Xorth Carolina from the col-
ony ii! Pennsylvania and were of the direct followers of William Penn.
Jonathan Farlow was a quiet, dignified gentleman, industrious and
thrifty, and performed a manly and honorable i)art in the affairs of his
county in whatever capacity he was designated to occupy. He married
Ruth, a daughter of -John ;Maris, and died in 1878, thirty years after the
death of his first wife. The children of the first marriage of Jonathan
Farlow were: Jane, wife of Mark Hill, of Orange county, Indiana;
Joseph, of Bolton, Kansas; Deborah, who died in February, 1900, was the
wife of John B. Atkinson, of Montgomery county; Thomas, who died in
Orange county, Indiana, in January, 188(); and Xathan M., of this record.
Mary Hill became the second wife of Jonathan Farlow. and ^Leir child-
ren were: Lindley, of Kokomo, Indiana; Ruth, who died in 1875; Ellen,
wife of Joseph Trimble, of Orange county, Indiana ; and Sena, unmarried
and residing in the same Indiana county.
The Maris's are among the first settlers of Pennsylvania. They emi-
grated from Inkborough, in the county of Worcester, England, in 1683,
and joined the Quaker colony in Pennsylvania, (ieorge Maris was the
founder of this branch of plain Quaker folk and the records show that be
left England on account of his arrest and imprisonment for permitting
a meeting of this religious sect at his house. His friends armed him
with a letter commending him to the colony in America, and reciting in it
consistency of his religious life and other striking traits of real character.
This George Maris is the eighth generation removed from Ruth Maris, the
mother of the subject of this sketch.
Xathan M. Farlow came to manhood's estate at a time and in a
country when and where there was a prime opportunity to work. He
"passed through" school in just a little while and it is not unfair to as-
sume that while he was doing this feat he was also making a hand on the
farm. He enlisted, January 4th, 1864, in Company "F," 13th Ind. Vol.
Cavalry, under Col. G. M. L. Johnson. The regiment was assigned to the
Army of the Cumberland, and saw service in the States of Alabama, Ten-
nessee. Georgia, Mississippi and Kentucky. He was with Gen. Grierson
and jiarticijiated in some sharp bouts with the enemy in its own country,
l»rior to its final order to rendezvous at Vicksburg, Mississippi, where its
muster our occurred Xovember 18th, 1865, by special order No. 76.
February 4th, 1868, Mr. Farlow married Martha Cloud, a daughtei-
of Daniel and Mary A. (Milliken) Cloud, both of which families— the
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 335
Cloinl.s and Jlillikeus — were froni the State of North Caroliua. Beside
Mrs. Farlow, the other Cloud children were a sister, Ann, deceased wife
of James Jones, of Orange Country, Indiana, and a brother, William
Cloud, of the same county and state. Ml's. Farlow was born February
21st, 1849, was reared on a farm, where her mother died iu 1866, and her
father in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Farlow's children are four in number, as
follows: Elmer, a farmer of Montgomery county, Kansas, is married to
Ella Finney; Harry, a merchant of Bolton, is married to Carrie Metzger;
Mamie, wife of Daniel Webster Finney, of Montgomery county, Kansas;
William C, who occupies the family homestead in Rutland township,
has taken him to wife, Blanche Brownell.
Upon his return from the army Mr. Farlow resumed farming and has
continued it without material interruption. He has participated in the
affairs of his municipality as one interested in the public welfare and
when such participation involved a question of political action, he has
been an unswerving Republican. He never experienced confusion of opin-
ions and consequent change of front when "the great breakup of 1890''
came on and he forecasted the comparative temporary character of that
movement from the period of its lirst victory. Mr. Farlow is a trustee of
the Countv High School, member of the G. A. R. and A. H. T. A.
ABEAM O. EMPFIELD— Those who have resided within the juris-
diction of Independence for a third of a century have known the subject
of this review. His entry to Montgomery county dates along with the
pioneers, for in February, 1869, he stopped near the "round mound,"
near Wayside, and proceeded to do the initial work on a Montgomery
county claim. He had not had a capital training for the "rough-and-
tumble" of the frontier, although he had driven his team from Blooming-
ton, Illinois, across the states to Leavenworth, Kansas, thence to Topeka,
Wamego, and finally, into Montgomery county. The trip prepared him
for the continued out-door existence awaiting him in his new location and
for a year he made the most of his rural environment. He really made
no remarkable reputation as a farmer, yet he followed it long enough
to get a taste of its diflSculties and bitternesses in pioneer days. He dis-
posed of his team of horses — partially living them up the first year —
and acquired a yoke of cattle, and began turning over the prairie sod.
He opened out several acres of land in this way and when the new town
of Independence started up. and made some pretensions toward perma-
nency, he left the farm and resumed his trade of a carpenter there.
While Mr. Empfield has resided a few years on one of the good farms
of IMontgomery county, and which he has owned many j-ears, his career
has been passed in the county as a mechanic. Few men were tetter
adapted in life to the trade he has followed. The handling of tools in his
33^ HISTORY OF MOXTGOMERV COUNTY, KANSAS.
line sieiiied natural with him and his ideas in desi<>ning buildings and in
the appropriateness and tastefnlness of their finish were at once pleasing
and in advance of his time. That he was pojiular and that he was always
emph.yed is no wonder, in the light of his success. He did his first work
in the city in 1870. and for twenty-five years he was identified with the
Imilding interests of the county's cajjital. Some of his I>est work was
done on the residcii.cs of Wm. Dnnkin, J. M. Anderson. ('. W. Canning
and George T. (inn n^.y.
Having served iiis linie" at his trade, for the second time. Mr. Emp-
tield decided to occujiy his farm and. with his wife. i)ass his afternoon
of life in semi-retirement, in the enjoyment of the open air and concerned
with only a few head of stock and with the general care and improve-
ment of his farm. He owns two hundred and forty acres in sections 20
and 27. township 33. range 15, the cultivation of which is done chiefly
by proxy.
Abram G. Empfield was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, July
20th, 1847. His parents were George \\'. and Margaret (Myers) Emp-
field. The father was born in Indiana county, the "Keystone State," in
1810. and died in Cambria county, September 17th, 1897, while the mo-
ther was born in the same county in 1818, and now resides in Belsano,
I'ennsylvania. The father of George W. Empfield was Joseph Empfield,
who came to the Uinted States an English boy, stealing his way over
aboard a "sailer." and on reaching this country was sold, by the captain
of the ship, to a miller, for the amount of his passage. He finally drifted
into Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he became a farmer, married
and died in 1857, leaving three sons, viz: George W., Abraham and Jack-
son, the latter being a minister of the United P.refhren church and resid-
ing in Salina. Kansas.
Our subject is one of nine children, as follows: Thomas, of Belsano,
Pennsylvania; Mary A., wife of Harvey Cooper, of Schuylkill county,
Penn.'-ylvania ; Susan, who married Amos Black and resides in Cherry-
vale, Kansas; Sarah, now Mrs. Isaac Mahan, of Cambria county, Pa.;
Abram. onr subject; William W,, of Ebensburg, Pa., and Margaret, wife
of >\illiam James, of the home county in Pennsylvania. These are all
I he rliildren who grew to maturity, except Martha, who is the wife of Jud-
son Reese, of Cambria county. Pa, Abram G. Empfield worked on the
farm "till near his majority, when he was put to learning the carpenter
trade. As stated above, he was apt with tools and soon gave promise of
great proficiency at the bench. In December, after he was tweuty-one, he
left his home and friends and started west "to grow up with the country."
He was unmarried, had a small amount of money, and at Bloomington.
Illinois, he left the train, joined some friends and purchased an outfit fop
the "overland" continuation of his journey hither.
In 1877. :\Ir. Empfield returned to Pennsylvania and. in Cambria
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 337
1-ounty, on Jul.v 5th, married ^laliala Campbell, a daughter of Henry and
Rebecca (Hill) Campbell, farmers and old residents of the county. 5Ir.
and Mrs. Campbell were both born in 1826, and still survive. Their
children are: Mrs. Emptield, Lewis, of Johnstown, Pa.; Abbie, wife of
Sylvester Stover, of Fort Collins, Col.; Amos, of Johnstown. Pa.; Susie,
the ynimucsi. is the wife of Amos ^IcAlister, of Cambria county. Pa. Mr.
and' .Mrs" i:iii|,Hrld have an only child, a daughter, Rebecca M., wife of
Ce(ir;;c .M. Sicwart, of Montgomery county, Kansas.
Mr. Enipfield and his wife hold membership in the (ierman P.aptist
church. Their lives have been passed in industry and they have achieved
a position among those who have aided in the develoiiment of their
countv.
DELOS W. WILTSE — Introducing this article is the name of one
of the early settlers of Independence township, residing in section 31,
township 32, range 1.5. He owns a farm of 210 acres, improved in keep-
ing with the progress of the county and has been a citizen of Montgomery
county since September, 1871. He is the oldest settler now a resident of
his locality — in point of residence — and when he purchased the improve-
ments of the original settler of the "claim," they consisted simply of a
log house, which he occupied ten years, and which is now used as a corn
crib and serves as a daily reminder of the family's experiences on the
frontier.
Delos W. Wiltse is a native of the state of Ohio, born August 18th,
1852. At six yeai's of age he accompanied his parents, John and Mary
(Owens) Wiltse, into Illinois and settled in DeKalb county. The parents
were farmers, and the mother died the same year of our subject's birth,
and left the following children, viz : Frank, of Green county, Iowa ;
Charles, who died young; Albert, of Green county, Iowa; Mary, who died
in 189G, as the wife of Patrick Logan, and Kelos \Y., of this sketch. John
Wiltse died in Green county, Iowa, in 1902, at ninety-one years of age.
He wi;s born in New York state and his family was identified with Her-
kimer county. He was reared a farmer and followed it all his life. His
wife was a daughter of a Welchman, and he left New York and settled
in the state of Ohio at an early date. He had brothers, Elijah and
Stephen, of Illinois, and Henry and Otis, who passed their active lives in
Wisconsin.
Our subject came to maturity on a farm near Sycamore, Illinois.
His education was obtained in the district schools and was of a limited
chai'acter. He attended school only during the winter months, after he came
to be of use on the farm. He was married in June, 1871, and began life in
the calling to which he had been reared. His wife was Charlotte E., a
vdau"liter of the late early settler. Ashman Partridge, of Montgomery
338 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
county, Kansas. The latter was well known in the countv he helped to
inil>rove and was one of the prosjterons and wealthy farmers of Inde-
pendence township. Since his removal to Kansas, Mr. Wiltse has con-
fined his efiforts to grain raising, with some stock, and has enjoyed a rea-
sonahle degree of prosperity. His efforts have universally been honorable
and intelligent ones and these attributes, in a strong sense, govern the
character of his citizenship. He was limited in resources on his advent
to the county, having a team and a small amount of money and, in con-
sequence, his first years on the Kansas prairie were economically, yet in-
dustriously and comfortably i>assed.
'i here have been born to Mr. and ]\Irs. Wiltse four children, as fol-
lows: Elinyra, wife of Samuel Lehr, with one child, Chester; Byron, who
married May Young; and Walter and Otto, both at home. In politics the
Wiltses of this branch are, and have been. Republicans, and our subject
has always taken a good citizen's interest in the political and x>ublic af-
fairs of his locality. He has served two terms on the school lioard in dis-
trict 105 — "Four Corners" school house.
JAMES BRADEX — One of the new acquisitions to the rural popu-
lation of Montgomery county is James Braden, a native of the "Keystone
State," who, after a long residence in Missouri, in 1901, settled in Lib-
erty township. In the short time he has been in the county he has made
many friends, his good (pialities attracting all who have dealings with
him.
The family history of Mr. Braden carries us back to Beaver county,
Pennsylvania, where he was born, March 10th, 1829. His father was
Frank Braden, and his mother Rebecca Russell. The father died when
his son was but one year old and the mother passed away when he was
but eight years of age. Our subject was then adopted by Hanson John-
son, one of the early settlers and leading farmers of that county. Mr.
Braden remained with this family until the death of Mr. Johnson in
1849, and was treated in every respect as a son.
At the age of twenty, he began life for himself and remained in
Beaver county, engaged in farming, until the breaking out of the Civil
war, when he became a member of the 5th I'enn. Heavy Artillery, and
during his service, was, for the most jiart, in the quartermaster's depai't-
ment and was mustered out at Vienna, Va., July 18th, 1805. He reen-
gaged at farming in Pennsylvania until 1867, when he came west to War-
rensburg. Mo., where he purchased a farm sixty-five miles east of Kansas
City, on the Missouri Pacific railway. He cultivated this farm for eigh-
teen years, when he sold it and rented a farm, until his settlement in Lib
erty township, as stated, in 1901.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 339
The domestic life of Mr. l>ra<len began iu tlie year 18.^2, when he was
happily joined iu iuarriaL;(' in Itcaver county. Pa., with Louisa Sanford.
The family of eleven children which she has borne to her husband, are
scattered to the four points of the compass, but all occupy honorable
positions in the communities in which they reside. The eldest child was
John H., now a practicing physician in Morgan county. Mo; Francis L.
is a stock dealer at Independence, Kansas; Luther N. is a farmer and
stock raiser in North Dakota; John B. is a physician and practices in
the State of Washington; Mary Louisa married Serena Campbell and is
now a widow, living in Oklahoma; Ella F., wife of E. J. D. Miller, re-
sides in North Dakota ; t^na L. is the wife of farmer Robert L. Smith, of
Johnson county. Mo. ; Herman D. lives in the Indian Territory ; Margaret
J. married Charles Hite, a farmer of South Dakota; Amos resides in
North Dakota, and Perry is a farmer residing in Liberty townshp.
In the different communities in which James Braden has resided
during his life time, he has held a prominent and helpful position and
has always been consistent in his endeavors for the uplifting of society.
He has always been a consistent su]ij)orfcr of the educational institutions
of the communities where he has resided and has voted, during his lift*
time, the Eepublican ticket. In matters of religious concern, he and his
family are consistant members of the Presbyterian church and liberal
supporters of the same. His coming to the county is regarded, by those
who have his acquaintance, as a decided gain to the rural population in
the local community in which he is making his residence.
The sons are nearly all members of some society. Herman is a Ma-
son, Frank and Dr. J. A. are Modern Woodmen, Perrv is an Odd Fellow.
EDWARD B. WEBSTER— Edward B. Webster, one of the more
recent settlers of West Cherry township, is a native of Polo, Illinois,
having been born in Ogle county. May 20th, 1844. He has been identified
with the west since the fall of 1870, and his experience as a farmer has
extended somewhat over the States of Iowa. Nebraska, Missouri and Kan
sas, and in March, 1892, he purchased his farm of three hundred and
twenl\ acres in section 10, township 31, range Ki. which has profitably
responded to his intelligent and energetic effort.
The youth of Edward B. Webster was passed iu the country and his
•education obtained in the rural schools. August 2Cth, 1802, he enlisted
in Company "D," 92nd 111. Vol. Inf., his immediate commanders being
Capt. Lyman Preston and Col. Smith D. Atkins.. His regiment was as-
signed to the Army of the West, under Gen. Rosecrans, during the greater
part el his service. His was a company of mounted infantry and moved
aliom with the cavalry forces. He was in the Chickamauga campaign and
340 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
in the Atlanta canipai'in. np to the battle before the city, when he was
shot through the right lung and was forced out of the ranks for about
two months. He returned to his command after his partial recovery and
was with it 'till mustered nut <if the service. June 22nd. 1S(1.~. at Conrad,
North Carolina.
He took up the work of the farm again, after the war chised. and re-
mained in Illinois 'till the fall of ISTfl, when he moved to Wappelo
couut\ , Iowa, where he resumed farming for twelve years, at which time
he made a move into the far western plain, settling in Anteloi^e county,
Nebraska. There he took up a claim on the public domain, which he held
and cultivated 'till the autumn of 188J>, when he returned southeast and
rented a farm in -Jackson county. Missouri, and. three years later, came,
to M(<Ltgomery county, Kansas.
Mr. Webster is a sou of George E. Webster, born in Delaware county.
New York. The father pioneered to Illinois, took up government laud,
and helped to build the Erie canal, before his departure from the "Em-
pire State."' He was a son of Elijah Webster, whose children were:
George, Jerrad, Oscar. Navadis. Mrs. Mary A. Schriver. Mrs. Roxy A.
Burger, and Mks. Maria O'Kane. George Webster married Sarah Shaver,
a native of Delaware county. New York, and a daughter of Jacob and
Catherine (P.urhouse) Shaver. George Webster and wife had two child-
ren: Wellen H.. uf Loveland. Colorado, and Edward P... of this review.
In Wajijielo county. Iowa. Edward R. Webster married Clara, a
daughter of Samuel and Mary A. iGleason) I'achwood. The issue of their
marriage are: Mabel, wife of C. D. Shepard. of Washington. She has
three children, James, Daniel and Earnest; Robert, of Bakersfield, Cal.,
married Ella Ogden; Edith. William, H)arold and Blanche.
Mr. Webster belongs to the Anti-Horse Thief Association, is a mem-
ber of the school board of his district and honors the Grand Army of the
Re])ulilic with his name on the roll.
JOHN B. REA — The interesting character whose name introduces
this biography has been numbered among the citizens of Montgomery
county since Novcniliei- 2Sth, 1875, the year he established himself on sec-
tion 3, towiisliiji :;:!. range 14. and began the first work in the develop-
ment of his Kansas home. As a character he is unique, in that the story
of his life endiraces the experiences of wide travel, beginning with the
middle of the nineteenth century and continuing through many years of
the next quarter of a century, during which time the sun shone on him
from many distant points of our American continent.
Born in Logan county, Ohio, November 28th, 1825, and reared and
educated there, at twenty-four years of age he went to Mahaska county.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 34I
Iowa, where he passed one year as a hand on a farm. The following
spring — 1850 — with a small company, he made the trij) with an ox team
to Placerville, ralifornia. being from May 1st to Sei)teml)er 1.5th, on the
journey. He engaged in mining, but at the end of a year had saved but
little (.$400.00) from his wages, and decided to return home. He took
the brig "Imaum"' for San Juan, crossed Nicaragua lake and thence
down the San Juan river to Greytown. There he took a steamer to Ha-
vana, Cuba, and, a week later, sailed to New Orleans and up the Mis-
sissippi river to St. Louis. By stage he went to Carthage, Illinois, and
thence to his starting-point in Iowa, where lie soon began his journey, by
horse, to his home in Ohio.
In December, 1852, he married and returned at once (to Mahaska
county. Iowa, where he purchased a farm, cultivated it a year and then
took his departure for his eastern home. In 1857, he again went to the
Pacifle coast, taking ship at New York, crossing the isthmus and stop-
ping at San Jose, where he worked on a farm one year. He staged it
from Los Angeles to Sherman, Texas, and spent two years on a farm
there. Hostilities between the North and the South caused him to return
to his friends and he enlisted, at Oskaloosa, Iowa, in Company "K," 33rd
Iowa Inf., under Col. Samuel Rice. He was in the Department of the
West and passed much time in Arkansas, from his enlistment in August,
1862. He participated in the engagement at Helena, July 4th, 18G3, and
was in the hospital at Little Rock during the Red river campaign. Re-
joining his command, he went with it to New Orleans, to Mobile, andafter
taking the latter, went to Fort Blakely, from which point his regiment
was ordered to the Rio Grande river, in Texas. After doing some ser-
vice on this extreme frontier the force returned to New Orleans, by the
wav of Galveston, and was mustered out in the "Crescent City" in June,
1865.
The war over, Mr. Rea resumed farming in Ohio for a year, and
then went back to Iowa, where he was married the second time, Septem-
ber 12th, 1866. This same year he started west and south in a wagon and
located in Johnson county, Kansas, where he purchased a farm and
owned it 'till 1873, when he disposed of it and moved to Batesville, Ar-
kansas. There he remained 'till the beginning of the journey which
brought him to Montgomery county, Kansas.
His beginnings in this county were as primitive as any. His resi-
dence was 14x16 feet to start with and the conveniences about the place
were fill improvised and temporary. He has given his time to grain and
grazing and his modest surroundings have been the result.
John B. Rea was a son of Allen Rea, a farmer and native of Culpeper
county, Virginia. His grandfather was Joseph Rea, of Culpeper county,
and of Irish stock. The eight children of Joseph Rea were: Robert, Allen,
342 UlSTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY^, KANSAS.
Thoinus. Isaiah. Margaret. Sarah, Elizabeth and Deborah. Allen Rea
married .Maria I'.ishop and was the father of twelve children, viz: Mrs.
Snsainiah Shark, (ieorjie M!.. John B.. Mrs. Marv J. Hender.son, Mrs.
Charlotte Hisev. Deborah. Mrs. Margaret Crowder, Mrs. Saniantha Davis,
Koljevt. .Mrs. Louisa Davis, .I(«<ei.li. of Olatlie, Kans.. and Carlisle, of Con-
way, Missouri.
John P.. Kea married, first, Hannah Wiekersluini, who bore him:
Joseph, of Tennessee, whose four children are Frank, Mrs. Deborah Rob-
ertson, Capitola. Mary and Virgie: Mrs. Robertson has four children:
Thomas, William, Flora and Manue; William is deceased; Mr. Rea, our
subject, married for his second wife, Mary J. Rice, of Jennings county,
Indiana, and a daughter of James and Calydia (Adams) Graham, natives
of Kentucky, Two children were the fruit of this union, namely: Saman-
tha Pilgrim, deceased, and Mrs. Nellie Jones, of Montgomery county.
Kansas. The children of Mrs. Jones are Vivian Alfa and Charles, twins.
;Mr. Rea is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the
A. H. T. A. Hie has ever maintained himself a worthy citizen and his
standing in his community and county is above reproach.
GEORGE W. LIPI'Y— In the spring of 1872, the worthy citizen
whose name is prefixed to this sketch, left Fulton county, Illinois, and
drove his little family across the state of Missouri and into Wilson
«ounty, Kansas. After a temporary sojourn he went over into Elk
county and took a claim, which he held 'till the fall of 1874, when he sold
it and came to the Verdigris river in Montgomery' county, where he has
since made his home. His original farm comprised only forty acres,
where he finally located, and to the development of it and to the acquire-
ment of broader acres was his attention earnestly directed. So intense
and concerted were the efforts of his wife and himself exerted that an es-
tate of four hundred and fifty acres now represents their farm. Their
home is in section 17, township 31, range 16, and the house which covers
them was, originally, a simple log cabin. In its construction their funds
exhausted themselves before the cover was provided and the family watch
was sacrificed to buy material for the roof. But this modest pretension
served the family as a home, and "there is no place like home."'
George W. Lippy was born in Miami county, Ohio, and brought up in
Fulton county, Illinois, His parents, John and Sarah (Zepp) Lippy,
settled in the latter place when George was only a baby. John Lippy was
born in :Maiyland and was of German stock. He was the father of ten
children, namely : F.lizabeth and Catherine Lasswell, George W„ John,
i:]irliiam, Mrs. Susanna Markley. Arminda Lee, Mrs. Jane Schlegel, Mrs.
Edna Lee and William.
JOHN. B. REA AND FAMILY.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 343
Tlie birth of George W. Lippy occurred April 11th, 1844. His whole
life was rural in environment and, September 8th, 1870, he married Eliza-
beth Markley. Mrs. Lippy was born in Fulton county, Illinois, February
4th, 1847, and was a daughter of Conrad Markley, a native of Ohio. The
Markley children were: Conrad, .Joseph, ilrs. Margaret Cornwell, Mrs.
Susannah Kiclinnls. .T.nksuii. .Inhii. Klizalii'ili. Mniy. Conrad Markley
married Kuth Fosicr. a daiiulitrr ol' I'.cii jaiiiiii ami ATiianda (Cone) Fos-
ter, and their chihlivii wcic ; Amanda Walliih. ICli/.aheth Lippy, wife of
our .subject; Louis C, Margaret ("atron, -Jolin, Thomas, Jackson and
Joshua. The first Markley children mentioned above were heirs of Jona-
than Markley. of Pennsylvania, father of Conrad Markley, Mrs. Lijipy's
father.
Mr. Li])py and wife have four children, to-wit : Nora Catron, of Ok-
lahoma, with five children: George, ^Margie, Ruth, Louis and Ralph;
Margaret, wife of G. S. McEvers, of Montgomei'y county, with three
children: Maurice. Millie and Martha; John and Ruth Lippy, at the
family home.
The industry and thrift displayed by Mr. and Mrs. Liiijiy as they
passed through life has been one of the marked features of their family
trait. The management of their affairs indicates an unusual business
sagacity and the possession of such an estate as theirs only compensates
them, in a measure, for the sacrifices they have made. Misfortune has
come to the family in recent years in the mental aberration of the father,
rendering him incompetent to assume charge of the domestic affairs. His
noble wife has taken her place at the helm and the onward and upward
movement of their iiecuniarv affairs has suff'ei-ed no abatement.
MATHIAS BLAES — The gentleman whose life work is bi'iefly sum-
marized in this article, is a representative of one of the numerous fami-
lies of Montgomery county whose material interests mark them among
the successful people of the municipality. The distinction of being pio-
neers of the county also belongs to them and they have comported them-
selves with credit as citizens of a great and growing commonwealth.
Mathias Blaes is well worthy the honor of being the head of the
Blaes family. His public spirit and enterprise, his general air of prog-
ress and his extensive financial interests all conspire to this end. His be-
lief in the encouragement of worthy objects has been demonstrated by a
liberal support of the same and his open method of transacting business
is a matter of general comment.
The Blaes's were settlers from Cook county, Illinois, and came to
Montgomery county in 1869. Mathias Blaes, our subject, was born near
Chicago, Illinois, January 26th, 1856. He comes of pure German stock,
his father, Jacob Blaes, and his mother, Elizabeth Mbrch, having been
344 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
born in Prussia. Tlie parents were married in 1840, in Chicago, having
conie from Germany in that year, and settled in Cook county, Illinois.
From that date until 18(59, they followed the varied occupations of the
farm, and when they came to Montgomery county they entered land — all
who were of the projjer age — and a large body of the public domain was
thus gathered together. The father passed away at eighty-four years of age,
while the mother still survives and is seventy-flve years old.
Seventeen children were born to this pioneer couple, fourteen of
whom still li\e, namely: Christian, Mary E.. .Jacob, Elizabeth, Andrew,
Mai bias. -lohn, Henry, Nicholas, Mary ti.. Kate. Kegina. Anton and Anna.
'These children are scattered from Arkansas to California, and are main-
taining tliemselves as good citizens in their respective abiding places.
Mathias Blaes was a Ijoy of thirteen years when his life was cast
with the outpost of civilization on the Kansas frontier, and among the
■scattered fragments of Black Dog's and White Hair's Osage bands. The
last obstacle to pioneer progress was not removed with the depai'ture of
the Indians, for floods and grasshopjiers and chinch bugs came along
and for some years, in the early seventies, the lot of the white man was
hard. Discouraged but not disheartened, the Blaes's fought their battles
against adversity without yielding and came off gloriously victorious in
the end.
The district sdiool was the only one accessible to Mr. Blaes and ha
acquired the ground-work of a con.mon and practical education. He
made his home with his parents 'till April 3rd, 1883, when he married
Theresia Koehler, who came to the United States from Bohemia at six
years of age, and to Kan.sas with her parents in 1879, and settled in Wil-
son county.
Mr. and Mrs. Blaes began their married life on their farm two miles
north of Cherryvale. Agriculture and stock raising was the chief pro-
duct of the farm until recent years, when the mineral development of the
locality proved it to be rich in oil and gas, and this product— from the
"Spindle Top Farm," as it has been named — yields its own handsome re-
1u)ns. each (juarter. in royalties, from the operators of the lease. Eleven
oil wells, many of which occupy the high plateau overlooking Cherry-
vale, produce crude petroleum and a good gas well supplies the pumping
station and the residence of Mr. Blaes with nature's perfection of fuel.
The improvements on "Spindle Top" farm ;iic in kcc]iiiig with the
substantial condition of its proprietor; large Iwnsidiy iisiilciirc, ample
barn room and other conveniences. The farm coniains iwu Inindred and
twenty-two acres and is cultivated as assiduously as if the family treas-
ury were not teeming with riches drawn from the' bowels of the earth. Its
fields are rich and fertile and are stocked amply with the various domes-
tic animals common to a well conducted farm.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 345
Ten rliiUlren have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. P.hie^. and all
have learned to speak their mother, as well as the Enfjlish, tongue. Ger-
man is the langnaoe of the family circle, while Enf'lish was learned in
school and in contact with the outside world. The children are: Agatha,
Adolph J., Carl II.. Arnold Kdward. Antoinette, Colette. Theresia B.,
Frank Joseph. Anna 1,.. and Omer W.
EDWARD J. TK1P.LE— An early settler of :Montn:"mery county
who has emphasized his presence here by ])ositive and substantial life
achievements, is Edward J. Trible, of Rutland townshi]). Ecbruary, 1S70.
marks his advent to the county, at which early date he cond)ined the busi-
ness of a freighter with that of a settler, and entered a tract of the public
lands in Independence township, as a starting point in his citizen career.
He came to the county with mule and ox teams laden with flour and corn,
which he sold to the Osages, then quartered in their villages about over
the county and the farm which William Brust now owns is the site
where Mr. Trible put forth his maiden efforts on a Kansas farm.
Edward Trible, like other pioneers, made his first home in Mont-
gomery county in a log hut, which he erected with his own hands. His
stable matched his house and a "shanghigh" fence enclosed his field. Chief
Nopawalla's camp was only a fourth of a mile from him and a friendly
intercourse between the settler and the Aborigines was maintained.
In 1872, Mr. Trible went on a buffalo hunt, fifty miles west of his
claim, and killed all the meat he could haul. At that date Butler and
Cowley counties, and all the country west of there, was full of that large
game, and it served the pioneers in good stead during a scarcity of native
meat and short crops. This meat our subject sold at Joplin, Missouri,
and in that vicinity he remained, working about the lead mines, for three
j-ears, returning thence to Montgomery county and settling the farm he
now owns. He was then without means, so to speak, and he roughed it
and starved it until Providence came to his rescue with earth's bounteous
crops. He lived in a log cabin here, too. and the temporary buildings of
the modest farmer covered him 'till their destruction by fire, in 1892,
when the home of the present day arose and gave him shelter. He is
located on a tract of school land in section .36, township 32, range 14, and
is classed among the thorough-going and thrifty citizens of his township.
December 25th. 1844, Mr. Trible, of this sketch, was born in Devon-
shire, England. He grew up there to the age of fourteen years, when he
sailed for America and landed at Quebec, Canada. He went direct to
Alton. Illinois, and thence to Macoupin county, that state, where he re-
sided until 1867. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted at Camp Butler, 111.,
in Company "F," 133rd Vol. Inf., Capt. Dugger and Col. Phillips. He
346 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
did guard dutv at Rock Island, Illinois, during his entire service and
was "^mustered out at his place of enlistment December, 1865. After
spending a short time at home he migrated to Barton county, Missouri,
from which point he started on his journey to Kansas and to M'ontgom-
ery countv.
Edward .1. Trihle was a son of -Tolin Trible. whose father and mother
were the parents()f.I()lin,i:d\vai(l. Al.nmi and f^amuel. John Trihle married
Mary Oliver in Devonshire, and was the father of six children, as follows:
Mrs." Grace Elred. of Carlinville, 111.; Mrs. Elizabeth Hobson, of Carrol-
ton. 111. ; Mrs. Mary Fink, of Lamar, Mb. ; John, of Girard, 111. ; Margaret,
-wife of Peter Denby, and Edward J.
In 1872, Mr. Trible married Mary J. Compton, a native of Ross
county, Ohio, and a daughter of Wilson and Sarah (Brake) Compton.
The issue of this marriage is six children, namely: Mrs. Maude Greer,
with children, (ileiin and Audra ; Mrs. Grace Furgeson; Wiltz, of Kansas
City; Maggie, Elbirt and Blanche.
" The first wheeled vehicle known in England was made by John
Oliver, the maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Trible. He lived in the
county of Devonshire, where the family annals have existed from a very
-earlv time.
ALEXANDER C. GREER— In 1884, the subject of this personal
reference came to Montgomery county and identified himself with the
settlers of Rutland township, where he owns one hundred and twenty
acres of sections 27 and 33, township 32, range 14. He emigrated from
Morgan county, Indiana, where his birth occurred October 11th, 1841,
and where he grew up on a farm. His father, John A. Greer, was a pio-
neer there from Scott county, Kentucky, and a minister of the Christian
church, dying the year following our subject's birth.
Rev. John A. Greer was a native Irishman's son, James Greer being
his father. James Greer accompanied his parents, Stephen H. and Ruth
(Anderson) Greer to America as a child, where he married and, in Ken-
tucky, reared his family of seven children, viz: James. Nathaniel, Henry,
Alvin, Ruth, Mrs. Sophronia Smith, Mrs. Martitia Berry, and John A.
The last named married Nancy Elsey, a daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Montague) Elsey, native Kentucky people. Ten children sprang from
this union, as foUows: James, John E., Mrs. Elizabeth Carroll, Lyman
M., ]Mrs. Ruth Williams, Nancy J., William H.. Mrs. Amanda M. Poor,
Alexander C, and Sarah, deceased.
Stephen H. Greer, our subject's great-grandfather, came from Ire-
land to Maryland and served about five years in the Revolutionary war.
The opportunities of Alexander f'. Greer, in youth, were only such as
-came to a country boy of his time, and he grew up with a strong body,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 347
a moral and uprioht yount; man. August 30th, 1862, he enlisted in Com-
pany "F," 5th Ind. Cav.. ('apt. Felix Graham— afterward colonel— and.
later, under Col. Thomas F. F.utler. in the 2.3rd Army Corps, commanded
by Gen. Sherman. He was in twenty-two different engaoements during
tiie war and escaped both wounds and capture. He was in the fights at
Bean Station. Bluntville. Tenn.. and Bufflington's Island. He helped cap-
ture Gen. Basil Duke and eleven hundred men. with a mere posse of fifty
men. From Kentucky the command went into Tennessee, where it scout-
ed over the eastern part of the state and fought the battles of Raytown,
Strawberry Plains and Walker's Fort. The regiment then returned to
Louisville. Kentucky, from whence it soon embarked on its journey to
join Gen. Sherman, for the Atlanta campaign. On this campaign the
cavalry led the advance and brought on the fighting all the way down to
the city. After the Confederate stronghold surrendered, Mr. Greer's
command was sent back to Louisville, where he went to the hos])ital with
a fever. He was discharged from there May 20th. \S(\~). and is now a pen-
sioner on the roll of honor.
Since the war. farming has occupied the attention of Mr. Greer. He
was married in 1807. Rhoda Parker becoming his wife. She was born in
Morgan county, Indiana, and was a daughter of Starling and Mary
(White) Parker, of Jackson and Morgan counties, that state. To Mr.
and Mrs. Greer have been born eight children, viz : Mrs. Ruth Hutoka, of
Neodc-'ha, Kansas; Mrs. Lily M. Botts, of Montgomery county, with
children: Laura, Ella. Margaret and Marie; Mrs. ^Margaret M. Malcom,
with three children: Ira. Eva, and Ethel, deceased; Mrs. Dora Hewitt,
of Independence. Kansas; Everett E., of Neodesha ; -lohn E.. of Indepen-
dence; Mary J. and Alice, yet on the family homestead.
In politics Mr. Greer affiliates with the Republicans and has been
chosen to fill several local offices of his township. He has attended
county and district conventions in a delegate capacity, and has comport-
ed himself as becomes a patriotic and worthy citizen.
LUCIXDA W. ALLISON— One of the modest citizens of West
Cherry township and one who has passed nearly a quarter of a century
within the limits of Montgomery county, is Mrs. Lucinda W. Allison, of
this record. She came to the county with her late husband, Jackson Al-
lison, and settled, temporarily, west of Independence, but, two years later
purchased the eighty acre tract in section 20, township 31, range 16,
where her home has since been maintained.
In DeKalb county, Tennessee. Mrs. Allison was born, March 21st,
1845. Eight years later, she accompanied her parents into Kentucky,
where, in Logan and afterward in McClain counties, she grew up. She
was a daughter of William C. and :Martha (BeldenI Doss and was the
•j^S HISTOUV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
oldest of four cliiUlreu, viz: Lucinda, Ursula, wife of Thomas Sams, of
Logan county, Kentucky: Mrs. Maria J. Tines, of Butler county, Ken-
tucky, and Marv E. William C. Doss was a son of Jonathan Doss, who
married a l'rit«"hit and reared an only child. The father was an Irish-
man and the mother a Tennesseean, and their home was in Virginia.
William C. Doss" wife was a daughter of Isaac and Martha Belden, of
Logan county. Kentucky, but the former a Virginian by birth.
June otii. 1871. Lucinda W. Doss married Jackson Allison, a native
of Franklin county. Kentucky, and a son of Harrison Allison, a Virgin-
ian, with Scotch-Irish lineage. Jackson Allison was one of four in
family, namely: Jackson, John, Eli and Josejih.
Soon after her marriage, Mrs. Allison and her Inishand removed to
McClain county and reiuained there 'till their emigration toward the
setting sun. Mr. Allison passed his life as a farmer and died February
2Cth, 1901. Among his first acts as a young man was his enlistment in
the Ton federate army, where he served as wagon-master in Kentucky and
Tennessee, being in the army for a i)eriod of four years. After the war
he was a]>iiointed jailor in Calhoun. McClain county, but in the west his
life was a (]uiet and unassuming one. lie left two children at his death,
Elmo, of Montgomery county, with children. Lcla and Conrad H.; and
Miss Ella Allison, at home.
THOMAS W. ANDERSON— When Montgomery county was yet an
outpost of civilization and the Red Man still held sway, Thomas W. An-
derson, of this sketch, united his fortunes with the sparse settlement of
Independence township, and entered a tract of land near Independence.
He engaged actively in the development of his new farm and ownd it un-
til 1876, when he exchanged it for interests in Cherryvale, in and around
which place he has ever since resided.
Coles county. Illinois, was the native place of ;Mr. Anderson, and
there, December 11th, 1836, he was born. James Duncan Anderson was
his father and his mother was Lucinda Tlirelkeld, both parents being na-
tives of Kentucky. In 1832. they left their native state and settled in
Coles county. Illinois, where, in i841. the father died at forty-five years,
while the niother lived to be forty-eight years old. Of their four child-
ren, Thomas W. is the sole survivor.
Being left without jtarents at eight years of age. our subject was
reared under the care an<l guidance of his maternal grandparents. Con-
ditions were such that an education was imjiossihle to him and a term
of three months in a country school was all the school advantage he had.
The Threlkeld home was his home 'till December 5th, 1855, when he mar-
ried Elizabeth Helton and the young couple set out to do for themselves.
Mrs. Andeison was born in Tennessee, in 1837. was a daughter of An-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY', KANSAS. 349
drew Jind Maliudu Neal (Black) IJeltou, of Tenness(H>, uud English birth,
respectively, lu 1854. the Heltons started to Texas bv river boat — down
the Ohio and up the Red river — and while going u\> Ihe latter Andrew
Helton, the father, was stricken with cholera and died .Marrh i^i'ud. 1854,
at forty-nine years of age. This misfortune dishearifiicd ilic ninilicr and
children, and they returned to their Illinois home, whi-n- .Maiinda Ibdton
died, January 1st, 1S5G. at forty-two years old.
The Helton children were : Leanah E.. born April .30. 1830 ; Alfred
C, born August 20th, 1831, and died in 1852; James F., born October
30th, .1833, died in Kansas City ; Mary H., born October 22nd, 1835 ;
Elizabeth, born December 27th, 1837; Enieline F., born September 27,
1840; Milton E., born November 14th, 1843; Thomas M., born November
9th. 1845; Henry C. born March 18, 1848; Laudou H., born May 2, 1850,
and George W., born July 16, 1853.
Early in 1865, Thomas W. Anderson enlisted in the 123rd Illinois
Vol. Inf., but was subsequently transferred to the 61st Illinois regiment,
in which he served 'till the close of the CMvil war. Returning to his fam-
ily, he continued farming in his native state 'till 1869. when he came to
Kansas and passed a year at Fort Scott. On coming into Montgomery
county he found it what he desired, identified himself with its agricul-
tural interests and has done a modest, tlumgh substantial, part toward
the niaterial development of the county.
AA'hen he became identified with Cherryvale, he took up plastering,
but followed the trade only a short time, when he erected a few houses
for rent and bought a few acres near the city, and has been occupied
largely with the care and improvement of his property. In 1892, he was
appointed postmaster of Cherryvale, being the second Democratic incum-
bent of that otMce, commissioned for four years. His activity in politics
in behalf of nmny aspiring friends commended his candidacy "to the favor
of his party and his appointment to the postmastership was the result.
He has been justice of the peace of I»rum Creek township and as a citizen
has comported himself with dignity and patriotism.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have ten surviving children out of a family of
twelve as follows: Lemuel E.. born Se])tember 5th. 185(i ; Mary oiive,
born November 12. 1858, is the wife of William Richie; Lucinda, born
October 7th, 1860, is now Mrs. C. Friley ; Stanley A., born July 31st, 1862,
died September 13th, 1864 ; William F., born September 7th, 1864 ; Isaac
T., born October 29th, 1866 ; John J. W.. born May 1st. 1869 ; Louisa M.,
born March 4th, 1872, is married to M. L. Brooks; Thomas T., born June
9th, 1874, and died November 5th, 1885; Cyrus R., born August 17th,
1876, was a soldier in the 20th Kansas in the Thilippine Islands; Sallie
Kate, born May 29th. 1879, is now Mrs. Oliver Hedley. and Charles Uitts,
born September 5tli, 1882. Lemuel Ray Anderson, a grandson of Mr.
350 HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
and Mrs. Anderson, was boi'n May 1st, 1900, and is being reared, trained
and educated by tlieni.
Having acMiuircd a modest competency, Mr. Anderson is passing bis
declining years in partial retirement. But for the presence of their
grandson lie and his wife would be alone in their comfortable and bds
pitable home, just nortlnvest of the city limits.
JOHN T. ("LAY— John T. Clay is one of the largest farmers of
Liberty township. He was born in Pike county, Ohio, March 14,»183S.
His father, Thomas Clay, a native of Virginia, married Elizabeth Moore,
also a native of Virginia. They came to Ohio with their parents, when
very young, settling in I'ike county, where Mr. Clay, Sr., died at the age
of se\enty years. The mother's death occurred at the age of sixty-five.
There were seven children in the family, all deceased except our sub-
ject. John T.. the only survivor of the Clay family. The latter was reared
irwOhio, where he had only limited opportunities for getting an educa-
tion. His marriage to Sarah Moore occurred February (>, 1861. The
war coming on. Mr. Clay did not enlist, but furnished a substitute to fill
his place. He did jiatriotic service by staying at home and raising corn,
wheat and stock, to help feed the large army of T'nion soldiers, that had
to be fed.
In 1881. he came to Kansas and settled fourteen miles west of Wich-
ita, where he bought a half section of land. He lived there two years, but
became dissatisfied and sold his land in 1888, and removed to Mont-
gomery county. Here he bought three hundred and twenty acres on the
Verdigris river. Two hundred acres of this was bottom land, covered
w'ith heavy timber at the tinie of its purchase, but now it is all in the
very best cultivation, and In- laiscs, on an average, two thousand bushels
of wlieat evciy yi'av. besides ilionsands of bushels of corn. His stock
consists of lioi^s. ]irineinally, a large nnnd)er of which he feeds every year.
His home is situated on the east side of a large bluff, where the cold
west or north winds cannot reach it, and is located six miles due north
of Coft'eyville. After years of hard work and untiring industry, Mr.
Clay li,-is made for himself one of The mos't i.rodnctive farms in the
count \.
Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clay, viz: Charles
and Daniel, deceased; Thomas V., who lives in the Indian Territory;
Catherine, wife of W. K. P.ever; Amanda, wife of S. R. Selbv; Elizabeth,
Mrs. Charles E. ^McC.rkle; and Louisa, wife of ^Marion McCorkle. Five
childien died in infancx.
Politically. :Mr. Ci'ay is a i ><• rat. He has held oflice at different
times, liaxing been treasurer of Lilteity townshi]) two terms. He is
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 351
well ;m<l l;iv()i-al)ly known and is worthy of the respect and honor in
which he is held. "
.TA:MKS E. KIN(\\II)— The siil)je<t of this personal narrative be-
lame identified with Kansas first in l.ss.l. at whieh time he emigrated
from Chariton connty, Missonri. and settled in Clark county, Kansas. He
became identified with the country west of the Mississippi river in 1875,
when, in company with his brother. Alexander, and an uncle, the trip was
made from Orange county, Indiana, into Missouri and settlement made
in Chariton county.
In Orange county, Indiana, Mr. Kincaid was born November 3, 1856.
His parents were farmers and his childhood and youth were, therefore,
passed in a country home. His education was obtained in an attendance
upon the winter terms of a country school and when he reached his
eighteenth year his career as a pupil ceased.
While a resident of Missouri he maintained himself on a rented
farm and spent ten years in the state.
With two teams and equipments, as his partial accumulations, he
departed for western Kansas in the autumn of 1885, and experimented
with farming out there for four years. This venture proved a mistake,
for he virtually lost his savings of former years and, ''broke" and almost
stranded, he went to Cowley county. Kansas, where he worked Charles
Hendricks' farm on the shares, taking one-third of the crop. He remained
in that county till 1894, when he became a seeker of fortune in the new
Oklahoma country and made the race for a claim. He obtained one in
"K" county, lived three years of the seven passed there, in a "dug-out,"
proved up on his farm and, in 1000, sold it for .f3,500.0n and returned
to Kansas. This time he settled in Montgomery county, where he pur-
chased of George T. Guernsey, four hundred acres in Rutland township,
the farm lying in sections 25 and 3(5, township 32, range 14.
Grain farming occupies Mr. Kincaid principally, but cattle and hogs
yield him a profit from the surplus from his fields.
Jlr. Kincaid was orphaned at the early age of four years. His moth-
er passed away in less than a year after his birth and, in 18C3, his father,
also, died. His father was William Kincaid and his paternal grandfath-
er was Alexander Kincaid, a native of Kentucky. The family of the last
named comprised Andrew, George. William, Mi-s. Belzora F. Walker,
Mrs. Frances Edwards, Mrs. Mary Padgett, Mrs. Cordelia Poe and
Henry A.
William Kincaid married Belzora Bishop, a daughter of Rufus
Bishop, of Tennessee. The children of this marriage were: R. Alexander,
of Chariton county, Missouri ; James E., of this review.
In 1878, James E. Kincaid married Margaret J. Padgett, of Indiana,
352 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
and a (laui;lit('r of Joseph aud Barbara Tadgett. Joseph William died
at thirteen mouths. Charles Edward died aged about two years. Emily
B. and Oliver M. are the children born to Mr. and :Mrs. Kineaid.
William Kim-aid's life was brief but active and devoted to the work
of the farm. He was born at Lexington, Kentucky, and went into Indi-
ana as a young man. He enlisted there in Company ''A," Sixty-sixth
Voluteer infantry. War of the Rebellion, and furloughed home on ac-
count of wounds. He rejoined his command, was taken sick and died in
the hosi)ital at Pulaski. Tennessee.
The death of the parents of James E. Kimaid was a blight upon
his life through childhood and youth. He knew no iiermanent and wel-
come home till he made one for himself and when he began life's stubborn
battle it was single-handed aud without financial help. Although he has
experienced a number of I'everses. his ambition has never flagged and dis-
couragements have been brushed away. He has always maintained him-
self among the best citizens of his county, where he has occasionally lieen
honored with public trusts.
He is a Eepublicau. jiolitically. and was treasurer of his township
in "K" county, Oklahoma. He and his wife hold membership in the
Christian church and he is a Workman and a member of the Fraternal
Aid .'.nd A. H. T. A.
JACOB B. KLINEFELTER— One of the substantial settlers of
Montgomery county who came to it among the first years of its municipal
existence was Jacob B. Klinefelter, of Cherry township. He was pre-
pared for a life of "ups and downs" on the frontier by a service of nearly
four and a half years in the volunteer army and the sound of martial mu-
sic had hardly died within him when the civil march toward the prairies
of the west began. If he encountered hardships, they were tame incidents
in his career, and if fortune smiled upon him it was but nature's symbol
of aj>|ireciation of the sacrifices of one of her noblemen.
It was in 1871 that ^Nlr. Klinefelter came to ^lontgomery county, sin-
gle and with limited means, and for the first three aud one-half years he
was a wage earner by the month ; first for the jiioneer, George Evans, and
second, in the old saw-mill established on the Verdigris river nearby. He
then entered a tract of the public domain, six miles north of the present
city (.f ('herryvale and at once occupied himself with the work of its im-
])rovement. Beginning with 1879, he was absent from his farm for
eight years, having migrated to Colorado where he was first employed in
I'ailroad work, as foreman of a yiack train for the company building the
road, and subsf^picntly lie went into tiie mines and labored in the dig-
"inirs for seven vears.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 353
I'.flniiiiiij; to Montgomery county, he resumed the eultiviulon of his
fiirm. His soil is rich and black and produces an abundance of grain
and seeds. It is conveniently iini)roved and the profits from its surface
liave placed its owner far beyond the pangs of want. He has his place
well stocked and manages it with that intelligence that always marks
the successful farmer.
Jacob B. Klinefelter was born in York county. Pennsylvania, .July
4, 1880. and his ancestors were of the early settlers of that place. His
parents. Peter and ^lary ( P.akerl Klinefelter, were born in that county
and lived there till IS.'di. wlien they emigrated, and settled in Christian
county. Illinois. There the father died at the age of eighty-one and the
mother at six years younger. Of their four children, only two survive,
namely: Cornelius, of Illinois, and Jacob B.
A limited attendance u])on the counti'y schools sufficed for the men-
tal training of Jacob B. Klinefelter. He accompanied his parents to Illi-
nois, where he was married to Anumda Pierce, who soon died, leaving a
child. Mary, still living in the "Prairie State." When hostilities broke
out between the divided sections of our country in 18(U. Mr. Klinefelter
was among those who responded to the President's call for 75,000 troops.
He enlisted in the Eighth Indiana battei'y and began his part at putting
down the rebellion at \Yilso7i creek. Chief among his fifteen hard-fought
battles were: Wilson creek, second battle of Corinth. Stone River. Chicka-
mauga. Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, Dalton, Resaca, Ken-
nesaw Mountain. Peachtree Creek. Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. He
was in many smaller fights and skirmishes and had many "close calls"
during his four years, four months and twenty days in the army. He
carries scars made by two Rebel balls and while he was thus severely
wounded he never permitted himself to be captured, preferring death to
imprisonment in a Southern stockade.
From August, lS(i.5, till his advent to Kansas Mr. Klinefelter was a
farmer in Christian county, Illinois. When he had entered land in
Montgomery county, he saw the necessity of a heli)-mate and, August
2.3, 1872. he married Eva Heltz. born in Germany, September 29, 1851.
When seven years old. Mrs. Klinefelter came to the United States with
her ]«.irents, John and Christina (Barsch) Heltz. and for twelve years
resided in Indiana. In 1870, they came on to Kansas and settled in
Montgomery county, where the mother died in 1902, and where the father
survives at the age of eighty-eight years. Ten children were born to this
venerable couple, the seven living being: Katie, Maggie, Michael, Eliza-
beth. Susan. .John and Mrs. Klinefelter.
The issue of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Klinefelter was five
children, viz: Emil. Ada, William, Maynard and Lizzie, all of whom still
surround the family "hearthstone."
For thirteen vears Mr. Klinefelter tilled the office of justice of the
354 IIISTOKY OF MOXTGOMEKY CorNTY, KANSAS.
peace of liis towiisliij). llis first vote was cast for •'John and Jessie" in
the Fieniont cainpaign, and his next Presidential ballot for Abraham
Lincoln, whom he personally knew many years before he became Presi-
dent. Re].ublicanism has always remained his slo<ian and he has al-
wav.i nnifed his elforls with that iiartv in Montjiomery county.
THOMAS J. WARNER— On a farm in Lewis county, West Vir-
ginia, Thomas J. Warner, of Rutland township, was born, December 10,
1806. He came to mature yeai's about his native heath and acquired the
rudinients of a country school education. He left the old home in 1896
and went into old Virginia where, in Rockbridge county, he was engaged
in farm work for four years. Deciding to seek his fortune in the west, he
returned home in a few months and then migrated to Welch, Indian
Territory, in September, 1001. Having not found the object of his .search,
after a few weeks he came up into Kansas and, at Jeft'ei'son. in Mont-
gomery c(uinty, he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which
he parted with at sale after cultivating it one year. He came to Rut-
laud townshij) from Independence creek and owns now a quarter section
of section 14. township 33, range 14.
Mr. Warner's father was George O. ^\;^•n(M■, horn in Pendleton
count\. West Virginia, and a son of John Warner. The latter had chil-
dren AVilliam, Zebedee, George G. , James, of Taylor county, W'ist Vir-
ginia; M. J. H.. of Labette county, Kansas; MIrs. Rebecca Smith and
Catherine. George (!. Warner married Lucinda Clark, of Lewis C(mnty,
West Virginia, and a daughter of John and Margaret ( Bonnett) Clark.
The five children of lliis union were: Ida F. , Thomas J., John M.. of Cal-
ifornia; William W.. of West Virginia; Mrs. Glennie Zinn, of Ritchie
county. A\'est ^'il•ginia.
April 24. 1S!»0. Tliomas J. Warner married Irena J. Mohler, of
Rockbridge county, ^'irginia. a daughter of David H. and Mary V. ( Shel-
ton) Mohler. of A'irginia and West Virginia, respectively.' The two
children of Mr. and .Mrs. Warner are Mary L. and Ida M.
The varied innsiiits of the farm have occupied Mr. Warner through
life. The effoiis of his active life have been fairly rewarded and he is
toda^- master of ilic situation that confronts him. In jiolitics he is a
Democrat .-ind lie and liis liold allegiance to the Methodist church.
CHARLES WASSERM'AN LAMP.— It is our i.rivilege to relat^^
in this sketch, a few of the events in the life of one of the few mountain-
eer characters of the old time, yet remaining, and to suggest a career
filled with exciting and romantic incidents enacted from the metropoliti-
cal shore of the Atlantic to the placid waters of the Pacific and over
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 355
jilnin ;iii(l iiioiiiitaiu of tlie northwest. An experience jtleaned from :i
iniiilile that started from the nietroiiolis of the "Empire State" in l.Sr,2,
and ended si.xteen years later in the iniiist of a hand of Osagcs on the
virj;ii! jirairies of Kansas.
The frontier lias heen almost obliterated and, with its passing, the
characters who were identified with it have, many of them, gone to their
reward on tlie otlier shore. Their lives were spiced with incidents of ex-
ploration and conquest which, if recited in intricate del ail, would rival,
in interest, some of the experiences of "Kit Carson" in the Rockies or of
James B. Hicock, the once-famous "Wild Bill" of the western plains.
Yet few of tliem left any connected narrative of their experiences and
"went away" with the pages of their book of life bhnik as to the essential
facts of theii- romantic careers.
History, as told in the lives of the people and confined to the real
affairs of life, possesses a peculiar interest in the study of man and indi-
cates his trend of mind, or mental bent; and while, in this particular sub-
ject, we touch upon, in a general way, the events which have transpired
as a result of his early inclinations, it furnishes us with an insight into
his makeuj) and heljis the reader to understand the man.
Charles W. Land) has. as inferred from the introduction hereto,
had a somewhat checkered, though honorable, career. His life has been
surrounded l)y all the arts of peace and it has led him into paths w-here
dang^r lurked and where the brutal assassin only awaited the discovery
of his presence. The sj)irit of adventure which seized him on the ap-
proach of man]H)od, in New York City, and urged him to the summit of
almost every American mountain peak and, unscatlied. through the lair
of many a human foe, has been gratified, and his advent, as a pioneer,
among the scattered settlers of Montgomery county, marked for him a
new life and the opening of a new career.
Born in Hartford county, Connecticut, July 10, 1S:?(I, he was a son
of (Jernian jiarents, his father being Thomas Lamb and his mother Fan-
nie Wasseriiian. both of German birth. The i)arents moved to Xew York
City during the childhood of our subject, where they died at eighty-four
and eighty-two years, respectively, leaving four children, as foilows:
Fannie, Catherine, Nathan and Charles ; the first three being citizens of
California, at the Golden Gate.
Charles W. Lamb grew up in New York City, where he acquired a
fair education, beginning life as a clerk in a wholesale establishment in
the city. He mastered the details of merchandising in the nine years he
was thus enijiloyed and. at twenty-two years of age, yielded to a consum-
ing desire to roam and went to the fi'ontier in the west and opened a
store in Nebraska. Four years later he again became restless and leaped
across the plains to Colorado. He engaged in the mining and mercantile
business in that state, becoming more and more infatuated with the wilds
356 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of the fill- we.st. His ainbitiou not vet satiated, he traversed the rocky
raiiiies to tlie northwest and threaded the territories of Idaho. Montana,
Wa.slinif;ton and even made himself somewhat familiar with the British
norths est.
As he stopped ak)ng the way to prospect some ore-bearing region
or to resnnie a merchant's life or to practice at the blacksmith's forge,
he took ])art in the att'airs of the people and came to know the white
man'>' crude civilization of the frontier. His journeys he made, carrying
his pack in the saddle, and as he climbed the rugged mountains and
pierced the dark canons of the Rockies and Sierras, on many an occasion
he felt the chill that danger's warning gives and oftentimes barely es-
caped with his life. Sixteen years of a strenuous life, unsurpassed in the
intensity of its excitements and unequaled in its tension on the human
nerves, sufficed to gratify his youthful longing and Mr. Lamb wended
his way eastward and chose his future home in Montgomery county,
Kansas.
In 1S*)S. he took a claim five and one-half miles north of where Cher-
ryvale now stands and founded a civilized colony right among old White
Hair's band. The haunts of the Red Man were everywhere about him
and the shrill and terrifying bark of the coyote added to the wildness of
the s'-cne. Jliles of space sej)arated neighbors and a trip to the nearest
town ( onsnmed days of time. But time turned the frontier into settle-
ments and the civilizing agencies of a composite citizenship brought
order out of chaos and established all the institutions of peace. To the
credit of T'harles W. Lamb let it be said that he participated in all this
change and was a part of it himself. He has acquired, by industry, title
to three hundred acres of land and has equipped it with all the heredita-
ments necessary to make it a valuable and attractive place. His farm is
in section 17 and lies on Drum creek, at the mouth of which stream the
famous Indian treaty was made.
Vv. Land) was united, in Oinaha. Nebraska, in marriage with Eliza-
beth '^'ansickel. a Xew Jersey lady and a daughter of Andrew and Sarah
Vansi.kei. Mrs. Land) was born May -27. L*^:^?. and is a rei)re.seutative
of one of the ancient American families, her forefathers having come to
the Xew World from Germany three hundred years ago. The Vansickels
ac(|uired a large body of laud in New Jersey, which has remained undis-
turbed in the family name. Two children have blessed the marriage of
Mr. and ]\Irs. Lamb, namely: Charles, Jr., who resides in Sumner county,
Kansas, and who has children, Windell and Bessie, by Miss Elizabeth
Windcll. now his wife. Bess, wife of W. D. Barker, is their second child,,
and she resides in the parental home. She has two children, Fannie and
Arthur Barker.
Mr. Lamb became a 1 »eiii(i(ial early in life and has aided the ef-
forts of (hat parly in many camiiaigns. He has been a justice of the
HISTORY OF MONTC;OMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 357
peace a uuinl)er of times, in Cherry township, and, in all things, has
maintained himself an upright citizen.
GEORGE H. WHITMAN— A gentleman who has had a rather re-
markable career, especially in his earlier years, whose genial and versa-
tile personality is a factor of much attraction to his host of friends in the
county, is George H. Whitman, a leading implement dealer of the rural
village of Liberty. He is a gentleman of wide experience in business and
social life and is a most companionable man. He has traveled over many
portions of the world ''with his eyes" open and has profited by the mental
breadth and depth, that travel brings.
George H. Whitnuin is a native of New York State, born in Mont-
gomery county, in the year 1833, and a son of George and Susannah
(Green) Whitman. At four years of age, his parents removed to the
then far-distant State of Illinois, where they settled in Peoria county,
where Mr. Whitman was reared to manhood. His father was a Method-
ist Episcopal minister and labored in Illinois until his death in 1847. He
left a family of four children, of which our subject is the eldest. The
others are: Emily, who married James Moore and, after his death,
Charles Lister, and lives at Wellstield, Illinois; Isaac A., lives in Colora-
do; and Fanny, who was the wife of Walter Vale, is now deceased.
When a youth of nineteen years, Mr. Whitman left home and crossed
the plains to the Pacific coast. He then took passage ou a vessel and
visited China, being in that country when Commodore Perry did such
splendid service in opening the Japanese ports to the commerce of the
United States. From there he went to London, England, and then re-
turned to New Orleans. After a period in this city he again shipped on
board a vessel bound for France and visited Havre. That was in 18.55,
and in the latter part of that year he returned to his home in Illinois,
where he remained and where he lived at the time of the Civil war.
He enlisted in the army in the latter part of the war and served
until September of 18(55. Upon returning from the war, he settled in
Bureau county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1874, the
date of his settlement in Montgomery county, Kansas. He purchased a
quarter section seven miles southwest of Independence, for which he
paid.fl, 100.00. He cultivated this property for some years, then sold it and
removed to the town of Independence and for a number of years, was
"outside man" for the implement firm of Funk & Whitman, in 1886. he
returned to Illinois where he spent five years, after which he moved to
Wappelo county, Iowa, and remained here three years, engaged in farm-
ing. In 1804. he came to Liberty township and purchased a farm one
mile south of the village of Liberty, paying $2,200.00 for one hundred
acres. He held this for a period of four years and then disposed of it
35o Hisiuiti ut Mfj.y iK^njMr.n.1 i^uuimi, i^ai-«02ia.
to the Foster Brothers and engaged in the implement business with his
son, Newton E. Whitman. Four years hiter, he sold his interest to a son,
Clinton A. Whitman, since which time the style of the firm has been
Whitman Brothers. This is one of the largest implement firms in the
county, maintaining, besides their Liberty establishment, a branch store
at Oherryvale and doing a very large and prosperous business. They are
agents for the Milwaukee harvester and binder, one of the best on the
market, and of which they sold during the season of 1902, forty-six new
machines. They are also agents for the J. I. Case line of implements and
the Canton line of implements, all of which are popular and excellent
makes of machinery.
On the 7th day of March. 18<!1. George Whitman was joined in mar-
riage to Mary J. Pettit. a native of New York (Niagara county). Eight
children were born to this union, of whom seven still survive, viz:
Eudora E., wife of I). F. Blue, of Liberty townshi])-, Clarissa, wife of
Stephen Gray, of Marshall county, Illinois; Ira P., died in infancy;
Henry Eugene, who is married and lives in Marshall county, Illinois;
Fannie, at home; Clinton A., who is married and lives in Cherryvale;
Newton E., of Liberty, Kansas; and Luther E., who lives near Winfield,
Kansas.
JAMES H. SCOTT — The well-known citizen whose name initiates
this historical sketch has passed twenty-three years as a resident of Mont-
gomery county. He first saw the county in 1879 and in the following
year brought his family out from the east and established them on his
Independence township farm, in sections 22 and 23, township 33, range
15, uKidest, fertile and substantially and attractively improved.
Mr. Scott is of Irish birth. Belfast was his native city and his
natal day and year were December (•, 184(1. His father was Rev. James
Scott, a Methodist ministei'. and his mother's maiden name was Jane
McGregor. The father was born in 17!li; and died at New P.urnside. Illi-
nois, in 1880. The mother bore eiglit children — five of whom came to the
United States — the mother died in Ireland when our subjeit was a small
boy. Those of the family now living, beside James II.. a're : William M.,
of Belfast. Ireland, and Mrs. Mary J. Threldkeld. of Hampton, Kentucky.
Rev. James Scott located at Quincy, Illinois, when he first came to the
new world and was engaged in religious work for over fifty years. He
afterward established his family in Brown county, Illinois, and there
James II. Scott, of this record, was brought uj).
Our subject was the fourth of five children in the family and came
to maturitv on a farm. lie ac((uired a good common school education
and hiniseif engaged in (caching distri.t s.ln.ol before the outbreak of
the Civil war. He enlisted at Metropolis. Illinois, August 11, 18(il, in
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 359
'Company "K," Twenty nintli Infantry, Capt. J. A. Carniichajl's com-
pany. The reginieni was assi<j;ned to Grant's command along the Missis-
sippi river and participated in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson,
in which latter enoajicment Mr. 8cott received a wound in the left shoul-
der, but instead of entering the hospital, he furloughed home and there
recuperated in the quiet among friends. Returning to his regiment, he
took part in the second battle of Corinth and in the siege of Vicksburg.
Alargepartof the Twenty-ninth Illinois being captured at Holloy Si)rings
Mississippi, Company "K" was placed on board one of the Federal gun-
boats and performed service in the navy for some six months, or until
the captured portion of the regiment was "exchanged" and rejoined their
comrades and resumed their old i)Osition as an integral part of the con-
quering army. Being orderly sergeant of his company, ^Ir. Scott was
made captain of one of the twenty-four pound howitzers of the gunboat
while in the navy. The regiment rendezvoused in the vicinity of Vicks-
burg after the fall of the city, for some months, and when it moved, went
to Natchez, Mississippi, where scouting and guarding and patrol duty
occui)ied its time till September, 18(54, when, owing to his increasing
deafness, our subject was mustered out.
Eeturning home, Mr. Scott continued teaching school and took up
the study of medicine, continuing both till his hearing became so bad
that he was forced to abandon them. He owned a farm in the county
where he lived and the cultivation of it occupied his attention. Since
that date he has been a farmer. He has not been actively engaged in the
work himself — being much of the time, in later life, an invalid — but his
interests have lemained those of the farmer and so he has classed him-
self.
May ij. 1872. -Tames H. Scott was united in marriage with Mary A.
Wright, a daughter of .John R. Wright, who married Maria H. Sterling.
The Wrights were from Mt. Holly, Morris county, New Jersey, where
Mrs. Scott was born March 11, 184.5. Mr. Wright died in Pope county,
Illinois, in 1889, and his wife survived him till 189.", when she also passed
away. Their children were Amos. Coojier and Martlia, all deceased; Mrs.
Scott; Ella, wife of James L. Murphy, of Metropolis, Illinois; Lucy, who
married Anson Neely, and died leaving one child; Archer, of Poj)e coun-
ty, Illinois; and Emma, also deceased.
The family of M,r. and Mrs. Scott consist of the following children,
namely: Maria J., born in 1873; Martha P., of Ottawa, Kansas, born
1875; Lillie K., born 1877; Walter J., born 1880; Rov H., born in 1882;
Stella A., born 1884; and Charles E., born 1886.
In politics, Mr. Scott affiliates with the Republican party. His am-
bition has been only to see a fair and proper administration of public
aflfairs and to be permitted the full and free enjoyment of the blessings
of our Republic.
^VILLIAM H. FROST — In inentiouing the pioneers of Montgomery
county it is api)ropriate to include in the list all those who made settle-
ment in the year 1870, as well as those scattered few whose lot was cast
with the county at an earlier date. While many of the throng of immi-
grants of 1870 have passed to the great beyond, there are still conspicu-
ous examples of those hardy and determined advance guard of civiliza-
tion left to tell the story, and among them is the venerable William H.
Frost, of this review. In comparison with the great flood of emigration
which came out of the east to settle the plains of the west, the quota
from New England is, in numbers, inconspicuous and unimportant.
But the shortage in quantity is fully made up in the quality, for the New
England emigrant was of sincere purjiose. vigorous and active mentality,
and industrious in a high degree. All these attributes apply strikingly
to the subject of this article and the fulfillment of his destiny has been
achie\ed in Montgomery county.
William H. Frost was born in Oxford county, Maine, November 4,
1826. His forefathers were of the colonial stock of New England and
were employed with agricultural pursuits. His father was William
Frost — born in 1800 and died at his old home in 1866 — and his mother
was Mary Stevens, a daughter of Stevens, a re])resentative of
another of the ])ioneer families of Maine. William and Mary Frost were
industrious and thrifty, bore themselves highly honorable before the
world and were consistent members of the ]SIeth<)dist church. Mary
Frost died in 1833 and William took, for his second wife. !Mary Files, who
was the mother of the last named child in the following list, all of the
others being the issue of William and Mary: -Joel, who died in Maine;
Charlotte S., who married Harmon rumniings and resides in her native
state; Harriet, wife of Henry Smith, of Massachusetts; Warren, who
died young; Levi, also deceased; William H., our subject; Nathaniel and
Laura, twins, the latter the widow of Charles Haskell and living in
Norway, ^Maine; I'olly, who married Lennell and lives in Lewis-
ton, :Maine; and Koswcll, siill in the old "Pine Tree State," on the home
farm.
The subject of this review began life as a farmei", but soon deserted
the calling and became identified with railroail building, in the dejjart-
ment of grading and laying of track. He was eni|iloyed on the Boston and
Lowell road, on the Scranton and Great Bend, in IVMinsylvania, on the
douliiing of the track on the York and Erie road, on the ('anandaigua and
Niagara Falls railway, on the Illinois Central, in Illinois, and its exten-
sion from DuliTHiue into Iowa, and, lastly, on the Warren and Mineral
Point railroad, concluding his wi)rk in 18.57. He reengaged in farming
in Stephenson county. Illinois, just before the rebellion broke out, and
enlisted from that ((lunty in ('(iiiiiiany "A," Ninety-second Infantry, as
orderly sergeant. He was pidinntcd, in time, to first lieutenant and was
HISTORY OF MONTCiOMEUr COUNTY, KANSAS. 361
discharfied with tliat comiiiissioii at Coiuord, Nortli Carolina, at the close
of the war. Within six months after the Ninety-second Illinois entered
the service, it was mounted and became a cavalry regiment and in Kil
Patrick's command. Mr. Frost was in the battle of Chickamauga, par-
ticipated in the Atlanta campaign and went through with Sherman's
army tp Savannah. He was with his regiment and took part in the work
done by the victorious army in its march through the Carolinas and,
when the war was over, his regiment was detained at Concord, North
Carolina, for six months when it was ordered to Chicago, Illinois, where
it was paid ofif and discharged, July 7, 1865.
For the tive years succeeding the Civil war, Mr. Frost was employed
with his farming interests in Illinois. In the fall of 1870, he disposed
of his possessions there and came to Kansas, taking up his location in
Fawn Creek township, Montgomery county. He purchased a quarter
section of land and was occupied with its improvement, and with other
interests kindred to the farm, till 1887, when he left his estate of two
hundred and seventy acres to other hands and became a resident of Inde-
pendence. During the course of rural development in his neighborhood,
the Missouri Pacific railroad built through the township and established
the station of Jefiferson near Mr. Frost's farm and a part of the little
village of Jefferson is actually located on his land.
Mr. Frost was united in marriage first, in Stephenson county, Illi-
nois, in 1855, with Elizabeth Dann, who died in Montgomery county,
Kansas, in 1887, leaving the following children, to wit : Burton and Ella,
of Jefferson, Kansas, the latter the wife of Aiusworth Cummings; Lora,
who married Samuel Hooker and resides in White, South Dakota; and
Charles A., of Colorado Springs. Col., whose wife was Miss Victoria Hall.
May 30, 1890, Mr. Frost married Mrs. Sarah A. Rhodes, an Illinois lady
but of New York birth.
In politics the early members of the Frost family acted with the
Whigs, but when that old party ceased to exist our subject's father and
one son joined issues with the Democrats, The other sons, including,
of course, William H., l)ecame Republicans, and whatever political record
the latter has made has been achieved in the ranks of that party. In
church matters he is a Baptist and has been a deacon in the Independ-
ence congregation for many years. In business matters his safety and
reliability are noteworthy facts. He retired from the farm w h a com-
petency sufficient for his future comfort — a reward for the laber and re-
sponsibilities of earlier years. When the Commercial National Bank
was organized, he was one of the stockholders and succeeded Ex-Gov-
ernor Humphrey as its vice-president in 1888. As a citizen, Mr. Frost's
life stands as a worthy example to the generations of today and is an in-
spiration to them to live rightly before men.
•562 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
DA^'rD nECKMAX— Thirty-three years ngo, in February of 1870,
the ojeDtleman whose name appears at the head of this review, filed on the
claim upon which now stands the pleasant rural village of Liberty.
Those were the days of the beginning of things in ^Montgomery county,
when the coyote and Indian roamed over much of the county at will and
each, in his way, made it interesting for the lone white settler in his
scaTitily covered shack. As Mr. Heckman sits in his comfortable modern
i-esidencc, surrounded with all that goes to make life desirable, he can
hardly realize the many changes that have come to pass; but that they
are here, he is well-assured, and satisfaction is his only feeling.
The Heckmans are from the "Keystone State" and are of German
descent. David was born in Armstrong county, in 1847, and is the son of
Abraham and Esther (Clingensmith) Heckman, Abraham in turn being
the son of I'hilip. who came to the county in an early day and died there
at the ago of sixty years, in 1839. These early members of the family
were tillers of the soil. Abraham still residing on the old homestead. He
was ninety-one years of age on the 24th of July, 1902. He is the father of
ten children, eight of whom are still living — Henry is in Oregon; Mary
Ann in rennsylvania ; Peter, William, .Tolni and Caiherine (twins), and
Margaret are also in the "Keystone State."
I>avid Heckman grew to manhood amid the pains and jdeasures
(and lliere were both) of farm life in his native county, remaining on the
homestead until he was twenty-three years old. He then came west and
located, as stated above, in Liberty township. He immediately erected
the i)rimifive residence of that day. which had the distinction, while
it stood, of being the first one in the town of Liberty, which was after-
ward laid out on the claim located by Mr. Heckman. Our subject deeded
the claim on llie 241h of July, 1871. and immediately sold it to Capt. Mc-
Taggart and ('a])t. Heard, who platted the town in the same month. Mr.
Heckman conlinucd 1<> engage in agriciulture until 18<7, when he pur-
chased a stock of g Is and ojicned a store in the town, in company with
Edward J$arnett, uiidci- llie firm name of Barnett & Heckman. The
style of the firm changed, in 1881, to Heckman Bros., and in 18SG, to
David Heckman, our subject buying his brother's interest. He has con-
tinued the business since and is regarded as the leading merchant of the
village. Mr. Heckman's citizenship has been of that unselfish character
which looks to the interest of his town and county, rather than the
aggrandizement of self. He has always taken great pride in the town
and has proved his friendship by many practical demonstrations, admin-
istering, at times, the unpaid ])ositions of trust necessary in the munici-
pal affairs, and sacrificing, cheerfully, time and money in its advance-
ment. In stale and national aflairs. :Nrr. Heckman sui)ports the Demo-
cratic party.
Mrs. Heckman, i)ri()r to 187."), was Emma A. Barnett. She is a
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEEi- COUNTY^, KANSAS. 363
daughter of Edward and Lucretia Barnett. both parents deceased.
Thej were worthy and respected residents of the county for long years.
But ( ue child was born to Mrs. Hecknian, its death occurring in infancy.
As a solace to their loneliness, they adopted a little girl, Miss True
Thornton, who is now an inmate of their home.
T. H. EARNEST — One of the best known men in Montgomery
county and a man who has had a prominent part in its development, is
the gentleman here mentioned, T. H. Earnest, at present the efficient
postmaster of Cherryvale, and ex-Register of Deeds of the county. He has
passed the greater part of his life here, in connection with the railroads
of the state, having been, for a number of years, conductor and yard-
master on the Santa Fe system.
Sangamon county, Illinois, was the place, and July 15, 1857, the date
of the birth of our subject. He was a son of P. L. and Elizabeth A. (Thomp-
son) Earnest. The father was a native of Sangamon county, Hlinois,
while the mother was born in the "Keystone State." The former was,
during life, extensively engaged in the lumber business, and in August,
1867, removed to Ottawa, Kansas, where he resided a number of years.
He removed to Cherryvale in 1883, where he was one of the prominent
factors in the city's development and where he died, on the 27th of Octo-
ber, :!898, having attained seventy- two years of age. He was a consist-
ent member of the Presbyterian church and was a highly respected and
deserving citizen. While in Ottawa, he served a term of four years as
postmaster, and in the several communities with which he was con-
nected, was always a man of affairs. Mrs. Earnest survives him, being
tenderly cared for in the home of our subject. She is the mother of ten
children, but three of whom are now living.
T. H. Earnest passed the period of his boyhood in Ottawa, Kansas,
where he received a thorough training in the town schools. He, however,
was a boy of spirit and of great independence and, at the early a^ge of
thirteen years, he entered upon an active career as a railroader. He was
one of a crew running between Ottawa and Kansas City, at that age, and
did his work so efficiently that he was, later, given a position as a con-
ductor. In this position he continued until 1881, when he became yard-
master for ten years. His popularity in the community resulted in his
election, on the Republican ticket, in 1889, to the office of Register
of Deeds. In the election of that year, he was chosen by a good round
majority and two years later, was re-elected, serving a period of four
years in the office, and conducting its affairs with great satisfaction to
his constituents. On the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Earnest
returned to the railroad and continued in his position as yardmaster
until his appointment as postmaster, on the 9th of December, 1902, one
364 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of tln> tirst jippointiiRMits iiuule liy Iho Roosevelt adniiuistration. No more
obligiiifi or po])nlar official has ever uiinistered to the wants of the peo-
ple of Cherryvale than he.
Marriage was contracted by our subject ou the (itli of Sei)teniber,
1881. Mrs. Earnest, prior to that time, was Miss Flora E. Thompson.
She iv a native of the State of Iowa and is the daughter of W. H. Thomp-
son, row deceased.
An iiitercsiiiig family have l)e<'n born to Mr. and Mrs. Earnest, the
eldest of whom. William L.. is his father's assistant in the ofiSee, as is
also Grace B.. who acts as stam]> clerk. Harry clerks in the grocery
house of J. F. Kring. while Koy E.. Jessie B. and Hazel J. are bright
young school children. ;Mrs. Earnest is a consistent member of the
Methodist l''4)iscoi)al church, and. jirior to her marriage, was one of the
pojuiiar and efficient "school marms" of Montgomery county. In fra-
ternal mailers. :Mr. Earnest affiliates with Ihe A. O. U. W. and in politi-
cal atVairs. acts with Ihe Republican party, in the councils of which, in
his c.mnt\. he is looked ujjOu as a safe adviser.
JOSEPH L. JAMES— In ISTO. there settled near Wayside, in Mimt-
gomery county, the gentleman whose name precedes this article, together
Avith a considerable family, all from the "Blue Grass State" of Ken-
tucky. His children have been reared in the precincts of the county and
are now res])ecle(l members of different communities in the west, and
filling responsilde ]ilaccs in society. The family is held in high esteem in
the county, always having stood for virtue and equity wherever they have
i-esided.
Joseph L. James was Ix.rii in Ohio counly. Kenln.ky. on the 7lh of
March. 1827, the s(m of Sanni.-l James and Sally Bonih. The family is
of English descent, grandfather John James having immigrated to Vir-
ginia in an early day. whei'e he was prominently identified with the
tobaci-o business, having been an inspector of tobacco at Richmond for
a nnnd)ei- of yeai-s.
Samuel .lames was reared to manhood in the "Old Dominion State"
and came to Kentucky with his parents and their family of ten children
and located in the then vast wilderness in the eastern part of the state.
There the ](arents continued to reside until their death. Samuel James'
education was limited, owing to lack of facilities in that primitive re-
gion, but he managed to secure enough to be able to transact the oi-dinary
business of life. He remained in the home neighborhood until his mai'-
riage to Sallie Borah, a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch ancestry.
To this marriage there was born ten children, as follows: Jefferson, de-
ceased at sixteen years: JIagdalene, ^Irs. l>loyd Rodgers, of Kentucky;
her children are: Sarah, Emerson. .)ohn and .M]phonso I twins). Several
HISTORY OP MONTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 365
of thc-se sons arc (luiti' in-diuiuent in public life in the "Blue Grass State."
The third child of Saniucl Jaiiics was Joseph L. ; the next younger was
Lucy Jane, who married Captain Devol ; Sally, Mrs. Ho<-ers, of Ohio
county, Kentucky; S. Jl., also a resident of the home county; John A.,
killed" during the war; and Kelly, who died in infancy.
Joseph L. James was reared to manhood in the "Blue (Irass State,"
and on December 25, 1850, was joined in marriage with Martha A.
Shelton. This lady was a daughter of Ralph Shelton, of Butler county,
Kentucky, and came to Kansas with our subject, where she died October
25, 1892. Mr. James continued to reside in Kentucky until the year 1870,
when, on July 5, he arrived in Montgomery county and located on the
farm which is'now his home. His preemption consisted of one hundred and
sixty acres and consists of very fine land upon w^hich he has erected many
substantial improvements since the date of his settlement. He passed
through the hardships of the pioneers of that early day, but has a rich re-
ward in the splendid home which is the result of his labor.
During his residence in the county, Mr. James has taken an active
interest in the welfare of his community, serving in the ditferent unre-
munerative oflflces of school district and township and always evincing
a livelv interest in atfairs. A Democrat in his earlier years, he has, since
the rise of the Reform party, given his allegiance to the furtherance of
reforms in government as iiropc.sed by its platforms. In matters of relig-
ious moment, he and his family have been loyal supporters of the Church
of Christ, and have been a source of great strength to that denomination
since their coming to the county.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. James have all grown to mature
years and have families of their own. The eldest was Paulina A., born
bctoL)er 1, 1857, and died December 6, 1858; Sylvanus A., born January
17, 1853, married Melissa Webster and is a farmer of Rutland township ;
his children are: Hettie, Allan, Curen, Edith, Ella, Taul and Alice; Mary
James born March IS, 1855, married John Sewell, proprietor of a hotel
at Bolton ; her children are : Seymour, Lloyd, Etta, Mary, Gertrude, Grace,
Lilly and Ethel. Diogenes S., who is mentioned extendedly in this vol-
ume; Harry K., born September 11, 1858, is a farmer and school teacher,
and married Eliza Kelly; his three children are: Opal, Pearl and Ruby;
Aurora, born July 8, 18(i(), married William C. Sewell and lives in Fawn
Creek township with her children. Gentry, Annie, Walter, Stella, Harry,
Paul and James; Sally O., born April 17, 1862, lives in Oklahoma with
her husband, A. J. Puckett; Laura J., born April 21, 18G1, married John
Finle>. a druggist of Bartlesville, Indian Territory; Joseph B., born
Marcii 2C, 1860, married Ella Bell, of Caney township, and now resides
on Mr. James' farm with their daughter. Hazel Lucile; Martha A., born
June 18, 1868, is wife of Walter Hudson and lives in Rutland township
with their three children— Earl. Harold and Marie; Moriah A., born
366 HISTORY 01'' MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
.lamiiiiy L'C. ISTO. maiiicd Cniiio KolxMts and is a lanii.M- and school
leaclKi- in ()l<lah..nia : liicv iiav.- two cliildien— Kalpli and tVril.
MRS. MARY ItADKX— The subjiMt of this brief notice is a repre-
seniative of one <if the worthv and noted families of Montgomery couuty.
Sin(( the Centennial year she has resided in the city of Independence,
where she and her late husband attained prominence and substantiality
in social and commercial life.
Mrs. Haden is of pure (lernum stuck and was born in Ontario, Can-
ada, (in the lOth of JVbriiary, 1857. Her paients, George and Margaret
( Kichart ) Becker. \\ ere born in the French |)rovince of Alsace, now a
]iait <<■ the German Knijiire. ilrs. Becker was a daughter of George and
-Marg;, ret (Koth I Kichart audluidchildren, Mary, widow of John W. Baden
<if tins sketch: :Mrs. Anna Hiebler. of Mancos. Colorado; John, of Denver,
<'oloiado; Mrs. Kate Nessel, deceased; Mrs. Kmma Dittmer, of lude-
penchnce. Kansas; ^Mrs. Louise Condon, of Denver, Colorado; and Lena
Becker, who resides with Mrs. Baden.
(Jeorge Becker came to America a young man and settled in Canada,
whei( he was a resi<lent until IStio, when he brought his family into the
i'niicd States and esialilished himself, for a brief i)eriod. at Somouauk, Il-
linois In ISi'i!!. he idenlified himself thoroughly with the west and took
\i\< his location at Humboldt. Kansas. He is a farmer by occupation
and still resides near Humboldt.
.Mary (Becker) Baden grew to womanhood in Ihunboldt, Kansas.
Her education was limited by the character of the schools of the place
and at nineteen years of age she came to Montgomery county and made
tier home in Independence. February 22, 1879, she married John W. Baden
a rising young merchant of the city and a native of Hanover, Germany,
hi his family were brother and sisters, John W., Henry and I'eter. Mrs.
:Mary Dittmer, of ilontgomery county, was an only sister of these broth-
ers. John W. Baden learned the cooper's trade in Hannibal, Missouri,
where he first settled on coming to the United States. He came to Mont-
gomery county, Kansas, and ran a cigar factory in Independence for a
tinse. He engaged next in the grocery business in the county seat and, in
]iartner.ship with his brother, Henry, built up a large and tiourishing
business. He was shrewd as a financier and gave much promise of becom-
ing a man of great wealth. He was cut down in the prime of his useful
uess. April iT), l.SS!). a severe loss to his firm and to the community and an
irreparable loss to his family. He left five children, vi/.: Hl'nry, William,
John F., -Vnna M., Emma M. and George Edward.
.Mr. and Mrs. Baden's lives have shown best in lli(>ir work as citizens,
in behalf of their favorite church. Commendable religious seulimenls
<lon;irat(Ml their natures and in the Lutheran organization in Indeiiend-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTYj KANSAS. 367
ence tlieii* active work and (Leir influence have had a beneficieut etTect.
Mrs. Baden lias continued the good work begun by them both and wher-
ever a religious or an educational cause can be forwarded bj' a reasonable
api>enl to her generosity it is seldom withheld. She manifests a commend-
able ]mbiic s(iiri1 toward worthy objects which jjromise good to the fu-
ture and lends a friendly ear to the cause of public enterprise.
O. T. H.\V\V.\KD— For the past three years one of Elk City's most
successful financial institutions, the Elk City Bank, has been under the
management of the gentleman herein named. Mr. Hayward was, for
many years, one of the county's most successful farmers and still owns
one of the best four hundred- acre farms in the southern part of the
state. He became interested in banking several years ago and discov-
ered such an aptitude for the business as to cause his selection as presi-
dent of the above institution. The bank is one of the solid enterprises
of the town, having been doing business now for twenty-one years. It
is capitalized at $10,000, with .f30,000 surplus, and carries deposits ag-
gregating .f 124,730, with loans of ||152,.528. Its official roster is as fol-
lows, rresident, O. T. Hayward; vice-president, L. W. Myers; cashier,
W. 1>. flyers; directors, il". L. Stephens, J. W. Berryman, L. W. ISIyers,
W. 1>. Myers and O. T. Hayward.
(>. T. Hayward is a native of Illinois, born in Christian county,
January G, 1848. His parents were Robert and America (Lee) Hayward,
the fatiier a native of Connecticut, the mother of Virginia. They were
married in Christian county. Illinois, where they were among the earliest
pioneers of that section of the State. The mother died here, in 18.57.
She was a member of the Bresbyteriau church, a most devout woman and
"full of good works." The father died in 1868, at sixty-flve years. He
was not a communicant of the church, but was a great Bible student and
of most exemplary character. Their family consisted of thirteen children,
of whom but four are now living.
Mr. Hayward was reared to manhood on the home farm, receiving
a good common school education, and being well grounded in the homely
virtues incident to a well-ordered farm community. At nineteen, he began
working for himself and for three years continued in the home neigh
borh&od. An attack of "western fever" at this time culminated in his
settling in Montgomery county on a claim four and one-half miles east
of Elk City, in Louisburg township. He improved this for several years
and then purchased the first piece of the farm — which he now owns — later
adding to nuike up the four hundred acres. This farm is at present in
charge of one of his sons. The years of intelligent cultivation put upon
this piece of land by our subject resulted in its being classed among the
most desirable pieces of farm property in the county. He resided on the
368 IIISTOKY OF MONTGOMEKY COCNTY, KANSAS.
farm until 18 — . when he took up his residence in town. Mr. Hayward's
long connection with the agricultniists of the county makes him a famil-
iar tignie throughout This section and an undoubted authority on land
inveslnients. Socially, he attiliates with the Odd Fellows, in which or-
ganization he has tilled all the chairs, and in church counectiou, he and
his family are communicants of the ("hristian denomination. He votes
with I lie Democratic party.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ihiywai-d was an event of the ICth of
February, 18T:>. She was a daughter of -T. J. and Nancy (iregory. her
christian name being Sarah. Her i)aren1s now reside in Louisburg. To
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hayward have been born seven children:
Allie .1., .Mrs. Lair: Frederick, of Oklahoma; Adda May. Mrs. W. D.
Myers, of Elk City, with one child. Arlena; William Lee, a farmer at
Frederick, Oklahoina, married Bertha Rice, now deceased and has one
child, -lohn O. ; Minnie O., who married F. L. Johusou, of Columbia. Mis-
simri— one child, ILiyward; Walter W., resides on his father's farm, nuir-
ried I'dna Worley; (ieorge L„ a clerk in the bank; and Charles G.. a
schoolboy. These children are all splendid examples of what correct train-
ing will accomplish and are taking their part in the dift'ereut communi-
ties of which they are, working meniliers. ]Mr. H-ayward is a worthy ex-
ample of what industry and economy, coupled with sound business
sense, will do for the average American boy, and his career should be an
insiiiralion to the and)itious vouth of the day.
S.VMFEL HOWLBY' — A successful business man and tiuaucier of
Independence, and a gentleman whose presence in the west dates back to
(lie early sixties, when he identitied himself with the frontier and barren
region of ("alifornia, and, in 1880, cast his fortunes with Montgomery
countA, Kansas, is Samuel Bowlby, whose name precedes the introduc-
tion to this article. His name has gone abroad in the county as a dealer
and speculator in real estate and the winnings which have rewarded his
judgment have i)laced him, financially, among the solid and independent
men of the county. His more than a third of a century in connection
with .western meii and methods has thoroughly assimilated him and he
enters into the spirit of modern progress as a leader and not as a dull
follower in the wake of our inevitable fidvance.
Like the march of civilization, the Bowlbys have kept pace with the
westward advance from their oiiginal home in New Jer.-;ey, where
Thomas Bowlby was born, to the Alleghanies and the Mississippi valley,
acr()ss "the great American desert" to the silver-capped peaks of the
I{ockies. The arts of the husbandman have been pursued with every
halt and the slopes of the Mississippi basin, from Ohio to the crest of the
Bo.-kies. have responded to the family touch.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 369
A glance at the family history of the Bowlbys shows them to be in
digenous to the State of New Jersey, where Thomas Bowlby, the iiaterual
grand father of our subject, I'eared a family of nine children, as follows: lie-
becca. Ebenezer. Samuel C, Adam R., Jacob M.. Louisa, Mary, William I.
aud David. Adam R., our subject's father, was born October 28, 1804,
and died in Montgomery county, Kansas, in 185.5. His first wife was
Martha McDaniel, of Batestown, New Jersey, who died in 1831:, leaving
him two sons and a daughter, viz : John M., a farmer, of Maroa, Illinois,
who married Mary Ann Fitzwater and has children : Kittie, Elmer, ("ora.
Emma and Nona; the second son, W. I., mai'ried JIargret Haywood and
has two children, Birt and William ; and the daughter, Anna M., married
Mr. Carrel for her first husband and Mr. Saltzman for her second, and is
now I widow. Her children. Flora and Belle, are daughters of Mr.
Oarrei.
Adam R. Bowlby's second wife was Mrs. Mary McGrew. whom he
married in 1810. She was a native of Batestown, New Jersey, also, and
was born in 1810. She was a daughter of Samuel and Armina (Garey).
Oliver, who, in 1825, settled in Clermont county, Ohio, where Mary mar-
ried Andrew McGrew, whose three children were Martha, Thomas A. and
Oliver, surviving. The last named is a resident of Springfield, Illinois.
She and Mr. Bowlby were the parents of four childven, as follows: Sam-
uel, the subject of this sketch; Andrew M.. Armenia aud l>avid. An-
drew resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. Armenia was the wife of Daniel
Blosier. of Indejiendeuce. Kansas, and has children : Georgia, Birt. Jes-
sie (deceased). Samuel and Bonnie. David Bowlby is a farmer and
stocknian, near Stockholm, Oklahoma. In 1881. Daniel Blosier and wife
became residents of Independence, where the husband engaged in the
carriage business, in connection with Samuel Bowlby, of this review.
Some years later he removed to Springfield, Missouri, where he and his
wife both died. Samuel Oliver was born in 1783 and died in 1839, while
his wife was born in 1700 and died in 1852. Their children were: John,
Mary, William, Rebecca, Margaret, Caleb, Sally Ann, Susan and Samuel,
all born in Batestown, New Jersey.
In March, 1841, Samuel Bowlby was born in Clermont county,
Ohio. His youth was passed in the atmos])here of the farm and his life was
thus rural and his educational acquirement from the country school. He
left his native place, upon attaining his majority, and crossed the con-
tinent to the Pacific coast where, in California and Idaho, he spent the
next live years at work in the mines. He next engaged in the stock busi-
ness in Colorado and later dropped down into New Mexico, where he con-
tinued the same avocation and also became interested in mercantile pur-
suits. In 1880. he dis])osed of his ])ossessions in the mountains and es-
tablished his connection with Independence. Kansas, where he purchased
pvdiierly on Second street and. tor more than twentv rears, has been
|e I* t9 F» I* t'
370
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
iiiort' (II- less extensively enoaoed in handling city real estate. In 1888,
be betanie the owner of his jiresent home and i^everal farms near the city
are on the tax rolls in his iiaiiic.
In 1878. Mr. Bowlhy iiiairicd Murlha -T. Arnett. in Las Vegas, New
Mexico. Mrs. Bowlby was born in Madiscm connty, Arkansas, and is a
daughter of William and Martha -T. (Wood) Arnett, who, in 1868, iden-
tified themselves with the far west. :Mr. and Mrs. Bowlby's children are:
Dollic. born in 18T». died at six years old; Daisy May. born June 1, 1885,
died July 1. 1887; and Juanita. the youngest, was born January 1. 1890.
As a resident of Indei)endence. Mr. Bowlby has taken a sincere inter-
est in its nninicipal affairs, having served four years on its common
council. For a number of years he has been officially with one of its
institutions he assisted in organizing and has. for nineteen years, been a
member of its board of directors and a large holder of its stock. lie is
widely known throughout Montgomery county and an universally warm
and fViendlv feeling'is entertained for him wherever he is known.
MAKTIN L. STEPHEN!^— One of the very early settlers of Mont-
gomery county is the gentleman whose name heads this personal nara-
tive. He is the owner of a splendid estate of five hundred and sixty
acres in Louisburg township, in which he settled as early as 1868. He
has witnessed the gradual growth of the substantial improvements which
luis made his township noted for its handsome properties; his own not
losinii in comparison with the best.
.Mr. Stephens came to Kansas fiom Kentucky and settled first in
Jellcrson county, in May, 1869. but the m.mth of -Inly following he came
into .Montgomery county, where he has since resided and where his life
achievements have been wrought. He is a descendent of one of the pioneer
families of the "Corn Cracker State."' and was born in Whitley county,
in 1845. He was a son of Solomon and Rachel (^lurphy) Stephens, and
a grandson of Elisha and Sallie iRiclimondl Stephens. The grand-par-
cnts were from the first settlers of Whitley county, where their position
as farmers rendered them among the well known j.eople of their locality.
They brought ui> nine children in the old Kentucky home and there pass-
ed awav. the father in 1S(;4 and the mother in I'.MMt. The names of their
issue were: William. Solomon, l-^lizahcl li. -loci. .Margaret. -lames. Sarah.
Joshua and I'Jisha.
Tlie children of Solomon ami K'aclicl Stciilicns were: Sarah, who mar-
ried William Kyan and resides in Ellis comity, Kansas. Her children
are: Sidney, (iranvil. John, Elisha, Susan, Thomas. Welle, Martha and
William. Clark, the second child of Solomon, married Jennie Stevens,
having one child, named Lurinda. Nancy, the third, married W'illiam C.
West, a Tennessee farmer, and has issue: Catherine, Sarah and Wil-
# t •> ► » y^yAV»:,v,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 37 I
liani. Henry T., the fourth, resides on the old Stephens homestead, and
is the father of: I'rinces M., Harvey E., Bertis, I'earley May, Truey,
Alice, Ida ^Maude, Daisy Jewel, Henry Ernest, Atley Albert, Wni. i\.
Goodman, Susan Myrtle and Goldie E. Betsy, the fifth, became the wife
of Josejth Ryan, of P>utlervil!e, Ind., and has children: Jane, William,
Julia, Henry, John, Sarah, Lucretia, Malinda and Moses. I'atsie, the
sixth, of Solomon's family, married Richard Trammel and is a resident
of Whitley county, Kentucky. The next child, Elizabeth, married J. B.
Ryan, now a fiirmer of Rush county, Kansas, and her children are: Wil-
liam, Keziah. Francis, Martha and Sarah. The eighth child, Annie, mar-
ried Richard Wilson, of Elk City, Kansas, and is the mother of: John,
James Franklin, Nellie. Laura. Loretta and Wm. Harvey. Susan, who
married Marion Ryan, of Rice county, Kansas, lias children: Wil-
liam. Bettie Ann. Ella. Lottie, Volney, Ebin and Flossie. The tenth,
Solomon ;M. Stephens, married Susan Davis, of Whitley county. Ken
tucky. The eleventh, married Wm. Meadows, of Whitley county. Ken-
tucky, with children: Mary, Albert, Hettie. Edward and twins, Minnie
L. and ilaretta F., and Rachel and one, name unknown. Rebecca Jane,
the twelfth, died in infancy.
On the 2nth of July, 1879, Martin L. Stephens married Malissa. a
daugliter of -Tames and Eliza (Reno) .Javens, who settled in Louisburg
town^hiji. in 18Gft. and were emigrants from Beaver county. Pennsyl-
vania, where ^Irs. Stephens was born. To this marriage were the follow-
ing (hildren born: ^leshach M.. born February 27th, ISfil, married
]\Iyr1le McHenry, of Elk City, Kansas; has one son. named Herald
Paul: but reside in Louisburg township; Robert Herbert, born June
2nd, 1883; Josejihine, born August 9th, 1888; and Stella Alice, born Jan
uary 29th, 189.5.
Taking up the hardships of pioneer life, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are
entering the ])eriod of advanced age with all the comforts of life. The
industry and economy of earlier years was a guaranty of this condition
of inde])endeuce and their wise generosity with the things with which
bounteous nature has provided them shows our subjects' capacity to ap-
preciate and their ability to enjoy the material favors thus bestowed.
Mr. Stei)hens has given his endeavors to the cultivation of his farm,
l)ut has taken an interest in public affairs of his township as well. He
has acted with the Republicans, being one of that party, and was once
chosen treasurer of his township and member of the County High School
Board. He regards honor as the chief characteristic in man and prac
tices a high standard of it himself.
OLIVER P. GAMBLE — One of the pioneers of Montgomery county
gentleman who has been connected with the varied private affairs
2J2 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of liis i-ouiily, is Oliver I*. (Jainble. of IndciKMuleiu-e, the subject of this
sketch. He came to the county the 1:2th day of Aujjust, ]8(!!t, and located
on a claim in Independence township, which he imju'oved, partially, and
disposed of. and passed the next four years on a new farm near Table
Wound. In 1879, he moved into Sycamore township with his real hold-
iufjis. i.iid has since been accpiiriug tract after tract of its fertile soil, until
he is listed for taxes on seven hundred and forty acres of land. Since
ISSd. he has been a resident of Independence, giving his attention to labor
of a lighter and more congenial character than that of the farm and
where lie also has some substantial financial connections.
Oliver P. Oanible came to Kansas from Allegheny county. Pennsyl-
vania, where he was born August 14th. 184(1. His father, Samuel H.
Gamble, was born in the same county and state and was a son of John
Gamble, a paymaster in the army. War of 181L'. In civil life the" grand-
father was a school teacher, and hotel keeper on the Baltimore and
Washington turnpike. He died about 18G6, at the age of ninety years.
Samuel H. Gamble passed his life in his native county, was, by occupa-
tion, a farmer, and died in 1887. He was one of the following family :
Oliver. Samuel H.. Hiram, John. James and Mary.
Samuel H. Gjunble married Margaret Irwin, a daughter of John
Irwin, a representative of one of the old families of Allegheny county,
I'ennsvlvania. He lived an active and successful life, was a Democrat
"till the formation of the Eepublican party, when he changed politics
and became a Republican. His children were: Sarah, wife of Caleb
p:dmundson. of Allegheny county. I'a.; Harriet, deceased, married :Mr.
Breidenthal; Oliver 1*.. Dr. Jno. H., who died in 18D8; Rebecca, wife of
Wm. Hay den, of McKeesport, Pa.
inn- sul)ject passed his youth and eaily inaiihi>od in various em-
ployments, with coal-hauling and working on lock No. 3, on the ;NIonon-
galiela river predominating. At twenty-two years of age he enlisted in
("ompany "E." 155th Pa. Inf.. Col. E. J. Allen, and was in the service in
the war "of the Rebellion from August. 18()2, 'till April, 1803. His initial
tight was the battle of Second Bull Run, then followed Antietam and
Fredericksburg, where, December 13th, he was wounded in the right
elbow by "buck and ball" and put out of action. In April, 1803, he left
the service and as soon as he had recovered sufficiently to make a hand
at work, came out to Miami county, Kansas, where he secured employ-
ment with Wilson and Irwin, driving team for them on consliuctioii of
the Fori Scolt and Gulf railroad. He remained in that viciiiily lill iscii.
when, with a small sup])ly of legal tender, he made his way to .M(iiiti;oiiicry
county and became a permanent citizen.
For ten years after he left the farm Mr. Gamble was a contract
teamster in Independence, and, following this, he engaged with the rental
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEay COUNTY^ KANSAS. 373
and k-aii department of the Citizens National P.ank. wliei-e lie has charge
of a large and important bnsiness.
Tn February, 1874. Mr. Gamble married Harriet Hefiey, a daughter
of Levi Hefiey, a Kentuekv gentleman, who came to Montgomery county
early, from Belleview, Iowa. John and Cade Hefiey, brothers of Mrs.
Gamble, are well known citizens of Independence, and a sister, Mrs.
Lucinda Chapman, resides in Burden, Kansas, and another sister, Mrs.
Agnes Rowe, resides in Portland, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Gamble have
no children. Mr. Gamble is i)roniinent in local firand Army circles, is
Past Commander and attended the national encampment of the order
at Washington, D. C.
W ILLIAM S. ITAYS— On historic Squirrel Hill, where are now the
boulevards, the stately homes and the wealth and fashion of the city of
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, settled the head of a family whose posterity
is numbered among the substantial citizenship in our American daily
life, and whose antecedents include the good blood of some of the favored
families of the British Isles. James Fleming came from ^^cotland, in
1764, and settled at Ft. Pitt, where he opened the first store and pur-
chased a tract of land from the heirs of William Penn. This tract em-
braced about all of the land at the junction of the two rivers and the
high point overlooking the rivers and country below was called "Squirrel
Hill." Gen. Braddock opened this country with his military road in
1755, and with the growth of Pittsburg "Squirrel Hill" became the
famous suburb of the city. James Fleming was the maternal great-
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and the Flemings and the
Hays's fulfilled their missions and rendered useful and patriotic service
in many avenues of their country's development.
On his maternal grandmother's side Mr. Hays is a lineal descendent
of the famed Flora McDonald who. although offered thirty thousand
pounds by the enemies of Charles Edward for the surrender of the fugi-
tive prince, refused to reveal his identity and saw him safely aboard a
French man-of-war, disguised as her maid. Her niece, born in Glasgow,
Scotland, in 1776, was our subject's grandmother, and she died on "Squir-
rel Hill" in 1874. James Fleming, grandfather of our subject, reared
eight sons and two daughters, of whom Lewis, a veteran of the Rebel-
lion, died April 9th, 1903; Josiah, who raised a comj)any at New Orleans
about 1835, to fight for the freedom of Texas from Mxican oppression, and
was betrayed by Santa Anna's men in Texas, who murdered twenty-seven,
in all. of this company ; James was a wealthy Southerner, who had a po-
sition in the navy j'ai'd at Norfolk, Va., and furnished sons for "Stone-
wall" Jackson's army; William Hays was drowned in the Monongahela
river while attempting to rescue a man; Willason Hays died while pass-
374 IIISTOKV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
ing tlii-ougb the IiHiian Tenitoiy, in 18."):!; and Robert died in California.
Tliis i)ran(li of tlie Ilays family emanated from Roliert Hays, grand-
fathf-r of William S. Hays, of this review, who came to America from
Ireland at fonr years of age, dnring, or just after, the Revolutionary
war. Robert Hays mai-ried a Hughey, who came to this country from
Scotland when very young, with the Neals — her cousins — who were mur-
dered by the Indians at Bloody Run, Pa., in 178(1. Kphraim Hays was
one of a family of eight children, and married Mary Fleming, both of
whom died near I'ittsbnrg. I'a., at sinentyeight and seventy-six years,
respectively. Their children were: (ieorge. who died young; ilaggie
and Emily', who reside in Pittsburg; Mary, who died in 10(11; Robert, of
Steubenville, Ohio; James P.. of Haltimore. .Md., the father of the <mly otl-
spring of this family; and William S., our subject.
Dr. George Hays. Colonel of the 8th Pennsylvania Reserves, and
Gen. Alexander Hays, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, are
of the same family as the subject of this notice. Hugh Hays, who died in
Louisville, Kentucky, was the father of Will S., the poet and ballad-
writer and stalf correspondent of the Courier-Journal. Dock and Robert
Havs, lawyers of Louisville, and K. W. Hays, cashier of the First Nat-
ional bank of Kentucky for thirty-live years, were also sons of Hugh
Havs, and belonged to the same general family.
' William S. Hays came to manhood about Pittsburg, Pa. When he
took uji the serious 'duties of a loyal citizen it was to enter the army as a
private in ('omi>aiiy "<'," l():?rd I'a. Inf., in 1861. His regiment formed
a part of the Army of I lie Potomac and, for lack of space, eliminating
interesting details df his service and contining the sketch to the main
facts of our subject's history, we find him, rain-soaked, in front of the
Rebel forliticat ions at Williamsburg on the night of May nth, 1802. He
was with McClellan's army, chilled to the bone, yet ready to renew battle
when dawn should break. ' He was the first of a number of volunteers to
respond to a request for tree-climbers, to investigate the jjosition of the
<»nemy's forces, and found them to have retreated to Richmond. Mr.
Hays belonged to Casey's Division of the 4th Corps, which sufliered so
severely at the hands of the Confederates at Fair Oaks and Seven Pines,
and our subject was probably nearer the Rebel capital at this time than
any oilier "boy in blue," until its evacuation.
On the night of May 30th, 1862, Hays and McKee, bunk-mates, were
stationed on tlie Fortress Monroe and Richmond road, in a down-pour of
rain, and in the morning, cold and hungry and still unrelieved. No fires
wei'e jrllowed on i)icket and McKee said: "I'll dig a hole and build a fire
bcldir the i)ickct line," they were in such distress. A few pine knots and
a malcii soon had their cofl'ee steaming, when, suddenly, a voice called
■out, Mhat smells awful good, Yank. I wish I had some"! A rebel picket
was within twentv feet of them and undiscovered. "All right. Johnnie,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 375
what have you to trade?" "Nothing"! "Nothing to trade, nothing to
eat," said the Yanlis. "Can you swap a Richmond paper for coffee?"
And in about twenty minutes McKee and the Johnnie had made the ex-
change and the news that Joe Johnston's army of 05,(100 men was fixing
to gobble up a part of McClellan's army was gleaned, and between twelve
and one o'clock the whole of the Rebel army started the fun by paying
their respects to Hays and McKee. McKee fired at the rebel skirmish
line, the rebel picket clipped the brim of McKee's hat. Hays got in
the third shot and the tremendous engagement was on. The two Yan-
kee pickets were too late in retreating and were made prisoners and
started toward Libby prison. A cannon ball struck a tree presently and
so scattered the cavalry escort that our Federal friends made their es-
cape among the pines. As Mr. Hays came along to different Union bat-
teries, he found them horseless and almost manless, and some of them in
the hands of the enemy. He aided in dragging Fitch's battery through
Gen. Couch's Division, a half mile to the rear, and got it into action. It
was in this engagement that Mr. Hays met a son of his uncle, Fleming,
whose sons went into the Confederate army. They exchanged experi-
ences afterward and it was discovered that at several places they had
faced each other in deadly conflict. Continuing through the period of
his service, Mr. Hays was in every engagement or raid his company took
part in. in one of which every third man in it was killed or wounded.
At the close of the war there was not much left of the original 103rd
Pennsylvania regiment. Five years after the wai*, three companies of
it had not a survivor, and nearly the whole of the regiment had either
been killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
Ju the performance of duty, Mr. Hays was always willing and
prompt, as a soldier, and the fear of man was not in him. When ofl:
duty, he often ventured far beyond the lines of the camp, irrespective of
the proximity of guerrilla bands, and the boys claimed that he knew
everybody within five miles of camp. Just before the end of the war.
Colonel Leghman ordered him off of the picket line and into the hospital
for treatment, and the surgeon who examined him, discharged him and
sent him home to die. "But Bill wouldn't die. His mother patched him
up with some herbs" and his iron constitution did the rest. Although
he recovered, he is troubled with a recurrence of his army aflfliction, pe-
riodically, and has frequently been brought "near death's door. While
his service and his ailments from service would entitle him to be a pen-
sioner on the roll of honor, he has never drawn one cent from the gov-
ernment since it settled up with him at the close of the war.
Resuming civil life, Mr. Hays went south, but found the feeling
against the Union soldier too bitter to warrant his remaining, and he
took Horace Greely's advice and "came west to grow up with the coun-
try." In 1868, he camped on the Osage Diminished Reserve for the first
37^ HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
time and roamed over the southwest awhile. Deciding to locate in
ilonlgomery county, he first located a claim at the junction of the Verdi-
gris and Elk rivers, hut the sudden overflow caused him to change his
plans and he entered land just belowHell's Bend," on the Verdigris,
"where Hell broke loose regularly, once a week." He fought off and out-
stayed the claiiii-jniiiiiers, destroyi'd llieir foundations and tore down
their houses, while he, himself, nuide his home in his wagon-box.
Ee engaged in the cattle business in his new home and was dis-
puted the right to either cut hay, or even live on the land. After some
trouble, peace was made with Mad Chief and his band of Osages, and lit-
tle, save the thieving and ])etty offenses of the In.dians and Hell's Bend's
gang, served to worry or disturb the pioneers. Mad Chief was a lieuten-
ant iii "Beever's band," the chief of which accosted Mr. Hays with the
query as to why he was there, and ended the interview with the threat
that every white man would be driven oft' of the reservation. The pow-
wow ended in a compromise between Hays and the Indians, after a day's
wrangle. Hays agreeing not to put up hay only on the Elk river bottom.
He permitted the Osage ponies to feed at the stacks in winter, and
presented the chief a beef, whenever the cattle were brought in. Mr.
Hays' first hay was burned by Indians as soon as it was put in windrow.
On one occasion, Mr. Hays broke up the firing of his haystacks
by the Indians, by taking one of them oiit of the crowd and driving
him across the prairie, for punishment, at the hands of the Indian agent.
At another time, he returned a bunch of horses to some timid settlers
from a northern county, simply going into a corral where the Indians
had driven them, cutting them out and driving them off, after the band
had demanded money for their ransom, and refused to deliver them up
to their owners. At several times, Mr. Hays was ordered off the reserva-
tion by the agent, but he forgot to go. Because of his firmness with the
Osages, some of them felt a grievance toward our subject, and made ef-
forts to run him off, but they made no headway at this. This dissatis-
faction continued till the spring of 1870. when the Osages fired all the
hay hf" had and left him without feed for his stock, burned some of the
cattle in the corral, and many calves in the prairie grass.
From 18C9 to 1871, there were three log houses burned on Mr. Hays'
claim, two box houses destroyed and four log foundations cut up and
burned. His claim was ordered vacated by the agent, who told him,
through letters, that he never should have a foot of the Diminished Re-
serve. Once he sent V. S. Marshal Hargrave to arrest him and take
him out of the Indian country, but for some good reason, the marshal
didn't do it, and after an ac(|uaiutance had sprung up between them,
Harnravc said, one day. "Bill, if I had known the kind of a man you are,
I don'l know where you would be today. I started 1o arrest vou once,
by (irdci- of I. T. Cilison. and on my way up I met a lot (if Osages going
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 377
down to the agent with a story of youv 'round-nji' with them, and the
version they gave of the affair, led me to think yon were the devil, and
I had no business with you without soldiers."
Every summer, for fourteen years, Mr. Hays spent the summer on
the trail. He operated in Kansas and the Territoi-y and everybody
seemed glad to meet "Bill Hays." from Red river to the Kansas line. He
had several hundred acres fenced, in the Cherokee Nation, and, under the
act of the Touncil. no man was allowed to fence more than fifty acres.
But many fenced a thousand acres and, often, the Cherokee officer's depu-
ties came along, with their wire cutlers, and let down fences evei-y-
where. An old Irish woman complained to the authorities that "it bate
the divel that thim bonus coot ivry body's fince but thot mon Hoais, and
divel the bit did the slinks touch et !"
The region of the Tei-ritory was a wild country until recent years.
It was full of bandits and petty thieves, and the only two subjects dis-
cussed by them, apparently, was "cattle and kill.'' The marshal
rounded up a motley crowd of law-breakers every year, and yet each
year the crop grew larger. Mr. Hays was brought into contact with
them, in the course of his work, but escaped their wrath, and had no se-
rious mixu]) with them. The Daltons were luxd. but no wor.se than some
other.-s. He met them often, and saw them the day they lay dead in Cof-
feyville, when they tried to outdo Jesse .lames, by robbing two banks at
once.
In manner and bearing, Mr. Hays is unassuming and unpretentious.
He is averse to i)ushing himself forward and reserves no special merit
to himself. He has led a successful life and been a conspicuous and use-
ful citizen of Montg(unery county, and it is meet that some such ex-
tended mention of his experiences as this should ai)pear in a history
of his own county. He has never married, having passed his life in the
families of neighbors or tenants, and being "uncle" to them all.
Farmingandtheraisingof stock have constituted only a small portion
of the interesting experiences in the life of Mr. Hays. He was in the
banking business, when the panic of 1892 came on, and the story of his
defense of the depositors, against the attemi)ted assimilation of the
bank's funds, to their own advantage, by some of those near to the insti-
tution's management, would furnish something of a sensation to the
patrons of the defunct bank.
Mr. Hays makes no pretense to i)olitical leadership and has little
sympathy for professional politicians. He has no use at all for the
chronic office-seeker, and not the greatest regard for the candidacy of
any man looking for votes. However, against his wishes, he was nom-
inated, in 1881, for county commisioner, and was pitted against the
"political sweep-stake as a vote-getter in Montgomery county," whom
he defeated. It was during his official incnmbency that the outstanding
378 UlSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
warrants of the county were called in, paid off and cancelled, and the
countT levy reduced from one dollar to seventy cents. The county did
business on a cash basis and, so far as the member from Sycamore was
concerned, "the board turned its l)ack on all proposed contracts that
contained nothing but cheap talk, smiles and boodle.""
THOMAS FRANKLIN BURKE— Ex-register of deeds, Thomas F.
Burke, of Independence, has resided in Montgomery county twenty
years. Fourteen years of that time he was engaged in farming in Syca-
more township, and only abandoned rural pursuits to assume public
office, to which he had just been chosen. After five years of official ser-
vice, in one of the most important jiositions in the gift of the people of
Montgomery county, he retired, and became a member of the real estate
firm of Heady & Burke.
Mr. Burke's parents were early settlers of Macon county. Illinois,
Micajah Burke, his father, emigrating from Hardin county, Kentucky,
in 1832, and founding the family on the bleak prairies of the ^'Sucker
State." Virginia was the original American home of the family, and
early in the century just iKist, John H. Burke, grandfather of our sub-
ject," joined the throng of immigrants to Kentucky, remained there some
years, and accompanied his son, Micajah. into :Macon county, Illinois,
where he died, in 1854. He was a shoemaker by trade, married and had
a family of two sons and six daughters. James P.urke was his other son
and Lp brought up a family in Illinois.
Micajah Burke was born in Virginia in lS(i:', and died in 1803. The
labor of the farm furnished him with employment through life and he and
his wife, nee Lucy Ann Pasley, of Kentucky, reared a family of seven chil-
dren. Mrs. Burke was a daughter of Rev. Henry H. Pasley, a Methodist
minister of Hardin county, who was a native of the State of Kentucky.
Mrs. (Pasley) Burke died" in 1802, at seventy-two years of age, being the
mother of: John IL. of Macon county. Illinois; James W., deceased;
Robert Y., of lola, Kansas; Thomas F.. Adelpha f"., deceased, wife of
Henry Stevens, of Macon county, Illinois; Josejih W.. of the home county
in Illinois; and Lewis \K. of Pueblo, Colorado.
Thomas F. Burke grew up in the country where school advantages
were not (tf the first order. His enlistment in the army, for service in
the Civil war, marked his exit from the domestic and parental fireside.
He joined Company "A," One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry,
first. Col. Tupper, and, later. Col. I\Iaddox. The regiment formed a part
of Grant's army, operating on the Mississipi)i river, and its first engage-
ment, in which Mr. Burke participated, was at Haines" Bluff. Then
came Champion Hills, and the siege and capture of Vicksburg. The
armv then came up the river to Memphis, and started on its journey from
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 379
there to join the Federal troops, operating in the east. Mr. Burke took
part in the Jlissionary Ridge battle and was present, with his regiment,
at the relief of Oen. Biirnside. at Knoxville. Tennessee. During that win-
ter, the command with which Mr. Burke was serving, was stationed at
Larkinsville. Alabama, and the following spring, it took up the work of
the Atlanta campaign, at Resaca. Georgia. Was in battle at Dallas. Big
Shanty and Kennesaw Mountain, in which latter the troops charged the
Confederates and cai)tured their redoubt. The One Hundred and Six-
leentli then went to Rossville. Georgia, on orders, and was in the fight
of the 21st and 22d of September, in front of Atlanta. On the 28th, it
was at Ezra Chapel, where Mr. Biirke was struck on the head with a
Rebel ball, which, in time, caused blindness of the right eye. After a
term in the hos]>ital. at ^Marietta. Georgia, he returned to his regiment,
and was in the fight at Jonesboro. The command then marched back
to Atlanta and followed Hood to the Tennessee river, near Chattanooga;
returned to Atlanta and took up the march "to the sea." Mr. Burke pai"-
ticipaled. with his company, in the charge on Ft. McAllister, at Savan-
nah, in which engagement he was color bearer, and he believes he placed
the first banner of the stars and strijies on the Rebel works. At Savannah
the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois was embarked aboard a ship
for Pocataligo, South Carolina, where it disembarked and went to
Charleston and on to Goldsboro. North Carolina. Took part in the
engagement at Bentonville. North Carolina, marched on through
Raleigh, to Petersburg, and into Richmond. Virginia, the late Confeder-
ate capital. Leaving there, the army marched to the Grand Review at
Washington, D. C and terminated its services and celebrated its vic-
tories in the grandest military display the world ever saw. Mr. Burke
was discharged at the Capital, but was mustered out at Springfield, Illi-
nois, with a promotion from private to color-sergeant, and with three
years of arduous and patriotic service to his credit.
On returning to his old home, our subject donned the habiliments:
of a farmer and resumed civil pursuits where he left off three years be-
fore. For thirty-two yeai's. in Illinois and in Kansas, he continued at
his favorite calling, and only separated from it at the liehest of the
people to assume public ofHce.
October 22, 1871. Mr. Burke married Ellen Nesmith. a daughter of
Samuel Nesmith, a lawyer by jirofession and an Ohioan by birth. The
Nesmiths were English, their family home being Londonderry, which this
branch left, came to America, and settled at Londonderry, Connecticut,
awav back in Colonial times. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Burke are:
Walter S., of Denver, Colorado; Alice G., wife of Morris Humes, of Em-
poria. Kansas; Bessie F., and Arthur N., of Denver, Colorado.
In his political life, Mr. Burke is an avowed Republican. He has
ever taken a keen interest in local politics, and was first elected Register
380 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of Deeds in November, 1897, by a majority of sixty-six vots, being the
only candidate on his ticket to ''pnll tlirough." In 1899. he was reelected,
this time receiving a majority of three hundred aud fifty-two votes, and
being again the only Republican candidate to win on tlie county ticket,
except the surveyor and coroner. His service as county recorder was ef-
ficient and ])ains-tnking and it included the time from January, 1898, to
•Tanuarv. 19n:{.
THOMAS WHISTLER— What shall Montgomery do when these
"first settlers" have ])assed to their reward? There seems to have been
something in the virgin soil of her boundless ])rairies which inoculated
them with the virus of contentment and good nature, x'fitriotism and
devotion to the state of their ado])tion. They broke the sod and from its
upturned loam, drew inspiration for the battle of life, which carried
them safely through the heat of the day, aud which still gives forth its
benign influences as they enter the evening shades. Retired from the
activities of life, they yet exercise a potent influence in the conduct of
afi'airs in the wise council whicli they give to the younger generation.
In Thomas Whistler, of Elk (Mty, is found one of these first settlers
of the county, the singularly correct life which he has lived having
brought to him, in a large measure, expressions of appreciation aud
good cheer from a very wide circle of friends. Mr. Whistler is a native
of Maryland, born in the county of Baltimore, November 9, 1836. Samuel
Whistler, his father, and Elizabeth Ford, his mother, were natives of
Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, and in their day, were loyal
and respected citizens, whose lives were without blemish. The father
was a worker in iron and also followed the plow in season. He died at
the age of fifty-six years, his wife surviving him some years, and passing
away during the CO's. There was a family of six children: Abram,
John and Elizabetii are now deceased; Lottie, Mrs. Richard Herbert, a
widow, living in Pennsylvania; Mary, Mrs. Thaddeus Crow, resides in
Virginia ; and the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Whistler was reared to the rigors of farm life, and there devel-
oped that constitnlion which has carried him through iiearly seven
decades of a busy life. He worked on the home farm until September
of 18r.2, when he caught the step, which swung past him, for the battle-
fields of the south and took up arms for the defense of the L^nion. His
enlistment was as a private soldier in Company "G," Second Maryland
Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Potomac. His service was entirely in
the east, his company being in many of the great struggles which took
place between Lee and the dift'erent leaders on the Union side, and stood
grim i'.nd silent across the ])athway of that i)roud chieftan at Ai)])omat-
tox, as he vainly endeavored to extricate himself from the toils. During
3ENI. MURFHY.
ill men lire equal before
1 to till until
! . which was
married. The wife of his youth was
(■ied in 1856, and who died at twenty-
.hildreur Mary and John. The
:^i«minent factor in-the county's
f)f tvv.s't, ;I!m1 is Tlo^T a ropro-
nndinpntt*'?
m
(iver 'lie vast loalm. and introduce an active, enorjjetic force, armed witli
the arts of peace and with a single thought — the building of homes. In
this category of distinguished jtersons, our subject, Benjamin Murphy,
belongs. He was here in Montgomery county among the first, neigh-
bored— according to the custom — for a time, with the aborigines, and
from the day of his advent, was consumed with the idea of achieving
a home. It was the 1st day of November, 18G8, that he, with others from
the same fioint. located on Elk river, taking his claim in section 9, town-
ship 32. range 15. and also a part of section 10, embracing a quarter sec-
tion, in all, which he imjuoved and resided on for many years. His home
is almost on the bank of the sinuous Elk and the substantial character
of his domicile indicates the permanence which swaved him in an carlv
day.
V.v. Murphy had been a resident of Kansas for ten years when he
settled in Montgomery county. He was a jiioneer to ("oft'ey county and
settled near LeRoy. from which point he brought Jiis family to Mont-
gomery county, in 1 Stilt. He was born in Posey county. Indiana, Jan-
uary k;, l!S:}4. and is a son of Jesse Murphy, who went with his father,
James Murphy, into Posey county, in 1804. ifrom North Carolina. James
Murphy left Indiana and went to the Republic of Texas, where he could
own slaves, and died in Anderson county, now the State of Texas, in
1861. His first wife was Elizabeth Cox, who died in Posey couuty. In-
diana, being the mother of six sons, namely : Jesse, John, Aaroji , James,
who died in Oregon, Noah, and Thomas, who died in Texas. John died
in Il.'JDois. ;ind Noah and Aaron died in Indiana, while Jesse died in Illi-
nois, in isno. (irandfather Murphy was a soldier in the war of isii.', and
helped fight the battle of Tippecanoe, under Gen. Harrison.
Jesse Jhirphy was. like his father, a farmer. He married Sarah
Russell, who suivivcil liim two yrais. ami bore him four children, as
follows: William, nf Illinois; .lames, dc.i^ased; John, who lives in Illi-
nois, and Henjamiii, our subject. These sons grew u]) in the new coun-
try of Illinois, where there were few opportunities for boys without
means and no advantages for an education worth the name. The con.se-
(pienci' was. P.enjamin learned little beyond reading, writing and a smat-
tering of arithmetic. March ti. IS.jO, he married Sidney Tiner. a daugh-
ter of Richard Tiner. from Tennessee. Mrs. Tiner wasa Jenkins. Mrs.
Sidney Murphy died in Montgomery couuty. Kansas, in 1873, leaving
nine diildren. namely: Richard and Elnora, who died without heirs;
Queen \'.. wife of Henry Primmer, of Pueblo. Colorado; William, of
Labette county, Kansas; Emma, Mrs. John Hooper, of Montgomery
county, Kansas; (Jeorge, of Independence, Kansas; Effie, wife of J. H.
Carpenter, of the Indian Territory; Jesse, and Ida, wife of William
McCjoud. January 25, 1876, Mr. .Miirjiliy manicd .Mrs. Maria McCarney,.
widow of Thomas McCarnev. and a daughter of John and Zeruah (Barn-
HISTORY OF MOXTOOMERT COUXTY, KANSAS. 383
hard) Black. Mr. IJlack emigrated from his native State of Pennsyl-
vania, to Morrow county, Ohio, where Mrs. Murphy was born, but now
resides with our subject, at eighty-eight years of age. Mrs. Murphy was
born August 12, 1843, and is the third child of her parents, the others
being: Henry, of Gi'eenwood county, Kansas; Ann E., wife of Joseph
Underhill ; Lydia, wife of William Sterling, of Henning, Minnesota.
Ezra ^IcCarney, of Independence, Kansas, is Mrs. Murphy's first child.
Her others are Ada, deceased; Cora, wife of James H. Newmaster, of
Montgomery county, and Earl, yet under the parental roof.
Benjamin Murphy left Illinois in 1858, with an ox team, bound for the
prairies of Kansas. He had scarcely become acclimated, when he respond-
ed to Ihe call of the President for troops to put down the rebellion of 1861.
He enlisted in Company "F," Ninth Kansas Cavalry, at lola. under
command of Col. Lynde, and served on the border, between Missouri and
Kansas, and in Arkansas and the Indian Territory, during his three
year's period of enlistment. He was in the battle of Prairie Grove, and
Newtonia, and saw much skirmishing and rough-and-tumble service. His
three and one-half years experience in the tield fitted him for a life on the
border and among the Red Men, when he came to settle in Montgomery
coiinty. Nopawalla's band of a few hundred Osages. was camped
not far from his homestead, and Chetopa and Strike Axe were farther
up Elk river, with the warriors of the tribe, and with these bands some
little intercourse was indulged in by the settlers. The collecting of trib-
ute ofl of the settlers and the satisfying of an unsatiable appetite, from
the larders of the same, were the uses to which said settler was put. The
Red JMan also indulged in a little horse stealing, to break the monotony
of the seasons, but the losses of the "Pale Face" on account of this di-
version were insignificant.
Mr. Murphy has participated, with his fellow townsmen, in the af-
fairs of local government, and has never failed to take the interest of
a good citizen in political contests. He has served on the school board
and ouce was postmaster of the little town of Radical. He holds a mem-
bershii) in the United Brethren church.
CAPT. LYCT'RGUS C. MASON— In the following biographical re-
view, posterity is tendered the salient events in the life record of the pio-
neer, patriotic and honored citizen, of Independence, Capt. L. C. Mason,
The date of his settlement, the period of his residence and the distin-
guished character of his citizenship, all conspire to render him a person
of renown, and it is these attributes which furnish the inspiration for
this article, and the honor of the man which justifies its production.
The oracle of fate decreed his nativity a hallowed spot. Born where
■was nurtured the youth of our martyred President, and where conditions
j'^4 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
and (ir.unisiances jiistilied his siigjiestive but f()iiiiiioni)lace titlo of
"Kailsplittev." Lvciiryus <'. Mason grew up, amid the sarred memories of
the Tresident's youth, and came to manhood, strengthened and animated
by the success of his public life. A native of Indiana, and of Spencer
county, ("apt. ilason was born October 1. 1840. His father. Christopher
J. Mason, was born in Ohio county, Kentucky, in 1813, and grew up and
married, in liis native county. Ellen Morgan, and in 1832, crossed the
sinuous and watery boundary of the state and settled in Spencer county.
Indiana. There the frontier couple established themselves, in the heavy
woodland, and began the process of hewing oiit a home. Like many of
the Kentucky pioneers, the Masons were from Virginia, where J. H. Ma-
son, the grandfather of our subject, was born, nuirried Elizabeth Jack-
son, a cousin of the famous ex-President and expounder of Democratic
doctrine, and. about 18(MI. took his family into the new Commonwealth
of Kentucky, (irandfathcr ]\Ias{in was born about 1779 and died in Han-
cock county. Kentucky, in 1S()3. His children were eight in number, and
none, save Christopher J., emigrated from his Kentucky home. They
were: James. Joseph, Henrv, Christopher J., .Marv, Margaret, Jane and
Elvira.
Christoidier J. ;Mason sjient sixty-four years near the scene of his
Indiana settlement, contributed no little to the material and internal
develoiiment of his county, and died in October, 1896. forty-nine years
after the death of his wife. Their children were: Coi-delia J., wife of
Dr. J. H. Houghland, of Rockport. ludiana ; W. T.. a banker of Ihe same
city; and Cajit. Lycurgus, of this notice.
<i rubbing, sprouting, rail-making, farming and, lastly, attending
school, constituted the annual routine of L. C. Mason's early life, with
strongly marked emjihasis ui)on the physical occupations. Getting an
education was insignificant, in comparison with the physical developer^
chopping and grubbing — and if he dug into his books half as much as he
dug into the ground, he was sure to become an accomplished scholar.
In October. 1861. he enlisted in Company "P"." Fifty-eighth Indiana Vol-
unteers. Capt. Crow's company, regiment in command of Col. Carr. ilr.
Mason was mustered in as a sergeant of his company, and the regiment
was ordered to Louisville from Princeton. Indiana, and it became a part
of the Army of the Cumberland. Ater the battles of Stone river, Chick-
amauga and Missionary Kidge. our subject was transferred to the engi-
neering corjis. with the rank of first lieutenant. His was a company of
pontoniers. and aided in bridging every important stream from Chatta-
nooga to Atlanta, from which latter point it went with Sherman's army
to the sea. The Captain's company helped bridge all the streams about
Savannah, and. after the fall of that city, marched north through the Car-
olinas with the victorious Federal forces. On to Richmond, building
bridges enroute and, finally, to Washington, D. C, where it participated
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 385
ill tho Gniiid review. At Savannah, our subject received his cajjlain's coni-
misnion, and was in command of bis company from then to the final mus-
ter out and discharge, at Indianapolis, in August, 186.^.
On resuming civil pursuits, Capt. Mason engaged in the produce and
tobacco business, flat-boating on the Ohio river. He engaged in traffic
with planters along the lower Mississippi river, and occasionally made
trips to New Orleans. For five years — 1866 to 1871— he followed this
species of domestic commerce and closed the business with an accumu-
lation of some capital and a roving and wandering habit. His army life,
also, contributed to his spirit of unrest, and he came west in response to
this peculiar mental bent. He came to Cherryvale, by rail, and staged
it across to the new town of Independence, in Montgomery county, Kan-
sas. His first home in the county was the Caldwell House, then kept by
Larimer & Allen, and named in honor of U. S. Senator Caldwell, of
Kansas. At Humboldt, enroute, he met Lyman U. Humphrey, who in-
duced the Captain to become a citizen of southern Kansas. He spent
the first two years as a loan broker and drifted, gradually, into grain,
pork J nd cattle buying, following it till 1876, when he purchased a farm
in the Verdigris bottom, just east of the county seat, and entered upon
its cultivation and imjirovement. His farm now embraces .seven hundred
acres, as valuable an estate as the county aff'ords. He owns much valua-
ble property in Independence, and his homestead on the east bluff, over-
looking the valley of the Verdigris, is one of the handsome places iu the
city. He is a heavy stockholder in the First National Bank and has
been vice-president of the institution since 1887.
Captain Mason is well known as a Republican, lie was iionored by
his townsmen, in 1881, to the chief magistry of the city, and was re-
elected to the otfice the following year. He has declined other political
honoiv, preferring private life to the encumbrances and annoyance of
public office.
After two years spent in Jloutgomery county, ("apt. Mason started,
June 1. 1878, on an extended tour of Europe. He loft New York and
reached (Jlasgow, Scotland, without important incident. He visited, re-
spectively, Edinburg. Loudon, Amsterdam, up the Rhine to Vienna,
where he attended the "AA'orld's Fair" two weeks, being honorary com-
missioner to the celebration from Kansas. He visited, next, Trieste, Ven-
ice, Rome. Naples, saw Mt. ^Vsnvius and the leaning tower of Pisa, was
on top of St. Peter's cathedral in Rome, passed through the German Em-
pire and capital, viewed the Swiss mountains and the beautiful city of
Geneva, passed through Lyons and spent some time in Paris, France.
While in (Sermany visited Strasburg, and in Berlin saw the great soldier
and Emperor, William I, of Prussia. He returned to London from Paris
and visited the Parliament House and other noted places, saw the great
commercial jiort of the world. Liverpool, and sailed for America from
3»t) niSTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Glasfrow in Sopteniber, reaching; home in October, after an absence of
four months.
October 23, 1873, Capt. Mason married Mary V. Britton, an Indiana
lady and a daughter of Thomas P. Britton. whose ancestors were also
Virginians. Thomas P. Britton was married to Miss Evaline Bayless, a
native of Tennessee, but of Virginia ancestors, August 21, 1829. Mrs.
Mason is proud of the fact that her great-grandfather, Benjamin Bayless,
was a revolutionary soldier. She had several uncles who served in the
Mexican war and also had a brother in tlie Mexican war, and one. Frank
L., served in the Civil war, 18G1-6.5, and was a prominent man in Texas
during the reconstruction period. Oen. Forbes Britton, a graduate of
West Point, uncle of Mrs. Mason, was very prominent in the settlement
of Texas. Mrs. Mason was born in Spencer ccmnty, Indiana, in 184.'5, and
is the mother of Evaline E. and Eugenia Mason, educated and accom-
plished daughters and the life of the family circle. Capt. Mason is a mem-
ber of the ]\lasonic fraternity in a dual sense, holds a membershij) in For-
titude Lodge and his daughters belong to the Eastern Star. Their suj)-
])ort in religious nmtters is given to the Presbyterian <hur<li. of which
the family are consistent members.
WILLI A]N[ LASSEY— Since the year 1S78, the subject of this per-
sonal review has been a citizen of Montgomery county, Kansas. Until
lecentlv. he maintained a leading position as a farmer in West Cherry
townsliip, but is ntnv withdrawn from active affairs and is in modest re-
tirement in the city of Independence.
With no atlcinpt at extravagance in statement, the Lasseys have
been aggressive Ainciicans and have been a jtositive factor in our internal
development. \^ ln'ivvcr fortune has cast llicm, the members of this branch
of the familv have .Hcupied a conspicuous [.lace as citimis and, in peace
or in war. duty's first call has been obeyed. As artisans or as farmers
have they led lives of usefulness, and with this brief reference to their
position "the life storv of our subject is here narrated.
William Lassev was born in Monroe county. Michigan, Novendier 20,
1841. His parents. William and Mary (Richardson) Lassey, were im-
migrants from Yorkshire. England, where the father was born in 1808.
In'lS^a, the latter came to the United States and resided for two years
in the State of Massachusetts, going thence to Monroe county, Michigan,
where, near the town of Monroe, he erected the first paper mill built in
the "Wolveiine State." He was a millwright by trade and was employed
at this and in the operation of factory and farm for more than forty
years. His wife died after their fourth child was born, and for his sec-
ond wife he married Mrs. .Jane ( Inglis) (lardner, a Scotch lady, who
bore him two children and died in Montgomery county, Kansas, iu 1883.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 387
The issue of his first marriage were: William, Jr., of lliis notioe, who
was the third child ; Richard, the oldest, wlio died a Federal soldier in
Libby prison ; John, of Monroe county, Michif^an ; and Mary, wife of Har-
mon Ellinger. of Sycamore township. By the second marriage the two
ch ildren were: Joseph H.. of Cloud county, Kansas, and Sarah, who resides
with her brother, William. The father died in 1887. Mrs. Jane Lassey
had two daughters by her marriage to Mr. Gardner, viz: Jane, wife of
David Navarre, of Sycamore township, and iliuion. wife of Herman Xes-
sel, of Monroe. Michigan.
As Mr. Wm. Lassey, Jr., api)roa(lied his majority the great Civil war
came on and when he would, in the natural course of events, engage in
civil pursuits, patriotism promjilcd his enlistment in the army. He .join-
ed Company "A," 4th Michigan Inf., three months' men, in April, 1861,
and was elected orderly sergeant of the company. He re-enlisted in
August following and served continuously 'till his term of enlistment ex-
pired in August, 1864, when he was mustered out of the service at Detroit,
Michigan, after a service unusual for its rigor and intensity. He took
part in twenty-three hard-fought battles, from first Bull Run down
through the calendar, including the siege ot i''orkiown, Hanover Court
House, Mechanicsville, New Market, Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing,
Gainesville, second Bull Run, Antietam, Shepardstown Ford, Fredericks-
burg, Chancellorsville, Gainesville, Ya., Gettysburg, Brandy Station, Bris-
tow Station, Rajipahannock Station and Mine Run.
On leaving the army Mr. Lassey engaged in the business of railroad-
ing. In 1878, in company with his father's family, he came to Kansas,
to build them a home, when Montgomery county was being settled up, and
the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which has recently been aban-
doned, evidences the thrift and independence which the household has
enjoyed. He is a l>eniocrat in politics, a Presbyterian, an Odd Fellow
and a member of ilcl'hersou Post G. A. R.
JAMES MURI'HY— The substantial farmer of West Cherry town-
ship whose name heads this personal notice, has an abiding faith in the
continued ascendency of Montgomery county. Its agricultural and min-
eral wealth give assurance of i)ermanency and the character of its citi-
zenship is a guarantee of its continued and onward march. When, in
1879, Mr. Murphy saw Southern Kansas for the first time, its appearance
was in striking contrast with the internal development which has taken
place since. In 1880, when he located in Montgomery county and set-
tled on section 35, township 31, range 16, the work of liome improvement
had only just begun. He caught the spirit of enthusiasm with the i-est,
and the raw quarter, with the little shanty, has broadened to a half sec-
00» 1I1^5TUHY OK MUNTUOMEKY L'OUNTY, KANSAS.
tion, with splendid horeditamonts and with a wealth of fertility and pro-
ductiveness that brings gratifying returns.
Mr. Murphy, though of Irish blood, is a native of the "Wolverine
State." He was born in Macomb county. Michigan. August 2, 18.">4. and
lived in that state until he was twenty-four years old. His father was
Humphrey Murphy, likewise his grandfather, both native of County Cork,
Irelaiid. Cirandfather ^Murphy came to the United States with his family,
and first stopped in Troy, New York, but, eventually, came on to Detroit,
Michigan, and in that state i)assed his active mature life as a farmer.
Humphrey Murphy, Jr., came with his parents to .\merica when a lad of
nine ^ears. When a young man he — in ISIO — went to California, during
the gold excitement, via the Isthmus of Panama, and spent about three
years there, working at different points along the coast, but chiefly around
Marysville. He was successful and returned to Michigan, bought a farm
in Macomb county and there died. While a child of about three years old
his father went to Rio Jeniro. Brazil, but only i"emained a short time,
returned to Ireland, and, after a short residence there, came on to the
United States, as above stated.
Humphrey I^furjiby, Sr.. married Mary Murphy and had one child,
only, who was the father of James, of this review. Humphrey Murphy,
Jr., married IMargarct ^Slclnorney. a native of County Clare, Ireland, and
a daughter of John and Mary Muri)hy. Eight children were born of this
union! as follows: James, our subject; John, of Seattle, Washington;
Thomas, of liay City, Michigan ; Mrs. Mary Friedhoff, of Tortland, Ore-
gon; Charles B.. of the Klondyke; Catherine, Ignatius, of Macomb ccmnty,
Michigan; and Cornelius J., of the same state.
James Murjdiy married Ella Laduke, born in the same county and
state with himself. Her birth occurred April 2, 1865, and she was a
daughter of Joseph and Clarissa (Frink) Laduke, natives of Canada and
New York, i-esjtectively. Two children, ITumi>hrey and Edward, make
pleasant the Imme of Mr. and Mrs. :Murpby, and are stalwart and useful
young men.
Id his youth Mr. Murjiby attended the common si'hools of bis native
Michigan and. when seventeen years old, became useful as a man of the
farm. When he left home in 1879, and sought sunny Kansas, he spent
a year as a woi-kman on the Southern Kansas railway. Then, purchasing
the first quarter scition of Ills ])resent farm, be b(>came a member of the
old ciaft, and has done an etlcitive work in the Tnaterial upbuilding of
Montgomery county.
He is a l)<>mo( lat iu politics and acts with his i)arty from motives
of patriotism rather than for spoils. He has served as a member of his
district school board for eleven years, and holds a mend)ership in the A.
H. T. \. The I'ainiiy ate mend)ei's of the Roman Catholic church.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 389
AMANDA J. DAUGHERTY— Posterity will be iuterested iu the
settler of the frontier. Their trials, their hardships and sacrifices will
be read with a zest that the experiences of others do not furnish. Amanda
J. Daugherty was among the early comers. As the wife of Jacob C. Tay-
lor, she drove into Montgomery county, in October, 1870, from LeRoy,
Mower county, Minnesota, being nine weeks on the journey. They had
two teams with them, and from Kansas City — wlierc one driver de-
serted— she took the reins of the missing driver and comiilclcd the over-
land voyage to their destination.
The first three days passed in Mdnlgomery county, were as campers
along the Verdigris riviT. Miiiong the Osagcs, when Mr. Taylor traded one
of his teams to setllci- .McCullough for his claim-right to a quarter in
section 28, township 31, rage 10. Into their 13x13 log cabin the family
moved, which yet forms one room of their more recent and modern resi-
dence. In April, 1871, Mr. Taylor was drowned in the Verdigris river,
leaving his widow and baby boy almost within the grasp of starvation.
Food was scarce in their larder, for a time, and once peas formed their
sole and only diet. Beyatt, a half-breed Indian, learning of their condi-
tion, supplied flour and other provisions, until the stringency of the times
was otherwise relieved.
Eight months after her husband's death, our subject married N. A.
Daugherty, a settler of Montgomery county, of the year 1870. The latter
took a claim on Salt cre«k, was engaged in farming and improving his
land. Mr. Daugherty is a son of John and Rachel Daugherty and was
born in Ohio. His experiences, as a pioneer of this county, were some-
what parallel with those of other settlers of his time and he has a record
of an industrious and well-spent life. The noted Indian, Mad Chief, was
his neighbor, and when he died, the Daughertys helped lay him away in
the Indian biirying-ground, near the Verdigris i-iver.
Nathan A. Daugherty enlisted in Company "G," One Hundred and
Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and served under Gen.
Milroy, at Winchester, Virginia, where he was taken prisoner, and was
in captivity about forty days, seven days being spent on Belle Isle. He
returned to his regiment in November, 1863, and served under Gen. Grant
until May 6, 1864. He was wounded, in the Battle of the Wilderness,
on that day. and discharged, on account of wounds, February, 1865.
Amanda J. Daugherty was born in Tanneytown, Maryland, April
1, 1841. She was a granddaughter of Jacob Slaughenhaupt, a German,
who had nine children, as follows: Samuel, Jacob, John, Betty, Catherine,
Barbara, Annie, Margaret and Susan. Jacob Slaughenhaupt, Jr., mar-
ried Susannah Hill, a native of Carroll county, Maryland, and a daughter
of Clement and Elizabeth Hill, natives of England. Of this union, eight
children were born, nanielv: Marv Batdorf, Annie Caldwell, of
390 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Lowden, Iowa; Amanda J., of this review; Jacob, of Ouray, Colorado;
the remaining four are deceased.
Amanda J. Slaughenhaupt first married Jacob C. Taylor. Mr. Tay-
lor was born in rennsylvania. and his parents were William and Nancy
Taylor, of that state. The young couple were married in 1862, in Cedar
county, Iowa, and afterward moved to Illinois, then to Wisconsin, later
to Mfssouri and to Minnesota, and. finally, to Kansas. Of their mar-
rige. a son was born, Charles Taylor, a well known farmer of West Cherry
townshii), ^Montgomery county.
SMITH B. SQUIRES— We initiate this article with the name of a
pioneer whose residence in Montgomery county has been continuous since
the 23d of June, 18G8. at which date he settled in Sycamore township,
and began the long and tortuous road to success, through the medium
of a Kansas farm. He had scarcely attained his majority, but he had
passed througli a military experience that made young men old and this,
with a decided turn toward versatility, earned him, at once, a position
among the useful and prominent young men of the county.
The "Keystone State" furnished myriads of the best settlers of
Kansas, and the shops, the farms and the counting-houses sent delega-
tions of her sons to "Bleeding Kansas" to help in the first work of na-
ture's reduction in the development of our great state. Smith B. Squires
came with these clans and began his journey toward the Occident in
Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred March 21,
.1846. His father was George W. Squires, a blacksmith, born in Brad-
ford county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. The latter served tw-o years in the
army, during the rebellion, as a government horse-shoer, having charge
of a shop at .Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He came to Kansas, at the head
of his family, in 1808, and died at Humboldt, in 1881. He made his trade
the occupation of his life. Charles Squires, who was born in Marysville,
Connecticut, made the journey across the mountains, into Pennsylva-
nia, In a two-wheeled cart, of the most primitive pattern. He died, in
1864, leaving ten children. At twenty-two years of age. Charles Squires
married Mai-y Webb, and when lie ended his long journey westward, he
was in Herrick township. Bradford county, Pennsylvania. He was left
an orphan at seven years old. with two other children, and was bound
out !it Marysville, Connecticut, to a ship-yard master, where he learned
ship-blacksmithing, and when he chose the spot for his home in the
"woods" of the "Keystone State," be was four miles from his nearest
neighbor. He died at eighty-seven years of age, in 1864, and his wife
lived to the age of eighty-eight years. The following were among their
family of thirteen children: Judson, George W., Constance, Charles,
Pembroke, Lydia, who married Asa Bixby; Harriet, Susan, wife of
HISTORY OF MONTOOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 391
Boweu; Albiiia, who married John Angle; and Kebecca, wife of
Frederick Baldwin. The Sijuires' of this record were of Scotch ante-
cedents, their forefathers having settled in New England dnring the
American Colonial period.
George W. Squires made his second trip west in 1855, when he lo-
cated in Milldgeville, Illinois. There he met with financial misfortune,
lost all his property. Sending his wife and three children back to Penn-
sylvania, while he "rustled" a new stake in the west, he made his way to
the Pacific coast, where wages were good and work was plenty. In two
years, he had accumulated sufficient to "start" again, and he returned to
Pennsylvania and, on the North Branch canal, he purchased an acre of
ground and built a small tavern. He opened the place, met with success,
erected a larger house and added a feed yeard to his place. For eight
year.=i the family labored and lived there, and saw their savings all swept
away in an hour and lay in ashes at their feet. The west again seemed
to beckon the father and he came, with his family, to Wilson county, Kan-
sas, where, near what is now the city of Neodesha, he purchased an
eighty-acre tract of land, where he passed his remaining years of life. He
was a quiet, plain man, without political ambition, and was a Repub-
lican. For his wife, he married Ellen Bixby, of Scotch-Irish stock, and
a daughter of Bixby, a native of Rhode Island. Their children
were: Smith B., our subject; Andrew F., a prominent farmer of Wilson
county. Kansas; Matilda, wife of W. A. Phillips; Elizabeth, who mar-
ried Dekalb West— both deceased; Adda, wife of Ira Berry, of Ft. Scott,
Kansas.
The educational advantages of Smith B. Squires were of the rural
type and were somewhat interfered with by his youthful entry into the
army, during the Civil war. In the mouth of November, 1801, he en-
listed in Company "D," Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and
gave two years and five months to the service of his country. His regiment
belonged to both the First and Second Brigades of the Second division
of the Third Army Corp, Army of the Potomac, and he took part in bat-
tle at Kerntown, Wincliester, Front Royal, Port Republic. Cedar Jloun-
.tain and Second Bull Run. His first enlistment expiring, he reenlisted
in the First New York Veteran Cavalry, Company "G," and was engaged
chiefly in patroling the Federal lines in the Big Kanawa Valley, in Vir-
ginia, where he was in the saddle almost continuously during the winter
of 1864-5. He was discharged June 23, 1865, returned to his father's
home and went to work at the blacksmith's trade. He was master of his
trade when he came to Kansas and, while there was not sufficient in this
line to keep him busy then, it helped, along with other employments, to
sustain him, and provided many a dollar he would not otherwise have
had. He was able to turn his hand to anything with a good degree of
proficiency, but sawmilling, blacksmithing and farming occupied him
392 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
largeh, and bo finally settled down to fanning. His operations inehided
stock and grain raising, in a modest way, and when he left Sycamore
towns-hip, to assume connty ofiice. his farm lay in sections 12 and 24,
township .31, range 15.
Ii! municipal affairs, he has rendered valuable service, and he has
never been passive in county politics. He served his township as its
treasurer, was twice elected its trustee, and. in November, 1897, the Fu-
sion party elected him sheriff of Montgomery county. He was reelected
in 1890 and served, in all, five years, retiring from office in January, 1903,
His right to the office, as a hold-over, under the new law— passed in 1901—
■was contested, in 1902, by the Governor's api)ointee, mei-ely to test the
law', and it was the only office so contested in the state.
Mr. Squires was first married Ajiril 29. 1866. the lady of his choice
being Sarah Donnelly, who died December 20. 1897. The issue of this
marriage were: George W. , Ellen, wife of Willis Monfort; Grace, who
married Cassius Mcreck; James O. . and Clara, wife of Patrick, Clen-
non, all residents of the Indian Territory. May 15, 1899, Mr. Squires
married Alice Clements, a daughter of J. J. Williams. She was born in
Morganfield, in the State of Kentucky, in 1852.
In Odd Fellowship and Masonry, Mr. Squires has abiding interest,
being a member of the ''subordinate." and having taken the Royal Arch
degree, A. F. & A. M. He is also a Modern Woodman.
PATRICK H. CALLAHAN— Seated in the dooryard of the comforta-
ble rural home of P. H. Callahan, one of the most substantial of Sycamore
township's citizens, the biograjihcr was given the following resume of his
life and family history:
Grandfather, Owen Callahan, was lioin in l>ublin, Ireland, In this
city he continued to reside, and was married and reared a family
of four sons: Luke, Thomas. Richard and James. All these sons but
Richard, took up the occupation of farming, at which they passed their
lives. liichard apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade and. during
his life. i)nrsued that avocation. He married, in Ireland, Elizabeth
Moye-s. a lady of English descent, who became the mother of ten chil-
dren: Thomas S., now- a resident of the old home, in Dublin, Ireland;
Lecia Leonard, resides in Dublin; Louise Deakin, Brooklyn, New
York; Richard, died in Rock Island, Illinois; Joseph, also resides in
Dublin: Eliza Baker, Muri)hyshoro. Illinois; and Patrick H.. the es-
teemed subject of this review. Three others deceased.
.Vs noted, Patrick H. Callahan is the youngest, but two, of this fam-
ily. He was born on the 4tli of April. 1828. in Dublin, in which city he
continued to reside until he was eighteen years of age. At the early age
HISTORY OF MONTGOilEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 393
-of eleven, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and became a full-
Hedged journeyman and, leaving home, he crossed the channel to Eng-
land, where he continued to follow his trade, in various places, until
184S, when he turned his face westward toward the great Rei)ublic of
the United States. He landed in New York City on the 4th of May, of
that .^ear. and remained there until 1854, employed at his trade. Hear-
ing that Rock Island, Hlinois, afforded better advantages for young
mechanics, he came west to that place, and was a resident there until the
year 1870, the date of his coming to this state, with his son-in-law, IJen-
jamin Jones. He made the trip overland, and, upon his arrival in Mont-
gomei-y county, filed upon the land which now constitutes his farm —
one hundred and sixty acres, in section 7, township 31, range 15 — since
which time he has added one hundred and sixty acres, and has three
hundred and twenty acres of land.
Mr. Callahan was one of the pioneers of his section of the county,
and v-hen he settled there he had i)lenty of wild neighbors, in the shai)e
of antelope, deer, wolves and Osage Indians. He built a small cabin, and
began the battle of life anew, on the verdant prairie.
As a helpmeet in this battle, Mr. Callahan had his life companion,
whose name, prior to their marriage, in July, 1850, was Catherine Baker.
Mrs. Callahan was a native of New York City, and was christened by
Bishop Matthews Vas.ser, the founder of the famous girl's school, Vas-
sar College. Her parents were Thomas and Mary Baker, both of whom
were natives of County Meath, Ireland.
Mr. and Mrs. Callahan were blessed with eleven children. Those
living are: Mary Jones, Montgomery county, her children being: Mary,
Ida, Arthur, Rose, Harry, Florence, Lou, Leslie and Barton; Thomas,
resides in Walnut, Kansas, his children being: Herbert, Edward, Freder-
ick, Lawrence, Vance, Maurice, Aubi-ey and Rosalie; Mrs. Kate Cook,
resides in this county with her children: Frank, Lovel, Roy and Nellie;
Mrs. Nellie Stephens, deceased, also resided in the county; her children
are: Mary, William, Catherine, Thomas, Margaret and Nellie; William is a
farmer of the county and has one child, Mary ; Harry, the youngest child,
I'esides in Oklahoma and has one child, named in honor of his grandfath-
er, the subject of this sketch.
MARVIN L. TRUBY— In this brief biography the attention of the
reader is called to the life work and antecedents of a pioneer settler of
Montgomery county — John Truby — of whom the subject of this article
is a direct descendant and worthy successor. He came to the county
just when its business and social life was forming and emphasised the
sincerity of his purpose by estalishing himself in a business which became
the chief commercial enterprise of its character in Independence and
2g^ HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
which, under the control and management of his son, Marvin L. Truby,
of this review, has become the leading jewelry house of the county.
John Truby was born near Elkhart, Indiana, in 1830. His parents
were of Tennsylvania German stock and his father, rhiliji Truby, settled
in the new country about Elkhart at a very early iieriod in the history
of the "Hoosier State." The latter was a blacksmith and had five sons,
all of whom became jewelers. John learned his trade in South Bend, In-
diana, and was engaged in business at Lincoln, Illinois, until 1871, when
he decided to seek favor and fortune in Kansas. He opened out, as a
watch maker and jeweler, in one of the two buildings of the block bound-
ed by Eighth street and Penn.sylvania avenue, and by Main and Myrtle
streets. His store room was a small frame, set on piles over the ravine,
which crossed the townsite then, and occupied the lot on which the Com-
mercial National Bank now stands. It was approached by two or three
steps leading up from the street and he carried on his business there for
some years. He remained and continued in the block till 1880, when he
moved to the block north and was succeeded, in 1889, by his son and was,
even then, until his death, an active factor in the conduct of the firm's
business.
In his business life and in his private life, John Truby was a sin-
cere, clean and honorable man. He was absorbed in his own afi'airs, yet
he was loth to shirk a public duty when it was requii'ed of him. Next
to his own pi'ogress. he was interested in the welfare of his town and he
gave much of his time, both as a citizen and as an ofiBcial, to the promo-
tion of measures to that end. He was several terms a member of the city
council, and, i)erhaps, twenty years, he aided in the management of the
business affairs of the city of Independence. While serving as chairman
of the improvement committee of the council, he started the movement
in favor of heavy stone sidewalks, and it spread and largely enveloped
the city. The innumerable ways in which he demonstrated his public
spirit and unselfish devotion to municipal affairs, marked him strongly
as one of the controlling forces in its progressive and onward march. He
was interested in Masonry and was an enthusiastic Knight Templar. He
supported Democrat principles and policies and exercised no individual
preference for any religious denomination.
In 1859, he married Sarah E. Dufif, a daughter of J. E. Duff, of Lo-
gan county, Illinois. Mrs. Truby was born in 184.3, and makes her home
in Independence. In 189(), after a wedded life of thirty-seven years, Mr.
Truby died, leaving the following children : Ettie, who married G. A. Har-
l)er and died witliout issue; Lizzie T., wife of W. W. Martin, treasurer of
the Leavenworth Soldiers' Home; Marvin L., our subject; Lieffy, whose
first husband was the late S. C. P^lliott, a young attorney of much promi-
nence and promise, of Independence, but who is now the wife of James
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 395
C. Stoue, well known as a banker in Leavenworth, Kansas; Irene and
Daisv Truby, of Leavenworth, Kansas.
Marvin L. Truby was but five years old when be accompanied his par-
ents to Independence, Kansas. He was born in Logan county, Illinois,
August 4, 186G. He was educated in the public schools of this city and
acquired the trade of watchmaker and a knowledge of the jewelry busi-
ness by constant association with his father. The date of the beginning
of his career in business is almost as indeterminable as the end of it, but
for twenty-tivc years, at least, he has been known to the trade of his
town. In ISS'.t. ii,' siir, ceded his father in the proprietorship of the Truby
jewelry business and has maintained it one of the substantial mercantile
establishments of the city.
June 26. 1887, the wedding of M. L. Truby and Minnie M. Bishop
occurred. Mrs. Truby is a daughter of William T. Bishop, a prominent
pioneer merchant of Independence, Kansas, whose store was situated on
the site of the office of the Independence Gas Company. Mr. Bishop set-
tled in Independence in 1870, came here from Liberty, Missouri, and
lived in the first plastered house in town. He died, while in business, in
1880, leaving his widow — nee Maggie Bright — with six chilren. Mr. and
Mrs. Truby's two children are Marvin F. and Prudence.
Mr. Truby has achieved high honors in Masonic circles. He joined
the order in 1891, is S. W. of Fortitude Lodge, of Independence, Scribe of
Keystone Chapter and P. C. of the Commandery of Knights Templar. He
is a member of Abdallah Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. and holds membership
relations with the Wichita Consistory, thirty-second degree. At a meet-
ing of the Supreme Council of the thirty-third degree Masons, at Wash-
ington, D. C in 1901, he was elected Knight Commander of the Court
of Honor. He is also an Elk.
JOHX B. ADAMS — Among the first settlers of Montgomery county
is John B. Adams, of Independence, one of the promoters of and a mem-
ber ot the firm of the Security Abstract Company, a corporation doing
business in this city. Mr. Adams accompanied his father to the county in
1869. and, as a lad of fourteen years, aided him in the reduction and im-
provement of a new farm in Fawn Creek township, where their settlement
was made. Little had been done, however, when the family took up its
residence in Independence — in 1871 — and from thenceforth our subject
has passed his life in this city.
He was born in Clayton county, Iowa, September 23, 1855, and his
parents were John Q. and Phoebe (Ballow) Adams. The father was
born on the townsite of Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1822, a child of pio-
neer parents. Samuel Adams, our subject's grandfather, brought his
familv out from Massachusetts into the wilds of Indiana, early in the
396 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
ninetopiith feiitiiry, and passed away a citizoii of that state. He married
ilrs. Adams and reared a family (if fonr children. His oldest son, John
Q. Adams, left Indiana in 1847 and settled in Clayton county, Iowa, and,
in 1857, settled in Green county, Illinois. While there, the rebellion
broke out and he enlisted in Company "E," Sixty-first Infantry, as fii-st
serg;eant, and served three years and four months. He participated in the
battle of Shiloh, took part in Granfs Mississipjii canqiaign and in the
Red river expedition. He was married in the State of Iowa, in 1848, to
a daujihler of George Ballow, a Yirginia fientleman, who came west and
resided in the States of Iowa, Illinois and finally settled in Linn county,
Missouri, where he died, in 1894, at the age of ninety -three years.
On settling in Independence, Kansas, John Q. Adams engaged in car-
penter work, and was a builder of some of the pioneer structures of the
town, among them, the Caldwell House. He continued this till 1875,
when he died, from the effects of an accident. His widow survived him
till 1902, when she passed away, aged seventy-five years. Their children
were eight in number, namely": Charles H., of Independence; John B.,
of this review; Susan, wife of George McNaughton, of Kansas City, Mis-
souri; Stella, who died in 1900, was the wife of Charles Joyce, of Inde-
l)endence; and Frank S.. of Kansas City, Missouri. George A. and Eliza
died in -.nfancy.
John H. Adams was educated in the jmblic schools of Illinois. He
begai: life, as a jirinler, in the otlice of the Independence Tribune, and
was there from 1871 to 1874. He became a clerk, then, in the Independ-
ence i»ostoffice and filled the position seven years. His next regular em-
ployment was as deputv. under Clerk of the Court H. M. Levan. On
retiring from the court 'house, he formed a i.arluership with Thomas S.
Salathiel, and hccame a member of the Security Abstract Company, upon
its inceiitiou.
October, 1883, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Mary W.
Grew, a daughter of the late pioneer and farmer, John W. Grew, who
settled the farm at the mouth of Drum creek, and resided there at the
time of the making of the famous treaty with the Osages. Mr. Grew
came to Montgomery county in 1869, and resided here till his death, in
1902. He was of ISIassachusetts origin and in his early manhood was
mad' of a whaler out of Woods Hole, near Fair Haven. In 1849, he
went lo llie California gold fields, and returned to New England by the
Islbmiaii route, in 1852. He first came to Kansas in company with ex-
(Jov. Ivobinsou and settled in Douglas county. There, Mrs. J. B. Adams
was born, January 15, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Adams were the parents of
three diildren and, September 11, 1901, the wife and mother pas.sed away.
Tli(^ children are: M. Lucile, Grace and Gladys.
Mr. Adams has been identified, in a modest way, with the politics
of Montgomery county. He was reared a Kepulii an and voted that ticket
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 397
until tlie t'U'ition of llan-ison. Having had, all aloug, free trade senti-
ments, when the silver agitation first claimed attention, he broke with the
Itepnlicans and became a snjiporter of J. B. Weaver for President. He has
afhliaied with the allied jiai-ties since and is now a Bryan Democrat. He
was cliaiiinaii of the committee of the allied forces of Montgomery county
in 1S!)(;. when llie comity went from 450 Republican to 4.')0 Hemocratic.
Fiatciimlly. lie is a Mason, a ilaeabee and a Workman.
THOMAS McHARGUE— During the memorable and fatal "panic
of 1873," a few settlers were found wending their way toward the setting
sun. They were from the congested east and were in search of homes
for their families, where land was cheap, and where their compeers were a
social unit. With the contingent who settled in Montgomery county, this
year, came Thomas McHargue, whose name introduces this i-ecord. He
started on his westward journey, from Moultrie county, Illinois, whither
he went from Parke county. Indiana, the next year after the Civil war.
He was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, February 8. 1837. His father
was James McHargue and was born in the same Kentucky county, in
1805, and resided there till 1851, when he removed to Parke county, In-
diana, where he died, in 1801. The latter passed his life as a farmer, had
no military career, was a Whig in politics and was a member of the
United Brethren church.
A brief reference to the McHargue geneology discloses the fact that
the forefathers of our subject belonged to an old American family. The
great-grandfather of Thomas McHargue was the Irish emigrant who
founded this worthy American family. He settled in South Carolina and.
afterward, his family scattered westward and took up their homes in the
State of Kentucky. The name of this pioneer was -Tames McHargue and
his sons were: James. William, Samuel, John and Alexander. The last
named was killed, in 1810, while raising a log house, in Laurel county,
Kentucky. He reared children as follows: William, who died in Ken-
tucky. Lissie. deceased; Kiddle, Martha, who became the wife of John
Barten, died in Indiana ; and Abner, who died in Green county, Indiana.
James McHague, father of our subject, married Phoebe Dugger, a
Tennessee lady, born 1808, and died about 1843. A large family resulted
from this union, as follows: Elizabeth, married Benjamin Richards and
died, in 1900, in Parke county, Indiana; Alexander, of Parke county,
Indiana ; William, who died in the same county, in 1866; Sarah, of Parke
count\. is the wife of Daniel Martin; Andrew, of the home county in
Indiana; Thomas, of this notice; Martha, who died in 1884, unmarried;
Stephen, of Parke county, Indiana.
The environment of Thomas McHargue, in early life, was that of the
country youth and his opportunities for education were limited to a few
400
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'lIKt.MAS M. IIAZEX— In the person of Thomas M. Hazeu, of this
article, we are j.resented with a native sou of West Cherry township,
Montj^oniery county, where his birth occurred, June 6, 1871. The farm,
wliich he owns, was the old family homestead, and is situated in section 9,
township ;!1. ranjie KJ. and contains one hundred and eighty acres. On
this farm. Keuben L. Hazen. his father, settled, in 1873, and improved,
cultivated and occujiied it till his death, in the year 1000.
Keuben L. Hazen was born near Athens, Vermont, lived there many
years, and. finally, came west to Illinois where, in 1861, he volunteered for
servi<e. in the Sixty-tirst Illinois Infantry, Company "F,"''Col. Dan Grass.
He ex]ierienced nmch arduous service and. aniong: other engagements, was
in the battle of Shiloli. He came to Montgomery county and entered, in
187(1. one hundred and sixty acres, iu section 34, township 31, range l(i,
and in the little cabin on this farm his son, our subject, was born. This
he ov.ned until 1873. when he purchased the tract first described herein,
where the remaining years of his life were spent. He married Mary A^
Robinson, a native Illinois lady, who bore him two children, and died in
1808. A daughter and a son were the result of their marriage, namely:
Mary, wife of William T. Brown, of Sycamore, with children: Jesse,
Ruby, James, Lee and Thomas; and Thomas M., of this review.
Thomas M. Hazen attended the country schools and has passed his
life in agricultural and i>astoral pursuits. For his wife, he married Effie
Reed, an Indiana lady, and a daughter of John and Mary Reed, natives
of Kentucky and Indiana, resj)ectively. Mildred and Ethel are the two
children of Mr. and Mrs. Hazen.
In politics, our subject is a Republican, but the charm of politics has
no attractions for him. He is devoted to the calling of his youth and is
essentially, a tiller of the soil and a promoter of the arts of peace.
( Il.MMJ^S YOE — In this brief article, it is our purpose to present
the sj'.lient jioints in the life of one of Independence's earnest citizens; to
mention a few of the events which have been influenced by his ell'orts, as a
citizen of Montgomery county.
Tlie distinction of being one of the early residents of the county seat
belongs to Jlr. Yoe, and he established himself here, soon after he at-
tained his majority. He has been a part of the mechanism of the •■Trib-
une" office, since it was founded, and named the ''South Kansas Tribune,"
HISTORY or MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 4OI
Febiinu-y. 1871, and one of the partners in interest sinre 1S74. Associated
with his brother, he has successfully promoted the interests of the leadinj:
Republican newspaper of the county and thus,indirectly. has contribuT
ed, in no uncertain way. to the material advancement in all lines of local
industry. Town building, at the county seat, has been fostered and the
unbroken and fertile prairies have been filled with virtuous and Indus
trious people, many of whose settlements were prompted by the coluniiis
of the zealous and loyal Tribune.
'Mr. Yoe's departure for the west, took place at Rushville, Illinois,
where he was born, September 22, 1849. The common schools provided
hismental training and his life was passed, in youth, chiefly, as a laboring
l)oy. At eighteen years of age, he joined his brother, at Shelbina, Mis-
souri, and entered the latter's newspaper office, where he really began his
business career. Since that day, Yoe brothers have been inseparable.
When the senior member of the firm decided to establish himself in the
news)>aper business, in Kansas, in the winter of 1870, our subject was re-
garded one of the indispensable adjuncts of the office, and helped launch
the original Tribune. The success of the paper has ever aroused his
deepest sympathy and warmest enthusiasm and that success is due, in
no small measure, to the wise management and good business judgment
(if Chiirles Yoe.
In August, 188l(, Mr. Yoe married Agnes Overfleld. a daughter of
Thiuiias Overfield. one of the pioneers of Lawrence, Kansas, as well as a
jiioneer to ^Montgomery county.
While Eei)ublicanism has been chief in the heart of Mr. Yoe, he has
eliminated j)olitics from his life, as a business, and has demeaned him-
self as a party worker, and not as an aspirant for public office. He was
honored by Governor Stanley, with the ajipointment of Secretary of the
State Board of Charities, to fill an unexpired term, and this was the only
office he ever filled. As a man, his citizenship is unalloyed and his intiu
ence carries weight in his party and in his county. He is a member of
The Methodist congregation in his city and his consistency is exemplified
in his wiirks.
( HAKLES A. CONNELLY— Connected with the Tribune Printing
t'diiipany. of Independence, and one of the proprietors of that important
industrial enteri)rise, is Charles A. Connelly, expert and artistic printer
and fiirenian of the mechanical department of this historic and pioneer
institution. Since his advent to the county he has been a part of the
working force of the Tribune company and, since 189(>. one of its owners
and, as above stated, chief of one of its important departments.
.Mr. Connelly has spent his years in Kansas, in Jlontgomery county.
He a< rouipaiiied his parents hither from Parke county, Indiana, where
400 HISTORY OV MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. (ii-iiy is one of llio sterling young; men of Louisburg township,
and is making a sik icss in life. He and his wife are consistent members
of the Methodist Kpisiopal cluirch, and he is a supitorter of the princi-
ples of the DeiiK.crati.- party.
'i IIO.MAS M. HAZKX— In the person of Thomas M. Hazen, of this
artiilc. we are presented with a native son of West Cherry township,
Mnnigoiiiery roniity, where his birth occurred, June 6, 1871. The farm,
whiih he own.*, was the old family homestead, and is situated in section 9,
township ;{1. range Ki. and contains one hundred and eighty acres. On
this farm. Keuben ]>. Hazen. his father, settled, in 1873, and improved,
(■ulti\ated and occupied it till his death, in the year 1900.
Kcuben L. Hazen was born near Athens, Vermont, lived there many
years, and. finally, came west to Hlinois where, in 1801, he volunteered for
service, in the !<ixty first Illinois Infantry, Company "r,""'Col. Dan Grass.
He e.\(ierienced much arduous service and, among other engagements, was
in the battle of Shiloh. He came to Montgomery (-ounty and entered, in
1S70. one hundred and sixty acres, in section 34, town.ship 31, range 16,
and in the little cabin on this farm his son, our subject, was born. This
lie ov.iied until 1873. when he jmrchased the tract first described herein,
where the remaining years of his life were spent. He married Mary A*
Kohinson. a native Illinois lady, who bore him two children, and died in
1S9S. A daughter and a son were the result of their marriage, namely:
!\lai-y. wife of William T. Brown, of Sycamore, with children: Jesse,
Kuby. .lairies, T.ee and Thomas; and Thomas M., of this review.
Thomas M. Ila/.en attended the country schools and has pa.ssed his
life ii! agriiultural and iiastoral pursuits. For his wife, he married Effie
Keed. an Indiana lady, ;ind a daughter of John and Mary Reed, natives
of Kentucky and Indiana, resjjectively. Mildred and Ethel are the two
rhihhcn of Mr. and ihs. Hazen.
In politics, our subject is a Republican, but the charm of politics has
no attractions for him. He is devoted to the calling of his youth and is
essentially, a tiller of the soil and a promoter of the arts of peace.
< II.\I\I,I]S YOE — In this brief article, it is our purpose to present
the salient points in the life of one of Independence's earnest citizens; to
mention a few of the events which have been influenced by his etforts, as a
citizeii of ^lontgomery county.
The distinction of being one of the early residents of the county seat
belongs to Mr. Yoe, and he established himself here, soon after he at
tained his majority. He has been a part of the mechanism of the ••Trib
unc" othcc, since if was founded, and named the "South Kansas Tribune, "
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 4OI
Febiuaiy, 1871, and one of the partners in interest since 1874. Associated
with his' brother, he has successfully promoted the interests of the leading
Republican newspaper of the county and thus,indirectly, has contribut
ud. in no uncertain Avay, to the material advancement in all lines of local
industry. Town building, at the county seat, has been fostered and the
unbroken and fertile prairies have been filled with virtuous and indus
trious people, many of whose settlements were prompted by the columns
of the zealous and loyal Tribune.
Mr. Yoe's departure for the west, took place at Rushville, Illinois,
where he was born, September 22, 1849. The common schools provided
hismentaltraining and his life was passed, in youth, chietiy, as a laboring
boy. At eighteen years of age, he joined his brother, at Shelbina. Mis-
souri, and entered the latter's newspaper office, where he really began his
businf-ss career. Since that day, Yoe brothers have been inseparable.
Wlien the senior member of the firm decided to establish himself in the
newspaiier business, in Kansas, in the winter of 1870. our subject was re-
garded one of the indispensable adjuncts of the office, and helped launch
the original Tribune. The success of the paper has ever aroused his
deepest sympathy and warmest enthusiasm and that success is due, in
no small measure, to the wise management and good business judgment
of Chiirles Yoe.
In August, 1880, ]\Ir. Yoe married Agnes Overfleld, a daughter of
Thomas Overfleld. one of the pioneers of Lawrence, Kansas, as well as a
])ioneei- to Montgomery county.
\A'hile Republicanism has been chief in the heart of Mr. Yoe, he has
eliiiiiiiated politics from his life, as a business, and has demeaned him-
self as a jtarty worker, and not as an aspirant for public office. He was
honored by Governor Stanley, with the appointment of Secretary of the
State Board of Charities, to fill an unexpired term, and this was the only
office he ever filled. As a man, his citizenship is unalloyed and his influ-
ence carries weight in his party and in his county. He is a member of
The ^lethodist congregation in his city and his consistency is exemplified
in his works.
( HARLES A. CONNELLY— ('onnected with the Tribune Printing
Coiiiliany. of Indejiendence, and one of the proprietors of that important
indiisiiial enteriirise, is Charles A. Connelly, expert and artistic printer
and fmeuian of the mechanical department of this historic and pioneer
institution. Since his advent to the county he has been a part of the
working force of the Tribune (-(UMiiany and, since 1890. one of its owners
and. as above stated, chief of one of its important departments.
Mr. ('<mnelly has spent his years in Kansas, in Montgomery county.
Hi- a( ciinipanicd his j)arents hither from Parke county, Indiana, where
402 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY', KANSAS.
his birth ocouri-ed August 12. 1800. Charles T. Connelly, his father, was
also a native of Parke county, where he entered the 9th Indiana Battery
for service in the war of the Rebellion. After the war he married Mary
McCord and adopted teaching as his jirofession, which he followed for
thirty years. On bringing his family to Montgomery county he located
in Independence, later removed to Coflfeyville, where he subsequently be-
came city marshal, in which capacity he was serving when killed by the
Daltt.ns," in October, 1892.
The common schools and Bloomingdale Academy, in his native
county, sufficed to give Charles A. Connelly a fair education and at the
age of fifteen years he began the printers' trade in the office of the Satur-
day Evening ^Mail. in Terre Haute. Indiana. When he left this office the
next ;iear and took a position with the Tribune, of Independence, he oc-
cupied an humble place at the case and it was by years of constant strug-
gle and self-determination that he finally reached the top rung of the lad-
der and was rewarded by an invitation to become a member of the firm.
All through life it has been his consuming desire to become master of
his trade. Ingenuity has been everywhere apparent with him and the
perfection of his art the acme of his ambition. All of the mechanical
work of the office comes under his critical eye.
In March, 1894, Mr. Connelly married Olive M. Stout, an Illinois
lady. Glenn and Margaret are the issue of this union.
Mr. Connelly is a Republican, has served on the city council of In-
dependence and was a S])ecial census eiuuiierator of his locality in 1900.
He holds a niembershij) in the Methodist church and enjoys, in a high
degree, the confidence of his fellow townsmen.
MICHAEL C Mc8 WEENY— Michael C. McSweeny. oil and gas well
contractor of Cherryvale. was born in Allegheny county, N. Y., January
30, 1846. His parents were Thomas and ;^iary (('lark) McSweeny, both
natives of Ireland. In the 30's the father came, while yet a young man,
to the United States, where all his active life was s])ent in farming. He
died in Pennsylvania while on a visit, in 1899, at the age of eighty-seven
years. His wife, who was a devout member of the Catholic church, died
February 7, 1898, in her 63d year. To them were born seven sons and
two daughters: John, of Toledo, O. ; Michael, subject of this review;
Thomas, of Boston; James J., of Cherryvale; Hugh F., of Chicago; those
deceased are: Martin L., Celia A., Melissa M. and Leonard E.
After his school days were over, Mr. McSweeny left the farm for the
oil business, and has been connected with this, and with machinery per-
taining to the business, ever since, with the exception of three years,
which were spent in New Mexico as an engineer in the employ of a stamp
....:::«.«.««««^««^l
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 403
iHill and smelter. From the southwest Mr. McSweeny came to Kansas.
He located at Fort Scott first, where he drilled four wells, then drilled
the "first" holes at Garnett, Humboldt, Coffeyville and Cherryvale. Ho
has (hilled more wells than perhaps any other man in the west.
Mr. McSweeny came to this county with his family in 1889, and has
since resided in c'herryvale. He stands well as a citizen, is enterprising
and industrious, and in his line is without an equal in the state. In the
municij)al life of the city Mr. McSweeny has taken an active part, serving
efficiently in the council for three years.
In 1882, our subject was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Lockhart. Mrs.
McSweeny is a native of Lake county, Ohio, a daughter of Henry and
Lizzie (Burns) Lockhart, natives of Ireland. The Lockharts came to the
United States in 1852 and settled in President Garfield's home town of
Mentor. O. The father was a farmer and died in 1851, the wife dying
soon after at the age of forty-three years. The children living are:
Henry, of Albuquerque, N. M., and Anna J., Mrs. B. F. Palmer, whose
husband, during life, was very closely identified with the oil fields of the
east. Mr. and Mrs. :McSweeny have a family of six children: Anna, who
died a1 three years, in New Mexico ; Mary J., who is attending Sisters of
St. Joseph Academy at Fort Scott, and is a graduate of the Cherryvale
High School ; Joseph, a school boy ; John L., Charles M., and Francis.
The family are devout communicants of the Catholic church, Mr. Mc-
Sweeny being one of the trustees. He is a member of the Select Knights,
and of the Sons and Daughters of Justice.
Full of the restless energy of his race, and possessed of much busi-
ness sagacity, Mr. McSweeny is one of the kind of men always found in
the van of progress. Cherryvale owes him much, and he and his family
have the good will of all her citizens.
JAMES W. HARLEY— One of the prominent citizens of the county
and at the present time a resident of Elk City, where he is interested
quite largely in real estate, is James W. Harley. He is a man in middlg
life, and has shown a good degree of business sagacity during the past
few years, in the handling of real estate, which has placed him in the
ranks of the well-to-do citizens.
Mr. Harley is a Canadian by birth, having been born in the Province
of Quebec, in 1862. He is a son of William and Mary Ann (Wiggins)
Harley. who were of English descent. In 18G3, his parents left Canada
-iind settled in the Neosho valley, four miles east of Neosho Falls, Kansas.
They, later, returned to Canada, where the father died, the mother still
being a resident of Brantford, and is hale and hearty at sixty-seven years
of age. Grandfather Wiggins came to Kansas in 1857 and settled in An
derson county, where he died of cholera a few years later.
404 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
James ^\'. Hurley passed liis boyhood on the farm in Anderson
comity, and at the age of twelve years received the ajjpointment of page
in the United States Senate, where he served a i)eriod of fonr years, and
the exjierience which came to him at that time was such as to give hin,
a splendid knowledge of men and atfairs — a knowledge which has been of
value to him in later life. In 18S8, he came out to the "Suurtower State"
and settled in IClk «"ity. where, shorlly after, he was joined in marriage
with Armilda, <laughter of A\'illiam II. ( 'oieiiiiin, a farmer of T.ouisburg
township.
]>iiectly after coming to Elk <'ity, Mr. Harley invested a portion of
his earnings in two blocks of property in the city, in whose future he
had great faith, and this proved a very wise investment.
For a number of years Mr. Harley was connected with the Missouri
Pacific railroad, working as a section hand. During this period he kep/
his eyes open for the u.'<e of his extra funds and, being of a thrifty and
saving disposition, was enabled at the end of eleven years to purchase a
farm of fifty-five acres in Loui.sburg township, adjacent to Elk City, and
which he still owns.
Mr. Harley had the misfortune, on the Tth of .January, ISiJT, to lose
his wife by death. His three children are: Horton, born February L'O,
1SS9; Percy, born August 2(t, ISild. anil Fannie, born l>ecember 8. IS!):'..
FRANK J. FRANTZ — One of the jiioneers of Montgomery county is
he whose name heads this personal review. He came into the county in
the fall of IStiO. with his parents, who settled on Bluff creek, seven and
one-half miles south of Independence. His father, Barney Frantz, en-
tered and patented a tract of land there and it afterward came into the
possession of his son. In 1880, the old home was finally disposed of and
our subject has been occupied with rural improvement and development
elsewhere, since.
Frank J. Frantz is a native (if Monroe county, Pennsylvania, and
was born November 6, LS51. His father was born in the same county, like-
wise bis grandafther, Philip Frantz, who died when our subject was in
his infancy — about 1852. The Frantz family is one of the old ones of
Monroe county, having settled there during the Colonial period of our
country's history. It is of German origin, as the name indicates, and it
has had to do purely with the agricultural and stock-raising pursuits.
Barney Frantz, father of our subject, died in :Montgomery county in 1S71,
at the age of fifty-six years. Phiii]! Frantz. who died at the age of eighty
tiv(>. was a soldier in the war of ISli'. o])erated a saw-mill as well as to
conduct a farm. His family of nine children were: Joseph. Barney,
.Vdaiii. Charles, Henry, Samuel. Peter. Hiram and a daughter, Kate, who
inarried Hawk and moved out to Ohio.
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 405
Barney Fi-autz married Matilda Flyght, who survived him twenty-
five years and died at Benedict, Kansas, in 1896. Her children are:
Frank J. our subject ; Mary, widow of Isaac Howard, of Independence,
Kansas; Amanda, who married Brown Langstaff; Sylvester, of the In-
dian Territory, and Sadie, wife of Francis Banks, of Howard, Kansas.
Mr. Frautz, of this record, was limitedly educated in the country
schools of Pennsylvania, and was nmrried in August, 1872, his wife be-
ing Mary E. Laird, a daughter of L. W. Laird, who came to Montgomery
county from Missouri, and is now a resident of Independence. He mar-
ried Maria Harmon and is the father of four children, of which number
Mrs. Frantz is the oldest. Mr. and Jfrs. Frantz's children were two in
number, namely: Charles, born in 1878, and Ida May, who died in 1898,
at the age of seventeen years.
When Mr. Frantz left the old home on Bluff creek he took possession
of the J. D. Grouse place, where he resided 'till 1893, when he purchased
parts of sections 10 and 1.5, in township 33, range 15, where he owns one
hundred and twenty acres, well tilled and substantially improved. He
is one of the thrifty small farmers of his township and his standing as
a citizen is as substantial as his standing as a business man. He is a
Republican in politics and is a German Baptist in religion.
MAJOR P:1'HKAIM W. LYON— The comparatively brief period cov-
ered by the life of the late Major Lyon in Montgomery county marked
him as a citizen of unusual merit and standing and it is meet that his
brief memoir be presented in this work as a compliment to the character
of his citizenship and to his genuineness as a man.
From early life until death ended his useful career, Ephraim W.
Lyon was a printer. He learned his trade in Saginaw, Michigan, where
he afterward founded the first daily jiewspaper, ''The Daily Courier,"
and v»-as identified with its publication for a number of years. He left
his case in 1861 to aid in the preservation of the LTnion and was commis-
sioned Captain of Company , 8th Michigan Infantry. He enlisted at
Flint and his regiment formed a part of the Army of the Potomac. He
was in the service four years and was promoted to be Major in the field,
and was discharged as such officer after an active and honorable service
with his command.
He was a Democrat in his position on governmental questions and
advocated the claims of his party in an able and clear manner. In his
management of the "Cherryvale Bulletin," which he founded in 1882, he
demoiistrated his capacity as a newspaper man and developed the full
strength of his party by his ability as an editorial writer. He was not a
college man, having educated himself in a print shop, and by absorption
in contact with the world of thought and thi'ough the lessons of experi-
406 HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
eucp. He was lionored bv his i>nv\\ with the appoiutuieut of postmaster
at Cherrvvale during President ("U'veUiud's lirst term, in a small measure
a reward for his lonf!; and faithful party service. In society matters he
was a CiiApter and ('(mimandery Mason and a member of the Presby-
terian church.
Major Lyon was born in Geneseo county, New York, June 10, 1831.
He was one of three children and was orplianed at five years of age. He^
married Kllen Pratt, who died in Saginaw, Mich., August 7, 1872. Theii
children were: Leila, wife of Alexander McMichael, of Aspen, Colo.;
Will ]'., of Independence, Kansas: Fred W., of Grand Junction, Colo.
Two other children, now deceased, were the isstie of a second marriage of
Major Lyon.
\\ ill 1'. Lyon, second child of our subject, was born in Saginaw,
Michigan, July 23, 1866. His education was acquired in the public
schools of his native town and he, also, started life as a printer. He was
associated with his father during the latter's lifetime and wound up his
newspaper career with the sale of the ''Cherryvale Bulletin" in 1891. In
1890, he came to the First National Bank of Independence, Kansas, as
book-keejier and assistant cashier and has been identified with the insti-
tution since. He is a director of the bank and devotes his entire time to
its welfare.
June 10, 1S91, \\'. P. Lyon married Jennie Remington, daughter of
the late ('apt. Kemington, notice of whom appears in this volume. Roger,
Allen C. and Leila M. are the issue of this marriage. Mr. Lyon is a Demo
crat, and a Blue Lodge, ('hapter and Knight Templar Mason, and a work-
ing member of the Presbyterian church.
DAVID S. COOK— One of the leading farmers of Montgomery
county and an old settler who has made a success iu life, is the gentleman
here mentioned, David S. Cook. He resides on a splendid farm of out
hundred and sixty acres, three and one-half miles from Elk City. In the
years which have passed since his settlement in the county, he has ac-
cumulated several nice properties, owning a fine farm of three hundred
and forty acres on Elk river and another of two hundred and five acres
near the town of Coffey ville. These properties are the result of industry
and good nuinagement during the thirty years he has resided in this
county.
David S. (-ook was born iu Erie county, Ohio, in 1841, and is a son
of .lohn and Martha (Stephens) Cook. The family is of German descent
on til" father's side, John Cook having emigrated from Hesse-Da vmstadt,
<icrniaiiy, in the year 18:i3, and located iu Erie county, but later, removed
to \\ illianis countv, Ohio. Henrv Cook, a brother of John, who had serv-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 407
ed in the German army during the war with Napoleon, also came to
America at that time and located on a farm in Erie county, and is now
deceased.
Mr. Cook, of this notice, was reared in Williams county, Ohio, where
he received a good common school education and assisted in the cultiva*
tion of his father's farm. In October of 1864, he was joined in marriago
with Caroline, a daughter of Clark Backus, a farmer of the neighborhood,
and who also operated a saw-mill. Our subject purchased a farm of one
hundred and thirty acres, which he cultivated until the year 187.0, when
he sold it to Mr. Backus and removed to Bates county, Missouri. He,
however, remained here but one year and, in the spring of 1871, came to
Montgomery county, Kansas, and located the farm on which he now re-
sides. Here he has continued his rcsidciK c and has devoted his attentioQ
particularly to the develoiunent of the resources of his farm, which is one
of the best bodies of land in the county. It is devoted to general farm-
ing and stock raising and is supplied with evei-ything in the shajje of
buildings and machinery which go to make up the modern farm outfit.
Mr. and Mrs. Cook have reared three children, as follows : Ray, born
in 1866, died in January of 1903. He married Lizzie Deere, of Mont-
gomery county ; Mary, who married Elijah McCaul, a farmer living three
miles northeast of the Cook farm. Her children are: Eva, Emma, Lloyd
and Herman ; Susan, the last of the list, lives at home with her parents.
The correct and upright life which Mr. Cook has lived in Montgomery
county since his settlement, has resulted in endearing him to a large cir-
cle of friends in every part of this and adjoining counties. He and his
family have had very much to do with maintaining the high moral tone of
the immediate section of the county in which he resides, and are deserv
ing of mention in a volume devoted to the more worthy residents of the
countv.
JOB DEER— This leading and influential agriculturist and stock-
man of Montgomery county lives with his family in a commodious and
comfortable home at No. 401 Noi*th Second street. Independence. He has
been a resident of the county since 1881, the earlier portion of the time
having been passed on farms in difl'erent parts of the county, one of
which, an eighty acre tract, he still owns.
Mr. Deer was born in Fountain county, Indiana, April 26, 1848, the
son of Urial and Frances (Long) Deer, natives of Virginia and Kentucky,
respectively. They were thrifty farmers, pioneers of the blue grass
region of Kentucky, and later of Fountain county, Indiana. Here they
lived out the measure of their days, the mother dying at the early age of
thirty-six, the father marrying a second time and dying in 1889, at tho
advanced age of seventy-six. They were faithful adherents of the Baptisi
4o8 UlSTOKV Ol- MONTtiOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
ehui'ch U»l<i stlioul) and were pioiuiueut in every work that meant the
betterment of the social or religious condition of their neighborhood. In-
tensely patriotic, they engaged enthusiastically in the work of ameliorat-
ing the condition of the soldiers and their widows and children during
the war, the father possessed, in a high degree, the confidence of Indiana's
grand old war (Joveruor, Oliver P. Morton. There were seven children in
the first family and two in the second, seven living.
Job Deer was reared to farm life in the old "Hoosier State," and se-
cured a fair common school education, though, like many another lad of
his time, it was sadly interfered with by the great Oivil War. He was
most restive under the age limit, and welcomed the day when, at sixteen
years of age, he entered the service of his country. He became a member of
Comi)any "G," 13:?rd Ind. Vol. Inf.. and was immediately sent into the
heart of the enemy's country, doing guard duty at Bridgeport, Ala. Hi
■cannot be said that our subject was very favorably impressed with th(
character of the service he was called on to render, but he did his duty
faithfully, until the measles put him into the hospital, where he remained
until the expiration of his service. Returning home, he was rapidly re-
cruited under the watchful care of his oldest sister and again sent forth
to do his i)art in the gi-eat struggle. This time he became a private in
Company "E," 149th Ind. Inf., and again went to the far south for gar-
rison duty. Here he remained until the close of the war, leaving Decatur.
Ala., in October of ISO."), and being mustered out at Nashville shortly
after.
Mr. Deer rcmaiiicd in Indiana until 1881, engaged in general labor
ing work until 1878, when he married and settled on a farm. He located
on a quarter section in Fawn Creek township, Montgomery county, in the
spring of 1881, which he sold in 1884 and removed to Rutland township
and resided five years, then spent a short time in Independence township,
when he moved to town, since which time he has been engaged in handling
stock.
He was married on the 2.-)th of December, 1877, to Miss Sarah J. Sur-
baiigh, a native of Indiana, daughter of Rev. A. Surbaugh, a minister of
the M. Vj. church. To this marriage there were four children born:
Frances, a young lady at home ; John B., a clerk, married Gertrude Wad-
man; A. ciyde, a High school student; and a deceased infant. On the
(Jth of October, U)()2, the family was called on to mourn the unspeakable
loss <if tiie mother. In all respects Mrs. Deer was a most exemplary
cliaiailcr. She was especially devoted to husband and children. No
service; was too great for their comfort, and the loving care with whicll
she blooded over her little flock was a subject of gracious wonder among
her host of friends. Truly may it be .said, "Gone, but not forgotten.'
She w as a consistent and active member of the Friends' church, where hei
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 4^9
loss is greatly felt. Mr. Deer is an elder in that duirch, is especially
active in the cause of temperante. and is fonnd leading in every work
which looks to the uplifting of humanity. The solid character of his citi-
zenship is a matter satisfactory to his hosts of friends.
IGNATIUS STKECKKK— In the autumn of 18ti9. there came to
Montgomery county a German settler whose service in peace and in war,
in his native land, had amjily equijiped him for the hardships incident to
a frontier life. It was Ignatius Strecker, of this notice, who took a claim
near Coffey ville and passed a brief time there. For his claim he was paid
the sum of $2,000.00, and then began a brief residence in Cowley county,
Kansas. Coming back to Montgomery county, in 1S74, he settled on .->
farm in section 3, townshiji :n. range 10. where he owns two hundred an^.
twenty acres.
Ignatius Strecker was born in Helmsdorf. Prussia. October 18, 18414
and was a subject of the German king "till 1808. His father was Jacob
Strecker, and his grandfather was .Toseiih Strecker. both native of Helms-
dorf village and were son and grandson of John Strecker. of the same
town. The last named married Maria C. Schoenfeldt, of that village, and
to them eight children were born, the oldest being Joseph, who married
Maria E. Rogge. The issue of this latter union were : Adam, Jacob,
Catherine and Maria. Jacob, Jr.. married Maria A. Menge, of Lengen-
field. This couple had four sons : Joachim, Adam, John and Ignatius.
For his wife Ignatius Strecker married Agnes Inglis, a daughter oi
William and Sarah (Galligher) Inglis, of Paisley, Scotland, and County
Donegal, Ireland, respectively. Mrs. Strecker was born at Sault de Ste
Marie, Michigan, September 18. 1852, and accompanied her parents to
Montgomery county. Mr. Inglis enlisted in Monroe county, Michigan,
in 1848, in Col. Winans' regiment, and served under (len. Scott in the
Mexican war. He was in battle at Vera Cruz, helped take the City of
Mexico, and was woiinded at the National Bridge. In May. 1870, he came
to Montgomery county, Kansas, and located on the (lain), now the farm
of Mr. and Mrs. Strecker.
Mr. Strecker served three and one-half years in the Austria-Prussian
war. He served under Gen. Ulack. commanding the 4th Battery, and toolr
part in the decisive battle of Koenig (iratz. During his service he was
three times severely wounded, a saber laying open a deep gash in hia
lower jaw and a musket planting a leaden missile permanently in one o*
his legs, a wound which has always given him trouble and physical suf
fering In March, 1808, he sailed for the United States and soon after
made his appearance as a settler in Montgomery county. His industrial
efforts have all been directed in the line of agriculture and stock-raising
and the present finds him one of the substantial men of his township.
To Mr. and Jlrs. Strecker have been born nine children, viz: Sarah,
wife of John Englert, with two children. Ignatius E. and Joseph A.;
Mary and Agnes, with the parents at the old home; Jennie, wife of Daniel
Maher; William J.. Beatrice J.. Catherine E.. Christine and Ig-
natius E.
HARRIET A. HART— Among the hosts of gallant defenders of the
nation's flag during the trying days of the Civil war, who turned their
faces westward to seek a home on the broad prairies of Kansas, was
Lieut. Silas Hart, of Highland county, Ohio. He settled with bis family
in Drum Creek township, where he purchased a portion of Uncle Sam's
domain and began life anew. Lieut. Hart died in 1879. A man of in-
tensely patriotic impulses, kind-hearted and generous to a fault, he was
mourned sincerely by his comrades of the G. A. R. and the hosts of
friends he had made in his adopted state. He was born in 1838, in High,
land county, Ohio, and was a son of Wm. and Beulah (Nordike) Hart.
In September of 1801, he enrolled his name among those destined to
live forever in the annals of a grateful country, and went forth to do
and to die for "Old Glory." He became a private in Company "B," 40th
Ohio "\'ol. Inf., and by reason of meritorious conduct on the field of bat-
tle was advanced to a First Lieutenancy. He was mustered out in 1864.
His service was in the middle west and south and comprised participa
tion in the battles of Chickauiauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary
Ridge, the memorable Atlanta campaign and Jonesboro. His command
then became a part of the army which followed Hood back into Tennessee,
and he was present at (he bloody battles of Franklin and Xashville.
Lieut. Hart then returned to the home of his boyhood, where there waa
waiting for him the sweetheart whose prayers and tears had sustained
him through the hours of danger and on the dreary march. The marriage
was consummated at once, the date being December 8, 1864. The name
of the lady who had thus won the gallant soldier boy was Miss Harriet A.
Graham, daughter of Robinson and Elizabeth (Strain) Graham, and who
now survives her soldier husband.
Mrs. Hart was born in Highland county, Ohio. Grandfather Strain
and also Grandfather Graham were early pioneers of that county, where
they carved their homes from the virgin forest and endured the trials and
hardships of that early time with the fortitude for which their class was
proverbial. After marriage Mr. Hart went to Southern Tennessee and
engaged in the lumber business for a time; thence to AVaterloo, Ala. This
section, however, was not to his liking, and in 1871, as stated, the family
turned their faces westward.
Mr. Hart left a family of five children : Olin, born in March of 18G6;
SILAS HART (Deceased
412 inSTOKY OV MONTUOMEltY COUNTY, KANSAS.
\\'int ;\ii(l his niotlior was Miss Roiiiig, whose family comprised the ful-
lowinj; thildroii ; Morgan, William, Jonathan, Aaron, Nathan, Mrs.
Weaver and Mrs. Morgan. Nathan took up his residence near Philadel-
phia late in life, and there he died at the age of sixty-seven. Their child-
were: Samuel S., of Scranton, Pa.; Mary A., wife of E. H. Henson, of
Smyrna, Del.; Miss Anna, of Philadelphia. Pa., and Nathan 8., of this
record. The father served with the construction corps of Gen. Thomas
during a i>ortion of the Civil war and his first son, Samuel S., enlisted in.
the ILMItli Pa. Heavy Artillery, in ISiiii, and served "till the close of the
war.
The district schools pru\idcd our subject with a fair education and
he learned the trade of carjienlei' and mill wright. For twelve years he
was a carpenter in Coluinbus, Ind., and then failing health forced his
emigration from the state. He sought Kansas and the pure, fresh air of
Montgomery county restored him. General farming and the operation of
his stone quarry (which supplies the country all about with sidewalk
and building stone) have claimed his time and his removal to Kansas has
not proved a failure. On coming to the "Sunflower State" he stopped in
Jefferson county, coming thence into Montgomery to his pre.sent location,
a year later.
September 18, 1873, Mr. Wint inarrii-d Mary J. Erhart. the ceremony
being performed by Rev. Todd, of Willsboro, Indiana. Mrs. Wint is a
daughter of Thomas Erhart, who resided, later on, in Montgomery county,
Kansas, and died here in 189.3. Mr. Erhart was born in Adams county,
Pa., in 1809, and in 1839 immigrated to Bartholomew county, Ind. He
married Eliza Hegge, who pas.sed away in Indiana. Their children were:
Thomas, deceased; Eprhaim, Catherine, Hizina E.. Mary J. and Jason, de-
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wint's children are: Chester Leroy, Linton Fay,
who died in Jctleison county, Kansas, at ten vears; Daisy and Chester
Arthur.
The Wints of this house are Republicans.
WILLIAM F McCONNELL— The subject of this brief record is one
of the pioneers of Independence township. He located, with his parents,
on thf west line of the township in 1871, and has been identified with the
community, now, nearly thirty-two years. He is Bolton's third and only
blacksmitli and, mechanically, he is an e.xample of a purely and strictly
self-made man.
William F. .McConnell was born in Green county, Indiana, June 22,
1857, and is a son of the venerable John McConnell, of Bolton, Kansas.
The latter was born in Ohio, in 1831, and at ten years of age left the
-"Buckeye State" and accompanied his parents to Indiana, His father
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 413
was James ;NrcConnell, who came to tlie T'nited States fresh from Erin's
Isle at twenty-one years of age, and died in Green county, Indiana. Of
his five sons and three daughters, .Jolin, our subject's father, was thd
oldest. John MeConnell was married to Minerva Dyer, a daughter of
TVllliam Dyer, of German extraction. Mrs. Minerva MeConnell died in
18!»(>. at sixty-six years of age, being the mother of: William F., Jane, wife
of :Mari()n Matthews, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Mary E., who married
J. C. Tatterson, of Bolton, Kansas.
John MeConnell, father of our subject, settled on a tract of hind in
section 13, now in Rutland township, improved it, farmed it 'till his re-
tirement to Bolton and still owns it. On this farm his son came to man-
hood and in the district he attended the country school. Observing the
necessity of a blacksnuth in this remote valley of the county he decided to
become one himself and accordingly equipped himself with the proper
paraphernalia for the work. His experience was simply that of the first
blacksmith, and when his trade was learned he was no doubt a more efr
ficient workman than that original one. He maintained his shop at the
old home "till 1890 when he bought the shop of Bolton's second blacksmith
and moved his family to the village.
October 10, 1877, Mr. MeConnell was united in marriage with Rose
Ann Cline, a daughter of ex-Probate Judge Daniel Cline, mentioned else-
where in this work. Mrs. MeConnell was born September 23, 1858, and is*
the mother of two sons and two daughters, namely : -John, who is asso-
ciated with his father as a blacksmith ,and has taken to wife Inez
Spangle; Edna, Taylor and Lessa MeConnell.
Mr. MeConnell is a Republitan and is a member of Fortitude Lodge
A. F. and A. M., of Independence.
SAMUEL F. GRAY— Xoveml>er 4, 1868, Samuel F. Gray, of this
sketch, was born on a farm in Boone county, Missouri. The next year hi.s
parents came to Kansas and settled in Wilson county, temporarily, and
in 1870. took up government laud in ^fontgomery county, where they
still reside.
While our subject is not native of the soil of Montgomery county,
his life has been practically spent here and all he is he owes to the in-
fluences and environment of this county. In childhood life, his daily as-
sociates were the aborigines of White Hair's band and between them a
mutual and lasting attachment sprang up. He communed with speech-
less nature and drank deep draughts of ozone from the fresh and health-
ful air. Body and mind expanded simultaneously and the rural exercise
developed a strong physique and laid the foundation for an active and
vigorous life.
414 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
The limit of parental eoutrol was reached at tweutvoue years ami
Mr. Gray married and set up for himself. He spent the first three years
in Neosho county and then returned to his home neighborhood in Mont-
gomery county. In 1897. he ceased to be a tenant and became a land
owner, buying an eighty in section 16, township 31, range 16, where he
maintains his present home. The old family homestead he also culti-
vates and is employed with the raising of grain and stock.
Samuel F. Gray is a son of Jackson Gray, mentioned in a sketch
elsewhere in this volume. He is the third child of his pareuts and married.
£rst. Martha, a daughter of William and Sarah Hausley, of Wilson
county, Kausas. His wife died in 1804, leaving two children. Edward and
Howard. For his second wife ]\lr. Gray married Rosella Beathe, born in
Highland county, Virginia, and a daugliter of Josejih and Louisa Beathe.
Mr. Gray's disposition leads him to a strict attention to business.
He is conscious that labor has its reward and that there is no excellence^
without it. and his substantial jxisition today has resulted from a close
adherence to the spirit of these truths.
C. A. CLOTFELTER— One of the best known business men of the
City of Cherryvale is C. A. Clotfelter. for many years connectd with the
livery business at that place, and. now, under the firm name of Clotfelter
& Son. His acquaintance is general over Montgomery county and
cornering counties near the city, where his duties as an auctioneer have
taken him. He has for years been one of the leading sale-cryers of this
section, and. perhaps, better known in this line than in the other. He ii»
one of the early settlers of the county and has filled a distinct niche in
neighborhood affairs.
The i)arents of Mr. Clotfelter were natives of Norlli Carolina, where
they. Uroyal and Martha Jane Clotfelter, were born. The father died in
184G. at the early age of forty years, and the mother became the wife of
Peter Bolinger, and died in 1861, at the same age. There was but one
child, our subject, by the first n)arriage. and by the second, five daugh-
ters were born, four of whom are now living.
C. A. Clotfelter was born in Cajie Girardeau county, Missouri, on the
2.3rd of September. 1843. He received a fair, common school education
and. in 1861. left home and began life for himself as a farmer. In 1862,
he entered the employ of the government, as quarter-master, being in
charge of a government corral. In 1863, he worked as a freight and stock
dealer for a private party, being assistant wagon-master. He continued
with this party until 1866, the greater part of his service having ueen in,
the wild northwest and being attended with much hardship and many ex
citing experiences with bad Indians and worse white men. At this time
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 415
he befjan business for himself as a freighter between Fort Bend, Montana,
and Helena and Deer Lodge, Mont., and Corning, Utah. He, later, made
trips to the Pacific coast and continued in this sort of life until 1870,
when he came back to civilization, settling in Mound Citj, Kansas, where
he spent the winter of 1871. He then came to Montgomery county and be-
gan a grocei'y and feed business in Elk City, and, after a short experience
there, opened a general store in Cherryvale. in partnrship with his uncle.
J. R. Baldrum.
A[r. Clotfelter's first experience in the livery business was begun in
January of 1873, in partnership with (". W. Booth, which firm continued
■with success, until 1889. Mr. Clotfelter then again left the state, going
to Colorado and engaging in the stock business, which he conducted for
several years. In 1897. he returned to Cherryvale, and, in company with
his son, began the present business, which he has since continued. They
have one of the most accommodating and complete livery barns in the
city, running twelve carriage horses, and are doing a satisfactory busir
ness.
At various times, our subject has been connected with the oflScial
life ot the city and township, and has acted as constable for a period of
six years at one time and four years at another. He was also in the oflSce
of sheriff and was a deputy for nine years.
His marriage occurred in 1872, his wife's maiden name having been
Sarah J. Browning, daughter of J. W. and Sarah Ann Browning. Mrs.
Clotfelter is a native of Indiana. She is the mother of Carl and Carrie;
the son being the partner of his father, in the livery business. Carl mar-
Tied Emma E. Nichols and has two children — Siras E. and John M.
Living a long and active life, in this busy world, and keeping his
character unsullied before mankind, Mr. Clotfelter stands today, one of
the most respected citizens of the conmnmity in which he lives, and he
and his family receive the kind wishes of a very large circle of friends
and acquaintances.
In fraternal life, he is a member of the Masonic order. Blue Lodge,
Chapter and Commandery, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen and
the A. O. U. W. His wife and family are active and helpful members of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
ANDREW M. TAYLOR, M. D.— In any western community, there
is always a group of choice spirits, who are referred to as "old settlers."
They are the people who initiated things — who saw the infant communi-
ty, IS it were, shake off its swaddling clothes and start forth on its jour-
ney to maturity. Caney is not without these honored witnesses to her
birth and her early infancy, and the gentlman whose name heads this
4l6 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
l>aiaj;rniili. is one of them. Dr. Andrew Tavlor was the first plivsieiair
to settle in Caney. autl has the further distinction of being the parent
of one of the first white children horn within her limits.
Dr. Taylor was born in Fianklin county, Maine. October it. 1834.
His father, William Taylor, was a native of the same state, as was also
his mcitlier. wlmse maiden name was Amy Oaks. The parents were farm-
ers, by occupation, and lived out their days in their native state, respect-
ed and honored citizens. The husband died at seventy, the wife at fifty
years of age, their family having consisted of eight children, but two of
whom are now living, our subject and William W., of Maine.
Dr. Taylor was reared to farm life, his prescholastic education be-
ing received in the little log school house of that early period. He was
later, given a good literary education, in an advanced :icadem\. and at:
twenty-one, began the study of medicine, under the precejitorship of his
brother. Dr. J. (i. Taylor. For the completion of his medical studies, he
came out To the great west, matriculating in Rush ;Medical College.
then in its infancy, but long since o!ie of the famous schools of medicine.
Here, he graduated in tlie class of 1838, and immediately entered on
the i)ractice. at Packwaukee. Wisconsin. Twelve years were passed at
this point, when the Doctor changed his location to Hancock, where the
war found him busy in his work, but not to so great an extent as t(j
drowQ the distressed cry of the slave. He enlisted, as a private soldier,
in Comj)any "D." Thirty-seventh Wisccmsin Yoluntei-r Infantry, in which
organization he served to the close of the war, for the most part in hos-
pital work. He was appointed hospital steward, then assistant surgeon,
and was finally advanced to be surgeon of his regiment. Taking up the
practice again, at his home, he remained in Wiscon.sin, until 1800, when
he came to Kansas, settling in the ue\y town of Caney. At that time,
there were but three houses in the village, and the country was full of
Indians, they not having left The reservation as yet. The doctor was a])poinT-
ed trustee of the townshiji. and in that office, laid out all the roads about
Caney. a task so well accomidislied as to necessitate but one or two
changes. During all these years, he has been, continuously, in tli(> ])rac-
tice, though, in later years, he confines himself to office practice, in con-
necTion wiTh his drug business.
Dr. Taylor has served The ciTy, in various capacities, during all these
years, and has never lost faith in its future greatness. In the early days,
he acted, for a i)eriod, as postmaster, and has always taken a lively inter-
est in the educational affairs of the community. Of a social disposition,
he has been a gi-eaT factor in the development of that sociability aiuj
freehandedness, which has come to be one of the distinguishing features
of Caney. and which makes it so desirable a place of residiMic(>.
In his family life, the Doctor has been especially blessed, he and his
HISTORY OH- MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 4I7
good wife having traveled life's road together for the past forty-three
years. Mrs. Taylor bore the name of Fannie S. Kabcock, prior to 1859,
when she consented to join fortunes with the rising young physician of
the community. She was the daughter of Amasa an<l Betsy (Angel)
Babcock, and was born in New York State. But one daughter of the
three children she has borne, is now living, Amy G., wife of Mr. H. H.
Graves, associated in the drug business with the Doctor. Charles O.
lived to the age of forty years, while William died, a boy of nine.
No more honored and highly icsix'ctcd citizen lives in Caney than
Dr. Taylor. He has been prominently iind honorably associated with
its entire history and, in the evening of life, he can look back with a con-
sciousness of having been the means, at least in part, of building up a
community which can not be surpassed, for enterprise and push, in the
southern part of the state.
MRS. SARAH F. MATHEWSON— Mrs. Sarah Mathewson. a well-
known resident of Montgomery county, is a native of Bradford county,
Pennsylvania, and was born January 2.3. 1844. Her jiarents were Joel
M. ind Elizabeth (Gross) Tozer, both natives of the "Keystone State."
Her father was a son of Col. Julius Tozer. a native of Connecticut,
whose name is honorably associated with the war of 1812.
Col. Tozer married Hannah Conklin, a daughter of Ananias Conk-
lin, and to the marriage were born thirteen children : Hannah, Elsie,
Betsie. Samuel, Julius. Lucy, Dorothy, Guy, Albert, Susan, Joel M., Mary
A. and Cynthia. Joel M. married Elizabeth Gross, the fourth child of
Philip and Hannah Gross, whose family numbered six children : Elsie
Knowles, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Julius, of Bradford county. Penn-
sylvania; Job, of Ashland, Oregon; Sarah F., of Montgomery county,
Kansas; Ida, of Bradford county, Pennsylvania; and Guy, of Dallas,
Texas. Sarah F. Tozer became the wife of William H. Mathewson, who
w^as born in Palmyra. New York, March 23. 1823. His father was a native
of Connecticut and the mother, who.se maiden name was Harriett Ste-
phens, was born in the "Keystone State." the daughter of Ira and Sybil
Stephens. There were eight children in the Mathewson family: (Jeorge,
Elizabeth, Washburn, William. Coiistniit. Harriet Delano. Elias, Emily
Tozer and Lydia Buck.
William H. Mathewson and wife, Sarah, with their three children,
Dora, George and Mary, came to Montgomery countv in February of
1882, and located on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where they
now reside. Only two of the children survive : Dora Young, of Kansas
City, whose three children are Glenn. Clyde and Dale; and George, living
at home with his mother, and superintendent of the farm.
4l8 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
I'rovioiis to his resideuce in Kansas, Mr. Matliewsou passed a period
of eleven years in Oregon, where he was engaged in farming and gold
digging, returning to Pennsjivauia, where his marriage occun-ed. He
was a man of superior education, having had excellent opportunities in
his youth, taking a full course at the Athens (Pennsylvania) academy.
He died in Rosedale, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, Febru-
ary 20, 1900.
JAMES FRANK COOK— As the traveler passes through the rural
disti'icts of Montgomery county, he is impressed with the fact that the
greater portion of those now tilling the soil are men of quite mature age.
This is due, largely, to the movement, which has been going on for some
years, toward the great cities, which have absorbed much of the fresh,
young blood of the farm. However, this condition is evidently changing,
for there are numbers of young men connected with the farming indus-
try of the county, who have sounded the depths of wisdom and have
learned that the glamour and glitter of city life is scarcely to be compared
with the solid, substantial and invigorating life of the farm. The gen-
tleman whose name appears above is an exception to the apparent rule,
being one of the young farmers of the county, and his success, in the de-
velopment of his farm, has been marked and gratifying.
Mr. Cook conies from the old "Hoosier Slate," a state which has con-
tributed many of its best citizens to the u]ibuilding of the great State of
Kansas. He was born in Green county. Indiana, in 1860, and is a son
of Augustine and Nancy (Ferguson) Cook. The Cooks became residents
of Indiana many generations since, our subject's father having been born
and reared to manhood in that state. When -lames was a youth of nine-
teen years, the family immigrated to Kansas and purchased a farm in
Louisburg township, Montgomery county, Ihe same constituting the
farm which James is now cultivating. The parents passed their active
lives on this farm, and reside now in Fredonia, Kansas. Augustine Cook
served in the war of the Rebellion, in the Thirty first Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, being in the service three years and twenty days.
James Fi-ank (V>ok has passed his entire life in the cultivation of the
soil and is one of the progressive young farmers in his part of the county.
He is well versed in the nature of dilfei'tMit soils and their adaptatio.n to
certain crops and he is an excellent judge of cattle on the hoof. His ener-
getic, intelligent management of the old home faiiii has resulted in bring-
ing it to a high state of cull ivat ion and in adding handsomely to his pri-
vate e.\che()uer.
The married life of Mr. Cook began February 24, 1880, when he was
united with Catherine Callahan. Mrs. Cook is a daughter of Irish i)ar-
JOEL W. REED AND FAMILY.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 42 I
keen couipetilion, is the mIiovc iiiuiicd t;ciillciiiaii, whoso foiccfiil and iu-
telligent iiielhods have iiiaikcd liini as a fimiic leader in a wider field
than the local courts.
Samuel II. Karr is a jtracl iciuj; aitoriic.v, located at ( "aney, where he
ha.s Oi-tahlished a reputation for careful and painstaking effort in his
chosen field. The decade, inniiediately iiieceding the Civil war, is reniem-
l)ered as being one of the heaviest, in niatters of immigration, ever known
in this country. These immigrants came from every quarter of the globe,
but owing to local conditions in Ireland, that hardy race furnished the
largest quota. Among the number, were the parents of our wprthy sub-
ject, Robert and Jane (Lord) Harr. the year 1858 being the date of their
arrival in America. They settled in or near Virginia, Cass county,
Illinois, later removing to Keardstown , then to Kock Island, Illinois.
Then they turned their faces westward and located near Independence,
Kansas. Here the father died, at the age of fifty-eight, the wife still sur-
viving and residing on the old homestead. To these parents were born
eight chilren, Samuel H. being the second.
Samuel H. Barr was born in Virginia, ("ass county, Illinois, on the
16th of April, 1801. He received a fair education in his youth, his ap-
plication being of such nature as to fit him for teaching, which vocation
be took up, on coming to Kansas with his parents, in 1882. He made a
reputation as one of the best of the county teacheis and wielded the fer-
ule fcr a period of six years. During ])art of this time, he busied him-
self with the study of law, under the guidance of Hon. S. C. Elliott, of
Independence. In 1888, he was admitted to the bar, and came to Caney
the same year. His success was assured from the start and his connec-
tion with the interests of the little city lias been of the highest value in
the intervening years.
Mr. Barr's chief business is in his law jnaclice. hut he finds time to
devote to other interests, in some degree. He is looked iqion as one of the
staunch wheel-horses of the city, having put his shoulder to ttie wheel
in the dark days when the future looked somewhat dubious. If it had not
been for a few kindred spirits, Caney would most likely have been a mere
way station, on the "road to nowhere." Mr. liarr is one of the stockhold-
ers and secretary of the Caney (!as Comiiany. which he was instru-
mental in organizing, in 1900. Another successful local institution with
which he is connected, is the <'aney brick ])lant. which is fast becoming
one of the leading industries of the city. In municijial affairs, he has
been most helpful, serving as city attorney for a number of terms, and for
five years was an active and valued member of the school board.
Mr. Barr has a natural taste for politics and has been exceedingly
helpful in promoting the interests of the i)arty of Jefferson and Jackson,
in whose principles he is a thorough believer. As chairman of the
County Central Committee, from 1888 to 100(». he led manv successful
422 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
(■anij)ingris. and succeeded in unifying the party in the county, in a great
degree. From 11(00 to 1902, he was a member of the State Central Com-
mitte. where his counsel was of gieat value to the party. Socially. Mr.
Barr affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, the A. O. U. W. and fhe Mod-
ern AA'oodnien of America. The friends of this ])opular attorney are
unanimous in juedicting a more than ordiimry career for him, and he
holds, in a marked degree, their respect and admiration.
.lOHN M. ALTAFFKR— The sunny southland has contributed lil)er-
ally ol its native sons toward the sterling citi/.enshi]) of our western
commonwealths. They have been young men reared under the malign in-
fluence of an unholy social institution, whose destruction they offered
their lives and sacrificed all, save honor, to ])revent, and who have, in the
military camp and on the field of battle, been umde conversant with their
power and worth and have sought out the plains of the west as offering
the greater opportunity for working out their own destiny. In propor-
tion to the great western flood, the current of this immigration has been
inconsiderable, but its character, when viewed from its influence upon the
social and political fabric of a new state, has rendered it an important
factor in the formation of our new century civilization in the west. As
pioneers in the settlement of the western prairies, they have manifested'
the same sincere determination in the develoiimeni affairs of their munici-
palities as their neighboi' fiom other dimes and with ditTerent youthful
environment. Their object has l)een to ]>i'oniote a civilization of the com-
mon peo])le; to foster a s])ii-it of personal freedom, consistent with the
rights of all and the laws of their state, and to encourage a feeling of
brotherly love among a ])eo]ile with a common cause. This i)resents the
situation, as api)licable to the noinial settler from the South, and illus-
trates the attitude of tiie suliject of ihis review, during the period of his
residence in Montgomery county.
John M. Altaffer is one of the characters of Montgomery county. He
settled here on the 28th of February. 1S72, during the formative period in
municipal a!id social art'airs, and immediately identified himself with it
all. He puichased a farm in section 17. to\\nshi|i :?:>, range Ifi. the property
of Lee Fairleigh. and resinned the occupation of his youth — farming.
Dui-ing his thirty <in(> years, his inteiest in agriculture, as a farmer, and
as the r. S. (lovernnienl's lepoiter on < rop conditions, together with his
inclination lowaril active particiiiat ion in municipal, social and jiolitical
atfaiis liave marked his prominence as a lili/ if bis county. Condi-
tions made it necessary for him to move into a (lioneer's "cabin." His
career has Ix'en s]iic(>d with some successes and sfime rever.ses. He has
kept i>ace with the onward tendency of his county and his estate of
three hundred and twenty acres, marks, in a degice. the extent to which
his iiidustrv has been rewarded.
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 4*3
By nativity, John M. Altaffei' is a Virginian. He was born in
Rockingham county, "The Old Dominion," January 19, 1845. Flis fath-
er, Reuben Altatfer, was born in the same county, in 1800, spent liis life
at farming, and died in ISfiO. The latter was a son of a Pennsylvafiian
and fi grandson of a Swiss settler of the "Keystone State." Joseph Alt-
affer, our subject's grandfather, moved his family down into Virginia,
near the close of the eighteenth century, and spent his remaining years
in Rockingham county. He married ^liss Seevly and was the father of
three sons and nine daughters. Those who can now be identified were :
Reuben, father of the subject of this sketch ; John and Joseph. Of the
daughters, Margaret married a Saufley, Susan married Jacob Whitnier,
Ann married Daniel Whitmer and Sallie married Benjamin Byerly,
Reuben Altaffer married Salome Whitmer, a daughter of Martin Whit-
mer, of German descent, who settled in the "Old Dominion" from Penn-
sylvania. Mrs. Reul)en Altaffer died, in December, 1890, at eighty-seven
years of age, leaving five children, namely : Martin J., of Rockingham
county. Virginia; Elizabeth A., wife of Peter AV. Hartman, of the same
Virginia county; Margaret F., unmarried; John JI., of this notice, and
Benjfinin F., deceased.
On a farm, near Port Republic, Virginia, our subject came to man-
hood's estate. He had scarcely passed beyond the schoolboy period, when
he enlisted — September, 18(>1 — in the state militia, preliminary to the
service to come later. In the spring of 1S()2, he was mustered into the
Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, under Col., afterward. Gen. Ashby. The regi-
ment was a part of the army of Northern Virginia, and under the com-
mand of "Stonewall" Jackson. It jiarticipated in the heavy campaign-
ing of that famous chieftain. It was stationed at Harjjer's Ferry, after
the Union forces surrendered there, and went, next, into the valley of the
Shenandoah and met Sheridan's forces at Gross Keys and at Travellion
Station. During the last months of the war, it was in Wade Hampton's
corps. Gen. Rosser's division, and took part in the great cavalry fight,
when the final movement out of Richmond took place. Mr. Altaffer left
the regiment, after the fight at High Bridge, on the retreat from Rich-
mond, and was at his home, fifty miles away, when the final dissolution
and surrender of the Gonfederate army took place.
After the war, Mr. Altaffer sjtent two years on his mother's farm,
straightening matters up and restoring the old home to something like
its ante-bellum condition. He spent the next two years on bridge
work on the Mississippi river, the notable structure of this kind on which
he was employed being the Quincy, Illinois, bridge. Returning home,
in 1869, he was married, January 19. of that year, and the following
three years he passed as a farmer.
Mrs. Altaffer was Lucy J. Williams, a daughter of James and Sal-
lie (Hooke) Williams, of Scotch-Irish and English-Irish extraction. Mrs.
Altaffer's gieat-grandfathpi- was an American emigrant from the Brit-
ish Isles. The children of James and Sallie Williams were Martha, de-
ceased; and Mrs. Altaft'er. The father died in 1857, at thirty-nine years
and the mother, in 1848, at twenty-seven years. Mrs. Altaffer was born
August 12. 1847. and has no children. She and her husband are members
of the United Brethren church.
Mr. Altaffer came to his majority, a Democrat. He acted with that
party, in Kansas, till the Fusion idea took ])rominence, when he joined
forces with the op])osition to the l{ciMiI)li( an party and l)ci-aine one of its
active and influential factors.
During President tiranl's tirst term, Mr. Altaft'er was appointed
statistician of the Agricultural Dei)artnicnt for Montgomery county and,
for thirty years, he has made monthly reports to the dei)artment, as fq
crop conditions, yields pei ure, and other information regularly re-
quired. He also keeps a weather re<'ord for the government and. during
the summer season, makes weekly reports of his observations to the
state bureau at Topeka.
ALP'RED J. UlTTS— Alfred J. Uitts came, with his parents, to
Montgomery county, in 1874. He was born April 1, ISIjS, in Johnson
county. Indiana, and at the age of eight years, the parents moved to
Boone county, Indiana, and from there, came to Kansas. They located
on a farm of one Imndred and sixty acres, three miles west of Independ-
ence, for which the father paid |4.()()(). After his death, Alfred purchased
the shares of the other heirs to the i)roperty, and is now the sole owner
of the old home. In addition to this, he is owner of eighty acres in Syca-
more townshiji. and rents, from an aunt, one hundred and thirty-five
acres, wliere he lives; besides, he (iwtis eighty acres in Independence town-
ship.
Johnson H. litts. tli.' failiiT. was boiii near Louisville, Kentucky.
January 25, 182ti. His whole life w.is spent on the farm, and he had no
other interests, outside of the iiccii|)at ion of larniing. He lived in Ken^
tucky until he was twenty tive years of age. then i-emoved to Indiana,
where he T-emained twenty years, afterward coming lo Montg(unery
county. His death occurred in Howell county. .Missouri.
Johnson K. litts, by liist marriage had two children: Frank, of
I'arsons, Kansas. :inil Naomi While, of Montgomery county. His second
wife was ^Margaret IJiiMinerinei-, a native of Ohio, and to her were boi-n
two children : Jasper and Alfred J., our subjecl.
Alfred J. Fitls was educated in the jniblic schools of Indiana and
Kans.ns. which hi- attended nnlil he was twiMity y<'ars of age. Having been
educated in the jaiblic schools. Iiis inlercsl in (iieni has been constant and
heh.fnl in his home comnuinilv. He li:is be.-n. for nianv vears. a memlxn-
inSTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 425
of Ih.' scIkm.I lii.iiid. Miul ill :i s(Mi:il \\:iv, holds ni(Mnl»Tsliip in llio A. H.
T. A.
X()V(MiilK'r ."), 1S7!), .Mr. litis was uiiiicd in niari'iaKt' with Laura A.
rttcihack. a native of Jolinson county. Indiana. She c-aine to .Montgom-
ery county. Kansas, in IStJft. witli lier jiaients. Iverson and l-'liy-abelh
(I'arkhui-sti rttcihack, native Indiana |ie(.|de.
Mr. and Mrs. Uitts have only one child: Iverson, wlio married Corda
A'an .\usdal, a native Kansas ijirl.
.lOSEl'H 11. KEl])~One of the younger mendiers of the agricultural
class, but -whose parents were early settlers in the county, is Joscyth H.
Beid, who resides on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, one mile
from Elk City. Jauies W. Reid, his father, was a native of Tazewell
county. Illinois, where he was born, in the year 1845. the son of James
H. Reid, a native of Virginia, who located in Tazewell county, Illinois,
in the early part of the nineteenth century.
In 1847, he, with his family of five children, removed to McCracken
county, Kentucky, where he continued to reside until his removal to
Montgomery county, Kansas, in 18(58, where he died. He was the parent
often (hildren, as follows: Milton E.. Mary, Newton, James, Sarah — the.se
having been born in Illinois; and Napoleon, Scott, John, Daughtery F.,
and Ahnerinda. Of this family, James married Sarah Mikel, the date of
their marriage being, December 21, 1870. The event took place in Inde-
pendence township, of this county, and to their marriage were born three
children, the first an unnamed infant, deceased; Joseph H., who consti-
tutes the subject of this review; and the third child, who also died un-
named.
The mother of these children was born in Adair county, Missouri,
in the year 1840, and was a daughter of Edward and Lucy (Newton)
Mikel. Her father was a leading farmer of that county and, in 1869,
came to Montgomery county, Kansas, and settled on a claim in Inde-
pendence township. He i)reempted one hundred and sixty acres of land,
six miles southwest of the county seat, where they have continued to re-
side, and where they reared a family of twelve children, six of whom are
now living, viz: Hugh, who resides in Schuyler, Missouri; Sarah, the
mother of our subject; Martha J., married James Edwards, and resides
in the Indian Territory; Adaline, who married Enos Berger, of Okla
homa; Emma, wife of Edward Staley, of Independence township; and
Alfred, of the Indian Territory.
Joseph H. Reid is the only living child of his parents, and was born
in Independence township, in 1873. He has passed his entire existence
within the bounds of the county, receiving a good district school educa-
tion. He has always been connected with the farming industry and, in
426 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
1896, he pui(has(Ml his present farm of one hnndred and twenty acres,
lying in Louisbuij; township, ten miles from the county seat. He is a
young man of integrity and perseverance and the success which has at-
tendetl him in these, his early years, augurs well for an encouraging
future.
CHARLES H. KERR— A representative of a pioneer family and
one of the successful young business men of Independence, is Charles H,
Kerr. He was born in this city October 29. 1873, and is a son of the late
well-known John Kerr, one of the pioneer mechanics of the county seat.
The latter came here, in 1870, and erected a frame building in the hollow
that originally crossed the townsite and used it, for a time, as a carriage
and wagon shop. The building stood till the fire of 1881, when it was
consumed and the brick storeroom, three doors north from the First Xa-
tional Bank, rose on its site.
•lehn Kerr came to Montgomery county, Kansas, from Canada. He
was born in the Province of Quebec, in 1836, and was of Scotch ]ta rents.
He nuirried Lydia Slusser, a lady of Gei-man blood, but of Ohio birth.
His wife was a native of Williams county, Ohio, and was married in that
county, , January 1, 1867. She resides in Independence, Kansas, at the
age of sixty-three years, while her husband passed away in 1902. Their
only child is the subject of this brief review.
The public schools of Independence gave Charles H. Kerr his educa-
tion. He completed the high school course, at the age of seventeen, and
then took a commercial course in Spaulding's Business College, in Kan-
sas City. Engaging in business, he employed with the drug firm of O. J.
Moon, of Independence, at ten dollars per month, as a druggist's appren-
tice. After ten months, he went to John St. Clair and still later, into
the service of F. F. Yoe, of Independence. Leaving this last firm, he went
to Ft. Scott, Kansas, and took a position with Hunter, the dryggist, for
a time. On deciding to change employers again, he went to Cedarvale,
Kansas, where he was with R. H. Rowland till, moved by a desire to en-
gage in business for himself, he opened a drug store in Elk City, in 1898,
which business he lost, by fire, January 12, 1902. While in Elk City, he
])rojiuited and placed on its feet, a gas and oil company, which did some
successful development and is now one of the substantial and permanent
concerns of that locality. Returning to Independence, in the spring of
1902, he jturchased, on June 1, the entire stock of the late O. J. Moon, his
old employer, and his is one of the leading drug houses of the city. He
has [)ut in the finest drug stock in Southern Kansas, in the building lo-
cated on the site once occujiied by liis father's carriage shop. This store
is one of the sights of the city.
.Mr. Kerr was married iii Oak Vallcv. Kansas. October 2!). 1900. his
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 427
wife being fan-ic Snyder, a (laufjliter of J. K. Snyder, formerly of the
State of I'ennsylvania. A son. Jolm Kerr, is the issue of this marriage.
Tn Masonry, ilr. Kerr lias taken all the degrees. He holds a member-
ship in the Independence Uliie T.odge and Chapter, in Abdalah Temple,
at Leavenworth, and in the Wicliila Consistoi-y, thirty-two degrees. He
is a Jlodern AVoodman, a Workman, a K. of 1'. and an Elk.
AKTHfR W. EVANS. .M. D.— The jirofessLm (.f medicine in Mont-
gomery county has been given a forward impetus and the medical staff
strengthened and honored by the jiresence and active work of Dr. Arthur
W. Evans, of Independence, whose worth inspires this personal review.
For nine years, as a citizen and physician, has the doctor l)een identified
with this county, and his skill in therapeutics, diagnostics and surgery.
has won him a success which establishes him in the forefront of medical
jurisprudence.
Dr. Evans represents the school of homeopathy and is a product of
the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. His ability to thoroughly
harmonize theory and ])ra(tice and the personal traits, which contribute
materially to his suciess, are jieculiarly his own, and are in happy con-
cord in his prdfessional W(irk. l'>y education and training a Kansan, by
inclination, purely western, but by nativity eastern, he was born in Cin-
cinnati. ()lii(i. October 20, 1803. His father, Arthur Evans, is a native
of Buckinghamshire, England. The latter was born in 1837, was a son of
Noah Evans, who founded this branch of the family, in the United
States, in 1849, and who. with his wife, lies buried in Spring Grove,
near Cincinnati, Ohio. Noah Evans was a merchant in Hamilton county,
Ohio, where our subject's father grew up and learned merchandising with
a friend. The latter was identified with Cincinnati, until 1872, when he
came out to Kansas and established himself, in Lawrence, till 1875, when
he removed to Eureka, where he is engaged in the hardware business. He
was married in 18 — . his wife being Mary Leishun, of Wales, born in
1837. The three children of this union are : William A., of Eureka, Kan-
sas; Dr. Arthur W., of this notice; and Lucy, wife of Dr. Higgins, of Em-
poria, Kansas.
The public schools of Eureka gave Dr. Evans his early training and
he graduated at the academy there, at the age of nineteen. He took up
the study of medicine, under Dr. W. H. Jenny, of Kansas City, and with
Dr. Higgins, of Emporia. He spent four years in the celebrated Chicago
medical college, previously referi-ed to, and graduated from it, in 1892. He
tooka post-graduate course, in the Chicago Polyclinic and located in Kan-
sas City, Missouri, for the practice of his profession. In 1894, he estab-
lished himself in Independence, Kansas, where his office has come to be
thronged, daily, with the afflicted and the infirm, eager to be treated by
his restoring hand.
428 HISTORY OF MOXT<;OMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
May 14. 1S!»7. Dr. Evans man'iecl. in Indopeudence, Mrs. Carrie
Wallace, a daufilitcr of Benjamin and Melitta Armstrong, and a grand-
daughter of Ool. N. B. Bristol, whose sketch appears, elsewhere, in thil
work. Mrs. Evans was born in Illinois, but has resided, since girlhood,
in Mdntgomery county, Kansas. Dr. Evans is a Modern Woodman, a
Knight of Pythias, an Elk, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Blue
Lodge. Chapter, Commandery, Council and Shrine, Ancient Free and
Ac<c|i(ed JIasons. His professional jiojmlarity scarce exceeds his social
achicvcnients and his symj)athetic nature goes out in professional ser-
vices U) the poor, as well as the rich. His liberality is extended toward
worthy objects, in proportion to their imjjortancc, and his public spirjt
is of the substantial and ever-present kind.
v^AMCEL M. rORTEK— Moiilgoiiiery county has reascm to to proud
of the high character of her bar. The past is secure, in the high standing
attained by many of its members, while the many brilliant young men
now practicing before her courts, bid fair to maintain the standard.
The gentleman, whose name is presented above, has earned the distinction
of occupying a leading posilion among the legal fraternity, not only of
his own county, but in many of Ihe surrounding counties, as well. He
is especially strong in the field of title law, and has given deep study
to questions pertaining to the legal status of the Indian, before ouv
courts. He has met and vanquished many of the best legal minds of tlio
country, on tlicsi> (jucsiions, and has established a reputation, for legal
acu7nen, not surpassed liy any of his cotemporaries.
Samuel M. I'orter comes of a family, whose members have been hon-
orably and prominently identified with the annals of our country, since
the days of the great struggle foi- independence, and in which Moses J.
Torter, grandfather of our subject, took a very pidniinent part, having
been en the staff of General Washington, during that sang\iinai'y conflict.
The latter was the son of English parents, who had cmigraled to the hills
of Vermont, many years before the war. They there developed that inde-
pendence of spirit, which characterized all the people of that section, and
many of whom fought valiantly in the ranks, when the issue was joined
with the mother country.
.Moses J. Torter was born in ^'enllllnt aiid reared amid the hardships
of jiioneer life, fie was one of the fiist to take u\t arms and soon so dis-
tinguished himself as to atli'acl the attention of his superiors. He partic-
ipated in many of the hard-fought battles, and .for six years was privi-
leged to endure the hardships, which were so uncouii)lainingly partici-
pated in by the great head of the army aiul his personal stafl', and was
[•resent at the last great battle, where the world was "turned upsid(>
down" by (he masterly tactics of him who was "first in war, first in
S M. PORTER.
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BISTOKY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 43 1
the jitMiius of his mental faculties unawakened till the dawu of manhood
and then emharrassed by the obstructions and adversities of inojiulent
surrouiidinjjs, still, by his own boot-straps, as it were, he raised himself
out of the mire of illiteracy to become an untrammeled and literate man.
Broadening with the experience of years and ripening with the approach
of maturer life, he presents an example of the self-made man, worthy
the attention of the student of this local work.
Eeferring to his nativity and geneology, Joseph Fritch, our subject,
was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 26, 1855. His father, .Joseph
A. Fritch, was a contractor and builder in early life and was born in the
Province of Alsace, then France, twelve miles from the city of Stras-
burg, in the year 1808. Joseph Fritch, the grandfather of Felix J., of
this notice, was a wine maker and cask manufacturer of wealth, whose
fortune was largely dissipated by a Napoleonic decree, causing the issu-
ing of scrip and pledging the property of the Catholic churcli for its
final redemption. In 1825. the grandfather came to the United States,
settled, fo"r a time in I'ennsylvania, and then moved to Ohio, where he
died, at the age of ninety-six. By his two marriages, he reared a large
family of children. His son, Joseph, had the advantages of a superior
intellectual training and, having a bent for the study of the languages,
mastered seven of them and became able to speak any of them fluently.
He learned the cooper trade but took up carpenter work and finally ex-
panded his efforts into the contractor's field. In 1868, he came to Kan-
sas and located, with his family, in Leavenworth. In 1870, he settled
upon a new farm in Wilson county, near Fredonia, where his children
grew up, and finally departed from the parental roof. He married Bar-
bara Vinson, a daughter of George Vinson, an Englishman. Barbara
Fritch was born, in Tennessee, in 1818, and died in 1899. She outlived
her husband seven years and was the mother of: Sarah, now a sister in
the Convent in Columbus, Ohio ; George W., of Fredonia, Kansas ; Frank,
deceased ; Mary, a nun in the Dominican Convent at Columbus, Ohio, and
manager of St. Mary's Academy at Shepard, Ohio; Flora, deceased;
Mrs. Clara Tiyiton, of Guthrie, Oklahoma ; Felix J., our subject ; and
Kate E., wife of C. B. McGinley, of Oklahoma City.
At twelve years of age, F. J. Fritch quit school, for the time being,
and e!!tered his father's shop, in the manufacture of school furniture. He
was fond of mechanics, and, for many years after the removal of the
family to Wilson county, Kansas, he aided his father in the erection of
buildings here and there over the county. During this time, he spent
three years as a laborer on railroad work, cutting the first stick of tim-
ber out toward the head of Choctow Creek, east of Sherman, Texas,
while the construction of the railroad was going on.
After his return home, and at the age of twenty-three years, he was
l)ersua(led, by a sister, to take writing lessons, with the result that in a
432 IIISTOUY 01' MONTCOMIOKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
short time, he wrote ;i fail- hand and, in consequence of which, he was
chosen editor of the jiapei' of the neijililiorliood literary society. The very
iii<>ht he was elected its editor, lie hail {ione In Ihe society nieetinfj to help
'•break it up." a jiroceedinj; which his disjiosition. at that lime, cherished
as a "hil of fiiii." The distinction thus nnwittin<ily thrust n|)on him,
touched his juidc and aroused his sense of justice and <;ave him his first
effective shove toward a W(ulhy and useful life. He made a marked suc-
cess of the society pa])er. with (he aid of his refined sistei's, and became
one of the ]ioiiul;ir youn^ men of the locality. He soon afterward attend-
ed, as a iiupil, in the same school house, and was induced to attend the
<-ounty institute the followinji summer. He aii])lied himself so diligently
toward the attainment of his, now, ultintate object, that he earned the
third hijihest uradc ai the county examination. He be<;an teaching
i-ountry school .is soon .is he was Icj^ally (|ualitied and was engaoed in the
work, with little lo.ss (»f lime, till l.S'.MI. He was principal of the schools
at I'.laine, Kansas, for three years, and finished his school work, as princi-
]ial of schools, at ('hautau(iua S])rinj;s, in 1889. He spent two years read-
iiij; law with T. -I. Hudson, in Fredonia — from twenty-seven to twenty-
nine 'cars of .It;!' — and wlien his last term of school closed, he went se-
rionslv into the law business. He was admitted to the bar in Sedan, Kas.,
ami did his first ])ractice in the jtistice court in (Miautauqua Springs. In
18'tO. he came to Indei)endence, fifteen hundred dollars overdrawn, and
purchased an interest in the law business of Thos. W. Stanford, and the
liartners practiced togetlier one year. Then he opened an office, alone,
and was so situated till the spring of 1903, when he formed a jyartner-
shiji with .lohn W. I'.ertenshaw, a young and promising attorney of In-
dejjendence. and the firm of Fritch & Bertenshaw is one of the ]>opnlar
new firms of the city.
For three years, Mr. Fritch was Dejtut.T ('lerk of the Kansas Su-
preme ( •ourt, under John Jlartin, of Tojteka." He had studied shorthand
after beginning tlM^ ])ra<'tice fif law and, in seven months, became able
to report cases and take testimony in the district court. In 1897, he was
assistant secretary of the Kansas State Senate, by ajipointment of thq
Leedyadministration. He has filled a vacancy, by appointment, as city at-
torney of Independence iind was an unsuccessful candidate for the office
of county attorney.
In May, 1885, Mr Fritch married, in Blaine, Kansas, his wife being
Cora M., daughter of Judge H. W. Hazen, of that i)lace. The issue of
this union is two sons, Joseidi Leo and Fraidc J. and two daughters, both
now dead.
JOSEPH H. OKAVIOS— The father u{ Josejih H. Craves. 1 lender
son <!raves, was a native of N'irginia. He was born in ISdS and mhimmI.
HISTORY OF MONTOOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 433
•with liis parents, to Ohio, when only four years old. After his marriage,
1o Rebecca Ann Perkins, he removed to Missouri, aliout the year 1857,
where he died, in 18(18. Mis wife lived until June, 18!>.".. when she died,
■at the age of eighty-two years. There were seven cliildrcii. six of whom
are now living.
Joseph H. Graves, the subject of this sketch, was born in Coshocton
county, Ohio, on the 14th of July, 1844. He was twelve years old when
his fsitlier moved to Missouri. His opportunities for an education were
few, for, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted as a private, in Company "I,"
Fourth Missouri Cavalrj', and served twelve months and reenlisted in the
Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, Company "M," and served throughout the war.
He w;is in many hard battles; the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and was
sixtytive days in the saddle, skirmishing and fighting, and was neither
wounded nor captured. After the war, he returned home, where lie was
married. December 20. 18(!fi. to Mary J. Conkel. a native of Pennsylvania.
She was a daughter of Keuben and Elizabeth (Kline) Conkel. both na-
tives of Pennsylvania. The father died in Indiana, at the age of fifty-
seven years. His wife still survives him and lives in Independence, Kan-
For seven years, immediately following the marriage of Mr. Graves,
he worked as a day laborer. This sort of "hand to mouth" existence was
not i)leasing, however, to either him or his wife, and they resolved to end
it by taking advantage of some of the cheap land in the southwestern part
of Kansas. They, therefore, settled, in 1873, in Sumner county, where
they bought a claim. A year in this part of the country was sufficient to
give them a case of homesickness, and they made their way back to ^lis-
souri. In 1884, they again resolved to try what Kansas could do to bet-
ter their condition, and this time settled on a farm near Independence.
They soon found that they had struck the right country and, in a short
time, traded for the present farm, located two and one-half miles south-
east of Caney. Here they have one of the prettiest situations in the coun-
ty, their farm lying on high rolling prairie, which gives them a com-
manding view of the valley below, where the enterprising little city ot
Caney lies in full view. The south line of the farm is but sixty-five
rods from the state line. Tlie appointments are of the best, a large and
handsome residence, an immense barn and other outbuildings necessary
to the conduct of a first-class farm. The family of seven children are as
follows: Charles W., a business man of Caney; Harry H., also in business
in Caney; Elizabeth Ann, Flety May, Ida Alice, Daisy Melissa and Mag-
■gie Maud.
Mr. tJraves' first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln and he still
tsupjtorts the party which espouses that cause.
434 HISTORY OP MONTGOMEET COUNTY, KANSAS.
JOHN G. EKDilAN— One of the Gei'manAuierican farmers of
Montgomery county, whose residence herein has lent an influence for
good in the general rural development of recent years, is the gentleman
whose name introduces this personal notice. His advent to the county
dates from February, 1885, when he established his family on a part of
section 3, township 33, range 15, when he converted a good mechanic into
an equally good and successful farmer. He is a settler from Adams
county. Illinois, where, at Quincy, he grew up from childhood, learned
his trade and embarked successfully and honorably in the affairs of life.
Air. Erdman was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, near the town of
Muhlhausen, March 4, 1844. His father was John M. Erdman, of the
town of Muhlhausen, and his mother was Auna E. Bang. In 1851, the
parents sailed from Bremen, bound, on a sailing vessel, for New Orleans,
Louisiana. They continued their journey from New Orleans up the
Mississippi river and ended their trip at Quincy, where the parents
passed their remaining years and died, the father in 1800 and the mother,
Janiuiry 12, 1871, at the age of sixty-five years. The father was a carpen-
ter and his early efforts inthe United States were given in the upbuilding
of the city of Quincy. then a mere village on the bank of "The Father of
Waters." Two of the three children of this venerable couple lived to
reach maturity, viz : John G. and his brother, John Alartin. who died in
Los Angeles, California, in 1890.
John G. Erdman learned his trade in his vigorous youth, becoming
proficient in both wood work and blacksmithing. With the exception of
three years, when he was sojourning, temporarily, in Marysville, Cali-
fornia, he was a resident of Quincy, 111., till his advent to Kansas. In 1864,
he crossed the plain, driving a team, and made the trip to California, be-
ing located at Marysville, near Sacramento, where he remained three
years, and where he followed his trade. He returned east, by wafer, and
disembarked at Charleston, South Carolina, where he took rail for his
home in Quincy. Resuming his trade, he engaged with W. T. and E. A.
Rogers, of Quincy, with whom he continued eleven years. Being a short
while in the steam and gas fitting business, on his own account, he dis-
continued it and employed with the well known hay{)ress manufacturer,
George Ertal, where he remained four years. Following this, he was em-
ployed, as a blacksmith, for iliicc years, in a wheel factory and the sav-
ings he accumulated in tlnsr ciLiliiiiMi years constituted the capital with
whidi he came out to Aioiiigoniciy county, in 1884. and purchased the
farm which he has developed into an attractive homestead. He found
here, a small field of twenty acres plowed, the jdace bajren of buildings,
and little else was there, in sight, to indicate that it had been touched Ity
the ci\ilizing hand of man. A commodious farm residence now domi
ciles the family and am])le l)arns and sheds give shelter to the stock of
the farm. The mention of these, constitutes only a suggestion of what
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 435
has iM'en done by the industrious household, under the supervision of its
paten.al head. Mr. Erdman owns one hundred and sixty aires of the
section in which he lives and makes it all produce al.undantly and
prosjjer.
Aj)ril 8. 1869, Mr. Erdman married, in Quincy. ]\I;ny I'.nieiiiii^r. a
lady ef Mecklenburg; birth. Her father, John Brueninji. came over from
Germanv to Illinois, in an early day, and followed cabinet making in
Quincv.' where he died, in June. 1900, at eighty years of age. Mr. and
Mrs. Erdman's children are: John F., Henry W., Ida. wife of Henry
Meyer, of Elk City, Kansas; Sophia and Mary. Mr. Erdman votes the
Republican ticket' and worships with the German Lutheran congrega-
tion, in Independence.
WILLIAM W. :M(K1NNEY— In Louisburg township, of this county,
on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, there has lived, since 1886, a
gentleman who has the distinction of being a veteran of the Mexican war.
He served in that struggle, under General Winfleld Scott, from the Gulf
coast to the Mexican capital. This veteran is W. W. McKinney, the
subject of this review, now seventy-eight years of age. and he looks back
upon a long life of stirring activity with the consciousness of having per-
formed each requirement of manhood as it was presented to him.
Mr. McKinney was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, in the year
1825. His parents were Flemon and Ann Delilah (Gregg) McKinney.
He is a grandson of William McKinney, who emigrated from his native
State of Virginia to Kentucky, at a very early period, in the settlement of
the "Blue Grass State." The family are of Scotch descent, the great
grandparents of our subject having come to America in the latter part of
the eighteenth century.
Mr. McKinney's parents passed their entire lives in the "Blue Grass
State." His mother died in Pulaski county, while he was yet a child,
and his father located in Louisville, after the Civil war. They reared the
following children, viz: Elizabeth, William W.. Pauline B.. John G.,
Hiram K. and Lucinda ; all deceased but Hiram K and William W. By
a second marriage, Flemon McKinney had the following children:
James F., Charles H., Nancy, Pauline and Eliza Ann; and by a third
marriage, were two children : Margaret and Emma.
William McKinney received his education in Pulaski county. Ken-
tucky, and continued to reside upon the old homestead until 1886. He
enlisted in the Mexican war, in 1847. as a volunteer in Company "C,"
Fourth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, for which service he now receives
a pension of |8.00 per month. He married, in 18-18, Lora Ann, a
daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Lawson) Reid, of Pulaski county,
Kentucky, and to whom were born children, as follows : Mary Elizabeth
436 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
aud Cyremis J., deceased; Naucy Ellen, wife of Joseph M. Hubble, a
farmer of Pulaski county, whose four children are: Lena. Edgar, Annie
and William; James, who first married Sdidirona Vaught, who died, De-
cember 3, 1893, leaving four children: Elmer J., Pearl, Rose and May;
his second wife was Annie Goodwin, daughter of Alfred Goodwin, a farm-
er of Montgomery county, whose two children are: Fannie and Mary;
JohnTalbottMcKinney, married :Mary P.elle Uryant, a daughter of Henry
Bryant, a farmer of Kentucky; her children are: Oscar, William B., Alba
and Lela; Sarah L., is the wife of B. J. Vaught, a farmer of Pulaski
county; her children are: Victor G., Fanny A.. Allie, Neatie. Fauna,
Beatie and Mocella; W'illiam F.'s first wife was Myrtle Skinner, daughter
of Dr. M. W. Skinner of Kansas, and after her death — which occurred
May 1, 1896 — he was joined in marriage with Lilly Vaught, daughter of
Fountain F. and Margeret (Dungan) Vaught, farmers of Pulaski county,
Kentucky. The Vaught family consists of eleven children, five of whom
are now living, as follows: Boen, Pulaski county; Elisha, Parke county,
Indiana; Ansel, Estell and Jlrs. McKinney.
William F. McKinney was born, in ISdi', in Pulaski county, and
received his education in the common schools of I hat county and at the
University of Lebanon, Ohio. He was, for a period of ten years, station
agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, at different points, but
has for several years, been managing his father's farm, in Louisburj^
township.
The social position of the McKinney family is ;i commanding one
in the county. The correct and ui)right lives which have been lived by
our subject and his children, has established for them a most enviable
reputation. Their character and citizenship is of the best and they are
held in high regard. Politically, they support the i)arty of Lincoln and
Garfield, and are devoted members of the Christian church.
THOMAS J. STRAl'B— I'robably the youngest Register of Deeds
of ^Montgomery county is Thomas J. Straub, of this review. He is a na-
tive of the county and is a son of pioneer parents, Francis J. and Eliza-
beth ! Wilkinson) Straub, the former of whom took up a tract of the pub-
lic domain, in Liberty township, in the year 1860. He was a settler from
Missouri but was born in the State of Wisconsin, January 24, 1847. His
parents were of German birth and his father, Henry ■). Straub, brought
his family to Wisconsin in an early day, resided there lill some finie in
the .^(I's and Iheu moved down into Missouri, where his younger cliiidicii
grew tip.
Frances J. Straub came to manhood's estate on the farm and ac
quired a limited education in the country schools. He espoused the side
of the union, during the Rebellion, and enlisted, in ISCli. in the Twelfth
HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 437
Missouri Cavalry. He served two aud one -half years in the South and
when discharged from the service, returned home aud reengaged in civil
pursuits there till 18G9, when he anticipated Horace Greely's advice and
came west. The "claim" he took in Montgomery county, he improved
and resided on until 1902, when, having lost his companion and having
brought his children to years of maturity, he accompanied his son to In-
dependence, where he now resides. September 20, 1871, he was united in
marriage with a daughter of Thomas Wilkinson, a gentleman of Irish
birth, whose early American home was maintained in the Dominion of
Canada. There liis daughter, Elizabeth, was born, in 1846. She accom-
panied her father to Kansas and settled in Montgomery county, in 1869,
and died in Liberty township, on the 12th of September, 1902, after a
married life of nearly thirty-one years. The children of this union were:
Etta, who died at twenty-one years; Ivan E., of Baker City, Oregon;
Thomas J. and Kate E.,' twins, the latter of whom died December 24,
1898 ; and Ulysses G., who died June 2, 1901.
Thomas J. Straub was born November 29, 1878. He followed the ways
of the farm youth, till the spring of 1898, when he enlisted in Captain
Elliott's company of Twentieth Kansans, for service in the Spanish-
American war. The regiment rendezvoused at San Francisco, Califor-
nia, till October, 1898, when it was embarked aboard the transport In-
diana, for Manila, to assist in the reduction of the Spanish stronghold
in the Pacific. December 1, the transport anchored in Manila Bay and
the Twentieth Kansas, on being disembarked, was given a position on the
outpost of Manila. It remained on this species of guard duty till the
Filipino outbreak, on the 4th of February, 1899, when it took a promi-
nent part in all the fighting, from Caloocan to San Fernando, the follow-
ing June. On the 2:!d of February, our subject was on picket duty within
the city of Manila, when it was expected that the Filipinos of the place
would undertake to massacre all the English-speaking and Spanish resi-
dents, and when the city was thrown into a turmoil of excitement by the
recent discovery of such a plot. But, few lives were sacrifieed, other than
Filipinos, during the night, and morning relieved the tension and assured
the safety of the city. Mr. Straub participated in the battles of Tuhuli-
han river, Calumpit and Malolos, in addition to those previously men-
tioned, returned to the United States on board the transport Tartar, by
way (if Hong Kong and Yokahoma, aud reached San Francisco October
lo, 1899, and on the 2d of November following, ended a flying trip across
the continent, with the regiment, to take part in the reception tendered
the fomous Twentieth by the citizens of Kansas at Topeka on that day.
Mr. Straub finished his education, on his return home, in the com-
mercial college at Sedalia, Missouri, and, following the completion of his
course was, for five months. Deputy Clerk of the District Court in Mont-
gomery county. In January, 1902, he severed his connection with the
^jS HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
office ;iii(i returned to Liberty towushiii. from which he soou afterward
aiinouMced his eaiulidacy for" the (.ffice :)f Reyi^^ter of Deeds. fie wa.s
iiuiiiiiialed. against two' corapefitors. and was elected, in November, by
a majority of three hiindred and seventy live voles, lie was installed into
office* danuary 12. 1003. to succeed T. V. Hurke. He is a Republican and
cast his mai<ien Tresidential vole for the lamcni.'d William McKinley.
HKNKV HHADLEY. M. 1».— A j.lcasanl drive, one half mile east
of the little city of Caney. in .Mon1j;(imery county, biings one to the
splendid stock farm of Dr. Henry I'.radley, ;•. gentleman whose strong
]i(>rsonality has affected, in a marked degree, the develojunent of the sec-
tion m wliich he lives and whose jdeasing address and kindly niannei
has nuide him the center of a Lost of friends.
Dr. Rradley comes of "Buckeye" stock, having been born in Indiana
on the '22d of March, 1845. His father, Michael Bradley, was a native of
Ohio and, on arriving at manhood's estate, was joined in marriage
to Leah (Jlick. also a "Biickeye.'' They moved to Indiana, about 184(1, and
settled in Miann county, in the virgin forest, and, in True pioneer fashion,
carved out a home, and where they continued to reside until the death
|>f the father, at the age of sixty-five years. The wife survives him, ai
.the age of eighty-six years. She was the mother of twelve children, of
whom Henry is the fourth.
Dr. Henry Bradley drew inspiration from the fields of the"Hoosier
State," attending to the duties of farm life and acquiring such education
as was possible, in the district school of that time, with its slab benches
and puncheon floors and teachers who spared not the rod, in the making
of the future scholar and statesman. He was, later, favored with a three
years" caurse at a Pi-esbyterian academy, at Wabash, Indiana, and then
commenced the study of his profession. He finished his studies at a med-
ical college in Marion, graduating in February of 1882. With his "sheep-
skin" under his arm, he immediately came west, locating at Tyro, in Mont-
gomeiy county. Here he built up a splendid practice, but, yielding to the
excitement of the time, in the opening of the Oklahoma country, he went
down, secured a claim, and stayed until he had proved up on it, in the
meantime doing some practice at his profession. Kansas, however, had
sunk her seeds of contentment so deep into his nature that he re
solved to sell out and return, and Montgomery again claimed him as a
••itizcn. He, however, had become weaned from the profession to which
he had devoted thirty years of his life, and, in conjunction with his son,
imrchased a farm and began the business in which they are now engaged.
Here they make a point of handling nothing but the best stock, and do a
large business in horses and mules.
Dr. Bradley's family consists of wife and one son, Nathaniel, who
J. E. HARDIN.
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HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 44 I
of oil senf from this section, to the refinery at Neodeslia, tlie date Iwinj;
February 12. 189.3.
Any word of coniniendation on the character of Joseph E. Harden
will seem entirely superHuous here, as nearly every reader of this volume
will have personal knowledge of him. SuflBce it to say, that he and his
family ai-e in every respect worthy the great esteem in which they are
held imd merit the universal good wishes with which they are showered.
('HARLOTTIO T. K 1 HKl'ATKK'K— In the autumn of 1870, the sub-
ject of this jiersonal notice caiMc into Montgomery county, Kansas, with
her husband, the late Hardin \\'. Kirkpatrick, well remembered by the
early settlers of \\est ("lierry townslii]). The two settled on a claim-right,
bought of one l<]dward Hurt. f(u- which they paid the sum of $900.00,
and remained there twelve years, going thence to their new farm, in sec-
tion 3. township 31, range 1(J, which was entered, as a claim, by Mr. Mc-
Goveru. Here the family had its permanent home and here Mr. Kirkpat-
rick died, February 10, 190.">.
Mrs. Kirki)atrick was born in Scott county, Hlinois. January 13.
184.5, and was a resident of that county till her departure for Kansas.
Her parents were lOdward iind Delilah (Haxter) Elliott, born in Penn-
sylvania and Kentucky, resi)ectively. Edward Elliott was a son of
Elliott, who removed from the "Keystone State" to Kentucky and
subsequently became a i)ioneer of Scott county, Illinois. Edward. Thom-
as and Harriet Hamilton were the three children of the original Elliott,
herein mentioned, and by his marriage with I)<^lilah Haxter, Edward
Elliott reared eight cliildren. namely: \Ailliam H., Mrs. Julia .\. Cline,
Mrs. Marv Hamilton. .Mrs. Caroline Dawson, John S.. Mrs. Sarah E. Kel-
ly. Mrs. .Vmanda E. Fletcher and Mrs. Charlotte T. Kirkpatrick.
Hardin W. Kirkimtrick was born in Winchester. Scott county. Hli-
nois, and was a son of Thomas and Jane R. (Summers) Kirki)atrick,
natives of Jlonroe county, \'irginia, and of Todd county, Kentucky, res-
pectively. The elder Kirk()atricks had four children, namely: Hardin
W., Samantha H., Mrs. Alice A. McEvens and Mrs. Emmorilles Edmoud-
son. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk}>atrick became the parents of five children, viz:
Harry E., of Montgomery county, has three sons: Roy, Ivan C. and Burt
R. ; Chas. S.. of Latah. Washington, has a daughter, Mildred. Those
deceased are : Edward, Vera and an infant.
In his young manhood, Hardin W. Kirkpatrick learned cabinet-
making, but when about twenty years of age, he abandoned the trade and
became a teacher in the country schools, for some time. At the opening
of the Civil war. he enlisted, as a private, in Company "F," One Hundred
and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After Hie war, he returned
to his native pla<-e, with a minnie ball in his arm, and followed farnnng
442 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEBY COUNTY, KANSAS.
till he left the east to become identified, in the same manner, with the
west.
As a citizen of Montgomery conuty. he practiced industry and
brought up his family to useful and upright lives. He was a prominent
factor in local politics and was called to serve in public office by the
voters of his township. He held the office of treasurer one term and was
a number of years trustee and justice of the peace. He affiliated with
the allied forces, as against the dominant political party of the county,
and contributed his mite toward the overthrow of Republicanism.
JOSEPH S. HENDERSON— Brought int.. .Monigomery county in
infancy, when nature was supreme. Josejjh S. Henderson is numbered
with the pioneers. It was October 1. 1809, that his ])arents entered the
county and became i)ernianent settlers here. Their location was made on
section 29, township 82. range 15, which tract was substantially im-
proved, in time, and which has remained the continuous abiding place
of the family. The head of the family early took rank as one of the pro-
nouncedly successful farmers of the county and his landed accumulations
and excellence, as a citizen, have made him widely known and highly
esteemed.
William D. Henderson, father of our subject, is well on the shady
side of life. Arduous and continuous lalior. for a third of a century, in
a new country, has tiually told on him. and in the zenith of his achieve-
ments and when ready to enjoy life, he is broken in spirit and emaciated
and wasted in body. He came to Kansas, a sti'ong and ambitious man,
and while achieving his ambition, his strength has wasted away. The
accumulation of his four hundred and seventy-five acres of land and the
rearing and stai'ting of a large family on successful careers, furnish the
briefest synopsis of the events of his career. He was born in Johnson
county, Indiana, in 183.5. He grew to manhood on the farm and married
Susan, a daughter of James R. Debo. also of Indiana origin. The issue
of this marriage is the following children: f'arrie, wife of Andrew Mc-
Ginnis. of Wilson county. Kansas; Miss Louella. Nannie, who married
Solon Swartz, of Montgomery county; Amy, Mrs. (J. W. Riggle, of Mont-
gomery county; Joseph S., the subject of this i)ersonal review; Eliza-
beth, wife of W. S. rtterback, of Oklahoma; Jlinnie, who became Mrs.
J. S. Inman, of Montgomery county; and Frank, yd on the old home-
stead. Four others died young.
Joseph S. Henderson is a jiroduct of the connliy schools and, while
growing up. became familiar with all the "ins and outs" of farm work
and development. He had a fine ojtportnntiy to gel accniainted with hard
work and he accejited the condition without complaint. Fie resided with
his parents till i)ast the twenty-fifth milestone of life and then, Noveiii
HISTOUV OV MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 445
ber 2<J. 1894, uiariied Effle J. Hiowu, a daughter of Isaac Brown. Mv.
Brown came to Kansas from Illinois, where Mrs. Henderson was born,
but was originally from Tennessee. He is, now, a resident of Oklahoma.
Mrs. Henderson was born on the 11th day of December, 1809, and is one
of a family of four children. Three children are the issue of this union
of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, namely: Homer, Jessie and Edith M.
In politics, the Hendeisons of this branch are, and have always been.
Democrats. For many years, William D. served on the school board in
his home district and thus contrilmted of his time toward advancement
in public education.
(UOOKiilO W. ilOOXEV — Tune 4. 1858, George W. Mooney, of this
sketch, was born at Fort Aladison, Iowa. He lived the life of a farmer
boy in his yoiitii an<l the first twenty-.six years wei'e passed in his native,
county. After three years, si)ent as a teamster in Ft. Madison, he remov-
ed to Taylor county, Iowa, where he resumed farming and continued it
for twelve years. Coming thence to Kansas and settling in Montgomery
county he pur<'has('<l eighly acres, in section 3fi, township 31, range 16,
wher;^ he maintains himself at home.
Mr. Mooney is a son of George Mooney. a native of Ohio, who left
the farm there, came into Iowa and engaged in the operation of a saw-
mill. He was a son of an Irishman, Charles ;^[ooney, whose youthful
home was in the State of Maryland. Charles Mooney had sons, Daniel
and (leorge. and the latter married Kosanna Piatt, a Virginia lady. John
and Hannah were their two children, the latter becoming Mrs. Joseph
Shetller. of Missouri. Jane Smith became the second wife of George
Mooney. She was a IVnnsylvania woman and was a daughter of John
and Jlary Smith. The issue of this second marriage were: Smith, of Illi-
nois; :Mrs. Elizabeth Knock, of Ft. ]Madison, Iowa; George W., our sub-
ject; and Rachel, who resides with her brother George.
The life of Mr. Mooney has been an uneventful one, in the light of
political or other excitement, and has been passed mainly within range
of his own home and under the shadow of "his own vine and tig tree."
His household is presided over by his younger sister and both acknowl-
edge a close and sym])athetic relationshi]) with the plain people. Mr.
Mooney is a Democrat and has a mend)ership in the A. H. T. A.
HAKKV i:. I'.RIGHTON— The weekly newsjjaper is an institution
to wliich may be attributed, in a large measure, the remarkable develop-
ment of the great west. Through no other agency could the advantages
of this section have been placed before the people .so fully, and it is grati-
fying to find here and there a publisher who has been partially repaid for
444 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
the painstaking effoi-t he has made to serve his town aud eouuty. The
popuhirity of the geulleniau. here introduced to our readers, is attested
by the splendid support given his very excellent paper, the Caney Weekly
Chronicle, of which he has been editor and publisher since 1892.
Mr. Brighton is an Illinoisan by birth, Tazewell county the place aud
December 22, 18(37, the time. He is the son of Israel M. Brighton. The
father was a native of the "Hoosier State," where the Civil war found
him a young man of loyal spirit and a will to help "break the Afric's
chain." He went to the front and, for three years, was engaged in the
service, as a member of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Indiana Cav-
alry, participating in many of the hard fonglit baltles of the war. Turn-
ing his implements of war into the pruning hooks of peace, he left the
"Hoosier State" and settled in Illinois, where he was shortly married to
Mary E. Logue, of "Buckeye'" nativity. In 1868, they joined the stream
of emigration setting in toward the west and became one af the pioneer
families of Montgomery county. For six years the family lived on a,
farm near Independence, then removed to that place, where the father
soon died, being carried off at the early age of thirty-five years. The wife
still resides in Indejjendence, bearing her sixty-eiglit years with remark-
able activity. She is the mother of three stalwart sons and one daughter,
our subject being the eldest. Hold N., the second son, imitated the spirit
of the father and, during the war willi S]iain. served valiantly as a mem-
ber of the Fortieth V. S. Infantry. He had completed his term of ser-
vice and was returning on board one of the government transports when
he was attacked with a malignant disease and carried away. The young-
er son is Edgar M. and the daughter is :Mrs. I >. N. liall, ofKik City.'
Harry E. Brighton narrowly escaped being numbered with the native,
Kansans, being but nine months old when he landed in Montgomery
county. In education, he is the inodnct of the sj)lpndi(l s<hool system
of his adopted state, and, at the age of fifteen, entered a i)rinting office,
second only to the public sclnxd in the work of education. This was in
1882, and Mr. Brighton has been in the bnsiness contiiiuonsly since that
time. He worked at the case until ISiil. when he Mssociated himself with
W. S. Irving and bought the CoHVyville News, lie retained his interest
in the News but a year when he sold out to his partner, and, coming to
Caney. worked for a year in the office of the Caney Times. Again he
essayed the role of editor and publisher, this time purchasing the Caney
Chronicle, in association with Mr. ("harles Taylor. The Chronicle was a
good newspajier pi'ojierty, but needed the energetic attention of two such
men as were now in charge. It soon took rank as one of the best papers
in southern Kansas and has maintained its high standard since the re-
tirement of Mr. Taylor, whose interest was bought by onr subject, in 1896.
The secret of Mr. Brighton's success, is his untiring devotion to the inter-
ests of the comniunilv in which he resides. The Chronicle is always
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 445
open to tell the story of ("ane.v's suj)erior advantages, and much of the
marvelous ])rogress of that enterj)rising little city is due to the adver-
tising it has received in its columns. Politically, the Chronicle is a firm
supporter of the policies of the Republican party and its strong utter-
ances, dui'ing the days of Reform ascendancy, did much to turn the tide
again in favor of what Mr. Brighton fully believes to be the salvation
of the country.
The family of Mr. Brighton consists of wife and four children:
Maud M., Thomas H., Hobart A. and a little girl one year old. Mrs.
Brighton, whom he married on the 25th of December, 1889, was Miss
Ida L. Oompton, daughter of W. W. Compton, an early settler of Kan-
sas. They live in a nice residence, where they dispense a gracious hospi-
tality to a large circle of friends.
Mr. Brighton is a member of I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. and both
are members of the M. E. church.
JOHN N. DOLLISON— Well and most favorably known to the citi-
zens of Montgomery county, as a teacher, public official and worthy citi-
zen, is he whose name initiates this personal record. Eight years a
teacher, four years in charge of public education in the county and nine-
teen years a citizen here, constitutes a brief synopsis of the life of J. N.
Dollison, as spent in Montgomery county.
Born in Guernsey county, Ohio, April 4, 1854, Mr. Dollison was a
son of a farmer, William E. Dollison, who brought his family into Owen
county, Indiana, ab(mt 1857, and soon thereafter settled in Clay county,
the same state. William E. Dollison was born in Guernsey county,
Ohio, in 1815, and passed away in Independence, Kansas, in 1893. He
was a son of John Dollison, born in Tennsylvania, and reared the follow-
ing tiunily : ^^'illianl E., John K., (i('<iri;c. J.iines, Harvey, Mary, wife of
James Rowland, and Sarah, who iii:miiil Morgan C. Neff and moved to
Wisconsin. Wm. E. Dollison married Susannah M. Laird, a lady of Irish
antecendents and a daughter of James Laird, who crossed the Atlantic
ocean at twenty-five years old. To this couple were born six sons, two of
whoin, Jasper W., of Rector. Arkansas, and John N., of this review, are
living.
The subject of this sketch learned farming in youth and he followed
it till he was twenty-four years old. He had the j)rivileges of the com-
mon schools and, at eighteen years of age, began teaching a country
school. He continued this line of school work for some nine years, also
acquiring some experience in graded school work. He increased his
educational endowment by attendance upon a private normal and, with
his experience in teaching, came to Kansas, in 1884, equipped to take his
place among the successful teachers of the county. For three vears he
446 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
was onjiajred in country school work and for eight he was connected witii
I lie fjiaded schools of Independence, being; principal of one of the wards
of the city. In ISDti, he was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction,
of Monij;iinicry county and. two years later, was reelected to the same
office. His administration of the office was most efficient and had to do
with encourufiing country school grading and the establishment of a
system of examinations for jiromotion to the county high schools and
city schools. The County High School was established . during his term,
and he aided much in encouraging a sentiment in its fav(n' and was ex-
offic'o chairnian of the board. Upon leaving the Superintendent's office,
he engaged in the real estate business in Independence, where he and his
son a>e now well established.
September 1!», 1878. Mr. Dollison nmrried, in Clay ct>unty, Indiana,
Sarah 1). Xels<Hi, a daughter of I'hilip and Martha (Birchfield) Nelson.
The children of this marriage are: O. Vere, a graduate of the city and
county high schools, a jjartner with his father and was married July 10,
1902. to Olive Parker: Merton Iv. witli the Long Hell Lumber Co.. of
Indej'endence.
.Ml-. l>ollisoii is a member of the Masonic ('hai)ter. is an Odd Fellow
and jilliliaics with the Democratic party.
WILLI A.M T. OLIVKH— William T. Oliver, a resi^ected and worthy
representative of that occu)>alion dignified by such men as Washington —
farming — resides on a well cultivated farm, three miles from the stirring
market town of Elk City. He is approaching the evening of life, and
has reached a point in his career where he can lay aside, to some extent,
the implements of industry and, thereby, lighten the burdens of life.
He comes of jiatriotic stock, his grandfather having been one of the
"immortals" wlio bravely took up arms against English fy-ranny, in the
days of the war for American independence.
Mr. Oliver was born in East Tennessee, in the year 1828, and is a son
of Walter and Frances (Riddle) Oliver. It was grandfather Jamea
Kiddle who particii)ated in the Kevolutionary struggle and who, after
that event, immigrated with his family, to the Blue Ridge Slopes of
Tennessee. He settled in .MacMinn county, where he continued to reside
during the remainder of his life. As his father died before our subject
reached mature years, the latter is not familiar with the family histor\f
on that side. However. tli(> Olivers are known to be of Welch descent
and this braiuli of (he family settled in East Tennessee in a very earlj!
da.\. .Mother Oliver lived to a very great age, dying in 1893, in hen
ninety-third year. She was a woman of strong character and kept her
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 447
faculties almost up to the last. She reared five children: Elizabeth,
Sarah Jane, VYiliiani T., James and Lucinda.
Mr. Oliver, of this review, was reared in East Tennessee, and, in
18!i'2, moved to Marion county, Illinois. Here he continued to reside un-
til 1855, when he joined the Free State men, who were coming into Kan-
sas for the purpose of securing the state to the cause of liberty. He set-
tled at Lawrence, having driven through from Marion county, in the
primitive prairie schooner of that day. He rented land in the vicinity
of Lawrence and, until 18G1, was a participant in the exciting incidents
which have made Lawrence the center of interest since that day. In thg
latter year, he moved down into Woodson county, where he remained
during the period of the war, and from whence, in 1868, he came down
into Montgomery county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres,
a part of the farm on which his present home is situated.
At a later day, as prosperity came to him, he added one hundred and
thirty acres to his domain, and now i)ossesses a tract of as fine farming
land as could be ft)und in the county. ^Ir. Oliver is one of the old pio-
neers who went through all the hardships and trials incident to the
"early times" in the "Sunflower State," and his success in life is all the
more gratifying because it is so well eai'ued.
The domestic life of Mr. Oliver was begun, in 1866, by his union with
Mrs. Sarah C. (Swayford) Muiray. as a partner for life. To them
have been born twelve cliildnMi, as follows: Rebecca, who married Charles
Wieninger and resides at IndejifiHlence, with four children: Eva, Nellie
Pearl, Henry and Thomas; James, who died June, 1901; Mary, Mrs.
Jaspei'Wolf, of ("liautan(|ua county, Kansas; her children being: William,
John, Albert OIlie and ICdna ; Eldora, Thomas, who died in infancy; Wil-
liam Albert, who died at thirteen years; Martha, who resides in Inde-
pendence,isthe wife of George Page; Sherman is still at the old home and
is married to Amanda Wheeler; Joseph, who married Carrie Newton,
is a farmer of Sycamore township and has a daughter. Florin L. ; Emery
married Myrtle Farris and resides on the home farm ; John and Henry
Arthur are young men residing at the old home; and Robert I^eonard,
who died at the age of thirteen years.
No more respected family has residence in Louisburg township than
that of Mr. Oliver. Their connection with the social life of the neigh-
borhood, in which they have so long resided, has been such as to elevate
the moral tone of the community, they being active workers in the
Friends' church, during this period. In matters of public import, Mr. Ol-
iver has taken a good citizen's part, and has always exerted his influence
in seturing the best in matters of education and local government. His
political belief is in the principles, as laid down in the Republican plat-
form, he having been a supporter of that party from the very beginning
of its existence. He has voted for every Republican president since Fre-
moiit and is proud of the fact that the entire Oliver connection casts its
ballot in sympathy with his views. Mr. Oliver is a citizen of whom
Mont^diiKM-y counly may well be proud.
sketch.
A(]
lam r.
11:
hIscI
I84r,.
His V.
Dili:
!•; lit
counly
. and 1
lis
edur
state.
His til
I'St
wife.
Ah.V.M r. HADSELL— Of the many worthy and enterprising
farmers in Parker township, none is more deserving of mention than the
gentleman whose name appears above. He came to this county in 1878,
when he located on a farm two miles west of Coffeyville. His father,
HoiiUi' V. Hadsell, was a native of Vermont, and was a farmer, having
followed that o<-CHpation all his life. His death occurred, in i^ew York^
at the age of sixty-three years, his wife dying at the age of fifty years.
The family consisted of seven children, five of whom are living, viz:
Anna U. \\ilsoii, Nathan I)., Lilian Dinehart, all of Middlesex, "New
York; Hoy I)., uf Wintield. Kansas; and Adam l'., the subject of this
was liorn in Yates county. New York. October l.'J,
» was spent, chiefly, on the farm in his native
itioii was received in the <-ommon schools of that
nee Sarah Tyler, was also a native of New York,
was born December 2!». 184."), and was a daughter of Koswell R. Tyler, a
native and pioneer of Middlesex county. The mother's maiden name
was S;>rali ^V. Wood. Hoth of these parents died in New York.
Jlr. Hadsell came to Kansas, in 1878, and i)urchased eighty acres
of uncultivated land, two miles west of Coffeyville. Mr. W. W. Tyler
accompanied him to Kansas, and, together, the two families occupied a
small tenant house, until our subject could build a small house on his
own !;iii(l. lie ])osscssed. at that time, money enough to buy eighty acres
of land, at six dollars an acre, and to build thereon his little house. But
wiiii restless energy, and resolute purpose that few men possess, he has
increased liis ])(>ssessi()ns to four hundred and thirty acres of the choic^
est land. On this land he has built a large substantial home, and two
large barns, one for cattle and one for horses. Besides his farming inter-
ests. ]je has raised and sold cattle, seldom feeding Ihein through the win-
ter, bi't selling them direct from the pasture to shijiiiers.
Mr. Hadsell has. during his residence in Kansas, accpiired sufficient
])roi)ertytoinsuiea good degree of independence and to jtrovide his family
with many of the luxuries of life. He takes no jtarticnlar interest in pol-
itics, yet iie has been elected treasurer of the townshi|( for two terms, and
has heeii a member of the school board fifteen years. He is a Republican,
his first jiresidential vote being cast for Abraham Lincoln, in 18ti4. Ibl
is also a member of the A. O. U. W., K. & L. of S. and Triple Tie.
Mr. IladseH's first wife died January 18, 1805, leaving children:
Coidelin, who died in infancy; Tyler, deceased; Anna, Charles, Jesse and
It I* 19 f^ 19 I* I
iVTORT OF MONTGOMBBY COUNTT, KANSAS.
• iii"ud of the fact that the entire Oliver conri- tu'>! r;it.is k-
mpathy with hie vifvs. Mr. Oliver is a citizen of whon,
-id eaterprisiiij,
ne ilebeiMug 1)1 mention than the
lie came to this rouuty in 1878,
•.v!-si of Ooffe.wille. His father,
it, and was a fanner. Laving
-ath occurred, in T^ew York,
ig at the age of fiftj- years.
^"e of whom are living, viz:
nit, all of Middlesex, ^ew
, m|_ i.urcLasrd ♦■iijhiy acres
ileyvillo. Mr. W. W. Tyler
the two families occupied a'
jLi I v\;aki build a small house on his
imo. iiionov enough to buy eighty acres
>;. huH,! ,Iio,-,-.:n l^\<'-i.:U- l.-MiKr, Uut
iiesides his taruiing iutci-
■dinir Them Ihrongh the win
1
Mr.
proitcrt;
sufficient
is family
I I • I wmTm*
• • %
450 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTY, KANSAS.
old, iu Sheuiuigii county, New York; Amanda, wife of Morris Brown,
of Cattaraugus eounty, New Yorli ; Louisa, deceased, who married Jame^
Colwell. of Shenango county, New York; Barton, Mary, deceased
wife of Henry Holley, of the same county; Isaac O., our subject; Lu-
cetta, now Mrs. Henry Bartlett, of Shenango county; and Clarinda, who
died unmarried.
Isaac O. Slater passed his childhood and early manhood in the coun-
ty of his birth. The country schools ])rovided his education and his home
was under the parental roof till pasi Jiis majority. However, he "bought
his time" some months prior to coming of age and worked at the carpen-
ter's bench, as an occupation, for a time. Following this, he was em-
ployed in a shingle mill and, in 18(50, became an avowed farmer. He was
married in March, of that year, his wife being Mary Ann Howe, a daugh-
ter of William Howe, of Shcnango county, New Y^ork. In 1866, he left
the scenes of his youth and began the wanderings which, finally, brought
him to Montgomery county, Kansas.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Slater are: Orlando H., who married
Anna Foster and died at thirty-one years, leaving one child, Lena, who
died at eight years; Nellie, wife of James Tucker, of Kansas City; Barton
W., a teacher in Elk county, Kansas; Albert, of Montgomery county, is
married to Claude O'Brien; Kirklin, of Jlontgomery county, is married
to Josie Eains.
In the matter of ]iolitics, Mr. Slater's record is that of a jiarty man,
on national and slate issues, \\ithoul (jiiestion or e(|nivocation. His fore-
fathers were Whigs and when the Kcpuhlican party announced its first
candidate for the presidency, oui' snbjei-t was for him. He has filled a
few of the important townshij) ottices, because they were selected for him
and awarded to him at the polls, and has, in a modest way, performed
other service, wliich has shown his jiublic spirit and his encouragement
of progress and enterjtrise in the county.
JOSEPH BLACKMORE, JK.— One of the worthy members of the ag-
ricultural class of the county is Joseph Blackmore," Jr., who resides on
a farm of four hundred and eighty acres, five and one-half miles from
Elk City. He is here extensively engaged in general farming and stock
raising, and is one of tlie well-to-do men of his township.
Born in Somersetsliire, England, in 1846, Mr. Blackmore is a son of
George and Catherine (Trick) Blackmore. lie comes from an ancestry
which has for centuries been engaged in tilling the soil. His grandfath-
er was Thomas Trick. His i)ai'ents reared a family of seven cliildren, of
whori James I'.lackmore, the eldest, died in Akron, New York. His wid-
ow, ^lary Mills, now resides at Batavia, New York, with her four child-
len : Susie. Cliarlcs, (leorge and Rluida ; George Blackmore is now deceas-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEnY COUNTY, KANSAS. 451
«(1; Jacob still resides in Englaiul ; Keziah is deceased; the tifth child
Is Joseph, our subject. Rhoda and William are both deceased.
Jtseph Blackniore, Jr., was icared to man's estate in the country of
his birth, and, on the 21st of Sei»teiiibei-, 1868, he married Elizabeth, a,
daughter of John Mitchell. Airs. lUackmore was orphaned at a very
tender age, her father suffering death hv being thrown from a horse before
she was born, and her mother dying when she was but three years old.
A brother of Joseph, James lilackmore. came to America, in 1850, and lo-
cated near Akron, New York. It was through him that Joseph was in-
fluenced, in 18C8— shortly after his marriage— to cast his lot with Amer-
ica. The latter located in Niagara county, New York, where he rented
his bv<.ther's farm, for a time. His desire to secure, cheap, a home
caused him, in 1870 to come west to Kansas, where, near Independence,
he preempted one hundred and sixty acres. He resided there for five
years and then purchased a farm in Park township but, after two years,
again sold and went to Liberty. For nineteen years, he was one of the
enterprising farmers of that township but, in 1901, concluded to again
make a change. He purchased his present tract, lying in Louisburg and
Sycamore townships, where he has since resided.
Mr. Blackniore has ever been a success in his line of business and the
property which he now owns represents the accumulations of his own
labors.
To Mr. and Mrs. Blackmore seven children have been born : Bessie
C, born in August of 1873, married George Parks, a farmer of Liberty
township; their three children being: Claudie, James and Mattie; George
B., born February 7, 1876, resides at Crane, this county ; William T.,
born December 24, 1878, lives at the old home; James M., born October
25, 1880; Harry F., born July 31, 1883; Audry Pearl, born September 10,
1884. and Charles M., born August 29, 1885, are also children at home.
The character for probity and uprightness sustained by Mr. Black-
more in the county is of the very highest order and both he and his fam-
ily arc much respected in the community where they reside. His resi-
dence in several parts of the county, makes him a man of wide acquaint-
ance, and both he and his family are held in high esteem in all these
different communities.
CYRUS F. DANIEL — Sycamore township has many good citizens,
but none more respected than the gentleman whose name is herewith
given, he having been a resident here since 1883. He is a thorough-going
industrious farmer who makes things win.
The birth of Mr. Daniel occurred August 20, 1854, in Pettes county,
Missouri. At seventeen, his parents removed to Bates county, Missouri,
where Cyrus continued to reside until the date of his coming to Mont-
gomery county, Kansas. Here he has been uniformly successful, his farm
452 HISTORY OF MONTGOMEllY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of one hundred and seventj-two acres, on section 25-31-15, being one of
the best in the county. His efforts have been largely in the line of grain
and slock. He is active in the social and political life of the community,
and has served, acceptably, four terms as township trustee.
Cyrus Daniel comes of southern stock, his father having been a na-
tive of North Carolina. His christian name is Charles and he is now a
resident of Sycamore township, carrying his seventy-five years without
much sign of declining vigor. His wife, nee Mary Wicker, was also a
native of North Carolina, the daughter of Eli Wicker. Eight children
were born to them, as follows: David H., deceased; DeWitt F., of Ottawa,
Kansas; Cyrus F., Hannah E. Young, of Sycamore; Charles B., Inde-
pendence; William B., of Denver, Colorado; Robert, of Junction City,
Oregon; Emma Young, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota; and James, of
Sycamore.
O^" this family, Cyrus married Mattie E., daughter of John W. and
S. Elizabeth (Smith) Sage. Mrs. Daniel is a native of Missouri. To her
have been born : Arthur, who married Mattie Holmes and lives on the
old homestead in Sycamore; he has one daughter, Florence; Bessie mar-
ried Pun Snyder, and resides in Sycamore. The following are still at
home; Susie B., Lela, Jerrv F., Alice and Edith.
DIOGENES S. JAMES— Ex-County Clerk D. S. James is one of the
pioneers of Montgomery county. July 4, 1870, he settled in Rutland
township, where his father, Joseph L. James, took up a claim on the
Osage Diminished Reserve, made a farm of it and still resides there.
Ohio county, Kentucky, is the native place of our subject and he was
born February 4, 1857. His family was one of the old ones, being set-
tlei's there in the early years of the nineteenth century and emigrants
from the State of Virginia, where Samuel James, the grandfather of
Diogenes S. James, was born. The last named was a soldier in the early
Indian war. under General William Henry Harrison, and participated
in the famous battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811.
Joseph L. James was born in Ohio county, Kentucky, in 1827, grew
up on the farm and served in the Kentucky Home Guard. When he emi-
grated from there, he made the trip to Kansas with three yoke of oxen
and began life in Montgomery county in a ])rimitive way. He has con-
ducted himself as a plain, hqnorable farmer here, has taken some interest
in local politics and was a Republican till the formation of the Green-
back party, when he joined issues wilh it. For his wife, he chose ^lar-
tha Shelton, a daughter of Shelton, a Kentucky farmer. In
1893, Mrs. James died, teing the mother of Sylvanus, of Rutland town-
ship; Mary, wife of John Sewell, of Bolton; Diogenes S., Harvey K.,
a teacher of Montgomery county, Kansas; Aurora, who married W. C.
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 453
Sewell, of Boltou; Sarah, now Mrs. A. J. Piickett, of Woodward county,
Oklahoma; Laura, wife of John Findley, of Bartlesville, Indian Terri-
tory; Dora, wife of Walthani Hudson, of Montgomery county; Alice, who
married C. E. Roberts, of Oklahoma; and Joseph B., of Montgomery
county, Kansas.
D. S. James acquired a conmion school education and, at nineteen
years of age, married Martha Hall, a daughter of the venerable Mexican
war veteran, Joseph Hall, of Caney township, Montgomery county. Mr.
Hall was also a soldier in the Civil war, being a lieutenant of a Kansas
regiment. Mr. James engaged in farming in his native county and re-
sumed it in Montgomery county, Kansas, in the spai-sely settled region of
Rutland township, upon his advent here. He was in uninterrupted and
quiet possession of his calling till November, 1897, when he was elected
Clerk of Montgomery county, by the Fusion forces of the county. He
succeeded John Glass in the Clerk's office and was reelected, in November,
1899, for another two years' term, and when this expired, he inherited
the extra year of 1902 — on account of a change in the law of succession —
and held, therefore, five full years. He retired from office, in January,
1903, with a record of d\ity faithfully performed, and, in the spring of
the same year, took his family to the Bristow, Creek Nation, his future
home.
Mr. and Mrs. James have a family of seven children, as follows : Floyd,
who married Carrie Terry; Mittie M.. Etta, Charles, Roy, John and For-
est. Mr. James is an Odd Fellow and a Workman.
JAKE MOORE — The subject of this record is one of the well-known
business men of Independence. He has resided in Montgomery county
since the year 1878. when he located on a farm, in Sycamore township,
and was engaged in its cultivation till his removal to the county seat, in
1889. He engaged in the livery business, at the old Trent stand, and was
there ten years when, in August, 1899, he took charge of the popular
stone barn and is conducting a livery and transfer business.
Jake Moore came to Montgomery county, from Barton county, Mis-
souri. He was a resident of the Missouri county, for a time, to which
point he was an emigrant from Fountain county, Indiana. In this latter
county and state he was born, August 1.5, 1854. He is a son of the late
Newble Moore, a farmer and early settler of Fountain county, Indiana,
and born, perhaps, in Ohio. The father died in Montgomery county,
Kansas, March 25, 1889, at seventy-two years of age. His wife, whose
maiden name was Mary Richardson, was born in Ohio and died in the
State of Missouri. Their children were: Triscilla, who married Charles
MuHcnour and died in Marion county, Illinois; Phoebe, who died in the
same county, was the wife of Stephen Lewellyn; Isaac, who died in In-
(lianapolis, Indiana, was a Civil war soldier, a member of the Twentieth
Indiana regiment; William, who died in Barton county, Missouri; James,
who passed away in Montgomery county, Kansas; Maggfe, now Mrs.
Richrrd Hines, of Barton county, Missouri; Jake, our subject; and
Albert.
Our subject was not fortunate, as a youth, in his educational equip-
ment, having the most meager advantages along this line. He learned
little, aside from hard work, and came to maturity an industrious but un-
learned young man. The vocation he learned in boyhood, he followed, till
his advent to Independence and embarkation in the livery business. His
financial interests in the latter are extensive, having a stock of seventy-
live head of horses, innumerable vehicles of many descriptions and being
proprietor of two barns. The livery trade in the city is his and he has
merited the favor of the traveling public.
By his first marriage. Mr. Moore has no children. His second wife,
who was. nee Frances Tojjping. he married in Montgomery county, Kan
sas. She was a daughter of Robert Topping, known near Buffalo. Kan
sas. but originally from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Moore died, in August
1S88. leaving the following children, viz: Berton. who married Lue Hu
go. and Edward, are both employed with their father; and Miss Flor
ence. of Independence. In Novemlier. 180.3. Mr. Moore married Mrs,
Addie Grubb, widow of Charles (irubl) and a daughter of William Her
rington. Ray Grubb is Mrs. Moore's only child.
The political history of the Moores of this house, shows them to
have been strongly identified with the nemocratic party. They have been
inconspicuous, however, in party affairs, and content themselves merely
•with casting a straight i.arty ticket in JTnpuitant pdlitical contests.
<'ASn:K KOTTLKK— In 1S(U. the subje.r of this brief review
sailed away from Europe, on the steamship "America" to make his home
in the new world. He was leaving his native Germany, where he was
born, at Kington, in Wittenberg. I'russia. February 20. 1840. His father,
Xafer Bottler, was a miller, was born in Prussia, was a son of Obmor
Rottler, a native German of Russian antecedents. The grandfather rear-
ed five children, as follows: John. Jo.seph. Dora. Xafer and Genevieve.
Xafer Rottler married Josephine Htaus. who bore him eight children, as
follows: Mrs. Josephine Macht, :Mrs. Theresa Staus. Mrs. Amelia
Weaver, of Nebraska; Mis. Mary Krebbs. of Nebraska ; Casper, our sub-
ject; and Agnes, who married a Witter, of Germany.
Casper Rottler attended the schools j.oiiular "in his country till he
was fourteen years of age, when he went to work in his father's flouring
mill. Subsequently he learned cabinet-making and followed it three
years. On leaving Germany, he sailed from Bremen and was two weeks
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 455
crossing the AtUmtio. He disembarked at New York City, in May_, ajid
went direct to Iowa Oity. Iowa, where he was employed, in a mill, for a
short time. March 1, 18fi5, he enlisted at Moline, Illinois, for service in
the T iiion armv, for a period of one yeor. His command was Company
"I," Twentyeifihth Vohintoer Infantry, under Cai)t. Daugherty. The reg-
iment was stationed at Mohilc. .Maltania. for four mouths, and was theu
ordered to Hrownsville. Texas, where Mr. Bottler was mustered out,
March. 18(10.
Ketuining from the army, he made his way back to Iowa City, where
he was married and remained about one year, going thence to Kansas
City, Missouri, where he was employed, at various kinds of labor, for
three years. He then came into southern Kansas and stopped in Neo-
■desha,' where he resumed mill work, and was so engaged for eleven years.
He came into M<mtgomery county next and was employed, in a similar
manner, in various places, for three years and then, 1880. purchased his
present farm, in section 17, township 31. range 1(J, and has been occupied
with its cultivation and improvement.
Mr. Rottler married Magdalena Scliau]i, a daughter of Henry and
Louisc! Schaup, German people. Seven children have resulted from this
marriage, namely: William, of Montana, with one one child, Howard;
Augustus, of Montgomery county; Mrs. Mary Hausley. of the same
county, with two children, Leslie and May; Amelia, wife of Henry Henk-
ey, of Labette county, Kansas; Sarah, Clara and Fred, still with the
parental home.
In politics, Mr. Rottler is a Re]>ul)lican, and has been a member of
his district school board for four vears.
WILLIAM J. CHARLTON— Among the worthy and respected small
farmers of Sycamore township, whose honored name is held in such es-
teem as to require special mention in this volume, is William J. Charlton.
Mr. Charlton is not one of the early settlers of the county, but has been
here fruflBcient time to become thoroughly identified with the county's
interests.
David Charlton, grandfather of William, left the Fatherland in the
early part of the nineteenth century, as a young man, and became a citi-
zen of the ''Old Dominion State." Here he married and reared three
children: John, Orena and Isaac B., the hitter becoming the next in line
of William's branch of the family. He married a Virginia maiden of the
name of Elizabeth Black and the resulting family numbered twelve, as
.follows: James M., deceased; Mary Ann Young, lives in Oregon; George
W., deceased; Eliza J.. Mrs. Ferryman, of Missouri; John W., deceased;
Sydney J., deceased; W. J., subject of this sketch; Martha, deceased;
Elizabeth Young, of Salem, Illinois; Isaac N.. deceased; Amanda L. and
Melvina, deceased. These early members of the family were respected
farmers of the middle class and contributed their share, in that day of
cruder civilization, to the upbuilding of society.
William J. Charlton was born in Marion county, Illinois, December
81. 1836, to which county his ])arents had removed from Virginia. He
was given a good primary education in the school of his home district
and remained an inmate of the home until his marriage, this event not
occurring until 1857. He then became connected with a livery business,
in partnership with his brother-in-law, .J. W. Farthing, in the nearby
town of Odin, at the same time superintending tlie woi-k on his farm. Af-
ter a period of some three years, he removed to Kiumunda and engaged
in a general merchandise business with John Alexander. A desire, how-
ever, 1o test the "Sunflower State" led to his severing relations with this
firm, in 1877. and, coming to Chautauqua county, where he purchased a
farm and, for fourteen years, was one of the active agriculturists of that
county. In February of 1891, he secured twenty acres of section 8-32-16,
lying on the banks of the Verdigris river, which has since constituted
his home.
Prior to 18.57, Mrs. Charlton was Elizabeth Huff. Her parents were
respected farmers of Marion county, Illinois, where she was born and
reared. Her father was Samuel A. Huff, her mother Lucretia Dedman.
Four children became inmates of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charlton,
were given careful hainiiig and good educations, and are now in homes
of their own, tilling rcsjionsildc jMisitions in life. Their names are James
R., mentioned elsewhere in-rein ; Adelia, married Henry Hayward and is
a resident of Montgomery county, Cora is Mrs. Oliver Beemer, of Ok-
lahoma Territory; her one child is .Tessie; the youngest daughter, Mamie-
married (ieorge Underwood and lives in the countv with her two chil-
dren. May and William.
William J. Charlton has always evinced an intelligent and lively in-
terest in affairs about him and has been a factor in the social life of the
different communities of which he has been a member. While in Chau-
tauqua county, he served a period of four years as justice of the peace,
and as a member of the school board in his district. In matters of re-
ligious moment, he is active and helpful, as is Mrs. Charlton, also. They
are members of the Christian denomination, and .in Chatauqua county,
Mr. Charlton was one of the trusted officials of the church, serving six
years as an elder.
(iI-:OK(!10 W. SHOOrMAN— A Montgomery county farmer who has
made much of opportunity, and by careful management, has accumulated
a nice property, is Mr. George W. Shoopman, living one and one-half
miles due south of Cherry vale, in Drum Creek township. A habit that
GEO. W. SHOOPMAN AND FAMILY.
Mr. Shoopnin
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itience Bab ■
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Missouri;
character.
ujiiji betii : Loauii, Lcvinu J., ^Vri^iui' JL.. riuLs ij. .iiiu AIuiii.dii J.
T<. the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shoopraaa but two children have
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HISTORY OF MONTOOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 457
Mr. Shoopiiian formed tiuite early in life, of attending strictly to hia
own affairs, is responsible for his success; though this does not meafi
that our subject may not be approached readily, for his geniality is
proverbial in the neighborliood where he is best known.
Mr. Shoopman came to the county from Cass county, Illinois, where
he was born, in 1S41. He is a sou of AYilliani and Sarah (Smedley)
Shoopman, who lived and died on the old homestead, preempted from
the government by Grandfather Shoopman, in the early part of the nine-
teenth century. There were eight children in the family which they
there reared. Of these, David and Thomas are now deceased. The living
are: William, a farmer living in Cass county, Illinois; .John resides in
California; Nicholas, of Cass county, Illinois; Nancy, who married Noah
Showalter and lives in Idaho; her children are: Liddie, Lulu, Dora,
Noah, William, Alfred, Bell, Bertie. Lewis and Harley; George W., Mrs.
Patience Baker (see elsewhere in this volume for her sketch). By a form-
er marriage William Shoopman had three children, Jacob and Mary,
deceased, and Elizabeth, widow of Elijah Davis, resides in Jackson
county, Missouri; among her eleven children, are: Edward, William,
Hannah, James, John, Sarah, Wright, Mason, Frank, David and Mary.
George W. Shoopmau is the fifth child of the above family. He
was reared to the humdrum life of the farm, the first event of importance
in his life being his enlistment for the great Civil war. He had watched
the gathering of the tempest with intense interest and, when opportu-
nity offered, gladly went forth to battle for the flag he loved so well.
February of 1802, found him a member of Company '"E," Sixty-first Vol-
unteer Infantry, Col. Daniel Grass commanding
His service was not of the guard duty or dress parade character.
His regiment joined Grant's troops soon after the fall of Ft. Donelson
and first smelled powder at Shiloh. The siege of Corinth and Vicksburg
followed. He was at the engagement at Salem Cemetery and wound up
his military career, so far as important battles were concerned, at Jack-
son, Tennessee. He was fortunate in escaping injury, nor did he get a
chance to inspect the bull-pens, used as prisons by the Confederates.
On the loth of March, 1866, Mr. Shoopman was happily joined in
marriage to Ellen, daughter of William and Mahala (Brown) Goodpas-
ture. They were natives of Tennessee, high-class farmers of Overton
county, and were the parents of the following: Ellen, Sarah E., now Mrs.
W. J. Horrom, of Logan county, Illinois, with children : Leona, William,
Pearl, Elmer, Eugene, Bessie, Gertrude and Hildred; Thomas J., of
Menard county, Illinois, has four sons and one daughter; Ova E., mar-
ried Oliver Maltby, a merchant at Oakford, Illinois; her children are:
Clemma, Maud and Jesse. The other children are deceased, their names
having been : Leann, Levina J., Arthur H., Fini-s E. and Malinda J.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shoopman but two children have
460 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
TPIOMAS S. SALATHIEL— The geutleman, whose name heads
lhis |ieisonal reference, is a representative of one of the pioneer families
of ^Idiitjromery county. He is, by nativity, as well as by traiiiinri;. a
Kansiui. being born in Douglas county, October 23, ISGO. His father,
John Salathiel, of Independence, pioneered to the Territory of Kansas,
in 18.^4, having brought his mother out to the new town of Lawrence, in
that year of the separation of Kansas and Nebraska, and the formation
of the latter into a territory, with its present boundaries. Mr. Salathiel,
Sr., was a resident of Lawrence till his mother's death, directly after
Avhich he settled on a farm, some ten miles from the town, where he was
living, during the (Juantrell Raid. He joined IMumbV comiiany for the
"hojied-they wouldirt-lind-'em" pursuit of the guerrilla band, and this
and the voliiiitcer service he rendered, when Price threatened Kansas, was
all thv^ military service he rendered during the Civil war.
John Salathiel was born April 30, 183G, in Lawrence county, Ohio,
on the townsite of Ironton. His father, Morgan Salathiel, was out in
that country, as a geologist in the interest of a coal company, search-
ing for coal lands. He afterward moved to Cincinnati and died, in 18.51.
while a resident of that place. He was born in Wales, British Isles,
about ITnti, married and has two surviving children: John Salathiel an(l
Mrs. ]\Iary Howell, of Lawrence, Kansas. In 1849. John Salathiel crossed
the "i>iains" with the great throng bound for the California gold fields,
but soon returned home and remained in Cincinnati, Ohio, until his ad-
vent *<) Kansas, in company with his mother. He was one of the early
merchants of Lawrence, but, in 18(50, became a farmer in Douglas coun-
ty aTid remained such till 1871, when he came south into Montgomery
count\. and purchased a claim, on Sycamore creek, two miles north of
the historic, but eccentric, town of Radical. He remained a farmer until
1880, when he came into Independence and engaged in the grocery busi-
ness with which he has since been connected. He married, in Lawrence.
Kansas, in 18.58, Jemimah Corel, a daughter of Henry Corel, who settled
just east of Lawrence, in an early day ; a part of the old farm being now
the city's beautiful cemetery. Mr. Corel was a settler from West Vir-
ginia, but both he and his wife died early, thus orphaning a family of
eight young children. The following children have been born to .Tohn
and Mrs. Salathiel; John, deceased; Charles, of Case Postoffice, Okla-
homa ; Margaret, wife of Frederick Newcomb, of Coffey county, Kansas ;
Thomas S.. our subject; Henry M., who .served in the Philippines with
the Twentieth Kansas; Walter S.. a student in the State University of
Kansas, who served with the Fortieth IT. S. Volunteers in the Filipino
insurrection ; Agnes and Mary.
Thomas S. Salathiel began life as a clerk in his father's store in In-
dejiendence. In 1880, he went to Denver. Colorado, and engaged in the
wholesale commission business, but sold out the next vear and came
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 461
buck to Kansas. He engaged, with Henry Baden, to travel for his whole-
sale house, and was on the road one year. In 1892, he entered the law
department of the State University and graduated there in 1894. He
opened an oflBce for practice in Independence, and in 1898, he was the
Republican nominee for county attorney of Montgomery county. He
was admitted to i)ractice before the District and Supreme Courts at Law-
rence, in 1894, and the law and the investigating and clearing up oi
titles occupy his attention.
July 22, 1896, Mr. Salathiel married Emma Wharton, a daughter of
the late Dr. R. T. Wharton, who settled in Independence in 1886, from
Martinsville, Indiana. The only child of this union is Frederick Funs-
ton Salathiel.
In company with J. B. Adams, Mr. Salathiel organized the Security
Abstract Company. The company is erecting the Security Absti-act
block, a business and office building, on one of the valuable plots on
Main street.
ANDY PRITITT— The subject of this article introduces to out read-
ers a public officer, chosen from the ranks of labor, and clothed with tha
executive authority of Montgomery county. While all our public ser-
vants represent some form of labor in our social fabric, yet few of them
are the embodiment of the labor Idea and called to serve by the positive
voice of toil. His selection for this responsible office is not only a com-
pliment to Mr. Pruitfs qualities as a citizen and a man, but it is an en-
dorsement of the idea he represents, and places the stamp of public con-
fidence upon its intentions and purposes.
Andy Pruitt is a young man, not yet in the midday of life. He waa
born in Marys county, Missouri, of Kentucky parents; on the 18th of
March, 1868. His father and grandfather, James W. and William Pruitt,
respectively, were South Carolinians by birth, and were farmers by oc-
cupation. The grandfather settled in Kentucky in the early years of the
last century, and there James W. Pruitt grew up and was married. The
latter was born iii 1828, and married Elizabeth Lightfoot, a lady born
and reared in Simpson county, Kentucky. In 1867, they took up their
residence in Marys county, Missouri, where they resided until 1880,
when they made their final move westward and settled in Montgomery
coniily. Kansas. Here the father died in 1886, but his widow still sur-
vives, and is the mother of the following childrren : Effie, wife of -Jeff
Asmussen ; John W., of Kansas City. Missoiiri ; Andy, and Susie, who
married Charles E. Royce, and resides in Butler county, Kansas.
From the age of sixteen years, Andy Pruitt was a railroad man. He
acquiied a smattering of an education in the country schools prior to
462 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
this y(>iithfiil be<>iiini!ig of life and took his first lessons in railroad work
at the bottom of the ladder — on the section. He took employment with
the Missouri Paeitic Haihvay ('om|)any, and remained with it some live
years, and then emi)loyed with the Santa Fe Company, in the car inspec
tion department a1 Cherry vale, where he was at work eleven years aftei'-
ward, when nominated hy the Kepuhlicans for sheriff of Montgomery
county.
Plis nomination, in 19(H, followed close upon the passage of the bien-
nial election law, which law appeared somewhat uncertain on the point
of the termination of the terms of office of the then incumbents of the
sheriff's offices. It was decided to make a test of the law by one appoint-
ment, and our subject was selected as the victim (as it resulted) to make
the contest. Clothed with an appointment from the Governor, he made
a demand on Sheriff 8(]uires for the office and was. of course, refused.
Quo warranto proceedings were brought in the Supreme Court of the
state and. after four months, a decision was handed down, declaring the
api)OJntee ineligible, and the hold ovei' the rightful incumbent of the of-
fice. The following year — l!)(»2--tlie Republicans nominated 5Ir. Truitt
for sheriff by ai-clamati(tn, and his election ensued in Xovemiber, his ma
jority being :>71 votes. .January 12, 1!»03, he took the oath of office and
is proving him.self a capable and iioi)ular official.
January 31. ISItO, occurred the marriage of Andy Truitt with Lillian
Bennett, a daughter of Samuel •!. IJenuett, of lola, Kansas. The wed-
ding occurred in Toronto, Kansas, where Mrs. Pruitt had I'esided for
twelve years. Her parents were married in the State of Hlinois, and her
mother's nmiden name was Christina Plymeir. Mrs. Pruitt is the third
of five children, and is her.self the mother of: Elmer, Harry and Ray-
mond, three promising boys.
Mr. Pruitt is an Odd Fellow and a Woodnmn, and is a member of the
State Sheriffs' Association.
TFTOMAS O'CONNOR— For twenty six years Thomas O'Connor has
lived within five mile.s of Elk City, in Louisburg township. He is a de
scendant of sturdy Irish stock and his residence in the county has secured
for him a rejjutation for good citizenship unsurpassed. County Derry.
Ireland, was the place of his birth, the year being 1824. He was a son of
Bernard and Catherine (Washburn) O'Connor, who passed their lives
in their native land. A brother, Samuel O'Connor, came with our subject
to America, in 1847. They located in Philadelphia, where Thomas re-
mained until 1874, when he came out to Shelby county, Indiana, where
he engaged in gardening until 1877. He then came out to Kansas and
purchased the farm upon whii-h he now resides, consisting of one hun
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 463
dred aud thirty acres, and has been engaged in general farming and
stock raising since that time.
Tn 1855, Martha, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Markham)
Mullholland, became the wife of Thomas O'Connor. Her parents were
from County Derry, Ireland, but she was born in Patterson, New Jer-
sey. Her demise occurred in August of 1866, her three children being:
Margaret, who married William Ross, of Indiana; Thomas, who married
Louisa Owen and lives in Kansas City, with four children: Fannie^
Myrtle, Frederick and John; and Joseph, who is now deceased.
In 1880, Mr. O'Connor again entered matrimony, being joined in
marriage with Mrs. Mahuldah Stevenson. Mrs. O'Connor is a daugh-
ter of Joel and Nancy (Sproel) Gregory, natives of Kentucky, the Greg-
ory family, prior to that, having lived in Virginia. Mrs. O'Connor's first
husband was Horace Stevenson, whom she married in Shelby county, In-
diana, in 1859. By this marriage there were six children : Joel, a
farmer of Louisburg township, Montgomery county, Kansas, with child-
ren : Mary, William, Catherine, Thomas, Margaret, John and Nellie ;
Rose, the twin sister of Joel, married Adam Lewis, and resides in Win-
field, Kansas, with children: Onia, Carrol, McKinley and Edward; Nancy,
born in March, 1862, first married E. B. Evans, whose two children were :
Horace and William. At his death she married B. J. Dickover and now
resides in Denver, Colorado; Augustus, born in December of 1863, mar-
ried Eva Southerland, whose seven children are: Horace. Nancy, ^Ma-
huldah, Augustus, Eva, Mary and Charlotte ; William, born in March of
1866, married Mary Selacke, and their six children are: Nettie. George,
Leonard, ^^'illia^l, Albert and Thomas; Edward, born in April, 1868, mar-
ried Eva (iiiy. has a daughter. Rose, and resides in Wyoming.
Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor have been worthy residents of Montgomery
county for nearly three decades, and have always evinced a disposition to
favor, by their intluence, such measures as look to the betterment of con-
ditions in society about them. In matters of religion, he is a devout com-
municant of the Roman Catholic church, while she is a Methodist. The
Democratic platform meets more nearly the principles of government
held by our subject than any other, aud he believes it to be the best for
our country.
liEORGE A. PARK — The desirability of Independence as a resi
dent point is responsible for the j)resence of quite a number of that
splendid class of citizens generally referred to as "retired farmers." In
some instances these have disposed of all their holdings and are passing
the declining years of their lives in the enjoyment of the fruits of the toil
of earlier manhood. Others retain small pieces of farming land in tho
country and are thus enabled, to some extent, to keep xip the habits of
464 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
indn^t^.v foruii'd iu their youth. Of this hitter ehiss is the ftentleman
whose name we here present, his determination to ircnr out. rather than
rust out. being an entirely creditable one.
The statement of a few. brief facts relatin<> to the family history of
Mr. Park carries tis hack to the New England states, the father of our
subject. Rowland Park, being a native of New Hampshire, and the mo-
ther, Hannah Mills, of Vermont. The father was a worker in iron, and
had the name of being esjiecially skillful in those days when the hand
played so much more ]»art in the world's labor than now. After finish-
ing his apprenticeshiit, he came west to Ohio, lirst stopping in Cleve-
land, in the year 1832. For fifty-two years he plied his trade in the
counties of Lorain, Huron, Wyandotte and Hardin, removing to Labette
county, Kansas, in 1884, where he died June 4, 1887, at the age of eighty-
one years. The wife died at the age of seventy-six, in 1883. Hhe was the
mother of thirteen children, six of whom are now living.
George A. Park was born in Ijorain county. Ohio. January 8, 1835.
The lirst event of importance in his life was the great but glorious trag-
edy in the nation's life — the Civil war — in which he jdayed an honorable,
and to him a most memorable part, for he lost his good right leg in the
service.
Mr. Park enlisted on February 17, 18(U, in Company "A," Slst Ohio
Vol. Inf.. as a jjrivate. This regiment was sent immediately to the front
and arrived in time to take part in the glorious campaign in which Hher
man proved the truth of his own trite saying, "war is hell." Our sub
ject's first battle was at Re.saca ; then came Rome Cross Roads, Dallas,
Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain and finally. Atlanta. Here the Slst saw
hot service from the day that -the gallant McPherson fell until the
capitulation of the city. While on the skirmish line on the 25th of August,
1864, a ball struck Mr. Park on the right knee, removing the knee pan
and necessitating amputation. This, of course, put a stop to further
soldering on his part. He si)ent a month in the Marietta hospital, thence
to Nashville, and arrived home November 11th, the day of President Lin-
coln's second election. He now learned the shoemaker's trade, an occu-
pation which he has followed, together with farming, since that time. He
purchased his first land in Ohio, in 1870, a piece of timber, which, though
crippled, as he was, he, himself, cleared. This he sold in 1883, and the
following year moved to Labette county, Kansas. He bought a quarter
section here, but in 1890, disposed of it and settled in Montgomery
county, where he bought the farm which he now owns, a quarter section
in Caney township. He cultivated this farm until 1899, when he rented
it and moved into the county seat.
The married life of Mr. Park dates from July 13, 18G1, when, in
Kenton, Ohio, he was joined to Miss Angeline, daughter of Robert and
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 465
Martba (Shultz) Stevenson. The parents of Mrs. Park were of the thrifty
farming cla.ss, prominent members of the M. E. church, in which denomi-
nation the father was a local preacher. The mother was born November
14, 1813, and died November 8, 1861, the father's birth occurring March
28, 1814. and his death April 27, 1896. They still live in the blessed in-
fluences which were set adrift by their holy living. Their children, be-
sides Mrs. Park, were: William, a soldier of sixteen years' service, two
of them in the Civil war, now resides in Ft. Wayne, Ind. ; .Joseph, a
farmer near A'alparaiso, Ind., and Martha. Mrs. John Pruitt, of Trinidad,
Colorado. To the marriage of our subject and his wife have been born
children as follows : Byron C, deceased in infancy ; G. B., married Gene-
vieve McKinley, whose children are: Emmett, Iris and Lester; Adah,
Mrs. William O. Duulap, whose children are: Percie, Blanche, Curtjs^
Georgia and Alexander; Ralph E., of Weston, Ohio, married Wanetta
Vandenburg, whose one child is Ralph Victor; Rolla, a merchant of Tyro,
Kansas, married Maggie Knotts, children: Arthur and Lowell; Sidney
F., single, Bartelsville, I. T. ; Leafy, of Sturgis, South Dakota; Mattie,
Mrs. Fred Dobson, whose children are: Esther and Angle; Frankie L.,
a teacher at Tyro, and Robert R., deceased.
Mr. Park is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics votes the So-
cialist ticket. He is a gentleman whose sterling qualities have brought
to him the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and neighbors,
and whose career has been entirely creditable.
JAMES R. CHARLTON— November 17, 1877, James R. Charlton,
ex-County Attorney of Montgomery county, began life as a citizen of
Kansas. He was prompted to seek the west to engage in educational
work here and to thus, in early life, shape his course along lines of pro-
fessional activity. Subsequent events have shown the execution of such
plans to have led him from the school-room to journalism and finally
into the practice of law.
A youth of nineteen, he first located at Sedan, and soon thereafter
became a teacher in the country schools of Chautauqua county. He had
received his education in the High School of Odin, Illinois, and was
authorized to teach, under the law, before he left his native state. While
carrying his three terms of school work he was prosecuting the study of
law under the direction of J. D. McBrian, of Sedan. In Auust, 1880, he
was admitted to the bar in Winfield, Kansas, and taught two terms of
school before entering the practice. In 1884, he located in Elk City,
where he began law practice in 1885. He founded the Elk City Enter-
prise, a weekly paper, with Democratic principles, and published it about
four years. He was justice of the peace, police judge and city attorney
466 HISTORY OP MONTGOMEEV COUNTV, KANSAS.
of Elk City and was a resident of the place until December, 1890, when
he removed to the county seat.
His early political training led Mr. Charlton into the Democratic
party. His political course was along these lines until the political up-
heaval of 1890, when he joined issues with the new party of that year,
and has acted with it since. He was elected county attorney in 1890,
served one term and was unanimously nominated for a second term, but
declined, and, in 1894, oi)ened an oflSce in Caney, where he has since re-
sided. He is city attorney of Caney and has a large law business in the
nearby counties of the state and in the Indian Territory on the south.
James R. Charlton was born in Marion county, Illinois, July 21,
1858. His family was one of the pioneer families of that county, for
William J. Charlton, his father, was born there in 183C. Isaac Charlton,
his grandfather, left Virginia in 1824, and settled some of the wild lands
near Salem, Illinois. Isaac Charlton was born in 1800, and died in 1876,
leaving six children, viz : James, Wesley, Sidney, Newton and William
J., father of our subject.
Mention of William J. Charlton is made on another jiage of this
volume. It is sufficient in this connection to state that he was well
known in Odin, Illinois, as a farmer and a merchant, and that he lived
in Chautauqua county, Kansas, from 1877 'till 1901. when he located on
the Verdigris river, near Independence, Kansas.
Mr. Charlton, of this review, married in Chautauqua county, Kan-
sas, April 3, 1881, Hattie M. Hutchison, a daughter of John Hutchison,
from (Minton county, Indiana. The latter married Eliza Moore, and
reared three children. Earl, only cliil.l of J. K. and Mrs. Cliarlton, was
born January 3, 1887.
For many years Mr. Charlton has been an active church worker.
While he is a member of and holds a pastorate in the Christian church
he has done effective work in the evangelistic field, in Oklahoma. Wash-
ington and other places. He was pastor of the Christian church in Caney
in 189.5-6, was then state evangelist for Kansas for one year, and is now
serving the Caney charge again.
I'.ENJAMIN F. MASTERMAN, M. D.— During the period of pioneer
settlement of Montgomery county there came to Independence one of its
permanent citizens, a gentleman whose influence and power made itself
felt in after years in the public and professional interests of the county,
seat, and whose individuality has stamped itself indelibly upon the so-
cial fabric of the county. This pioneer character was Dr. B. F. Master-
man, of this review, Ihe dale of whose advent to his new home was Feb-
ruary 7, 1870.
u\\
V •> ■• ■•
^ — It 1^ I
♦ It •
«.rr,i,v OF Mr»;Tt;t)MF,BY COUNT!, KANSAS.
of the place until December, 1?:
n.^i Mr. Charlton into the Dc;;.
. these lines until the political up-
with the new pi^'tj of that ye;u',
^ elected county attorney in 1890.,
nominated for a second ternj, but
.■ in Caney, where he has since t<:
;iiMi"!v .)) i,niu y and has a large law business in the
the state and in the Indian Territory on the south,
rlton. was born in Marion county, Illinois, July 21,
was one of the pioneer families of that county, for
n, his father, was born there in 1836. Isaac Charlton,
;t T;r'.;ini;i iu 1824, and settled so;!;, '-f ihi.- v;i]<] laml;!
'rlton was born in
1 's, Wesley, Sidney
rl!,i:li-en. Iv
ry 3, 1887.
uiy years 3Ir>
1. 11, a daughter of John Hutchiwon
latter inarried Eliza Moore, am
liild of J. K. and Mrs. Charlton, wa
Charlton has been an active church workti.
i 1; iic is a member of and holds a pastorate in the Christian church
iii :ius done effective work in the evangelistic field, in Oklahoma. Wash-
liu!':!" ami oiiicr ipia<'>. Mi' was pastor of the Christian church in Caney
;; .list for Kansas-for one year, and is. now
Tt. — During the period of pioneer
to Independence one of its
■nee and power made itself
I. I, 11
. 1. I ll
I I I I
I I • I I
m m J»- r
F. MASTERMAN, M. D.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 469
Mr. Banks is one of Lake county, Ohio's native sons, and was born
October 13, 1839. His parents, Orin and Olive (Brown) Banks, were
natives of Scoharrie county. New York, and born, the father January 25,
1803, and the mother March 12, 1805. They were married in 1823, and
settled in Lake county, Indiana, in 1845 and stopped, first, in LaPorte
county. They passed their lives as country people, were upright Chris-
tian folk and were thrifty as farmers of their time. They died in Lake
county, Indiana, the father October 29, 1857, and the mother January
27, 1887. The Banks's were of Scotch-Irish origin and the Browns of
English lineage. Tin- imrciits both belonged to old families of the east
and reared a larg<' famiiy nf children, as follows: Charles, of Salina,
Kansas; Elisha, of .MrlMi<'rs(in county, Kansas; Parley, of Lake county,
Indiana; Mary C, wife of Simon White, of LaPorte county, Indiana;
George L.. of this notice; Nathaniel P., of Lake county, Indiana; Sarah
L., wife of W. B. Adams, of Montgomery county, Kansas.
George L. Banks spent his youth and early manhood in LaPorte
count^ . Indiana, and had the advantage of a good country school educa-
tion. The Civil war came on just after he had reached his majority, and
was concerned with the serious affairs of peace, but he enlisted, June 6,
1861, in Company "C," 15th. Inf., under Col. Geo. D. Wagner. The
regiment was ordered at once into the field and it took part in the bat-
tles of Greenbriar and Elk Water that same year. As the war progressed
it participated in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River and Mis-
sionary Ridge, where Mr. Banks was wounded, and rendered unfit for ser-
vice for some weeks. During his later active service he was in battle at
Charleston and Dandridge, Tennessee. He was discharged from the
armv June 25, 18G1. In 1897, he received from the Secretary of War a
medal of bronze, appropriately engraved and inscribed in commemora-
tion of distinguished service while in line of duty. Engraved on the face
of the medal is :
"The Congress to Color Sergeant George L. Banks, 15th Indiana
Infantry,
"For gallantry at Missionai-y Ridge, Tennessee. November 25, 1863."
The letter from the Secretary of ^^■ar notifiying Mr. Banks of the
honor accorded him and announcing the issuing of the medal states the
specific acts of gallantry and is herewith made a part of this record:
MEDAL OF HONOR.
War Department, Washington, D. C, Sept. 21, 1897.
George L. Banks, Esq., Independence, Kansas.
Sir: — You are hereby notified that by direction of the President and
under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1863,
providing for the presentation of medals of honor to such ofiicers, non-
commissioned officers and privates as have most distinguished them-
470 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
selves in artion. a t'on<>rPSsional ;Me(lal of Honor has this day been pre-
wuted to you for most distin<;uislie(l -ialluntry in action, the foHowing
being -a statement of the ]iarti(iilar service: At Missionary Ridge, No-
vember '25, 1S()3, this sohlier. tlien a ('()h)r Sergeant, loth, Indiana Vols.,
in the assault, led his regiment, calling upon his comrades to follow, and
when near the summit he was wounded and left behind insensible, but
having recovered t^onsciousness rejoined the advance, again took the flag
and carried it forward to the enemy's works, where he was again wound-
ed. In the brigade of eight regiments the flag of the loth Indiana was
the first i)lanted on the parapet.
Tlie medal will be forwarded to yon Ity registered mail as soon as it
shall have been engraved. Respect fully.
K. A. AL(iEK, Secretary of War.
.\tiei- the war. Mr. I'.aiiks resinned farming in Indiana and continued
it with a fair measure of suci-ess 'till his dejiarture for the broad prairies
and the jiure air of Kansas, in the sjiriug of 1871. blatters were in a
forniiitive state in Montgomery county and lie aided in organizing, and
was the first clerk of school district No. !)1. and the school house was
named "The Banks School House" in his honor. He entered and patent-
ed a piece of laud and was occupied with its improvement 'till December,
1S8C, when he disposed of it and transferred his residence to Angola, In-
diana, where he became the proprietor of a hotel. Remaining there only
a short time he removed to Camden, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where
he resided six years, returning thence to Montgomery county, Kansas.
From 1892 to 1895, he was a resident of Independence, and the latter
year moved out to his farm in section 8, township 33, range 15, where he
owns one hundred and sixty acres. He owns an eighty in section 17, and
is regarded one of the successful and reliable farmers of his county.
Octolier 9, 1864, Mr. Banks was united in marriage with Olive W.
Chandler, a daughter of Thomas P. and Betsy (Woodmanse) Chandler,
of Vermont. Mrs. Banks was born at Caledonia, Vermont, August 2.').
1842, and died December 12, 1902. She was her husband's companion
for thirty -eight years and bore him three sons: William N., Charles B.
and Arthur A., all honorable young men of Montgomery county.
(ieorge L. Bank's political action has been exercised in the ranks
of the Rejiublican party. He has ever manifested a good citizen's inter-
est ir local, state and national aft'airs and his face has been a familiar
one i:i local gatherings of his party. He filled all the oftices of Fawn
Creek township. He is prominent in the State Grand Army and is com-
mander of the Southeast Kansas Association of old soldiers. He belongs
to the .subordinate lodge ludeitendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is ii
.memlier of the A. H. T. A.
UlSTOBl* OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 47 I
JOEL ARMOUR STEVENSON— Joel Armour Stevenson is one of
the well-to-do and progressive representatives of the agricultural class
living near the rural community of Costello. He comes from Indiana,
having been born in Shelby county, that state, in the year 1860. Horace
Stevenson, his father, was a son of Armour, who, in his day, was one of
the earliest pioneers of Dearborn county, Indiana, having removed to
that state from New York in the early years of the nineteenth century.
Our subject's mother was Mahuldah Ann Gregory, also of an old
pioneer family of the "Hoosier State." Horace Stevenson was the fourth
of a family of eleven children, and was reared on the family homestead
in Dearborn county and, at maturity, settled in Shelby county, where
he was engaged, for a time, in teaching school, and where he met and
married his wife. The children born to Horace and Mahuldah Steven-
son were: Joel and Ro.se, twins; Rose being now Mrs. Adam Lewis;
Nancy. Augustus, William and Edward are the remaining numbers of
the family.
Joel A. Stevenson passed the period of his boyhood and youth on the
"Hoower State" farm and was given a district school education. At the
age of eighteen, he. in the fall of 1878, accompanied his mother to Kan-
sas, his father having died in 1870. (The mother subsequently married
Thomas O'Connor and is now a resident of the county.) Mr. Stevenson
remained with his mother until he set up an cstalilisliment of his own,
when he purchased what is known as the Ashbaugh farm, of one hundred
and sixty acres, where general farming and stock raising occupy his
time. He was married, in 188.5. to Ellen, daughter of P. H. and Cath-
erine (Baker) Callahan, referred to elsewhere in this work. The wife of
Mr. Stevenson died October 30, 1901, leaving a family of seven children,
as follows: Mary, born October 8, 1886; William, born November 26,
1888 ;Catherine, whose birth occurred December 9, 1890; Thomas, born
March 9, 1893; Margaret, born March 6, 1895; John, born March 9.
1898; and Nellie, born March 4, 1900.
Since Mr. Stevenson became a citizen of the county, he has evi-
denced great interest in building up her institutions and has always
given his influence to the betterment of conditions in his immediate com-
miinity. He and his family are active members and supporters of the
Methodist Episcopal church south. In fraternal life, Mr. Stevenson
has, for some time, been a member of the Modern Woodmen, and is a
Populist in political belief.
DAVID VANCE — Thirty-three years in Kansas is sufficient to have
seen wonderful changes, and especially in Montgomery county, for the
whole county was then one vast range, given over to the countless cattle
^■j2 HISTOny OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
that loauied over the fertile prairies. The Osages still lin«>ered iu the
bottoms ami the nearest trading jioints were Humboldt and Ft. S((»tt.
The farm youth of today, who hitches to his rubber-tired vehicle and
drives into town but a few miles away, over roads which lead past highly-
cultivated farms, with their modern residences, presents a strange con-
trast to the lad of thirty years ago. who hooked his slow-going ox-team
to the lumber wagon and drove whole days over the lonely trail to the
nearest trading point.
David Vance is entitled to incnibcrship in an "old settlers' " organi-
zation, for. in 1870. he tirst looked upon Montgomery county soil. He has
taken the full number of degrees in the hardships of pioneer life, and is
now enjoying the fruits of faithfulness in the early days, his highly-
-cultivated farm, four miles northeast of Caney, being evidence of careful
and persistent effort along agricultural lines. Mr. Vance was born in
LaFayette county, Tennessee, October '2i'}. 1838, the son of Joseph and
Polly (Leath) Vance, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of
'Tennessee. They married in Tennessee and. later, the father removed
to LaFayette county. Missouri, where he died, at sixty-two. the
wife having })assed away, in Tennessee, at the age of forty-five. Their
family consisted of twelve children, six of whom are now living.
Mr. Vance was reared to farm life, learning well the homely lessons
of parient toil, which still marks his movements. On the 11th of Decem-
ber, 1860. he took unto Jiiniself a wife, iu the prson of Mary E. Hall, a
native of the same county, and settled down to farm life, in the home
neighborhood. liut he was not destined to pursue the even tenor of his
way, tor the following year, the storm of war broke and swept all loyal
citizens into the army. Mr. Vance became a member of the First Tenn-
essee Mounted Infantry, and did valiant service for the flag he loved so
well, participating in son»e of the smaller skirmishes and battles in the
middle west. He came ofl: without harm, though, during one skirmish,
had an uncomfortably close call, the toe of his boot having been shot off.
That .scourge of the soldier, the measles, however, was not so considerate
of his comfort, and he still carries, in his body, the effects of its ravages.
After the war. Mr. Vance settled in Lawrence county, Indiana, and
in 1808, came out to LaFayette county, ^Missouri, and, as stated, in 1870,
located in Montgomery county. Kansas. Here he first took up a claim
on Cheyenne creek, but soon «old and bought the eighty acres of school
land where he now resides. He Iiad the misfortune, in I8ii(i. to lose his
wife, by death, leaving him two little daughters, Laura Fxllc and Sarah
•Jane. These daughters grew to womanhood and married. Lama ln'coming
the wife of C. C. Turk and removing to Oklahoma, and Sarah finding a
husband in George O. Arnold. She liecame the mother of five bright chil-
.dren and. on the 7th of June, 181)8, was carried off by an attack of can-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS, 475
<pr of the stoinath. The husbaiul and children are now inmates of Mr.
Yauee's home, wliere they receive the loving care of a proud grandfather.
The children are unusually well-conditioued, both physically and men-
tally, their musical ability, esi)Ocially. having attracted most favorable
notice. Their names arc: i:dgar F., Mary E., Iva I., Sylvia E. and
Nellie Eelle.
Mr. Vance has always had the confidence and respect of his neigh-
bors, who have elected him, at difl'erent times, to offices of trust. He
votes with the l'()i)ulist jiarty, and in social life, holds membership in the
A. H. & T. A. and the Crand .\rmy of the Republic.
JOHN HENRY KEITH— The Keith family is one of the oldest in
American history and was prominently identified with our colonial pe-
riod. It furnished a Colonial Governor for Pennsylvania and, when the
Revolution came on, demonstrated its patriotism in the ranks of the Co-
lonial forces. They were of Scotch ancestry and the archives of the
Commonwealths of IVnnsylvania, Yirginia and Kentucky, show them to
have played an inii)ortant and honorable part in the history of their
states. Governor Keith is one of the grand-ancestors of the subject of
this review.
Daniel Keith was born in Mrginia, in 17T(>, and died in Warrenr
county, Kentucky, in 187.5. He was the great-grandfather of the subject
of this notice and the founder of his branch of the Keith family in the
state of Daniel Boone. He served in the Henry Clay regiment of Ken-
tucky troops in the ;Me.\ican war, took part in the Taylor campaign and,
among other achievements, aided in the capture of Monterey. He nmr-
ried Miss Gardner and had three sons, namely: John, William and
Isaiah.
John Keith and ^lary Ivlwards were the paternal grandparents of
our subject. The former was a native Kentuckian, born in 1815, and
died, in Warren county, in 1891. He engaged in the ministry in early life,
after having completed an academic education, and became a power for
good all over the state. He was a forcible speaker, was an expounder
of the doctrines of immersion and close communion and, on the issues
of the Civil war, took strongly to the side of the Union. He and Mary
(Edwards) Keith were the jiarents of: Daniel, Ivey, George and Henry.
Ivey Keith, father of John Keith, of this record, was born in Ed-
monson" county, Kentucky. January 14, 1846, and passed his active life
a farmer and grower of stock. Warren county has been his home from
youth and in 18(i;^. he enlisted from that county for service in the war
of the Rebellion. His was "I" company and his regiment the .52nd in-
fantry. He served as a private, was in several battles and was wounded.
He has taken a good citizen's interest in the affairs of Lis county and lias
474 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
alBliated with the Republican party. He married Jennie Finney, born
in Warren county. Kentui ky, February 17. 1840. and a daughter of Jack
and Lucinda (Thomas) Finney, people of Iri.sh blood. The issue of this
marriage is John H.. of this notice; Addie. wife of Buford Larrance, of
Kentucky; Clay, of the Indian Territ(U'y; Euclid, a farmer and lumber
dealer of Kentiicky ; Emmet, Samuel E. and William L.. of Kentucky.
John H. Keith came to manhood on the farm and was educated in
the common schools, academy, normal school and business college. Ready
for life's responsibilities, he chose teaching si-hool as a profession, while
casting about for the real work of his life. A few terms sufficed and he en-
gaged in a systematic preparation for the law. He was admitted to the
bar in Warren county, Kentucky, Novendter 14, 1889. and spent the first
two years after admissiou to j)ractice in his native county. In February,
1892, he left his native place and located in ]Muscogee, Indian Territory,
where he resided 'till October, 1893, when he made Coffey ville, Kansas,
his home. For ten years he has lieen engaged in the active and effective
practice of his profession in Jlontgomery county, and is among the well
known members of the bar.
Mr. Keith has taken an active part in the politics of his town and
county. He was City Attorney of Coffey ville five years, was chairman of
the Democratic County Central Committee for three years and now rep-
resents the 29th legislative district in the Kansas legislature. He was
chosen in a Republican district, where he ran three hundred votes ahead
of his ticket, and was one of two Deomcrats on the county ticket elected.
In the legislature of 1903, he was a member of the committes on Judici-
ary, Railroads, Mines and Mining and Private Corporations. In a
business way he is connected with several Coft'eyville enterprises, of some
of which he is confidential adviser.
Mr. Keith's family consists of two sons. Walter and Paul. In frater-
nal matters he is a member of the Modern Woodmen, a Select Knight and
an Elk.
I1.\RVEY DUNCAN — Harvey Duncan, a well known farmer of
^Montgomery county, is a native of Fulton county, Illinois, and was born
January 30" 1854. His parents, Solomon and Rebecca Duncan, were born
in the State of Kentucky, a state famed beyond the seas for its beautiful
women and fine horses." The mother's family came from the state most
noted for its old families, the good old State of Virginia.
Harvey Duncan was one of nine children. They are: David, Molly
Real, Anna Herrell, John, Harvey, Lida Taylor, James, deceased, and
two died in infancy.
In the autumn of 1870, the family came to Montgomery county, driv-
ing three teams overland, and carrying their furniture and provisions
C. C. SURBER, M. D.
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HISTOBY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 475
witli them. Their journey occuiiied live weeks, of hard and, many times,
very tiresome travel, but at hist it was finished at Independence. Here
they purchased a chiim, located one and a half miles north of the village,
and for it they paid !yi,400. A contest arose over this claim, and. after
four years, a decision was given in favor of Solomon Duncan. Soon after
this Harvey located on a claim next to his father's, and work was be-
gun on a blockhouse, in which the family lived for six years, when they
erected the brick house now owned by T. M. Bailey.
The Duncans had close acquaintance with many of the Indians, see-
ing a great deal of them in the earlier years of their residence in Kansas.
They numbered among their acqiiainliinces : (Miicfs. l?ig Hill -Toe, Toby,
Wild Cat. White Hair and Chetopa.
Harvey Duncan married Edith Dreuner, a native of Illinois, a daugh-
ter of Jacob and Mary Drenner. of Virginia. To them have been born four
children: Lina, a teacher; Grace, Jay S., and John W.
With the exception of five years spent in Independence, where he
was engaged in the meat business, and afterward as proprietor of the In-
dependence Hotel, which he managed successfully for several years, Mr.
Duncan has spent his life on the farm. In 1891, he bought the eighty
acres of land, where he now lives, in section 13-31-15. This farm, which is
the home selected as a permanent abiding place, is neat and well kept,
speaking well for the energy and good management of the owner.
Mr. Duncan is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amerjca and
the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a lifelong Republican, and has served his
party faithfully, as a member of the school board. In matters concerning
public education in the district, no one shows a greater interest or works
harder to keep abreast of the times than he.
CASSirS C. SURBER, M. I>.— There is presented, in the subject of
this brief personal record, a native Kansan, who has rendered valuable
service to the profession of medicine in Montgomery county. He occu-
pies a position among the list of successful physicians of Southern Kan-
sas, and it is with pardonable pride that we tlius briefly refer to his pro-
fessional and social achievements.
Dr. Surber has been a resident of Montgomery county less than ten
years. He located here in October, 1894, direct from Delphos, Kansas,
but formerly from Perry, his old home in Jefferson county. He began
the practice of medicine in Ottawa county, Kansas, going out toward the
frontier at once upon the completion of his medical course. He remained
there ten years, and then chose the more settled and substantial portion
of the state — Montgomery county — for the field of his future labors and
the scene of his greater success.
476 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
He is of pioueer Kansas parentafje. He was boi-n in Douglas county,
January 20, 1SG2. four years after his father settled there. In 1868, his
parents located at Perry, in Jefferson county, Kansas, where they reared
and educated their childi-en. l>r. l>avi<l Surber, our subject's father, was
a pioneer settler from the State of Indiana. He was born in Indiana in
1829. His father was the Rev. Henry Surber, a Canipbellite preacher,
and an early settler of the "Hoosier State." The latter took his family
to Iowa in the early settlement of that state and he aided materially in
shaping the moral sentiment of his community. He was a positive, de-
termined, vigorous-spoken man of the old school, to illustrate which
qualities it is only necessary to present one conspicuous incident. Dur-
ing the early years of the progress of the Civil war Southern Iowa con-
tained a small, but troublesome and outspoken, secession sentiment. It
became noised about that this element had planned to disturb the Rev.
Surber in his effort at preaching on a certain evening, and finally break
up his meeting. Mr. Surber learned of this design and took with him
two good Colts pistols and, when he arose to begin service, laid them up
in front of him, at the same time remarking what he had heard and stat-
ing that the first fellow that made a crooked move could expect to be
taken care of by the blue-barreled six shooters doing picket duty for the
evening. The house was filled and the disturbing element was out enforce
and occupying front seats, and nobody seemed to enjoy the meeting more
than they.
Dr. David Surber was the oldest of four brothers. As his father re-
sided chiefly near the frontier, as the family grew up, educational privi-
leges were somewhat limited. He chose medicine as his life work. He
completed his i)rofessional preparation in the Cincinnati Medical Col-
lege and soon afterward came to Kansas. He married Eliza J. Stewart,
which family also furnished one or more excellent physicians. By this
union there are two surviving children, viz: Dr. C. C, our subject, and
Mrs. (iertrude Eakin, of Bonner Springs, Kansas.
After the public schools of Perry, the State University of Kansas
provided Dr. C. C. Surber with the means of a higher education. He
finished the course of the Medical Department of the institution in 1881,
and to him was issued the first certificate of graduation from that dejtart-
ment. He entered the Kansas City Medical College immediately on leav-
ing the University, and completed its course in March, 1S84, and opened
his first office at Delphos, Kansas.
Dr. Surber was married at Perry, Kansas, in 1886, and has a son,
Paul, twelve years of age. He is a member of the Kansas State Medical So-
ciety and of the Montgomery County Medical Society. He is secretary of
the pension examining board of ^lontgomcry county. In politics the Sur-
bers of this family are, without exception, Rei)ublican, and it pleases the
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 479
two voars. chiefly in Ihe study of comparative anatomy. In 1891-2-3, he
wa.s a studont in llie T'nivwsity Medical Pollege, of Kansas City, Mis-
soiii-i, and in 1S07-S, ho attended the Medico Chinirgical Institute, from
Avliich he gradualed tlie hitter year. He befjan practice in Clay county,
Kansas, in 18!t;i, and continued it through the .years 1893-4-5-6, and then
took np^hc work of completing his medical education in Kansas City, as
])ef(.r,» stated.
Dr. Krugg's residence in CotTeyville has witnessed his accession to a
most creditable and gratifxing ]>(isilion in the medical fraternity. He
has clung steadily to his determination to devote his time to his profes-
sion exclusively, and in doing so he has won his way to social and finan-
cial success.
October 1C>, 1893 ,at Lincoln, Kansas, Dr. Krugg married Eliza
Montgomery, a daughter of Mrs. Eliza Montgomery, originally from Mas-
sachusetts. The two children of this union are: Mary, born in Decem-
ber 1-t, 1902, and Consuela V., born in 1897. Dr. Krugg is a Democrat,
and is a member of the A. O. I-. W. and of the Knights and Ladies of
Securitv.
CHARLES M. STARK— Charles M. Stark may clearly be classed
among the old settlers of the county, as he came here away back in 1868.
Those were the days when the ''noble Red Men" still trod the prairie and
when the few whites of good character needed to stand firm for the
"majesty of the law" against half-breed cow thieves and renegade white
men, whose absence from civilization became necessary on account of
their malodorous reputation. But with the settling of such men in the
county as our subject, conditions gradually changed, and long ere the last
decade of the century opened, Montgomery county came to be regarded
as one of the most orderly communities in the state. ^Ir. Stark resides
in Louisburg township, on his original pre-emption of one hundred and
sixty acres, which evidences in its neat and well-kept appointments the
great amount of care lavished upon it.
The birth of Mr. Stark occurred in Scott county, Indiana, in 1838.
His fi'ther, Nathaniel B. Stark, was a son of Charles Stark, one of the
very earliest settlers in Scott county, where he located, after the removal
of the Indians, in 1811. He had resided, prior to that time, in Henry
county, Kentucky. Nathaniel B. Stark was born in the latter state and
was but seven years of age when his parents moved into Indiana. Here
he grew to manhood amid the scenes of pioneer life and. at maturity,
married Margaret Coons. In 1849, the family moved out to Edgar county,
Illinois, where the father plied his trade of carpenter until his death in
1864. There were seven children born to our subject's parents, as fol-
lows: JIalinda, who married W. W. Crossfleld, and is a widow, residing
in Chautauqua county, Kansas; Martha, Mrs. E. M. Horton, Chautauqua
(•ount\ ; Sarah, wife of W. H. Deani. of LaHarpe, Kansas; Jane, who mar-
ried James M. Stark, and resides in Elk county, Kansas; Nathaniel J., of
San Diego, California ; Josiah M., residing in Louisburg township, and
Charles M.. who constitutes the subject of this sketch.
Charles M. Stark was twelve years of age when his father's family
settled in Illinois, and from that time until his thirtieth year he con-
tinued to be a resident of Edgar county. In 18(50, he was happily joined
in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Shawler)
Bartmess, peojile of Kentucky origin. Mrs. Stark was born in Edgar
county. Illinois. In the spring of 18GS, Mr. Stark and his family, to-
gether with his mother and brothers and four sisters, settled in Mont-
gomery county, Kansas. It is simple justice to say that Mr. Stark has
had a most wholesome influence on the development which has come to
the county since that early day, and fully merits the esteem in which he
is held. He and his family have been su])porters and memliers of the
Christian church for years, and have entered into the social life of their
community in its varied activities with a spirit of much helpfulness.
To our subject and wife have been born children as follows: John
F., born November 18. 1864, resides in the Indian Territory, married
Josie Stewart, and has four children : Clara, Marian T., Bertha May and
Buelah ; Harmon F., born December G, 1867, married Maggie Faris. They
reside in Chautauqua county. Kansas, with their children: Hattie,
Charles, Alvin, ('larence and Oscar; Early A., born March 3. 1876, mar-
ried Mamie Hope, and has a daughter, Eline, and resides in Montgomery
countA.
SULLIVAN LOMAX — The efficient school man who jnesides over
the destinies of public education in Montgomery county, is Sullivan Lo-
max. the subjct of this biographical review. He is widely known to the
jtrofcssional educators of the county and is favorably regarded by patrons
and Tcarlicis, alike, for the practical manner in which he handles the
cause <pf pulilic education. His ])lucky rise from obscurity, against both
])liysical and liiiancial ohslarh's. to tlic licad of tiic cdnrnTi.mal interests
of a great county, is a feat to be admired and an acliicvenient worthy of
niuch I'raise.
Sullivan Loniax was born in Orange county, Indiana, August 31,
1872. His father, who was a carpenter, was Abel Lomax, who died, in
1880, at the age of forty-five years. He was a native of the same county
and state, where his father, Quinton Lomax, settled in an early day.
Quinton Lomax was a farmer and politician and was elected State Sena-
tor , froiTi his district, by the Democratic party. He was born in the
State of Marvland and had sons: Abel, Laniska, Junius and William.
Aliel l.diiiMX married Tainar White, who died in Oiaiige county, Indiana,
ill ISTS. Tlie issue of their marriage was the following children: Wil-
liam, of Channte, Kansas; Quinton, of Orange coiint.v. Indiana; Sullivan,
our subject; Asahel and Ezra, twins, and Mattie, wife of George E.
Skidii'ore.
Orphaned at the age of eiglit veais and made motherless when a child
of six, Sullivan I.omax was brought fa<e to face with life's stern realities
at a tender age, Handicajujed, as he was, he made the most of his few
oiiporlunities and resolved to dedicate his faculties to a virtuous and use-
ful life. He worked at choring and odd jobs, for his keep, while attend-
ing countiy school; did farm work, such as he was able to do; blacked
boots when prompted to do so, as a means to a legitimate and cherished
end, and the money which he saved from these sources, he expended in
acquiring a higher education. He came to Kansas, in 1885, with his
brother Quinton, stopjied near Oherryvale and herded cattle for Gilbert
Baker, for a time. The next winter, he lived with the family of Alexan-
der Campbell and worked for his board and went to school. He contin-
ued, in this way, till he reached the goal of a teadier's license, when he
became the master of a country school. His lirst term was finished in
18!tl i.nd his last one in the fall of 1900. when he was nominated by the
Republicans of Montgomery county, for Gounty (Superintendent, and was
elected by a majority of one hundred an<l thirty votes. In 1002. he was
named, by his party, to succeed himself and was elected, in November,
by a majority of seven hundred and eleven votes. The work of his office
has been efficiently carried out and the high standard attained by his
predecessor, maintained and improved.
May 4, 1897, Mr. Loniax married Adah Lewis, a daughter of J. P.
Lewis, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Mr. Lewis married Rachel Brown
and has a family of six children, of whom Mrs. Loniax is the only
daughter. She and Mr. Loniax are the parents of a son and a daughter,:
Otho W. and Elzene, the daughter being the first born. Mr. Loniax is an
Odd Fellow, a Modern Woodman and a member of the Knights and
Ladies of Security.
JOHN r. SHEFPl ELI >— Thirty years ago there came to Montgom-
ery county the gentleman whose honored name precedes this paragraph,
and who has since been one of her niost inlhientiiU riti/.eiis. He lived,
for nine years, in the town of Independence, then jmrchased the juesent
farm of two hundred and forty acres, where he has since demonstrated
what excellent agricultural sense, coupled with a penchant for hard
work, can accomplish in southern Kansas. There are no pyrotechnics
in the life of Mr. Sheffield — he is just a good plain citizen, but he is all
that, and in the highest and truest sense of that term — a man to whom
482 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
the strauger will bo directed, as one of the solid men of the couiinunity.
The Sheffields are of English extraetiou. having emigrated to this
eountry prior to the Revolutionary war, in the person of the great-
grandfather of our subject, who was one of a party of twelve who pur-
chased Block Island, off the coast of Rhode Island, from the government.
Here they formed a colony and, for years, the descendants of the original
twelve continued to cultivate the island. The father of John P., John,
also, was born on the island, in 1793. He married Jennette Briggs, a na-
tive of the island, and, in 1833, removed to Ohio. To these parents were
born seven children, three of whom are now living: James F., Huldah
and John P. The parents lived to a riije old age, the father dying at sev-
enty-one, the mother' at sixty-one years.
John P. Sheffield was born in George township, Athens county. Ohio.
May 27, 1844. He was leared on a farm, where he learned the lessons of
thrift and economy, which have served him so well, during life, and was
given the advantages of a district school education. At eleven years old,
he went to live with an older bi-other, but, at seventeen, returned to take
charge of the farm for his father and continued to discharge this filial
duty until the death of both j)arents.
On the 14th of April, 1S7*_', Mr. Sheffield was married to Laviua
Guernsey, of Lake county, Indiaiui (born April 4, 18.53), and, the follow-
ing year, came to Kansas. The greatest misfortune that can happen to
man. was the lot of Mr. Sheffield, on the 3d of ^lardi. 1S8(I. when, at the
early age of twenty-seven years, the mothei' of his chihlreu was taken
away. She is I'emembercd as a lady of many noble (|ualities. and the two
children, Willi^uii and Lavina. and tiie Inisliand. still cherish her mem-
ory. U])on arriving atiiiaturity. Hie daughter married Charles F. Smith,
the exact date being October 1, llMIl", and imw lives on the home farm
with her father. Her husband was l)()rn in ('Tawford county, Kansas, on
the 20th of August, 1882, (he .son of .lames \V. and MoUie (Cullison)
Smith, natives of Kentucky and Indiana. resj)ectively. They located in
Crawford county, in 1871, and, later removed to Montgomery county,
where they are now living. Charles F. Smith has been his own man since
the early age of nine, and is a young man of many sterling qualities
which nmke him jtopjiliM; with a large circle of acquaintances.
ilr. Sheffield andiUis household ai-(> regarded with the g7-(>atest re-
siiect in the conuiiuiiitv where tliev have so lonj- resided.
. 1.
i:mi;nt i., Ki'MiUj:
-In the spring of IS".*:'., liie siibje
cl of this
revi
e\\
\irr:\u.r iiiclili'lied^wiitl
li Montgomery county, lie came
as an em-
plo;
.(■ 0
r I lie ln.le|u;iuleiii:e (J
as <'(ini|iaMy, then doing its initia
1 wink in
li.e
(](\
elo)inien( ol'llie g,i,s
and oil bi-ll of .soulhern Kansas.
He was
irol
n l';
u;la, Kansas, the iioiiii
' .>f Hie prime movers in the format
i.m of the
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 483
ln<i('l>(iuli'ii((' (Jas Coinpiuiy .in which ioiiut,v of Miiiini. his parents were
settlers from Adams eounly. Ohio, in 1.S84.
!'.> nativity. Jlr. Kimble is an Ohioan. He was born in Adams ooun-
tv — the home of tlie familv for several jjeneralions— Otobcr 2. 1870. He
is a mixture of Kn<;lish and Irish slo.k. his father i.<-in}r the jiiandson
of an lOiifilishman and his mother a dan};h(er of Irisli imiiii<;iaiits to the
"Htiekeye State." The ori<;inal Kimble, of this Aineri.aii family, settled
in one of the counties of Maryland, in the first years of our natiomil his-
tory aisd broufilit up his family there. A son. Klijah Kimble, followed
the tide of emifji-ation westward, in the early years of the nineteenth cen-
tury, and founded the family of Kinibles in A<laiirs county, Ohio. He
settled a new farm there and brouf>ht uj) his family, according; to the
rural customs of that day. His wife was a Krad/ord and their family
comprised eight sons and two daughters. David B. Kimble, the father of
our subject, was one of their sons, and lie was hom about 1839. The lat-
ter's bringing-up was without particular incident and for a wife, he chose
Mary Connor. During the (Mvil war, he entered the army, in 1862, and
helped fight the battle of Shiloh. Becoming disabled, by disease, he was
finally discharged for disability. Rut he, afterward, and toward the
close of the war, did duty as a nurse on board one of the warships.
In civil life, the ptirsuits of the farm claimed the attention of David
B. Kimble, after the war, in Ohio and until 1884, he maintained his resi-
dence in his native state. He and his wife maintain the family home in
Paola, Kansas, and are the parents of six children, of which number
Olemeut L. is the third and only son.
P. L. Kimble acquired his foundation ])rin(-ijiies of an education in
the common schools of Kansas. He. became a' teacher in the country
schools, on approaching manhood, and. after two years' work in Miami
county, decided to sti'engthen himself by work ais a student in the Kan-
sas State Normal School. He spent the years 18(»0 and 1891 there and
did the work of an irregular course, almost up to- thip ])rofessioual year.
On retiring from the normal, he taught anothel- year, in the common
schools and then joined the Independence ()as roii{]>aiiy. as bookkeeper,
and became identified with ^lontgomery county. .: •■
The Independence (ias ('om]iany was chiir'tei'eiiT. in 189:'. with a
capital of foO.OOO and (". L. Bloonr was . lioscu j.resideiVt ; A. V. McBride,
secretary; J. 1). Nickerscm. vice incsidcut. aud W.' I'. Brown, of Cotfey-
ville, treasurer. In 189(). the capital stork ot tli»; coinijany was incieased
— at a reorganization — to |10l),0t)ll and the saine'otticers were chosen
president and secretary, while A. C. Sti<h wasVleVt<id vice-president and
A. AV. Shulthis treasueer. The third chh)4>e' in' the capital of the
comi)any. took idace in 1901, when its stock' ws^s increased to $250,000,
and :>lr. :\IcBride look Shulthis' place as treasurer and C. L. Kimble was
484 HISTORr OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
added to the official board, as secretary of the conipauy; the other offi-
cers remaining the same.
While Mr. Kimble is in no sense a politician, he affiliates with the
Republican party. His father was an Ohio Democrat and was a modest
but earnest supporter of the cause, while a citizen of the "Buckeye
State." Masonry is a matter iu which our subject has taken much inter-
est and his rise from the Blue Lodge, which he entered in 1898, to the
Shrine at Leavenworth and the Consistory at Wichita, since then, marks
an achievement, unusual in its importance and significance in fraternal
work.
JOHN C. THOMAS— In June, 18(><), John C. Thomas settled in
Montgomery county, an emigrant from Jo Daviess county, Illinois. In
company with father and mother, he left the town of ("ouncil Hill, with a
team and a few household effects, and the journey to Kansas occupied
something over a month. A sister of our subject was also in the party
and, in August, the mother died and was laid away in a rude jiine box,
made of dry goods boxes, by a neighbor. Father and son each took a
claim in Drum (-reek and West Cherry townships, respectively, where
the former died, February 10, 1870. The cabin, which our subject erected,
was a small one, 12x14 feet, and he made it his home for only a couple of
years, when a new and more pretentious one appeared.
Indians, located near his cabin, begged and stole Mr. Thomas' prop-
erty and they even ordered him to leave his claim. A claim-
jumper built a shanty on the claim, formerly owned by his father, but
our subject tore it down and, some time later, lost all his improvements,
by fire, at the hand, it was believed, of the biifflcd claim jumper. This
loss was a disaster that caused liar(lslii|)s and mental siitl'cring to Mr.
Thomas. Provisions were high — tiour ;$8.0(» per hundred, bacon 2.5 cents
per pound and shelled corn |2.00 per bushel — and it was months before
he recovered from the effects of the blow. In 1872, he rented his farm
and v.ent to Sedalia, Missouri, where he woi'ked, as a machinist, for
twelve years, returning, (lieu, to his farm, able to carry on, successfully,
the improvement and cultivation of his place.
John C. Thomas was born at Tywardreth, (Cornwall county, Eng-
land, November 2;{, 1846. In 1852, his mother and three children emigrat-
ed from there to the [Inited States (the father, however, having come>
four years before) and seltied in Jo Daviess county, Illinois. The father
was John Tlioiiias and the mother was Sarah Cook, a lineal descendant
of Capt. Cook, (lie famous navigator. Her father and mother were
James and Elizabeth (Slec^man) Cook. John Thomas, grandfather of our
subject, was born in County ('ornwall and married Kittle James of the
same county. Their childi-eu wer*^ : John and Mrs. Kittle Hitchens.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEBY COUNTY^ K-ArSHAa. +03
John, Ji-.'h children were: Jolin (\. <mr snhjcci ; Mis. Sarah A. Hnnney,
of Central City, Colorado; Jainos L.. of Pinole. California; and Mrs.
Ruth Fuller, of Denver, Colorado.
John C. Thomas married Rehecca Warren, a native of Camden
county, Missouri, and a daughter of Thomas L. Warren. His wife died,
leaving a son. Perry, of Oakland, California, a hospital engineer. Mr.
Thomas' second wife was Emma A. Cordes, of Morgan county, Missouri,
and a daughter of Frederick Cordes, a German settler of that state. The
children of this union are: Walter C. and Oscar L.. hoth with the pa-
rental home.
The Thomas family of this record were miners, both in England and
the United States. Our subject worked in the lead mines of Illinois and
in the coal mines of Ohio and in the lead and zinc mines of Wisconsin,
and came to Kansas to build him a home. He has taken a good citizen's
interest in public affairs, has served his district school board ten years,
has been a member of his township political committee and was chosen
a delegate to the Republican State Convention of 1002.
WILLIAM H. HARTER— When one begins to talk about "early
days" in Montgomery county, it is necessary to i-eckon with the gentle-
man whose honored name is herewith given, as his coining dates to the
time v.'hen a single log cabin marked the site of Independence and when
the aborigines of the prairie roamed in undisputed freedom over hill and
dale. The years which have passed since then, have furrowed the face
and v.hitened the locks, but have failed to age the heart; youth springs
eterno.i in the old pioneers.
William Harter's nativity dates in Carroll county, Indiana, of the
year 1836. He is the eldest of the seven children born to Andrew and
Delilah (Hewett) Barter, the names of the other children being: Isaac,
a farmer, residing in Drum Crwk township; Elizabeth, who married John
Raplogle and lives in Carroll ccmiity. Indiana; Lewis, of Carroll county;
Frank, of Seattle. Washington: Sarah. Mrs. :^!iles Flora, of Carroll
county, Indiana; Delphine, wife of William Lytic, living in Carroll
connly, Indiana.
Mr. Harter grew to manhood and married in Carroll county, the
year being 1868, and his wife's maiden name was Rachel Baley; also,
a native of (^arroll county. The following year, our subject and his
wife came to this county, where they made settlement on part of the large
farm which they now own. in conjunction with Mr. Harter's brother.
At that time, "Poor Lo" was in evidence in the county, to the number
of 3,?.00. and not always the most peaceable nor the most trustworthy.
The trials of the very early pioneers of the county, with the Indians, were
many, their thieving propensities being the most annoying. It was nee-
essarvto walrh stocU all the tiiiic. Mini notliiiis "f value could he laid down
for a siiijilc iiioinciii.
Mr. and Mis. HartiM- have icaicd tliicc cliildren, two of their own,
and 'in adojited child. Charles A. lives on the old homestead farm and is
one of the jiroiiiisiiij; yoiin.s men of the county: Jessie M., the daughter,
lives with lier j)arents. An adopted child, Jane, is now the wife of
<Marei)ce Osborne, a farmer of the county.
The farm owned by the Harters is a fine body of four hundred acres,
jiart of it but two miles from the center of the thriving; county-seat town
of Indejiendence. and its broad acres show the hand of the experienced
agriculturist. The standing of the Harter family, among the yeomanry of
the county, is un(|uestio!ied, and the helpful character of their citizenship
has done much to i-aise the general moral level. Mr. Harter has never
taken a very active part in tlie ]»ublic life of the county, but has always
been a consistent supporter of the Republican party. He is a man who
combines many of the noble qualities, so marlved in pioneers, and num-
bers his friends bv the hundreds in the countv.
MAKTIN HH.VDFOKD SOUI.E— The esteemed gentleman whose
name introduces this brief sketch, is the efficient and popular Probate
Judge of Montgomery county. Twenty years have passed since his iden-
tity with the county lM'<aiiie a fact and, since his advent here, in the fall
of 18S3, he has demonstrated an unselfish, patriotic and public-spirited
citizenship.
The town of Waterville, Maine, gave him birth, on the 27th of Janu-
ary, 1838, and in the •■I'iiie Tree i^tate," and its educational institutions
develojiedhini into a well rounded, strong and intellectual young man. His
antecedents were ('oloiiial ](eo]ile of Massachusetts, near Dnxboro, of
which state, Daniel Soule, father of our subject, was born in 1702. Dan-
iel Soule was a son of Jonathan Soule, whose French forefather estab-
lished the family in the Uritisii colonies of America, some time in the
eighteenth ceiitiiry. Jonathan Soule followed pastoral pursuits and, in
179G, he settled at Waterville, Maine, wliere he died, in 1830, at the age
of eighty-four years. He married Hoiiore Souther, who survived to
ninet,\-six years of age. and was the mother of: Zebide, who died iri Wis-
consin: (Jeorgc. I'alotiah, Sullivan, Charlotte and Althea, who passed
away in Maine, including Daniel. Daniel Soule grew uj) in \A'aterville
and was a .Maine soldier in the war (d" 1812. He joined the army, as a re-
cruit, toward the end of the war and, on returning to civil life, resumed
the occuiiation of his father, lie married Mary Hayden, born in 1800,
at Winslow. Maine. Slie died in IS."," and he in 1881. Tlieir children
were: Mai-y J., who died unmairied : (ieorge II.. of Orange, Massachu-
setts: .\nn K.. of Waterville. .Maine, who iiiaiiied Klhanan Cook; Olive
•^;c_,y-*^-f^:'j.-
ite^^^^^^
I* I) I* I
M f r l» ,
1% »* I I
.VIA
»» '» •# ,
\. KANSAS.
'.iiig of value, could be laid <iu\v!>
;rif r'-T!iirrn t'wn of their own,
; i farm and is
.-^ (lawghtev,
the wife of
ily of foxir hundred acres,
' thriving county-seat town
1(1 iis hioaii Hcies slio» the hand of the experienced
-vandin}; of the Harter family, among the yeomJinry of
-;iif,'i,(' .i-!,i h,- iiMiM-'-.ti !-p.:iv:!.-iAp of j-iipjp (.jtj^enship
Harter has never
II IV. but has arlwaya
luu pal/'i
spin
. ■ill the 271 h !■:" .T:;nu-
■ i'iue Tree SLalt," aiid Jt.s ciiucation- '
well-rounded, strong and intellectual V'
• in, :mI >^ .iiilc of Massachusetts, near
' i<t our subject, was born lu i'i\)J,. hau
: '^(Hile, whose French forefather estab-
■'- "" ■■'"■•'. ->■>'" time in the
suits and, in
!«. at the age
- ■iiuicr. wild survived to
Zebide, who died iii Wis-
:iim1 Allhea, vho pa---s'^d
t I •# % a^ w a^ •
»>:«vx«»;^*>:v>x\»>.
JUDGE M. B. SOULE.
HISTORY OK MONTliO.MKKY COUNTY. KANSAS. 489
was the father of six children, as follows: Cluules M., of Hartlioloinew
county, Indiana; Marv, deceased; James I'., of this review; Edward, de
ceased; Frederick, of liartholoniew county, Indiana, and William, de
ceased.
James 1*. Hubbard grew up from boyhood in and around Jouesville,
Indiana, with only the advantages of the country youth. He attended
school a few months, during the winter terms, and nia<le a hand on the
farm in summer. He contributed of his meager earnings to the main-
tenanc-e of the parental home, till he readied his majoiity, and continued
to labor, as a farm hand, till the <i](p(irtuntiy arose whereby he could
"crop on the shares." He finally jturi liascd a farm and was engaged with
its cultivation and improvement till his advent to Kansas.
Septeinbei S. 1871, Mr. Hubbard married Indiana McHenry, a daugh
ter of l{i( liard McIIenry. from Ohio. Mr. McHenry was the father of a
large family of children. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard's children are: Richard
H., born January 22, 1872, is still with the family circle; Elizabeth, born
in February, 1875, is the wife of William Courtright, of the Indian Ter
ritory; Ollie, who married Elmer DeMott, of Montgomery county, Kan
sas ; Emery and James, yet with their parents.
In his political relations, Mr. Hubbard is a Republican. His father
was a war Democrat, but the issues of that time and the results of it
caused the son to seek a different political home and he has been an un-
yielding partisan of the protectionist faith since. He holds a membership
in the "subordinate" of the I. O. O. F.
ALBERT W'. SHULTHI8— A survey of the financial institutions of
Independence reveals an array of citizenship connected with their man-
agement, prominent in the business world and conspicuous as pioneers
or early settlers of Montgomery county. The youngest of them has serv-
ed his quarter of a century with his institution — has grown up in its ser-
vice— and has, for ten years, been its efficient cashier. We refer to
Albert W. Shulthis, of the Citizens National Bank. He came to Indepen-
dence with his parents in 187(5, a boy of fourteen, and the next year en
tered the Hull Bank as office boy. By actual experience, he familiarized
himself with every menial and clerical duty about the institution, be
came its book-keeper and in 1891, was appointed assistant cashier. Since
1894, he has held the position of cashier and, thus, briefly, is reviewed his
connection with one of the important concerns of Montgomery county.
A history of the development of the Citizens National Bank discloses
the fact that it first took shape as a private bank. In 1871, C. H. and
Edgar Hull organized the Hull Bank, with a capital of $34,000.00. They
conducted it until 1883, when it was purchased by A. C. Stich and Henry
Foster, and the name changed to The Citizens Bank, with a capital of
490 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
J4(),0(I0.(I(». and was conducted as a private institution until 1894, when
it nationalized witli a capital of I.IO.OOO.OO and a snr])lus of flO.OOO.OO. Its
tirsl I'icsident was Henry Foster, and its first Cashier, A. C. Stich. Mr.
Stich succeeded :Mi-. Foster as President in 1S!>4, and at the same time
Mr. Sliulthis took the position vacated by Mr. Stich.
From its inception to the present, the <'itizens National Bank has
been a prosperous and progressive institution. Its officers and managers
have been men of marked ability in coinmercial circles and, as a conse-
quence, its assets have consisted of live and substantial securities and its
capital and surplus always strengthened rather than impaired. It is the
oldest bank in this ])ortion of Kansas and, under its present manage
ment, is especially reliable and strong. Since nationalization its capital
has increased from .fuO.OOO.OO to |1()0,()()().00 and its assets from |150,-
000.(10 to .«4."(»,()( 10.(10. The deposits amount to $300,000.00 and its busi-
ness is i)rincipally local in character.
Albert W. Shulthis was born in Quincy, Illinois, March 17, 1863. He
is the youngest of ten children and a son of George and Magdalene (Win-
gert) Shulthis. both native of Darmstadt, Germany, where their families
had ivsided for generations before them. The father was born in 1807,
and died in Quincy, Illinois, in lS!t3. He was mari-ied in that city, where
he was a pioneer and where he settled down as a shoemaker. His sav-
ings lie invested in cit.\ real estate and, in time, it made him comfortable
and independent. He liii.illy engaged in the retail shoe business, and.
later o7i, in the wholesale business, retiring at near seventy years of age
and spending some yeais as a resident of Independejice, Kansas. His
wife died in 1882, at the age of sixty-sis, and eight of their children still
survive.
The jniblic schools knew A. W. Shulthis as a pupil no more, after his
fourteenth year. From thence forward to the present, the salient fea-
tures of his life work have been referred to. He is devoted to business
and the interests of his bank and his family chiefly monopolize his time.
He is a member of the commercial club of Independence, and exerts an in-
fluence in the promotion of enterprises to the city's advantage. May 1,
1888, he married Mary B. Sewell, a Tennessee lady. Their children are:
Beatrice and Muriel.
I'EKKY S. HOLLINGSWORTII— The gentleman whose name in
trodmes this article is one of the early settlers of Montgomery county
and is widely known as a banker and man-of-affairs. His connection
with the county began more than a quarter of a century since and as a
merchant, stockman and flnancier his reputation has been established
and his success has been attained.
Perry S. Holliugsvvorth was born in Peoria, Illinois, January 1, 1853,
UISTOKY OF MONTGOMEBY COUNTY, KANSAS. 49I
:iii«l ;n:i son of Uicliiinl and Hcln'cca ( Ilastinfjs) Holliii'iswoidi, v.-ncial.hr
(^nakfr parciils, wlio arc liliorally iiicnfioiied clsi'wluMc licioin.
The Slate (if Iowa ^avc to I'. S. Ilolliiijiswoiili liis [tlivsical and men-
tal (icvi'lo|)Mi('nt. Tlif jiuisnits of tlic laiin conl riliiitcd to liis nuiSculav,
and the jiulilic siliools and llic rnivcrsitv of tlic state lo his niontal train-
infj. lie };radnat<'d in tlic latter institution in 1S7(I. and bcj^an life on the
farm, lie chantied his vocation after two years and became a merchant
in the town of West liranch. H«' remained there until his emi-jration
from the state in LSTti. and threw in his fortunes with the settlers of
Montfionierv couut.v, Kansas. His tirst venture here was in the book and
stationery store in Independence, which he conducted five years. Retir
iu<)- from the store he engaged in the cattle business until 1S8C, and en
tered the Caney Valley Bank, at <'aney. as cashier. He disposed of his
interest in that institution in 1804. and purchased an interest in the First
National Bank of Independence and became its president. Upon the
death of Mr. Remington and the entry of Mr. Allen as an active factor in
the management of the bank, the latter became president and ilr. Hol-
lingsworth became cashier.
Ill March, 1873, occurred the first marriage of Mr. Hollingsworth.
His wife was Mary Cole, and she died in 1880, leaving a son, Archer W.
Hollingsworth, of Collinsville, Indian Territory. The latter is a mer
chant and is married to Mattie Walker. The second marriage of our
subject took place in July, 1884, his wife being Alice Slusser, an Ohio
lady, who came to Montgomery county with her sister, Mrs. John Kerr.
Mrs. Hollingsworth was a daughter of J. B. Slusser, of Ohio — and of Ger-
man blood, — but orphaned by the death of both parents at an early age.
Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth's children are: I'earl E. and Dale R.
The political record of P. S. Hollingsworth is pretty well summed
up in the word Republican. The family has contributed its mite toward
the success of this party from its birth down, and there seems to have
been little ambition for political distinction among the family member-
ship. Mr. Hollingsworth, our subject, was chosen the first Mayor of
Caney, and he held the office several years, but this seems to have grati-
fied his political desires. In Masonry he has taken the Knights Templar
degrees, holding a membership in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Comman-
dery at Independence, and in the Council at Topeka and in Abdalah Tem-
ple, O. M. S., at Leavenworth.
JOHN T. HENDERSON— One of the largest owners of real estate
in Montgomery county and a citizen whose name will be recognized as
among the most substantial in Southern Kansas is John T. Henderson"^
of Independence. He is a direct descendant of an old German family, and
came to Montgomery county in 1872.
492 HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Mr. Hciulersmi was hovu on (lie 2ii(l of March, lSr)S, in Jackson
cou'ny. Indiana. His fatlior was William S. Henderson, and was born
Febii'.a r.v 10, 18;>6. at Louisville, Kentmk.v, and died in Sycamore town-
ship, M<)nt<iomer_v county, December .".0, 1885. By occupation he was a
brick moulder and was also a contiactor of brick work. He married Su-
saiin;!}i Henderson, born in .lohnson county, Indiana, October (Itli, 1840.
On the father's side our sulijecl's fjrandfatlier was Daniel Henderson,
born in Madison, Indiana, November 18, 1800, died September 20, 1875.
He married I'ermelia Cook, who was born -Inly 15, 1800. This was a
direct descendant of the noted (Jan- family, whose remote ancestor, An-
dres Cair, settled in what is now Madison county, Mrjiinia, in 1732,
tofiether with three hundred I'alatines from the old country, who es-
tablished the first Lutheran churdi in America. These people left the
old country to escajje the persecution set on foot by Leopold, Areh-Bishop
of Salt/.burn, who, having; discovered that many of the subjects of his
king had renounced the religion of Rome, determined to reduce them to
submission or to banish them from the country. During the reign
of ('li:,rles V., in Germany, from 1519 to 1.500, that monarch conferred
upon the Gaars a coat of arms, the family at this time being one of the
most prominent in the Fatherland. The Gaars originally came from
Franconia. The name "Garr," or "Gaar," is distinctly German in its
origin, and is not traceable to the Celts, the Gauls, the Goths or the
Romans.
The domestic life of Mr. Henderson began in 1892, when he was join-
ed iii nmrriage to Maybelle Madden. They have reai'cd two children;
Ethel Mav, born February 4, 1894, and -Tolin Strotlier, born August U<.
1895.
Mr. Henderson settled in Montgomery county in 1872, and located in
West Cherry township, where he has since held residence. He owns three
farms in tlie county, containing, in all, 300 acres. The farm in Drum
Creek township was left by his wife's father to him, and lies in West
Drum and Cherry townships, and contains 240 acres.
Mr. Henderson is engaged in the wholesale flour and feed business
in Indeiiendence, which he started in -Inly, 1902. He is not a member of
any church, but his wife communes with the Seventh Day Adventists.
Mr. Henderson is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends in
KORRIS BENNETT BRISTOL— At Sixth and Myrtle streets. Inde-
pendence, in one of the oldest houses on the townsite, lives a gentleman
who looks back over thirty-three years to the day when he first placed foot
on Montgomery county soil. He is one of the best known characters in
the county, and, by reason of his rectitude and Jiis industry, merits the
large inoasure of esteem meted out to him. There is something eminently
fitting and proper in the association of this "gentleman of the old school"
witli ilic house which he occupies. In its early days it reared its head
sunu'w hat higher than lis nciglihois, was (lie first "plastered" house of the
coiiininiiity, wliile the coming of its master, Norris B. Bristol, made a
distinct addition to the village population. ...
Mr. Bristol's four score and four years set lightly upon him, his ab-
stemious and correct life making him hale and hearty at an age which
generally dims the mind and totters the step.. His birth occurred at
Fulton, Oswego county, N. Y., August 12, 1819.. He there received a good
common school education and remained at home until after he had cast
his first presidential vote, the head of which ballot read "Martin Van
Buren." He then started in life for himself, comirig west to Ottawa, Il-
linois, where he engaged in the grain business for a period of thirty
years, oj>crating one of the largest elevators in. tjiat section of the coun-
try. With his son-in-law, Benj. Armstrong, he then came to Indepen-
dence, Kansas, landing on the townsite December 6, 1870. They immedi-
ately coiimicnced the erection of the house before mentioned, which was
distiiiguished, later, as the ollice of the U. S. Land oflBce.
Since that era Mr. Bristol has been prominently identified with the
development of the county and with the growth of Independence. In
1872, he was appointed to the office of T'nited States Commissioner, which
he administered with satisfaction until its abolishment in 1885. During
this jieriod he also sei'ved a term as .lust ice of the Peace. His politics
has changed since that early day, in 1S4I). and he has, for years, affiliated
with the Republican party.
In 1815, Mr. Bristol was joined in marriage with Mary Eddy, a
daughter of William Eddy, of Somonauk, Illinois, a prominent Metho-
dist divine of that section. They reared but one child, Melitta M. F.
Bristol, who was married, in 1870, to Benj. Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong
is a son of John and Margaret (Trumble) Armstrong, natives of Illinois.
The family originally came from Ohio and were pioneers in the "Sucker
State." He is one of a family of twelve; those'l.iving are: Mrs. Fannio
Barber, of Sheridan, Illinois; Joseph, also of Sheridan, Illinois; Mrs.
Sam Parr, of Ottawa, Illinois; and Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong
are the parents of two children : Carrie, noAv IMrs. Dr. Arthur W. Evans,
of Independence, and Fannie B., wife of . Charles L. JIcAdams, druggist
of Independence, who have one son, Carl. Mr. Bristol's family are mem-
bers of the Congregational church and connect themselves cordially with
movements for the betterment of society in general.
THOMAS N. SICKELS— In the material development of Indepen-
dence, Thomas N. Sickels has performed a modest, though distinct, part
Miiil ;i siir\('.v of (he ticld of ;ich»is who have achieved vicloiics. iiiouhled
sciitiiiiciit. or wiclilcd iiidiu-iice for f>()od, reveals him as a chaiadter most
worthy to l)e ic|)icst'iited in the pei'soiial annals of Montgomei-.v comit.v.
<'omiiti; to Ihc romil.v a younj; man of thirty-one, full of hope and am-
hitious to occupy an honored phice in the all'airs of men, he has, for years,
been liefore the foot linlils in the drama of life and has won the esteem
and contidence of his ninnici(ialily. As salesman, as government clerk
or as editor and piddisliei' of a daily paper of Inde]>endence, the honesty
of his motives and the sincerity of his purpose have never been ciuestioned.
Mr. Sickels came to Montgomery county a pioneer. In the autumn
of ISTO. his career in Ih.- county I.egan witli a clerkship in the mercantile
cstahllshinent of the pi-oiiccr, W. T. l'>isho|), whose ])lacc of business was
located where the otti<e of the lnde|>endence (ias ('oni]iaiiy now is. Leav-
ing Mr. l'.ishop, he accepted a position in the (ioveinnient' Land Oflice in
the city, which he tilled for a perio.l of eight years and. on severing his
connection with it, puicliased the "Daily Heporter" and undertook, at
once, the conduct of the (taper. While devoted to the interests of his
l)ubli(ation, he has at the same time enlisted "for the war'" in the catise
of his city and county and, with voice and [len, he has contributed ma-
lerially to a sentiment which has yielded beneticial municijial results.
('(■miug to Ivansa..s in the spring of 187(1. .Mr. Sickels stojtped brietly
in the village of Oswego, in Labette county. He had come to the west t(j
identify himself with it and his search for a place of much promise did
not end 'till he reached lnde|iendenee. He had j)assed two years — just
j)rior--in VtM-uon county, Missouri, but his fear of becoming entangled in
the moss on the backs of his neighbors cause<l him to desert the state and
he has never been sorry of the change.
(). tober L'2, 18:5!). Thomas N. Sickels was born in Indianapolis. In-
diana. He was a son of Rev. William Sickels, a I'resbylerian minister,
a pioneer and influential factor in the atl'airs of that denominaticm in In-
diana. The founding of ITanover follege, in that state, resulted largely
from liis efforts, and he pass<'d his entire life in church and edii<alional
work. He was born in New York stale, was (nlucated in Jetlerson College
and was descended from Holland stock. He married Alma Coe, a daugh
ter of Dr. Isaa<' ( 'oe, one of the [lioneer ]ihysicians of Indianapolis. Dr.
<"oe was widely known for his interest in Sabbath school work, and a
nioncnient to him in C^'own Point cemetery in the capital city attests to
his distinguished sei'vi<'.e as a founder of Sabbath schools in the state.
To Uev. and Mrs. Wn». Sickels were born four sons, namely: l{ev. W.
\V., of Indianapolis, Indiana; Kev. E. ('., of Dixcm. Illinois; Isaac ('.,
who died in N'ernon coiinly, Mi.ssouri; and Thomas N., of this revie\\.
Thonms N. Sickels was educated in the city schools of Indianapolis.
Indiana, spent two years iu Jeffeivson College, near rittsburg. and
iiradnated from there in 1800. On finishing his education he passed a
year im a Missouri faiiii and then looated in Chicago, where he became
associate coniiiicrcial editor of the "Chicago Times."' Six months later,
oriii Anf>ust, 1S(>12. lie enlisted in the <Miicaj;o ^lercatitile Battery, and was
snbseiiiiently promoted to a First Lieutenancy in the 10th U. S. Artillery.
He remained in the service 'till ^larch, 18CG, when he resigned and went
back to Missouri as superintendent of a minicig company. His army
record, in brief, comprises service on the Yazoo' river in the Vicksburg
campaign, siege of Vicksburg, battle of Arkansas' :Post, and thence to tha
Department of the Gulf and remained apound New Orleans 'till he quit
the service. ■• ■ ."<•■•
Mr. Sickels married Harriet E. McNeil in' -Vernon county, Missouri,
May 21, 1867. She was a daughter of Col. R. W.-MoNeil, and is the mo-
ther of: Walter S., William N., of Chiloccbi-Oklaboraa; Mrs. Caroline C.
Taylor, of Independence; Pansy, Jamesand' Edw3i"d; •'
Mr. Sickels has supported the KepubH<;nn "party and its principles
all his life and his official service in a politica'l'waytomprises one term on
the Board of Education of Independence. .'He js^a-'member of and elder
in the Presbyterian church. ■ : • ....'uh .:, ■
THOMAS F. MORROW— Thomas F. Moff ow- ^Wie of the soldier
farmers of Fawn Creek township, has b6eii a.'rtsld'eilt of Montgomery
county since 1870. He came to Kansas, financiA'lly crippled and passed
through some bitter experiences in his efforts to.^'cure a home for him-
self and children, but, by his exertions, at l^ist wefcaifie the obstacles of
pioneer life and is now, in the evening of his dar'eer, ablfe to enjoy, peace-
fully, the fruits of the prosperity which has «dme to him in these later
years. ■ •' ■ ; . ■:
.V native of Ohio, Mr. Morrow was born in' Noble county. May 26,
1844. Gershom Morrow was his father and Naney Huffman his mother.
They were both natives of the "Keystone State,'* had removed to Ohio
in childhood and married in Belmoilt county. ■ They continued to
reside there until 1865, when they came west to Ralls county, Missouri,
where the mother soon died, at the age of forty-five years. The father
married a second time, Belzcw'a C. Heskett, of Somerfleld, Ohio (still re-
siding in Missouri), becoming his wife. Mr. Mori-ow died April 9, 1902,
at the advanced age of ninety years. The' children of the first marriage
were nine, six of whom are living, viz: John S.-and' Nancy M., deceased;
Klizalteth S., Mrs. James Norman; Charles S.,' Sarah S., wife of Mr.
Hashnian; Thomas F. , Mary J., who also married a Norman; Ruth A..
Mrs. (Jalloway; and Melissa R., deceased.- To the second marriage, the
following were born: Ida, Martha A., Gershom L. and Almira, now Mrs.
Harris.
Thomas F. Morrow was a lad of seventeen years, engaged
4Q6 niSTOUV OF MONTGOStERY COINTY. KANSAS.
(lulifiillv al vvi.rk on iUc liomc faiiii, when war's Inii.l alarm
i-everliciaiPil llir.iunli.ml (lie (•(.niitr.v. lie iimncdialclv jilaced liis
name on llie roll and on llic -Jnd of February. 18fi"J. took oath to sujijiort.
by arms, tlic con.sddilion of his nation. .Vs a privalc soldier, lie enlisted
in Coiiii.any "I," -Jdlli (t. Vol. Inf. lie ].roceeded lo the front and jiassed
the sucieedint; foiii- yeai\s in (he tierre eonliict of battle an<l llironiili the
lon<i : nd weary niarrli inlervenin};, tinally re((>i\inj; an honorable dis-
charge, on (he Hidi of .July IStiri. His .s(>rvi(e was passed in the use of
powder and ball, in many of (he tiei'ce condicts of the niiildle west and
south. He was wi(li (;ian( at Fort l>onelson. a( the bloody fight at Shi-
loll, and. at Itoliver, he met (he enemy. I'''or the three months jireceding
the N.ition's Itirtfwlay ^>( 1H(>:{, he pai'tieipated in the siege of Vicksburg.
Preeediug this he wan at Uayniond, .lackson. Champion Hills. Hig Itlaek
and then pa.ssed titrougli the Atlanta Campaign. He was with
Sherman's host.s as tlu>y iiiarehed to the .sea, and saw the Stais and Hars
come down at Savannah, and, la(er, a( Shephard and Ilradford and Port
Poeatella and OrniHlinrg, He jiai'tieipated in the last scene of the war.
the capture of <Jen. Johnston at Kaleigh, \. <\, and (hen juoceeded with
the tiinmphant army to Washington, where he marched in that last great
]»ageant, the (irand Keview. l''rom here he came back to I.,ouisville. where
he received his discliarge and returned home wi(h (he c(msciousness of
dutv faithfully perfoi-iiietl.
His father having remove<I lo Mis.soiiri during his abscTicc, li<- re-
pair>M( to that state and in Kails county, on the •2:>tU of October. ISd.J. was
joined in marriage to Martha S. Heskett. Mis. .Morrow was born on the
L'lst of -July. is:',7, in Ohio, and is a daughter of Lecuiidas and VAv/.n
Heskett. Her parenl.s had also re ved to Missouri during tlu' war. Mr.
and Mrs. Morrow I'ontinued to live in Missouri until 187lt. when they go,t
together their jiossessions and started for the "Sunflower State." In
Fort Scott, they jturcha.sed a yoke of oxen and a wagon, with which they
made the trip to Montgomery county. Here they located a claim in the
eastern part of FawH Creek township, six miles northwest of Cotfeyville.
Their finances, after the payment on their laud, was at a very low ebb,
they having $~>i\ lef('((» begin the battle. However, they were both in good
health and jirocecded resolutely to carve out a home in the state. To
enumerate all the trials through which they jiassed in those early days
would take more space than this brief article can allow. Sutfice it to say,
that none of the old settlers had a "hai-der row to hoe" than Mr. Morrow
and his devoted wife. They were finally enaliled to get a deed for a i)or
tion of the claim which they preenijited and aie now living on the original
quarur section. The improvements on this farm are of tlie subslantial
character and it n<tw indicaies (he (hiir(y and careful manageineiii of a
man skilled in husbandry.
The life of Mr. Morrow has Im-cu of tlie most uiniglil chaijKter and
HISTORY OK MONTGOMEEY COUNTY, KANSAS. 497
liis iiiti'llificnl p;ir( icipal ion in tlie duties \vlii<li (nine to ilic itatiiotic
citizen has Itpcn of the most li('li)t'nl natuic. He lias lii'cn lionored with
the selection In adniinistei- the to\viishi]i clerk's ((ftice for two terms, and
has ahso participated in the selection of edncational facilities for his
scho(d district at dift'eient times. Fraternal ly he is a member of the
Masons, of the A. H. T. A. and of the (i. A. R. Fn politics lie supports
the principles of the Kepublican platform and is a consistent and life-long
uiemlier of the Methodist I'^jiiscopal dinrch.
WIIjLIAM F. LAWSON— In the introduction to tliis jiersonal
notice appe^irs the name of a farmer of Fawn Creek townsliip, whose
nineteen years of life on* Kansas farm has contributed not only to the
county's welfare, but has been a positive force in the amelioration of his
own condition. He is entitled to credit for the commendable way in
which he has disposed his time and, but for the comparative brevity of his
residence here, he would enjoy the distinction of a i)ioneer.
William F. Lawson is a native of Ohio. Richland county gave him
birth on the 14th of June, 1850, of parents John and Margaret (Snyder)
Lawson, the father born in Pennsylvania and the mother, also. The lat-
ter were married in their native state and soon thereafter moved to Ohio
and lived for a time in Richland county, afterward going to Defiance
county, where their remaining years of life seem to have been spent. The
father was born in 18114 and died in 1889, and the mother's birth occurred
in ISdn and her death in 1884. Fourteen children resulted from their
union, foui- sons of the number serving in the Union army, war of the Ke-
bellioi;, and of the family five yet survive. Of the sons who were soldiers,
only two lived to see the end of the war. William F.. who was the young-
est child, reached his majority under the parental roof and obtained only
a country school education. He learned the carpenters' trade and the
first A ears of his life were devoted exclusively to its pursuit. He came
out to Kansas in 1880, and purchased a small tract of seventy-three acres
in Montgomery county, the nucleus of his present farm. He went to Ne-
braska and spent one year, then a few months in Michigan and then
spent three years in Illinois, and in 1884. brought out his family and ef-
fects with the ultimate intention of growing into and closing his career
as a farmer. He continued to ply his trade in Montgomery county, has
done all his own building and much work for others. His own improve-
ments are substantial and somewhat imjiosing and add strikingly to the
dome." I icily of his estate. Under his guidance and direction, his domain
has v.idencd in extent and now emhraies. instead of less than eighty
acres, three hundred acres, which jilaces him in the category of larye
farmcis of the county. His farm is six miles west of Coffeyville, and lies
in sections one and two, township 34, range 15.
49° HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
OrtoluT 2!t, 1883. Anna E. Getrost became tbe wife of William F.
Lawson. She was a daughter of (Jeorge W. and Lucy E. (Powell) Get-
rost, and was born in Crawford county, Ohio, August 9, 1848. Mr Get-
rost was a native German, came to the United States a boy and n^arried
a Pennsylvania lady. Two children have been born to Mr. and Wrs. Law-
son, i.aiiicly : William 11.. ninclccii years old. and Emanuel .M., aged fif-
teen yea IS.
From this article it will be seen that Mr. Lawsou's opportunities
were limited to those of his own carving and his advantages only those
common to the poor. Empty handed, then, was his beginning in life and
the results of his labors, coupled with those of his wife and sons, have al-
ready been told. He affiliates with the Democratic i)arty and has U?eu a
school clerk for nearly ten years, and was re-elected in 1903 for a term of
thi'ee vears. • ., .
PETER H. FOX — Among the well known farmers of Fawn Greek
township and a gentleman who has taken a lively inter-est in practical
agriculture in Montgomery county, is Peter H. Fox, of this sketch. For
near a score of years he has planted and harvested of the crops indigenous
to Southern Kansas soil, and nature and industry have rewarded him in
the possession of a valuable estate.
Mr. Fox is a native of Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, Pa.,
and was born July 13, 1836. He is a descendant of one of the old German
families of the "Keystone State" — Fuchs, who settled there many gen-
erations ago. Flenry B. Fox (changed from Fuchs) was his father, and
Lydia (Miller) Fox his mother. Roth were born in Pennsylvania and
passed their lives on the farm. The father died at the age of seventy-six
and I he mother at fifty-six. being the jiarents of two children, sons: John
A. ni:(l Peter H. Owing to their surroundings the sons were farm lads
and pupils, while growing up, in the district school. John A. died in
18!i7, and to Peter H. is left the responsibility of perpetuating the family
name.
Our subject was the first born, and after leaving the country school,
attended the Harrisburg Academy several terms. Next he enrolled in the
P.urr & P>urton Seminary, in Vermont, and, later on, entered Rens-
salaer's Polytechnic-College, where he graduated in the three years'
course. His education finished, he joined the engineering corps on the
Northern Central Railroad, and had charge of the same for one year. He
spent a year then superintending U. S. Sen. Don Cameron's farms, and
then returned to his line of railroad work, where he continued for four-
teen years. Leaving this service in 1884, he went to Nebraska, but the
following year came to Kansas and settled in Montgomery county. He
owns a farm of more than three hundred acres, six and one-half miles
tf !■» f* f
I
ill
M^ * ' ' 81
fi
% *# '^•11
• »#•# u
1
"-V-I
til
i«# »# vr ^1
it, 1. •.H
^noTORY OP M'^y'ty^OMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
st became the wife of William ''\
tre W. and Lucy E. (Powell) Gof
' •hid. August 9, 1848. Mr ti<-t-
•d States a boy and n-arried
!i bom to Afr. and TMrs. Law-
ins (lid. and "' ' "I ■ ■■■■
u that Mr. 1,.
. iiii'il<'il ju liu'?^!^ Of iiis nn;i I living and his ;i.h,i!if;i- > ...i;v it.as.^
luion to the jioor. Empty handed, then, was bis beginning in life and
; Mills if lii.s l,i'or,is, coupled witli flMise "f his wife and sons, have al-
iiintes with tli !>arty and lias baen a
■II vears, an(i in 1903 for a term <>^
.., , ...liin coiinty. Pa.
^■■nt oi one of the old Gennar.
iio .settled there many gen
; i^i .K Fiichs) was his father, an i
ii were born in Pennsylvania ;i'
ither died at the age of seventy r
^, rents of two children, sons: Johu
oundings the sons were farm Iad»
di-trirt st^hool. John A. died in
rpetuating the familv
:'g the country school
>xt he enrolled in the
I'r on, entered Reni^
in the three ye.ar.«
iie jMiiivd i,ii- >;iigineering corps on t\\t-
liad charge of fhe same for one year. He
.. r S S' n i;,ni C;!!,!, i-,iii"s r:iri!,s :ni."
> •• •< ij
I f M »< i^ 1^ ^ •
vv.-.y.r.rvAv;.
PETER H. FOX.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 501
Joiu's, iwi) cliildicii were born, namely: Fannie, who first married Alfred
D.yer and iiad two cliildren. Otto and Carrie, and whose present husband
is' Amos Linscott, with two cliildren, Charles and Linn. Charles Jones is
Mrs. Davis' second child. In 1S7."). our subject became the wife of Jef-
ferson M. Davis, an Illinois man. This marriage produced four children,
as follows: Laura, wife of Peter TriTumel, of Wilson county, with a child,
Buanna; Ida, who married Joseph Obermier, of Montgomery county,
with one child, (Jlenn; and Floyd and Robert Davis, yet with the family
home. JetlVrson .M. Davis died' August IG, 1889.
JOHN H. BATES— John H. Bates, a well-known resident of Mont-
gomery county, was born, in Princeton, Illinois, August 27, 1852. He
was a son of Jacob P. Bates, a native of Massachusetts, and a grandson
of George Bates, also a native of the old"Bay State," where his family
of fifteen children were born and reared. The children of the last named
were: Erasmus, Russel, Jacob P., George, Joseph, Henry, of Springfield;
Isaac, of Salem, Oregon ; Sarah Van Horn, Julia Pei'kins, Almeda Em-
ery, Ora, deceased ; Lucy Edson, of Canada, and three died in infancy.
Jacob P. Bates, our subject's father, married Elizabeth Parks, a na-
tive of Massachusetts and a daughter of Nathan Parks. Their marriage
produced Le Roy S., of San Antonio, Texas; George P., of Sherman,
Texas: John H., of Montgomery county; Helen J. Innes, Lulu B. Hyde.
Emma L., of Massachusetts, and Frank E.
When John H. Bates was a child in arms, his parents removed to
Knox county, Illinois. Here he was kei)t in the public schools until he
was fifteen years of age, when his father, who was an agent for the New
York Home Life Insurance Company, died, leaving a large life insur-
ance. With this money, the children were enabled to acquire a more lib-
eral education than the common school afforded and John was placed
in school in Galesburg, where he was a student or two years. At the age
of twenty, he came to Ottawa county, Kansas, and secured a claim of one
hundred and sixty acres, but was compelled to wait one year before en-
tei'ing it. He remained there .seven years, when, in an effort to better
his condition, he made a number of moves, staying but a few years in
each place. He visited the following places : St. Joe, Missouri ; Ottawa
county, Kansas; Rogers, Arkansas; New Mexico, Pierce City, Missouri,
and Montgomery county, Kansas. In the spring of 1893, he located in
Montgomery countv, on one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land, in sec
tion I! 32-1 .J.
Mr. Bates' marriage occurred July 0, 1878. His wife was Eliza, a
daughter of John Q. and Patience Adams, the father being a native of
Ireland and the mother of England. To Mr. and Mrs. Bates have been
born I5ve children: Alberta Smith, of Montgomery county, who has one
,liil(l. I»r;m; I'.diia C Kllis. of Montooiiu'iv .niiiilv: l)..ia lO. , ricrc.v A.
and Helen : the last three are all liviiiji at home.
Mf. Hales has had iiianv and vaiied ex](eiienres. He was at Rogers.
AiUansas, dtirinj; the boom, atul made ijood moiiev. hnt, afterward, lost
a larsjc jiortion of It in New Mexico. No other exjierience is so varied
as th.it of cowboy, in wliii h caj.acitv In- worked, for some time.as a .vouiig
man. driviii<j: on the trail. Ilowexci. Ilie j;reater ]iart of his life has been
sjtent in farniinfi. and ]irobabl> no other farmer is held in hifiher respect,
as is shown by his rejieated elections to ofHce. as a member of the school
board of his district. He has served, in this cajiaciiy. for nine consecu
tive years, and is fitted by edmation. «'X]ierieiice and ability, to work for
the best interest of education. He also acted as 1o\M)shi]i trnstee in Ol
lawa (ounty. He is a mend)er and trnstee of the Sei-ond Baptist church
of Independence, and is also a member of the A. H. T. .\.. the Sons and
Daughters of -Insti.e. aii<l the F. A. A.
•lOIIN I. HILL Om- of the prominent business men of ( 'otl'eyville
is .loliii I. Hill, president and general manager of the Cotfeyville Mercaii
tile Company, doing a wholesale grocery business. He has been a resident
of the city since 1S!»S and has shown, in numerous instances, that he
has its interests at heart. He is a Kentuckian. hy nativity, and his par-
ents. Nathan and Margaret (Jlaholml Hill, moved to the "Blue Grass
State,"' in 18(i0. from the western i)art of Virginia. They settled in Can-
iionsliurg. where the father conducted a mercantile business, until 1877,
when he moved to Cheroliee county. Kansas, and where be engaged in
farming. He subse<]uen1 ly removed to Wilson county, and. shortly be-
fore Ins death. 1o Topeka.
Nathan Hill was born in \'irginia. Noveinber 2:!. 1S37. and died in
Topeka. Kansas. July .SI. KMtL He was a man of restless energy and
good business capacity, and, in the dilferent communities in which he
resided, claimed the i-espect and esteem of all. The jiarents were both
members of the >b-thodist chur(-h. the mother being, now, a resident of
Chicago. Their five children were: Felicia J., now a resident of Los An-
geles, California, the wife of .1. \V. McKinley, contractor and carpenter;
Olive C. Hill, lives near Charleston, West Virginia; Cliarles. deceased,
was a merchant in Iowa City. Iowa; and Margaret, who resides in Chi
(•ago, the wife of F. H. (Juise.' .(ohn I. is the eldest uf the family.
The birth of .Mr. Hill, of this sketch, o.-curred in Moyd county. Ken
tiiil;\. -Inly '.I. ISiid. Huring the seventeen years of his boyhood in this
rouiit . he became I hm-onghly imbtied with the Kentucky spirit of cour
lesy. a fai t whiih. in later years, had much to do with his great success
as a traveling salesTiian. He secured a good education and. after the fam-
ily ciniie to Kansas, tatight school several terms, before he reached his
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 503
iiiiijoiit.v. In tlio spring <»f 1882, he acfopted a position with the Park
h\irst Davis .Meicaiilile Coiiipaiiv, of Topeka, and continued with them
until 1S!)S, in liic caitacilies of l)()okk(H'])er and cashier. In the spring
of thai year, lie came lo ("otVeyviile and, in connection with several others,
fonncd the company which has since carried on a wholesale business, un
der the name of the t'oll'eyville .Mercantile Company. Incorporation
was made on March r>, (he oHicers of the comi)any heinj;: -I. I. Hill, presi-
dent; K. N. Selby, vice-president; J. 11. Smith, secretary; and il. S. Mc
Nabney. treasurer. Under the energetic manaiiemeiit of .Mr. Hill and his
associates, the company has had a i)rosperous and successful career, and
has become one of the fixtures in the business circles of southern Kansas.
The building occupied is 50x140, three stories and basement, covering,
in all, 28,000 feet of floor space. The trade of the house is confined to
Kansas, Oklahoma and the Indian Territory, the firm having six travel
ling salesmen, and employing ten persons in the house.
Mr. Hill's family consists of wife and six children: Anna May,
George Irving, Maud, John W., Esther and Henrietta. The marriage of
Mr. Hill occurred .Tune 10, 1885, in Topeka. Mrs. Hill was Miss Fannie
Kistler, a native Kan.sas girl, the daughter of B. F. and Sarah (Ham)
Kistler. Mrs. Hill coml)ines (pialities of graciousness and true refine-
ment, which make her a i)o]iular member of Colfeyville social circles. Both
parents are active workers in the Methodist church, Mr. Hill being a trus-
tee in the same, and the present efficient superintendent of the Sunday
School.
Mr. Hill is prominent in the Masonic order, in the Woodmen and
the Maccabees, and votes the Republican ticket. He is a live, earnest,
helpful citizen, and deserves the large measure of esteem in which he is
held in his a<lopted city.
J.VMICS W. RUAtJG — An example of what conscientious effort and
close attention to business will acoom])lish in sunnj' Kansas, is atfordeil
in the career of James W. Bragg, a prominent representative of the agri-
cultural interests of the county, for the past thirty one years, living four
and one-half miles northeast of Havana, on the farm which he reclaimed
from the virgin prairie.
Mr. Bragg was born in Adams county, Illinois, on the 23d of Octo-
ber, 1845. Benjamin Bragg, his father, was a native of the "Green Moun-
tain State," where he married Hannah Rich, born in New Hampshire.
The parents removed to Illinois, in an early day, settling in Adams coun-
ty, where they lived out their lives, the father dying at seventy-three, the
mother three years later, at the same age. There were eight children in
the family, all of whom are living, as follows: Benjamin, ^larcellus.
George, Mary, wife of Andrew Lindsey; Emily, wife of William Denny;
504 HISTORY OK M<)NT(JOMKKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Sjuali. Mrs. Moses Coiiovcr; ;ui(l Ilfiirict l:i. now Mrs. Million SiH'ncer.
James J$ia};}j; was the sixth child of the faniilv. He was brought up
to farm life and received a fair education in tlie common schools of his
district. He remained at lionie until hi- liad attained liis majority, and,
on October 24, lS(i7, was joined in marriajre witli lOllen I'. Smitli, a
danglner of William and Ellen (McCuirel Smith. Itoth of whom were
natives of Ireland. The father <ame to .Vmerica when but se\e7iteeu years
of afjc, the mother also being in <-hildhood when she made the journey
across the ocean. They met and married in New .leisey and. later, came
out ti> Hlinois. settling in Adams couut.\. Ib-rc tlu-y resided until their
death. They were the parents of: William .).. H<lwin and ICllen.
Soon after the nuirriage of Mt-. Uragg. he began to look abimt him
foi- land for a suitable lioine. Land was Ingli in tiie east and he. there
for<>, resolved to try the west, in 1S71. lie landed in .Montgomery
couuiy and soon found a farm to his taste, in ttie jiii-ce of land which
he now owns. Industry, jjerseverancc and discietion have sni(|)lied him
with a competence for these latter days, and a home as good as can be
found in the county.
In his social relations to the community, Mr. Itragg is in happy ac-
cord with a large circle of friends and neighbors, who admire his many
virtues. He is a member of the A. H. T. A., and in jiolifical matters, is
one of the leading Socialists of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Uragg are the jiarents of four cliildi-en. all respected
members of society, two of the daughters having married prosperous
young people of the neighborhood. Their names are: Mai-y <'., w'ife of
Dr. (Jeorge Randall; Etfie, ilrs. AValter Howersock ; Nannie and William,
the only son. who died in infancy. Nannie is a iiojinlar teacher of this
count V.
JOHN DUNCAN— In the year issd. ih.'rc aiiived in Montgomery
county the gentleman whose name is lierc a|)|>ende(l and who now resides
on :i farm of two hundred and forty a<res. tive miles soutlieast of the
counts seat town of Indejiendem-e. lie has. since that time, been one of
the county's most |)rosiierous and rejiresentative farmers and has shown,
by Tnany actions, the sjilendid character of his cilizensliip.
John Duncan was born in Fulton county. ]lliiu>is. in the year 1852.
His Jiarents were Solomon and Kebec<a (ICmerinei Duncan. These par-
ents were originally from the "Hlue (Jrass State" and were farmers, as
were, also, their ancestors. The maternal grandfatlier of our subject
was a resident of eastern Kentucky, living in the beautiful section of the
slate wlier<' is now I he cily of Lexington, and where lie cultivated one of
the liest fainis in Ilia I scdion. He. later, removed to Montgomery coun-
ty and setll.'d a mile iioiili of Independence, where he imrchased ;i farm.
M. D. CURRIER.
lie, Mediua
and, on the
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Mr. IMinr:iti wmm icaicil in his iiali\(' rmiiilv. where he received a
}I0()(1 ruiimiuii school ('.III. ill ion. His voulii was |)iised in the rigorous
work of the fiiiiii and he icniaincd a( home until he was twenty-three
years of a!>c. At that time, he slarli-d out in the world for himself,
reutiii.i: a farm in the nci^hliorhood, which he cultivated for a year, and
as stated aliovc, catnc to Montgomery county, wheie he has since lived.
He owns one of the ItesI farms in the county, well stocked with horses
and cattle, and which he devotes to general farming. He is one of the
most successful farmers of the ciuinty and is first and foremost in every
cause which looks to the hetlerment of his fellow citizens al)out Iiim.
He has not given a great (h'al of attention to public matters, but has
held .some of the minor offices in his township and is always on hand to
aid, ')V his vote, the policy of the Republican jiarty. In matters of relig-
ious faith, he and his family arc liberal suj. porters of the Methodist Epis-
copal ( liurch.
The married life of .Mr. Duncan began in the year 1878. wlien he was
joined in nuirriage with Miss Allie Hart, t^he was a daughter of Rich-
ard and (leitrude (Walker) Hart, and was born in the old "Green
Mountain State" of Vermont. Richard Hart was a native of Old Virgin-
ia. He is now decea.sed, biit his wife still resides in Hlinois, at a very ad-
vanced age. Ml-, and Mrs. Duncan have reared three interesting children,
as follows: Homer, the eldest son. married Nellie Davis, daughter of
John and ;Mary Davis of this county, and whose one child is: Bessie; Lot-
tie, the elder daugliter, is residing at home with her parents, and Edna,
the youngest, is a scho<d girl at home.
I( is not fulsome pi-aise to say that no more substantial citizen re-
sides within the borders of the county, than Mr. Duncan, and he and his
family are held in the greatest esteem l)y a large circle of friends and
neighbors.
MILO D. (TRRIER— The retired mechanic and pioneer of Mont-
gomery county, who.se tiistory it is the purpose of this article, briefly, to
narrate, is Milo D. Currier, of Fawn ('reek township, whose country es-
tate challenges, in attractiveness and extent, that of any other citizen of
his community.
(t was not as a farmer, however, that his career has been spent and
his success achieved — altliough farming was the first occupation he
learned — but as a mechanic and tradesman, which field of effort he occu
pied for. at least, a third of a century, and from which he retired, at Cof-
feyviile, in 1S!)8, and .soon thereafter, began the improvement and develop-
ment of his present estate.
October 22, 1822, Milo D. ("urrier was born, in Montville, Medina
count;., Ohio. He {»as.sed his childhood amid village scenes and, on the
506 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
approach of mature years, they were changed to the environiueut of the
farm. When his father. Thomas Currier, gave up his trade of a stoue
mason, it was to acconijiany liis two sons, Thomas M. and Milo D., to the
farm, where he passed his last years as an invalid, alone, save for tlie
companionship of his two faithful Ixiys. The father was born in Vermont,
in 1798. and died at the age of forty seven years. His father, ^^argent
Currier, was a Vermont soldier in the Ameiican Hevolution and received
a wound, at the battle of IJnnker Hill. After the war, some years, he
pioneered to Ohio and settled near the city of ('leveland. In that local-
ity, his family grew \\\) and in Cuyahoga county, liis i-eniains lie buried.
His son, Thomas M., married Fannie l>ille. of wliiih union our subject,
Milo I)., was a product.
When a little child, Milo 1 >. Currier's motlier died. He passed
through the stages of childhood and youth without the loving and tender
care pud instruction of this good woman and, in early manhood, was
handicapped by the physical incompetency of his father. When he was
finally deprived of the presence of his father, by the archangel of death,
he was then brought, consciously, face to face with the stern reali-
ties of the world. In childhood, he lived about tlie community, among
friendi^' of the family, and really never learned tlie sacrediiess and the
sweet influences of a home till lie made himself a home and discovered
them there. He was married, in February. 184.'), to Lestina I?. Tracy, a
Vermont lady, and, in 184(), moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, where
he purchased a modest farm, expanded it to two hundred acres, improved
the whole and sold it and locate<l in ^laishall. Dane county, where he
engaged in wagon-making. He carried on this business, in the "Badger
State," till 1870, when he came to Kansas and settled in the town of
Parker, Montgomery county, and, after lemainiiig there at his trade five
years, moved to ColFeyville, where he <'oiitinued liis trade for Tweuty-
three years, or until his final settlenieiit, as ]iievionsl\ stated. He
purchased a half section of land, six and one-half miles west of CotTey-
ville, u])on which he erected a sjilendid residence and otlier buildings in
keeping with a highly improved farm. Here, in the i-oin]iaiiy of the fam-
ily of liis daughter, he is enjoying an earned and deserved rest. His jier-
.sonal ajiartments are fitted up to suit his tastes and an air of one in
easv and comfortable cii-cnmstanccs perva(h's the suirouiidiiigs. In
185V., .Mrs. Cuirici- died. an<l the next year he iriarric.l .Minllia Morrell,
who was his ioiii]iaiiio!i twenty live years when she. too. died and has
now no surviving issue. l!y his hist marriage. .Mr. Curlier has n daugh-
ter, I'"mnia ("., wife of M. S. Vogan, wlio is cnllivaling our subject's
farm. Mr. and Mrs. Vogan's children are: t •harles...Jonatiiati .M.. Albert.
Estella and Franklin. This is an industrious family and tlieii- condiiet of
the fnrni mark them as competent and successful farmers.
Mr. Currier's has been a life of activitv. He has labored to gralifv
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. SOQ
tial improvements upon the farm, the last one being a iK'aiitifni resi-
dence, one of the finest in this part of the county. His farm is situated
four and three-fourth miles from the county-seat town of Indeitendence.
In all that goes to make up a good all-round citizen, Mr. (Jrittin exhibits
all the qualities of that character. In political alBliation, he works
with (he I'opulist parly, prior to the rise of which he voted with the
Democratic party. The Tnited Brethren church eniolls himself and wife
upon its list of members.
JOSEPH JACKSON — The late pioneer, whose name is announced
at the opening of this article, was a man of substantial business traits,
was favorably known over a wide area of Montgomery county and, as a
farmer, did an important work toward the reduction and improvement
of his locality. His rise in the county was from a primitive beginning
and when he died, .\ugust 14, 1900, his estate was one of the valuable
ones of the county, growing out of efforts on the farm.
Joseph Jackson began life in the I'nited States under somewhat em-
barrassing conditions. He was a foreigner, unacquainted with our ways
and (Hstoms, and with little knowledge of our institutions. The first
prospect that confronted him, on reaching America, was that of hard
work, in a coal mine in Luzerne county, Tennsylvania, but he did not
shirk. His life was ahead of him and he was ready to make the most of
his lot. Such men deserve to succeed and most of them do. Out of the
coal shaft, into the ranks of the Federal army, he heli)ed fight the great
battles for the preservation of the Union and the integrity of the flag.
Back to the coal business, for a brief period, and then, to Kansas, recites
in brief, the career of our subject, before his advent to Montgomery
county.
A native of Northumberland county, England, .Mr. Jackson was born
April 24, 18.31. His parents were William and Mary (Truby I Jackson, who
brought their family to Luzerne county. Pennsylvania. ali<»ut 1850. The
father was a sailor in early life and when he reached the coal fields of the
"Keystone State," he went to work in a mine. His wife was a French lady
and a daughter of a captain in the French army. They both died during
the Civil war — one day apart — at about sixty years of age, and are
buried at Timoqua, Pennsylvania, in the M. E. churchyard. They left a
family of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Henry.
Robert, Joseph, Elizabcfh, widow of John Airy, and Catherine, widow of
Jabez Phillips, of Pennsylvania.
Joseph Jackson was united in marriage, at the home of his parents,
December 3, 1851, with Jane Bell, a daughter of Van and Jane Bell.
Mrs. Bell died at thirty-eight rears of age, while her husband passed
away at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. Jackson enlisted in 18(i2, .\ugust
5IO IlISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
S. in ilii' On.- Hnndrcd and Twenty-fourth Illinois VohintetMs. 1o whicli
state lie liad inij;iated five yeai-s befoi-e. His enlistment occnn'ed at Col
chestei- and his reniinent formed a part of the First Hrifjade. Third r>ivis-
ion of the Seventeenth Corps. He iiarticijiated in the battles of Hay
mond. Ciiainpion Hills, siejje and caitture of Vicksbiiff;. battle at .lackson,
and th.en his command was transferred to southern Alabama, wliere he
aided in the assault on "Spanish Fort" and the capture of Mobile. He
was at ^'icksburJ^ when the mine was ex|)loded and was. himself, wound-
ed at Chamj. ion' Hills. The ball passed thr.ni-h his haversack and was
checked to almost a sjieut ball, by iienelrat in<> thron<;h his plate and caj).
which laller has Ikhmi preserved to the family, as a relic of war days and
a memento of the .service of its worthy head. His wound was a serious
matter with Mr. -lackson, for it penned him up in the hos]iital, out of
which, upon his |)leadin»', ou one occasion, he was taken on an ambulance
man!-, in order to keep along with his command. Alth<ni},di it healed,
in time, the wound left its pernuinent effect with its victim. .\n inci
dent (.cciirred at Vicksburg, in which Mr. Jackson was a jiarticipaiit.
whicli showed his courage and utter lack of fear. On one occasion, a
Confederate pulled his pistol and made boasts of what he would do to
the '-Yanks." but before he put his threats into execution, Joe Jackson
had relieved him of the weapon and told him to call the next morning,
but lie failed to call and Mr. Jackson brought the jiistol home. August
15. 1865, the military life of our subject ceased. He was discharged in
Chicago, as a sergeant, and at once rejoined his family in Colchester,
HIinois.
Taking up civil pursuits again. Mr. -lackson bought a tract of coal
land, upon whicli he sank a shaft and began the mining of coal. He em-
ploved a small force of men and did (piite a busiiu'ss. sliijtiiing his pro-
duct to (iuincy, Illinois. In ISTO. he gathered his substance, his fanily
and his etfects together and brought them to .Montgomery county, where
he iiurcha.sed a wild tract of eighty acres of land on Onion creek. -Vs a
farmer, he was pronouncedly successful. His management of his af-
fairs seemi'd to keep them on the ti]iward tendency and. as his circum-
stances warranted, he added lra<t after tract, until his estat<> embraced
five hundred and sixty four acres. This, together with valuable residence
jiroperty in Independence and a dejiosit in one of the city banks, consti-
tuted his estate at his death.
To .Mr. and Mrs. .Ja<'kson were born the following chilrdren. namely:
.Mar\ J. wife of Walter Funess. of Colchestei-. Illinois; Van William,
of Colorado, who married Ftlie Cox and has children: .loseph. .Jennie
and William, and Maltie and .Vrtliur, deceased; Margaret, deceased, mar-
ried Charles Uedwood and left: .May, -losejih. Albert and l-^ldr.-d ; Kobert
A. and Josejih H., both died in babyhood; Josei.h. :!d. of I mh'iiendence,
Kansas, married .Vugust U, 1883, and has children: Lillie .M.. Joseph,
niSTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 5H
.It'iuiic. Lizzie, .lolin, Robert. Ethel, Floyd and Kate; Sanniel C. H.
(Chai'.iiiioii Hills), was liorn the day his father was in that fi^ht, mar-
ried Hannah Cillard and has three cliildren: Nellie, Stella and Flora;
Lizzie, wife of lOdward Woody, of Independence township, has the fol-
lowiii}; ehildren: Calvin, Morrill and May; James, born November 30,
18(19, niariied Rose I'.ailey, now deceased, himself died, iu November,
1900, leaving children: Jennie, Eddie, Van, deceased; Walter, Maggie,
deceased; Hose, deceased, and Mollie; and Belle, wife of Frank Haniblin,
of Independence, has a sou, Elmer.
Joseph Jackson and his wife brought their children u)i to believe
in (he sacrediiess of the Christian religion. They were both members of
the Methodist church and lived consistent and upright lives. ^Ir. Jack-
son was a niemter of the Grand Army, was a Republican in jiolitics,
and, as a citizen and a man, his life is worty of emulation.
JOSEPH BERRY — A patriot defending the cause which gave birth
to the "Sunflower State," a pioneer subduing nature's wilds within her
borders, a solid and substantial citizen, revered and honored through-
out the length and breadth of .Montgomery county — this, in ei>itome. is
the record of Lieutenant Jose|)h lierry, farmer of Sycamore township.
William Berry, grandfather of .loseph, was one of the inde})endent
Irishmen who cliose to leave the land of his birth, rather than to further
stand the exactions of a selfish l^nglish nionardi. He came to .Vmerica,
iu the early jiart of the nineteenth century, and settled in the"Hoosier
State," where he reared a family of thirteen children, their names be-
ing: William, James, Joseph, Isaac, Polly, Nancy, Cecilia, Sarali, Mark,
Haunah, Samuel (two names not given). Of these, Mark married Chris-
tine Lozer, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Christopher and
Ann (Rolland) Lozer. both natives of Switzerland. Their children were:
Joseph. John (deceased), Elizabeth Archer, of Ohio; Hannah Taylor,
Mark and Christine, also of the "Buckeye State;" and Ann Van Nort-
wich, now deceased. By a former marriage, to I'olly Hughes, Mark Ber-
]-y hud one chihL Polly, who, when last heard from, was living in Indiana.
The immediate family of Jose})h Berry consists of wife and four
children. Mrs. Berry was JIary Jane Hewitt, born in Jefferson county.
New York, July 28, 1885, the daughter of (ieorge and Reheeea (Fisk)
Hewitt. On the 1st of September. l!)()l', Mr. and .Mrs. Berry <elebrated
the fiftieth anniver.sary of their wedding, amid the rejoicings of many
friends and relatives. Of their children. Ida Tuttle, with her two chil-
dren, Floy and Vesta, live in Purdy, .Missouri; Ira H. is a locomotive
engineer, lives in Joj.lin, Missouri; he has one son, Hollis. who served
in the Philippine war; EHie Ilolbert. resides with the jiarents and has
one child, Pauline.
.Iusr|.li I'.fiiy was lioiii in Holmes coiiut.v. Ohio. April 21. IWC.
At scMMitccri, lu" went lo Lucas county, where he sjient ei}iht yeai-s.
tluMno to Michi<;aii, where, in Lenawee county, he married. He soon
returned to Ohio, where he resided, iu various places, until his coming
to Kansas, in lS(>(i. He resided three years in Lawrence an<l. in the
sprin^L!' of "O'.l, inade the trip to ^lontj-oniery county, with ox-team, be-
sides which, the siiic family i>()ss(>ssions were a few household jtoods, two
cows and $:'>(). (li) ill moiie_\. .Mr. Berry filed on a ipiarter section, in sec-
lioii l.!.!-.' 1."., ercclcd .i lo}> cabin, and began life anew. The cabin had a
liM.N lldor and no windows, but it served them for a shelter until I'rovi-
.lelicc smiled on their eti'orts suirhiently to enable tliciii t<i re]. lace it with
a mor;- comfortable home.
Their neighbors were the Indians, and they soon be.ame well ac-
(|Uaiii;ed with a number of the chiefs, among which may be mentioned
Xopowalla. I'.eaver, Wild ("at. One Eyed Tete and Old Toby. But once
were they molesteiL and that was on account of the Red Man's insatiable
a])|>etite for liiiuor.
The Berrys cultivated the oiiginal pla.v until 1882, when they sobl,
and bought the present farm, in section 12 :!2iri. and where they liave con
tinned to reside. During his residence in the cotinty. Lieutenant Berry
has ever evinced an intelligent interest in the welfare of his community,
servitig a number of terms on the school lioard. as justice of the ]teace,
and as to\\nsliip trustee. The family are members of the Sycamore Con-
gregational church.
Passing now to the war record of Lieutenant Berry, the biographer
notes that, in August of 18(>1, he enrolled, as a jirivate, in Company "H,"
Third Kegiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, under Col. Zahm. Tliey entered
(ieii. Wood's division of the Army of the Cumberland, and were at Shiloh
and ivery battle of imjiortance following, until they reached Atlanta.
ileif, he was with (Jen. Wilson, in his daring raid around that city, and,
again, at .lonesboro. The time of his enlistment having expired, Mr. Ber-
ry promptly veteranized, again took the oath, and served to the close of
the war, being mustered out at Columbus, (3hio, August 16, 1865. He
entered the army as high jirivate, was advanced, in turn, to sergeant,
sergeant-major, second lieutenant and, just befoie his service was ended,
to tirsi lieutenant. He was in the brigade that had the honor of captur-
ing -IctV Davis, at 1 1\\ insville, Ceorgia.
liAXIIOL B. SNIOLL — For more than a (juarter of a century, the
subject of this review has been prominently identified with the interests
of agriculture and grazing in Montgomery county. The prominence of
such (oniiection exists, by virtue of the extent and success of his ven-
lurc, owning, as he does, and having actively cultivated and managed
D. B. SNELL AND WIFE
AS. 513
au a iteiiieti
Tennette. A.
Marsh, hor
■ tiier ot the State of A^'s
MHi? bping: Mrs. Sar;i!. s -
... Sl!,-il ■..),
••(1 a splendid ".si
ri<.,', ill.' <iri;, of
'■itl'.'!!
iioii, tiuail>
;.,uir
business life
'
Mr, nn.'
:
p
^^^^^^KSfo'y^
I* It 1^ •♦ l» f
•1^ H H
ft H t* I
l« •» f»
I f • li^f* &«
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 513
;iii t'suiti' of five luindred aiid ninety ancs. Tln-sc Itaionial juissessions
air imrcly the outcome of and liave lesnlted from an unabated ell'oit on
a Kansas farm.
The year IST.T witnessed (lie advent lo Fawn <'reeii lownsliiii. Mont-
gomery county, of Daniel H. Siiell. He settled on Onion creeii. where he
j)urciiased one inindred and sixty acres of land, with scant improve-
ments, and at once took the roail to wealtli — raisinj; and feeding stock.
He was a settler from Slielliy county, Illinois, where he was a resident
eight years, and to wliich point he migrated from Warren county, Ohio,
where his birth occurred October 17, 18;<S. The Snells were of Mary-
land origin, in which state, Daniel Snell, father of our subject, was born.
The latter married Sarah I'eckiniiaugh, a Peunsylania lady, and they
passed away at seventy-four and seventy-three years, respectively.
Twelve children were born to them, six of whom survive, as follows:
Sarah, Frederick P.. ilary, Euphemia, Martha and Daniel B.
The country districts of his native county furnished the scenes of
our subject's boyhood and the education he ac»(Hired. came from the
juiniitive school house and in the primitive wily. He served his parents,
dutifully, till past his majority, when he married and settled on a rented
farm. His marriage occurred in 18fi0 and his wife was Jennette A.
Marsh, a daughter of William and Sarah O. (Williams) Marsh, her
father a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and her mother of the State of Mis-
sissipjti. Her parents had six children, those living being: Mrs, Sarah O.
Jones. Isaac W., Mrs. Snell. Mrs. Snell was born in Piqua, Ohio. August
29, 1S87. Soon after their marriage, she and her husband gathered to-
gether their small savings and moved out to Illinois, where land was
cheaper and opportunities somewhat greater than in Ohio, After a few
years spent in that state, something beckoned them farther west, where
the field of opportunity was unlimited and their removal to Kansas was
the result. After twenty-three years on the farm. Mr. Snell purchased
thirty acres of land, near Jefferson, on which he erecti'd a splendid resi-
dence, which he at once occupied, in self-retirement from the strife of
life. He erected a large store-room, in Jetierson. for the accomodation
of a friend, who engaged in the mercantile business, but with such poor
success, that Mr. Snell assumed charge of the stock, for his own protec-
tion, finally closing it out, selling the building and ending his active
business life,
Mr. and Mrs. Snell have four living in a fajnily of seven children,
viz: Alma L., wife of George O. Gould, of Colorado; Laura, deceased;
Melvi'i A., who married Daisy Earnest ; Sarah E,, deceased ; Jennette E.,
wife of William Hockett, of Pawnee county, Kansas, died May 14. 1903;
Clarence E.. who married Olive Koger. and Grace Pearl, wife of William
D. \^'ilson. The last two children are twins.
In politics, Mr. Snell is a Populist, and he fraternizes with and
holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America.
^Ir. Snell's sister, Sarah Snell, is living with him and has been for
the ]i;ist thirtv-tive years. She was born, January 9, 1815, in Hamilton
county, Ohio, and has never married.
P. W. WEAVER — P. W. Weaver, retired farmer, now residing at
401 South Sixth street, Independence, lias been a citizen of Montgomery
countv for the past twenty-two years. During this time, the citizens of
the cuniity have come to know him as a high-minded, sincere gentleman,
whoso evident pui'pose in life is to live and to serve.
Mr. Weaver is of "Hoosier State" nativity, born in Parke county,
February IC, 1837. His father was John Weaver, his mother Margaret
Crecelius, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. They be-
longed to the pioneer farmer class, whose genius mastered the primeval
forest and caused it to blossom forth into cultivated field and pastured
hillside. Both of the parents lived to a ripe age, the father dying at
eighty-four, the mother at eighty-five years. The latter was a consistent
member of the T'nited Brethren church and a woman of superior mould
of character. The former was of that stern quality, frequently found
among the early ])ioneerR, whose love of country amounted to a religious
creed, and whose livi-s (■(•niporled with the purity of the patriotic senti-
ment enshrined in their hcaits. This, lie particularly and forcibly mani-
fested during the Civil war. Too old to enter the service, he sent his
son. and then busied himself in making it uncomfortable for the Copper-
heads who infested his neighborhood and who had become members of
that traitorous organization, known as the Knights of the Golden Cir-
cle. His family consisted of eleven children, five of whom are yet
living.
P. W. Weaver received a fair education and passed his life in active
labor on the farm until the great Civil war burst in all its fury — a fury
destiiu'd to eclipse the most sanguine of history's greatest contlicts. Pat-
riotism having been :i i)art of his daily sustenance, it was not strange
that our subject siionld Ik' one of the first, from his neighborhood, to
enlist, lie became a private, in Company "11," Twenty-first Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, his enlistment dating in .lune of 1S(!1." His I'egiment
becani' a part of the Army of the I'otomac. but was .soon changed to the
First Indiana Artillery and .sent to the extreme south, becoming a part
of the Army of the (iulf. On the lower Mississippi and about New Or-
leans, he saw nuich service, during the winter of l.S(il-(i2, his first battle
being nt I!;itoii Itouge, Louisiana. Ileic, he received :i Itall in the wrist
and, with many other wounded .soldiers, wiis sent to the hosj.ital at
New Orleans. On Ihis (rip, he was a witness to one of the most api.alling
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 517
rATKICK II. LINDLEY— ratiick H. Liiulle.v is one of the leading
citizens of the viila<ie of Havana, in ^[ontgcunerv county, where he is
engaged in the dnig Inisiiicss. The Lindlc.v family is one of the best
known in tlie coniily. hotli the father and mother of our subject having,
for over twenty years, been active in the ministry of the Quaker church,
and in which capacity they have traveled all over this section of the
state.
Patrick Lindley is the eldest son of a family of eleven children,
born to Isaac and Elizabeth (Woody) Lindley, both i)arents and chil-
dren natives of the "Floosier State." as fully apjtears in their sketch in
this volume.
Patrick Lindley was born in I'arke county. Indiana, on the 4th of
July, 1862. The period of his adolescence aud young manhood was
passed on the home farm and in attendance at the district school aud an
academy near by. After coming to Kansas, he entered the employ of the
Santa Fe railroad aud remained one of their trusted men, until August
of 1890, when he began the present drug business in Havana. He has
here, one of the neatest stores in the county, carrying a full line of every-
thing included in the stock of an average drug store in the smaller
towns. His courteous treatment of the large trade which he enjoys has
made his venture a profitable one. He is also interested in agriculture,
to the extent of owning a one hundred and twenty-acre farm, just outside
the limits of Havana.
Mr. Lindley's tastes, in a fraternal way, are satisfied by membership
iu that good insurance lodge, the Modern Woomen. while, in religious
faith, he follows the training of his youth. Politically, he reserves the
right to vote for the best men and measures, regardless of on what ticket
their rianies appear, or by what party a measure is advocated.
The home life of our subject began January 5, 1890, when lie brought
Miss Ella Stanley from Indiana, to preside over it. She became the
mother of two children. Harry and Ethel, aud, on February 27, 1896, she
passed to the "great beyond." She was a true Christian mother to her
children and a loving and devoted wife, whose greatest pleasure was
found iu miiiistciinii to tlic wants of lici- liouscliold.
HIRAM FOSTER— Piinicval Moutgoiiiciy. tlie hanks of the Elk,
the prairie grass, mounds of rock and unbroken soil, was the welcome of
Hiran; Foster when he arrived iu Kansas, iu the early spring of 1870,
from Cedar c(muty, Missouri. He. with his wife and two children, made
the journey overland, by team, while two cows were driven ahead, that
the family might have sustenance, iu si)ite of a new country. The family
located on tlu^ banks of the Elk river, but, by a new government survey,
that (laini was lost and they located on a new claim, a little to the north
of the first one, and made vacant by the same survey. Later, throufih
a contest, Mr. Fo.ster lost eigthty acres, adjoining; his present home. The
old log cabin, Avhich had been erected on the first claim, was moved to
the last and served for a comfortable residence until the erection of a
new home, occupied by the family at the present time.
Three years passed before Mr. Foster succeeded in getting all of his
farm under cullivation. It was here, on the banks of the 101k, that the
Osage Indians gave one of their greatest demonstrations in numerical
strength. It was iicrc that this great body of Indians assembled and
camped with ail their belongings foi- weeks, jircparatory to their final
migration to the .south.
Hiram Foster was a son of KIdred Foster, a nalive of Connecticut,
the father's father being Oliver Foster, born in New England. Oliver
Foster had children : Monroe, Oliver, Alonzo, Eldred, Michiel, Mrs.
Aurora Woods and Rosa V. Chandler.
Eldred Foster, the father of our subject, married Susannah Chand-
ler, a native of North Carolina, and to this marriage was born two chil-
dren: Hiram and Mary Tichnel.
Hiram Foster was born in Madison county, Illinois, March 23, 1847.
and he remained there until the fall of 1S<!8, when he went to Cedar
county, Missouri. He married Mary Ashlock. a native of Illinois and
a daughter of Richard and Harriet Ashlock. Tlieir family consists of
seven children : Eugene, of Montgomery county, who has one child,
Aaron; Eldred, of Elk county, Kansas, whose two children are: Irby
and Clarence; Ira, of Montana; Ballissie, of Montgomery county, whose
four children are: ^larian, Hiram, Bertha and Orvil; Mrs. Agnes Alex-
ander, of Montgomery county, who has three children: Clarence, Ralph
and P.ernard: .ilrs. liattic .^mitli, of Oklahoma Territory; and William,
at home.
Mr. Foster has followed farming, as an occupation, all his life. He
has served, faithfully, his district, for six terms, as a meml)er of the
scluxil board, and is a member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice and
of til." A. 11. T. .\.
IMCHAHD II. 11(»LL1\(JSW()RTH— One of the highly resi>ected
families, which lijnc made .Montgomery famous as a county of good
homes, is that of the gentleman named above, whose honored head resides
in CoH'eyville. and in restful (piiet from the cares of a long and active
career Mr. Hollingsworth has passe<l. by a full dozen years, the usual
allotment of man, and yet. is hale and hearty, having lived a singularly
cori-ect and abstenii.nis life.
Hollingsworth is aTi old lOnglisli (^naker name— the family settling
f» I* f^ f* r* i*
here that ;
ipir l)elongii _
was a son of Eldied Foster, a
ivij,,!j oijyf,,. pfisjij.,. »)orn ir>
11, Hiram, l;-
iinty, who \..
I lie .Sniitli, of \>k
Agnes Alex-
UPii'-e. Ralph
. ^sier has followof] f-^
: s s,i,,.,:. faithfully, !.:
'/toe' ])o;\i-(l, and is a ii
i fli- A. H. T. A.
•TTAT?n IT. ilOi.I.iy'
ail occupation, a
six terms, as a nuihiKv cr tii:^
•ns and Daughters of Justice and
!k' highly respected
Minty of good
u head resides
'oug an<l :iiM'v,5
'/.t-u years, ,!
ig lived a .-•;
lamilv settlic '
. . . . AWw
R. H. HOLLINGSWORTH AND WIFE.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 52 I
Our subject attended ilic s< liuols of .hie l»;iviess county. Illinois, and
worked on the home faviii tiiiiil his ciilisfnieiil. Aiifjust !), 1S62, as a pri
vate soldier, in Conipauy "K." Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
His term of service closed in ('hica}«:o. June 10, 18().5. The war, in his
case, was not a dress jiarade attair. Continuous and rigorous service
characterized the whole jieriod of his enlistment. The regiment became
a jiart of "rajr" Thomas" corps and arrived at ("hickamauga in time to
take jtart in that battle, where "the rock." all day. withstood the fren
zied charges of the enemy. Mr. Todd was not in the battle proper, as he
was early detailed on the and)ulanie torjis. He. however, saw jilenty of
"gun play." later, as he participated in the battle which followed, "above
the clouds," and in the entire .\tlanta camiiaign. The actions in which
he was under fire, were: Lookout Mountain. Hough and Ready. Dalton,
Rock Face Mountain, Buzzard's Hoost, Triune. Kingston, ("assville. At
lanta, Lovejoy Station. Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville. During tho
Atlanta campaign, he was under orders, ninety days continuously, and
immediately engaged in the return march after Hood into Tennessee,
where he took part in the bloody battles of Franklin and Nashville. He
entered the army, a private, and filled the various positions until he
reached a second lieutenancy, and, as such, he commanded his company
for a period of three months. His service was faithful and long. His
reward was that of thousands of other boys in blue — a reunited, undi-
vided country.
Upon his return home. Lieutenant Todd continued farming, in Joe
Daviess county, until February 24, 1874, when he located in Montgomery
eounty, Kansas. Here he was one of the leading agriculturists, until
1899. when he removed to town and lias since lived a retired life.
The marriage of our subject occurred February 2, 1858. Mrs. Todd
was Jane M. Lemon, a native of Missouri. Her parents were P. V. and
Elizabeth (McClellan) Lemon, both now deceased. They were native
Canadians, farmers near the great falls of Niagara. They became resi-
dents of Joe Daviess county. HI., in the forties, where they lived out their
lives, the father dying at seveutyuine, the mother at forty-one years.
They were parents of ten children, live yet living : Mrs. Todd, the eldest ;
Mattie, Mrs. S. S. Hughes, of Chicago; Louisa, Mrs. William Mills,
of Emporia, Kansas; Addie, Mrs. Henry Glindinning, of LaFayette
county, Wisconsin ; Orpha, Mrs. J. V. Grabham, of Independence.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Todd consists of six children, viz: Frank
E., a farmer of the county, married Minnie Coleman and has children:
Harland, Oscar, Lena, Russell and Frank ; Jennie, born December Ki,
18C2, died October 19, 1871; Howard E.. born June 10. 18G0. died Feb
ruary 3. 1890; Herbert W., a graduate of the Valparaiso, Indiana, Nor-
mal School, and for years a successful teacher, but now a bookkeeper
for the wholesale house of Rovse, Hitanler & Co.. of Wichita, Kansas,
522 HISTORY OF MONTOOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
and is iiianiwl to (icitrudc H. nilcniaii, with two cliildreu: Hubert H.
and Loia T.. ; Wilbur 1>., died iu iiifauc.v ; lOJsie A., Mrs. Frank E. Stoops,
of Ind('iH'ndenco. All of tlii'so cliildi'oi) are us«>ful nieinbers of society
and a credit to their jiarents.
>Ir. and Mrs. Todd have alwa.vs lakcii an active and licli)fnl interest
in the life of the different coninnuiities in which the_v have lived. They
are Uienibers of the ('ongregational church, and he is, of course, one of
the honored members of the (i. A. R. He also affiliates with the. Sons and
Daughters of Justice. In political matters, lie favors the policies of the
Keiniblican ])arty.
J. HOWAHI) l>ANA— The bar of Montgomery county has recently
known the subject of this sketch, as the jiublic jirosecutor of the county.
Although com])arafiv(»ly young, in the legal field, he has shown himself
to be (b'ft and vigorous, as a counselor and attorney, aiul as the county's
legal ad\isor and jmblic prosecutor, to be wary of the jiublic weal.
Mr. Dana is one of tlu^ jdoneers of Jlontgomery coiinly. His parents
came hither, in ISIJii, when he was two years old, from Washington coun-
ty, Iowa, where he was boin, Septendier 2S, lS(i7. The well known farmer
of Caney township, William 1.?. Dana, is bis father and was born, in
Ohio, in the year lS2'.t. He was married, in his native state, to Nancy
Williams, whose father was a Scolchman, with a long train of American
antecedents. The Danas are among the American Colonial families, of
which the distinguished Charles A., late of the New York Sun, was a rep-
resentative. They have been prominent in American history and have
shown themselves to be scholars, statesmen and, above all, patriots.
Charles A. and William B. Dana's fathers were brothers, the father of
W^illiam K. being Watson Dana, a native of New England.
^^■illiam H. and Nancy Dana were the parents of five children, viz:
William 1... of Pittsburg, Kansas; Charles, of St. Louis, Missouri; Ed T.,
of l>allas, Texas; ^lelville C., of Weir. Kansas; and J. Howard, of this
review.
Howard Dana passed his life on the farm, as a boy and youth, and
in the schools of Caney township, ac(|uired his liberal education. For a
bigher training, he attended the Kansas Normal College at Ft. Scott,
where he completed the scientific course. He taught school before he
becaiiic a student of the Normal College and was, for three years, prin-
cipal of schools at Caiu-y, Kansas. He continued in the profession till he
had read law to tinal admission to the bar, when he at once began its
practice. His precejilor in law was .1. K. Charlton, with whom he, after
ward, formed a ijarliiersbij. for practice. His first case in court was one
embracing a charge of assault and ballerv against his client, Harrv
Temi)le. of Tyro. The case was tried regularlv and resulted in the acquit-
HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 523
tal of the iicciiseil; Mr. Dana ttnis scoriii-; liis first victory. In litOO. li>'
was elected <"oniity Attorney and. diirin<; the course of his term, several
ini])ortan( criniinal cases were brou^lit to trial. .John Xelsoii, for tlie
killin;- of Morris, at ("otfeyville ; .lohn Walker, for the killing of Lancas
ter. and Clarence Hird for the iimrder of Harry Linton, were all trieci
and convicted of their crinies. In the case of Trusketf and others, pro
nioters, ajjainsl the Santa Fe railroad. Mr. Dana represented the plain
titt's and secured a judgment for !f4r). (1(1(1 in their favor.
Mr. Dana was united in marriage with Maud Mulvaney, in hide
pendence, on the 9th of May, l.'<!t4. .Mrs. Dana came to Kansas, with her
parents, from Ohio, and is the motlier of two sons: Merle and I'aul. Mr.
Dana is a Republican, an Odd Fellow, a lilue Lodge. Chajiter and Com
manderv Mason and an Elk.
ANDREW M. MISHLER — The gentleman here mentioned is a mem
her of a family which has. for nearly three decades, been prominently
identified with the develojmient of Montgomery county, and which,
through its different members, reflects credit on the county's sturdy yeo-
manrv The parents and six of the thirteen children born to them, are
cultivating farms in the county and are all citizens of unusual strength
of character, whose standing none can gainsay. Mr. Andrew Mishler
is the eldest of the family and lives on a farm of recent purchase, four
and one-half miles from Independence.
The parents of the family, Samuel and Louisa (Ormon) Mishler,
reside on a farm in West Cherry township. They are natives of the
"Hoosier State," removing to Montgomery county, Kansas, in 187G,
where they opened a farm in Drum Creek township. They are of that
sturdy stock who bravely stood the hardships incident to pioneer life,
and whose wise counsel and upright lives have furnished inspiration to
the present generation. Their living children are all respectable and u.se
ful members of society, their names being as follows : Andrew M. , Henry,
of Manchester, Kansas; Jacob, of West Cherry tow'nship; Emeline, who
married Martin Ormon and lives in Manchester; David, of West Cherry;
Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Marow, living in Missouri; William, of Drum
Creek township; Hannah, Mrs. Robert Brown, of Arkansas; Sarah, Mrs.
B. \\'hite, of West Cherry township; Ellen, wife of Frank Hoagland, of
Blackwell, Oklahoma Territory; Harry and Charles are deceased; Harley
lives with his parents in West Cherry township.
Andrew M. Jlishler was born in Indiana — Clay county — in 186:2. He
received a fair common school education in the schools of his native
county and, at fourteen years old, accompanied the family to Kansas. His
lot here has been one of continuous hard labor, but as he comes of stock
to which labor is as bread and meat, that fact does not worry him in the
524 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
least. He remained at home until his marriaoe. in ISSi*. He has culti-
vated diffei-ent farms in the eouiity. puritiasin" the jtresent one of eighty
aeres, in 1902. This was formerly known as the '■.lohn Marsh farm" and
undei' the intelligent management of our snliject, is fast becoming one of
the best in the county, t^ince his ownershiji began, he has added various
improvements, the most pretentious being a roomy addition to the house.
The wife of Mr. Mishler was Louise B. Stephens. .She is a native
of Bloomington, Illinois, and is the daughter of Nicholas and Carrie
(Hughes) Stephens, who came to Kansas in 1868 and now live six miles
west of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Mishler are the ])arents of the fol-
lowing children: Carl, the eldest, who lost his life while bathing, in July.
1!K)2, was a manly boy, of a rare sunshiny disposition, and was the
light of the home . His untimely death was a source of great anguish
to his jiarents and genuine sorrow to his numy young friends. Nellie is
a young lady at home; (Trace, nine years old, Clara, seven, while little El-
sie is a babe in arms.
Mr. Mishler is too iinnh of a worker to allow politics to interest him,
excejit on electi(ui day, when he deposits his ballot for the Republican
nominees. He and his fannly are members of the Methodist church and
are always supporters of every good work that promises well for the
community. The character of his citizenshiii is without blemish and par-
takes of those qualities so essential in tin- individual citizen, honesty, so-
briety and sincerity of purpose.
CONKAI) L. ZACHER— One of the best known men in Cherryvale
is Conrad L. Zacher, since 188fi, the Standard t)il Comjiany's trusted
agent. Mr. Zacher's residence in the city has resulted in establishing
a reputation for good citizenship and he and his family are looked upon
with much favor. He has always evinced a lively interest in the welfare
of the city of his adoption, and has served her faithfully on the school
board for several terms, during one of which he was its honored presi-
dent.
Tl;c iiarents of our subject were Frank and Caroline Zacher, who
came to the United States from their native land of Austria, about 184!t.
This removal was the result of a religious persecution then going on in
Austria, against the Lutherans, of which sect the Zachers were promi-
nent members. They settled in Ripley, Oliio, where the wife died, aged
fifty-one years, after which the husband went to Little Rock, Arkansas,
where he died, at the age of fifty-three. Of their six children, five are
now living.
Conrad L. Zadicr was born in Hii.ley. Ohio, .Inly :51. 18.52. At the age
of four he was liuuiid out to a jtoikiiackcr of the name of Archibald
Liggette, and in his home was reared to manhood with every advantage
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 525
tliat ((Mild liavc been {•iveii a son. In his foster fatlier's establishment ho
leaiiu il the trade of cooper, and at twenty-two. eanie west to try life for
himself. He foniid emidoynient with the Armonr Packing House, of Kan-
sas ("ity, but. after a time, became connected with the Standard people,
bejiinning service in 1.S7!). lie continud with tliis company in Kansas
City rntil ISSli, the date of his transference to Cherryvale.
Ml. Zacher's family consists of a wife and a daughter, Ruth, by a
former mari-iage. Mrs. Zacher was Alice Lining, prior to 1901, daughter
of Greeubnrg and ]\Iary Lining. Mr. Zaelier is a member of the Meth-
odist church, while he is enrolled with the Masons, the A. O. U. W., the
I. O. O. F. and the Sous and Daughters, of Justice. The political belief
of our subject is probably the result of an ineid.ent which occurred in his
boyhood home. One day, while the gjeat Lincaln -was delivering a speech,
he was lifted to the shoulders of a bystander,, and from that point of
vantage was so impressed with the persotiality of the man as to ever
after be the tirin supporter of the pi-inciples he there promulgated.
JOHN WALLACE HOWE— The pioneer and worthy gentleman
whose name initiates this brief review, has witnessed the development
of Montgomery county from its incipiency and has been a part of much
that has been done. It is interesting to know the landmarks of the fron-
tier and to get the story of the conquest from their own lips. A third
of a century is, for this new country, a long time to be identified with
the s:ime commuity, yet Mr. Howe occupies. just this position. He ar-
rived in this county, in April, 1870, and settled, in Liberty township,
where he existed — as was then frequently the custom — upon what he
could catch, carpenter and at other miscellaneous work. It is no misfor-
tune, at this distant day, to be unable to remember just what employment
(uie trusted to for subsistence in this new coiintry more than 30 years
ago. Many of our most worthy pioneers, and who are now classed with
our subject as leading and honored citizens of the county, w'ere unen-
cumbered, as to i)roperty, and were conijielled, as was the Irishman, "to
iiiakt> their living by their wits." Suttice it to say, Mr. Howe successfully
passed the Rubicon and got on his way to prosperity, off of the green grass
and bleak prairies of a sparsely settled community and without the neces-
sity of explaining how.
John W. Howe came to Kansas, from Breokenridge, Missouri, where
he located, just after the war, from Newburn, Indiana. He was born in
Bartholomew county, that state, July 5, 1847, and was reared and liber-
ally schooled there. His father, Isaac Howe, was one of the early set-
tlers of that locality and came from the north. of Ireland, where his birth
occurred, about 1801. He migrated from his native land after he was
grown and made his home, first, in the United States, in the citv of Cin-
526 niSTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COITNTY, KANSAS.
cinnati, Ohio. Then- In- mc( ;ui.l in.niii'd Uosainia Dmihip. a lad.v fioiu
the North of Ireland. They moved up into ISavlholoiiicw county. Indi-
ana, where they reared llieii- family, maintained (lieir rejmlation as;
splendid citizens and died; the niotiier in lS!):i and the father in 1S!)4.
The issue of their union was: Mary, deceased: Nancy J., wife of Albert
Richardson, of Itreckenridt-c, Missouri; Hehecca. wlio married Charles
A. May. of the same |«Mnt ; .loiin W., our snliject ; I{oliert. of Mreckeu
ridge. Missouri; VVilliain, of [{ichniond. Missouri; and ("liarles F., of
Breckenridge, Miss(»uri.
Mr. Howe, of this record, was only a scl Ilioy wlu'n the war .if the
KebelHon came on. At just past sixteen years old, he enlisted. Octol>er
:5, 18f);;. in Company "A," One Hnndi'ed and Twentieth Indiana Infantry,
Col. \. W. Pratlier. The regiment formed a part of the First Brigade.
Fii'st Division, Twenty (hinl Army Corps, and went out on to the Atlanta
eampaijin, a few m(»ii(lis after Mr. Howe joined it. He jjarticijiated in
nearly all the engagements h'.iding up to the cai)ture of Atlanta, and
■when the city fell, the regiment acef)m])anied Schotield's army hack to
Nashville, where, and at Franklin, IloodV army was annihilated. The
command was then sent to \\'ashington, 1). C.. and down the coast of
North Carolina to Morehead Landing ami u]) to Newburn. where Hardie's
Corps was encountered, the battle really occuring a
Howe's regiment went next t(t ('harlotte, by the way 1
mnstered out at the former place, in -lanuary, ISC.C.
of oui- subje.t occurring at Iiirtiana]iolis, Indiana, in
ruary.
Resuming peaceful pursuits, .Mr. Howe took a position in a mill at
Newburn, Indiana, but, in the autumn of IStiCi, he started west, stopping,
as previously stated, at I'reekenridge, Missouri, where his lelatives lived.
His trip to Kansas was 'made in a wagon, in com]iany with two others,
and he liegan the life of a carpenter in Montgomery county. For many
years of his life he has been identified with commercial pursuits, in some
capacity. For twenty yeai's, he was a traveling salesman, for five years a
salesman in the New YnHi Store, in Independence, Kansas, and the same
number of years, in a like capacity, wiHi the mercantile house of Henry
Baden, and, finally, as proprietor of the New York Store, of Independ-
ence, two years. Removing his stock to I'.lackwell, Oklahoma, he disposed
of it and returned to Independence, where he oiiened a clothing store, the
firm being J. W. Howe & Company, which changed hands, by sale, in two
years, and Mr. Howe again engaged in the novelty business, which he sold
to the DeBard Dry Ooods Company, in HMIl.
The politics of Montgomery county has known .lolin W. Howe as a
factor for many years. He Itecame a Rei)ublican before he left the mill
tary servi<-e of the United States and has carried the standar<l of thai
party aloft in every ('anipaign^siiTce the war. Wliil(> he has made no loud
Wis
e Forks. :SIr.
Kal
eigli. and was
the
actual muster
he 1
noiith of Feb-
1 II
KrprkPn i
rrijTOUv Of ^1
!•"•;» ]tc mo<
, i;nrili('',mi
■w cu'inlv, i.r
iiitaiiM'd theii
rfiputiitiou ;..s
1Sn2 ^lM1 thr
. ■ of Albert
! Charles
■'': Breckeu
■ ^,V.i., o
Ui(.iiiiiuiid
, I\]i;ssi)iu-i; .a.
i Charlt's F.. ..f
■hoolbnY'wbeii the war of the
oars old, he enlisted, Ot'tol)er
Twentieth Tniliana Tnfnntrv,
le aetiial nmster
he month of Fel)-
tiiisuit'i. Mr llowp tciiik a iiosition in a mill at
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY;, KANSAS. 529
Moufilii iiolitiral prcfiM-iiuMit. content ino himself to <!ist his vote for jjros-
|»erit\ and ]irof;ress. as set forth in tlie ])latfornis of the Republicin
l.arty.
Mrs. Kincaid, prior to her marriage, was Miss Lou Marshall. She is
n native of Ijeavenwoith. Kansas, and is the daughter of Moses and
Lavinia Marshall, formerly of Illinois, and now lionored residents of
Chcrrvvalc, wliere .Mr. Marshall's ninety-two years distiii;;uislies him as
tlie oldest man in town. To Mrs. Kincaid have U>en horn three children.
Of these, Ixoliert M. was the eldest; Maud K. married ('. !i. Shanton and
lives in Colnnihus, Kansas; I'.lanche M.. an accomplislied Jiiusician. a
graduate of in!isic at 10m]>oria, resides at home. Rohert. the eldest, was
a boy of unusual promise, when death claimed him. on the 17th day of
-)anu;\ry. 1S!I(I. the result of an accident hy drowning. With a number
of companions, he had s])ent the afternoon skating and, loath to lose any
of the splendid sport while it lasted, tarried late with a comjtanion.
Suddenly the ice broke under him and before sueoor could reach him.
he sunk to his death. He was of a vivacious temperament, deeply relig-
ious and studious, and most popular among his playmates, and his un-
timely death was felt almost as a personal loss by every citizen in Cher-
rvvale.
lOLIAS M. IX(iMIKi:— I-:iias M. Ingmire. cme of the class which has
been ajitly styled, by a pr(nuinent writer, as "Knights of the soil." resides
on one of the best farms in the county, four miles from ('oft'eyville. in
Fawn Ci-eek townshi)i. Since his coming to the county, in ISOd. he has
shown excellent citizenshiji and is- much esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Ingmire belongs to the '•immortal few," now fast passing away,
who fought, l)le<l and all but died, that future generations miglit have
an undivided countiy. Not old enough to secure his acceptance, as a sol-
dier, ill ISC.l, his ])ersistence succeeded in landing him in the ranks before
his sixteenth birthday, the date of his enlistment being February 22,
18(i:{. ('(unpauy "H," of the Sixty-third Ohio ^'olunteer Infantry, en-
rolled him, as a private soldier, and he served until the close of the war
in the army of the center. His service was active and strenuous, until the
:50th of Jlay. 1804, when, at the battle of Dallas, Georgia, he received a
grievous wound, by the bur.sting of a shell. This finished him as a light-
ing man, and, after a period in the hospital, he was sent to Indianapolis,
where he put in the remainder of his service, as a member of the invalid
lorps. His discharge dated the 17th of Ajiril. ISO.").
After th(> war, ilr. Ingmire joined his parents in Iowa, whither they
had remo\ed, during the struggle, from Hocking county, Ohio. It was in
.Muskingum county. Ohio, that the birth of (uir subject occurred, the date
being December K!, 1S47. His father. Franklin Ingmire. had come to the
• r.Hcl.:eye State" from Mar\ laud, as a \-ounu man. and had there married
530 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Catherine (liltbons. Slie became the mother of: John, who died in 1862;
Hester, al.so deceased; William, a farmer near Cort'eyville; Mag}i;ie K.,
now Mrs. (invn; Ida, wife of Ed Forshe, and Thomas, hotii residents
near Indiana]K)lis, Indiana. In 1!S()4, the {)arents settled in Colfax, Iowa,
where they continued to reside until their demise. The mother died in
iSt;."), at- about forty-live, the father in 1885, at seventyttve years.
Mr. ln<imire remained under the hoTne roof for a !iumber of years,
eiiiiuiicd in farming. In 1871', he and a brother resolved to see what Ne-
braska liad in store for enter](risin<i- youths, and, witli nine head of };ood
horses, made the trip out to near David City. They weie unfortunate,
however, in arrivinj; just in time to get the full benefit of the grasshojiper
scourge, and the following year, returned to Iowa, feeling themselves
fortunate in the possession of a poor old "plug." Nothing daunted by
this reverse, Mr. Ingmire again began at the bottom of the ladder and
was soon on the upgrade to comparative i)rosperity. This time he made
sui-e of the matter by taking unto himself a helpmeet, and who has, in-
deed, been a S])lendi(l partner of all his joys and sorrows. Mrs. Ingmire
was (iertrude H. Dee, prior to her marriage day, May 18, 1876. She
was born in Hancock county, Illinois, and is the daughter of Jackson and
Eliza (Cain) Dee, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania, respectively.
The j'arents married in Illinois and, in 1877, moved to Jasper county,
Iowa, where Mr. Dee died, on the .5th of September, 1902, the wife still
being a resident of Colfax. In their family were fifteen children, the
namesof those reared being: .losephine, Mrs. Berkley; (Jertrude, Mrs. Ing
mire; I^va, Mrs. English; Harriett, Mrs, Cray; (irant, and Mrs. Jessie.
Xiihols; Clarkson and Francis are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ingmire fol
lowed farming, with success, in Iowa, tintil 18!)(), when they sold out and
came to their present farm. They have here, one hundred and eiglity-five
acres of fine creek bottom, with an elevation for their residence and
barns, and near which is a beautiful artificial grove. The intelligent
methods employed by Mr. Ingmire have resulted in the production of one
of the finest farms in the county, and he takes a pardonal)le pride in
maintaining it so.
Children have been born to :\hs. Ingmire, as follows: .Adelberi
i:idoi"i. born May it, 1877, has been a trusted employee of the Missouri
I'acitic railroad for several years; Merle Ernest, born Decend)er 17. 1878;
<'arro!l Kyan, born September 27, 1880. These boys are all of splendid
cajialiilities and of fine moral character, a credit to their training. In a
social way, .Mr. Ingmire is a valued member of the Grand Army of the
Heidihlic, Post 15:5, of CoHeyville; a ^lason, a member of the A, H. T. A.
and of the Triple Tie, and both he and Ills uood wife are members of th.;
Knights and Ladies of SccurKy. In his younger manli 1. while in lo
wa. Mr. Ingmire look an adive pai-t in local otlicial matters, but has lefi
HlSTdUV OF MdNTCOMKUY CIM'NTY. KANSAS. 53 I
-the li.)I(lin}>- of olli.c licic lu (.llicrs, conteiitin-i liinisclf in tli<' sii|,|.()it of
tlie Kei)iil»Ii(;ui (i.'kcl.
MARION K. KICLSO— Marion E. Kelso, who lives in one of the
handsomest lesidenees in the county, on a beauliftil elevation overlooking
the niial village of Havana, and one and a half miles from that plaee,
is another of the "eleet of 71," though he was but seven years of age
when his pai-ents settled in the county. He is one of the thrifty farmers
t(f the connty, eoutiolling 1,14(5 acres, and his place is the embodiment
of neatness and rural elegance, and bespeaks the careful management
of a ii'.aster Inisbandman.
The father of Marion K. Kelso, Thomas Kelso, was a native of Vir-
ginia, where he was reared to young manhood. Thence he migrated To
Johnson county, Iowa, where he met and married Sarah Welch, and
where he continned to reside until 1868, and where his wife died in 1805.
>?he left him with a family of six children, of whom our subject is tho
only one living. The father came to Kansas in 1808, and settled,
first, in Lyon county, thence, in a short time, to Neosho county, where he
located near the Osage Mission. He was attracted to Montgomery
county in the year of the great influx, namely, 1871, and filed on a claim
upon a part of which our subject now resides. For a number of years
prior to his death, in \SU2. ^Ir. Kelso was in i)oor health and thus Ma-
rion, very early, liecame liis father's "right hand man." They spent two
years together at I']ureka Springs in the vain hope of imi)roving the fath-
t^r's health, and, with this excepticm, Marion Kelso's residence in the
county has been continuous since his seventh year.
Our subject was born in Johnson county, Iowa, on the first of Ite-
cember, 1804. Deprived of a mother's love and care when but a bal>e in
arms, he grew to sturdy manhood under the father's care and, in the
meantime, secured a good common school education. August 11, 1887,
the marriage of Mr. Kelso and Miss Belle Lamb was celebrated. Mrs.
Kelso is a native of Montgomery county, a daughter of Elroy and Mary
Lamb, and has borne her husband seven children, as follows :Pearl. Thom-
as, Iva, Lesley, Zora, Floyd and Ernest.
In the cultivation of the homestead of three hundred and forty
acres, Mr. Kelso finds amide opportunity to demonstrate his ability as
an agriculturist, his other holdings being rented. His handsome and
modern residence is built against the bluff and commands a most lieaufi
ful view of all the surrounding country.
h; the social life of the community, Mr. and Mrs. Kelso and family
are hel|)ful factors. Their influence is wielded at all times in the interest
■of better conditions in the matter of the educational and civic life of the
coimimnity. and they are liberal sujipoi'ters of good schools, good
532 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
(•Imr( lies and jiixxl jioveriuiiciil. Tlu-ir place is secure in the hearts of a
host of friends, wlioin tliey delijiht to honor in their regal and hospitable
home.
11. \\(H»l)KlN(i— II. Woodrinj;. grain dealer and hu.ver of Elk City,
needs no word of introdiietion to the citizens of Montgomery county, for
he has always been here; at least, so long that the "mind of man runneth
not vo the contrary." There are comparatively few now living in the
county who relate occurrences personally observed as far back as the
spring of 1871, but our subject is one of these few, and a continued resi-
dence since that date, together with a life that has been an open book
til all. has made him a person of much interest and of much personal
popularity
.Mr. Wiiodring's ancestors were Holland Untcli, his paternal grand-
parents, John and Christina (^yolf) Woodring, having come to America
in 177S. They reared a family of twelve children, all of whom, save the
father of Mr. Woodring, lived to an advanced age. On the maternal
side, the grandparents. Christian and Margaret (Miller) Hahn, were of
(xerinan and Scotch descent, respectively, the latter living to the remark-
able age of ninety-eight years.
Our subject's parents were Jacob and Mary A. (Hahn) Woodring.
Jacob Hahn was born in rennsylvania, and his wife in Kentucky. Jacob
was a man of fine qualities, a member of the United Baptist church, and
of good influence in his community. Mrs. ^^'oodring is remembered as
a superior wonuui, a most devout member of the Methodist church, and
of great devotion to her family. She died, at the home of her son in Elk
City, February 11), 1878, at the age of seventy-seven years. The husband
ha<i i)receded her, August 28, 1852, at the age of flfty-four. The family
born to them consisted of ten children, but three of whom survive:
(ieorge, who lives at Louisburg, Tennessee, aged eighty years; Dr. W. W.
Woodring, of Mt. Pleasant, I'tah, aged sixty-three; and the subject of
this sketch.
H. Woodring was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, January 29.
ISoC. In youth, he learned the painter's trade, which, with farming and
grain buying, has constituted his occu]iation during life. He lived in
Kentucky and Bo<uie county, Indiana, until his removal to Montgiunery
count^, in 1S71. In ISIil, he enlisted in Comiiany "]}," One Hundred and
Fiftyfonrlh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was a part of
the Army of the Potomac, his comiiany ari'iving in time to participate
in the sp'ectacniar fight of Winchester, where Black Jack Logan did such
valiant deeds of heroism and saved the day. The rest of his service was
in the guarding of commissary sujiiilies at Stevenson's Station, Virginia.
His discharge dated August 14, IHO.j.
C. L. BLOOM.
'>ened a butcher shop.
■ ;i.M-nnvc.-i of til- xV.l
f I lilt poiut
le. in 1880,
>o iioliingei
, Kaifsas.
r» r t^ f* I- t
•• I • I »♦ »
WT
!■<
a
1^ i^ 1 • • # »
mSTOKY OF MONTGOSIERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 533
T']>()n his arrival in VAk City our siibjoct ojioiied a butcher shop, but
after seven months tooiv u\) a claim, s(>ven miles northwest of the viHage.
A five-year jierioil here was followi'd by a year on a farm a mile north of
town. He then came to town and beuan the business which he has since
followed, that of liandliuf- all kinds of <;rain. Duriiiji ISIIS !i!), Mr. Wood-
ring resided at Parsons, having been ai)iiointed .VssistanI State (Jrain In-
spector, with head(juarters there. In local alVairs, he has been a promi-
nent factor, having served as Mayor, (Councilman, and in several other
responsible offices. In social and religious lines, he is equally prominent.
He is trustee of the Masonic Lodge, Sergeant Major of the G. A. R., and
he and his entire family are valued workers in the Christian church, of
which he is a deacon.
Mrs. Woodring was Miss Melissa J. Cooper, her marriage having
been an event of April 3, 186G. She was the daughter of Burnside and
Eliza (Bennett) Cooper, of Thorntown, Indiana. Six children have been
born to the union : Effie, Mrs. J. J. Carroll, of Neodesha, one child, Faye;
Dollie, deceased at three years; Clandine, wife of S. H. Piper, an attor-
ney at Independence, two children : Alpha W. and Genevieve; Lida C, at
home: Grace E., Mrs. A. B. Shaffer, of Elk City, one child: Alberta;
Harry H., the youngest, is a bright student of the high school.
It is not too much to say that Mr. Woodring and his fannly consti-
tute an important factor in the life of Elk City, exerting an influence
which cannot be overestimated in its power for good.
CAMDON L. BLOOM — One of the conspicuous developers of the min-
eral resources of the southwest, and more particularly identified with the
gas and oil development of southern Kansas, is Camden L. Bloom, of Inde-
pendence, President of the Independence Gas Company. His geological
researches for the past fifteen years have led to a quite thorough perfor-
ation of the earth's crust from I'aola, Kansas, where he began work in
1887, all the way down to the Indian Territory and Texas, and have re-
vealed to him the hiding places of many of nature's resources and havo
been instrumental in the establishing of a new article of domestic com-
merce in the west.
Mr. Bloom is a scion of the Pennsylvania Blooms, having been born
and reared in the "Keystone State" till nine years of age. His birth oc-
curred in Clearfield county, March 14, 1868. His father was Amos W.
Bloom, a native of the same state, a farmer by occupation and now a
citizen of Miami county, Kansas. The latter married Rebecca McCracken
and Camdon L. is the third of their ten children. The parents left their
native state in 1877, and in their removal to the west stopped three years in
Fulton county, Indiana. From that point they migrated to Bollinger
county, Missouri, whence they came, in 1880, to Miami county, Kansas.
534 IIISWItY OF MONTCOMKUY rOlNTV. KANSAS.
The coimium scliools know (inr sulijcct oiilv till liis sixteenth year,
wlien he heranie eonnected, as a hand, with the ojieiatiou of a gas drilling
niaehine. As he learned the business he hecame more interested in the
possible results of experimenting with the innermost parts of the earth
and eventually aeipiired a drilling-rig and began operations for himself.
Asamemberof the tirm ()f .McIJride & Hlooni. he contracted much develojt
ment work in Mianui county, where the gas agitation tirst struck Kansas.
Ninety per cent, of the drilling done there was by this tirm and, toward
ISSS, the tirm transferred its chief oj)erations to the vicinity of Neodesha,
where they drilled the two wells which jtroved that to be a gas and oil
field o' value. In 188!>. Mr.Hhuim became identified with .Montgomery
county. His firm was associated with the ]>eo|ile of ('ofl'e\ ville. investi
gating the gas resources of that locality ancl finally took u]> their jiroj)
osition and did the development woik necessary to carry it ouf success
fully. The Coffeyville Gas ('omjiany was organized with' ('. L. Hloom as
President and the city jilant partially constructed and set in o]>eration.
In 1S!)L', McHride & I'.loom came to lnde]iendence. still retaining their
holdings at ( "olfeyville. and began drilliiig for gas around the county seat.
They were the pioneers in this field and. after great mental, jihysical ancl
financial exertion, opened up the strong gas ]nessure of the Bolton field,
assuring the future of Indejiendence and insuiing the material indepen
dence of its benefactors.
With the discovery of gas came the rush of enterpri.se to Montgomery
county. The cotton twine mill, the pajier mill and the ^lidland (ilass
(\>mpany all located in Indejiendence and Mr. Bloom ]ierformed his mod-
est part in the work of their location.
In the Bartlesville oil Held McBride & Bloom did the first work of
development for Cudahy of Cliicago. The Cudahy Oil Company also de-
veloped some territory in the Creek Nation through this firm. Mc-
Bride and Bloom hold leases of Indian lands near Bartlesville, Indian
Terrilorv, and its scant develojimenl has ]M-oven the real \alue of the
field.
Ir October. IS!)."., .Mr. Bloom married in Kansas City. .Missouri, Mrs.
Belle Steele, a daughter of A. T. Sjiaulding. Helen Louise, a daughter,
was horn October (J, 1S09.
Mr. Bloom has united with the Knights of Pythias and Elks fraterni
tics ;'n(i is a Modern ^^"oodman, a Workinan. a Maccabee and, in politics,
a Dei rat. He was elected as councilman fi-om tlie 4th w-ard in the
SI, rill-; election of P.tO.S.
WILLIA.M H. ALMN. In the oitening of this i)crsonal record W(>
are pleased to ])resent the name of the splendid citizen and substantial
farmer. William H. AUin.of Fawn Ci-eck township. His identity with
HISTOKV OF MONTCOMIOUV COHNTV, KANSAS. 537
Mr. Miiharty cMmc to tliis viciiiily willi liis |)ai(Mits in 1870, when a
boy of eleven years, and lias }>i(t\vn np anion-j I lie jieojile where he now re-
sides. He was horn in (ialcslmrj;, III., on llie :{i(l of .Vpiil, 1859, and was a
son of Ale.xander and Kmily (Mc(Jitf) Mahalfy, natives of the Emerald
Isle. The father was horn in 1820, and, at mat iirily. crossed the ocean in
search of fortune. He first found it in New York, where he met and mar-
riedliiswife.Fromtliencehe.anie ont to Illinois, and settled in (Jaleshnrf-,
where he remained until ISC.O. when he came on to Kansas, and, the follow-
inj" year, settled his family on a farm adjoining- Tyro on the south. Hero
he passed the remainder of his days, succeedinj; by hard work, and good
judgment, in a<(iiiirin<i a nice little coiii|.etemy before his death. He was
a man jios.sesing. in a high degree, the marked characteristics of his race,
honest to a fault, and generous in the distribution of his charity. He
died, in 1892, at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife still survives
him, at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of seven children,
viz; Delila, the wife of K. \. Deiiney; .Vnnice, wife of ('. L. Keller; John
A., ^'irgiIlia, deceased, in girlhood; David, managing the home farm;
Mary, died in childhood; and one died in infancy.
Jrjhn A. Mahart'y pas.sed the entire jteriod of his boyhood and youth
under the home roof, dutifully helping to care for the family until he had
arrived at maturity. At the age of twenty-three, with the assistance of
Miranda J. I'arrish. he began the building of a home of his own, the date
of thtir marriage being March 2, 1892. Mrs. Mahaffy was born in Wa-
bash county, Indiana, on the .jth of December, 1875. She was taken into
the home of Dr. liradley, at an early age, and was reared to womanhood
by them , coming to Kansas and being married in their home. She is the
mother of three bright children: .VIger Henry, (Jeorge Ed and Ida
Blanche.
Mr. Mahalfy was engaged, until the year l!tl(2, in agricultural pur-
suits, when he set up his present mercantile establishment. He carries
a nice line of goods and his courteous treatment of custom is rapidly se-
curing him a large trade, rolltically, he suiijiorts the policies of the Pop-
ulist party and is always found ready to aid any cause that looks to the
Hj)building of his home town.
A R. Qri(;(!~A hardware merchant of lOlk City and one of the old-
est residents of I.ouisburg township, Mr. A. K. Quigg holds an honored
place in the hearts of a large body of its citizens. His connection with
the remarkable development which has come to Montgomery county in
the jiast, has been of a most substantial nature, and places him in the list
worthy of the special mention accorded those whose names appear in
this volume.
Mr. Quigg first c.ime to Kansas in 180(5. Eemaining a short time
in each of Johnson and Franklin counties, lie then settled in Leroy, Coflfey
county, and engaged, as a carpenter and builder. The year 1870 marks
his coming to tliis county and his location in l*>lk City, where he engaged
in the cabinet making and undertaking business. This lie abandoned for
the hardware business, in 18TS. and his connection with this business has
been continuous and successful to this date. l->lk City has had no more
earnest advocate of its interests llian he. In season and out. he has spent
time and money in the advancement of its interests and now takes a par-
donable pride in the evidences of its growth. He has served the people
of his township in several of the minor ofHces — Treasurer and Clerk--
and has used his influence, at all times, in furthering projects which had
for their object, the moral or material, advancement of his cnmnninity. He
votes the Republican ticket with regularity and is looked ujion as a val-
ued worker in the ranks of that party.
Noting, briefly, the salient points in the amcstial histDi \ of our es-
teemed subject, his father, Joseph Quigg, was a I'cniisyivanian. born in
1811, and, with his i)arents, went to Indiana at twelve years of age.
When he grew to manhood, he adopted farming as an fx-cupation. follow-
ing that till his death, in 1873, He was a man of intensely patriotic
mould, an out-and-out Abolitionist, fairly worrying him.self sick over
the fact that he was beyond the age to enter the army, as a volunteer sol-
dier. He married an Ohio girl, of the name of Lydia Swain, and became
the father if nine children, as follows: Ira, of Indiana: A. K.. the subject
of this sketch; Sallie, widow of Harvey Mendenhall: Cyrus B., of In-
diana: and Frank. Those deceased are: Eunice. William. Mattie and
John.
A. R. Quigg was born in Wayne county. Indiana, April 14. 1S4:!. His
education was such as could be jirocnred in the short winter mouths in
the district school. He helped his parents on the farm most dutifully
until the date of his enlistment in the army, August 6, 1SG2, when he
went forth as a sacrifice, if need be, for an undivided country. He en-
rolled, as a private, of Company "K."' Sixty ninth Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry, and in the very first battle, that of KichirKuid. Kentucky, was se
verelv wounded. He remained in the scrvic<> until his honorable dis-
charge, on the 8th of August, 18G3.
The 4th of May, 1871, was a day ma(h- memorable, in the life of our
subject, by his marriage to the lady who now presides ovci' his home, and
who has been a s]i]cn(lid partner of his joys and sorrows. Mrs. Quigg's
maiden name was M. J. Sutton. She was born in the "Buckeye State"
and is the daughter of Enoch Sutton. Four children have come to bless the
marriage of our subject and bis wife: .Mrs. \V. V.. Johnson, of Joplin, Mis-
souri, whose three children are: Hal])!!. Paul and Helen; Bertha. Emma
and Frank.
Successful as a Inisiiiess man, hoiioied b\ his fellow townsmen, and
IIISLDKV 111- MuNr(ll»Mi;KV CorXTV, KANSAS. 539-
revered by ;i Uivav circle of friends and ac(|U:iintances in the county, ^Ir.
Qiiigg is passing into liappy and peaceful old age, conscious of having
nieasnied up to all the re(iuirenien(s of a good and loyal citizen.
.lOllN i:. \\iX(;.\KI)— Introducing this review is the name of tlie-
State drain Weighniastei- at rotVeyvilie. He is one of the successful and
wellkiiowii fainiers of the county of Montgomery, of which he has been
a i-esideiil since ISSi', and of the state since two years before.
Mr. Wiiigard comes of f)hio origin, in Stark county, where his birth
occurred Septend)er lU, 1S."..">. Ilis father, .Joseph Wingard. was born in
the Si-.me count v, October .">, lSi".t, and his mother, Maria, a daughter of
John Speelman', was born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 12, 1831. The
parei.ts were married Septendu-r S-l, l.S.")L', and resided in the vicinity of
Massillon till March, isr.7, when they moved to DeKalb county, Indiana,
where, at Auburn, the father now resides.
The Wingards of this generation are descended from John Win'
gard. our subject's grandfather, who was born in Franklin county, Penn-
sylvania, Sei)tember i:*., 1798. The latter married Polly Zent, born in the
same county. March 19, 1790, the wedding occurring March 8, 1821.
Their children, in their order, were: Jacob, of Williams county, Ohio;
John, who died in the same county; Joseph, father of our subject; and a
daughter, who married Cornelius Clapper and resides in Stark county,,
Ohio. In the spring of 1829, John and Polly Wingard left the "Key-
stone State" and settled in Stark county, Ohio, where they reared their
family and passed their lives.
The issue of .loseph Wingard and wife were: Reuben, deceased j
Charles F., of Auburn, Indiana; John E. and Ira N., likewise of DeKalb
county. Indiana. Reuben was born December 9, 18.53; Charles F., Jan-
uary 12, 18,57, and Ira X., October 9, 1864.
John E. ^^'ingard was the second child in his father's family and
recei\ed a good common school education while growing up on his fath-
er's farm. The Auburn high school was the last institution he attended,
of an educati(mal character, and when he assumed his independent sta-
tion in life, it was as a farmer. When he left Indiana and directed his
steps westward, it was toward cheaper land and the ultimate possession
of a home. He stopj»ed two years in Crawford county, and when he set-
tled in Montgomery county, he purchased a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, in sections 18 and 13, township 33, ranges 16 and 15. Since
his first settlement he has purchased an additional quarter in the same
township of Independence and, while he is occupied with his official du-
ties, he also does all of the farming except the actual work, which respon-
sibility devolves upon his young and manly sons.
Mr. Wingard was married in DeKalb countv. Indiana. Februarv
540 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
10, 1876, his wife being Ella I. Vy\e, a daughter of Johu Pyle, formerly
from Stark county, Ohio. The issue of this marriage is two sons: Frank
Leroy, aged twenty years, and Homer Hester, aged fifteen years.
Mr. Wingard is a Republican in politics, has served his township
as trustee twice, has worked with the party leaders in the county in every
campaign and was appointed to liis present position and commissioned
by Gov. Stanley, in 1902. He became interested in the establishment of
rural delivery, early, and petitioned for one of the first rural routes
established in the Third Congressional District.
DR. .JOHN T. DAVIS — Among the practicing jihysicians who have
attained renown in Montgomery county, is the worthy citizen of Inde-
pendence whose name initiates this personal record. Since the year 1881,
he has been numbered among the men of medicine, that date noting his
advent to the county and his residence in Elk City. He came to the
county seat in 1892. where he has taken front rank among the physicians
of his school.
Mr. Davis is a vigorous example of the sons of the "Hoosier State."
His birth occurred in Warren county. Indiana. February 2<>, 1853, on the
farm of his father, James Davis, who was born in the county of the same
name in Ohio, in 1823, At ten years of age, the father accompanied his
parents, Andrew and Zillah (Grant) Davis, to Warren county, Indiana,
where he grew up and married. Andrew Davis was a Jerseyman by
birth, left his native state in the fore part of the nineteenth century and
lived in Indiana, Illinois and, finally, in Kansas, where, at Manhattan,
he died, at ninety-six years of age. He was of Welch stock, his father
being a son of a Welchman whose emigration from the British Isles oc-
curred during the contented and thrifty jieriod of English domination
and colonization of America. Andrew Davis" father was a wagon-master,
under Gen. Washington, during the Revolution, and he, himself, served,
loyally, against the P.ritish in our War of 1812. He had seven sons and
four c^aughters, as follows: James, Josejdi, deceased, left three children;
William, of Cass county, Missouri; Caleb, of l{ice county, Kansas; An-
drew, of Walla Walla. Washington; Tliomas. of Los Angeles. California;
and John G., of Elk county, Kansas. The dauglil.-rs were: Mrs. George
Little, of Warren county, Indiana; Mrs. John Kerns, of Manhattan, Kan-
sas; Mrs. Millie (name not known), of Indiana; and .Mrs. Nelson Farden,
of Warren county, Indiana. Josejdi and John Davis were Civil war sol-
diers from Illinois and Indiana, respectively.
James Davis married Mary Dawson. l)orn near Cliillicothe, Ohio,
where her father, "Neddie" Dawson, was also born. Mary (Dawson)
Davis died in 1874, being the mother of Kate, who died at twenty-three
vears of age; Edward, of Kingfisher. Oklah(una ; Dr. John T. , Zillah. who
jlihniii;
IB. Kan-
F;l*.
i:ir wl-
hf.Okio,
II- f* I* f » f '
54*^
HISTOBY OP MO:
10, 1876, his wife beiug Ella I. Pyle, a daughter of John P.yle, formerly
from Stark county, Ols'.i. Thi> issue of this marriage is two sons: FranL.
lomer Hester, aged fifteen years.
■an in politicK. has served hi-* townsbiji
■h the party loaders in the county in every
inicd to liis i)resent position and commissioned
hy Gov. Stanley, in 1902. He became interested in the establishment of
i!ii:;"i delivery,' early, and petitioned tor .rue of the first rural routes
; in the Third Congre^ion; '
from Stark county
!(.y, aged twen
A(r. Wingai i
H'ustee twice, I
campaign and A\a
i ,; IS — Among the practicing physicians who have
• iitgomery countv. is thp worthy "itizen of Inde-
■ :.. .;(• luur.f initiates this ju- ■ ■-••,.' ■Mr 1881,
i\ numbered, among the ni' . ting his
',<{■■ county and his i-esid< "• ^'^^
■ '!2, where he has takf'Ti imv.t :;p.;k :• ih.,..- ;Ii:' [,
' '-.urous example of the sons of Hi'^ "TT'-'>n!-
irixni county. Indiana, F<'i • ••n 'ii'c
.- Davis, who was born in ilie same
At ten years of age, the i.; ■ anied his
....-iits, Auditrw di.il Zillah (Grant) IMvis, to Warreu coiiuiy, Indiana,
Lire he grew up and married. Andrew Davis was a .Jerseyman by
'mill, li'ft his native state in the fore part of the nineteenth century and
\]\i:] M, 'uliana, Illinois and, finally, in Kansas, where, at Manlnittan,
':< ('Nil. :u ninety-six years of age. He was of Welch stock, his father
lieiiig a .-iou of a Welchman whose emigration from the Bi-itish Isles oc-
curred, during the contented and thrifty period of English domination
and colonization of Amerita. Andrew Davis' father was a wagon-master,
under Gen. Washingtoi', ' ■ •' Hevolulion, and he, himself, served,
loyally, against the Bi
four {.daughters, as foil"
William, of Cass county, :-) ;
drew, of Walla Walla, Washii
■.vv-} .Mill (... nf Elk county, !
! lounty, Indi
iiame not kr
■w of 1812. He bad .seven sons and
■^pph, decea.sed, left three children;
' i of I{ii-(i county, Kansas; An-
. of Los Angeles, California;
laughters were: Mrs. George
. Kerns, of Manhattan. Kan-
,a ; and Mrs. Nelson Farden,
•,i !':ivis %\'crc>Givil war sol-
lillicothe, Ohio,
Mary (D;nvson)
'i, bciuij, die n:u;;Ki -.1 K;.>i. •.\u... •.l..jd at tw. ■
ard. of Kingfisher. nk1;ihoi«a; Dr. John T. , /
Vol
.\\*2t?wv
J. T. DAVIS, M. D.
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERT COUNTY, KANSAS. 543
proiicliiiij; olii age. he has continuously caused soniethinjj; to be done. His
])n>niineiice in Montgomery county is not the result of any distinction,
as a iiioneer, but as a sincere and devoted citizen, to the cause of his
locality, wlietlier coniniercial, jxtlitical or official. Edgar county. Illinois,
gave origin to Mr. Powell, on the 12th of Xoveinber, IS.'W. His i)arents.
Thomas M. and laicietia ( Dilll Towell, of Kciitu.ky birth, came into the
"Sucker State" fiom Kentucky, in 18;?;"), and entered a tract of the ]iublio
dom;iin and passed their lives in the town of Paris, where the father
worked at the blacksmith and carpenter trade. He was born in 1800
and died July ."{, ISTtl. He and his wife were faithful niend)ers of the
Christian church, of which he served as deacon and trustee. His wife
died October 17, 1875. at sixty-three years of age. The issue of their mar-
riage were: Alexander B., our subject; Sue JI.. widow of <". W. Powell,
of Paris, Hlinois; and Zara E., of Paris, Edgar county, Hlinois.
The education of A. B. Powell was gleaned from an attendance upon
the common schools in his youth, and at the Paris Seminary, as he
neared his majority. August 1, 18(^2, he enlisted in the Seventy-ninth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and his command formed a part of the Army
of the Cumberland. He was in engagements at Stone River, Missionary
Ridge and Culps Farm (while on detached duty), the latter being his last
battle. He received the apjjointment of quartermaster-sergeant and per-
formed those duties until his discharge from the servii-e. at Nashville,
June 27, 1864.
On leaving the army, he entered railroad work at Paris. Illinois, and
resigned liis position as agent to accept the clerkship of the Edgar
County Court, to which he was elected for four years. His reelection
occurred with a satisfactory majority and he Avas the incumbent of the
office from 1868 to 1876. He went next into the employ of the .Midland
Railway Company, as their superintendent and, in twenty months, re-
signed and became cashier of the Edgar County National Bank, at Paris,
and served the institution eleven months. Resigning, he went to Colo-
rado and engaged in mining in Breckenridge district for about one year.
He then went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was employed, for
a few months, by the Adams Express Company. Returning to the east,
he engaged in contracting railroad ties at Indianapolis, Indiana, and
was in that business some sixteen months. This work closed his career
in the east and he came to Kansas, in the spring of 1882. and identified
himself with Coffeyville.
In this city he is connected with the real estate, loan and abstract
business. For four years, he served Cotfeyville, as })ostmaster. and was
widely hailed as the best official of the office the city ever had. He was
appointed by President McKinley and filled the position four years.
Mr. Powell was first married in April, 1862, to Ella Douglas, a
daughter of J. T. Douglas, of Logausport, Indiana, who once had charge
of the l>mv;ui of Indian Affairs. Tinw sons resnlted from this niar-
ria.ue. namely: John (".. of (Miica^o. Illinois, manajier. of tlic Associated
Press and for twelve years in their emjdoy; .Jesse M.. an enjiineer. resid-
inji ill fhicai^o: and Hurt H.. manaf;cr of the tailorinj; dejiartnient of
Biirnani. Uanna .^ Mnnj-cr. of Kansas City. Xovemher !l. ].^8li. Mr.
I'oweil married, at Tei-re Haute. Indiana. Frances Kaiischon. a native of
Colojiiie, Cerniany. Two children liy this union are: Lulu and lOdward (\
Mr. Powell is a Mas(»n and holds a mendtership in the P.lue Lod.ae. Chap-
ter and Coniniandery. He is an ardent Reinihlican in jiolitiis and has
coinn:Mli,led Cotlevvi'lie Post l.":!. (i. A. K.
MARSHAL H. ROSS— It is always int.Mcslin- lo n<.le the succes-
sive ste])S in the progress of a brainy younii man. Theie is something in-
spiring in the manner in which obstacles are oveicome and success often
snatched out of the very .jaws of defeat. The stirring little town of Ha-
vauna. in Montgomery county, uundiers among her business men. one of
these ])usjiing, restless characters, whose magic toucli seems to have solved
the j)riibleni upon which alcliemists have l)een working for ages, for every-
thing pros|)ers which receives his attention. However, there is no mystery
in til" success of Marshal H. Ross. I'ersistent application, a mind that
forms its judgments (piickly and absolute fidelity to a jtromise, once given,
these are the only .secrets in the success which has attended him in his
Tliirtyone years ago, .July :>. of l!Mt:i. this stirring citi/.en was bom
into ihe world, which he tinds'easy to master. A few brief facts concern-
ing till' history of tli<' Ross family will prove of interest to tlie general
reader.
The grandfather of our subject was Marshal H. Ross, and was Ix.rn
in the Slate of [-[entucky, in 1813. He. there, married Mary A. Taylor,
and removed to the city of Cincinnati, where he was a lirick-mouUler,
from the year 1S4:{ until T855. In 1855, he removed to Lawrence county,
Indiana, and, after a seven years' residence there, again took his way
westward, this time .settling in Illinois, and frinn thence, in 1865, t(v
Kansas. He located on a fjirm in Rutland township, which he cultivated
for several vears, where he died, in 187:i. He was a man of restless dis-
l)osition. but withal, a good citizen. His wife, who was born in 1814,
survived iiim many years, (lying at the advanced age of seventy five. She
was th«' mother of five children, of wliom William W.. the fatlier of our
subject, was born in Roone county, Kentucky, on the lid of .July, 1839.
He i»assed the period of his youth in Cincinnati and there, in ISIil, mar-
ried Kvaline S. (iarvey, a daughter of Obadiah and Mary <iarv(>y, tlia
former still living with his daughter, at the advanced age of eighty-eight
vears.
IliM-diiig tlic call to arms. Mr. Uoss. soon after Jiis marriage, enlisted
in til'.' army, as a teamster, and. Iliiee months rtfterwar*!, was promotcl
1o the ]i(isition of \va};(>nmastei-. In this position lie eontiimed to serve
(Inriiiii the remainder of the war. never havin}: Iweii away fiom his eoni-
mand a siiif«l(> day to the time of his (listhai}:e. at <"a|ie Ciradeau, Mis-
souri. Fpon his return home, he resolved to try his fortune in the west,
and, after a stay of ahout a year in Illinois, settled in Linn couiity, Kan-
sas, lu ISClt. he came out to .Monl};onieiy rouiity and took a claim in
Rutland townshi]), which he held fill IHit.'i, when he removed to the vil-
lage of Havana, the place of his present residence. He is a gentlemau
possessing the resjiect of his fi-iends and neighbors, and has served as
Justice, both in Rutland and Caney townships, and can always be found
on the right side of any question involving the good name of his comnm-
nity.
Marshal H. Ross is the only child of liis jiarents. and, as stated, is
a product of Kansas, and early developed a penchant for "getting on
in the world." When but a lad he husked corn by the shock and with the
money thus earned, bought several head of young stock. This was the
foundation of the fortune which he seems destiiCed to control. He is, at
present, engaged in several different enterprises, having a well-equipped
livery barn, and a large stock barn. He is also dealing in coal, grain,
stock and real estate, and, in all of these different lines, is successful.
He owns a number of desirable residence projierties in Havana, in addi-
tion to a handsome cottage, ereited for his own use. A fine farm of one
hundred and sixty acres also forms one of his p<>.ssessions.
On the 5th of August, 1S!I."), Mr. Ross married Mary K., a daughter of
Mori.ih and Mary (Smith) Hendrickscm. Mrs. Ross was born on the Sd
of June, 1871, in Livingston county. Illinois. She is a descendant of a
Revolutionary hero, her father having been the son of I'hilip Hendrick-
son, whose wife, Margaret Snioch. was the daugliter of George Smoch,
W'ho served undei' (ieneral A\'ashington. and who lived to the remarkable
age of one hundred and two years. I'hilip llendrickson was a native of
New Jersey and. latei-. removed to Indiana connty. IVnnsylvania, where
Moriah Heudrickson was born, (Ui the Mth of Mar< ii. 1^57. and who is now
the only one of nine children living. The latter left home in 1859, and
came out to Illinois, where, in lStj2. he nuuried. In 1875, he settled on
a farm, six miles east of Havana, where he still resides. They are the
pai-ents of : Milton, James, (Jeorge. Alice H., wife of Al. Pittman ; Mar-
garet, wife of Marshal Ross; and Sarah, single and at home. Mr. and
Mrs. Marshal Ross are the parents of three intei-esting children : Frank-
lin W: Alta Ulela; and Opal Marie. ,. ...,
It is needless to add that our subject is enthusiastic for his commu-
nity and has a healthy intluen<-e within its borders. He is a staunch Re-
publican, and a genMeinan whose po]nilaritv is only limited by hi
quaintance.
DAVID L. KUKKET— David L. Burket, of the large general mer-
cantile firm of Burket. & Kelly, of Elk City, is an example of what per-
sistence, in following a given line, will accomplish, and that, in these
later days, when one hears so much of lack of opportunity. A short half
dozen years since. Mr. Burket began business, against sharp comjietition,
with .?700 capital invested. His present establishment covers two floors,
80x50. in which is a stock valued at fl8,0t)0, and his business shows a
growing tendency.
Jlontgoraery county, Ohio, was the birthplace of Mr. Burket and
September 17, 1861, the. date. He is a son of Moses and Margaret (Spit-
ler) Burket, both natives of the '"Buckeye State," their people before
them having been j)ioueers in the first state carved out of the Northwest
Territory. The father followed the saw-mill business in Ohio for many
years and was ])romine,nt in the industrial, social and political life of
the county, until in 189.1, when he i-emoved to Gait, Michigan. Here he
has been engaged extensively in fruit culture, having a fine fruit farm of
seven hundred acres. The parents are both active members of the Dunk-
ard church and theiiv children are as follows: David L. , Hester C, Mrs.
Robert Ardis; Daniel JF., and Istmc L., of Michigan; Jacob L., of Sand
Point, Idaho; Mrs. Mary E. Disbrough , Clarence L., of Michigan; and
Maggie V., at home with t!)e parents.
David li. Burket r(8c#ived his education in the schools of Union City,
Indiana, and wielding the ferrule constituted his initial venture in early
life. After teachitig, successfully, five years, he enteied the busine.ss col-
lege at Dayton, Ohio, and took a thorough commercial course. In 1884,
he started west on a lour of invesligation, and, after short stops in Illi-
nois and western Missouri, came to Weir City, Kansas. Here he engaged
in the hotel business for a year. Another period was passed in the pat-
ent right business, and then he settled in Elk City. For four years, he
clerked for Davis &. Watkins and then went to Winfield, Kansas, where
he spent three and onehalf years in the mercantile business, with E.
Youngheim. This brings us to the yeai' of (he beginning of his present
business.
It is not fuLsoHH- praise to say that (he hustling qualities of Mr.
Burkel are not to l>e surpas.sed in the county. Courleous and obliging,
and yet. withal, "diligenl in liusiness," he is fast forging to the front, as
one (.f the county's most prosperous and snbs(an(ial men. He takes a
keen interest in (he welfare of his aihq.ied ci(y, and has served in both
the n.ayoi's chair and on (lie common council. He and his family are
WW. p. EOWEN.
V COUNTY^ KANSAS.
uii;i .\jti)i<idiBt i'b«p«-li ami lu- ■- ■■ ..j. i.nn i
'..V f ':, ' V''.^-*'.*^ -■
an«l .Taniep M.
rvil.IJAM PHARES Bo
■' - (►eraonal refei-ent-e h.. ,■
nee 1882. His idenrhv v
lie ohv hns been so ('on.-- ■
whose
» » .«
IIISTOUY OF .MUNTGOMKKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 547
active iiipiubers of the Southern Methodist <hui(h aiul he is a nieiTiber of
the Jloderii Woodmen.
Tlic marriage of our subject occurred in Elk <'ity, August 13, 1889.
Mis. r.uikel was Miss Nannie K. Kelly, daughter of James M. and Mary
Ann Kelly, old and honored residents. The motlier still resides in the
city, the father having died December 29, 1902, at the advanced age of
eighty years. At the time of her marriage, Mrs. Hurket was one of the
liojjuiar school teachers of the city, in whose schools she had done excel-
lent work for a number of years. She is a lady of culture and is still
l)romiiieiit in the social and educational life of the community. She has
borne our subject two bright children: Margaret M. and .Tames M.
VVir.LIAM PHARES BOWEN— The gentleman whose name intro-
duces this personal reference has resided in and been a citizen of Inde-
pendence since 1882. His identity with the varied public and private in-
teresls of the city has been so conspicuous that he can. with absolute
propriety, be regarded a public man. While now exercising the functions
of public office, he is the active promoter of many enterprises that affect
the public welfare of the county seat. . ,
Mr. Bowen first saw Kansas in 1876, at which time he remained about
one year, returning to his native city and state and continuing his resi-
dence there, till his permanent return to southern Kansas and his loca-
tion in Independence. He is a son of the venerable, active citizen,
of Independence, George W. Bowen, of the Eagle Mills, whose
advent to Kansas occurred in 1869, but whose identity with
Montgomery county began with the same year as his son. The father has
passed his life as a miller, learning his trade back in Ohio and Indiana,
in the days of primitive milling — the old water wheel and the like. In
1848, he removed from his native state and located in Ottumwa, Iowa,
wherr-, for a time, he was the senior partner in the lirm of Bowen & Wil-
liams, and, afterward, being the sole proprietor of the mill. He was
born in Jackson county, Ohio, February 21, 1831, b'lTt was brought up in
Shelby county, and in Adams and Huntington counties, Indiana. His
father was Thomas Bowen, of Athens county, Ohio, a farmer and a gen-
tleman with Welsh am-estry. Thomas Bowen married (Catherine Hig-
gins, a lady with German antecedents, who bore live sons and six
daughters. George W. Bowen first married Ellen N. Hackworth, a
daughter of George D. Hackworth, people of Welch descent. In 1862,
Ellen N. Bowen died, leaving four children, namely : William P.. our sub-
ject; Clara E., wife of Christopher Haw, of Ottumwa. Iowa; Emma A.,
who married Roger W. Berry, of Great Palls. Montana ; and Katie, de-
ceased. In 1864, Mr. Bowen married Angeline Miller and has a son,
George M., with the Eagle Mills, of Independenc<'. Kansas.
548 inSTORY OF .MONTCOMEUV COINTY, KANSAS.
AMI Ham P. liowon was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, August 31, iSoo.
At the age of sixteen years, he engaged in the business of milling at that
place, and pursued Ih^it vocation there until 1876, when, at the age of
majority, he went to Jjabette City, Kansas, .where, for about one year, he
was employed in the same pursuit. For the next five years, he was asso-
ciated with his father in his native city and, with that gentleman, began
the milling business in Independence, in 1882.
January 17, 1878, he wedded Hester Amelia Purnell, at Ottumwa,
Iowa. She is a daughter of William Purnell and Rebecca (;Miller) Pur-
nell. Four children have resulted from this uuion, viz: Louis H., with
the Eagle Mills; Mary A., Charles E. aud Bertha H.
Mr. Bowt'n had been a resident of Independence iibout two years
when, in 1884, he was chosen a member of the school board, first, to fill
the short term and,, tljpn, as his own successor for two successive terms,
in 1892, he was elected a councilman from the Fifth Ward and served
in that office until 1890, when he was chosen mayor of the city, which of-
fice he held till 1900.. . Since then he has given that portion of his time
to the milling busi.aess,^ \vliifl» has not been taken up in promoting and
encouraging enterprises and measures for the weal of Independence.
During his last term, as a member of the city council, there was
much agitation over, what is known as the "water works question.'' The
mayor and city coun(;il, and, perhaps, a majority of the people, felt that
some drastic measures, should be resorted to against the water works
company, for the purpose of securing better water and higher pressure,
as security against fires. Mr. Bowen was a member of the committee on
■water works and, having failed, by negotiations, to obtain from the water
company, the city's just rights, he, in comjiany with the mayor, marshal!,
city r.ttorney and other members of the water committee, proceeded to
the engine room and forcibly took possession of the works. This action
resulted in litigatioij that is still pending and undetermined in the Fed-
eral Courts.
During his adininistrati(m as mayor, Mr. Bowen bent all his untir-
ing energies to this. Litigation. During his first term in the mayorality,
the project of establishing an exiensive brick plant, came up, and. inci-
dental thereto, the pi.oposit Ion to j)ave certain portions of the streets of
the city with viti-iti(Ml brick. A promoter was on the ground, offering the
necess;iry machinery for making a fine (piality of brick. Both enter-
prises, especially the first, were very poi)ular in the beginning, but before
the end, the incidental ,|»liase of the comjiound proposition ceased to hold
favor with the tax-paycr-s, when fliey discovered the cost of it would be
far in excess of their cxpcclalions; but, with others, the paving project
lost none of its oiiginal [Kipularity. Mr. Boweu spent time to secure the
brick plant and w|ien it was an accomplished fact, with unflagging in-
dustry and energy, he devoted himself to the i>aving, which was success-
Laurence S. and Adaline (Ford) Wheeler. When our subject was eleven
years old, the parents came west, to St. Charles county, Missouri, and,
five years later, settled in St. Louis county, that state, from where, in
1869, they came on to Kansas and became jiioneers of Montgomery coun-
ty. They entered land near where Jetferson was afterward founded, and
were enii)loyed with its imiirovement and cultivation, when they died,
the father at seventy foiu' years old and the mother at sixty-nine. They
were the i)arents of eif;ht children, of wluun live survive, namely: Edwin
M., our subject; Charles W., George K.. Oscar V.. and Rertha, wife of
Irviu (iray.
After leaving the district schools, Edwin M. Wheeler entered the
Schenck Scientific Military Institute at St. Charles, Missouri, but, when
done with his work there, he was too young to obtain a position in the
regular IT. S. military establishment and he turned his attention to in-
dustrial pursuits. He came to Kansas when the family did and took a
claim on the site of Jelferson, Montgomery county, sold it and took an-
other, and repeated the practice again and, finally, bought one hundred
acres in section 10, township 33, range 15, on which has his reputation
as a horticulturist, been made. He has fifteen hundred choice, bearing
apple ti-ees, other trees of various fruits, thirty varieties of strawberries,
fi'oni which thousands of (piarts of berries are annually harvested, black
and raspberries in great profusion, and a vineyard filled with varieties of
grapes best a<lapte(l to soil and climate. He contracts the Montgomery
county market on strawlnTrics and a good fiuit year shows his farm to
be one of the lively places and his business to be one of the most profit-
able of the county. His farm imjii-ovements are neat and substantial and
in thorough keeping with the life of the careful and pains taking owner.
December 4, 1879, Mr. Wheeler married Clara Broadbent, whose
father, Andi-ew Broadbent, was one of the pioneers to Neosho county,
Kansas, where he died, in 1898. Mrs. Wheeler was born in LaCrosse
county, Wisconsin, and came to Kaiisa^s with her parents, when a little
girl. (The history of the family is prestuited in tlie sketch of Albert J.
Broadbent, in this work.) Three <hildren have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Wheeler, viz: Daisy D., wife of John Wagner, of Dayton, Ohio;
Ray C. and Robin. The sons are valuable aids in the cultivation of the
family homestead. Mr. Wheeler has no aspirations for ])ublic office, yet
he has been justice of the peace, and is content in the gratification of his
ambition, to 1h> the successful and leading fruit growei' of his county.
HENRY HAA(t — Seventy-five years has this i)ioneer of Montgomery
county traveled this mundane sphere, sometimes laboring mid the mire
of the slough of despond, again on the mountain top of good cheer and
prosperity, but always with a heart and conscience void of offense toward
the Being whose religion he professed, when a hid of fifteen vears. It is
not a light matter to consider the life of a good man, for tliereiu are les-
sons which, heeded or passed by, have their fruitage in eternity. The
brief space allotted to the biographer precludes specific consideration of
the lessons taught by the life of Henry Haag, but we feel that those who
are careful to "read between the lines" of this sketch, will be impressed
with their value.
Henry Haag is one of Nature's noblemen, who lives with his son,
Henry (i., on a well-tilled farm of one-hundred and seventeen acres, two
aud a half miles east of the town of Havana. He is the son of George
Haag, and was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of Sep-
tember, 1828. His father was a native of the same state and, at matur-
ity, was joined in marriage to Mary Young, also a native of Pennsylvania.
He passed his life, as a miller, in his native state, reared a family of
eleven children, and died, at eighty-three, while his wife died at seventy
years. Eight of the children are now living: Andrew, Mary Snell, Lydia,
Jarvis, Elizabeth, Margaret, Fannie and George.
Henry was the ninth member of his parent's family and was reared
to the life of the farm and the mill. With the meager education then
possible to be secured in the district school, he set out alone and married,
in Pennsylvania, in 18.")0, Ann Gladfelter, and, four years later, moved,
with his young family, to the then pioneer State of Ohio, settling in the
virgin forest of ("lark county. Here he worked, for a few months, and
then again took uj) the western trail, this time to Illinois, where he
stopped sixteen years. He then moved westward to Iowa, and, in 187.3,
made the journey that landed him, without a penny, in the "Sunflower
State." Nothing daunted, however, he took a claim in Caney township,
where ill-luck attended him a number of years. But everything comes
to the man who "learns to labor and to wait" — aud especially to the
farmer. Kind neighbors soon found that the newcomer, though without
much of this world's goods, was the right sort of "stuff" for a good citi
zen, and rallied to his support. He was given work about the neighbor-
hood until he could raise his first crop. Matters then ea.sed up a little,
but ti-e time of deeding came and he was not able to do so without plac
ing a mortgage. This was embai lassing, but further misfortune fol
lowed, in the destruction of all liis buililings, by tire, and the subsequent
f(»reclosing of the mortgage on his faiin.
Mr. Haag now found hiin.self wheie he had begun — everything gone
but ho])e. "Ho]ie s]irings elernal in the hunuin breast." He rented a
farm and worked on manfully, ](iotiting by former errors, living close
and saving every ])ossible ]ienny, until he was, at last, enabled to pur-
cha.se the piece of land he now occuiiies. This he and his sou have im-
proved, from time to lime, until they are in possession of one of the best
HISTOKV (IK MONICOMKUV ((IINIV. KANSAS. 55.^
little farms in the county, with snbstiiiitinl l.nililiii.us. and stacked willi n
fine grade of cattle and horses.
In Julv of 1893. Mr. llaaj; siitlered llic -realest niistortnno of all,
in the loss" of his wife. who. with true womanly heroism, had trod the
jialhs of adversity with him. in his yonn};er manhood, without complain
iug. She was the mother of ten .hildren. as follows: all of whom are
dead but two: Frances iCIarki. whose whcrcahonts is not known, and
Henry (5.
Of this family, Henry (1. is in iharjie of the home farm. He married
iu 1890, Miss Nettie I'ritchard. a native of ("hamjiaifin county, Hlinois,
and who came to Kansas in ISSti. They have one son, (leoi-fje Haag.
Mr. Haag is of the Presbyterian faith, having joined that church
when he was but fifteen years of age. Until the rise of the Populist
l)arty, he was a rock-ribbed Democrat, but the party having abandoned
its time-honored principles, he has since sujiported. by his vote, the jiarty
of reform.
FREU B. SKINNEK — One of the stirring young business men of
Cofifeyville is here introduced to the reader. He is manager of the Gate
City Lumber Company and has an abiding faith in the future of the city
where he has had his home for years.
Mr. Skinner is a western man, having been born in Washington
county, Nebraska, October 8, 18C8. He is a son of James L. and Lizzie
(Newell) Skinner, natives of Michigan and Massachusetts, respectively,
the father being in the transfer business in Coffeyville. The latter was
reared in Michigan and made the trip through to Nebraska, in a wagon,
in 1857. He settled within a few miles of where the city of Schuyler now
stand?, crossing the river at Omaha — then a mere watering place. He
continued to reside in Nebraska until 1870, when he came to Johnson
county, Kansas. He farmed there, some three years, and then came
down to Coffeyville, where he has held continuous residence since. In the
famil^ which he has reared, there were five children, as follows : Fred B. ,
Julia A., wife of William Francis, manager of the Coffeyville Vitrified
Brick Company .at Cherry vale; Frank M., undertaker with the Coffey-
ville Furniture Company; Lela E., a graduate of the high school, class
of 1902; and Addie, a high school pupil.
Fred B. Skinner was but six years of age when the family removed
to Coffeyville, and is. therefore, to be looked upon as a product of her
institutions. He received a good common school education and, at the
age of twenty-one, accepted service with the S. A. Brown Lumber Com-
pany. This beginning of his business career was at a small salary, a fig-
ure which would have had the effect, with many a boy, of making him
listless and inattentive to business. But he continued to "saw wood,"
554 HISTORY OF MOXT(;OMi:UY COrNTY. KANSAS.
did his work taiefuU.v, kept his eyes and mind on the details of the busi-
ness, and the inevitable followed — he soon became too valuable a
man to allow him to become dissatisfied, on account of salary. Mr. Skin-
ner has served with several of the leading hnuber companies doing busi-
ness in the city. In 1808, he accepted his present place, as manager, with
the Gate City Lumber Company, since which the business of that con-
cern has increased largely.
The home life of our subject began in 1891, when, on November 21,
he was happily joined in marriage with Mary E., a daughter of A. F.
Peterson. Mrs. Skinner was born in Green county, Ohio, and came to
Kansas, with her parents, in ISSfi. Slie is tlic eldest of tive children, the
others being: Mrs. Irene Day, now deceased; Wilson, a Montgomery
county farmer; Carrie, who resides with her parents; and Edwin, also
a fanner of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Skinner has been born a son:
Jesse Leroy.
In the social life of tlie community, both Mr. and Mrs. Skinner are
prominent factors, Mrs. Skinner being an active member of the Method-
ist church, while he is active in two of the best fr;-,ternities — the A. O. U.
W. and the I. 0.0. F.,in the latter of which he isin both the Subordinate
and Encamjiment. Too busy to pay much attention to politics, Mr.
Skinner yet exercises the ])rivilege of casting his vote, and it is always
recorded in favor of the Kepublican jiarty.
ALVO J. AXTELL— The trite adage that '-the road to one's heart
is through his stomach" was never more true than when considered in
connection with the landlord and his guest, and he that ministers to the
temporal wants of his fellows, bountifully and with good cheer, merits
the (lce[) gratitude and wins the unstinted praise of the recipients of his
hospitality. These observations apply with sjiecial force to the host who
caters to the caprices, whims and eccentricities of a traveling public,
burdened with a grist of kickers, growlers, grund>lers and non-de-scripts,
with ap])recintive capacities, real vaccnms in themselves, and are but a
slight tribute to one who fills so imi)()rtaiit a niche in the world's bus-
iness alfairs. The hotel is the traveling man's home, and of the myriads
of hiiMilords who play host, but few measure up to a real standard of
excellence and deserve recognition in a treatise devoted to the eminent
men of their locality.
Axtell has become a name famed in the hotel annals of Montgomery
county and the "Axtell" is a Mecca toward which the knight of the
grip-sack wends his way, and in which is found rich, restful repose. Its
landlord is a prince among hosts and its royal hostess a queen among
entertainers. Neat to a fault, cheerful in its surroundings, and domestic
HISTOHY OF .MONTfiOMEUY CdUNTV, KANSAS. 555
III ill! its api.ointiiients. tlu- ••Axtcll" is :i liusicliy widely known ainl uni
versallv appreciated.
Al'vo .1. A.xtell, whose name is l.oine h\ llie liotel lie owns, is tiie pro
prietor of tlie leadinj; .onimenial house of Cheiix vale, and dates his resi
denee in the county from the sjnin;: of IS'lit. when he became the owner
of the Handley hotel and lionoivd it with his own name. He had passed
his life. chietiV. in the hotel l.usiness and liis expeiience. couj.led with
his ahundant native talent. hrouj;ht him into favorable contact with the
commercial fiateinity. The wide jioimlaiity of his house is not only of
jiecuniary concern to himself, luit it is one of the beneficial institutions
of and a positive recommendation for the town.
Wyoming county. New York, f^ave birth to Alvo J. Axtell. in the
year 1852. His parents. John and Willmina ( Heach I A.xtell, were of
Vermont and Pennsylvania nativity, resjiectively. and their lives were
passed in the hotel business on the farm. While rearing their family
of seven children, theirs was a country home and amid rural scenes and
the pure air was our subject brought uji. In religious belief, the father
was a Universalist and the mother an Episcopalian, and the former
fived to be seventy-four years old. while the mother died, in 1891, at just
three scoi-e and ten. The four sons and three daughters, constituting
their interesting family, are scattered widely over our continent and are:
Joseph I)., of Santa Barbara. California, a hotel proi)rietor; Zeruiah,
wife of Dr. A. B. Bottsford. of ('hicago, Hlinois; John W., now with
the "Axteir" in Cherryvale. but for many years a jiassenger conductor
on the Santa Fe Ry. ; Zerina A., Mrs. E. A. Vaughn, of New York;
Wlntield, a hotel-keeper in New York state; Dell H., wife of Alonzo
Wheeler, proprietor of a hotel in Anthony. Kansas; and Alvo J., the sub-
ject of this review.
The common schools of his native state furnished A. J. Axtell, his
educational i)rivileges and, when his school days were ended, he secured
a clerkship in Post's hotel, in Castile, New Y'ork, and w-as so employed
several years, or, until the death of his employer, when he, himself,
l)ecanie the proprietor of the house, and, in this capacity, spent six years
more of his early manhood. Upon disposing of his interests there, he
came west and established himself in Missouri Valley, Iowa, as proprie-
tor of the Commercial hotel. After running this house six years, he re
turnedtohisnative state and leased the Congress Hall hotel, at Rochester,
and continued, as its proprietor, from 1880 till 1887. This latter year
he again came west and this time, located in W'allace county, Kansas,
and became proprietor of a Union Pacific eating-house, at Wallace, and
conducted its affairs for four years. Upon disposing of this place, and,
after a brief period spent in Kansas City, he located in Cherryvale, where
he yiurchased the Handley hotel, in the spring of 1899.
His methods of conducting his place of business has made the Axtell
1^56 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
hotel one of the best known iu southern Kansas. Nothing can speak
more elotjuently of tlic refineiiiciit and material prosperity of any com-
munity than the estalilislmuMits which cater, admirably, to the palate
and physical wants of the public. Mr. and Mrs. Axtell are admirably
adapted, each in his own line, to manage and make a homelike place for
the traveling jiublic. Their house is niodernly equipped, their rooms are
neat and cheerful and their table staggers under the freshest viands the
market supplies. Fifty guest chambers do service to their full capacity
and every facility is possessed to insure the comfort of the guests and
furnish them a quiet resting place.
March 7, 188S. Mr. Axtell was united in marriage, at Liberty, ]\Iis-
souri. with Miss Nora L. Leister, a daughter of J. E. and Nellie (Mc-
Carthy) Leister. Mr. Leister was born in Kentucky but reared in Mis-
souri and passed his life as a farmer. His wife was born in New York
state and is an honored resident of Hannibal, Jlissouri, her huband hav-
ing died at thirty years of age.
The Axtells have lived purely business lives. While their social na-
tures have been cultivated and possess a warmth and a charm rarely ex-
celled, politics and other side issues have not led them from their hearts'
affections. They are steeped in Keiiuhlicanism, but merely exercise their
franchise as citizens and not as aspirants for otflcial favors.
GEORGE T. GT'ERNSEY— In introducing the cashier of the Com-
mercial National Hank of Independence, the eminent financier and mau-
of-affairs. (ieorge T. Guernsey, we are conscious of presenting one of the
real characters of Montgomery county; a man whose genius and adapta-
bility to the affairs of life, mark him as one of the notable and conspicu-
ous citizens of the municipality.
When he came to Independence, Mr. Guernsey was an unpreposses-
sing youth, with a fair education gained in the common schools, and
with life's plans immature and unlaid. When he took the position of
errand boy, in Turner & Otis' Bank, in 1874, there was, apparently,
nothing to mark him as destined, in manhood, to pilot the affairs of one
of the strong financial institutions of the state, down through the years
of business harmony, across the billowy sea of panic and into the rhodes
of restored confidence, a fete requiring sagacity and foresight to perform.
]5ut those ten years with Turner & Otis wei'e years of observation, years
of pr-eparation for a successful career in that field of endeavor, in after
years.
Mr. Guernsey was fifteen years old when he left Dubuque, Iowa, to
make his home in Independence. He was born in the former city, August
11, IS.'!), his ])arents being Kev. Jesse and lOlizabeth (Eaton) Guernsey,
of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. The father was a Con-
fVi' -''"'■•^^
-it/ -•»♦*
iOMERV COl-.N
aoutliern Kausa.«
i.- roi^^ion i)X tile i^iicsls ;ii; ;
1! in,Nri;i-i'. at Liberty, Mis
■I Nellie- (Mr
ared in W^
; ashier of the Com-
unpreposses
lue. Iowa, Xm
A »V h ^; -
GEO. T. GUERNSEY.
IIISTOKY or MONT(iOMKUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 559
owns OIK' of the best farm iiroperties in the count.v, now owning four
huiuiicd iiiid eij>hty acivs, all told. The success which has attended him
in life may be ascribed entirely to his own etforts. He is what might be
called a self-made man, having started at the vei-y lowest round of the
ladder.
To Mr. and Mrs. Engels have been born two children: William T., who
died at three years of age, and Wellington T., who married Edna L. Bar-
bour, and is a successful farmer of Fawn Creek township, on one of his
father's farms. Mr. Engels is not given much to participation in political
life, but is pleased to aid in tlie success of the Democratic party, by his
JOSEI'H McNEAI^-C»ne of the sturdy and. substantial farmers of
Parker township is Joseph McNeal, who residtis in a handsome rural
home, six miles north of Cotfeyville. His r'goin^g.'j: in and comings out"
before the people of Montgomery, since the, date. of. his settlement here,
in 1880, have been of such a nature as to secure ;to him the good will of
every one with whom he has had dealings, and he aad his family are rated
among the best citizens of the county. ; ,i; .
On the 3d of October, 1858, in Athens county, Ohio, Joseph began
this life of alternate joy and sori-ow. ■ The greatrgraudparents of our siib-
ject were natives of the Emerald Isle> aud there reared twelve children,
one of whom, Malcolm, settled in Pennsylvania, and became the parent of
Joseph McNeal, the father of Joseph of whom. .we write. At maturity,
Joseph, Sr., married Mary Wattrous, a native of .Connecticut, but of
Welsh descent, and they, in turn, became the parents of: Mrs. Mary E.
Williams, Joseph, Mrs. Almeda Taylor, Mrs. L. E. Selbe, Mrs. Lucinda
Taylor and Mrs. Nettie Schader. In his young manhood, the father
was a teacher and, at twenty-one, came out to Ohio, where he learned
the carpenter's trade. In his later dajs he became a general merchant
and lumber dealer. He was a resident of Ohio until 1888, when he re-
moved, with his family, to White county, Indiana, and there died, iu
180G. aged seventy-two. He was a man of good traits of character, and of
most patriotic mould. Although a man of family, he entered the army,
as a private soldier, serving three years, from April of 1861, in Company
"K," One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He partici-
])ated in sixteen of the battles, fought on and about the Potomac, being
under the dashing Sheridan a portion of the tim'e. The mother of our
subject died in 1877, aged fifty-two years.
Joseph McNeal, our subject, continued, in dutiful residence at home,
until he had attained his majority, and then came direct to Montgomery
county. He worked on the farm of Isaac Wycoft", for a perod, and then
invested his savings in one hundred and twenty acres of Verdigris bottom
560 iiisriii'.v or .m(»nii,u.mi;kv corNTY. Kansas.
laiiil. Ht' colli iinicil (o iiii(irov(' (his liac), adding, in time, sixty acres
nioic. and is now in possfsHion of one of II10 choice farms of the connt.v.
Th>- ini]iroviMn(Mits on the farm ronsisl of a handsome residence and
hiiiic liarn. witli conifortalde ontlinildinjis for (he further care of stock,
ami a splendid orchard of well sclcclcd frni( Irees. This property is the
ri'snh of (he unaided ell'orls of Mr. McNeal, and. in very large part, since
his coming to the ■Siinllower State."
.Mr.McNeal remained in a state of single blessedness until he bad pre-
pared a home, when he hrouglit to it a Montgomery county girl. Miss
Henrietta T'tterhack, the marriage iM'ing celel)rated January 25, 1891.
Mrs. McXeal is a native of the "Iloosier State," born in Boone county,
Xovendjer 22, 18t»7, th.e^daughter of Albert and Susan (Blakemore) Utter-
back. These parents were also natives of Indiana, children, respectively,
of Henry T'tterhack and Thomas lUakemore. both of English descent.
They were pioneers of the county, having settled near Independence, in
l.SOn. Here the father died, in 1881, aged forty eight years, the mother
still surviving at the age of sixty-five. Her six children are: Melissa
KenycMi, Sarah ('o|»eland, Henrietta McNeal, Rose Heape. Alonzo and
Frank all of wh()m live in the county, except Alonzo, who resides in
Colorado. To Mr. and Mrs. McNeal have been born : Lucy E., Susan
Ellen, Joseph H., Hildred and Sarah.
The period of Mr. McNeal's residence in the county has been marked
by an intelligent compreliension of the duties of a good citizen, and a
willingness to sa('ritice time in the interests of his community. He is
at present the efficient trustee of the township. Though not caring for
office himself, he delights in helping his friends in the I>enlocratic party,
in (heir aspii-ations.
CHARLES M. HICKS— Charles M. Hicks is a native of Green
county, Tenne.s.see, and was born Septendter 4, 1812. His father was
Lorenzo Doll Hicks, a native of Virginia. The latter went to Tennessee
when a small boy and was there married to Catherine Miller, a native
of North Carolina. 'Andy" Johnson made his wedding coat, and also
performed the ceremony^ for when he was married Johnson was then a
justice of the peace. L. D. Hicks died at Montvale Springs, at the age of
fifty-live, while his wife came to Kansas with her son, where she died at
the age of sixty-eight years, and lies buried in the Coffeyville cemetery.
A family of ten children came to them, five of whom are living, viz:
Lorenzo Doll, Jr., George H., of Texas; Mary Jane, widow of J. Wilkin-
son, lives in Kan.sas City; and Liua, wife of Thomas Tinet, of Coffeyville.
Charles M. Hicks- w^as the second child, and was reared in Given
comity Tennessee, and lived with his Grandfather Miller, until the be
IIISIOUV l>r MDNTim.MIiKV CUU.NTiV, KANSAS. 56I
j^iniiihi; of the Civil war. His opportunities for an education were very
liniit('(i, iliosc of the comitrv scliool being all that were wilhin his
reach. He enlisted in the Thirteenth Tennessee Regiment. Confeder-
ate ti'oops. and served diiring the entire war. He was in several great
battles, and was captui'ed once, at Winchester. Virginia, but made his
<'scai)e (he lirst night, by sliiiping away from his guard. After getting
Ihrough the (licket line, he was many days and nights getting back to his
i-ommand; traveling by night and hi<ling during the day, and at last ar-
rived, worn out and nearly exhausted. He was also in the siege of
Knoxville. (A brother of Mr. Hicks and other relatives were in the Fed-
eral army at the same time.) At the close of the war. he went to Middle
Tennes.see and hired out. by the month, for two years.
In 187l'. our subject came to Kansas. He nuide the trip by land, in
a wagcm, drawn by a small pair of mules. He stopped on the Verdigris
river, north of Coffeyville. and hired, by the moth, to work on a farm.
He afterward rented a farm for himself, and during the years '74 and '75,
saw some pretty hard times, having lost everything by the grasshoppers,
but with grit and perseverance, he went to work hauling wood to town,
at fifty cents a cord, that he might buy corn at a dollar jjer bushel.
In 187"), he went to the Territory and leased a large ranch and en-
gaged in farming and stock raising, being one of the first white men to
go into the stock business in that country. He made a great deal of
mon(-y during his residence there, and, in 1807, came back to Montgom-
ery 'ounty, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of fine bottom
land on Onion creek, five miles northwest of Coffeyville. Besides his
farming interest he still keeps uj) an interest in the cattle business in the
Territory, and is also rereiving .f200 a year in gas leases. When be came
to Kiinsas, his only possessions were one small team of mules and thirty
dollars in money, and his success in business may be attributed solely to
his restless energy and resolute purpose.
Mr. Hicks married ou the 29th of March, 1867, his wife being Vir-
ginia Nicely, a native of Virginia; her death occurring in July, 1887.
Mr. Hicks never married again, and is living alone on his farm. He is
a mendKM- of the Jfasons, Keystone Lodge No. 1021, Coffeyville. Politi-
cally, he is a Democrat, and cast his first vote in 1902.
.foSKl'H S. 1!EXNETT— Four miles north of the littlecityofCaney,
resides a settler who came to Montgomery county in 1884 — to quote
his own words, "eame to the county with twenty-five cents in my pocket
and this I spent for stationery and postage to write back home with."
The country was then, practically, new and our new settler, Joseph S.
Iteiim tt. ajiplied himself to the task of earning a livelihood and of hatch-
ing the egg, as it were, which opportunity had laid. His education was
562 HISTOra' OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY_, KANSAS.
lueajioi' ;iii(l In- was without a trade and he did whatever his liands found
to do.
[Ic caim- iiilo Kansas and settled among the ex-soldiers of the Union,
enil>atiassed hy a record of service in the Confederate army, yet the
nianlv principle within him was dominant and it shown out at every con-
tact, with a lustre tliat won confidence, and the race to civic success was
early won. The year of his advent to Kansas, he secured employment
in a liotel in IndeiK»ndence and was soon able to make a payment on his
first tract of laud. This he located in Caney township, comprised forty
acres and forms a part of his present home. He erected a modest shanty
on it and began a rather lonely, but positive, existence on a Kansas farm.
The work of improvement has gone steadily on, until his is one of the
profltiible little farms of the county.
P.y nativity. Mr. Bennett is a Keutuckian. He was born in Taylor
county. January 2, 1845, and his parents were Faris and Permelia
I Short ) Bennett. The latter passed their lives in the "Blue Grass
State." the mother dying many years ago, while the father passed away
in lS!t:{, at the age of seventy-five years. Five children constituted the
family, by the first wife, and the second one bore Mr. Bennett seven; and
still a third wife was the mother of three.
.Jose]ih S. Bennett was the oldest of the family of fifteen children
and his surroundings were those of the average country youth. Although
young in years, he was prompted to a military career in the volunteer
armies of the South, by a desire to battle for a cause that was lost, and
he became a i)rivate in the cavalry brigade of the Confederate chieftan,
(Jen. John Morgan, the most daring of the Southern leaders. He partici-
pated in "Morgan's Raid" into Ohio, where he was captured and taken,
first, to Camp Chase, and thence to Camp Douglas, Chicago. He was
confined, as a prisoner of war, for nearly a year, and was then exchanged,
with others, and returned, again, to the field. He helped fight the bloody
battle of Stone River, besides many others, and retired to civil life when
the war was ended and the Confederacy overthrown.
Peace again established in our land, Mr. Bennett sought his old
home and was busy with husbandry there, till 1884, when he cast his lot
with the straggling settlements of Montgomery county, to which locality
he has contributed au honorable part toward the building-up. He is a
gentleman of mature and safe judgment and of good discrimination. He
manifests some interest in local politics, votes with the Democrats and
has iM'vci- married.
JOHN R. WATTS — Among the worthy citizens of Independence
whose brawn and brain has figured conspicuously in the development
and progress of the city, is the gentleman here named, a contractor and
IlISTOltV (II' MONTIJOMICUY COUNTY,. KANSAS. 563
l)iiild(r. whose liaiidiwoik, l»i(li in i.iil.lic and \ni\:\io liiiildiiijis, is found
on many hands.
.lolin R. Watts was Imhii in Butler county, Ohio, Dectnnber 19, 1844,
a .son of .losi'pli S. and Mary Ann Watts. Joseph Watts was a farmer
l)y occupation, a thresher, and was widely known. He was a man of great
enerjiy and lived an u|iri};ht and consistently moral life. He and the
family, which lie reared, were prominent factors in the social life of their
community. He died in ISfiti, at the age of tifty-two years, his wife sur-
viving him tifteeii years and dying at the age of sixty-five. They reared a
family of nine children, as follows: Sarah, Mrs. William Boes, of Inde-
pendence, K.m.xas; .lane, deceased; William, who was killed at the battle
of (Miickainauga; J. K.. our subject; Joseph, a farmer in Boliver, Mis-
s(mri ; .lames, of Independence; Amanda, Mrs. James McKinsey, of Bra-
zil, Indiana; Margan>t. Mrs. Jesse Poor, of Harmon, Indiana; I^na. Mrs.
(icorjic Sackett. of ]>ayton, Ohio; and Cornelius, of Brazil, Indiana.
In the case of our subject, a good common school education was fol-
lowed by a .seven year apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, ending in
1865, since whicli time he has been contracting work for himself. He lo-
cated in I'arke county, Indiana, where lie remained until the spring of
1883, the date of his coming to Independence. Here he soon became one
of the leading contractors of the county, and, during the two decades of
liis active life here, has handled a number of large contracts, notably
the I'.aden warehouse, the Lutheran church, and several of the larger
.■uid more handsome residences of the city.
The domestic life of Mr. Watts began in Parke county, Indiana, on
the isth of April, 18(58, the date of his marriage to Mary, a daughter of
Edward and Mahala Pratt. Mrs. Pratt is the eldest of four children, the
otheis being as follows: Keziah, Mrs. Dr. Bence, now deceased; Rosa,
Mrs. .Milton Havlan, of Hollandsburg, Indiana; and Dora, deceased, was
Mrs. (ieorge Ames. To the marriage of our subject and his wife have
been born: Priscilla. Mrs. Eugene Evans, of Kansas City, with children:
John aiul Cora; Eva. Mrs. Joe Gee, of Independence; Edmond, of Leaven-
wort). ; Rosa, Mrs. ^'orhees, of Independence, who.se two children are :
Floyd and an infant; Amanda, Mrs. Newton Blakeley, with children:
Ella :ind an infant; Bertha, Frank, Clcmmie and Ada are still at home.
.Mr. and Mrs. ^^'atts are active members of the Christian church and
are suiijiorters of every good cause which has for its object the ameliora-
lion of conditions in .society and the uplift of humanity. Mr. Watts is a
tiriii iK'liever in the jirinciple of organized labor and has long been a
member of llie Carpenters' T'nion. In politics, he is independent, reserv-
ing ilie riglii to exercise his judgment in the selection of the best men
564 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
ALBERT I'KKRY McKRIDE— In the subject of this personal re-
view, is presented a native Kansan, whose name is familiar in almost
every household in Montgomery county, and whose efforts in the past
decade Iiave yielded momentous results and have been of immeasurable
ini]»oitance and value to the material interests of the county. His name
and fame have extended beyond the confines of his own state and, in the
(levt'ldimient of the subterranean resources of southeastern Kansas and
tiie Indian Territory, the name of A. P. McBride stands the peer of all.
TnniiC'llino; the earth's crust, has been his life work, and the hidden
truths which his efforts have brought to light, have yielded to the geolo
gist ,1 f\nid of i)Ositive knowledge, and to commerce and the industries,
an impetus that will endure permanently and increase with the lapse
of years.
On the iMitli day of February, 18G2, Albert P. McBride was born in
Miami county. Kansas. His paternal antecedents were from West Vir
ginia and his maternal from Tennessee. His father, Thomas J. McBride.
was born near Whitehall, Illinois, a sou of James McBride, of Tennessee,
whose paternal ancestor emigrated from the old Virginia state, as a pio-
neer to that state. They were of Scotch-Irish lineage and descended
from a pioneer ancestor who established himself a citizen of the New
World, in the year ITHO.
Thomas J. ;M(Bri(ie \\as born February 7, 1832, was brought up on
a farm, subsequently learned the blacksmith trade and, finally, entered
the nnnistry. He pioneered to Kansas in 1858 from Green county, Illi-
nois— lirst stopj)ing, for eighteen months, in Bates county, Missouri — and
jiarticipating in the stirring events which took place there, both before
and during the war. He enlisted in Company "E," First Battalion of
Missouri troops — from Cass county — and also served in George H.
Hump's Rangers. Since the war, he has, when actively engaged, been
employed with the civil pursuits above mentioned, chiefly in Miami
county, Kansas, and has, recently, become a resident of Independence,
Kansas. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in religion, a Baptist. No-
vember 3, 1853, he married Lucinda Barnett, a daughter of John Bar
nett, formerly from Tennessee, who was killed, in 18G2, by Capt. Irvin
Walla's gang. Eight children were the issue of this marriage, seven of
whom are: John A., James H., William T., C. W., C. M., I. J. and W. F.
The first four mentioned are Kansas farmers, and the others are gas and
oil drillers at Butler, Missouri. The fourth son in the family is A. P.,
the subject of this notice.
James McBride, Sr.. the great-grandfather of Thomas Jert'erson
McBride, comes to us as the original head of this numerous branch of the
American McI5rides. With four other brothers, he emigrated from the
higlilands of Scotland, about 1730, and made settlement in the Colony
of Virginia, in America. The other brothers were: William, Jaseth.
H ••
•♦'-.
T.y
,>.^s
i» l» f » ff i» ir r ff
- -« !• »» f. .. . .
I* It M f I
504
A
view,
every
(leiadi
illipii;
and !.
HISTORY OV MONTGOVERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
LBKKT I'ERRY J[cBRIDE— In the subject of this personal re-
is preyjuitod a native Kansan, whose name is familiar in almost
UoviM-iiold in Montgomery county, and whose efforts in the past
}>.:i\-- yielded momentous results and have been of immeasurable
■ ■>• i> and value I0 the niaierial interests of the county. His name
is:- have extended beyond the confines of his own state and, in the
■ -K-nt of tlie subterranean resources of southeastern Kansas and
■ 'i'enitory, the name of A. P. McBride stands the peer of all.
- I he earth's crust, has been his life work, and the hidden
I irh his efforts have brought to light, have yielded to the geolo-
fi: iti of jtositive knowledge, and to commerce and the industries,
[letus tliat will endure permanently and increase with the lapse
day of February, 1862, Albert P. McBride was born in
insas. His paternal antecedents were from West Vir-
.M,a! li'.u:. T:M,,.e*soe. [iis f'.ilior. Ttii.Tan.^ J. AK-Brido.
uMfti Hi the l«iew
viiut' v., IS n.i.'h i ■■..11:. ,. ir-:y2, was brought up on
ily learned the blacksmith trade and, finally, entered
' pioueered to Kansas in 1858 from Green county, Illi-
.- ;t-i .-I uj>).Mig, for eighteen mouths, in Bates county, Missouri — and
,..,ii-iicipating in the stirring events which took place there, both before
,!id during the war. He enlisted in Company "E,"' First Battalion of
Missouri troops — from Cass county — and also served in George H.
Mimic's Rangers. Since the war, he has, when actively engaged, been
■•;ii|di)yed with tlie civi! ]•!.• idis abu\" mentioned, chiefly in. Miami
■.iiiiy, Ki'.tisas, and b:i :i resident of Independence,
K;n;sr.s. Ju politics, li' in religion, a Baptist. No-
viT:d,fV 3, !85;i he maii .1. a daughter of John Bar-
tuit. furmerly from Teune.-ci led, in 1862, by Capt. Irvin
Walia's gang. Eight children i> of this marriage, seven of
whom aiv: John A., James H., ■ . W., C. M., I. J. and W. F.
The first four mentioned are Kansas fai iiieis, and the others are gas and
'.ii drillers i!i Butler, Missouri, The fonrrh son in the family is A. P.,
■ -:'ii.i'-.'i .. -! •« notice.
the ^ ' iier of Thomas Jeffersoi:
»r.,
as the oi'i
nnnern'.is branch of thf
A. P. McBRIDE.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 567
F'arniing coiistitutod the occupation of Mr. Shank, in Illinois, until
1SS2, when he canie out to Kansas, first going to the extreme western
part of the state, wliere he decided that was not a suitable country for
him to settle in, and he came to Montgomery. Here, he purchased the
farm of fifty-six acres, five iniles north of Coffeyville, upon which he has
since resided. This was bare praiiie land, without improvements. A
small box house was erected, and continued to do service until more pros-
perous times, when the comfortable, modern home which now stands in
its place, was built. The farm of Mr. Sliank is not of large proportions,
but is a model of neatness and of thrifty appearance.
Mr. and Mrs. Shank have exerted a wholesome influence on society,
since their coming to the county, and are most highly regarded for their
many virtues. The family which they have reared consisted of but two
childien: Myrtle, now the wife of Frank Walters, a minister of the Chris-
tian church, in Colorado; and Paul D. The youngest daughter, Hattie
E., was the victim of accidental drowning in the Verdigris river, on the
15th of June, 1892, then fourteen years old.
Trior to September 3, 18G8, Mrs. Shank was Amanda J. Webster.
She 's a native of Page county, Virginia, born July 26, 1849, and is the
daughter of Philip Webster and Susan Hollingsworth. Her father died
in 1S91, at sixty-seven, in Vigo county, Indiana, where the family had
removed, in 1859. Her mother died in early life, and Margaret Ward
was the second wife of her father. By the first mari-iage, there were
five children : John, James, Barbara, Mary and Mrs. Shank. In the sec-
ond family, there were : Thomas J., Charles, Frank, Etta and Emma.
EI)^^■.\R1) .1. W.Vri) — On a farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
three miles southeast of Coft'eyville, resides Mr. and Mrs. Edward J
Waud, their residence in the county covering some twenty-two years. Mr.
Waud is well known throughout the west, as a breeder of fine horses,
many of which he has trained for the track, with his own hand, and
which have shown qualities of speed creditable on any course.
Kensselaer county. New York, and September 13, 1847, will serve
to mark the place and date of Mr. Waud's birth. John M. Waud, his
father, was also a native of the "Empire State," his mother, Frances
Lambly, being a twelve-year-old lass when she came, with her parents,
to this country, from England. They were married in New York state,
and, with a young family, in 1850, removed to Kalamazoo, Michigan. The
father was an artist in early life, and of high merit, as is shown by a
painting still in possession of his son, being a life-like picture of his
favorite hunting dog. Later in life, he became interested in the raising
of trotting horses, and was a citizen of Kalamazoo at the time of his
demise, at the age of seventy-four years. Mrs. Waud was a lady of supe-
568 lUSTOUY OF MONT(;(lMi:ltY ClirXTY. KANSAS.
riur i.K'iital attainineuts aud gentle liiccdiiij;. siiiv ivin<; him several
vcars; lier ajic at death, beiiio; seveiitv tivc. 'i'licv wfii' the i)avents of two
sons and four daughters; Marniaduke Wand, now resi<ling in Kalamazoo,
and i:d\vard: and Annie. Franc's. i:iien and Ceorgiana; Annie and
Frances are deceased.
lOdward ^Vaud was ten yeais of age when the jiarents moved out to
:\li(higan. He was reared on his father's stock farm, in daily association
with trainers and fanciers of thomnghbred horses, and thus became
thoroughly inoculated with tlie love for horsetlesh. which has con
tinned to be his distinguisliing trait of (haraiter thrmighot his man-
hood. And it is not at all strange that one finds in him. a "gentleman to
the manor born." One's cliaracter is very greatly intinenced by the
things tij)on which his thoughts are most centered. No more noble or in-
telligent aninutl has been furnished man. by a lieneticient Creator, than
the horse, aud he who handles him most successfully must resjiond, in
kind, to the attributes of character exiiibited in such marked degree by
.that i,nimal.
Mr. Waud had attained the age when bacludorhood was dangerously
near to being a fixed state. l)efore he met Mrs. Nan<y J. Myers, the lady
-who now handles the reins about his handsome rural residence. The
marriage was an event of March 12, 1881. Mrs. Wand is a daughter of
James and Irene (Greer) Gillesjiie. natives of Virginia and Ohio, respect-
ively. Iler birth occurred in Mercer county. Ohio. June 15. 1840. James
(iillesj)ie was killed by guerrillas in Mexico, while there on a business
1ri]), in 18r)2. his wife dying in Indiana, in 1S7S. There were eight chil-
dren in the family, the two still living being: Mrs. Waud and James F. ;
those dect>ased are: Jefferson, who was killed in tlie battle of Jackson,
Mississippi, while gallantly defending the Hag; Zerelda, Julia, Joseph,
Melissa and one unnamed.
Shortly after their marriage. Mi-, and Mrs. Waud set their faces
toward the "Sunflower State" and found, in Montgomery county, condi-
tions favorable for the building of a liome. They have not been disap-
pointed, as in the case of others, though it has not been all i)lain sailing.
.Mr. V\'aud has I)een generally successful with liis horses, but has suffered
two Ix'avy losses, a fine animal worth ^.').0(l(l. and anotlier. whose market
price was |;:],ltOI). For a time, he did mtich of his own training, on a
track kept upon the farm, but has. of late years, allowed this adjunct to
return to its original state.
During his residence in the <onnty. Mr. \\ ;nid has made many
friends. i)y his upright methods of business. He lends his influence to all
good causes, votes with the l?ei>ublican ]iarty. and. in fraternal matters,
allili-ites with the Knights of H<mor.
HISIOKV 01' >10NT(;0MKUV COUNTY, KANSAS. 5D9
WII>L1AM \V. I'OST— Williiiin W. Post was born in Summit ooun-
ty, Ohio, NovemixM- 1, 1822. His fatlicr, Homy Post, and his mother,
Mary A. (Clark) Post, wore natives of Connectieut. In 1804, the family
moved 1o Ohio and settled in a townshii) where there were hut five other
white families, and where numerous tribes of Indians were the only
other residents. The father died July 4, 18(i(5, at the age of eighty-two,
and his wife died Oitoher 27, 18r)7. There were eight children, three of
whon^ are living in Iowa, and William \V.. our subject.
William W. Post had only a common school education and lived at
home until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married in 1846, to
Sarah Jane .Millei-. who was born February 2.5, 1827. His wife was, a
daughter of Allen and lOIizabeth (liove) Miller, both natives of Pennsyl-
vania. Jlr. Miller came to Ohio when a small boy and died there at the
age of seventy-four, his wife dying at the age of seventy years. There were
nine children, of whom Mrs. Post is the .sole survivor.
Mr. Post came, with hi.s family, to Kansas in 1878, settling north of
Coffeyville, where lie remained seven years. The farm of one hundred
and twenty acres, on which he now lives, was bought later, but, for the
last few years, he has rented his farm, not being able to attend to it him-
self. His family are all married and gone, except a widowed daughter,
Mi's. Alice <". .Murray, wiio is looking after their welfare. There were
born to them, viz: ('lark, of Fawn f'rti'k towiishiji; .Avery, deceased; Al-
ice C, Mrs. George Murray; C-arrie, deceased wife of (Jeorge Murray;
W. O. Post, now a resident of Ottawa. Kansas; and Sarah, who died in
infancy. Mr. Post held, in liis home, in Ohio, many positions of trust;
those of County ronimissioner, township trustee, constable and assessor
of his township. In jiolitical matters, he was a Democrat until McKlnley
w'as nominated for the presidency, when he voted for him. In business,
he sustains an enviable reputation, and honor and integrity are synony-
mous with his name.
Mrs. Alice ('. Murray, daughter of William W. and Mary Jane Post,
was born in Summit county, Ohio, and was married there, to George
Murray, in 1873. In 1877, they moved, with their family, to Kansas,
where Mr. Murry died, in 1883. He was born in Summit county, Ohio,
July 20. 1849, and. at his death, left two children : Myrtle, wife of John
Shaw; and Wesley, still with the home. He served, for some time, during
the war, in Company "C." Third V. S. Cavalry, and was discharged on ac-
count of sickness.
C. W. CAXXINti — In this review we are brought face to face with a
pioneer whose connection with Montgomery county dates from 1870, and
whose career has marked a progressive movement from its early begin-
570 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COINTY, KANSAS.
iiinn;, and it gives us satisfaction to present a few fads concei-uing his
origin and the chief events of his life.
Charles W. Canning was born a subject of the British Queen. War-
wickshire. England, is his native place and his birth occurred May 30,
1843. He was a sou of a farmer and his jtarents, John and Martha Can-
ning, both died in England, the former at the age of seventv-eight and
the latter at seventy-three .vf!ns. Of their seven children, five are yet
iu the "old country" and ('. W. is the youngest of them all. He acquired
a liberal education and filled the position of druggist's clerk, before he
was twenty-one. He left England, for the United Htales, in 18ti4, passing
through Castle Garden and on to Monti-eal. Canada, where he remained
three years. In 1867, he returned to the United States and stopped,
temporarily, in Hlinois, where he was employed, chieHy, at farm work.
In 1870, he made his final journey toward the setting sun and established
himself in Kansas. He entered a tract of land in Indej)endence town-
ship, which he improved and yet owns, and which served as the nucleus
of his, now, valuable estate of three hundi-ed and sixty acres, within the
proven gas and oil territory of the county. The ca])tain gas well of the
district was drilled on his farm, in the summer of lOOl!, and its product
helps to supply the fuel which feeds the numerous industries of Inde-
pendence.
Mr. Canning has .gone about the business of life without flare of
trumpets and in a quiet and unassuming manner. His success has come
to him as a result of good judgment and shrewd business sense, and the
public only knew of his accumulations as they came in sight and were
officially labeled. He owns stock in both the Commercial and the Citi-
zens' National Banks and a comfortable and modest liome in Independ-
ence. He left the farm in 1895 and has, since, occujiied himself with a
few personal afl'airs, in addition to the sui)ervision of his farm.
December 10, 1867, Mr. Canning niarrieil lUlina LaBarge, a Cana-
dian lady and a daughter of Framis and .Julia LaBarge, ])eople of French
lineage. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Canning has been a hai)py one and
without issue. They live in each other's society and liave a strong tie of
common interest. Their home is hosjiitable. alike, to friend and stran-
ger, and their general demeanor is that of jiersons wishing to do good.
They have membership in no religious society and have no enthusiasm
over political matters. Mr. Canning holds a meudxisliiii in the Elks and
thus is his whole fraternity connection summed tip.
SHEKBURN L. HJBBAKK Sli.-rbiirn llil.baid ha.s served Mont-
gomciy county seventeen years, continuously, as <'ounty Surveyor and,
dtifitig that ]ieriod, has held residence in <'hertyvale. .Mr. Hibbard is a
New lOngland man, having been born in New Hampshire, the date being
msTouv OK MONr(;(>.\iKitY COUNTY, KANSAS. 571
December 5, lSr)(». His pareiils were A. H. and Maria (Lang) llibbard.
both lassiiifi their entire lives in tlie same town. Tliey were better-chiss
farmers, and the f'atiier was a man of inllnence and jxjsition in the eoni-
muniiy. havinp; .served freciuentl.v in the township oHices and, in the old
days of ••mnsterinji," was a captain of the militia. Mis death occnrred
in"l87(), aged si.\ty years, that of his wife in 1S!)2, at seventy-three. They
were bolli devoutly relij^ious and members of tlie Conj'rej^ational ehureh.
Of their five ehildren, four ai-e living: Louise, a teacher of long and suc-
cessful ex})erien(e. now a resident of <'alifornia; Ella, Mrs. William At-
kinson; Sherburn L. , and flarry, who still i-esides in Woodville. New
Hampshire.
Sherburn L. Hibbard w.ts icaied to farm life, passing his boyhood on
the old New Kngland farm, until seventwu. Op[)ortuuity then ofifering,
to come west to Michigan, he left home, and, for two years, clerked in the
store of Fisk I!ros., at Lawreuce. Not satisfied with the ordinary educa-
tion he had been enabled to acquire at home, he then entered the Uni-
versity at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1872, taking a three years' course
in civil engineering. He now returned to his New Hampshire home,
where he was offeied a position in the schools, and, for five years, engaged
in the noble profession of teaching. It is truly said that no man, having
had a taste of western life, is ever satistied t(» go back east. However
that may l)e, Mr. Hibbard again came west, passing three years in Illi-
nois, engaged in looking after the farming interests of his brother-in-
law, and doing some surveying.
In February of 1884. Mr. Hibbard became a citizen of Cherryvale.
In the following year, he was elected to the position of County Survey-
or, and such has l)een the character of his services to the county, as to
have resulted in his continuance, in that office, to the present date.
Mr. Hibbard tii-st entered the state of matrimony, in 1881, in his
native state, Helen, daughter of J. J. and Mary Kimball being the lady's
name. Her children, Hazen K. and Joseph P. are now in the east, the
eldest at Dartmouth College, taking a course in electrical engineering,
while Joseph is in the high school at Wells River, New Hampshire, in
preparation for Dartmouth. The mother of these boys died, in 1887, at
the early age of twenty-six years. The lady who now presides over Mr.
Hibbard's home, was Miss Jennie Dixon prior to 1894, a native of Illi-
nois, and a daughtei- of Israel and Kosetta Dixon. Israel Dixon died, in
1899, in his seventy sixth year, his wife now being an honored resident of
Cherryvale. Two children have come to the home of Mr. Hibbard, since
his second marriage: Helen L. and Genevieve.
Mr. and Jlrs. Hibbard are prominent members of the Presbyterian
church, of which he is one of the ruling elders. He is an ardent Re-
publican in ]iolitics, Mild is held in great esteem by all jiarties.
572 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
WILLIAM N. SMITH— There came to Montgomeiy eouuty, among
the pioneers of the year 1870, one whose life has been interwoven with the
interests of agruculture in the county and one who. althoxigh now inac-
tive and a spectator of events herein, is still alive to whatever pertains
to thf material or other worthy interests of the county. In this connec-
tion, we refer to him whose name introduces this personal notice.
William N. Smith came to Kansas by "prairie express," as it were,
driving all the way from the State of Missouri, and settling near Tyro,
among a few neighbors who were, many of them, in as straightened cir-
cumstances as himself. His few personal effects wei'e packed away in
his wagon and his family of wife and two children, constituted his chief
center of interest. His permanent settlement, near Tyro, occurred some
two years sTibso(|ueut to his firsl settlement in the state, which settlement
occurred near Lafontain, in Wilson county, about the first of the year,
1871. Until 1SS4, he lived uiton rented laud. but. that year, jiurchased a,
tract in Fawn Creek township, which he improved and cultivated till his
removal to Chautauqua county, in 1896, and located near Brownsville.
Eeturning to Montgomery county, in two years, he took up his residence
in Independence, where he has since maintained his home. He yet owns
the farm near Brownsville and another, of two hundred acres, on Rock
creek, in Montgomery county, making a total of five hundred and twenty
acres of land.
Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was the native plate of William N.
Smith, and February 17, 1840, was the date of his birth. His father was
John T. Smith and his granfather was an Irishman, who married an
English lady and settled in Bucks county. Pennsylvania, and reared
three sons and two daughters, and there died. The issue of this worthy
couple were: James, who ran a canal boat in Pennsylvania in early life;
John T., and Charlotte, who became the wife of Lewis Vandergrift and
was a resident of Peoria, Illinois.
John T. Smith, our subject's father, was born in Bucks county, the
"Keystone State," and was married there, in 1839, to Ann Bates. His
wife was a native of the same state and was born in ISlfi. Their chil-
dren were: William N., Elwood, decaeasetl; Chas. <"., of Marshall county,
llliuois; Angeline, deceased; Arabella, wife of John Clift. of Fairbury,
Illinois; Louis V., a grain merchant of Henry, Illinois; Brooks, who
died at fourteen years; Lottie, who became the wife of Thomas Monier,
of Henry. Illinois; and Jennie, who married Jlr. fJregory, of Marshall
county. Illinois.
William N. Smith was his father's oldest cliild. He was reared to
industry and honesty, in his native state, and in Illinois, where his par-
ents settled when he was a boy. His fathei-'s farm furnished scenes of
his early activity and his life was somewhat monotonous and prosaic till
??^
■■l>.^
!i^-
I* t* It 1^ If i» ir f
; rOEV OK WaNTvJOMKUY COTNIY. liA.NSAS.
. SMITH — There came to ^Montgonierj- county, amoug
year 1S70, cue whose life has been interwoven with ihe
•Uure in the county and oue wlio. although now inac
I )r of events herein, is still alive to whatever pertains-
;ii 1. 1 other worthy interests of the county. In this connec
•n- to him whose name introduces this personal notice.
ii, X. Smith came to Kansas l>y ''prairie express," as it wei'e,
• ! niiij :iii The way from the State of Missouri, and settling near Tyro,
amorifr a few neighbors who wet«^ many of them, in as straightened cir-
cuTu«tances as himself. His few personal effects were packed away in
his wagon and his family of wife and two children, constituted his chief
center of interest. His permanent settlement, near Tyro, occurred some
two .-scars subsequent to his first .settlement in (he state, which settlement
occurred near Lafontain, in Wilson county, about the first of the year,
1871. Until 1881, he lived upon rented land, but, that year, imrchased a,
tract in Fawn Creek township, which he improved and cultivated till his
removal to Chautaniqua county, in 18i)i>, and located near Brownsville.
i;i iurning to Montgomery cotinty, in two years, he took up h}S residence
' r>i;'i'!,f.,i,)(.;i(". " li'.,'i he has since manstaincd his luctn'. , He yet owna
He and anotl- res, on Rock
iiity, makiu;. inland twenty
Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was ihe native piai* uf William N.
Smith, and February 17, 1840, was the date of his birth. His father was
John T. Smith and his gra'nfather was an Irishman, who married an
English lady and settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and reareii
thi-ee sons and two daughters, and there died. The issue of this wortlr
cor.ple were: James, who ran a canal beat in Pennsylvania in early life;
'.liu T., and Charlotte, who became the wife of Lewis Vandt-rgrift and
v,..-i a resident of Peori;i, Illinois.
John T. Smith, our ' " born in Bucks county, the
i^^ystoue State," and ) 1839, to Ann Bates. His
:■■ v,-;i= a nnli-'^ of f - born in 181fi. Their chil-
-. i; Chas. C. of Marshall county.
wife of John Cliff, of Fairbury,
' Tl.-nry, Illinois; Brooks, who
he wife of Thomas Mooier,
'. .Mr. Gregory, of Marshall
' He was )•
jiiois, when
furrn ><:..•.!
*% m m
WM N. SMITH.
lilSTOItY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 575
Miss Nannie K. Williiinis became the wife of our sulijcct. Jaimary 9,
1885. She is a native of Indiana.
rFOIIN \V. ISKOWN— One of the recent settlers among the ranks of
the afiricnlfurists of Montgomery county, is John W. Brown, who, since
the sjning of l!Mt2, lias lived on the Verdigris, four miles north of Cof-
feyville. He owns on(> of the best small farms in the county and, while
he is a new-comer to this county, he is an old settler of the state, having
removed here, from Illinois, in 1870, and settled in Cherokee county.
Mr. Brown was born in Decatur county, Indiana, August 30, 1850.
Ilis father, Nehemiali Brown, was born and married in Indiana, his wife
being Mary A. Meftord, who was also a native of Indiana. After their
marriage, the parents removed to Illinois and settled in Iroipiois county.
They resided tlicrc as farmers, from 1854 to 187(i. when they came to
Kansas, and settled in Cherokee county. Here they resided until 1884,
when they removed to Cowley county, where the father died at the age
of sixty-six, his wife still surviving, at the age of seventy years. The two
children were: John W. and Ezra; the latter now living in Oklahoma,
John W. Brown was brought up to regai'd labor as most honorable
and received a rather limited education in the country schools. He con-
tinued to reside with his parents until after his majority, when he began
his domestic life in Cherokee county, January 5, 1881, being then united
in marriage with Hannah B., daughter of William and Emma (Easter-
ling) Fortner.
Mrs. Brown is a native of Hendricks county, Indiana, born Feb-
ruary 27, 1853. Her parents were both natives of the "Hoosier State,"
where they married, and ,with a young family, came to Kansas in 1874,
settling in Cherokee county, where the father died at the age of forty-
eight, his wife still surviving him, in Oklahoma, being at the present
time, of the age of sixty-nine. Of their eleven children, nine are living:
William Herbert, Mary E., Mrs. Bobbins ; Hannah B., Howard E., Me-
lissa J., Mrs. Ilerington; Florence A., Mrs. Sesher; Ora. Mrs. Lockwood;
Minnie, Mrs. Menor; and May Fortner.
After the marriage of our subject, he took up land in Cherokee
county, but soon sold out and went on a "wild goose" chase to Ken-
tucky. He, however, was not pleased with the "Blue Grass State," and,
after a ten months' stay, returned to Kansas and settled in Cowley
county, on a farm, where he continued to reside until his coming to
Montgomery county.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, seven children were born :
Earl Augustus, born February 22, 1882; William E., born October 17,
1883 -, Harry E., born November 25, 1888; Ivan C, born September 17,
1891; Lillie L., born October 25, 1893; Grace, born March 12. 1897; and
Mary E., born July 4, 1900.
Ml. r.rowii is a iiKMiiber of the Odd Fellows Lodge. In politics, lie
jieiu'iall.v votes for the man, rather than the party. His courteous con-
duct and evident spirit of fairness has made for himself many friends,
durini: the short time of his sojourn in the county, and he an(l his fani
ily aro re<;arded as a welcome addition to the society of the community
in whiih lliev reside.
FJ)\VIN liUSHNKLI — Kdwiu Uushnell is one of the oldest settlers
»)f Fawn Creek township. He is a native of Ohio, where he was born
July 1, 1843. His father, William Bushuell, was a native of Herkimer
county, New York, while his mother, Emily Clough, was a native of I'ell-
ham, and was of English descent. Mr. Bushnell's jiarents moved to
Ohio when he was a small boy and he was reared and married there. Ky
occujiation, his father was a farmer, and the jiarents moved to Michigan,
in 1851, and settled in Clinton county, his wife dying there at the age of
forty-three years. Mr. Bushnell came to Kansas, in 1859, and settled
in Franklin county, and, ten years later, he moved to Montgomery county,
to make his home with his son, Edwin, and died here, in 1886, at the age
of se\enty-five years. Three of the seven children are living, viz: Welling-
ton, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Edwin, our subject; Mary Hathaway, liv-
ing in Ohio. Those deceased are: Susannah Thompson, Charles, Frank-
lin E. and an iufant.
Edwin Bushnell was eight years old when his parents moved to Mich-
igan. His oi)portunities for an education were limited, those of the com-
mon district school being all that he could obtain. He lived with his
parents till fifteen years of age, when, at the death of his mother, he went
to live with the family of W. T. Davis and remained with them until
twenty years of age. He enlisted, in 18G3, in Company "I," Tenth Michi-
gan Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. He never participated
in an\ hard-fought battle, but was kept on the move all tlie time, march-
ing through Virginia, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky
and Tennes.see. He was captured at Strawberry Plains by Joe Wheeler,
who, not having any place to keep them nor anything to feed them, pa-
roled the prisoners in two days. At the close of the war, he returned to
;Michii:an, and worked by the month, for some time, when he started for
Kansas and located in Franklin county, about 18(>6. He afterward came
to Montgomery county and bought one hundred and forty-one acres of
land and erected, on it, a small house. After many years of hard work
and jirivation, with plenty of drouths and grasshoppers, he has, now, a
farm of two hundred and twenty acres, five miles southwest of Coffey-
ville. all under the best cultivation. He has a nice home, all lighted and
heated with natural gas, supplied from a gas well on his farm. His occu-
jiatioii is stock raising. He keeps all kind of stock-horses, cattle, hogs,
shec|. and tine wool goats.
IIISTOKY OK M0N'1'(;0MKKY t'OrwlV^ KANSAS. 5//
Ml-, r.iishncll is a self-nuule man and is of sterling worlh and of
liiftii moral character. Ills business transactions have been attended
with a degree of success, which may be ascribed to his close ai)plication
and industry. His wife, Rosa Miller, to whom he was married, October
5, 187(!, was born in Marshall county, Indiana. She is a daughter of
Allen K. and Martha (McCoy) Miller, the former a native of Kentucky
and the latter of Ohio. The mother was of Scotch descent and her people
came from the South to Ohio. Mr. Miller came to Kansas, in 1871, and
settled in Montgomery county. He and his wife are living in Coffeyville,
at eightv-five and seventv-three years, respectively. There were only two
child'ien: William and m-s. Husbnell ; William died in 1873.
:\lr. and Mrs. I'.iislincll have four children: Roy, resides near Holly,
Colorado; Will and Karl, in South Dakota; and Irene, at home.
S. A. SMITH — One of the pioneers of Montgomery county and a gen-
tleman who had a large share in the growth and progress of the city of
Independence, is S. A. Smith, stone and brick contractor, residing at
401 East Myrtle street. Mr. Smith came to Independence in 1871, and
has held continuous residence here since. This period of over three
decades has been passed in honest labor, the returns of which, by thrifty
and careful management, have placed him in easy circumstances. He
has always taken an active and helpful interest in tlie city's welfare,
serving a number of terms in the council and, as a member of the school
board, where the practical character of his knowledge was of much ser-
vice i:\ the prosecution of the public enterprises necessary in his munici-
palit\. Mr. Smith is a leading member of the I. O. O. F., in which organ-
ization he has passed through all the chairs, and, in the social and relig-
ious life of the coinnninity. lie and his family are prominent factors. In
addition to his business in town, he owns and operates a fai-m of one
hundred and seventy-five acres, on Elk river, in tlie gas l)elt of this county.
Briefly referring to the family history of our subject, we note that
he is of English descent, his father, Dr. William B. Smith, having been
born in Nottinghamshire, on tlie day of the birth of Queen Victoria,
May 24, 1819. He grew to manhood there, saw the queen crowned, in
1837, studied medicine, and came to this country in time to take part in
the I>Iexican war. After the war, he settled in Louisa county, Iowa,
married, and practiced his profession there until 18C0, when he came to
Kansas. He settled at Leavenworth and, for fourteen years, was one of
the leading physicians of that city. He served one year in the army, dur-
ing the Civil war, going out as captain of a company, and, later, being
commissioned surgeon of the regiment. He died, at Leavenworth, in
April of 1875. Harriet Key, liis wife, was a native of Louisa county,
Iowa. She was the daughter of George Key, whose family consisted of
seven sons and seven daughters, three of whom still survive. She died,
iu ]855. at the age of twenty-seven. Dr. Smith's family consisted of but
three children, viz: Emily, who married Charles Allen and is now de-
ceased ; S. A., our subject, and Fannie, deceased wife of Mr. Edelblute.
S. A. Smith was. born in Louisa county. Iowa, on the 22d of Febru-
ary, 1818. His ediication was secui'ed in the common schools, after which
he served an apprenticeship at his present trade. Completing the required
period, he went to St. Louis, where he worked for several years. In 1870,
he came out to Allen county and thence, the following year, to Montgom-
ery c(ninty, Kansas. He married, in April of 1872, Mary, a daughter of
Henry Dalley, whose children are: Harry, a bricklayer, of San Francis-
co, California : and Eftie, Ernest and Amy, young people at home.
MAKTIN ARM.STRONG— The subject of this review is one of the
best known of the early seKlers of Montgomery county, he having been
a resident here since 1870. Thomas Armstrong, his father, was a native
of Ohio, and the earlier members of the family are traceable back into
the old "Keystone State."
Thomas Armstrong married Maria Bussard and died, in his native
state, at the age of forty-nine years. The wife survived him many years
and died at the age of seventy-eight. They were the parents of nine chil-
dren: Martin, Edward ,B., Salem, who was accidentally killed; William,
George, also killed in, an accident; Duma, John, and Mary Catherine and
Margaret Ann, twins.
Martin Armstrong was horn in Pickaway county, Ohio, March 24,
1838, and was reared witii scanl o[)portunity for an education and in-
ured to the toil of the farm. For a wife, he chose Susanna A. Fox, born
in rickaway county, Marcli 20, 1840. She was the daughter of John
and Sarah A. (P.ussard) Fo.x, natives of Pennsylvania. To this marriage
were born: Lucnn, Zclda, Susanna, Henrv, I'zni. Eliza Jane, and
Mary K.
The liist wcslward move ot Mr. Armstioiig was iiia(l(> in 18(i;]. when
he went to lllindis;, whore lie remained seven years, engaged in agricultu-
ral [inrsnits. lie (hen came to Kansas, st()]i]iing in Linn county some
eighteen months, theme to Montgoiiieiy cuiinty. The year 1872, marks
the date of his settlement on the farm on wliieli he now resides, at which
time it was a bare one linndied and sixty, without a single improvement.
The first house on the i)lace was made of poles, but. in time, gave way to
the comfortable residence now occu])ied l)y the r.iiiiily, and, one by one,
the substantial im[)rovemenfs, now seen, were mldeil. The farm has been
the home of the family sim-e its first .setllenuMil. exrept. for a short pe-
riod, from liioti to H((i:!, which was spent iu the Indian Teriitory, chas-
ing that Will o' the Wisp, the raising of stock, in which so many have
IIISroKY OF MONTUOMEHY COUNTY, KANSAS. 579
sunk tlu'ir hard oaiiiod doUai's. There are four .hildrcn of the Arm-
stroufi family, viz: Noah, Ken, Amanda and Frank. Noah married Dora
Strohel. while Ken found a wife in Mabel Cla.ybauiih. and both have
homes of their own. Frank and Amanda are still residing at home. Mr.
Armstrong cares little for public life, ])referrin|i to eujo.y the (juiet of his
own home. Politically, he is independent, s«p|)orting the best men and
measures, roijardless of ])arty.
\V. A. COKMACK— Next in importance to the i)hysician of the soul
is the i>liysi(ian of the body. No one who lias sat with tense nerves and
bated breath, as the i)liysi(ian dia},fnosed the case of a smitten loved one,
but will agree that the man who holds the issues of life and death in his
hand, should be sober and sincei-e, of absolute honesty and thoroughly
versed in his profession. Many times it is not so much a case of medi-
cine. US of imi)licit confidence in the dispenser of the medicine. Among
the many physicians of high character in Montgomery county, none ia
more deserving of the truths uttered above, than the gentleman whose
name precedes this review, a general practitioner of medicine in Cherry-
vale for the past eighteen years.
Dr. Cormack came to Cherryvale from Carthage, Missouri, where he
had lived for five years, prior to which he had practiced some nine years
in Illinois. He is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincin-
nati,and is a thorough student of his profession, keeping his knowledge of
medical therapeutics up to date, by a close reading of the best medical
journals of the day, and by association with his fellow practitioners in
the difl'erent medical societies of the county and state.
The nativity of Dr. Cormack dates in Macoupin county. Illinois,
October 1, 1839. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Cormack. both now
deceased. The father died at fifty-two, while the mother lived to the
extreme old age of ninety-four years. They were both devout and life-
long members of the Methodist Episcopal chiirch and much respected
for their many noble qualities. Of the family of ten children which
they reared, five sons are still living.
The domestic life of our subject was entered \!])on in ISTti. ]\Irs.
Cormack was a native of Illinois, her maiden name was Miss L. E. Kan-
dall. She was a daughter of Woodson H. and Cameron Kandall. To
Dr. and Mrs. Cormack have been born two children. The eldest, Zoe E.,
grew to lovely girlhood, but the flower faded ere it had reached its full
beauty; she died at thirteen. I*;va L.. the second daughter, is yet a mem-
ber of the home circle.
The Doctor and his family are active members of the Methodist
church, while he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, having passed
through the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. Though taking lit-
580 HrSTOEY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
tlo interest in politics, the Doctor is always pleased to aid, by his vote,
the interests of the party of Lincoln and Garfield.
ALLISON C. DARROW— September 24, 1870, there settled In
Fawn Creek township, Montgomery county, one whose history has been
prominently connected with the farming interests of that locality since.
He began life there, as many others did at that time, by taking up a
claim, and his beginning was about as primitive as the record of any
pioneer settler will reveal. But time and the energy of man has worked
wonders in this portion of the west, the past third of a century, and A.
C. Dai-row has reaped a bountiful portion, as a reward for his share in
the work of transformation.
Chautauqua county, New York, was the birthplace of Allison C. Dar-
row. April 16, 1839, were his natal day and year and his parents were
Cornelius and Lucinda (Tillotson) Darrow. both native New York peo-
ple. The parents had seven children and the mother died in her native
state. The father migrated to Minnesota, in later life, and near Lan-
sing lies buried. Their children, surviving, are three: James E., Cather-
ine Augusta and Allison C.
The subject of this notice came lo mature years on the farm and
acquired a fair education in the country school. He went down into Vir-
ginia in Se])tember, 1801, and there, joined the Ninth New York Cavalry,
Company "F," with which he served till the end of the Civil war. He
was in the second Bull Run fight, was captured on the retreat and held
in parole camp, three months, when he was exchanged and at once re-
joined his regiment. He participated in the battles of the Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Fisher's Hill, Winchester and many smaller
ones, and was shot through the arm, at the battle of Trevillion Station.
He veteranized at the expiration of his first enlistment and was dis-
charged at Buffalo, New York, July 17, 1865. He took up farming, on
discarding his military uniform and remained in his native state till
1867. when he went to Michigan, where, in Ionia county, he was married,
September 7, of that year. l)irectly after his marriage, he came west to
Newton county, Missouri, from which point the young soldier-veteran
brought his little family to Kansas.
"The Harrows in Motifgoniery county" would be an appropriate and
interesting cliaiitci' of itself, if sjiace permitted the details of their strug-
gles, in their ciinib from tinancial obscurity to a high plain of financial
independence. With an ;i|)ology for its brevity, we oiler the simple, but
trite statement tli;i( "a long and strong |>uir' is explanatory of their suc-
cess. As the dimensions of Iheir estate have increased and its area has
approached the acreage of a section of land, it has been kept well stocked
with grades and the products of the farm, grains and cereals, have been
I
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COUNTY, KANSAS.
leased to aid, by ii
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!ie farm and
■wn into Vir-
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of the Civil war. He
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A. C. DARROW AND WIFE.
HISTORY OF XlONTfiOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 583
died iu England, Dpcrniber 23, ISO"), at the age of seveut.y five years.
The mother, soon after, came to this country and settled in Chicago,
where Sealy L. was reared until ho had entered his 'teens. He spent four
years in Canada, then returned to the Lake City and remained until 1878.
Circumstances combined, at this time, to turn his thoughts toward the
Great West, and, at sixteen, he started out to test the stories which had
so charmed his ear. He stoi)i>ed in Montgomery, and finding employ-
ment on a farm, resolved to here make Ids future home. Carefully hus-
banding his resources, he, in time, had saved sufficient to make the first
payment on the present farm of one hundred and thirty acres. Home
buiding has been a most ])leasant and profitable pastime for Mr. Brown.
He is one of (hose optimistic citizens who, like 1he groat bard of his na-
ti\i' lic.iMi. sees ''good in everything." He loves to help his friends, and
llicv (It liulii Id return it in kind. In business, he is most diligent. As
sIiiIimI .ilioM', he has, for years, given careful attention to hogs and poul-
try and has had most flattering success. At the Kansas City Convention
Hall stock show, in 1902, he entered a cockerel which scored 94yo points,
taking first prize among three hundred birds. This bird sold for more
money than was ever before paid for a single cockerel. Within the past
year, Mr. Brown has sold .|1,1GT..50 worth of eggs from his yards, ship-
ping them to all points in the United States.
Marriage, with Mr. Brown, was an event of -January 30, 1884. Jo-
hanna Ragan, his wife, was born in Jackson county, Missouri, on the
29th of August, 1804, the daughter of Joseph W. Ragan, a native of Ken-
tucky, and of Mary Edgington, of Towa. Soon after marriage, the Ra-
gans i-oltled in Kansas City, the father, in liis earlier life, being a teacher.
In 1809, the family came down into the then "wilds"' of Montgomery
county. Kansas, and filed on a claim, two and a half miles east of Coffey-
villo, Avhere. later, the town of Claymore was built, and where Mr. Ragan
conducted the first hotel thrown open to the public in the county. He
died at this place, in 187.5, aged forty-five. His wife survived him sev-
eral years, her age at death being fifty-one. Two of their six children are
now living: Mrs. Brown and Emily C. Bonilly. of Coffeyville. Mrs.
Brown was at that age, when the family sotliod in the county, when
events are deeply iniiiressod on the mind, and she, yet. holds in distinct
memory, many of the thrilling occurrences of that early day. The coun-
try was full of thieving Indians and worse white men. who kept her
father in a constant state of alei-tness. lest lie should lose everything
portable, in the way of stock and iin>iicvly. The security and i)eaceful-
ness of the present is in marked loniiast lo tlio.se days'of lawlessness.
Tc the home of :Mr. and Mrs. Brown have come Three bright children:
Thomas L.. Josejih A. and Edwin McKinley. The hitler name is an index
of the political faith of our subject, this bov being named after that noble
martyr president. Williiim McKiiilcv. Mr. Brown has no ],oli(i(al aspi-
584 HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
rations of his own. but delights in furthering the interests of his friends.
He Las developed into a fine worker in the different conventions of his
party, and is a member of the County Central Committee, and of the
Congressional Committee, as well.
JAMES C. SLAYBAUGH— In 1879, there landed on the town site of
Inde])endence, a seventeen -year-old "Buckeye" boy, full of the hopes of
young manhood and willing to dare and to do in the race of life. Without
waiting for something to turn up, he immediately got his lever under that
"something," turned it up and went to making clothes for the people. He
did this with such success that, fifteen years ago, he was able to buy a
nice farm and has since been living the independent life of a tiller of the
soil.
That boy was the gentleman whose honored name initiates this re-
view. He will be recognized by a large number of the best citizens of the
county as a man whose integrity is unsullied and whose citizenship is
of that high order which lifts the general level to the exalted plane
found in Montgomery Co. -Jas. ('. Slaybaugh was born in Richland coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1862; the son of John F. and Margaret (Rodgers) Slay-
baugli. The father was a worker in iron and also a farmer. He passed
the earlier part of his life in Richland county, in the "Buckeye State,"
and moved, thence, to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where he died, Feb-
ruary 15, 1902, his wife having passed away at an earlier date, at forty-
three years of age. They were the parents of eight children, of whom
five i'.re now living: David lives in Michigan; Nettie married Eugene
Dahlam and lives in Jackson. Michigan; the third child was our subject;
Isaac lives in Michigan: Frank onlislcd in the Spanish war and has not
since been heard from.
James secured a fair education and early discovered an independ-
ence of character which has become his distinguishing feature. In 1879,
he left home and set out for the far west, resolved to test what hard
work would do for a man in Kansas. When he landed in the state, he was
without capital save a stout heart and a willing mind, two elements,
however, which must necessarily |ire(l(uiiinate. whether one has financial
backiiig or not. He at once ajii>rcnlicc(l himself to a tailor in ludepend-
ence and tlioronglily learned Ilial trade He still works at it, at times,
though he lias. f(ir a ininihcr of ycais, occupied himself, in large part,
with farming. In 1888, he j)urcliased a farm, f(mr miles east of Inde-
pemience, where he has since continued to reside. He has here a fine
farm of eighty acres, under a good state of cultivation. Its value is en-
hanced by 1h(' fact that if is in tlic gas licit, and Mr. Slaybaugh has it
leased for a number of yeai's.
The married life of our subject has been one of much felicity, begin-
ISAAC LINDLEY AND ELIZABETH LINDLEY.
iu poliiica
though not
MiHs Kose I.
l.inTnn. n '
f a good hoi
>•>#«
m&^.
HISTORY OF MOXTGOMERV COUNTY, KANSAS. 585
ninsi in 1805. the lady now liis wiiV haviiif; lieen Miss Rose Linton. She
IS the (laujihter of W. II. and Snsan (Hickettt Linton, a miller and
intockinan of Cherryvale. Kansas. The Lintons aie also Ohio people. Mrs.
Slaybaugh is one of a fainil.v of fonr livinji children : William J., Francis
and Henry being the other members.
In politieal belief, ilr. Slaybangh atliliates with the Republican par-
ty, though not given much to ixilitics.
REV. ISAAC LINDLEY— The history of Kansas, as well as that of
the nation, may not be written without prominent mention of the sect
known as Quakers, or Friends. From the days of their public whipping
in the .streets of Boston, for the sake of their religion, to these piping
times of peace, is a long stretch in time, but not greater than the change
which has taken place in the hearts of Christendom concerning this pure-
minded, holy-living people. While opposed to war. the Quaker was in
honorable evidence in tlie strenuous days of the fifties, in Kansas, and
when freedom's debt was paid and the floodgates of the eastern tide of
emigration were thrown open, he was found in goodly numbers, in the
advancing throng. Montgomery county, early, became the center of a
Quaker community. Avhose splendid influence on the county's moral de
velopment cannot be estimated, and is still felt in evei'-widening circles.
The pastor of this denomination in Independence is the gentleman whom
the biographer will sketch below, and whose name precedes this review.
Rev. Lindley was born in Parke county. Indiana, August 5, 1833,
of southern Quaker stock; his father. David Lindley, being a native of
North Carolina, and his mother, Kancy Stalcup, of Tennessee. The
father was but sixteen years of age when his parents, actuated by a
growing repugnance to the institution of slavery, removed to Orange
county, Indiana. They, later, removed to Green county, where David and
Nancy were married and resided until 1832. thence to Parke county,
which remained their home to the time of their death. The wife died
in 1S."2, at the age of forty-six, the husband in 1881. at seventy-six years.
David Lindley was a strong Abolitionist, and was active in furthering
the eflectiveness of the '"underground railroad," a branch of which passed
but a few miles from his home. Their family consisted of eight children,
three of whom are still living : George, a farmer of this county ; Cather-
ine, widow of Monroe Elmore and, later, widow of William Ray, the
former a gallant soldier, who gave up his life at the battle of Peach Or-
chard.
Rev. Lindley was reared 'mid the refining influences of a good home,
his primary education being carefully attended to in a Friends' school.
Having advanced far enough to enter the school room as a teacher, he
alternately taught and went to school, paying his own expenses at an
586 UISTOKV (»1- Mll.Nr(;().MKl!Y COUNTY, KANSAS.
academy ;ir Ulooiniiifidalo, Indijuia. In 1850, he was elected Surveyor
of Parke coniity. being, subsequently, reelected twice and appointed once.
He then inherited a farm from his father and gave his attention to that
until his coming to Kansas in 1881. Here he purchased a farm of one
hundred and fifty three acres, in Independence township, which he culti-
vated for several years, when he i-emoved to Independence and assumed
the jiasiorate of the Friends' church, a work which he has continued
since.
Kev. Liiuilcy is an caiiicst worker in the ^Master's vineyard, and his
labors have not been without fruitage. He has passed several years in
the service, having begun in 1873, to speak for his Master. Mrs. Lindley
has also been an excellent worker, and is superintendent of evangelistic
and pastoral work of the Elk River Conference. Prior to March 1, 1860,
the date of her marriage to Rev. Lindley, she was Elizabeth Woody,
daughter of James and Margaret AVoody, of Indiana. These parents were
also southern Quakers from North Carolina, coming to Indiana in 1829,
where the father was a blacksmith and farmer. They continued to reside
in the state until their demise, which occurred, father, November 30,
1893, and the mother, September 2, 1897. They reared a family of ten
children, as follows: Jehu H., of Kingman, Indiana; John W., farmer
of Montgomery county; Mary A., deceased wife of Thomas Hadley;
Brice, who died in young manhood; Levi, of Kingman, Indiana; Eliza-
beth, Sarah, Mrs. (Jeorge M. Lindley, of Parke county, Indiana; Han-
nah, Mrs. Hiram Lindley, of Parke county, Indiana; Lot L., of Berkley,
Califoinia ; and Jane, deceased in childhood.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lindley have been born eleven children, as follows:
Ruth J., Mrs. C. E. Morgan, whose children are mentioned herein; Pat-
rick II., referred to on another page in this volume; Hannah C, whose first
husband was W. Adkinson and who is now Mrs. William Baker, has chil-
dren : Laura, Nettie, Byron and Opha ; David J., married Flora Robert-
son and has children: Lessie E. and F^iy J.; Mary S., Mrs. A. E. Harvey,
with children : lola B., Hazel, deceased, James A., Isaac L., Martha E.
and Ruth G. ; Levi G., who married Eva Neel, has a child, Ralph; Barna-
bas Ilobbs, married Ida Mason and has one child, Rex; Elwood S., mar-
ried Millie Parkhurst, with children: Carl and Osee B. ; Howard M., a
base ball player, of T^avenworth, Kansas; William F.. a teacher; and
Hattie J., high school student. All of these children live within the con-
fines of the county and are upright and useful citizens. Rev. and Mrs.
Lindley are passing, serenely, along the latter part of life's journey, hap-
py in the esteem of a large circle of friends, and blessed by the love
of their children and grandchildren. Their influence is as an ever widen-
ing wavelet, whose onward journey shall not cease until it laps the
shores of eteriiitv.
HISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 589
corporate limits. Though not as actively engaged as formerly, Mr.
Hawkins still looks after his farm property, resolved to "wear out"
rather than "rust out." The years of his residence in this county have
been marked by usefulness as a citizen.
The home" life of Mr. Hawkins was initiated on February 8, 1874,
when he was joined in marriage with Mary L. Geyer. Mrs. Hawkins is
a native of Iowa, a daughter of A. and Rebecca Jane (Tarr) Geyer, both
parents natives of Ohio. They lived in Ohio for a time and then removed
to Indiana, some time in the fifties, later to Iowa and, in 1870, located
in Montgomery county, Kansas. The occupation of the father was
farming and he passed his life in that peaceful avocation, his death oc-
curring August 26, 1876, at the age of fifty years. He was a consistent
member of the Methodist church, as is also his wife, who is now a resi-
dent of Cofl'eyville, and aged seventy-eight years. Mrs. Hawkins is a
member of a family of six children : William R., Mrs. Martha A. Fuller,
Elizabeth A. Shultz, Isaac L. and Mrs. Ella Blackwell. To the marriage
of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins there have been born five children : Jennie S.,
who married Clair Wilson and resides on a farm in this county with her
daughtei', Mary Olive; Joe R. is a clerk in Cofl'eyville; Andrew resides
on the farm ; Oliver and George are school children.
Mrs. Hawkins is a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Hawkins has never joined any of the secret orders and in
political belief, favors the Republican party. He is a most genial and
companionable gentleman, and his observant nature has been such as to
gain much valuable knowledge in the line of his travels throughout the
western country. His mind is well stored with many interesting anec-
dotes, scenes and incidents relating to his journey. Possessed of excel-
lent judgment and untiring energy, he has prospered in his business af-
fairs and has the good will and regard of all those with whom he has been
associated. Mrs. Hawkins, though of late years an invalid, is of obvious
gentleness and refinement, and both she and- her husband are held in uni-
form esteem in the best circles of Coffeyville.
JOHN S. ORR — One of the leading citizens of Montgomery county
and a gentleman prominent in both civil and religious matters, is the
honored bearer of the name which precedes this sketch, a man whom to
know is to revere for his many noble attributes of character. Mr. Orr
has been a resident of the county but a few years, but in that time he
has become a permanent citizen. He lives in a handsome new cottage
on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one mile east of the village
of Havana, where he is successfully engaged in stock raising and general
farming.
John S. Orr is a native of Missouri, where he was born, in Davis
590 iiisToisY (ii- M(i\ri;(i,Mioi;v cdrN'i'v, Kansas.
<(>uiu\. Mar.li L'!t. 1S»;(», 111.- son ..f .|„liii (1. jind 1 (oicas iKo.y.Mi On', ihe
latter now an iniatc of (lie son's lionie, at ilic advanced age of seventy-
eight years. The father was a native of Kentncky, but who. early in life,
went over iiilo Indiana, wlieic he came to man's estate, being given a
good education in the schools of Terre Haute. He was ,i icaclicr in the
schools of that ]dace, for a peiiod, in his young niaiili<iiid and llien went
to Di.vis county. Missouri, where, in ISr.S, he was iiiaiiicd to the lady
mentioned alxive. They continued (heir residence in thai county until
ISIif.. To thcMii were hinu ele\'eii children, all of whom are living but one.
Their naiTies follow: Martha A., wife of tlideon (Jilrcath: Hannah .1..
:Mrs. K. \\. Prewi-tt; Mary !>., wife (.f James Koger; Margaiel. now :Mrs.
l^e Hharp: Catherine M., wife of William (iilrealli; Lettie. wife of
Charles A. I'.urke: Thomas, Koberl and llattie, wif.- <.l W. H. Freeman.
-Ic'lui S. <»rr was llie (dd<-st of tliis large family, lie was i-eared in
l>a\is and •lack.'^on counties, Mis.soiiri, and given a good coiiiiihih sihool
ednciiion. .\i llie age of eighteen, he left home and came to Montgomery
conn I \ Kaiis.is. securing work on a farm, near lnde|iendence. He re-
mained a ciiizen of (he county until after his marriage.Feb7-uary 7. 1889.
when he renioviMl to (he Territory and spent the succeeding twelve years
there, engaged in stock raising, making it a nnisl profitable business. In
mm. he l-ame back to Mt.nlgcunery county ami has remained here sime.
The maiden name of Mrs. Orr was Alfa I'.rowii. She was the
daughter of I'erry and Elizabeth ISrown and was born in .lacks. mi .•.iiinty.
Miss.)iiri. on the' 1st of January, 187(1. Her i.ar.Mils c,iiii.' to Kansas in
187:.' and settli'd in M.mtgomery conniy. Th.'r.' w.m-.' iMglit cliil.lieii in
the familv.
To the m.irriage of Mr. and Mrs. (hr, was b.)fn. f;isi.' Ma.v. a b.-aiili-
ful little daughter, now (ive years old.
Both ^Ir. and Mrs. Orr are active in religious alfairs. 1ia\ing been
members of the Christian church many years, and gixcn liberally in time
and money to the snpi>ort of that firganization. At dilferent j.eriods.
^Ir. Orr has served in (he offices of deacon and elder. In political attiil-
iation. lie is a sup[>orter of the party of Jetferson and takes an active in-
terest in advancing its principles. lie is now serving his second term
as township clerk. Fraternally, he is an active member of the Modern
Woodinen and the A. H. T. A.
ADAM R FEir Of the substantial farmers wli.. have ma.le a snc-
•ess of their occupation in Montgomery county. n.)iie is m.n.' w.ntliy of
<]>ecial commendation (lian Adam Feil, a stockman i-.si.lini; on a lour
mnilred and eighty aci'e tract, near the state line, five mii.-s southeast
>f Coll'eyville. Mr. Feil has Ijeeu in the ccniuty sin.-e 1S7S and has a.-
•umtilated a valuable property in that time, by hard work and careful
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 591
niiiiiiijiiMiioiit. He .stuiids deservedly hiph in tlie estimation of liis neigh-
bors, and is a citizen wiiosc jiresence within the county's bounds adds
strength.
Adam Fell is a German, born and bred. The date of his birth was
the 2()th of December, 1839, the place Baden, (Jermany. He was reared
on a farm in the Fatherland, receiving a fair education, and, like all
German youths, gave three of the best years of his life 'to the service of
his country in the army. At the age of twenty-five he began to think
of establishing himself in a home, and thus found his thoughts turned
toward the great republic where homes wci-e to be had for the asking. He
landed in St. Louis in lS(i4 and soon went to Moniteau county, Missouri,
where he worked at farm labor and rented land until 1870. He spent
the following eight years in Marshall county, Kansas, and in Texas, from
which state he returned, in 1878, and located on one hundred and sixty
acres of his present farm. Up to this period, Mr. Fell had not made
much headway, foi-, altliough he had brought .f.'jOO with him from the old
country, his losses had about equalled his gains. From the date of his
settlement in Mdntgoniery, however, matters began to "pick up" with
him, and he has steadily kept on the upgrade. His farm is considered
one of the best stock farms in the county, he having placed many valua-
ble improvements on it and brought it to a high state of cultivation.
As intimated above, Mr. Feil's citizenship has been of a high order,
the respect in which he is held being attested by the fact that he has
served a number of terms on the school board and in various positions of
trust. In matters of political moment, he acts with the Populist party,
contenting himself with helping such of his friends as aspire to oflSce.
]V[r. Fell was in no haste to enter the married state, being what
might be regarded as a confirmed bachelor when he met the lady whose
presence in his home now makes life worth the living. The marriage was
consummated in 1880, in Montgomery county. Mrs. Fell was Miss Win-
nie Morgan, who came to Kansas from her native State of Indiana, in
1871. To the marriage have been born five childi"en : -Tohn and Susie
(twins) died in infancy; those living are: Bernhardt, Minnie and Gus-
tavus.
Rich in the qualities which go to make up a solid character, and
well-to-do in the material things of this life. Mr. Fell has every reason
to congratulate himself on having achieved a success which is all the
more gratifying since it- is the result of his own unaided efforts.
(JEORGE BURGHART— On a sj.lendid farm of two hundred acres,
four miles northeast of Coffeyville, lives George Burghart, who has,
since 1875, been prominently identified with the development of Mont-
gomery county. He came to the county in straightened circumstances
592 iiisimtv i>i- M((NT(;uMi;i;v i(ir\i'v, Kansas.
and l>v ilirifl and (•(•(•udni.v, lias Ix'conit' llic owner of oiu' of the best farm
properties in his section.
Mr. Burj-hart is a nati\(> of (lie •I'.ncke.ve Stale," horn near Cleve-
hind, on the :ilst of April, 184:'.. lie was of (iernian descent, the son of
Lawience and CalluMine ( M.yers) I'.urj>harl, both of whom were natives
of Germany. The parent.s came to America as children and were mar-
ried, in Oliio. in IHtr,. Thc.v moved out to .Milwaukee. \A'isconsin, where
the father abandoned his trade of jeweler and look u]) fariiiinjr. He died
in that state, at the a^e of eif;ht.v-three, his wife havin<i passed away
many years previ<»us. Only three of their eijilil children are now living:
Daniel, Henry and ( ieor^e.
(ieor,ge Bui'f'liarl was but two years old when the family moved to
Wisconsin. Here, he was reared to farm life and n^ceived but an ordi-
nary educati(m. He was liusily engaged on the home farm when the toc-
sin of war resounded tliroujih the land. He was not of military a.^e until
]8()2. in which year he enlisted as a private in (V)mj)any "K." Twenty-
foiirtii Wisconsin Vcduiitecr Infantiy. lie served in this regiment for
one year and was then discharged on account of di.sability. The period
of lli^ service was one of great activity and he saw some of the severest
baltlcs (.f the war; at I'erryville and Stone Kiver, and in many smaller
skiruiishes in the middle we.st.
After tiie wai', Mr. IJurghart continued farm life and, in 1809, was
nuirried to Mary 10., daughter of Isaac A. and Elizabeth (Eichard)
Simpson. Mrs. I'.ui'gliart was born in Danville, Illinois, on the 18th of
]\Iay, 1849. Her father was a native of Chandtersville. Indiana, and her
mother of Jonesboro, Tennessee. They were mai-ried in Danville, where
the father still i-esides, at the advanced age of eighty, his wife having
died many years befoie. Their eight children were: John S.. of Hoopes-
ton, Illinois; Benjamin I., of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Mrs. Jane Mc-
("orklc, of Chicago; Mrs. Anna WaKon, of Los Angeles. California;
Lillie B. Simpson, of same place; and .Mrs. Sue Stadler. of Nevada,
Missouri.
After six years (»f hard, grinding labor, in an attempt to get a home
in Illinois, Mr. and Mis. ISurghart turned their faces toward the "Sun
(lower State." The journey was made overland, in 1875. with an outfit
which was conipo.sed of a liorse, a mule and a wagon, all of "uncertian"
age. The company consisted of Mr. and Mis. Burgliart and their three
children. Mr. Biirghai-t had traded for a "jiaiier" farm while in Illi-
nois, and when he arrived in Kan.sas, found it to be a worihless jiiece
of land, thus losing what money he had advanced, rndisconraged. how
ever, they rented a farm in Montgomery county, on which they i-esided
for five years, a period attended with tlie greatest hardshiiis; bni by
persistent effort and the exercise of strictest econcmiy they, at last, sue
ceeded in making the first payment on their ](i-esent farm.
iiisToitv OK Mi).\T(;oMi:iiy coitnty, Kansas. 593
This farm was virgin priarie and it was many ycais lieforo the com-
fortable home in which they now reside was Imilt. Kvery fence and tree
and building on it indicates the labor which they have exj.ended. and
shows what persistent and consistent effort will do in southern Kansas.
To the original forty acres, another one hundred and sixty lias been
added and many substantial improvements have been placed on the
farm.
The past has Imm'u one of severe labor for Mr. Burghart and his
family, but they can rest secure in the i)ossession of sutlicient property
to carry them comfortably through their declining years. His family
consists of six children: Lula J., wife of Theodore Jordon. of Parsons;
Gordon S., who lives in Oklahoma; Lillie, wife of Ed. Brown, of Coffey-
ville; Gwynne, Loyal and Nina are children at home.
While giving his undivided attention to the improvement of his
farm, Mr. Burghart has taken a citizen's interest in the institutions of
society about him, and has always given his influence to the betterment
of locjil conditions, in matters of education and religion. He is a staunch
Republican in politics, and both be and his family are ajnong the coun
tv's best citizens.
LUCIUS T. BARBOUR— May the days never come when the glo-
rious deeds of the boys in blue, during the sixties, shall be less potent
in the teaching of patriotism to the youth of our country. Their fame
is deathless — their honor should be lasting, and when the last one shall
respond to "taps," a grateful nation should cherish their memory in
marble shaft and "storied urn."
One of the most respected of the old soldier element, in Montgomery
county, is the gentleman whose name precedes this paragraph. He is one
of the oldest .settlers of the county, and, during his residence here, has
made for himself and family, a warm place in the hearts of a wide ac-
quaintance.
The family of which Mr. Barbour is a descendent, settled in Windsor,
Connecticut, in the person of Thomas Barbour, early in the seventeenth
century. Dr. Barbour, one of his posterity, settled in Limesburg, Con-
necticut, and became the progenitor of the' branch of the family of
which our subject is a member. A distinguishing characteristic of the
family, is its productiveness and extreme longevity, a small family of
children rarely being found in the list.
Lucius T. Barbour was born in Ft. Wayne, Allen county, Indiana.
September 2, 1841. He is a son of Myram S. Barbour, a native of New
York, and Jane Sutenfield, who was noted as being the first white child
born in Ft. Wayne. Myram Barbour was a pioneer school teacher in
that town, and taught school for a number of years, following 1835. Ho
594 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
was i ]>roiiiiiH'iit factor in the growth of that city, and went to Califor-
nia, at the time of the gold excitement of 1849, but returned and lived
out his last years in Ft. Wayne, dying at the extreme age of ninety-three
yeai's. He was a strong supporter of the government during the days
of till' Civil war, and did much to encourage loyal sentiment in his com-
iiiunily. The Sutenfields were also pioneers of that portion of Indiana.
Mrs. JJarbour's father having built the first house in Ft. Wayne. The
latter was prominent in the military life of that section, and was com-
mander of the Fort at that point, for a number of years, under General
Wayne.
Mr. n.nlioiir was reared in Ft. Wayne, receiving a good primarj-
education, and was in the midst of a collegiate course at Antioch College,
Low Springs, Oiiio, when the war cloud burst with such fury as to carry
all i),<triotic young nien into the sei'vice. The Barbour blood was not
such as to withstand the temptations of an army experience, especially
when an undivided country was at stake. Our subject made several
attempts to enlist, running away from school several times, but each
time l)eing balked in his efforts, by his father. However, in 1862, he suc-
ceeded in enlisting in Company "H," Twelfth Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry. He had not long to wait for the smell of powder, for, in five
houis after he took the oath, he was under fire, in the battle of Richmond,
Kentucky. Here, he was severely wounded in the left leg, the wounding
bullet being in his possession, as a memento of that incident. After a
period in the hospital, he rejoined his i-egiment, and, during the yeai's
that followed, particii)ated in seventeen hard-fought battles of the war.
He was wounded, again, at the battle of Missionary Ridge, receiving a
ball through his jaw, losing the left side of the upper jaw, and five of
his teeth. This wound was more serious than the former one, and he
returned home, on an extended furlough. Besides being wounded twice,
Mr. Barbour was captured by the enemy, on the 22d day of July, 1863.
He was sent to Andersonville prison, later being transferred to Flor-
ence, and, again, to Charleston, South Carolina, spending, in all, nine
months and twenty days in the foul piison pens of the South. At the
time of his exchange, he had become so inKiclated, that he weighed but
seventy-two pounds, and was so weak dial he <()uld not stand alone.
jMr. Barbour was with the regiment in that greatest sjnTtaile of the
age, the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, where he icrcivcil his dis-
charge, in June of 1865. He had given four years of earnest and loyal
service to secure the perpetuity of the Republic, founded by our fathers,
and returned home with the consciousness of duty well and faithfully
done.
Il was several years before Mr. Barbour was able to engage actively
in the battle of life, but, after a time, he engaged in the drug business
in Warsaw. In 188."), he came out to the "Soldier State," first settling
IllSTOItV OF MO.VTCOMKKY rolNTY, KANSAS. 595
in Ljiwrciicc, wlicrc he cnjiiigcd in tlip <;ro(eiy bnsinoss. Aftpr a jieriod,
he :i((i'i>(ed a position in the Santa Fo railway shops at Topeka, and. in
1SS7, came to MontjionuMV counly. Uove. ho ]mr(liasod a farm of three
hundred and sixty-five aeres. ni.oii which he has since resided. Tt is sit-
uated seven miles nortliwest of ('otfeyvilie. in Fawn Creel; township.
From tlie comfortable farm house to the substantial buidings for his
stock, and to the well-kept fields, there is that air of thrift and enter-
l.rise. which bespeaks the master hand of the intelligent agriculturist.
He makes a specialty of thoroughbred Hereford stock, and, also, gives
iinirii :iitenti(m to the raising of registered trotting horses, some of
w hicli. in past years, have made very good records on the track. There
is a ucod gas well on the farm, and his house and barns are all furnished
with light and heat from this medium. ;Mr. Barbour takes an intelligent
and patriotic interest in the atfairs of local government, and has served
as trustee of Fawn Creek township. In jiolitics, he is a staunch Repub
lican.
Marriage was contracted by our subject on the 14th of October.
1S81. his wife's maiden name having been Alice Hoover, by whom there
were born four children : Edna, Harry, Jesse and McKinley. By a former
marriage, to Peter Hoover, Mrs. Barbour had three children : Charles,
Clara, ami Myron, deceased. (Mr. Barbour passed away, April 22. 19(13.)
•lOTlX W. WALKER— One of the old-time settlers of the county
and one who is honorably associated with its history, is the subject of
this notice. He was born in Ohio, March 8. 1845, and is a son of Wil-
liam ^A'alker. a native Scotchman, who left home when a boy and went
aboard a ship, as a sailor. He remained in this capacity for ten years,
during which time he sailed all over the world, landing in America about
1S3.5. Here, he was employed at steamboating on the Mississippi river,
and was one of the crew on the boat sent up the Arkansas river, bv the
Covernment, to pay off the Indians at Fort Gibson.
William Walker married Martha Work and came to Missouri, in
1868, and settled near Jopliu, where he died, in 1891, at the age of eighty-
one years, his wife dying, in 1886, at sixty-four years old. They were
the parents of eight children, four of whom are living.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest of his father's family. He
\\as leared in Ohio, on a farm, and lived with his parents until he was
tweniy-one years of age. His education was received in the common
schools and he graduated, in penmanship and bookkeeping, from Duff's
r.usiness College, at Pittsburg. Pennsylvania. He came to Missouri, in
1S68, and settled in ■Tasi)pr county, where he remained two years.' In
lSt;S, he married JIary Rothanbargar. a native of Missouri, and. in the
sanie year, moved to Kansas and located in Old Parker, where he spent
596 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
a year in tlio grocery business. He then bonglit a claim, and furnished
the UHMiey to prove up on the one where he now resides. This he improved
until it is one of the fine farms of his neighborhood, with substantial
buildings, among which are a large barn with stone basement. There is
also n large cellar, built by Mr. Walker himself. He is engaged in fruit
farming and hog raising, for the market. He has one hundred and fifty
acres on Onion creek, six miles west of Coffeyville, devoted largely to
alfalfa and kindred products of the farm.
Mr. Walker was a resident of this county before the treaty was made
with the Indians and saw plenty of them in camp on his farm.
After the death of his wife, in 1884, he spent the time, till 1892, in
Texas and Oklahoma. After four years more, spent in his old home in
Missouri, where he went to settle his father's estate, he returned, in 1896,
to his Kansas home. There were five children in the family, viz: William,
who died in 1902, at thirty-two years of age; Laura, who died at six
months old; Albert and Clara, still at home; Benjamin, who was, upon
the death of his mother, adopted and reared by J. R. Jones.
In politics, Mr. Walker is a Democi-at, but prefers to support the
man, regardless of jiolitics. He has served several terms in minor of-
fices, having bi-en clerk of the township for some time. He is an in-
dustrious and honored citizen.
BRIDGET MI:A(;HER— For the i»ast thirty years the lady whose
name appears aboNC. has been an honored resident of Montgomery
county, together with her husliaud and children; his death having occur-
red on the home farm, on the 1.5th of March, 1888. She is the widow of
Thomas Meagher, a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, where he was
born, in 181.5. Mr. Meagher was a gentleman who possessed, in a happy
degree, the sturdy characteristics of his race and was mourned by a
large circle of friends, at his death. He was a devout communicant of
the Roman Catholic church, and, in political belief, was a Democrat.
At the breaking out of the Mexican war, he volunteered for service, and
was a member of the body guard of General Taylor, during his campaign
in Mexico.
Mrs. Meagher was, also, of Irish extraction, having been born in
County Tipperary, in the year 1824. She was a daughter of Patrick Mc-
Cormick and removed, with her parents, to the United States, in 1841,
and located in New York City, where they lived for the succeeding four
years. Mrs. Meagher was joined in marriage, February 2, 1852, with
Thomas Meagher, in Iowa. They lived there until 1873, when they set-
tled in Montgomery county. To Mrs. Meagher were born : Kate — Jan-
uary 5, 18.5.3— who married William Mackle, hotel proprietor, in Caney,
Kansas; she is the mother of eight children, five of whom are living
JUDGE DANIEL CLINE.
^EHT COtWTT, ir*»fW
i/^
■ ^ ^ 9: {
k •«'•••»•<
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTY, KANSAS. 597
as follows: Thomas .]., .James W., Edward, Lulu and Aunio. Elizabeth,
the soroiid, was boi'n Octobei- 24, 1876, and is the wife of I'atrick Kel-
ley, and lives near Canev. Her children are: James, Annie, Agnes,
Maggie. Katie. William. Frank and John. Frank, the third child, is a
farmer of Rutland township and is married to Carry Garr and ha.s
three children: Dora, Nora and Olive. James is the fourth child, lives
in Oklalionia, and his wife is Nelliie Ashland. Thomas, the fifth child,
resides in I.os .Vngeles, California. Daniel, the youngest son, resides
with his mother on the home farm. These children were all born in
Clinton counly. Iowa, where the family resided, jii-ior to their coming
to Kansas.
DANIEL CLINE— Daniel Cline is one of the old guard of pioneer
farmers who came to Montgomery county in the early day, braved the
hardships incident to life at that period, reared a large family, served his
township and county in offices of both trust and profit, and now lives
in a comfortable home in Independence, enjoying the fruits of his hard
labor and careful management.
He was born in Carroll county,' Indiana, February 22, 1835, the son
of Jacob and Mary (Shirar) Cline. The i)arents were both born in Ger-
many, the father in 180G, the mother in 1795. Jacob Cline came to this
country, in early youth, and settled in Corroll county, Indiana, where
he passed his life, engaged in the saw-mill business and in tilling the
soil. He was of a fainily of six children : Michael, Leonai'd, George,
Daniel, .John and Phoebe.
Daniel Cline was reared on the farm and remained at home until
his marriage, in November of 1857. The first event of importance, after
this, was the breaking out of the Civil war, which found him ready to
do aLd die for his country. June 18, 1862, he enlisted, as a private, in
Company "A," of the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This
company formed a part of Wilder's Brigade of Mounted Infantry and
went through the war in that position, participating in the battles and
marches accredited to that celebrated corps. Mr. Cline served, faith-
fully, during three years of the war and then retired to the walks of
peace, conscious of having done his full duty. He continued to reside
in Indiana, until 1868, and then joined the tide of emigration, westward
bound, for the new State of Kansas. He first located in Douglas county,
but, the following year, came on to Montgomery, where he settled on a
farm, seven miles southwest of Independence. This farm he continued
to cultivate, with success, until his retirement and subsequent removal
to the city, in 1890.
Mr. Cline always took a keen interest in public affairs and was se-
lected, at different times, to fill offices of public trust. In 1873 and 1874,
,59s lllSTdUV (IF MONTCOMEKY COrNTY. KANSAS.
lie \v:is clcricd idwnsliiii Inislcc: in IST.'). tieiisiiicv ; :ii;ain, liuslee. in
ISTti. ;mtl licasiircr. in ISTT. Ilr ilicii continued to adniinistei" this of-
ticc. inilil liis ('Icciiun. as jiisiiic of tlic iicacc. in 18S1.'. which he lield two
v('ai%s. In ISDO, lie was iionorcd wiili election to the ottice of I'rohate
Judge of the county, and. aijain. in ISDii. seivini: four years in ttie ofHee.
F!"iteinally. Mr. ('line is a nuMuher of the I. < ). O. F. and, also, has
a niendiershii) in the (irand .\rniy of tlie h'ej.iililic.
The maiden name of llie wife of Daniel ('line was Sarah .1. i'.oyer.
renniM'd. willi lie; family. h> I'.nrlini^ion. Carroll conniy. Indiana, where
she. laicr. niarrird Mr, I'liii.'. as stated al)ove.
Mr. and Mrs. Cline rcai-ed the followinji family: Kosanna. married
\V. F .McConnell, lilacksmil li and fainier. of 'nolton. Mont.iiomery connty;
children: -1. W.. i:dna. Tax lor an.l l.c^sie; Isaac Xewlnn. deceased at
eisihleen nionilis; lOli/.al.ei h .1., wife ,,( William T. Hockeli. She is now
deceased. leavin.i; three children: .Mary. Clyde and Wardie. :\lahala
.Mar-^aref. married Henry Sanders: fonr children: Lillie. Fred. Fdgai'
and I'^rnie; .Mary Caroline, wife of S, II. Conner, a farmer, seven miles
sonlliwesf of Indejiendence ; children: Olie. Nellie. Estlier. T^eslie and
Dani(d. Rebecca A., wife of Isaac I ). < (berlioltzer. of TniU'iieTidcnce;
childien : Edith. Kalph. Harold and Paul; Ida Belle, wife of Fhilip Near,
a plund)er of Erie. Kansas; one eliild : Elsie. By her first marriage, to
A. W. I'.etts, there were the following cliildren : Eoy. Carl, deceased, and
Fern: Charles Thomas died at the age of sixteen years; Olive May,
wife of .M. L. I'^inley. an emjdoyee of the glass works in Independence,
(ii:()K(if: II. DrCKWOKTH— A gentleman who has tlnn'oughly
ideniitjed himscdf with Cotfeyville and has been responsible for much
of the spirit of restless energy which characterizes the business element
there, is (leorge H. Duckworth, since 1888, engaged in the real estate
.Ml-. Dnckworlh is of Kentmky birth. Bath conniy the jdace, and
•lannary '2. l.s;!4. the time. He is a son of .Tohn and Catherine (Moore)
1 »nc-kw(>r(li, who were wellto-do farmers in the "Blue Grass State,"
living nnostentatious, but useful lives, and passing to their rest with
the love and res]iect of family and friends. They were deeply devout
and active mendx'rs of the Methodist church, and their home was always
open to the men of (iod. who took njton themselves the hard life of the
itiTierant minister. The fathei- lived to he sixty years of age, dying in
1S4S. the moih(M- surviving him twelve years, her age, at death, being
lift\ >e\cn. Their three living children are: George H., James J., a re-
tired farmer, of North Salem, Indiana; and Juelda, widow of Jacob
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 6oi
ary 10. 1S(»7. Her jiarents came to the state from Iowa, in 18(>(), and
died young, the father a( forty two, and the mother at twenty-eight years.
The father served th<- fnll period of the war, as First Lieutenant of Com-
pany "C," Fourteentii Kan.sas Volunteer Infantry. There were four
children l)orn to the parents, those now living being: .Tennie, who mar-
ried A. C. Ward; William, and Mrs. Hamilton. To Mrs. Hamilton has
been born a son, (Maude, his birth occurring September 24. 1887.
RKX.I.VMIX F. UlTTFR Ilenjaniin F. Kitter was born in Stark
count.^. Ohio, on the lOtli day of Septendter, 1S:}7. Ilis father was Henry
Ritter. a native of .Vdams county, rennsylvania, who went to Ohio in
1812 iind, in 18o2, went to Indiana, at which time Indians were plenti-
ful in Ohio. He settled in Allen county, near Fort Wayne, Indiana,
where he died, in 1871, at seventy-four years of age. His wife died at
the age of sixty-si.x. There were eight children in this family, of whom
only two are living, viz: Benjamin F. and Adeline JIcDowell, the latter
a resident of Texas.
Mr. Ritter was only fifteen years old when his father nuived to In-
diana. Here, he received a common .school education and remained with
his parents until he was twenty-one years old. On the 22d of August,
1861, when twenty-four years old, he enlisted in Company "D," Thir-
tieth Indiana Infantry. He served till the 9th of September, 1862, when
he was discharged on account of disability, caused by sunstroke. He was
in the battle of Shiloh and several snuiller engagements. After his dis-
charge, he returned home and married, January 1, 1863, Mary E. Petty-
john. Mr. Ritter lived in Allen county and followed the occupation of a
farmer until 1885, when he came to Kansas and bought the farm where
he now resides. He owns one hundred and twenty acres, which he has
improved and on which stands a substantial stone residence. Mrs. Mary
E. Ritter died at the age of fifty-two years, on the twenty-eighth day of
July, 189-1, leaving eight children: John, Charles, George, Henry, Frank,
Ella, Jessie J. and Deborah, Mr. Ritter was married, the second time,
to Al'ce Parker, in 1899.
-Mr. Ritter has taken some interest in politics and has served as trus-
tee of the townsliip. He is a man of iionesty, of great integrity, and has
all thf qualities that go to make him a desirable resident of the county.
O. EVANS — Well and widely known and respected, among the
farmers and stockraiser.s of Montgomery county, is O. Evans, the sub-
ject of this article.
Mr. Evans is a son of Samuel Evans, a native of Virginia, but
who moved to Indiana when a boy. After some vears, he met and mar-
602 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
lied Jli8S Hannah ^licliafl. also a Virginian, and -wlio was. also, brought
to Indiana, as a child.
Samuel Evans was a farmer. lie moved from Indiana to Mercer
county, Missouri, in the fall of 1837, living there nnlil his death, at
sixty-five years of age. He was survived by his wife, Hannah (who died
at the age of seventy-seven), and seven childreu, viz: John Evans, now
in Idaho ;ratlierinenuff, deceased; William Evans, in Idaho; Dudley W.,
of Kirlcsville, Missouri; O. Evans, our subject; Mary Holt, living near
Hermitage, South ^Missouri; Daniel Evans, youngest child, now living
in Kansas with his brother, the stockraiser.
Our subject was born on April 15, 1843, in Decatur county, Indiana^
where he lived until he was fifteen years old, receiving very little edu-
cation, save that which he got from the great book of nature. At this
time, his parents moved into Missouri, taking their children with them.
Our subject lived at home with his parents until he was twenty-six years
old, when he was married, on April 8, 1869, to Sarilda Pickett, who was
born in Mercer county, Mis.souri, in 1848. When Mr. Evans married,
lie went into debt for eighty acres of land, which he improved, and by
hard work, thrift and the help of his young wife, cleared the same of
debt, and on which they lived until 1881. He then sold out and moved
to Idaho, thinking to do yet better for his increasing family. Idaho, not
being to the liking of the man of the juairie, in one year, he, again,
moved to Kansas, where they jiurchased four hundred acres of land in
Fawn Creek township. This land Mr. I'^vans improved and lived upon
for a number of years. In additi<m to farming, he now raised fine stock.
In 1895, he bought more land, three hundred and thitry-six acres on
Onion creek, three miles west of Coffey ville. where he is now living.
That perseverance and industry count for iniirli. is readily seen in
the life and accumulated wealth of Mr. l'>vaiis. wlm. hy these qualities,
combined with a shrewd capacity for business, has made a very sub-
stantial fortune, part of which consists of a valuable farm of eight hun-
dred and ninety-six acres, in the gas and oil belt of Parker township,
besides he owns one hundred and fifty-six a<-i-('s in Chautauqua county^
Kansas.
It is well kno^\ii that his unswcr\ing honesty and genial jiersonality
have contributed not a little toward making Mi-, leans' business life
a success, but he, himself, attributes it to his strict attention to all busi-
ness matters and never allowing trivialities to interfere with the more
important affairs of life.
I>uring his business career. Mi-. I-;vans lias handled \ery large num-
bers of cattle, but he is now contemplating a i-etii-eineiit from business,
and so is, gradually, reducing the number of cattle until, now. he has
only one hundred and fifty head. He has, also, retired from farming and
now rents most of the numerous acres he owns.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 603.
.Ml'. i;v;iiis' lot ill life has been similar lo that of iimst fariiicis. iiiiich
work and little (>iay. liut still unlike many faiiiieis. it lias yielded a gmnd
profit and he can. now. take a well earned rest.
Jlr. and Mrs. i:vans have had ten childi-en Ix.ni to them: Xathauiel
P., a sniduate of the State Normal at KmiKiria, but who died in 1902,
aged thirty-two; Hannah Halehen. of Tyro; Ida. a graduate of the Em-
poria normal srhool and now learhing in the State of Washington;
William O.. farmer, near Tyro; Sarah S. Dunbar, deceased; Nellie, now
attending the State Xornial (class of 1'.)(I4| ; Abbie. I'.irkley. Edna and Ol-
iver still at home.
Politically. Mi. i;\ans is a Democrat, and takes an interest in the
politics of the couiily. of which he is so prominent a resident, but. in his
home jiolitics. il is the man. not the party, whicli rules his vote.
l-KAXK CARL — In the spring of IJSti!), a young German boy found
himself settled on the prairies, nine miles northeast of where Coffeyville
is now loeated. This young man, Frank Carl, w'a.s thousands of miles
away from his native country and without friends or ac((uaintances. He
was born in Cermany, October l."i, 18:]2. His parents died when he was
a small child and he was taken by his relatives, who brought him to years
of maturity. \\'hen he was about twenty-four years of age, he learned
of the country across the sea. and. gathering together his all. he set sail
for America, where he landed, in 185(5.
For a short time, he worked in New Jersey, on a farm, and then
went to Cincinnati, near where he followed the same work for five years.
He was married, in 1858. to llary Eich, a native of Germany. In 1861,
they moved to Illinois and settled in Woodford county. When the great
war came on. he enlisted, in August of 1861, in Company "K," Forty-
fourth Illinois Infantry. He served three years and was in many hard-
fought battles, receiving a painful wound at the battle of Chickamauga.
In 1804. after three long years of hard service, he was discharged and
returned home to Illinois, where, for some time, he was engaged in the
saw-mill business.
In ISi;!). .Mr. Carl moved his family to Kansas and settled on a claim.
nine miles northeast of Cort'ey\ille. where he has since remained. His
farm oonshsts of four hundred and eighty acres of the best land in the
county, and, on it. has been erected a good residence, a large barn and
good substantial outbuildings. The place is well shaded with native
trees, which Mr. Carl himself ])lanted. At the beginning of his residence
in this state, the i)lace was wild, being over-run with Indians, and it was
hard to get provisions and other needed ai-ticles from Humboldt, as all
these had to be hanled by wagon. After overcoming all obstacles^
grass-hoppers, chinch-bngs, etc. — he finally reached a po.sition where he
604 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
could rest, and turn the farm over to his sons. T'ntil later years, Mc,
Carl lias handled large herds of stock, but dropped this industry, also,
with his retirement from the farm.
Mrs. Carl died, in 1888, at the age of fifty years, leaving six children:
William, Matthias, Joseph, Clara, wife of Herbert Dixon; Annie, de-
ceased; and Ella, at home and the hou.sekeeper for her father and broth-
ers; Annie was the wife of Jacob Staats and lived in Cotteyville until she
died, leaving one child, Carl Wtaats.
J. C. PICKERIXG — Cofteyville is essentially a home town. Few
lines of business but are represented and well patronized, within its
limits. This is the secret of her prosperity and is worthy of emulation
by other municipalities in the county. One of the lines which is of inter-
est to all, is that engaged in by the gentleman whose name appears
above, he being a member of the marble and granite firm of Sellers &
Pickering. This firm was organized in 1891. and lias established a large
trade in all kinds of marble and stone work. Both members of the firm
are skilled workmen and turn out a ])roduct which is not surpassed in
style and finish.
Pickering is an honored Engli.sh name. Thomas, the father of our
subject, having been born and reared in Northainjiton. England. He
was educated for the ministry of the Church of England, but circum-
stances changed the trend of his thought, and. with his young wife, who
was Elizabeth Leek, he crossed the seas, to the gold tieids of Australia.
Here, he did quite well, but was not willing to sacrifice The conveniences
of civilization, though that sacrifice might, more rajiidly, bring wealth.
He, therefore, embarked for the States and, about 1870. settled in Miami
count>, Kansas, where he engaged in farming until the date of his deatl^,
in 1881. The mother survived him some eight years, dying on board the
steamship Zelandia, while returning from a visit to her old home, in
Australia. Her age was sixty-two, while that of Mr. Pickering was fifty-
eight years. There were four children: Harry, a farmer of Fontana,
Kansas; F. G., a banker at Mt. Vernon. Wasliiugton ; .1. ('. , ;nid Lillie E.,
Mrs, Albert Folks, of Fontana, Kan.sas.
J. C. Pickering was born in England, in lS(i."), uiid came to the United
States, alone, at the age of fifteen years. He was reared and educated
in England, and, on arriving at the age of eigliteen. took service with
a marble-cutter in Paola. Kansas, D. O. Sellers, and. in I Sill, he went
into business for himself, in Coffeyville. as above related.
The home life of Mr. Pickering was initialed, on Cliristnias day of
1890, when he was joined in marriage with Maltic E. Scothorne. Mrs.
Pickering is an Ohio lady, a daughter of F. A. and .lose].hine ScothornCj
who removed to I'aola, in 1880. To Mr. Pickering's home have come
F, N. BENDER.
i
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i
k
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 6o5
throe l)iij;Iit cliildron: Benjamin E., Alene E. and Josephine E. Mrs.
Pickcrinj; holds nienibersliip in the Congregational church, while he is
a Mason, and a nieniher of the Knights of Pythias, and of which he is
Past Chancellor, having filled all the chairs subordinate to that one.
Mr. Pickering, also, holds membership in the Elks, and. in political mat-
ters, votes with the Republican party.
F. N. BENDER— Well and most favorably known to the building
trades of Independence and esteemed as a citizen, we present F. N. Ben-
der's life work, in brief, as a factor in the internal development of the
county seat. Comparatively young in years, but old and trained in ex-
perience in the craft, his efforts have accomplished much, as a more
defiled account of his career would reveal.
I[e was born in Fulton county, Illinois, of parents, Tobias and Eliz-
abetli (Sinclair) Bender, the father a retired cabinet-maker, of Kansas
City, and a leading member of the M. E. church. Tobias Bender was
born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, and began his wander-
ings toward the setting sun, before the era of railways, some time in the
40's. His trip carried him down the Ohio river, up the Mississippi and
Illinois rivers, to Peoria, where he settled and resided till about 1856,
when he moved to Fulton ctmnty, Illinois. In 1882, he came to Kansas
and resided on a farm, near Independence, till 1897, when he removed to
the city which is now his home. Ilis wife was born in the State of Penn^
sylvauia, in 1836, and is a devoted mother and Christian lady. She is
the motlier of ten childi-en, four of whom yet survive, as follows: Mary,
wife of Robert Swartz, of Kansas City, Kansas; F. N., of this article;
Jacob S., of Kansas City, a plate-glass woi'ker and an inventor of some
note; Edward, in the same business with Jacob, in Kansas City.
The birth of F. N. Bender occurred August 11, 1860. His education
was acquired in the Illinois public schools and, at the youthful age of
thirteen, began to learn his trade. He continued it, zealously, till he
had jicquired a wide knowledge of carpenter and cabinet work and then
became a journeyman carpenter. He took up planing-mill work, in 1886,
in Kansas City, where he went that year, remaining some ten years. As
a builder in Independence, he has filled contracts on some of the good
structures of the city, dwellings and business houses, and his work has
shown him to be master of the trade he follows.
July 3, 1884, Mr. Bender married Emma Belle Mills, a daughter of
Elisha and Margaret (Burns) Mills, native, respectively, of New York
and Pennsylvania. Mr. Mills was a hotel man in Davenport and Buffalo,
Iowa, and, from 1873 to 1883, in Independence, Kansas. He was born
October 24, 1818, and died December 4, 1001, in Independence. His first
wife was Miss Parker, who bore him six children, of which number three
6o6 HISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
vet live, viz: Maik, of Colorado; George, of Renwick, Iowa; and Charles,
of Ida Falls, Idaho. Three of the seven children, born of his second mar-
riage, survive ^Ir. ^lills, namely: Mrs. Bender, Lyle L., of Salt Lake,
Utah, and Ernest, of Indeitendence, Kansas. Mrs. Bender's mother was
first mari-ied to Tlionias Walker and has four children living by that
union, as follows: Thomas, of Joplin, !^iissiouri; David, of Coflfeyville,
Kansas; Josepliine, widow of .John S. James, of Davenport, Iowa; and
Laura, widow of C W. Middleton, resides in Indeiiendeiue. Mr. and
^[rs. Bender's children are Clyde M.. deceased at ten years: Hazel Crma,
Lila ^larie, Oscar X. and Harry.
Mr. Bender has passed all the chairs in local Oddfellowship. He
is a Hiember of the Woodmen, Red Men and Elks. He was elected a mem-
ber of the Board of Education of Inde]iendence, in IW2. and is a Repub-
lican in politics.
'Sir. Bender is a Tiiusiciaii of sduic udle and is a nicinhcr of the Inde-
pendence Concert I'.aiid, of wlii( h he is ]ticsi(lent, and is an alto jilayer.
•lOSEPH R. JONES— Joseph R. Jones was horn in Tippecanoe
county. Indiana, October 5, 1838, and is a son of Josei)h Jones, born in
Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1802. His mother's maiden name was Mary
Cass, a native of Kentucky, but who moved to Indiana, at an early day,
and, in lS:>tl, moved to Illinois and settled in Vermillion county, where
lier husband died, in 1808, at the age of sixty-six years. She died in 187G,
at the age of sixty-five years. There were nine children in this Jones
family, as follows: James W. and Eliza Jane, deceased; Robert A., living
in Chicago; Caroline, who died at fifty-four years of age; JL'irinemna,
who died in ISt;:!; .loseph R,, our subject; Mary, wife of W. H. Harris,
of Dei ver; Sarah and Lewis C, deceased.
Joseph R. Jones was reared in Vermillion county. Illinois, where
he wfis educated in the district schools. In 1872. he came to Kansas and
bought three hundred and twenty acres of land, one and one-half miles
west of Cotfeyville. At first, he occupied a small house on the farm,
until he could build a home. He soon launched into the cattle business,
in connection with farming, continuing each year to increase his stock,
always feeding a large number through the winter. The farm, lying on
Onion creek, furnishes plenty of good bottom land for cultivation. Tq
the jicrseveiance of its owner, is due the high state of cultivation which
this land has rcadiiMl, and the manv imi)rovements which make it so de-
sirable a home.
In I8S(», Mr. .lones was married, in the numih of May. to Emma M.
Davis. Ilis wife is a native of Boone county. Kentucky, where she was
boiii (Ml the Ith day of Sej.tember, 1855. Her fa'theri John E. Davis,
was a iiati\e of Kentuckv, and married, in Indiana, Martha O. Paul, a
IllSTOKV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 609
however, luuie tli;m tliiit lie bad been an inmale of a Confederate prison
;U Ci.lialpa, Alaliania. and it is believed, be died at that i.la.e. Wherever
bis binial ]>la(e. tbe i>ratitade of a reunited ronnlr.v <:alliers. as a halo,
over his unknown jiiave. His wife survived biiri niaii.v years, dying in
June of 1SS7. at the aj^e of si.\ty ei^bt years. The cbildren born to her
were: Mrs. .Mary Hole, of .Montjioniery .'ounly. Indiana; Henry W. , Mrs.
.Martha Wilson.' -Mrs. JIahala .1. Hut/.ler; Amos I... of Portland. Indiana,
Avbo enlisted in 1802, in Company "H," One Hundredth Indiana Volun-
teer Infantry, and served three years; xMis. Nan<y Homer, of Jay coun-
ty. Indiana, is the youngest and is deceased. The liusbands of JIartha
and Xau< y were, also, gallant defenders of the (lag.
The eilucation of our subject was secured in the districit schools
of Indiana, where the family had removed, in liis early boyhood. He
learned the trade of his father and was engaged at it when the tocsin of
war sounded its dread alarm. He had been nurtured in a patriotic home
and. when the second call was made, enlisted in Company "B." Thirty^
fourtli Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. A good deal of his ser-
vice was rendered in the use of tools. His first enlistment expired in
December of 1803, and be immediately reenlisted and served to the
close of the war. His service was, for the most part, in tlie southwest.
He Wiis present at the siege of Vicksburg, Port (iibson. ('hampion Hills,
and in numerous actions west of the river, and was in one of the very
last brushes of the enemy, at Brownsville, Texas, neither side being
aware of Lee's surrender. Mr. Duckett came out of the service unscath-
ed, and was sick, during the four years, but a short ]»eriod. He was sent
to the Louisville hospital and, after jiartially recovering, asked release,
that he might rejoin his regiment. Being refused, be wrote out his own
pass, blutfed the steamboat people, and reached his regiment at Helena,
Arkansas, an incident which shows the patriotism which actuated him^
in the discharge of his militarv dutv. He was discharged in February of
1866.
On the .-llttli of June. I80(i. Jlr. Duckett was ba))i.ily joined in mar-
riage with I'riscilla A. Evilsizer. Mrs. Duckett is a native of Champaign
county. Ohio, and a daughter of Leonard and Frances (Dye) Evilsizer.
Leonard Evilsizer came up into Ohio from North Carolina, when a boy
of thirteen, became a farmer and, after marriage, moved to Jay county,
Indiana, where he died, in 1884. His wife outlived him two years. They
were devout members of the Methodist church. Their children were:
Minor, deceased, served three years in Company "1']." lOighty-ninth In-
diana: I'riscilla. Margaret A., deceased wife of John :\Iason; Lewis M.,
of Portland, Indiana; Mrs. .Mary Holmes, of l>enepah. Indian Territory;
Albert W., of Chicago; Kiplier. who died at four years; James, and two
unnamed, died in infancy; Sarah M.. the youngest child living, is the
wife of 1). 0. Vincent, of Brazil, Indiana.
g,0 HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
ATi- Duckett followed his trade in Indiana, until the spring of 1887,
when he came to Coffeyville. Here, he has figured prominently, as a
builder, monuments of liis handiwork being seen in many residences, and
several public buildings, lie has (aken an active interest in affairs, hav-
ing served as a member of the school board several terms. He is an hon-
ored mend)er of the Orand Army and a staunch friend of organized labor,
being a member of the Oar|)enter's T'ni<m. His interest in politics is
simI1l.^ that of the good citizen, voting, on election day, the Kepublican
ticket. Both he and his good wife are much esteemed in the city of their
adoption, and where they exi)ect to pass the remainder of their days.
•JOHN GASKILT.— In the year 1871, a date which marks the year
of his majority, John (iaskill, one of the leading farmers of Caney town-
ship, came to Montgomery county, in company with his parents. Mr.
Gaskill immediately filed on a claim, and he has, since, been one of the
sturdy yeoman of tiie country. He now resides on a farm of three hundred
and thirty acres, two miles fi-om the town of Tyro, where he engages in
stock rai.sing, giving some aitenlion to raising the Wilkes stock of horses.
Of these aninials, Mr. (Iaskill is a great lover and delights in driving
the finest horse in his stal)le.
Mr. Gaskill came to the county, from the Atlantic coast, the family
havinsj been i-esidents of the far eastern State of New Jersey, where he
was born, in Burlington county, on the 2ntli of March, 1850. When he
was five years old, the family moved to Michigan, si)ent five years, and
then spent one year in Missouri, when they went to Iowa. They resided
there, until the date of our subject's settlement in Montgomery county.
He received an elementary education in the country schools. For the
first few years, he found it close figuring to meet his payments on his
claim, anil, at the same time, extend needed heli) to the support of his
father and his family. It was through suih trials and tribulations that
Mr. Gaskill passed, during the earlier ix'iiods of his existence in the
county, b\it it had the ellecl of teaching him the value of money, and the
necessity of making the dollar go as far as possible. He, however,
emerged from this extrcnie and has, for a numlier of years, been looked
upon as one of the .successful farmers of the c(ninty. His farm is one
of the most liighly imiiroviMl in the township, its improvements being of a
most substanliar characler. Ills l)arii is a model of size and excellent
arrangement for stock, beiug bulll against the bliitt', and in such a man-
ner as to thoroughly i)rotcct his animals from the cold, sweeping winds
of winter. P.esides this barn, there are well-built granaries, and other
outbuildinns for sto.^k, while liis residence is of the most conimodious
and comfortable cli;.rarler.
In chixjsing a partner for his life's journey, Mr. (iaskill sehnMed
M. ADDINGTON, WIFE AND DAUGHTER.
Pojnilist tickpi receiving
m^-:i
*■:. '/'
m
li •« ■» §» t
■• t« i» r
:
HISTORY 01'' MON'TOOMEKY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 6ll
5Iiss .M\r;i Hiadley, a native of Missouri. Tlii' niairiajie was an event
of New Year's day, 1882. Mrs. Gaskill came to Kansas, with her parents,
Joseph andMyra Bradley, in 1870. Mrs. (laskill died at the early age
of thirty, Feb'rnary 9, 1889, leavinji; tiiree children, viz: (Miarles W.,
Perry L. and Bertlia. In 1890. xMr. (iasiiill married Mrs. -lane Over])eck,
a native of Kockville, Parke county, Indiana, where she was hoin, June
10, 18r)». She was the widow of Charles A. Overpc'ck. who died March
30, 1881, leaving a son, Harvey. The following year, she came to Kan-
sas, and resided near Tyro, until the <la1e of her marriage. By their last
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gaskill have two cliildren: Lytle and Carl.
'! lie years which have passed since Mr. (Jaskill came to Montgomery
( ouiii.w have been years of busy toil, but however busy with his own
artaii -;, he has never refused to devote what time seemed necessaiy to the
ad\aii<('n\ent of the welfare of his particular community. Much of the
s]ileiulid reputation which Caney township lias in the county, as to
school and educational facilities, is due to the constant and earnest
efforts of our subject in this line. He has served as clerk of his town-
ship and is a member of the Odd Fellow's Lodge of Tyro. In matters of
politics, he takes but a voting interest, the Pojnilist ticket receiving his
suffrage. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian
church, he having been a valuable member of the clnirch board since 1895.
As he looks out njion his bi'oad a<-res. and fine thorougbred stock,
Mr. (iaskill does so with the knowledge that it is all the result of his
individual efl'ort and his det(>rmination. liis close a]»i»lication to the busi-
ness in hand, that of building a home. He is highly regarded by his
aeciuaintames, and is most worthy of representation in a volume devoted
to the best citizens of the count v."
I). M. ADDINtiTON— The biographer presents here one of the sub-
stantial citizens of Independeme. proprietor of the north side planing
mill, ,iud general contractor in wood. Mr. Addington has been identified
with the interests of Montgomery county since 1S79, though not contin-
uously, having left the county, at difierent periods, for short intervals.
The Addington family is of l']nglish Quaker extraction, coming to
South Carolina in early Colonial days, where they were thrifty planters
and large slaveholders, as was the custom of that section and time.
Grandfather William A. Addington became dissatisfied with the condi-
tions in South Carolina and, freeing all the slaves the law would permit,
came up to Indiana, bringing with him the remaining sixteen. This was
in the year 1804. He settled in a new country, between Richmond and
Newport, and there carved out a farm from the virgin forest. He was a
man of fine character and did much to initiate correct living in that
earlv dav, in that section.
6l2 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Our subject's. father, Joshua, was a young man of twenty, when the
family cauie to Indiana. He learned the trade of miller, an occupation
which he followed much of his life. He married Rebecca Morgan, a na-
tive of Viroinia, and settled two miles north of Richmond. Remaining
here until 1840, he, with his father and several others, laid out the town
of Ridgeville, where he continued In live until his death, engaged in the
milling business.
fn many respects, he was a remarkable man. His energy was some-
thing i»henomenal, though it was of the kind needed in those pioneer
day.^. He was an ardent believer in the Quaker faith and gave, liberally,
of his means and time, to establish it in Indiana, building the first
Friends church in the state, at the point where he first settled, known
for long years, as "Chester Friends Church." In political faith, he was a
Whig. He died, in 1848, at the rather early age of fifty-six, his father
dying but two years before, but having lived to the age of seventy. His
wife was a woman of like mould of character, and was a fitting help-
meet, in those fornuitive days of society, when sternness of morals was
an absolute necessity. She died, in 1851, at the age of fifty-six years.
They were the parents of the following children: \Yilliam, who died at
two' years; Jonathan, who died in 1864; Elizabeth, Mrs. J. R. West, of
Davis county, Iowa; Maria, Mrs. Charles Wilmot. who died in 1880;
Nancy, widow of iienjamin Anderson, living at Eureka, Kansas; ;Minerva
J., widow of William Alexander, of Winchester, Indiana; I). il.. our sub-
ject; Lorena, deceased, was the wife of (he late INliltou Caty.
D. M. Addinglon was born in Wayne county, Indiana, July 9, 1835.
The crude state of society in that early day and section, ])revented him
from receiving much in the way of book education, but, with the advan-
tages of an excellent Christian home, he came lo years of responsibility
with training sutticient to fight the battles of life. His brother, Jona-
than, being a blacksmith, he took \i\> that trade and followed it, in
Lagro and on the Wabash canal, until 1S.">I, when his eyes became af-
fected, by r(»ason of so much night wcuk. He did outdoor work, for a
time, until he recovered the use of his sight, and then learned the trade
of millwright, which he followed, for seven years. Again, he changed
his occupation, this time learning the trade of carpenter. He now re-
moved to Richmond and did contract work, during the jieriod of the war,
his eyes lui'vcnting his being accepted in the service, although he volun-
teered tlire(- dilleivnt times. He. however, did s|)lendid service at home,
in holding in clii-ck llie Coiijiei-Iiead element of tlial section, which was
quite strong in loraiilies. lie hcranic llie Innlcr of n b.-nul of loyal spir-
its who made il their espeehil business to tenet out llie Rebel sympa-
thizers and ell her make tlieiii take (he oath, or move on to some more
congenial clime.
After the war, our subject removed to a farm, near IWuiker Hill,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS. 615
and respected familv. whose individual luenibeis occupy responsible and
honored places in different ^valks of life, while he and his j^ood wife have
exerted a most healthful influence in establishing the high moral tone
which pervades their immediate community.
The grandparents of Mr. Knock were Delaware people. They
reared a large family and passed their lives in their native state. One of
the sons, Daniel C. Knock, born in 1810, left home at the age of sixteen,
and come out to the, then, far western State of Ohio, where, in 1831, he
took unto himself a wife, in the jjerson of I'hoebe Easley. This lady
was a native of the "Buckeye State," born on the 29th of June, 1811. The
year following their marriage, they came out to Illinois, where they
were pioneer settlers of Fulton county, and where they continued to
reside, on the .same farm, for fifty-five years. They were better-class
farmers, most highly respected, and lived to see their large family of
children, esteemed members of society. In this family, there were thir-
teen children, as follows: John F., who died at thirty-three; William A..
of Rocky Ford, Colorado; Sarah A., who died in infancy; Mary J., de-
ceased wife of Joseph Price; Daniel E., of Peoria, Illinois; Elizabeth,
Mrs. John Russell; Rachel E., wife of William Branson, of Fulton
county. Illinois; Robert B., the subject of this review; Jasper N., of In-
dependence; Edith E., ^Mrs. Dilworth; Russell, of Wyanoka. Oklahoma;
Juan F., of Iowa ; Phoelte J., wife of J. A. Hooper, of Fulton county,
Illinois. The father of this family lived to the rijie old age of seventy-
five years, dying in 1SS5, and the mother outlived him many years, death
claiming her, August 14, 1900, being the progenitor of two hundred and
seventy-nine children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Robert B. Knock, the gentleman whose honored name initiates this
revie?;. was born in Fulton county. Illinois. December 22. 1844. A mere
boy, at the breaking out of the Civil war, he, yet, manfully shouldered
a musket and went forth to do battle for the honor of the flag. Company
"G," Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, enrolled liiiii. on the 1st day of
October. ISCl. as a private. He served his full enlistment of three years,
returning home almost a physical wreck, resulting from a severe attack
of measles. He was with Grant at Forts Henry and Donelson, thence
to Shiloh and Corinth. He followed Bragg to Chattanooga and, later,
to Atlanta, jiarticipating in most of the hard battles of that memorable
campaign. His time exi)iring before that caniiiaign had been fought to
a finish, he was comi>elled to return home, being totally blind and badly
broken in health. He recovered the use of one eye. after nearly four
years, but has. ever since, been, jteriodically. troubled with loss of sight.
Mr. Knock has always followed a farmer's life. In August of 1870,
he and his newly-wedded wife settled on a claim in the vicinity of where
they now reside, and. in 1878. sold out and bought their present farm.
Here, they are spending the evening of life in c()m])arative plenty, sur-
6l6 mSTOUY OF MON'T(;OMERY COFNTY. KANSAS.
rouiKicd hy loxinji iliihinMi and loyal fripiids, who are ])rou(l to do them
honor, 'S\v. Knock lias held all the lownshii) otlices. and has been justice
of the ]iea(e. for a nuiiiher of years. He is at present Noble Grand of
the Odd Fellows lodf;e at Havana.
Mr. and Mrs. Knock wei-e married on the 14th of June, 1867. She
was a daujihter of J. H. and Klizatteth iSwaneyl Hussey, both Dela-
Avare ])eoi)le. (This is the same family of Husseys which were dlstin-
fiuished, as the inventors of the Hussey reaping machine.) The date
of .Mrs. Knock's birth was .January 11, 18.~)0. Her children are, as fol-
lows. Marian L.. :Mrs. ("harles Ha";is, of Danville, Illinois; John F., of
Eureka Springs; I'hoebe J., died at sixteen years; Minnie E., wife of
Charles Campbell, of Havana; Virginia R., ^Slrs. F. L. Rickey, of Caney,
Kansas: Olive (i.. :Mrs. Terry :M. White, of Havana; Franklin E., of
Farrv. Oklahoma; Irwin 1!.. Daniel K.. Ethel and Jnlia D.. all at home.
JOSIIIA IlOLLIDAY — loshiia llolliday has been the eliicient
weigh master of the city of CoHVyvine since the Dalton raid, and a citi-
zen of the city for the ]iast thriM' decades. He was born in Yorkshire, Eng-
land. February --. is:',;',, one of si.xteen children of Joseph and Alice Hol-
liday. The j.arents died in l^nglaiid. the father at eighty-six. the mother
at seventy-eight years.
At tiie tender age of seven years. .Mi-, llolliday was emiiloyed in one
of the neighboring coal mines, and remained there, engaged in various
branches of the work, until his twenty-fourth year. He then studied civil
engineering under his brother, Josiah, and, in May of 1867, be boarded
a vessel bound for America, and. after a t(>mpestuous voyage of forty-
five days— during which the vessel lost her s.tils— landed at (Quebec. Af-
ter a short stay in this city, he visited various of the lake (owns in the
employ of the Crand Trunk railroad. .M.out ilie time of President Lin-
coln's'election. Mr. Holliday went to St. Louis, where he was foreman,
for a time, of what are now known as the Frisco shoips. He then worked
in several dittereiit towns in Missouri and, about ISCl. ci'ossed the
'•l.laii.s" lo Ihe Koeky mouiilains. w iiere lie speiii a year in tiie enii.loy of
mining couii)aiiii's as an engineer.
Keluriiiiig to .Missouri, .Mr. llolliday began his first ex|(ei'ience in
farming for himself, in Saline rounly. where be rented a (piarter section
and put in a cro]i. .\fiei- a visit home lo old England, he continued his
farming o].eratioiis near .Marshall, and. in IST'-'. .sold (Uit and came to
CotVeyvilh'. Thus it ajpi-ears ibat he has seen mn.h of the world in travel
and has added luncli to his storehouse of general information, which has
induced Ihe cosmoi)olitan characler of manner, which adds charm to his
conv(isatir)ii. The ('oll'eyville of today has little resemblance to that
■which greeted .Mr. Holliday on that first visit, and he is proud of the fact
HISTORY OK MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 617
that he has liwii "i.aii and |iaircl" (if llic sjilciMlid <lcv('l<(|.iiicnt whii-li
lias since been made. .Mr. Ih.llidav suiieriiilendcd tlic i.laciiif; of llie first
steam engine in tiie town, in tlic t1onrin«; mill of Mlainc. I'.nins & .McCon-
neli lii'otliers. lie worked in variims capacities until IST."). wlien lie took
cliar<;( of a switcii enfiine for tlie ]>. L. & C. railroad, a iiosilioii wiiicii lio
held continnously for sixteen years and six inontlis. He was riinnin";
this engine at tlie time of tlie noted Dalton raid and was the first man to
enter the town after the destrnction of the "ganj;." In ISDii, Mr. Holli-
da.v was appointed weigliinaster of the citv, a position whicji lie lias since
administered.
■Marriajic was coiili-adcd by our siilijcil. Se]ilciiili('r 17. IS.'iC, when
he was joined to Harriet higliam. a nativi^ of ICngland. i:iizal)etli A., the
only child of this marriage, became Mrs. Watson, and died soon after
her marriage. Her mother, and our subject's wife, died in 1864, at the
age of thirty-three years. The .second marriage of Mr. Holliday occurred
in 1877, on the 24th of March, the lady's name having been Sarah Stub-
ley, now presiding over his home. Mrs. Holliday is a native of York-
shire, Enghmd, and is the mother of six children, as follows: Mary A.,
wife of William I*. Graliam, a contractor iii Wyoming; Willie and John
nie, who died in boyhood; Esther, Mrs. Amos Hutson, of Cofleyville;
Rufus. married Lottie L. Bryan, and now lives in Independence, a phar-
macist, and Charlie, who died in infancy. The mother of this family is
the daughter of William and Mary Stubley, both now deceased. After
the death of his first wife, Mrs. Stubley again married, and moved to
America, and settled in Newberg, N. Y., where he died about 1895.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Holliday are active members of the Christian
church, of which Mr. Holliday has been in official connection, in former
years. He is a worthy member of the Sons and Daughters of Justice.
They have passed a long and honorable life, and are now secure in thii
love and affection of their children and the many staunch friends they
have gathered about them.
FRANK B. SEWELL-— There came to tlie county, in 1809, a gen-
tleman and his family who have had much to do with its marvelous de
velopment and whose connection with its official and non-official life has
at all times been most circumspect and honorable. The name preceed-
ing this sketch represents the youngest member of the family at that
time, he having been but six months of age. The parents were Jo. H. and
Margaret (Hall) Sewell, still honored residents of the county.
Jlr. and Mrs. Sewell are both from old and prominent southern
families. Mr. Sewell was born in Mobile, Alabama, and at eight years olf
age removed with his parents to Tennessee. Here he grew to manhood
and married. Mrs. SewelFs maiden name was Margart Hall. She was
6l8 HISTOUY Ob- MONTIJO.MKRY COr.NTY, KANSAS.
born in IS;?"), iu Lewisbuij;. Temi., and was the daughter of a prominent
physician of that town, Dr, Hugh A. Hall, a native of North Carolina,
and a graduate in medicine of Louisville Medical College. Late in life
he removed to Eagleville, of the same state, where he died iu 1854. A
brother of Mrs. Sewell's. IL C. TTall, was a member of the town company
Avhich laid out Independence.
At the breaking out of the war, the training and education of Mr.
Sewell having been received amid the influences of southern institutions,
the path of duty led plainly into the army of the Confederacy. He be-
came a volunteer in the First Tennes.see, enlisting at Nashville, in 18G1.
and serving to the close of the war. He participated in a number of the
sanguinary conflicts of the middle we.st, notably, Perryville, Chicka-
maug;', and Missionary Ridge. At Perryville, he was wounded in the
left ;'nii. and, at Chickamanga, received a grievous wound in the lower
jaw. I'vUtv to his entering the army, Mr. Sewell had been engaged in the
iiews])a|ier business, as editor of the Lewisburg Gazette. At present, he
is emjiloyed in tiie Tribune office, at Independence. He i)ublished the
first ]iaper in Montgomery county, Kansas — "The Westralia Vidette."
Frank Sewell was born in Tennessee, in 18G9, and, in October of that
year, was brought to this county. His education was secured in the dis-
trict schools and his life, so far, has been devoted to farming. In 1888,
he w IS joined in marriage to Phoebe, daughter of P. V. Hockett, presi-
• leiil lit ilie Commercial National Bank of Independence. Mrs. Sewell
is a iiali\e of Parke county, Indiana, where she was born, in 1871. She
came to the county, with her parents, when a girl of eleven. Mr.
and Jlrs. Sewell are the parents of five children: Fern Lucile, aged thir-
teen; Jo H., Jr., eleven; Gilbert F., nine; Margaret, five; and Delia Ma-
rie, two years.
The farm which Mr. Sewell cullivates. is located three miles east of
Independence. It consists of seventy acres and he has owned it since
1892, putting on all the substantial improvements.
In the social life of the communit.y, Mr. and Mrs. Sewell are impor-
tant and helpful factors. They are staunch members and supporters of
the Presbyterian church and are always found in the front, when any
good cause is being advocated. Mr. Sewell votes the Democratic ticket,
but is too mucli absorbed in the work of his farm to care for political
HARRYJIENCKE—Thegeutleman whose name initiates this record
is widely known as a commercial num. and as a broker and manufactur-
er's agent, has made his headipiarters in Inde])eudence since 1879, and
his residence here, since 1888. He was born in the northern part of Ger
many, May 27, 1858, and, at the age of eighteen, and with a liberal edu
SKIHBHH
ARRY JIENCKE.
1^ It t^ If !•
•.".'i^W
HARRY JIENCKE.
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAN.SAS. 621
a member of the A. H. T.A. He and his family are esteemed residents
of the township, and are most worthy of representation in a volume
which is devoted to mention of the prominent residents of the county.
SAMUEL H. WADE— Samuel H. Wade, a prominent farmer and
resident of Cherokee township, was born in SomeiscI, iMi^land, on the
28th of January, l.sr.7. His father, Samuel Wade, and indllicr, Sarah
(Butcher) Wade, emigrated to America in 1857, and sctlhMl in Michigan,
where they resided till ISGI, and, then, moved to Illinois, and located at
Clinton, where the mother died, at the age of forty-nine, the father yet
living in Clinton, aged eighty years.
There were six children in this family, viz: Edward, Ellen, Samuel
H., John, Annie and Mattie. Samuel H. Wade, our subject, was the third
child of the family, and was but eight months old when his parents came
over the sea. He was reared on a farm in Illinois, where he acquired
only a common school education. When Mr. Wade's mother died, he
went to live with his uncle, William Haberfield, where he remained until
he was married. The uncle and aunt having grown old, Mr. Wade has
built a neat little cottage on his own land, and sent for them, that they
may remain with him, the rest of their days, where proper attention can
be bei-towed. On March 1, 1883, he came to Kansas and located on the
farm on which he now lives. He was married, December 19, 1883, to
Rosa Potter, a native of Illinois, who came to Kansas in 1882. Mi-s.
Wade is the daughter of Sylvanus and Nancy Potter, who live on a
neighboring farm.
^Vhen Mr. Wade came to Kansas, he had only a small amount of
money with which to buy land, and he invested it in a farm, six miles
northwest of Coffeyville, where he now resides. His farm now comprises
four hundred acres of land, on which he has built a two-story residence,
and good comfortable farm buildings. The farm is well improved and
well cultivated. All his property has been acquired, by his own efforts,
since coming to Kansas.
Politically, Mr. Wade is a Populist. He has, ably, filled the office
of township clerk, three times, is treasurer of the township, and has
served thirteen yeai-s on the school board.
Mr. and Mrs. Wade have four children: Grace R., Stephen S., Bes-
sie, deceased, and Emery Paul. Mr. Wade is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America, Coffevville Camp, and a member of No. 86,
A. H. T. A.
WILLIAil C. SEWELL— An old settler and a man honorably asso-
ciated with the history of this county, is William C. Sewell, a native of
622 inSTOItY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
TeiiiiessiM'. Ix.ni .liiiic H. lSr,4. His fiitlii'i-, .loscpli (i. Sewcll. ;i l.ladv-
sinilli ;iii(l t'uriiicr, iiiiiriicd ( "jtllicriiic MnylKni-y, a 'renncssee lady, and
cainc lo Kansas in 1S7I, and .scUUmI onOnion cipek, Indcpendenre town-
slii]i. wlicrc he lmiii;li( and ini|H(t\('d a claim lo a well cullivated farm,
in DcccmlMT. 1SS1>,' at llic aj^c (.f fifty-three years. Ilie futlier died, hut
llip motlier still snrvives, and is now sixty-eif;lit years old. ( »f this mar
riaj>('. tliere were four eliidren, lliree of whom ar<' lixint;. iiaiiiely: .lolin
T,..'.\ndrew C. and William ('.
William <'. Sewell came to Kansas, with liis parents, in 1S71. when
he w.'.s sexcnleen years old. His ednc.-ilion was received in the common
schools <.l his native sl.ile, and his marriajic occnrred in May, 187C. his
wife lieinii ICIi/.ahel h .lames, a native of Ohio county, Kentucky, and a
dauuhler of .Joseph K. -lanu-s. mentioned, liberally, in this work.'
.Mr. Sewell iM-fjan life, as a farmei-, on rented land, hut. after two
years, he houjiht an untamed farm of eif-hty acres and lived on that, for
a shoi t lime, when he .s<dd it and became a i-enter, a,>;ain. for five years,
lie houulil aiHiihci einhly acre tract, tin- farm where he now resides, five
miles norllicasi of Tyro. This farm he has im|)roved and made one of the
tinest homes in his townslii|i, addinj; more land, at various times, until
he now owns four hnndred acres. On this farm, is a handsome residence,
built on a hijih elevation, from which a Rood view of [ndeiiendence. fif-
teen miles away, and all llie country i-ound, can 1k' had. He. also, has
f;r)od out buildin<;s and a lar>;e Itai'ii, lighted with natural ji:\ft. Gas is
nsed in iIk^ house for fuel and li^lils and for a 1(U-cli in the front yard.
It was by resistless enerf-y and unity of purpose, that ilr. Sewell has
.attained this j;ratifyinn pros|iei'ily. lie is townsliip treasuier and has
.ser\cd. as such, seveial terms, at \arious times. In i)olitics. he is a Popu-
list.
i'l .Mr. and .Mrs. Sewcll's family are nine children: (ientrv L., Anna
r... Walter .\.. Stella, Harry. I'aul and James. Three of tlie children are
dead: .Vdoljihus, who died af eleven years; Lydia at nine years, and
I'raid-lin at i(>n months. fJonfry. the eldest, married Eunice Ellings-
worlh, bul the oIIht children are siufjle and at home.
•lOHX C. FIELDS— One of the self made men of the county is John
< '. Fields, an extensive stock raiser, residinj; on a farm of six hundred
and fifty acres, one nule .south of the lairal villaoe of Tyro. He belongs
to tlial res]i(>cled band of men who settled in the county at an early day,
and \\hose individual character is stam|K'd u|ion the society of the coun-
ty. He settled ui)on his present farm, in ISTI), having come to the county
a year ])rior to that date.
Noting a few fads in the cartHU- of Mi'. Fields, it appeals that he is
a native of the "Keystone State," where he was boiu on the Jlth day of
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 623
October, 1848. His parents were John and Johanna (Wallace) Fields,
well-to-do and respected farmers of that state, where the father died, at
forty-three years of age, his wife living until IStiH, and dying at the age
of fifty-four. There was liut one child born of their marriage, the father
having died when our sulijcct was but one month old.
John C. Fields received a common school education and, at the age
of twenty-one, came to Kansas, stdjiiiing. first, in Brown county, from
where, in the fall of that same year. ISdll, he came to Montgomery county^
Here, he camped about, in dillerent jiortions of the county, during the
winter, seeking the right place to locate a claim. He, finally, settled on
the location he now owns and filed upon it in 1870. Here, he has held a
continuous residence to this date, and has added a great number of fine
improvements and, at different times, added to its area, until he owns
a bod.\ of six hundred and fifty acres.
Jlr. Fields landed in the county, a very poor man,- having little mon-
ey and less property. His splendid success is due to his energy and intel-
ligent grasp of the subject of agriculture, he being, in its various
bi'anclies, a master workman. He is one of the best judges of fine stock
in southern Kansas, and has engaged, for a number of years, most exten-
sively, in their raising. He is a lover of good horses, and, while he never
trains for the track, has raised, on his farm, some speedy animals which
he de'ights to drive to his own turn-out, and is never happier than when
"drawing the ribbons" over a pair of his best horses.
In 187.5, Mr. Fields took to himself a wife, in the person of Rachel
Ellis, a daughter of Christopher T. Ellis, of Montgomery county, Tenn-
essee, where the father was born on the 26th day of January, 1828.
The latter married Mary Uttley, whose birth occurred October 21, 1835.
These parents came to Kansas the same year in which Mr. Fields settled
on his farm, and took a claim, one-half mile south of Tyro, where they
now reside. Of the family, Rachel D. is the wife of Mr. Fields; Lucinda
F. is Mrs. Albert May, of Nowata, Indian Territory; Lydia V. married
Thomas E. Dunbar and lives in Fawn Creek township; Mary W. is Mrs.
John Messersmith and resides in Fawn Creek; James A. is the youngest
child and lives in Oklahoma.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fields have been born five children, as follows:
Theodore C, Perry A., Elfa, John and Frankie, all of whom are yet at
home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fields know what it is to endure the hardships
of pioneer life, and it was only by frugality and industry, in those early
days, that they have come to a position of comfort in their latter days.
Mr. Fields has always been foremost in any attempt made by his
community to better conditions, in the matter of educational facilities,
and in securing the best local government. He has, at times, served in
the different unpaid ofiSces of the township, and has always evinced a
personal interest in those about him. In matters of political concern,
624 UISTORY OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
\\v is tavoiablc lo l)<'iii<>cratic in-iiiciplos, auil supports that ticket by his
vote. In social life, he is Iciiowii as a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge,
and ijivps his inrtucnn- In the I'mtherance and spread of the principles
of fr-itcrnitv.
.)(»Si:i'H KiCllAUi) HALL— Tile pioneer tailor and early settler
of rotfeyville, mentioned in the introduction to this review, has passed
thirty-one years within (he limits of the county's metropolis and has
maintained himself in active liusiness here, almost continudusly since.
His life lias been mudest and unassuming- and the simple details of his
ever\-day business have marked, lari^cly, the events of his career.
Hewasboriinear Fruisbnr<;, <"hantau(iua county. New York. January
14. 1S41. and was reaicd in ("atarrangus county, till LS.")!, when his
fathei- immij'rated to the Slate of Iowa, in Linn county, in which state
our su.bject readied mature years. His father was Joseph Hall and liis
mother.' ]:isie Akin, a (hniKJit'er of I'hoebe (Kroukite) Akin. Josejih Hall
was (^ne of tive sons, viz: Havid and Solomon, who died at Kochester
and Newcastle. Pennsylvania, res[>ectively ; John, who died at Kochester,
Pennsylvania; Itichard, who died near New Hri<;hton, Tennsylvania ; and
Joseph, who pas.scd away at Onaville, New York, in 18(;:i. at tifty-six
yeai-s of aj;e.
J(<se])li Hall, fallier of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and
liecaii.e a car])enter and mill-vvright and plied his trade in both the east
and v.est. His wife, who died in 1848, left him : James A., of Palo. Iowa ;
Joseiih Hichard. of dolfeyville, Kansas; John A, of jMiami, Florida.
Elsie and Josepli I), died in infancy. For his second wife, he married
Hetsy Palmer, wiio pas.sed away the nu)ther of: Mary, wife of William
Aldridjic of ("levelaud, Ohio; Prusia. who married P.enjamin Krown,
of Onaville, New Y'ork , and Frank A., of Jamestown, New York,
At the age of twelve years, Josei)h R. Hall had the misfortune to
lose his left leg, having it mashed l»etween a tree and a log, while work-
ing in the timber. This accident did not sap him of his energy or his
courage and he went about his work of their Oatarraugus county farm
with remarkable convenience to himself. He was about thirteen years
old when he was taken to Iowa and, in Marion, that state, he was ]mt
to the tailor's trade. He worked with William Kingon three years ami
for John B. West, for a time. He was employed with William Dumont,
in Cedar Rapids, and, iu Lyons, he hired to a government contractor.
From this point, he went to Chicago and, soon after, to Newcastle, I'enn
sylvania. Hei-e and at Warren, Ohio, he spent some months. At Sharon,
i'ennsylvania, he was iu the service of Goldstein & Bohaws for three
years." Returning toward the west, he worked in Chicago, lor bis old
cmpl<)yer, for a time, and, thence, to Clarion. Iowa, whei-c be first en-
I I I* IT »^ f* r V
I •• ■• »• t - ■
-apports that ticket by hi^
-Tlie pioneer tailor and early
the Hn
i
. wliile work-
nergy or liis
.u;;iis ('■ouiity t':ii !i!
Mint thirteci! ,. ■ >
JOS. R. HALL.
HISTdUV OF MONTGOMEnY COUNTY, KANSAS. 627
Our subject \v:is liorii and leaietl on a farm in his native stale, where
he attended the country school, until the openinji of the ("ivil war. At
the a^e of sixteen, he "answered the call of his country for vohinteers.
and enlisted, in July, ISC.l. in Company "A," Thirty-third Indiana Vol-
unteer Infantry. He was in many hard-fought battles, among them be-
ing Ft. Donelson, rerryville. Wildcat. Kesaca. I'eachtree Creek and Ken-
nesaw Mountain. He inarched with Sherman to the sea. and i.articipated
in the last battle, at Cohnubus, South Carolina. He was one of the sol
(Hers who were left to pass in the (irand Review, at Washington, 1>. (;.,
afterv.ard being sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was discharged,
August 25, ]8fi5, after four years of hard service.
Mr. McCloud was married, Deceiiilx'r L'.". IStin. to Elizal)eth Barker,
a native of Hendricks county, Indiana. She was born June IT,. 184.").
Her fatlier, Samuel I'.arker, was a native of Norih Carolina, and her
mother, Dorothy Kushton, a native of Indiana.
Samuel Barker came to Kansas in 1880, and settled in Thillips
county, where he died, his wife having died in Indiana. The family con-
sisted of nine children: Jesse C, Elizabeth, William, Ellen, Ellsworth,
Emma, John W.. James, and one who died in infancy. Mr. McClotid
came to Kansas in 1874, and located in Osborn county, where he lived
one year. In 1891, after twenty years' residence in Marshall county, he
came to Montgomery county, locating east of Coffeyville. One year later,
he came to his ])resent farm of fifty acres. Here, he made a nice home
for himself and family, all the im]irovements on the farm being due to his
untiring efforts.
To Mr. and Mrs. .Mi-Cloud have been born sixteen children, fourteen
of whom are living: Eunice Moore, Ada JIcKelijj and Ida Bartley. twins;
^Martha Keedy , Rosa White, Lulu Fransue, Mary Noble. William,
Maggie, Grant, who died in the Philippines, a member of the Fortieth
r. S. Regulars in the Spanish-American war; Adelia Noble, George,
Addie, Sally, Edith, deceased, and John. Mr. McCloud is a Republican
in i)olitics.
I'RENTICE SMYTH— The leading merchant of the rural village
of Jefferson, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, December 16,
]8ol. His father,. Henry Smyth, was born, of Irish parentage, in the
'■Keystone State," September 20, 1822. He married Margaret J. Wimer,
also a native of Pennsylvania, born August 4, 1831, They lived in the
"Keystone State" until 18G6, when they came out to Crawford county.
Missouri. In 1881. they settled in Fawn Creek township, Montgomery
county, Kansas, where the father now resides, at the age of eighty-one
years! the mother having died, Deceml>er 11, 1895, at the age of sixty-
four. Tliev reared nine children, all of whom are now living, viz: Pren-
628 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
tice. ilio subject of this sketch; ZiUah A., Mrs. Ringeisen; Elzena, John
H.. Si.i-ah, Jlrs. l>euiaiee; Hannah, ilrs. Cory; William S., Gilbert, and
Mrs. Ida Fisher.
I'rentice Smyth, whose honored name heads this review, was the
eldest .son of this family. He was a lad of fourteen years when they re-
moved to Missouri, and he had received a fair education in the schools of
his native state. After coming to Missouri, he added sutiBcient knowl-
edge to enable him to enter the school room, as a teacher, which consti-
tuted the first work he engaged in for himself. He taught two years, suc-
cessfully, and, in 1882, came to Kansas and engaged in farming. He
first rented land, but, by careful economy, was enabled, in a few years,
to accumulate snfticient to purchase a farm of eighty acres, near the
town of Jetferson. He continued, actively, in the work of the farm, until
September of 18!)(), when he started a general mercantile business in the
village. By close attention to business and judicious management, he
has succeeded, admirably, he having, at this time, a tine country trade.
In connection with his mercantile business, he is, also, the owner of t\
nice hotel property in the village, and has other property interests.
Marriage was soleluinized by Mr. Smyth, as an event quite late in
life, he having lived in bachelorhood until" the 17th of April, 1901. The
lady who became his wife was Laura P.. Lashley, daughter of Henry and
Tabitha Lashley, all of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Smyth
having been born in Bedford county, November 3, 1866.
Mr. Smyth is a man of intelligence and good judgment, and is re-
garded as one of the solid men of his part of the county. He has, for
a number of years, been active in participation in political affairs, being
a strong supporter of Republican principles. He was one of the original
McKinley men in the state, and was greatly pleased when the conven-
tion, at St. Louis, named him as the head of the Republican ticket.
Under his administration, Mr. Smyth served, as postmaster, in the village
of Jefferson. The death of McKinley was deeply felt by our subject, who
regarded it as a distinct public calamity, scarcely to be retrieved. The
esteem in which Mr. Smyth and his good wife are held in the community
of Jefi'erson, is most uniform and just.
JAMES F. PATTERSON — There is no county in Kansas whose ag-
ricultural population is of a higher character than that of Montgomery
county. The county became the Mecca, immediately after the war, of a
large "number of the "Boys in Blue," who had given four years of their
life to the perpetuation of the institutions formed by our fathers. Their
experience in the war had made them excellent judges of human nature,
and had impressed them wilh the value of republican institutions. To
be a good citizen, it is necessary to love one's country and be ready to
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 629
"do and die" for it, and, for that reason, the soldier boys of 1801-65
made excellent material out of which to form a state. Montgomery
county was peculiarly fortunate in securing a large body of these soldier-
citizens.
In 1S70. tlierc caiiic to tlic county, the gentleman mentioned in the
introduction to this sketch. He was born in Marshall county. West
Virginia, in 1847, and was a son of James Patterson, who was the son
of John.' They settled in Marshall county, from Maryland, at a very
early date, and have many descendants there. Our subject's mother was
Sarah, daughter of Michael Crow. James Patterson was born on Wheel-
ing creek, in Pennsylvania, and was a noted Indian fighter of that sec-
tion, and an intimate friend of Lewis ^^■ctzel, famed in history as one of
the most courageous frontiei-smen in that section of the state.
Michael Crow was an avowed enemy of the Red Man. This enmity
resulted from the cnu>l massacre of two beautiful daughters by them,
during his temporary absence from home, and he was, ever afterward,
bitter and unsparing in his efforts to avenge the death of his daughters.
A portion of the land which he preempted from the government, is still
in the possession of the Crow family.
James F. I'atterson was reared at Moundville, West Virginia, where
he received his primary education, and, later, attended school in Guernsey
county, Ohio. His father died when he was about fifteen years of age.
upon which event he returned to his home and, for a number of years,
worked on the home farm. In the year 1869, he came west, to Kansas,
and spent a short period at Topeka. In March of 1870, he came to Mont
gomery county, where he located on the quarter section which now con
stitutes his farm and which he paid a squatter .|60 to quitclaim. He has
reselded here all the intervening years and is regarded with high favor
by all of the early residents of the county, as well as a large circle of
friends and neighbors of later years.
In the year 1882, Mr. Patterson was, happily, joined in marriage with
Matilda, daughter of Jonas and Martha (Phillips) Gi'oves, of Noble coun-
ty, Ohio, where her parents were leading citizens and farmers. Mr. and
Mrs. Patterson have reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are
now living, as follows : Lewis, Elizabeth May, Isabelle, Frank, Raymond,
George E., and Charles. Jlr. Patterson is a man of sterling worth and
high character and he and his family are regarded with great favor by
those who are fortunate with their acquaintance. In political matters,
he favors the Populist party, but previous to its birth, he affiliated with
the Democratic party. In matters of religion, he is a member of the
Lutheran church.
THOMAS A. STEVENS, ^l. I).— Materia niedica is a field which
has attracted some of the brightest minds in the history of the race. And
630 lIISniKV (IF MoNTl^OMKKY COrNTV, KANSAS.
well i; iiiav. The in-olilciii of •■MI'i' iiiid dcalli" is (iiic whose sol\ition is
of vast iiiii.orliiiicc. Tlic "siiappiiifi of (lie silver tliread" is fmu<;ht with
such Ireiiiendoiis eoiise(|neii(cs to Ihe individual, tliaf lie is fei<;ii to draw
hack fi-oiii lakinji the final steji, as lonji as |iossiiile. .\iid second only
in inijiortance. is the boon of health, to seciive which, once lost, fortunes
are as feathers in the halan<e. The physician llnis has a field of endeavor
honndless as life itself, and whose ••rave ics|M.nsihilities challenfie his
most thouj;htfnl consideial ion. To ihis jii-ofession. hcloiiiis the gentle
man iiKMiiioned alicne. and whose success, in his chosen tield. has heen
..f th(> hij-hest order.
Itr. Stevens is a native of Indiana, havinj; U-en horn in the villajic of
Corydoii. on the 14th of March. IsriCi. lie conies of a family which is
dislin<;iiislied in the medical winld. his father. Dr. -Joseidi I). Steven.s,
haviiii; heen a successful praci il ioiier tor Ihe past foin live vears. located
at Ihe preseni lime, al I'ern. Kansas, lie. also, is a ilativc of the -lloos-
ier Slate." where he married .Maii;arel .\. .lolinson. <if \i( ciiiies. He
located in thai classic old lown. for llie pradice (d his pi(dession. and
remained Ihere till IST.".. In Ihal year, he came to Kansas, and. selecl-
iiij; I'eru as an axailahle poinl. has he.Mi piomiiieni ly and helpfully
a family of se\en childn-n. llie molli<-r dyiiij; inlSTC. al ihe a-.' of thirty-
seven years. Of Ihis family, .losejih ( '. was edii.ale.l lo ihi' medical pro-
fession and now praclices in ihe Cherokee Nation. Kdward .M.. anntlier
son. lives in I'eiii. with his falher and four sisters.
Thomas A. Stevens was Ihe eldest son of this family. His education
was Ihal of an ordinary \illa,si;e hoy, to wliich was added tlie i-efining
inlliience of a cultured home, and williin whose sacred ].reeincts the
entire jieriod of ad(deseiice was passed. He jireceded Die family removal
lo Kansas, by, a year. a7•ri^■inJ; at Indejiendence in 1S74. He soon went
to Sedan, where he tau};ht scho(d. the following tliree years. Deciding
on Ihe medical ]irofession. foi- his life work, he took courses at the St.
Louis medical school and. also, at the Kansas City Medical ('ollejje. He
received his dejiree from Ihis latter institution, iu 1802. and began the
pradice, immediately, at Caney. where he lias since resided.
Dr. Stevens is a man of varied activities and has heen a powerful
factor in Ihe devidojinient of Caney and the surroujiding territory. He
has been coniiecled with many of its liest enterprises, his latest venture
beinj; Ihe establishment <d' the Caney Sanitarium and Hospital, an insti-
lulioii which bids fair to eclijise anything, in its line, in southern Kansas.
Dr, Ste\cns has honoied himself and the city, by serving two terms
- ],'-;!>!i l!t()(l--in Ihe otlice of mayor, and, for the last seven years, has
been <tn tin- board of education'. In jtolilical belief, lie siipjiorts the
Democrat il' ]iarlv. and is. al ]ircsent. the clerk of the township, in which
he resides.
I i
4
l^4*i' «
T. A. STEVENS, M. D
HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 635:
in a niai'kod dejjroc, the cliaractoristics of those uoblp jiioiioors who re-
ckiinied the great middle west from lis savage state. He was the father
of eleven children, nine of whom icacticd malniil.v. as follows: Lewis, of
Buffalo; Elizabeth, Mrs. Finfiock, of Waynesville. Illinois; Mrs. Lucy
Gillett, of Beatrice, Nebraska; Mrs. Mary Edwards, )iow deceased; Mrs.
Pauline Shreve, deceased; Hardin, deceased; W. Wcott. of I'.utl'alo Heart,
Illinois; Marion and Harry, of the same place. Of this family, Hardin
was born in Sangamon county, September 16, 1846. and died, in Coffey-
ville, Kansas, March 21, 1895. He married Harriet N. Landis, a native
of Indiana, and now an honored resident of Decatur, Illinois. To them
were born: Phillip H., Louis B., of St. Louis, Miss(mri. and ilabel. wife
of Frank Skinner, of Coffeyville.
Hardin Cass was a prominent fruit farmer of Sangamon county,
Illinois, and was a man of correct and industrious habits, though a rather
short life. He was too young to take part in the Civil war, save for a brief
period at the close, when be served, as a private, in Company "I." of the
One Hundred and Thirty third Infantry,
Phillip H. Cass grew to manhood, surrounded with the elevating in-
fluences of a Cliristian country home. The foundation of his later educa-
tion was laid in the excellent common schools of Illinois and Kansas.
He added a literary and business course at Beatrice, Normal College and,
in 1893. entered tiie \\'ai- I)ei)artment at Washington, as record clerk.
He reniained in this service .some six years, during which he employed
his spare time in studying law in the Oeorgetown Cniversity, and from
which he was graduated in 189(J. In 1899, at the clo.se of the Spanish-
American war, he came to CotTeyville and opened a law office. The suc-
cess wliich has attended his elVorts, thus far, augurs well for his future.
The efforts of Mr. Cass have shown him to be a capable, safe and con-
servative coun.sellor at law.
Mr. Cass married, October 4, 1899, at Washington, 1). C.. :Miss Flor-
ence P. Chase, a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of Mrs. Adele
Chase, of the Capitol Citv. One child has come to bless their home,
Phillip H.. Jr.
Mr. Cass has identified himself with the life of Coffeyville in a help-
ful way. He is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife holds
membership with the i"nilarians. In fraternal life, Mr. Cass is an honor,
ed member of the Mas(uiic Lodge, and his political views are embodied
in the platforms of the Keiiuhiican party.
ANDREW J. DICKERSOX— Andrew J. Dickerscm was born in
Boone county, Indiana, November 14, 1842. His father, Fleming Dicker-
son, was a native of Virginia, and is still living in Indiana, at the nmture
age of ninety-three years. He married Jane R. Gwin, a native of Indi-
634 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
ana, and of Irish descent; both of her parents having emigrated from
Irehind. ^he died, in 1849, at the age of forty-six. To them were born
seven chiklren, all of whom are living, as follows: Elijah, Henry J.,
Andrew J., Snsan Woods. Mary Smith. Jane MrCormiok. and Sarah Key
nolds. For his second wife. Fleming Diekerson married Folly Clark.
To this marriage were born five children : Charles, Viiginia, John, Ella
and William.
Andrew Diekerson spent his boyhood days in Indiana on a farm,
where he received a common school education. In the fall of 1863, he
enlisted in Company "G," Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He
was in many skirmishes and battles, including Ihose of Fulaski, Colum-
bia, Franklin and Nashville, and he passed through these without being
captured or wounded. At the close of the war. he A\as mustered out, at
Camp Stanley, Texas, and returned home.
On the ilth day of January, 1862, :Mr. lUckcrson was married to
Sarah Acton, a native of Indiana, where she was born, on August 7, 1816.
She was a daughter of James and Sarepta Acton. Her father, at the age
of eighty-six years, is now living in Indiana, while the mother died at
seventy-five years of age. Their children Tiumber ten, the seven living
being ;"]\rahala Acton. Margaret l>i(kers(iii. Hazil. Ilarton, Simon, James
and Thomas.
Andrew J. Diekerson came to Kansas in 1SS."> and settled near Cof-
feyville. He lived here until 1807, when he l)()ught a farm of one hundred
aiid twenty acres, six miles west of the city, where he I'esides at present.
They have five children: Dora Abstine.' Olive Harbiscm, Flora Arm-
strong, Simon and Otis. Mr. Diekerson is a member of the C. A. R. and
has alwavs had a citizen's interest in Democratic politiis.
I5EALE A. ROI'.IXSON— , Y. S.—A worthy citizen «if Independence
whose professional career has been of vast good to the animal industry
of the surrounding country, is the veterinary surgeon. Dr. P.. A. Robin-
son. His residence in the county has been comjiaratively brief, but the
efficiency of his work has guaranteed his permanence, as a citizen, and
it is mete to note, briefly, a few facts connected with his origin and his
life work.
May 29, 1877, Beale A. Robinson was born in Union county, Ohio,
of parents, Guido and Laura (Andrews) Robinson. The father was born
in Delaware county, Ohio, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Tay-
lor) Robinson, of London, England. The grandfather was an artist,
painter and geologist, and had children : Edwin, Alfred, Reuben, Mary,
Ferris, Arthur, Edward and Guido. The wife of the last named was a
daughter of William and Effie Andrews, of New England.
Dr. Robinson is one of five chilrden. as follows: Gerard, of Ohio;
UISIOKV or MDNTCUMKKV COINTV. KANSAS. 635
Beale. our suli.jc<t ; i:ilis, of Ostniiido, Oliio; (inu-e. wife of Mackaflj
of Ostraiulo. Ohio, and liu'z. l)iirin<; liis hoyliood and youth, Beale A.
worked on the farm and contrihuted. in liis natural way, to the domestic
establishment. He attended country school and the Dover hi<>h school,
and when nineteen years old, took up teacliiu};- school. For two years,
he was a country teacher, in Union c(mnty, Ohio, and, at twenty-one
years of age. came to Kansas, on a bicycle, in coin])any with his brothers.
He stopped at I'arsons, several months, and, deciding to study veterinary
surgery, entered the well known college of that profession, in Ontario,
Canada, from which he graduated, in the spring of 1900. He returned
to Parsons, Kansas, and was in the practice there and at Beloit, Kansas,
until his advent to Independence, in September of 1001. Here, he is asso-
ciated with Dr. !■;. K. Srtive, a student of the same college with himself,
and the firm const ilutes one of the strong ones in veterinary surgerj'
and practice in tlic state.
JOHN H. BL.VIK — fohn H. Blair, who was. until early in 190.3, a
merchant of Havana, and a young man of s])lendid executive talents, b\it
now a resident of one of the Teiiitories of the southwest, came to Kan-
sas with his ])aients in lS(i(i. and, tluee years later, to Montgomery
county, where his residence was maintained 'till his removal west. His
birth occurred in Wappelo I'onnty, Iowa, on the ard of ilarch, 1862, he
being a son of John O. and Damaris I. (Briggs) Blair. His parents
were of the sturdy yeomanry of the country and both natives of Fountain
county. Indiana. After their marriage, they resided in Indiana until
the date of their removal to the birthplace of John R., in 1856. They
moved down into Kan.sa.s on the date stated above, and settled east of
Galesburg, Neosho county, and, in 1869, filed on a claim near Havana.
They were thrifty and industrious citizens, the right kind of pioneer
material, and used their influence at all times in building well the foun
dations of Montgomery society. The mother passed away in 1886, aged
fifty-live years, the father reaching the ripe old age of three score and
ten, dying Novendier 27, HKtl. Four of their seven children are living:
James W., John K., Louisa M.. now Mrs. Jones, and Daniel W. O. Blair.
The training of our subject was that of the Kansas pioneer farm,
with somewhat limited school facilities. But such as they were, John
R. made the most of them and managed to have sufficient education at
eighteen years to (pialify him for work in the school-room. He taught
successfully for two years, and then coming to Havana began his career
as a business man, as a clerk in the general store of Lockwood & Son.
Four years of faithful service here, and he and his father went into the
real estate business. After two years our subject started in the grocery
636 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COU?>T\^ KA.N&AS.
business, in connection with which he served I'nole Sam as postmaster
under the administration of President Harrison.
Mr. Blair had always been an active worker for the success of the Re-
Ijublican ticket, and this fact, together with his excellent standing with
the business men of the county, was instrumental in his being selected
as a candidate for county treasurer. He took the oath of office in 1895,
and two years later his conduct of the office was endorsed by re-election.
His incumbency of four years in the county's treasure-house was marked
by efficiency aiid faithfulness, and he returned In private life with the
best v>'ishes of his constituents.
Under the firm name of the Havana Mercantile Company, Mr. Blair
— his wife also being interested — now began business again, on a much
larger scale than formerly. His success was most marked, the firm
occupying a large two-story brick, filled with a splendid stock of general
merchandise, and did the greater part of the Inisincss in their line in this
part of the county. Mr. Blair owns two residence projierties. one in In-
dependence and the other in Havana.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. ]{lair was cunsunimated on the 13th
of October, 1889, her maiden name having been Lou M. Pettet. She is a
daughter of George and Nancy (Gi-eer) Pettet, of Independence, and
both she and her parents are natives of the "Hoosier State," coming to
Kansas in 1868. To Mrs. Blair have been born two children : Treva G.,
born July 14, 1890, and Lua E., born August 5, 1892.
Secure in the possession of the good wishes of a large ])ortion of the
population of the county, with an honorable public record and a success-
ful business career, with conjugal happiness, a fair portion of this
world's goods, and above all, a splendid optimistic dis])osition, always
seeing the bright side of life, the career of John B. Blaii' in his new home
is not hard to prognosticate.
CVUrS M. BI-KTON— Prominent aiiKing the worthy agriculturists
(if .Alontgomcry county is C. M- Burton, one of tlie very earliest settlers of
the county, where he located on a quarter section, in Louisburg township,
in the year 1S(;9. Later, he was away from the county feu- a time but after
a shoit al)sence returned to the same township, where he has since re-
sided.
-Mr. i'.nrlon is one of the old soldier eli'iiicnl iillraclcd hither by the
smiling jirairics of Kansas after the hardships of tlie struggle of the CO's.
His nativity dates in the "Buckeye State," where, in Harrison county,
he was born in the year 1834. His parents were Lee S. and Hanna
(Stone) Burton. Lee S. Burton was a son of Thomas Burton, who emi-
grated from England to Maryland in the early part of the last century,
and settled near EUicott's Mills, and, in 1815, removed to Jefferson
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 637
couiit.N. Ohio. On the mother's side, Oraudfather Stone c-anie from Teun-
sylvania and became a pioneer of Ohio. Grandfather Burton, hiter in
life, located in Harrison county, Ohio, whore he reared five children, two,
only, of whom are living: Samuel and Hannah, who reside in Boone
countj, Iowa. Grandfather Burton died on the old homestead, at the
age of seventy-five years, his wife having died during the Civil war.
Our subject was the eldest of the family, the second child being
Caroline; Thomas, John and Israel served in the Civil war; Benjamin
B., Lura Jane, Elizabeth and Neal. Cyrus M. Burton was reared in Har-
rison county, Ohio, and resided on his father's farm, until his enlist-
ment, in 18(U, as a private in Company "A," One Hundred and Sev-
entieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment became a part of the
Army of the Potomac and he was engaged in the following battles:
Cedar Creek, Quaker Gap and Winchester, and he was mustered out, in
October of 1864. After his return home, he cultivated his father's farm
for a year and, in 18(i9. came to Montgomery county, Kansas, where he
settled a claim in West Cherry township. He cultivated this claim until
1883, when he sold it and removed to Chautauqua county, where he pur-
chased a two hundred and eighty acre farm, in company -with his brother,
and engaged in the cattle business. They continued this business for sev-
eral \ears and then sold out and returned to Montgomery county, where
our subject purchased his present farm, in Louisburg township. It con-
sists of one hundred and sixty acres and is devoted to general farming
purposes.
Mr. Burton was happily married to Mary J., a daughter of Samuel
and Jane (Harmon) Handley, all residents of Harrison county, Ohio.
Mrs. Burton's father was a farmer of that county and reared a family of
nine children, of which she was the eldest. The names of the other mem-
bers were: Nancy, John A., Phoebe, Samuel (deceased). Patience, Reason
(deceased), Albert and Marshall. The father died in November of 1864,
in his forty-fifth year, the mother living to the age of sixty-six, and pas-
sing away, in Kansas, April 3, 1888. The father of the family was a
gallani soldier of the Civil war, second lieutenant in Company "G," of
the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Mr. and Mrs. Burton are the parents of eleven children : Alice, born
January 5, 1862, married William McCabe and resides at Cofl'eyville,
with their four children: Ida, Amy, Owen L. and Claud; Minnie, born
January 4, 1863, is the wife of Harrison Truitt and lives in Chautauqua,
counly, Kansas, with three children : May, Leona and Benjamin H. ;
Samuel Lee, born December 12, 1864, died in November of 186.5; Carrie,
born September 13, 1866, is Mrs. William A. Meadows, of Chautauqua
county. Kansas, with seven children : Mattie, Guy, Siras, Alice, Viras,
Ethel" and Alvis; William A., born August 23, 1868, is a Chautauqua
-county farmer, married Lettie Cunningham, and has three children:
Avis. Alviii :ui(l Chnlvs; .Icssic T.iu'lla, liorn Ai.ril 24. 1873, resides at
home; Thoiiins ]{.. hniii July 28. 1875. lives at Costcllo. is a farmer and
married Bessie Frizell, and has one child: Goldie; Nannie M., born Jan-
uary 29. 1878, resides in Elk City; Cornelia, born Febrnary 8. and died
April 20. 1870; Cyrus, born Nove'nd)er 25, 1880, married :Maud Harrison,
and resides on the lionie farm; and Joseph 1'.. born November 10, 1881*,
resides at home.
Mr. Rui-lon has always been a leading member of the community
in which he resides and has evinced interest in the institutions which go
to make up this law-abiding community. He is an ardent Republican,
in politics, and he and his family are active members of the Christian
church.
JOHN ^^■. BARLOW — For a number of years, the iron work, inci-
dent to the commercial life of Caney, has been done almost exclusively
by this "hardy son of toil," and whose merry anvil has rung out a cheery
song of prosperity, since he first tapped its flinty face, within the city
limits. Nor has- this prosperity been the result of brawn, entirely ; brain
has counted in the story; intelligent management, and painstaking effort
to please, has united, with a skilled hand, to make its owner one of the
leading citizens of his city.
John W. Barlow was born in Neosho, Missouri, on the 28th of Aug-
ust, 18.57. His father's name was Matthew J. Barlow, a native of the
State of Tennessee. He settled in Missouri, when a young man, where
he learned the blacksmithing trade, a vocation which lie followed during
his entire life. In Missouri, he met and married Elizabeth Alexander,
also f native of Tennessee, and, after a number of years' residence there,,
removed to Kansas, in the spring of 18f)3. He settled in Neosho Falls,
but, in June of the same year, answered the call of his country and went
to the front, as a member of Company "31," Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cav-
alry. He served, in this regiment, to the close of the war. his discharge
dating July 11, 18(>5. He resumed work at the forge and lived, for sev-
eral years, at Neoslio Falls. He then passed sliort ])eriods in Altoona,
Fredonia and New Albany, where he died in 1885, at the age of fifty-six
year?. The wife still survives him and now resides in Oklahonia Terri-
tory, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The family of these par-
ents consisted of lliicc cliildren, two daughters besides our subject, Mary
and I-aura, both li\ ing.
John W. passed ills childhood, for the most jiart, in Woodson county,
Kansas, and was inured to the hardships and piivations of the early set-
tlers in that time. He learned the blacksmith trade, in his father's shop,
and early became one of his most exjiert hands. He remained with his
father until his death, and. after a short trial of conducting the shop
fir r-
I
I NTY, KANSAS.
,1. ! wn April 24, 1S73, i. •■- \'«. ut
n, lives at (\)stello. is a fariwv aiiij
iiild: C.oldie; Nannif AT.. Vicc/. 'nn
'DiTielia, born Fein;:
r 25, 1880, niarriei' ,
^-( i.u r. liui-n Ni.
•toa lias always
!'.'si(!PS ,111(1 llMS :'•
.]■,<] he ai!(l ins. fnitii
:i)pr of the ooinnmn
. inMin:l„„.s whidl^
11 ■ jniblicau,
V Christian
11 a young man, where
:.ich lu- rnlloy^cl ,^>nh).i^
)<]-■ ■■ , .!■;■,■ iu> ,
lie nm and iiiairied Eli/
:iisii ■• ii:i;i\i- (11
•1, after a number of year
reii!0\e(l to Kn:
. : it- ■■[ fs!ia. He settle.! :.
but, iu June ol
';■ call of his ctnuiUy aiju wcut
to the front, as
Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cav-
airy. He servc:(..
.,, .... :_,... :'<" "'■ ''"' ■■«^" i'''^ discharge
dating July 11, 1
><tir). He resuniec '1, for sev-
era I yi^ars. ut \'(
>sl,.. Fa U.S. He , Altoona.
Frpdoni;^ .
■ >: ' • ..V- uf fifty-six
year ■3. '
■ >klaho«ia Terri-
■ff-V. Mt
ily of these par-
■i>v subject, Mary
''V<io;^«:or omint;''.
id, jiii
' -t 17 H
JOHN W. BARLOW.
HISTORY OF MONT(;OMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 64I
motlici-, ilciioiulent upon liiiii. he felt it his duty (o rnriain :it htuuc, dur-
iiijl thiit slrufijiie. Hut .lacoli, iiowfvci-, weiif to (he front, wliile John
assisted in raisinji a couipany in liis home townsliip, and, during the con-
tinuauce of tlie war, failed not in giving the goveiinnent projiei- and loyal
support. In 18(>:{, he moved out to Vigo county, Indiana, where he
farmed, until the dale of his settlement in Montgomery county, in 1880.
Here, he has lived the life of a good and (piiet cilizcn, unrullled by any
exciting event.
Mr. Hysung buried the wife of his yoiilli. in \H'X\. Her name was
Elizabeth Itevore, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Cornelius
and i:iizahclli ( Duulap) Deviu-e. She was a woman of superior make-ug
and a kind mother to her two sons: Cornelius F., who resides in Kansas
City, in the eniiiloy of the Missouri Pacific Ry. Co., and .lames S., a clerk
in Hakersfleld, California. The present wife of our subject was the wid-
ow of Charles Brown, one of the victims of the Dalton raid. She is an
Ohioan, and a daughter of Alfred and Th-ania (Conant) Morley, her
Christian name being Emily L. Her [larents were natives of Massachu-
setts, where they married, and then came to Ohio, where, at Kirtland,
they passed the renuiinder of their lives. The father was a carriage
maker, his age, at death, having been seventy-seven years. The wife died
many years earlier, at forty four. Tlie children were: Watson, of Day-
ton (Ohio) Soldiers' Home; George H., deceased; ('harles T., of Paines-
ville, Ohio ; Emily L. , Lewis A., of Onoway, Iowa ; Howard C, of Youngs-
town, Ohio; Elizabeth Whiting, of AVhiting, Iowa. All the sons of this
famil.^ enlisted in defense of "Old Olory." their service aggregating a
period of seventeen years. Mrs. Hysung was, prior to her first nuirriage,
a suc( essful teacher, having taught, some ten years, in the States of Ohio,
Iowa, Michigan and Indiana.
Mr. Hysung and his wife are of excellent standing in the community
where they have residence, and enjoy the esteem of a large circle of
friends and acquaintances.
MATT. CKIFFIN— One of the leading farmers of Parker township,
and none re i)rominently and honorably associated with the history
of his county, is Matt, (iriffin, who was born in Adair county. Missouri,
on the 27tli of .January. 18u7. His father. Lafayette Criftiii. was a native
of South Carolina, where he was married to <"atherine (iriltin, a native of
the same state. They nuived to Adair county, in an early day, where they
engaged in farming. The father was, accidentally, drowned there, in
18(!L when only forty-seven years of age. His wife survives him, a resi-
dent of Iudei)endence, Kansas, with her daughter. She came to Mont-
gomeiy county, in 18(it), and is one of the old settlers of the county, hav-
ing gone through all the hardships of a new country, with the burden of
a large family to rear. Her familv consists of six children: Keturah,
O42 HISTORY OF MONTCJOMEKl CUUlMl, UA.^»A».
Frank. Matt. Mary, William and Jefferson.
Matt. Griffin "was the third child, and .second son. He was only
twelve years of age when his mother moved to Kansas, and he and his
older brother had to do the work of the farm. The children made the
most of the opportunities offered by the district school and some educa-
tion was acquired.
Mv. Griffin lived with his mother, till his marriage, 1879, to Cordelia
Addie. a native of Ohio. His wife's father and mother, William and
Elizabeth Addie, were both natives of Ohio. They came to Kansas in
1868, and located two miles north of Humboldt, where Mr. Addie died,
in 1809. at thirty-eight years of age. In 1870, the family moved to Mont-
gomery county, where they lived for a number of years. Mrs. Addie died
in Denver, Colorado, in 1900, at the age of sixty-four. There were only
three children in the family: Callie. Delila and Mary.
Matt. Griffin chose for his occupation, the trade of a baker, and
worked at the business, for a number of years, at Independence. Kansas.
After acipiiring a sufficient sum of money, he sold out his business and
rented a farm on the river, where he lived till 1901, when he bought and
improved one hundied and sixty acres of land, five miles north and one
mile west of Ooffeyville. Four yeai-s passed before he moved to this farm
and built a handsome residence and large barn. Many improvements
are being made, and the farm is being fenced with tight-wire fencing,
and the jjlace is approaching one of the best farms in the township. It
is adapted f(U" both the raising of hogs and cattle, but he gives the most
of his attention to the former. There are about one hundred acres of
fine wheat and <-orn land, and to the north of his house, is a large oak
grove, which nuikes a fine windbreak for the house and liarns, so that the
stock is well protected in winter.
Mr. Griffin started in life with very little capital, but his business
transactions have lieen attended with much success, which may be as-
cribed not only to his close application and untiring industry, but. also,
to the liel]>ful and untiring co-operation of his wife. To them prosperity
has come in the last fourteen or fifteen years, and they feel, now, that
they have reached the pla<e where they can enjoy, without so much hard
labor, the fruits of llieir industry. Only one cliild lias come to them,
Maudie, now a voung ladv in her 'teens.
1 west and a half mile north
rural home of the gentleman
the oldest settlers in Montgom-
ISC.O. He first settled
i)., but Fawn Creek (ownshii> has been his home for
AM (
IH<
Kt
;v—
-Sev(
■n n.iles
of C(
iir
eyvil
is tl
le h(
•auliful
"PI"
's ab<
ll\C
, II
<■ is •
one of tl
his
sidcii
(•(•
dali
ng f
rom the
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEUY OOTINTY, KANSAS. 043
Tlic jilacc of bii'tli of Mr. Dickey was in Wnyno coniily. Ponns.vlva-
liiii, ilic time beinj:; the lltli of September, 1.S41. He is a son of William
and Eliza (Smith) Dickey, the former a native of ('onnecticut, the latter
of New York. After their marriage, they emigrated, in ISHG. to Lee coun-
ty. Iowa, where they lived five years, tlien moved to Linn connty,
Kansas, and, there, farmed, dnring the i)eriod of the war. Tlien, in 1866,
they moved over into Bates county, Missouri, and. in 18(i9, settled with
their family, in Montgomery county, Kansas. The father purchased a
farm near lndei)endence and continued to reside at that point, until his
death, in 1S71. at the advanced age of eighty years. The wife died, near
Mound Cily. Kansas, at the age of fifty-six years. To them were born
seven cliildreu, the four now living, being: Sarah. Mrs. Brown, of Tenn-
sylv.uiia; Harriet. Mrs. Koot, of Linn county, Kansas; Adaline, Mrs.
Smith, of this county, and Williain ('., the esteemed subject of this re-
view.
William (J. Dickey was reared to the hard manual labor of the farm,
his education being secured in the country schools, during the few short
winter months. He renmined an innuite of the home and participated
in ihr different moves of the family, until their arrival in this county.
He had already entered upon his first business venture, while the family
lived in Bates county, operating a grocery store, across the line, in Ver-
non county, during the three years of their residence in that place. After
his arrival in Montgomery county, he took up a claim near Independence,
for which he secured a deed, and then sold out and purchased another
farm, one mile west, where he lived three years. He then went to Rut-
land township, where he bought a farm, near Havana, and, there, contin-
ued -,o reside for the ensuing eleven years. AgaiTi, he disposed of his
farm, and. after a short period in Independence, ]>urchased the j)resent
farm of eighty acres, in Fawn ('reek township. Here, he is engaged in
generr.l farming and has one of the best pieces of land in the county,
furnished with everything in the line of buildings and iiiacliiiiery, neces-
sary to the handling of stock and the caring for tlie products of the farm.
In the matter of citizenshij). Mr. Dickey stands deservedly high, hav-
ing always sustained a splendid reputation for honesty and integrity
of character. He has given much attention to the securing of the best
educational facilities for his nighborhood, and is found ready, at all
times, to engage in any movement which ^ooks to the advancement of the
people.
On the 17th day of August, in lS(;i2, Mr. Dickey heeded the call of
his country and went forth to do battle for the flag. His enlistement was
in Company "K." Twelfth Kansas Volunteer Infantry. In this regiment
he served a i)eriod of three years. ])arti(ipatii)g in a number of the hard-
fought battles of the west and many of the smaller skiiinishes. He was
fortunate in returning with good health and without wounds. His dis-
charge dated on the 30th of June, 1865.
The domestic life of Mr. Dickey began on tlie :M of December, 1872,
when he married, in Montgomery county, Agnes Cliamberlain. Mrs.
Dickey was born near Galena, Illinois, March 30, 1847. Her father, Wil-
liam rhamberlain, was a native of Vermont, and married Clyniena
Owen, a native of T'enn.sylvania. They came, with their family, to Mont-
gomery county, in 1809, and settled near Independence, where they pass-
ed the remainder of their days. His age was seventy, at death, the wife
living to the age of seventy-six. Five of their nine children still survive:
Agnes. Mrs. Dickey; William, Emily. Mrs. Itolton; George and Oscar,
all of whom live in this county. To the marriage of our subject and his
wife, seven children have been born: Charles and William H. reside in
St. Joseph, Missouri; Franklin lives at liome; Emma, who married Guy
T. Brown ; Leonard, who lives at home; Nellie and George are deceased.
In matters of political n\oment, Mr. Dickey votes for the man or the
princijile. rather than for a particular party. Socially, he is a valued
membei' of th(> Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his family are
much esteemed in the communitv in which they reside.
D. W. ('ATHI':i{S— 1>. \V. Catliers. a retired cigar mannfactuver of
riierryvale. Kansas, was born in Fulton county, Illinois. January 17. ISfil.
His father. George W. Gathers, now retired, followed the trade of cooper,
and was a soldier, for three years and three months, in the Civil war.
The father was born in A])ril, 1833, came to Kansas from Illinois in the
earlv ftO's, and is the father of ten children, seven of whom are living:
Phoebe, Mrs. I'. K. Smith, of Cofteyville; D. W. , Eliza. Mrs. E. J. Stan-
dard, of Canton, Illinois; Charles, who died at two years; Lura B.. Mrs.
E. J. Glover; Tillie M., deceased; Charles V., of ciierryvale; Allen, de-
ceased ; Fred E., of Foit Scott, and Viola E., of the class of 1903, high
school. Cherry vale.
D. W. Gathers was educated in Canton. Illinois. After finishinfj
school, he learned the business of making cigars, and followed that busi
ness foi' over thirty years, [le had a factory in Illinois and remainef^
there until he came to Kan.sas, in 1887, at one time, acting as travelin-y
salesman f(u- his business. In 19(11. the trusts interfered so with his
business, that he closed it, and l)ecame a farmer, oil and stock man, own-
ing two Inimlii'd and forty acres of good oil lands in :Montg(Hnery and
Wilson coHiities. He was a mend)er of tlie conniil when it voted to
authorize the prospecting for gas, the first in the gas belt to do this.
Mr. Catiiers married Kate Morning, a ii.ilivr of Dakota and a daugh-
ter of James and Caroline (MudsoTi) .Morning, the mother a native of
New .fc'iscv. ai'd the f;illier -if Illinois. Their home is in Salt Lake. Utah,
/^^
%
JOSEPH F. KING.
Jackson, M
saw.Atlan;
.#,
•r*.*
though, for sixteen years, they were residents of Labette county, Kans-
sas, moving west in 1890. Mrs. Gathers is one of eight children, viz:
Samuel A., of Salt Lake; William J., of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mrs.
Kate E. fathers, James I., of Vinita, Indian Territory; Rev. Theodore,
a minister of the First Tresbyterian church of :Madison, Nebraska ; Del-
bert, of rarsons. Kansas; Arthur, a teacher, and Rose E., of Salt Lake,
Utah.
Mrs. D. AV. Cathers has two children living: Loatha and Edna; Ar-
thur E. is deceased. She and the oldest daughter are members of the Pres-
byterian church of Cherry vale. Mr.Cathers is a member of the A.F.& A.M.,
l'. O. O. F., Woodmen and A. O. U. W. He has great faith in the resources
of ISrontgomery county and is thoroughly westernized. He is among the
most worthy and well-to-do citizens, is enterprising and believes in pro-
gress. His home is one of the handsome places in the city.
JOSEPH F. KING— The "old soldier!" Hew shall we repay him,
how measure the value of his services to his country? Shall it be in pal-
try dollars and cents? Far be it from us, the beneficiaries of their loy-
alty, to think that the mere pittance received as a pension, discharges the
obligation owed to them '. Let us, in the few brief years they are to be
here, pour forth u]>on them, in addition, the benedictions of a grateful
jtosterity. Stand with uncovered heads, as each year their lessening
ranks file by. resolved that the ghn-ious country which they saved with
their blood, shall continue its benign mission of ni>!ifting humanity to a
higher |)lane of excellence. The biugrajther is always ]iroud to record
the few brief facts that tell of duty done in the dark days of the Rebel-
lion, and, in Joseph F. King, of Caney townsliiii. is a subject which fur-
nishes the necessary material.
Mr. King landed on Kansas soil in 18."i7. and was. Ilins, in the thick
ofthe fervid battle for suiiremacy, then going on between the forces of tlie
Free-State patriots and the liorder-Kuttians. When the war cloud actual-
ly burst, he was one of the tirst to enlist, first, in the Home Ouards. and
then, in a com])any commanded by Caiit. J. H. F<irnian, which became
part of the Tenth Kansas Infantry. Aftei- a year's service in this organ-
ization, he received honorable discharge, and. iiimicdiately, returning to
his old home in Indiana, reenlisted in ("om]);iiiy "A." of the Twelfth In-
diana Volunteer Infantry. In this company he served during the re-
mainder of the war. jiarticipating in many of the hard-fought battles and
long v.-earisome marches of the Army of tlie Cnndierland, and, later, with
grand old "T'ncle Rilly," to the sea. A jiartia! list of the battles in which
Mr. King had a part, follows: Richmond, Kentucky; Siege of Vicksburg,
Jackson, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Big Shanty, Big and Little Kenne-
saw, Atlanta, Jonesboi'o, Macon, Savannah, Columbus, Benton vi lie, Raleigh,
'■'4" 11..-.V7.VX ^/L ..lV,.^.V......tv... >....
t(>s<'tln'r with imiiu'ious otlipr skirmislics. not incut ioiicd in the reports^
At Ri< IiiiioihI. Kcntiicky, :Mr. King was uiilortiiiialc ciiongh to get within
the eiieiiiv's line and was oaptmed. He, liowever, was paroled on the
fourth day. Again, at Athmta, his zeal carried him too close to the ene-
my. His stay with the "Johnnie Rebs" was even shorter than before, as
he was enabled, by the l;»x discipline of the guards, to make his escape,
and to jtarticipate in that "glorious march to the sea." His company
had the distinction of being selected to lead the Orand Review at Wash-
ingtor., an honor which it richly deserved, atid which its battle-scarred
}nembers bore with distinguished credit.
A few brief facts concerning the family of ifr. King will not be-
amiss. He was born in Jennings county, Indiana, on the 17th of Septem-
ber, 1842, a son of George W. and Nancy (Boyd) King. The parents were
natives of Ohio and, in 1857, removed, with their family, to Anderson
county, Kansas. Here, they lived out their days, as farmers, loyal to the
free institutions of their adopted state, which the father served during
the war, in the home guards, and in several different oftices of trust. He
died at the age of sixty-eight, the moUier surviving him and dying at
seventy-four years. They reared a family of twelve children, the four
now living being: Joseph F., Elizabeth, S\i]liam and R()bert C. Those
deceased are: -laincs, D.ivid, lienjamin M.. Ijiuiia, Jnlin, Oeoi"ge, Lena
and Cynlhia.
T'pon his return from Ihe war, ;\Ir. King was joined in marriage with
Catherine F. Lewellin. the date being June 24, 1S(;.~). Mrs. King was a
native of Jennings county, Indiana, born the 2()lh of November, 1844,
the daughter of James and Sidney J. (Scroggins) Lewellin, who were-
from South Carolina, and early j)ioneers to Green county, Indiana.
The year of his marriage, Mr. King returned to Anderson county,
Kansas, where lie eii^.-iged in farming until 188:i, when he bought his
present farm «f ci^lilN acres in Caney township. It lies two miles south
of the village of lla\ana. and shows the care of a practiced hand, in the
many substantial imi)rovenients to be found thereon. ^Ir. King is a man
of parts, in his townshiji, iiaving served as treasurer and clerk of the
school board a number of times, and in various other positions of trust.
In poiitic;i] belief he is a staunch Reimblican, and delights to promote
tlie iii(<'ii'sis of iliat |i:iil.\. To him and his wife have been born a family
of ten children, liul four of whom are living: Nancy, wife of Fred Wolsch;
Minnie, wife of David M. S])ring; Joseph !>., and .\mos. Those deceased
are: James, ;Mary. George, 1011a J., and John A.
Mr. and Mrs. King and their son, Amos, coini>rise the family living
at home, and ;ill are icgarded with much respect in the community.
Iniy at the throttle of
i)f this honored citizen
JOSJO
]'H .\. i!
rCK'l
j;v
-A .|
iiarler
of
Migme
on tlie -l
•'i-isco'
" Hai
lwa\-
. is the
!■(
liiMi.ni ur .>..'.> K.w.iir.ivi <..jci>ii, ix.i.s.-.v-.. ^4^
OH llio \'er(lij;iis. Fi<mi lliis linrt. which was once ;ill in h('a\y timlxM',
lie has iiiado (Hic of the most aitiaclive farms in llic counfy. TTp left
fifteeu acres of timber f()r a jiaik. on the east si(h> of (lie house, which
has been trinimed uji and sodded in liltu' jirass. llis residence and harn
stand on the banks of the river, his farm bein<i- almost surrounded by
water. Besides raisiufr corn, wheat and alfalfa, he is engaged in raising
hogs, cattle and liorses, feeding and shii)]»ing on quite a large scale. After
thirteen years of untiring labor, lie has made for himself, one of the nic-
est homes in the county, all due to ]ierse\i"iance and close atention to
business.
Mr. Hite was married the :!()th of March. ISllL'. to Jennie L. W.
Webb, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Charles and Columbia
Webb, who came to Kansas in IS!!!), an*! settled in Montgomery county,
where Mr. Webb died. His wife survives him. and lives one mile west of
Bearing. Mr. Hite has tilled, faithfully, the office of township clerk, and,
also, has been a member of ihe township board six years. He is a mem-
ber of the M. W. of A. at Coffeyville. and. in politi<s." is a Kepublican.
DAVID MONROE EDWARDS— David M. Edwards was born in
Independence county, Arkansas, on the Sth of March, 1858. His father
and mother, Benjamin and Martha (Stephenson) Edwards, were natives
of Tennessee. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Arkansas, and
settled in Independence county, where they lived until the beginning of
the war, when ^Mr. Edwards enlisted, but was soon taken to the hospital
at Helena, sick, where he remained about six months, and was discharged
on account of disability.
After returning home, Benjamin Edwards moved his family to Illi-
nois, and remained there till the war was over; soon afterward, return-
ing to Arkansas, and remaining till 187-1, when he moved his family to
Montgomery county, Kansas, and located on a piece of land, north of
Coffeyville. The sickness which he incurred, while a soldier, remained
with him all these years, and he died, in 1874, at the age of forty-four.
His wife survived him till 1802, when she died, at sixty-three years of
age. The family consists of eight children, three of whom are living:
David Monroe, William and John.
David Monroe Edwards came to Kansas, with his parents, in 1874,
when only sixteen years of age. The early part of his life was spent in
Illinois and Arkansas, where he received only a common school educa
tion. After the death of his father, the res])onsibility of the family fell,
heavily, on him, and, to the efforts of himself and two brothers, all thanks
are due for the comfortable home provided for the mother, who remained
with him until he was married.
February 4, 1880, he took to wife. Miss Alice Hudelson, a native of
650 HISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Illinois. .111(1 ;i daughter of William and Elizabeth Hudelson, fornierl.v
of that state. The father and mother came to Kansas in 1872, and bought
a large tract of land on the Verdigris, all in heavy timber, which Mr.
Hudelson cleared and made a valuable farm. He died on this farm, at
the age of sixty-six years, while his wife survives him. at the same age.
Of the two children, Mrs. Alice Edwards is the oldcsl. (lie youngest being
lievi H. of the Indian Territory.
.\fter ^\i: Edwards' marriage, he fanned the Iionie of his youth, for
some time, and then came into jiossessioii of two iiuiidred and twenty-
six acres of bottom land, which his wife inherited from her father, which,
witii the iiiiiirovemeuts he has put on it, is one of the best farms on the
Verdigris. The house, a large two-story, is one of the most substantial
farm houses in the township, and there are good barns, and other fai-ni
buildings. Ilis farm is five miles north of Ooft'eyville, and is completely
surrounded by water. His principal stock is hogs, but he gives most
of his attenticm to the raising of grain, wheat, corn and alfalfa, the lat-
ter being well adapted to the native soil.
To Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have been born eight children: Emma
(Jertiude. deceased; Willie, deceased; Oscar, Oliver, Rosa, Nellie, Jessie
and \'an(e.
Mr. Edwards is an inde]iendent in politics.
I'lIlLir II. DALKY— riiilip H. Dalhy, the leading physician of
Havana, was born in Edwards county, Illinois, on the l.'tli of ^lay, 1853.
His fallier, David Dalby, was a native of Tong, Yorkshire, England, and
was born ou the 15th of August, 1820. He came to America when only
sixteen years of age, where he married Louisiana Brisenden, a native of
Albion, Illinois. He was a lithographer in England, and a carpenter
in America. He came to Kansas in 1870, and settled in Montgomery
county, one and one-half miles east of Havana, where he remained for
many years. He died at the home of his daughter in lola, on the 6th
day of July, 1902, at the age of eighty-two, his wife having died in 1877,
at seventy-four years of age, and both are buried, side by side, in the Ha-
vana cemetery. To them were born eight children, seven of whom arf^
living. Zelphi, wife of D. H. Pingree, proprietor of the Pennsylvania
Hotel in lola; W. O., of Seattle, Washington; Fanny E. Lemmont, of
('imarron, Kansas; Dr. Philip H., Sarah JI., wife of Charles Goe, of Elk
City; George P., on the old homestead at Havana; and Minnie E., wife
of Dr. John Wright, of Elk City.
Dr. Dalby came to Montgomery county in 1870, with his parents,
when only sixteen years of age. He received his education in the schools
of this county, and, in 1874, he went to Texas, as a cattle driver and
herder, remained one yeai-, and returned home and remained on the farm.
# » #
tu>i Eliiaijelii lludeisoii
aiae to Kaiisas in 1872, ai
-: I'i -I \,<-.:vy limber, \vh. i.
Ml this farm, 'i
the same osi
11
farmed thr
[wi.;sesS)tm of two ii'iiMir.Mi an,, . ;■. , i, 1
lis wife iubfiitod from her father, whi'^^
,,t ^,-1 :<-. -> njip of t-bo h"st farm'! on »'•■
iiip II. Dalhy, the leading ph^
■ ■OTnitv, nfiiuii-. nil 1!i- ^r,fh of ■
Hii!
i«<#<»1l
p. H. DALBY, M. D.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTY, KANSAS. 653
period, as deputy sheriff. In social life lie holds iiiembership in the I. O.
O. F., k. of P., A. O. U. W. and the Woodmen, and when he takes a hand
in politics, it is to aid the Democratic ticket.
JOHN ALEXANDER lU'KT— One of Fawn Creek township's best
citizens and farmers was born in Allen county, Indiana, on the 25th of
October, 1842. His father, Silas Burt, was a native of Ohio, where he
came as a young man and was married to Mary Wycoff, a native of that
state. In 1841, they moved to Indiana and settled at Ft. Wayne, where
the father died at the age of thirty-one years. By occui)ation he was a
farmer and blacksmith.
There were four childi'en in the family of Silas Burt, as follows: Su-
san M.. wife of John McCay of Charles Mix county. South Dakota; John
A., Rosa, wife of Ingraham Thorn, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Silas, of Hai'-
})er county, Kansas. Mrs. Burt married a second time, to John M. Cart-
wright, to which union were born five children, three of whom are living,
viz: James, living in Washington; Marion, whose residence is in Los
Angeles, California ; Alfred, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. Mrs. Burt died at the
home of her son, John, at the age of eighty-one years.
John A. Burt was reared on the farm adjoining Ft. Wayne. He
never had the opportunity of acquiring an education, but made the most
of the few opportunities he did have. He became expert in one of the use-
ful trades, that of a blacksmith, and does his own work in this line to
this day. He entered the army in February of 1865, and did good service
the four months he served. He was a mendier of Co. "I," 33rd Ind. Vol.
Inf., and was discharged at Louisville, Ky. After the war he rented land
and farmed for some time.
In February, 1865, just before enlisting in the army, he was married
to Charity Cartwright, a native of Piqua, Ohio, and a daughter of James
and Elizabeth Cartwright.
Mr. Burt, having bought one hundred and sixty acres of uncultivated
land in Kansas, moved to this state in 1881. This land had an incum-
brance of five hundred dollars and the only building was a small log
house, which he moved into and occupied for two years. Influence was
brought to bear on him to get him to abandon the land and not try to pay
the debt, but he persevered, and now, as a result of that perserverance,
thrift and economy, he owns four hundred acres of the best land, lying
Ihree and one-half miles southeast of Tyro. The land is without incum-
brance and is well stocked with horses and cattle. In the place of the log
house, stands a modern farmhouse, and not far away, for the comfort
of the stock, is a good barn.
When he arrived in Kansas Mr. Burt's only possessions were a
wagon and team and thirty dollars in money. To attain to the great
654
UlSTOKY Ol- MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
isiicriiv lit' till' [irt'si'iil, hi- stiii'ted to drilliiij; wells, keejiiiifi up this
ii|i:tlioii tor several years, and caii'vinj;- on tiis fanniiiu at the same
'I'linv are seven rliildren in the Itiirl fainiiy, vjy. : .Tolin, at Cedar-
vale, Kansas: Maiv Kayl.-, diMvased; Vilania, wife of Willmr liiirt, of
'I'mo: \iola Xoiiun, oi'tm-o; Mattie .Mes.sfismitli. Hellie and Susan at
home.
.Mr. Kurt is a iniMiil.cr of the Odd Fellows at Tyro. (1. A. K., Cottey-
villr I'osi. and A. II. T. A., No. I'.lL'.
W II.I.IAM 1'. AlAiri'lX- William V. Martin, althoiiyh not an old-
timr .M'ltler of .Moii|i;omery eouiity, is one of its most enterprisin<i farm-
ers and sio.k lai.sers. lie was horn in Montjfomery county, Ohio, July
1. is.".'^. Mis father, -lolm S, JIartin, was a native of Duhlin, Ireland,
and canir to America, with his parents, when a lad fourteen years old.
The iiMithcr, whose maiden name was Martha ("liver, was horn in Mount
Holly, New Jersey.
John Martin was reared in New Yoik, and when a young man, went
to Ohio, where he was married. He learned tlic trade of carriage maker,
locating in Dayton, Ohio, in 1840, where he manufactured carriages. He
died at that ]>lace at the age of sixty-four. His wife survived him several
years ,aiid died at the age of .seventy -eight. There were eight children:
Mary I', and Sarah, decea.sed ; James. ^lartin, John S., ^^'illiam P., .V. E.,
and (ieorge, deceased.
\\'illiani V. Martin was leared in Ohio, wheie he was educated in the
common schools. When he l)ecame of age, he had an ambition to go west.
He Thought, by doing this, he would have better ojjportunities for secur-
ing a home. So, in 1870, he came to Kansas and stopped at Toi>eka,
where he went to farming and stock raising. He succeeded very well
in his eiiterpri.se, so much so, that he made two or three trips to Colorado,
during his residence there. Later, he moved to Quennemo, in Osage
connty. and bought town |)roperty, but afterward, moved to Coffeyville,
for a short time. From Coffeyville, he went to Cherokee, where, for six
yeai's, he was in the stock raising business,
III 1808, lieT)ought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which
he is now living, seven miles west of Coffeyville. This farm is near the
state line and is a natural stock farm. The home is a beautiful one, sit-
uated half way up a slope from the main road. Tliere is a nice drive-
way llirough natural oaks, on either side. Tn front of this farm is a fine
oak grove, cleared of underbrush, making a fine stock slielter in winter,
Mr. ]\fartin wa.s married, March 24, 1882, His wife, ^laggie Darling, is
a native of Iowa, and a dafighter of Samuel and Maria Darling. The jiar-
ents came to Kansas, in about 1875.
^fr. aiul ill's. Martin have five children : Ellis Louis, Esther May,
Charles A., John S. and Mand S. Mr. Martin is one of the most prosper-
ous farmers of the county. This prosperity is all due to the efforts of a
man, noted for his honesty, straightforwardness and perseverance. In
political faith, he is a Democrat.
ISAAC KUETZ — One of the leading and extensive farmers in Fawn
Creek township, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, August
14, 1832, a son of Isaac Kurtz, born in Chester county, that state, near
the close of the eighteenth century. His mother was Rachel Longacre,
of Chester county, and the parents moved to Illinois in 18G1, where the
fathei" died, from a fall on the icy streets, at the age of ninety-two years.
The mother died in 1SG9, at the age of eighty years, leaving five surviving
children, viz: D. B. and E. T. Kurtz, lawyers of New Castle, Pennsyl-
vania; Mrs. Frances McMeen, of Fawn Creek township; Mrs. Deborah
Lochman, of Illinois; and Isaac, our subject, who is the second oldest
of the surviving children.
Mr. Kurtz, of this sketch, lived in Pennsylvania for the first twenty-
seven years of his life, and received his education there. He came to Illi-
nois, in 1859, and settled in Bureau county, where he bought land and
farmed and raised stock. He came to Kansas, in 1885, and located on
a farm of one hundred and seventeen aci'es, on the state line, eight miles
west and two miles south of Coffeyville. He located on the state line, to
be near the Territory and have pasture for his stock, having six hundred
acres of leased land in the Territory, for that purpose. He has several
large fruit orchards of apples, pears, and peaches, never failing to have
plenty of fine apples to sell, when apples are high. He has erected, on
his farm, a beautiful cottage, and has many good substantial granaries
and oiher ont-buildings, on the place. He has a number one gas well on
the place, which supplies his house with natural gas. At this time, he
is one of the largest stock dealers in the county, buying and shipping
to the Chicago market.
Mr. Kurtz was married on the 14th day of March, 1867, to Mary J.
Ross, a native of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and
Jlary Ross. Sfrs. Ross died many years ago, and Mr. Ross is living at
Emporia, with one of his sons, and is ninety three years old.
There are three children: Alcie, wife of Charles Engles; Jennie, wife
of F. ^[. Anderson ; John, living on the home farm, is married to Prudie
Pollet, a native of Montgomery county. Kansas, and has two children.
TITADDEUS C. FRAZIER, M. D.— A distinguished pioneer of
Montgomery county, who has been a prominent figure in the social, pro-
IVssioual and ix.litical life of ConVvvillo and rarkcr township, is Dr. T.
('. Fra/.icr. of this review. He came liere in Ihe incipient stages of ccninty
(level( imient and wlieii there was more or h>ss jmlitical chaos, and much
jeahmsv and town rivalry, and has wielded a silent, yet potent, influence
in the final adjustment, which resulted in the unification of sentiment
for a ^in<;le town, and that the metroi)olis of Montgomery county.
hi wliaii'ver community his residence has been maintained, his o](in-
ions. rcgur.liiig the proper' conduct of atfairs, have carried weight and
events seldom proved lliat his judgment had erred. When he came to
.Montgomery county, in October, 18(>!). he cast his lot with Parker, the
nietrojiolis of the county, and bore her standard with enthusiasm, until
('oti'evville inoculated it with decay and rendered it a hopeless invalid,
when he lent his eflorts to the successful rival in building uji a business
centei". unsnrpaswd within the county's limits.
While his first concern was for the i)ractice of his ].rofession. the
Doctor could not refrain from part icijiating. with his neighbors, in the
atTair.- of llie local government. .\s mayor of Tarker. his administration
contributed to the welfare of the town, and, as a business man and physi-
cian, he honored the calling he repre.sented. Ills position in Coff'eyville
has been no less i)roniinent and his services no less sincere. As medical
director of the city for ten years, as a meud)er of the common council.
and as mayor for four years, he has builded wisely and well. As chief
executive of the city, he i)ersonally sui)ervised a large amount of jniblic
work, involving an exiiendit ore of vast sums of the ]mblic funds, and. in
other directions, where the pid.lic weal could be lonserved. his voice and
his hand stood ready to perform.
The iiiniimcrablc ways in which Dr. Frazier has rendered valuable
service to his community, can not be particularized in this article. Great
credit atla<lies for his un.selfish devotion to public duty, and. yet. his time
and labor were given without financial consideration or hope of reward.
He sacrificed his professional practice, to the welfare of his town. and.
in view of his pecuniary dependence, what greater sacrifice could liave
been made?
Thaddeus C. Frazier is a native of Henry county. Tennessee, where
his birth occurred December 14, 1841. His parents. William ^l. and
Judith (Arnn) Frazier, were farmers of North Carcdina. and Holland
stock, respectively. The parents remained in Tennessee, until 1800. when
they removed to Green county, Missouri, and. in 18(;;>. settled on a farm
near Sherman, Texas. In 1887, the family home was transferred to
Wichita. Kansas, where the father died in 1897; the mother jiassing away
in Henry county, Tennessee, in 184.5. Two of their four children survive,
viz: Thadde\is V;., and William M., of Wichita. Kansas. Another son.
Samuel V., was four years a Confederate soldier, was of large jdiysicpie,
^\as three times wounded, and is now deceased.
c f 1
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1
MERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
. illr and Parker tow;
.1 the incipie!
Toss po)itii;i:
nil
. ;!i(i.
T. C. FRAZIER, M. D.
lilSTOKY OF MON'TOOiMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 659
Frank Wisdcii was hrongiit up in Moiiljiouiei-y county, receiving a
roniiiioii siiiodl <>ducali()n, and living;- witli liis parents, until his marriage,
wiiicli event took jtlace on Xoveniljer 1.', 1S!»8. His wife was Miss EllA
Hohertson, a native of Montgomery ccmnty, and daugiiter of .James and
Sjirah ((iraiiani) Koiiertson. Mr. Robertson died in INSO, at forty years
of age. He is snivived liy liis wife, now living in TJberty; .Tames N., liv-
ing in Illinois: .Toel. living in Oklalionia Terriloiv. aiid Klla. wife of
Frank Wisden.
After his marriage, Mr. Wisden started farming on his own account.
He rented a farm, for two years, and, by good management and close at-
tention to business, he was enabled to accumulate enough to purchase
one iiundred and fifty acres of farm land, northeast of Coflfeyville. This
he farmed until 1001, when he sold out and bought one hundred and sixty
acres on Onion creek, three and one-half miles west and three-fourths mile
south of Coffey ville. One hundred acres of this farm is fine bottom land,
the rest being good upland jiasture, on which is located a nice little cot-
tage and good bank barn, both of these buildings being sheltered from
the north winds, by a fine oak grove, adding much to the apjiearance and
value of this farm and forming a fine feed lot for the high grade stock
(horses, hogs and cattle), which Mr. Wisden is raising. He keeps the best
of horses, the kind which can be hitched to the plow, or make a stylish
ajipearance. when driven to a buggy.
Mr. atul ilrs. Wisden have no children. Tn jtolitics. Mr. Wisden is a
Kepublican. and. in energy, he is a Kausan, and. w ith his Kansas energy
and his inherited English sturdiness, he makes a tine model for all young
men of Montgomery county.
STAKKF.Y 11. TTCKER — The subject of this personal mention is
well know n among the farmers of Rutland township, where he has resid-
ed since 1877, the year he made .settlement in Montgomery county. His
homestead is in section 10, township 33, range 14, and he is the owner
of three hundred and twenty acres of land.
Mr. Tucker is one of the progressive tillers of the soil and. while he
began his operations on a rudely-improved quarter section, his success
has put him in j)OSsessiou of a tract twice that area, substantially im-
proved and under :i good state of cultivation. Farming in Kansas has
recpiiied the same tenacious industrx. as farming in Kentucky, in Taylor
county in which state our subject was born. .July 10. 184(i.
He came to his majority in his native heath and acquired the rudi-
ments of a coninmn schocd education. He was twenty-six years of age
when he located in Hart county, Iventucky, and twenty-nine years of age
when he lu'cime a citizen of Jloutgomei'y county, Kansas. In this county
660 UISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
he settled, by piircliuse, the tract entered bv Jonathan \A"elden and passed,
by def>d, to Andrew Stamp, whose title came to Mr. Tucker.
The Tuckers of this strain were, originally, from Virginia. Edwin
Tucker, father of Starkey H., was born in the "Old Dominion" and ac-
companied his jiarents into Taylor county, Kentucky, when a boy. He
was one of the following family : Barnard, John, Isaac. Nancy, Jefferson,
Mrs. JIary A. Wise, Eliza and Edwin. The last named came to maturity
as a farm boy and married Diana Hays, of Marion county, Kentucky,
a daughter of Starkey and Nancy (Wilkersou) Hays, born in Virginia.
Four sons were born as a result of this marriage, viz: Willis, of Taylor
county. Kentucky; Starkey H., of this notice; William, of Oklahoma
City , and Norman, of Taylor county, Kentucky.
Starkey H. Tucker married Lucibra Smith in his native state. She
was a daughter of Richard and Kachel (Hays) Smith, and is the mother
of seven children, namely: Ida, l'"dwiii. M'illiaiii. Hcviha I'.urgey, of ^Ion-
tana: Richard, Otto and'Orville.
Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are memhcis of the Sotitliern .Mc1lio<li-f diuivh
and liave reared their large family to men and w.imc!! of iisefdliiess and
h.mor.
I'KRRY X. ALLIN— I'romiuently and successfully identified with
the grain business in Cott'eyville, is I'erry N. AUin, whose name initiates
this ]tersonal review. He is a son of the well-known farmer, William
H. Allin, of Fawn Creek townshiji, and was born, April 10, 18(it), in Cedar
county, Iowa. He accomi)anied his jiarents to ^Montgomery county, Kan-
sas, when a youth of fourteen, and his ])rimary and higher education were
obtained in the country and in the Cotfeyville schools.
Assuming his station in life, at twenty years of age, he took up cler-
ical work, in the First National Bank of Cotfeyville, spending four years
there. The two years succeeding, he passed in the employ of the Adams
(irain Company, of Cotfeyville, and, the next year, he spent as an assistant
in the Caney Valley Bank. Returning to Cotfeyville, he engaged in the
grain business, as an employee and partner, in the Adams Grain Com-
])any. In July, 1901, he found matters in the company working some-
what to his o./n d'-advantage and, in July, 1901, organized the Perry N.
Allin Grain Company, operating twenty-flve grain stations, with gen-
eral office at Cotfeyville, Kansas.
Aside from his personal and individual business. Mr. Allin is con-
nected with some of the prominent institutions of his town. He lias
served eight years as seci'etary of the Board of Directors of the First Na-
tional Bank of Cofleyville, of which board he is a member; and he is a
stockholder in the J'eoples' Gas Company. He is a Republican, in poll-
CEO. H. PICKER AND WIFE
home IK
1901 p:
Montgomery con
t'"v Anipricn in IN":
«
I
m ♦'♦'•
r: ii n I
HISTORY OV MONTGOMEttY COUNTY, KANSAS. 66 1
tics, and a Mason — Keystone Blue Lodge and Chapter, of Indeiiendence,
St. Bernard Conunanderv, Wichita Consistory— Scottish Rite.
June io, 1891, Mr. Allin married Anna McCoy, a daughter of Wil-
liam McCoy, of Cofteyville. Grace and William Perry are tlie children
of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Allin are members of the Methodist
churcli. He is a Knight of Pythias, an A. O. U. W., an Klk and a Wood-
men of the \\'orld. He is a member of Keystone Lodge, No. 102, Coflfey-
ville; of Keystone Chapter, No. 22, Independence, Kansas; St. Bernard
Commandery, No. 10, Independence, Kansas; Wichita Consistory, No. 10,
Wi.hita, Kansas, and of Abdallah Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine,
I^'a veil worth, Kansas.
.Mrs. Allin is \\'<)rthy Matron of CoOeyville Chapter, Order of the
Eastern Star.
(;1-:0I;<;H H. IMCKI;H— The snbjeit of this sketch was born in
Lincolnshire. England, on the l.")th of April, 1S.")0, and died at his
home near ('ott'eyville, Montgomery county, Kansas, October 16th,
1901. His parents came to America in 18.52, settling at Fremont, Ohio,
where they lived until 18(>5, when they moved to xVuburn, Indiana.
Mr. Picker learned his trade while in Auburn, that of brickmason,
stonemason and plasterer. In 1872, lie was married to Miss Lucy Jones,
who, with one adopted daughtei-, still survive him. In 1877, they moved
to Kansas, settling on a farm near Cofteyville, where they lived until
his death.
Mr. Picker was a contra<tor' and builder and worked at his trade
and was also quite an extensive farmer. He was connected with the
Coffeyville Vitrified Brick and Tile Company, and was a memlier of
the Cofl'eyville Camp No. 66-5, M. W. A. He was a good citizen and
neighbor, and in his death the community lost a good man. He was
generous to a fault and was loved and respected by all who knew him.
THOMAS .1. BOOTH— A citizen whose interests have been so diversi-
fied, whose business connections so substantial and whose character
comparatively so unique, can not fail to prove of interest to the peruser
of local history and should have a place in the detailed affairs of the
locality which it is the purpose of this volume to record. Thomas J.
Booth was in Montgomery county almost from the beginning and from
a beardless boy to a man in the afternoon of life, his history has been inter-
woven with that of the moving spirits in the every-day affairs qf the
county and presents a record of successes which indicate, unmistakably,
a genius for grappling with men and affairs.
A pioneer of the county. Mr. Booth dates his advent here at 1870,
when he accompanied his father's family hither from Des Moines countj-.
i662 HI.STOUY 01'' MONTtiOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
I()\v;i. and settled on the raw prairie near While Post scliool house, six
iiiih's west and a little north of Indei)enden<e. The father was Milton
J5ooth who died after eij;ht years of residen.e in tli<' connty, at seventy
years old. Bedford iMMuity. West Virj;inia. was (lie laltei's native place
and. while he was of En<;lish e.xtraclioii. he was far removed from his
orij;iiial liriiish ancestor, who was his paternal jrrandfather. From
West \'ir};inia he came out to .\dams county. Illintiis. where his family
was born. His second wifV was .\t;atha .\dams. who died in Des Moines,
Iowa, bein-; the mother of the followin-: Kileii. wif.- of .Jonas I'ickler,
of Montjiomerv countv. Kansas; Fre<l. of Darby. .Motitana; .Minnie,
decea.sed; Thoinas .1.. of this record: Henry and diaries. d.M-eased. 15y
his tirst niarria-ie there w.'re four ehildren: .lames, of I'uelilo. Col.: .Mrs.
Susan Iturnett. af l{ed Oak. la., and Manpiis and Virj;inia. de. lasrd.
In Iowa and in Kansas our subject ariiuired a liberal eduratiiui in
the common schools. He tauirhl (<nintry school for a lime. a> an intro-
duction to the serious side of life, .and then, as the junicu- incnilier of the
firm of Shoemaker and I!o<ith. eniratred as a rattle .l.-aler and shipper
for nine vears. This business irave him a wide acciuainlam-e over s<iuth-
ern Kansas and he kn<-w [lersonally neai-ly eveiy permanent settler in
Montjfomerv county. With the business of fariniiiL;. and stock raising
and as a feeder and shipper he was connected until ls!)4, when he
laecame interested in mercantile pursuits, displayint; the same aptness
and adaptation for the lu'w business as for the old. In 1894. he organized
the Union Implement ("omiiany. of Independence, of which he is Secre-
tary and Treasurer and active manager. This, with other important
business interests in the connty. employs him fully and warrants his
characterization as one of the busy men of Independence.
In the month of October— :2:'.—l.S7y, Mr. Booth married Amanda, a
daughter of William I'eebler. who settled in Montgomery county in
the same year with the Booths. In April, I'JOl, Mrs. Booth died, leaving
three children, as follows: Clyde, of Darby, Montana; Nellie, book-
keejier for the I'nion Imjdenient t'omjiany. and Ethel.
Mr. Booth is connected with many secret and insurance orders and
besides being a member of both Woodmen orders he is an Klk and a high
.Mason. He belongs to the Blue Lodge, the Chapter, Commandery, the
Shriiu- and the Consistory at Wichita, .32d degree. He is a Republican,
without a])ology for his faith, and is an active spirit in the promotion of
enterprises looldng lo the public weal as well as to his legitimate per-
sonal gain. He is not tied to formalities and not in sympathy with
straight-jacketism on many lines but believes in a reasonable liberality
of thoughl and action consistent with the duties of a good citizen. He
is endowed with a wide streak of good mitiire, looks for the good side of
all things and is universally jiopular as a lili/.en of the county.
HISTOUV 01' MUNTUUMEKY CUUNTY, KANSAS. 665
Montgomery coiiiil.v. l)ii( I his sloj. was (inly tcniiioiiiry as he took up
his ivsidciHc iu ('iiaiil:nii|iiii .■oiiiily, soon, and was a citizen tliere till
1.SJS4. Coniini; ajiaiii to .Mon( jioniery rouiily in 1S1)4. lie pui-chased the
west half of seriion .-.li. lowiiship :::'.. lano.- Hi, and has, sin.-e that date,
been occui.icd with ils inlelli;;cnl an<l snrressfiil cult ivalinn and
iiupi-oveiuenl.
J. Hai-dy Smith is a native son of Hamilton Co., Illinois, his birth
takinj-- ]flace* June liL'. is.-.i'. .lohn K. Smith, his father, was a farmer
and went into Illinois in IS.-.l from Monroe county, Tennessee, where he
had lived many yeais. lie was horn near Newburu, North Carolina, in
1820, and dieii in Chanlamiua Co., Kansas — where he settled iu 1873 — in
1895. He was a .son of Henry Smith, born also near Xewburn, N. C, and
died iu Tennessee. Henry Smith married Sarah Co.\ and their children
were: "Gatsie," who married .lohn Presley ami died in Tennessee;
Sallie. died in Tennessee; John II.. subject's father; Samuel H., of West
Tennes.see; Ann, who married Luther Hicks, of Hamilton Co., 111.;
Augustus, of Dade Co., Mo.; and Salatha, of the Cherokee Nation, mar-
ried John Redburn. John K. Smith nnuried Nancy E. Fosha, a daugh-
ter of .Jesse Fosha, of the State of Tennes.see. Mrs. Smith died in 1862.
leaving the following kssue: Sarah, who died in 189:^.. was the wife of
Joseph 1). Mezo; Wealthy J., who died unmarried; J. Hardy, of this
sketch; Malinda, widow of James Neal, of Bolton, Kansas; Mary, who
died in ]8!l(), was the wife of J. B. Tame, of Chautauqua Co., Kansas.
The subject of this review was educated liberally in his native state-
and engaged in teaching country schools at the age of eighteen years.
He continued the jirofessitui in Illinois and in Kansas till 1882, teaching
his last term in Chautaucpia Co., Kansas. In 1884. he moved to the
Cherokee Nation in the Indian Terril<uy and was engaged in farming
and raising stock there for ten years, his success at which providing
him with the means whereby he was enabled to jnirchase and own his
])resent estate. Keturning to Kansas, he so(m nuide the investment
which put him in possession of his Independence township farm. As a
home and an abiding jilace for contented and happy people, the farm was
rather forbidding. It was unfenced. possessed no barns or sheds and
jio i-e.sidence. save a small log house and a box lean-to. This condition
has all been changed and the new residence, the fences and cross-fences
and the general air of tlirifl, rendci- the surroundings inviting and indi-
cate its occnjiants as industrious and jirogressive people.
October 28, 1878, Mr. Smith married, in Chautaui|ua Co., Kans.,
Belle Henry, a daughter of Monioe Henry who, with his wife, Melissa
(lorby were the parents of Sterling, of Niotaze, Kansas; .Vnna, wife of
C. n. Wells, of VernKUitville, Mich.; Lucy, who married Joseph Elam.
of Dewey, Ind. Ty.; Tommie, wife of K. J. Swearingen, of Romona, Ind.
Ty., and' Mrs. Smith, the oldest of the family.
The isi-pie of the marriage of Mr. and ^Irs. Smith are: May,
666 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
Arthur, who married (lolda Waguer and resides near .Ictl'crson, Kaus.;
Bert, and Ethel.
A review of the Smiths' political history shows them to have been
Democrats from an early time. Our subject has maintained the tradi-
tions and practices of the family— of this branch— and has taken a
lively interest in the political battles which have been fought in Mont-
gomery county for the past eight years. He is treasurer of school dis-
trict number 49 — "Clear Creek" — and is a warm supiwifer of modern
educational methods.
AHXEK GREEN— The name which iiiiii;iics this i.'vi.>\v. will i)Ossi-
bly be more familiar to a large number of Montgouiery ((.uiity citizens
than any other mentioned in this volume. In the three-fold character
of one of the average farmers, a member of the county high school
board, and proprietor of one of the best threshing outfits in the county,
Abner Green, of Cherokee townshij). has to do with many and varied
interests.
Mr. Green is a Southern man. liaving been Imrn in Cliathaui county,
N. C, on the 6th day of October, 1842. The family have ])e('n residents
of that state since Colonial times. Harlan Green was the father of our
subject, and Mary Copland his mother. The mother died in 18.")1, and
the father, taking his young children, came up into Indiana the same
year and located in Orange county, for two years, and thence to Parke
'count\. where he continued to reside until liis death, at the age of fifty-
four years. Three, only, of his nine clii
Nancy, wife of John M. Teague; and Abu
After settling in Indiana, the fatln-r ag;i
name being. Mildred Ann ("(xijkm-. wh(l^
widow of Bruce Stanley, of Indiana.
A lad of nine years, when the family
Mr. Green was there reared to faiiii litV ami
His fatlun- having died when he was Imi
to live with James AV. Russell, wliirc
four years. He then began life for 1
several ditferent counties of the state
in the army. July of 1863. He bccai
Ind. Vol. Inf. and was sent for service to East Tennessee. The
character of his service in the army was at once severe and uninterest-
ing, as, by a chain of circumstances which neither he tior his superior
officers could control, the regiment was kei»l on the niaicli almost con-
tinuously in the eastern i»art of the States of Tennessee ami Kentucky.
On many of the.se long marclies the regiment was forced lo foiagi- upon
the country for its subsistence, and many a day Mi. (lieeii and his
compatriots were obliged to jiurloin coin from the jioor mules which
en
aie now living: Yancy,
the
subject of this review.
mai
iried. the second wife's
ine
eliild. .Mary F.. is the
ved
to th<' "Iloosier Slate,"
(1 S(
■cured a fair education.
ecu
. lie left home and went
Ml.'
his home ihe following
f a I
1(1 worked on farms in
llie
(late of liis enlistment
pri'
vate in Co. -B," 115th
IlISTOnV OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 667
accoiniiiiiiii-il the ic<;iiii( nl. A foi'cod iiiairh, wliich llic icfiiiiiciil iiiadi^
oue dai-k and slormy iii^iit, troin Ci-ccnsvillt' to Hulls (iap. a distance of
thirty miles, is iiarliculaily vivid in the nicinory of our subject, as many
of his comrades were so exliaiisled that they died either on the way
or after their arrival. Much is said in history of the credit due to men
who bared their breasts to shot and shell, but every true soldier well
knows that the lonj; weary march, without projx'r sustenance, required
as high a degree of pal riot ism as was sluivvn anywhere. Mr. (Jreen
was not present at a single battle, but afK-r liis honorable discharge, in
February of 1804, lie could truthfully say that he had seived his country
faithfully and well.
.Mr. (Jreen reliniied (o his lioiiie afler the war and lalpored on the
Hutf farm nntil the ilale of his marriagv, September ID. ISdT. For tlu-
following six yeais he worke<l farms on shares, and by the day, when,
by close economy, he was enabled to save enough to purchase a small
farm. After two years, he removed to Sullivan (■ounty, where he spent
four .\ears very profitably and succeeded in saving enough to make his
long contemplated removal to this state. In the spring of 1879, he
purchased IfiO acres seven miles nortlunust of C^)fteyville, which remains
his comfortable home today. Mr. tlreen purchased two other tracts
which he has deeded to his children. The improvements which he has
added to his farm from time to time, are such as to make it one of the
most attractive farm properties in the county. To a large native grove,
he has added many kinds of trees and shrubbery, his large two stoiy
residence being surrounded by tasty grounds planted with evergreens
and all furnishing a very pleasing picture to the eye of the traveler.
The etlorls of Mr. (Jreen have been directed, for the most part, to
farming, but for .some thirty-eight years he has, in season, superintended
the uperalion of his thrashing machine, a period of time which has
made Iiim thoroughly conversant with that important industry.
As the "architect of his own fortune'' Abner Green has every
reason to be proud of his success in life, as it is all the result of indivi-
dual elfort. The period of his residence in Cherokee township has beea
one of helpful activity in the social and pMitical life of the county. He-
has served as treasurer of his township, and the prominent part which
he has always taken in educational affairs, caused his election on the
Republican ticket by a handsome majority to a position on the Oountr
High School board.
The lady who presides over the home of our subjeet was Miss
Drucilla Hutif, daughter of Aaron I), and I'riscilla Hutf. Jlrs. Green is a
native of I'arke County, Ind.. whi re she was born on June 20, 1845. Her
parents are both deceased, while six children survive as follows: Hanna
Booth, died June 1st, 1!)0.'{; Abigail Heath, Parthina Morgan, Indiana
Carter, Drucilla CJreen, and C. K. Huff. To the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Green have come five children, as follows: Locha, deceased at nine
months; Effa J., Avife of Fred J. Burkhart; Maiiford A., a farmer of
Oherokee township who married Maggie livdic; Manson O., married
Nellie Davis and resides in Independence; and Lora P., is Mrs. Ed
Gardner and resides in the Indian Territory.
WILLIAM 1). WHELCHEL— Ovrr tlii<H- dfrndcs luis iliis inonii.
neut and worthy representative of the agricultural class followed the
plow in Montgomery county. Under his hand he has seen the bare
prairies blossom as the rose, and a well-ordered farm take the place of
nature's wild waste. Mr. Whelchel has retired from ncti\e farm work,
however, and is enjoying the fruits of ])asf labor and (Mimoniy.
William D. Whelchel was born in Bates counly. Mo., iil L^4."'>, and
is the son of John J. and Louisa (Bullard) Whelchel. Tin y wcm' farmers,
the father having been born in Indiaim in ISIS. SIkhIIv after ilieir mar-
riage, the parents removed to Bates county. Mi>.. and later to Linn
county, Kan., where the father died at the age of titty four ,\ears. Their
family consisted of 10 children. AA'illiain was reared to young man-
hood on the Missouri farm, and in LStJli. came with the family to Kansas.
He rcnuiined with his parents until his mariiage, .Ian. .">. IStJS. Mrs.
Whelchel's maiden name was Samantha L. ^^■iliiallls. daughter of John
R. and Sarah (Adams) Williams. Her father was born in Memphis,
Tenn., entered the ministry of the Baj)tist church at eighteen, and
died in Ajjril of 1881. Her mother was born in Benton county. Illinois,
and died at a comparatively early age, in isiil, aged fifty-three years.
She was the mother of twelve children: Eli/.abelh. who luarried Wm.
Dillon, of LaCygne, Kan.; Marion, who was killed in the Civil \\ar; Wm.
R., of Washington; Harriet, who died at sixteen years; Thomas J.,
Sarah, John and Hattie, also deed.; Augustus W'.. of California; Mrs.
Whelchel, Elvira, Mrs. Wm. Agnew, of the Indian Ty.; .Mary died in
infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Whelchel are parents of eight' children, all of
whom but two, are living, and occu](ying honoied jilaces in society. The
eldest was John C, born Jan. 15, lS(i!>, married Ilattie Noiris and is a
farmer in Oklahoma Ty.; his children are: Doftie. Inez. Homer, Clay-
ton, Frankie and James; Wm. F.. born Dec IT. 1S7(». mariied Matilda
Arizona Williams, wlio died Feb. 27. r.M):;; Charles. Iioiii .lime 4. 1S72,
and died Janv. L'f>, 1S7:!; Ilattie. born Nov. C. Is7s. and died Nov. i!:5,
l!Mlt»,wastliewifeof Harry DeMolt— left one .hild. Tressie; Waller, of Elk
City, mariied Elhel llan.-ock, who di.-d .May 17. liKIL'; .lames, a farmer
of i.ouisburg township, was born Oct. of iss'l. :iiid married I'.ertha Hope;
(Jracie Sunshine, bm-n Ort. L':t, ISS.'i. is a studenl of llie Montgomery
County High Scl 1; and Chester Iven. born .Ian. 111. 1S>S, is a sturdy
farm lad at home.
i-'or a time alter Ilieir marriage. Mr. and .Mrs. \\-|iel(hel liv.-d in
the home neighborhood, and. in lS7lt, <-ame to what was then the wilds
•» f* t
9t W 9
ISTORY OP \i
Manson O.. marri<^d
Lova P.. is Mr?. ^;:i
iJli
ind a vveli-orik'iti:
■Icli.'l lias ictirod
place of
; 111 work.
wlio died
-1 deed.; Axy-
. i'Jviiii, \[i<. Wni. Ajruew. of ih, ii
-Mr. and Mrs. Wht'khol are parents
" i\\r>. .nv' iiviiic. '"i<i or- nin-';iji lioiici.
.!>•, llaiiiaK... Whi.
nship. was born O
■. horn Oet. 23, li-s
• liiMtl; and Tliesfer h
' after their ni;ni ,,. i'
iliorliood, ami
>i« ^
W. D. WHELCHEL AND WIFE.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 67 I
piece of work. He also built the main altar in the liuleiieiidence
Catholic Church, besides doiiijj work in other churches outside of the
county. He is a finished workman in liis line and his work will stand
the test erf criticism. Uis en(criirisin}; dis]i(isitiou is acknowledged by
all good citizens.
Mr. Imel manicd Stacy 1!. l>arlin.u, a native of Kansas and a
daughter of I', li. and Nancy i>arling. from .lackson county, Ohio. Her
]>arents lived on a farm in Labette county, Ks. Mrs. Imel is one of six
children, the oldest being, Francis, the wife of John Oliver, of Cherry-
vale; Tony, a minister in the U. B. Church of Yates Center, and A
worthy, influential man, who has nuide much of opportunity; Thomas,
a farmer of Labette connty, Ks. ; Daniel, of Cherryvale; Mrs. Imel,
Eunice, Mrs. William Cooper.
William A. Imel and wife have one child, Orlie, who is the joy and
pride of their home. They are members of the Methodist Church and
are worthy people who carry the good will and esteem of a large and
increasing circle of acquaintances. Mr. Imel is a member of the A. O.
U. W., also the W. O. W. In politics he is an ardent republican.
DR. J. T. BLANK— Materia mcdica has no more devoted follower
in Montgomery county than Dr. Blank of Elk City, j)hysici:iii. siiioeon
and dentist. His practice in these three lines of the iirufcssioii is a
large one and lies among the best classes, confidence in his aliility to
master of the situation at all times, being the mainspring of his splendid
success.
The doctor belongs to llie Eclectic school of medicine, being a
graduate of the Cincinnati institution, class of 1890. He immediately
took up the practice at Elk City and is now reaping the fruits of
patient and painstaking effort in the earlier years — years in which he
endured the varied trials that come to every young professional man
with a persistent complacency which finally won the respect even of
his brethren of opposing schools. Of late years he has given especial
attention to surgery and has made a fine reputation in that difficult art.
He is a close student and has at various times contributed articles of
much merit to the different medical journals of tlie country. In the
annual state meetings of the Eclectic Association he takes a prominent
part, and thus keeps in touch with the best thought in the profession.
The doctor is a member of and medical examiner for a number of the
best fraternal organizations, notably the Woodmen, Fraternal Aid,
Tonties and Royal Neighbors. He is a member of the Knights of
Pythias and of the A. O. U. W., in which organizations he has been a
prominent worker, having filled ail tln' cliairs in each. No mote jtopular
citizen resides within the confines of thi^ nnniicipality than this busy
and courteous disciple of Aesculapius.
6^2 IIISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COl NTY, KANSAS.
I'assiiij; to tlic f;iiiiily liistoiy of onv suhjcct. the bioyraiilicr uott-s
that he was boiu in \V*'st Virjiinia, June 2:'., ISlKi. tin' son of Joliu and
Justina (llillip) Klank, the father a native of Holhind. the mother of
Germany. The father was a pi-acticinj; jthysitian in (Marksbnif;, W. \n..
for a number of year.s prior to the war. lb- enlisted in the service as a
surfi'eon and served in the western army, and at the i-lose carried on his
]>ersoii tlie scars of a wound received in baltle, and which attested his
iovaliv l<i <-ouiitry in the <hiys of jier dire need, .\f1er the war. the family
moved lip lo .Mlooiia. I'a.. and in ISTd. raine out lo Kansas, tirsi settling
in l»oni|iliaii. liience )o Elk county, where llic fallier jD'acticed until his
deatii ill ISTt, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother survived
him ic:iii\ \cais. dying- in 1897, at the age of si.xly seven.
Dr. -I.T. IMan'k married in ISilL'. Jliss Doia llattan. a native of Illi-
nois. Siie was a lady of many beautiful nails of riiaia<lei-. a sjilen-
did moliier lo hei- two childreu. Jay and Merrcl. Ib-r dealli. which oc-
curred .laniiaiy 7. 1S!I!), at the age of thirty-two years, was a sad shock
to her devoted husband and (hildren. Two years latc^r the doctor
brought to ]ireside ovei- his home, Miss Louisa Kruschke. a native Kan-
sas girl, daughter of Frederick Kruschke. Mrs. Ulank combines in a
happy degrcH' the qualities so essential in the physician's wife, and
both she and her husband are potent factors in the citv's social life.
The doctor is Vice ]'resi(h-nt of the P^clectic Medi.al .\ssn., meeting
generally at Topeka.
IIIOXKV \y. SIOLTZKK— Henry \V. Sell/.cr was born and reared on a
farm in I'eoria county. 111. His birth occurred Se],t. 4. lS.-..->. His father,
A^'illiam Sell/.er, was a son of a native (iernian. Ilis family consisted of
three sons: John. Jacob and ^\'illiam, who marTie<l Catherine Link, a
native of (iermany. To them vveie born four children: John 1)., a resi-
dent of ('hicago; our subject, Henry ^^'.. of hHlejiendence; Mary, de-
ceased; and Catherine A^'atzel, a I'esident of I'eoria, HI. His wife hav-
ing died. Ml'. Scdtzer married Lizzie (irittin. and to this second mar-
riage were born si.x children: Hurton, T(uiard. Nellie. Frank. ]\Iarion
and Oliver, all of whom reside in I'eoria, III. Honald is the son of his
third wife, Caiherine I'indile.
Henry W. Sell/.er. the subject i,( Ihis skelcli. has also f(dlowed
farmiiig ,-is an occupation, and thai success which comes from intelli-
genl faiiniiig has c-oiiie lo him. The faiiii of one hundred and sixty
acres, where he MOW lives, in Sediiui I'l'-.!:! I."i. was purchased when he
came lo .Moiilgomeiy <-onnly, in 1!MM>. In jiolilics none has ever been
truer or more enl hiisiaslic than Mr. Sellzer. He is an ai'dent Rejuib-
licaii, and has always served his jiarty lo I lie besi of his ability. As
a friend i>f education, he is well and favorablv known in his native
slate, whei-e for several vears he was a iiieiiiher <d' llic board of edu-
IIISTOKY OF MONTfiOiMEUY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 673
ciitioii, anil has always woiUoil for tlic L.-st iiil.iests of tlio sthools,
where lie resides.
On the 13th of September, 18S2. ocdiind (lie maniage of Henry
^\'. Seltzer and Anna Archabald. a daiifihtei- of Thomas and Susan
(Kalli) Archabald. Mrs. Seltzer's father was a nalivc of the Isle of Man,
and his wife of old \'irfj;inia. To Mi', and Mrs. Seltzer have been born
four (liildren: Orie A., Katie H.. Jay H. and Edna M., all of whom
are school children at home.
WILLIAM COCHK.VN HALL, M. D. The medical profession of
Montgomery county and of the city of Coffeyville is honored by the dis-
tinguished services in its behalf of Ur. William ('. Hall of this review.
For sixteen years he has been identified with the practice of medicine
in Coffeyville and the success of his practice, his high character and
his substantial citizenship, place him prominently in the front rank of
Montgomery county physicians.
Highland county, Ohio, was the birthplace of Dr. Hall and his
birthday was October 29, 18(!n. His father, Carey F. Hall, was a busi-
ness man of a speculative turn and was born in the same county and
state October 20, 1836. He passed his life in Highland, Adams and
Scioto counties. Ohio, and, for a short time, was a liotelkeeper in New-
castle, Indiana. Jacob Hall, grandfather of Dr. Hall, was born in Vir-
ginia in 1802, and came out of the Old Dominion State with his father,
George Hall, and settled in Highland county, Ohio. He passed his
life on the farm and married Polly Cochran. Jacob Hall died leaving chil-
dren, as follows: James, Jesse R., Mary J., Matilda A., Sallie, Lucy and
Carey F. The last named married Hannah Milburn. the mother of our
subject. His wife was a daughter of Daniel and Easter A. (Rice) Mil-
burn. The Milburns were among the first settlers of that Ohio region
and were from Pennsylvania. Carey F. Hall and wife were the par-
ents of: William C, of this notice; Louella N., wife of J. C. Price, of
Montgomery county, Kansas; I^uira C., who died at eighteen years;
Verdie R.. wife of Hardie Stanfield, of Cofi'eyville, Kansas; and Carey
Frank, who resides with the mother of these children just west of
Coffeyville.
Dr. William <". Hall passed an uneventful br)yhood and youth and
attended the common schools of his native state. He acquired his ad-
vanced literary training in the National Normal I'niversity at Lebanon,
Ohio — Holbrook's school — in the mean lime teaching school, and, at
twenty-one years of age, took up the study of medicine Avith Dr. James
W. Bunn, of West I'nion, Ohio. He was a student in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Maryland, from which institu-
tion he graduated in March, 1885. April 1st following, he located at
Latham, Ohio, and began active practice. In February, 188G. he re-
674 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
moved to Sinking Spring, that state, where he remained till his final
removal to Coffeyville, Kansas, April 27, 1887. His practice in this
city and community has been most active and has become of great im-
portance not only to himself but to the locality as well. It has been
attended with remarkable success and does honor to the county and
great credit to the doctor. He is division surgeon of the Mo. V. and
Iron Mountain Railways, local surgeon of the M. K. and T. Railway
and of the Santa Fe Railway; is one of the staff of the Good Samaritan
Hospital of Coffey ville, and was president of the Montgomery county
Pension Board during Cleveland's second administration. He has
served as President of the Coffeyville Board of Education, is President
of and one of the founders of the hospital above named. He has many
business interests of importance to Coffeyville, among them heing: the
erection of and his ownership, with Mr. Mahan, in the Hotel Mecca; a
stockholder in and holds the Presidency of the Coffeyville Pottery and
Clay Co.; he is President of the Coffeyville Chemical Company and a
Director in the Peoples Gas Company, in the Condon Bank, in the
new glass company and in the Coffeyville Commercial Club, of which
two last he is also Vice President; President of the Coffeyville (Kan-
sas) Academy of Medicine and member of Adams County (Ohio) Medical
Society; Montgomery Co. (Kansas) Medical Society; Indian Tenitory
Medical Society; Kansas State Medical Society; American Mediral
Association, and Inteinational Association of Railway Surgeons.
June 15, 1887, Dr. Hall married Sara II. Hite, a daughter of Rev.
Addison Hite, a Methodist minister of Virginia origin. Mrs. Hall was
born in Highland Co., Ohio, Sept. 16, 18G4, and is the mother of Levera
May and William ('arlton Hall. The doctor is a. Scottish Rite Mason,
a D(nn()crat in politics and a member of the Elks lodge.
OLIVER PERRY EKGENBRIGHT. As an advocate and counselor
at law and in the field of politics, do we l>est know the gentleman
whos(> name introduces and who is the subject of this brief review.
Skilled in his profession and distinguished as an orator, he is an ac-
knowledged jiower at the bar, and a ]iolitical commander of the third
congressional district. His success in his chosen and favorite fields
has been iironounced and his position infiuenfial among men.
The I'.rgenlirighfs are of Teutonic origin and "Eherenbreitstine"
on the ri\('i- lihine in liower (Jernniiiy, was their native home. The
founder of this Anietican family, .\ugust "Ergenbreit,"' was the great-
grandfalher of our subject and, about 1740, he added his presence to
the ])()i)ulation of Virginia, from which Colony he enrolled as a soldier
in the Continental army for American independence. He was a private,
did his duty throughout the struggle, was present at the siege and cap-
ture of Yorktown and was one of the detail to carrv the news of the
e € I
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irpctire in i.i
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rie has
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W. C. HALL, M. D.
HISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 677
iug boon born July .'?. ISTIJ, so near tho centennial anniveisary of our
nation's birth as to be a fitting event in the domestic life of the Hum-
phrey family. He passed through the city schools and graduated from
the high school in his native town at the age of eighteen years. Ambi-
tious for higher education, he attended the Kansas Stale University two
years, during which time he contributed much toward his maintenance
in the institution as a correspondent for the Kansas City Star, writing
its "TTniversity Notes.'' Other publications have known him in a like
capacity and. as editor of the "K. T^ Weekly,'' he maintained a lively
interest in the college journal by the charm and originality of his
editorials and by the pith and spice of his ])aragra]ihs.
On closing his university Avork, Mr. Humphrey entered the Citizens
National Bank, of Independence, where he was book-keei)er for three
years. He then became a member of the firm of Humphrey and Son,
financial correspondents of the Union Central Life Insurance Company,
of Cincinnati, Ohio, managing its investinents in southeastern Kansas.
In 1901. he was elected Treasurer of the hoard of education of Inde-
pendence, and was the custodian of and handled the funds of tlie dis-
trict, including the jiroceeds of the school bond sales amounting to
fortv thousand dollars.
'December 2, l!)()i'. Mr. lliiinphrey married Klsie ('. .Vnderson. daugh-
ter of the pioneer merchant and well known citizen, -John M. Anderson,
•of Independence. Mrs. Humphrey was born in Montgomery county,
Kansas, November 3, 1871), was educated at Hardin College, Mexico, Mo.,
and is a charming and accomjdished lady.
In fraternal matters our subject is little more vhan a novice. He
became a mason in 1900 and has taken tlie hiiic lodge and chapter
degrees. He is a member of the IMii l>elta Tlieta college fraternity, and
imbibed his Republican jiarty ])roclivities from his father. Lyman U.
Humphrey, Ex-Gov. of Kansas.
CH.\ULKS 11. Kl•:^■^"^:!^^^ one of I'arkcr Townshiji's re]>resenta-
tive men. was horn in Whiteside county. Ills., on the 21st day of July,
1856. His father's name was James L. Kennedy, a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and his mother's Elmiia Robeits, a native of Indiana. In Septem-
ber, 18.55, the parents moved to Illinois and settled in Whiteside county,
w^here the mother died in IStJO. at the age of thirty-three years. After
this event the fatliei' moved back to Indiana and jiassed his remaining
years there, dying in 1S!I7.
To them were born six children. Emiiv .1.. deed.; Lewis T. , .Vniasa
R., deceased; John I ».. Charles H. and Sarah L. deceased.
The subject of this sketch was reared on tin- farm in Illinois.
After the death of his mother he went to live with an uncle, S. R.
Libby, where he attended the common schools and received his edu-
Till- iiarciils (if Dr. Hcitt'iishiiw, Edwin and A. Mi-lissa Jiertenshawv
have lonj; been ^)l•()Ininl'nt asiiftilturists of the eounty, they removing-
here in 1871, from their native State of Indiana. They settled on a claim
in Lonisbiirj; Tw p.. but have since removed to Independence Twp. Their
family consisted of: Dr. Iv .1., -lohn T., an attorney at Independence;
Herbert, a dcniist al Indciicndencc, and JIoscv <i., a commercial trav-
eler.
Dr. Kertenshaw was born in Franklin county, Ind., March 13, 1869.
He is a product, in education, of the common schools of his home town-
ship and of the high school of Elk City, where he graduated in 1889.
He then entered upon the study of his jirofession under the proceptor-
ship of Drs. J. T. Davis and T. F. ISerlcnshaw, (the latter an uncle) of
Louisbiirg Twp., iM(»ntgomery county, Kansas, jnactitioners of note there.
Continuing witli them two years he in IS'.id, icjiaired to Miami Medical
College in ('iiiciiinaii, ami in ilic spriiiji of IS!);!, was given the diploma
of that instilntiini. The Isl of -lunc found him located in Independence,
where, fm' tln' iciiiaiudi-r of liiat year, he continual the ])ractice in con-
junction witli Dr. \\ . A. .Mct'ulley. In -lanuary of 1894, he opened an
office in Elk Cily. .\s intimated, Dr. Iterlenshaw soon took rank among
the best in the county and has each year added new laurels in the dif-
ficult cases which he has successfully handled. He takes measures
to keep in close touch with liis profession, being a constant student of
the best medical litejature, and a member of the different medical socie-
ties within his jurisdiction. lie served a period of three years on the
pension examining boaid and is examinei- for s(^veral old line and fra-
ternal insurance comi>anii's.
Di-. Hertenshaw was marric.l Novcnibci- I'lt. is'.lli. to Miss Laura J.
Cowell, dauiiiiter of a jiioMeer fainilv of the count v. and ju'ominent in its
historv. a brief skdcli of whi<h is h'cre ai-iiendcd.'
DK. HEXKY (OWFLL. -landfather of Mrs. IJertenshaw, was a
native of Xew York state, wlici-e lie married Eliza McMaster, and, later,
removed to (irant coiuily. N\'isconsin. Here he was for yesirs the pion-
eer pliysiciaii, cdiilinuing until about tlic time the (Mvil War opened,
wlien he went lo I'j lifoinia, where he dii-d in tlic seventies. The wife
«lied l;;t(M- in ^^■is(■onsin. Thev wei'c tlic parents of: l'\ A,, now deceased;
Lucv, deceased: 11. W., of Stockton. Cab; .b.sliiia, of Stockton, Cal.;
Adaline. and Williston. dccca.sed; F. M., of Si,,ckton. Cal.; and IMioebe,
Mrs. liichard iJiown, of t lie same point.
F. A. Cowell, fallier of Mis. I'.ertenslia w, was the eldest of the fam-
ily. He gi-e\\ to inanliooil in Wisconsin ami was first married to Jane
Carson, whose cliildi-en were: -lolin T.. and Osi-ir C. deceased; Charles
L., of Missoula, Mont.; Seldon D.. Sfevensville, Mont.; Nannie, Mrs. J.
W. Greenough, Missoula, ;Mont.; and .Joseph W., deceased. The mother
JOHN CASTILLO.
I first wit-
The chikirei) ■n-fci
.1., deci'asfd; Xanev
ist'd; Laura <"., Mr.-
*., riiuv a residenl i>
reat ouotjiv and
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WWW.'.'.
HISTORY (ir MMNTCdMl-.KY ('(irXTY. KANSAS. 6Sr
of these childreu died in lS(i4 :iii<l un M:ucli 7. ISCT. Mr. Ciwril ninr-
ried Margaret D. Oarsoii. a si.ster of his firsi witV. ami (hiuKlitcr of Wil-
liam and Anna Carson. This family were caily |ii.in.tTs of .Mahoiiing
connty, Ohio, from whence they removed to California in 1S.')(I. Tliere
the father soon died, the mother living nntil 18<i(i. The iliildrcii were:
John A., now of Minnesota; Joseph P., and Sarah J., diitascd; Nancy,
Mrs. William Ingersoll. and Chas. O., both deceased; Laura C, Mrs.
Timothy Wannamaker. deceased; and Margaret 1>.. now a icsident of
Elk Viiy. The latter is the mother of four children: Harry W"., of I'.ait-
lesvilie." I. T. ; l.aura .).. .Mrs. Dr. Rertenshaw; Crace L., single; Wal-
lace \V.. a carpenter of Klk Cily. .Mrs. Cowell lived in Wisconsin nntil
l.S(;4 and came to Kansas, living here nntil 1888. In the year 18!»4.they
came to Kansas and stojtjied at Elk City, settling in Montgomery Co.
Here the family continued to reside, though making several trii)s to
California of extended length. Mr. Cowell died June 121, 18!»(i, at the
age of sixty-seven years. He was a man of great energy and many tine
traits of character! He was a life long member of the Baptist church
and was a prominent factor in the different commuuities where his
lines were cast.
JOHN CASTILLO. Of the many defenders of Hie nation's honor
during the dark days of 1801 to 1865, who settled in Montgomery
county after the war, none is more deserving of representation in this
volume than John Castillo, Justice of the Teace of Louisburg town-
ship and Ex-County Commissioner of the county. He has, since 1874,
resided on a farm of one hundred sixty acres in this township.
In Wayne county, Kentucky, Mr. Castillo's birth occurred Feb-
ruary 17, 1842. His father was Joseph Castillo, his mother Annie Dod-
son. " The Castillo's are of pure Irish extraction, his grandfather, Mat-
thew Castillo, having been a native of Dublin, emigrating to the United
States shortly after the Eevolutionary War and remaining in Virginia
until 1809, when he came out to Wayne county. Kentucky. The lat-
ter's wife was Mary Ray. They reared a family of which our subject's
father was the eldest, and was born in 1805.
Joseph Castillo married his wife in 1833. Their children were:
Brazile, Matthew L., Michael, Mary, John and Joseph. Of this fam-
ily two of the boys, our subject and Michael, were soldiers in the Civil
War; members of Co. "H," 12th Kentucky Vol. Inft. They enlisted Oc-
tober 3, 1861, and at the expiration of service John Castillo reenlisted,
in January of 1864; he enlisted as cori>oral and was discharged as ser-
geant. Upon his re-enlistment he became Regimental Commissary
sergeant. He served until mustered out at Greensboro in July of 1865.
The regiment of which he was a part was in the following engage-
ments; Mill Springs. Siege of Corinth, Perryville. Siege of Knoxville.
Franklin and Xashville, and in the tight at Wilmington. North Carolina.
Aftf'i' till' war our subject fontiuued to reside in the "Blue Grass
Stale" until 1S74, wlien be located, as stated, in Montgomery county.
Here he owns a farm of one hundred sixty acres, the splendid character
of the improvements thereon and the neat appearance which it pre-
sents being evidences of the agricultural ability of our subject.
The marriage of Mr. Castillo was an event of the year 1860. Mrs.
Castillo was I^au M. Simpson, and resided in Wayne county, Ken-
tucky. She was the mother of Elisha J., now a teacher in the Mont-
gomery County High School, whose four children are: William Wort-
man, Harriet Lean, Sadie Elizabeth and John Cilhert; John, Jr., a law-
student of the State University at Lawrence; Mary A., wife of John
M. Cotton, Clerk in the Elk City Hank, whose children are Clyde and Cor-
nelia; Sally K., a teacher in an Indian school in Utah; Nannie B.,
married Frank Drybread. a fanner of Louisburg township; her chil-
dren are — Elizabeth and Matilda. Our subject's first wife was a lady
of many excellent (|ualities, a devoted mother to her children and was
sincerely mourned at her death, which occurred on August 10, 1884.
His second wife was Permelia Elizabeth, daughter of John and Nancy
(Bobbitt) Kandall. The marriage was solemnized on the 2.5th of De-
cember, 1S85, in Neodesha, Kas. Mrs. Castillo is a native of Pulaski
county, Kentucky, where she was born, 21st July, 1854. Her parents,
later, moved to Pettes county, Mo., where they died; her father suf-
fering death at the hands of the Bushwackers in 1804. To Mr. Castillo's
second marriage has been born one child, Irving, born June 12, 1888.
During the residence of Mr. Castillo in Montgomery county, he
has ever evinced a deep interest in the moral and social and political
life of the county. In 1884, he was nominated on the Republican ticket
as a candidate for Commissioner of the First District, and, being elected,
filled that office three years with great efficiency. He has been, for
one year. Justice of the Peace of Louisburg township. After the rise
of.tlie reform party, Mr. Castillo supported that party 'till 1896, when
he became a free silver Republican and in 1900, advocated the reforms
l)ropo^ed by the Populist party. As to future politics he stands by
Bryan, but in case of the nomination of a Gold Democrat Mr. Castillo
will cast his influence for Roosevelt. He and his family are consistent
members and literal supporters of the Christian church and the re-
spect in which they are held throughout the entire county is most uni-
form.
GEORGE L. REMINGTON. During the comparatively brief pe-
riod of twelve years that he was permitted to mingle with and be
one of the citizens of Montgomery county, the late subject of this rec-
ord, George L. Remington, lived a life conspicuous for its relation to
men and affairs, for its usefulness to civil and social institutions and
ccouomi(all.y during the acquirement of his body of land. He spent
a year at Havana in Oaney township while preparing himself for a
pernu:uent location, and where he finally settled is in the very heart
of the mineral belt of Montgomery county.
Mr. Prather was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, February
10, 1854. The Prathers are of English origin and the American branch
springs from three brothers who came here as missionaries several
generations back. Walter Prather, father of our subject, was born in
Clark county, Indiana, in 1809, and died in Bartholomew county at
past eighty-fonr years of age. Farming was his calling and he passed
his life in circumstances fitting an industrious and honorable citizen.
He filled the office of County Commissioner and was elected thereto
as a Republican. He married Mary Weathers, of Jackson county, In-
diana. She died at the age of fifty-four, in 1877. Her children were:
Orlie, wife of Henry Marshall, of Madison Co., Montana; America, who
became Mrs. Henry Warner, of the same place; William L., Jessie F.,
wife of Elmer Oyler, of Sedgwick Co., Kansas; John, of Oklahoma, and
Morton, of Sullivan Co., Indiana.
The life of William L. Prather was influenced by rural environ-
ment when he grew up. The common schools provided his education
and he remained with the parential home till twenty-four years old.
He began an independent career as a farm hand and for five years he
earned a monthly wage as snch. He grew into independent farming
gradually and the larger portion of his modest accumulations in the
Hoosier State was achieved in this way.
November 9, 1884, he was married, being united with Armina Krien-
hagen, a daughter of a German settler, Henry Krienhagen, a lifetime
farmer. Two sons have been born of their marriage, one of whom, Ora,
survives. The latter was born January 8, 1895, and is a promising boy
in the second grade in school. Mrs. Prather has performed no small
part in the achievements of the family on the prairies of Kansas and
the nintual confidence which she and Mr. Prather enjoy is a potent
force toward promoting the family welfare.
Mr. Prather has, of late years, participated in Peoples Party poli-
tics, is a member of the Modern Woodmen and is a director of school
district No. 4, Pleas^ant Valley. He is a member of the A. H. T. A.
GRANT HAINLINE. Among the younger element of the business
men of Cherryvale and a gentleman who has shown his spirit and in-
terest in his town is Grant Hainline, the gentleman mentioned in the
introduction to this notice. The east side feed-mill knows him as its
proprietor and he has been so connected since he succeeded Henry A.
Lowman, its founder, in 1899.
McDonough connty, Illinois, was the native place of Mr. Hainline
(loiiifsiic nlTiiiis lit' Mi>ii(;;cimci'.v (■oiiiil\. lie lias passed ninctcfii vtars
^\iIllill iis hoidris and a .second liuiucstcad is yieldiiifi to liis iiia};ic
toiuli and in a new lo\vnslii|> he is cstahlisliin;; his flood name.
All lull- K. I'tific is descended from Amciican antecedents bnt for
many years the family lived iindef another flap and owed alh'Kiance
to another nation. ihirinK the eaily years of the century just jiassed
Josiaii i'aue, father of our snliject, was horn in tlie Province of (^iiehec,
Can.Hla. His father settled tii'cre from the State of New York and had
other cliildren, as fidlows: Jolm, Timothy, Mrs. Melvina Robinson
and .Mrs. .\nnie Ueed. Josiah E. Pajje married Salina Koliinson, a
iiati\e of .loliet county, Canada, and a danjihter of .lames ]{obiiison
and wife, of Scottish ai'id Cafiadian hirtli. i-espect ively.
.losiaii K. and Salina I'afte passed their lives in Hie (jueen's .\nier-
ican dominions and reared nine children, nanndy: .lolni K.. of Ore-
<;on; Kmeline, (h-cea.sed; Arthur E., our sid)ject; .Mrs. Emilv .1. Knu'-
land, of Cana.hi East; Mrs. Emma A. Stephens, of F.oston. Massadin-
setts; Uilliam M., (.f Norton county, KaTisas; Mrs. l.ucy E. (il.-nney.
of Fall Uiver, Mas.sachusetts; Heriierl, of Canada, and lienjamin, of
Jtoslon, .Massachusetts. The parents of this family of cliildren were
of the Episcopal faith and in his active and mor!- vif;()rous life the
falhiM- w.is a lumber-camp foreman and was also Deimly SheritV of
.loliet county, Canada East.
.Inly 17, 1S4S, .\Hhur E. I'ajiC was born in .loliet county, tjuebec
Jle i-einaiiK-d with the parental home till |.ast his majority, when h"
left Canada and souf-ht (he United States, lie went out into the world
with a coiintrv sclimd education and learned to work while doini,' duly
on the farm (if his boyliood. He first sto|ii.ed in the Ignited States at
])ubu(iue, Iowa, and did fariu work tliere till he liad earned siitlicient
means to carry liim to I'oweshiek county. Iowa, where, at Deeji Kiver,
he took u\> farm work and continued il as a farm hand for ftuir years,
in the sjirinji- of 187:5, lie weul to Cl.iy county. Nebraska, juirchased a
claim ri<;lit, euteri'd tlie land and was occii|iied with its cultivati.ui and
improvement till ISSt, wlien he left that semi-frontier re^non and sou<;lit
the fertile and mm-e reliable country of eastern Kansas. He ]iiirchased
a quarter section of land in Rutland township. ^[ont<;omeiy county,
and, during the next eishteen years, doubled its area and sold one of ihe
desirable farms in the township, when he disjiosed of his place in
October, l!)l)2. In this time he had also acipiired a tract of land in
West Cherry township, which lie still owns, thus markin<r his as one
of tlie successful careers among Montfiomery county farmers. In Manh.
1!tO:',, he boimht one hundred and sixty acics in Independence township,
in section C.'township 32, range 15, wl'iich he is converl in.;;- into a desira-
ble Ikuiic.
In II]<> year 1874, Mr. Page married S.irah i:. <'.arr. whose parents
were Kobert E. and Louisa Y. (Snyder) C.arr, natives of N'iiirinia aii<l
M. ASHBY AND WIFE.
leasi oi «-i
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I
M. ASHBY AND \V|PK.
HISTORY OF MONTCOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 689
Kentucky, respect ivoly. Mrs. Vuge was born in Johnson conniy. In-
diana, Sept. 28, 18.j0, and is the mother of Robert J., who married < 'oiji
A. Mills and has a diild. Helen B.; Elmer E., who married Miiini.' V.
Hif^fiins, is a clerk in Scott's store at Independence, Kansas; Homer
\\'., audOren K.. who mairied Tnhi F. Creer. are both willi llie paicnial
home.
.\s an inslanic ol' wlial dclcrmina(ii)n and iicrsevcrance, ci.iiiilcd
with ami)le ])hysical \ ijior. will accomiilish, it is in place to slate Ihat
when Mr. I'a^i' reached Poweshiek county, Iowa, he had but "tifly
cents to his name." His ]>roi)erty acciuirements have all I'esiilted from
the individual efforts of himself and his devoted wife ajid mo.leslly
stand as an achievement worthy to be emulated. In politics Mr. I'ajre
was first a Denxxrat and then a Populist. He was townsliip Treas-
urer two terms in Rutland and member of the schdol board twelve
years. He is a member of the .Viicient Oidei- of rnit.-d Woikmen.
MILTON ASHIIV is a leadin- farmer and old soldier of Chero-
kee township and was born in X'ernullion county. 111., on the 27th of
October, 1S46. His father's name was James Ashby, a native of Bour-
bon county, Kentucky, and his mother was Sarah J. Blakeney of the
same state. \>'hen small children, their parents moved to Illinois — in
1829 — where James lived and died in Georgetown township, Vermillion
county, within half a mile of where they first settled. His dealli oc-
curred at the age of seventy-two, but his wife is still living and is sev-
enty-six years (dd.
" Five of the children of James and Sarah Ashby are living. Pleas-
ant Ashby. traveling agent: Eliza Milner, resident of Indiana; Maitha
Doop and Emma Smith, both of Montgomery county, and Milton,
the subject of this sketch, who is the first born. Milton Ashby was
reared in ^'ernlillion county, 111., and his education was received in
the old fashioned log school house. In this school liouse there were
not the new patent seats of today, but those made of split logs, whose
}K>lish was not attained at the factory, but by contact with "jeans and
I\omes]iun" for many years.
A\'hen the war was on he enlisted. February 4th. ISti."). in ("omjiauy
i:. 1.")l>tli 111. Vol. Inft.. and served till after the close of the war. Ho
would have entered the army sooner, but his age preA-ented, and he
was held over until the 2nd of February, 1866. After the war was
over he returned home, and stayed with his parents on the farm.
His marriage occurred August 28, 1870. His wife was Jfary >r.
Graves, a native of Vermillion county. 111., and a daughter of Levi IT.
and ^latilda (Cook) Graves. After his marriage, he bought eighty acres
of land and cultivated it for ten years. In 1884. he sold his farm and
came to Kansas, and bought eighty acres, three miles northeast of Cof-
feyville, where he now resides. There was only a small frame house
on the farm where they lived till the new house was erected, which they
now occupy. This is large and commodious, with modern conveniences
and contains eleven rooms, heated and lighted with natural gas. Be-
sides this beautiful home, there is a large barn and good out buildings,
also lighted by gas. This whole farm is an up-to-date one, everything
being kept in good repair. Land has been added to the original eighty,
until now the estate comprises three hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Ashby has in his possession the first tax receipt he ever re-
ceived, which amounted to sixty cents, a sum somewhat less than his
present annual tax. On the farm he keeps a variety of stock — cattle,
horses and hogs.
In politics Mr. .\slihy is a Kepublican, and has served successividy
as treasurer of the townsliip two terms, and trustee one term.
Mr. and Mrs. Asliby have four children living: Lillie A., wife of
D. A. Jones, of Coffeyville; James L., a farmer; Alva M., also a farmer
in the county; Maud, the wife of Edwin Peterson, living at home with
lier parents, and Bertie, who died at three years of age.
JOSEPH S. HAMER, nuinager of the Cherryvale Grain and Live
Stock Association, and one of the energetic and enterprising citizens of
that progressive borough, is a native of the "Buckeye State," born in
Logan county, October 7, 1854. His father, Joseph Hamer, was a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and at maturity married Elizabeth Olingerman,
a native of the Keystone Stale. The father was, during life, a well-to-do
and successful farmer and stock shipper. He passed the greater portion
of his life in Ohio, but in 1889, came to Kansas and settled in Wilson
county, near Lafontain. Here he resided and engaged in farming un-
til 18!)(i, when he became an inmate of the home of our subject in
Cherryvale, and during a visit to a son in Ohio, sickened and died at
the age of sixty-nine years. His wife still resides with our subject and
is a woman of strength and spirit at seventy-three years of age. To
these parents were born six children, but two of whom are now liv-
ing; a son, Daniel A., residing in Ohio, and Joseph S., of this skefch.
Mr. Hamer, being the son of well-to-do parents, was given a lib-
eral education. After the country school he attended the Ada Normal
School and from there went to the National Normal School of
Lebanon, O. To this literary training was then added a course at a
commercial college in St. Louis. Mr. Hamer did not, as is too often
the case with young men who are favored in matters of education, con-
nect himself with city life, but returned to Ohio and engaged in farm-
ing, an occupation which he followed with success in that state until
1883, when he came out to southern Missouri and continued there quite
extensively in the raising of stock. In 1889, he accompanied the fani-
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 693
imeut durinjj: tlip Civil War, iiud bad served as a private iu the Mexican
War. He was a member of the Christian church, his wife of the Meth-
odist; both are now deceased. Their family consisted of three sons and
four daughters, all of whom are living.
William B. Parsons was educated in the lola schools. After leav-
ing school he worked on the farm until 1880, when he engaged as ,i
brakenian on the St. L., Ft. S. & W. Ry., in which position he served
for one and one-half years, lie then .secured a position as conductor
on the same railroad, retaining the run for two years. He then
changed from this road to the Southern Kansas, accepting a brake-
man's place, but soon receiving promotion to conductor. Tiring of the
road service, Mr. Parsons entered the shops as a carpenter, and for
three years was thus engaged. The "singing of the rails," however, was
music that could not be forgotten, and again he got nearer the track,
this time as a switchman on the same road. His present responsible
position came to him in 1896.
Mr. Parsons has been a resident of Cherryvale since 1887, and has
been a popular and helpful citizen, being at the present writing a mem-
ber of the school board.
Marriage was an event of 1881, with our subject, when he was hap-
pily joined with Miss M. J. Coulter, a native of Ohio and a daughter
of W. J. Coulter, of Chanute, Kan. To Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have been
born three children, namely: Raymond F., Floyd D. and Fred F. For a
number of years prior to her marriage, Mrs. Parsons was one of the
eflScicnt and popular teachers in the schools of Neosho county.
Mr. Parsons is a member of the Masonic order, of the A. O. IT. W.,
and of the Order of Railway Conductors. The above record shows him
to have been iu the employ of the Santa Fe for some seventeen years.
a period, the length of which, attests the measure of his value. He is a
worthy citizen and has a lively interest in all enterprises which prom-
ise outcome for the communitv in which he lives.
GEORGE HARRISON. A pioneer resident of Elk City and rep-
resentative citizen of the county is the gentleman whom we here men-
tion, and who has been one of the wheel-horses in the development of
both. Of late years he has been e^igaged in the tin-smithing business
Mr. Harrison is a gentleman of undoubted integrity and has always held
a high place in the esteem of his many friends. He has served the city
in the Mayor's chair and in the common council and in many ways has
proved his right to the title of '"representative citizen."
Mr. Harrison is a native of Overton county, Tenn., born on the 25th
of November, 1S48. His parents were William C. and Sarah C. (Hopkins)
Harrison, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Kentucky.
They were farmers by occupation and resided their entire lives on the
694 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COINTY, KANSAS.
farm where Mr. Harrison was born on the 7th of June, 1813. His death
oi'curred May lii, 18!tl. The mother was born October 20, 1836, and died
November L'A. 1S(;3. They were the i>arents of four children, our subject
bein^- the ehlest. Tolly married .]. M. Clark and is now deceased. J.
H. resides in Newark, Texas. I'leasanl is a faiiiier, i iiltivatin<i; the home
farm.
<ieoij;e Harrison was reaj-ed l<i iiard lal)oi- on Hie farm, using his
winters in the acquirement of a good educalion. liy the time he was of
suitable age, he was well enough eiiuipiied to enter the school room as
an instructor, and for several years followed that occupation success-
fully in Tennessee and Kentucky, his last work of that nature having
been done after his coming to Montgomery county, teaching two terms
in the KtOrh district. He Hien followed farming until ISSl, in
which year lie came lo KIk ("ity and engaged with the elevator
people i(ir lincc years. He then changed the character of his occupation
and learned ilie linners trade, which he has followed successfully since
that time. He is an excellent workman and adds to the dignity of labor
by the ciiara( lei- which he sustains in the community. He takes a lead-
ing pari in Hie social and religious life of the city, he and his wife being
active members of the Christian and Haptisl churches respectively, in
which he is an Elder and has served accejitably as Superintendent of the
Sabbath School. He is Secretarv of the Masonic lodge and is also a
member of Hie Woodmen. His jiolilical preferences lie with the Demo-
cratic partv.
.Miss Mary Vl. Owen became (he wife of Mr. Harrison on the iiSth of
March. ISTl'. Siie is a native of Tennessee and is the daughter of Ed-
\\ai<l L. and Xancy Owen, the former deceased at seventy-two j-ears,
Se])tember 7, llHll. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are the parents of five chil-
dren— Edward S., of Ardmore, T. T., married Angle Lawrence; Sallie B.,
now Mrs. F. W. Sherman, with two children: (ieorge and Howard, the
latter deceased; William O., at home; Maud E.. Mrs. M. C. Burton, and
Thomas, who resides at the family domicile.
]\rr. and Mrs. Harrison are most worthy members of the community
where ihey have spent the major ]iorti(iii of their lives and the respect
in which Hiev are held is most uniform.
.lOIIX \V. .MILLEK is a well known educator and farmer of Syca-
more townsliijt. He has spent a long and active career in the educa-
tional life of the county, and has also been most helpfully prominent in
matters of moral and religious moment. He has taught not less than
twnty-five terms of school within the bounds of the county, has served
his township as trustee for a number of years, and has for seven years
been Su])erin(endent of the Congregational Sunday School of Sycamore
tind also President of the Sunday School Association.
Mentioning briefly the special points in the family history of Mr.
Miller, the biographer notes that the family is traced to the Blue Ridge
mountain country of West Virginia, where John Miller, our subject's
grandfather, was born, and whose union with Sally Sands, also a native
of that state, resulted in the birth of eight children: Mrs. Sally Addi-
son, John J., Matthew, Mrs. Margaret Baughnian, ;Mrs. Sarah Hamrich,
Mrs. Louisa Uodrill and Mrs. Tolly (Jutlip.
Of this family, John J. was our subject's father. He was born in
Braxlon county,"^ March Gth, 1883, where he married Diana M., a
daughter of Adonijah and Sally A. (Rodgers) Harris, all of whom are
natives of West Virginia. The children of John J. Miller were — Nannie
W., who married Sam Terry, and resides in Clackamas county, Ore.;
John W., the esteemed subject of this sketch; Sarah, wife of Wm. Terry,
who resides in Bristol, I. T., and Matthew, of Grand Forks, B. C.
Owing to the unsettled state of the country at the beginning of the
Civil War, Mr. Miller removed his family from Braxton to Marion coun-
ty, West Va., where they continued to reside until 1866. In that year
they came out to Iowa, but, after a period of three years, settled at Car-
thage, Mo. Here they remained a little over a year, and then came on to
Montgomery county, where, in the spring of 1871, they filed on a claim
in section 2f), township 31, range 1.5, Sycamore Tp. Here the usual prim-
itive style of box house was constructed, which served to protect them
from the weather until the great tornado of 1ST3 passed over the coun-
try. This storm completely destroyed the home of the Miller's, and the
commodious frame dwelling which is there now took its place.
In fraternal life Mr. Miller is quite active, being a member of the
Masons, of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the A. H. T. A. He
is one of the popular and efficient educators in the county, and numbers
his friends among all classes of societv.
IRA N. TOWELL. The worthy citizen whose name introduces this
biography owns and resides on one hundred and fifty-six acres of section
32, township 33, range 1.5, Independence township, where he settled on
his advent to Montgomery county, in the year 1881. His farm was partly
improved by William Atkinson, a former owner, and was once owned
by the pioneer E. P. Allen. Mr. Towell emigrated to this state from
Parke countv, Indiana, and is one of several of the Friends" sect who
made settlement in Montgomery county about that time.
Parke county, Indiana, is where Ira N. Towell was born April 7.
1856. His father, Isaac Towell, was a native of Orange county, the same
state, was born in 1817 and died in Montgomery county, Kansas, in 1900.
Henry Towell, grandfather of our subject, was a North Carolinian —
from Orange county — and one of the early settlers of Orange county,
Indiana. He was descended from the early American Quakers and, if
it could l)c traifd. no doiilit tlic faniilv lias some (^'olonial history. Isaac
Towcll iiiariicd Aniv .Maisliall. a daiijilii.T of William Marshall, whose
danjililcr Sarah was Isaac's tiist wife. Hv his second nianiajie Isaac
Towcll was the father of William II.. who died in the Inion armv; Eliz-
abeth K., who died sinj^le; Elwood H.. of I'arke coiintv. Indiana; Hiram
J... of Fountain county. Indiana; Kiiih. wife of Ira Hadley. of Holton,
Kans. ; Sarah, who married Llewellyn IJowslier; Ira X.. our subject. UTid
Lydia. who died youns.
A coiiniion school education was all that ha X. Towel! acpiiicd. and
Ih.il in Ihe couuliy s,liool. He jiassed his niajorily around liie paicutal
hearthstone and when he came to Kansas his |parenls acconi|ianied him.
his mother dyin^ near H(dton in 1SS:{. .lanuary -2. ISSf). he married .Miss
Helle Farhnv. a dau};hter of Joseph l-'ariow. a worfhv citizen of I'.olion.
Three children have come to (h.-er and Mess the home of Mr. and .Mrs.
Towell. namely; F. Ernest, horn \ov. IS. ISSti; .\it|iur. Imuii Feb. i'. IS'.KI,
and .M. (Jolda! born Feb. !l. 1S!)4.
(!en«-ral farmiiH_' is th<- industrial line in which .Mi-. Towell has
achieved his success. He has been bus\ all his life and bv this luadic,'
lias maintained himself unincumbei-ed and able lo meet all obli-at iou.s.
He is libeial in imliiics and is a W Iman.
.101 IX .\TKiXSON. Those who have passed a score of years in
the vicinity of Itolton are familiar with the name ijitroducing this article.
Its owner is one of the modest fainieis of Iiidejinedence township and
IS situated oil section ."Id. township :v.\. lanue ITi. He cast his fortunes
with Moni^oiiieiy count v in .\u.misi. is.s]. ;nid is an emigrant from
Parke comity. Indiana, wlier.. his biilli occurred Xov. 2G, IS-^i. His
father, Thos. .Mkinson. settled in Ihe w led country of Parke county
in isril. and was (Uie of those who sjient liis life battling!; against nature
and with nature in the pliysical dey<dopment of his section of the
Hoosier State. He was born in Orange county. North (^arolina, in 1796,
and died in 1S71. .just as he was ne.iring his home while returning from
a visit to his native heath. He was a son of John Atkinson of North
<'arolina (Quaker stock, whose antecedents sejiarated from the parent
church in I'enns\ Ivania and established themselyes in the "Tar Heel
Slate." Thos. .\fkiiison married Marjorie Lindley, a daughter of David
l.imiley, also from Xorth Carolina. The childicn of this marriage were:
JoTiatluni, Mary, wife of l^evi Dix; Sarah, whose first husband was Thos.
.Marshall and her second, ^yir. Pedford; Di.xon. David, of Parke county,
Indiana; Eleanor, who died single; Samuel and John, twins, and Emily,
of Parke county, Indiana.
John .\fkiiison of this sketch, attained his majority on the farm of
his parents, in wlii( li coiiimunity he acquired a good common school edvi-
catioii. He accepted the calling of liis fathei's as liis own and devoted
ISAAC JAMES AND WIFE.
:* •# ^
HISTOKY 01'' MONTUOMEISY COl'NTV, KANSAS. 697
himself iutcUisciitl.v to the tilliug of (he .soil. For n life coiupniiion he
chose, iu Fel)ruary, 18G;?, Mary fallen Alkinsou, a daiijihter of Hiram
and Amy (Marshall) Atkinson, who has shared with him his successes
as well iis his rcveises, for foity years. In comjiany with the Lindleys
and Towells they came 1o .Montj^omery comity in 1.S81, and have since re-
sided on their farm. Mr. .Mkin.son is a minister of the Friends church
and has served his communily in thai ca|iaiity. He is comfortable in
his surrouudiiiiis. enjoys the luxuries of natural .nas and, as a citizen, is
interested in the civil atliiirs of his municipality.
IS.\.\(' .JAMFS. On a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in
Lonisbur^ townsliiji i-esides Isaac -Tames, one of the leading agricultur-
ists of Montgomery county. His icsidence on this farm dates from the
year 18N4. and lie is a native of Missoiii-i, where he was born near Jeffer-
son City, t'ole county, in 1S47. He is a son of Mitchell and Margaret
(Glenn) James, and is a maternal grandson of James (ilenn, one of the
earliest settlers in Moniteau county, Missouri. The latter gentleman
was born in Tennessee and immigrated to iNFissouii at a very early day.
Our subject's father is now residing in High Point, near Jefferson City,
Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine yeai-s, but his mother died in 1886.
They were the jiarents of eight'children, of whom Isaac is the eldest. The
others are: Tynthia, wife of Jacob Cook, of Jlissouri; Maggie, Mrs. John
Louis, of Missouri; Mary, now Mrs. Failing; ^^'illiam. who resides in
Missouri; Rosa, deceased; ISettie, wife of J. C. Richel, of Missouri, and
Katie, who married Merido Harris and wlio also lives in Missouri. After
the death of the mother of these children, the father again married, his
second wife's name having been BeckieMackiney, who is the mother of
four children.
In 1872, Isaac James was joined in marriage with Louisa Richel.
This lady was the daughter of John and Rickey (Wilhanna) Richel. The
family was of Cerman stock and came from the Fatherland in ISit'i and
settled in Missouri, where they became well-to-do farmers. The father
is now decea.sed, while the imtther still resides near Russelville, Missouri.
There were eight children in the family, of whom four are yet living.
Mr. and Mrs. James are the ]iarents of nine children: William,
born March :;!t). 1874. married Fmma El!ingt(Ui. of M(mtg(miery county,
and is a farmer, with one child named Isaac; ^Maggie A., born February
8, 1878, was a twin of John F., the latter deceased in infancy; Andrew
C, born November 1(». 187!t; John (\. born September 28, 1881; Dora A.,
born November 20, 188:^, died August 21, 1884; JIattie, born November
20, 188.5; May Belle, born January .^0, 1889; Milton, born Ajiril 5, 1891;
Louis A., born August 9, 189.'?, and Olive M., born November .5, IS9.5.
Mr. James passed the jteriod of his youth on the home farm in Mis-
souri, where he received a good comon school education, remaining on
the homestead until the year after his majority. In 1884, he came to-
6g8 IIISTOUY OK >U)Nri;()MEUY COINTY. KANSAS.
Montgomery county luul located on a farm in Louisbnrg township, ou
which lie lias continued to reside to the present time. He has at sundry
times added many substantial improvements to this farm and it is now
regarded as one of the most valuable in the townshij). He devotes it to
general farming and stock raising. It is loialed in what is called the
Gas IJelt and was leased by ^h. .James for oil and gas purposes to an
Elk City company.
Mr. James has always taken a helpful interest in the public affairs
of the community in which he resides, ami has tilled some of the minor
offices. His political principles are those of the reform party. In re-
ligious matters, he ascribes to the tenets of the Presbyterian faith, while
his wife is a member of the Lutheran denomination. Mr. and Mrs. James
are highly respected members of society in I-ouisburg township, where
they arc iield in very great esteem by their many riieiuls and neighb(M's.
ALHEKT G. HARPEK. The g.nilniijiii whose name initiates this
brief article came to Kansas in the year isTH. and became a resident of
:Montgomery county in 1885. March ^:> of ilie latter year, he took up his
lesidence in Independence, where he has. iiraiiii ally, since, maintained
the same, and has for thirteen years been sujierintendeut of the city
water works. For seven years he has re])reseii(ed ilic Third ward of the
city on the Board of Education and in (his jii-oniinent way has exercised
a beneticent influence on jmlilic ciliiriii imi in Indcjiendencc.
Born January 9, 1850, in \\arriii coinily, Ohio. Mr. Hari)er is a son
of Benjamin Harper, whose life was jiasscd as a faiiner, and who was
born in the same county and state with his son in the year 1818. He
entered the T^uion army, Joining the lL*5tli III. lufl. in 18(Ji2, and taking
liart in the battle of Stone River, among others, and dying in Cumber-
land Hosjiital, Nashville, Tennessee, in January, lS(i4. He was a son
of Jose]ih Harjier, who jiassed away in Warren county, Ohio, and had
a family of three sons. Benjamin Har])cr married Sarah Hitesman, who
is a resident of Independence, Kansas. Their children were: Wm. H.,
of Jeffersonville, Tnd.; ^Irs. C. H. Thompson, of l.amar. <'ol.: Mrs Maggie
Jennings, of ('handler. Oklahoma; .Mbcri (!.. of ihis notice, and E. S.
Harper, of Coffevville, Kansas.
The common schools provided .Mbcrt G. Harper with a lil)eral edu-
cation. He attained his majority on the farm and began life as a farmer.
In 18G0, he came west to Vermillion county, Illinois, where he was en-
gaged in his native calling ten years, at the conclusion of which period he
came to Kansas and became a resident of I'aisims. lie was engaged ou
the construction of the cit^ water iilant of llial city and when his connec-
tion ceased there he came to IndejxMidence, where he was employed in a
like cajiacity. With the exception of two years passed in Newport, Ar-
l;ansas, as Sn|)t. of its water works, he has been a continuous citizen af
Montgomery county for (>ighteen years. He became Snpt. of the water
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 7OI
the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, whore he graduated
in tlie scientific course, in 1882. He entered the school room as a teacher,
and after several years of successful experience he took up the study of
medicine, attending his first course of lectures at Keokuk, Iowa. He
then enrolled as a student at the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louis-
ville, in which institution he graduated, in 1885. He then came to Kan-
sas, where, for several years, he practiced at Kinsley, in Edwards county.
He located in 1890, in Cherryvale, where he has acquired a most enviable
practice. During his residence here, he has participated actively in p\ib-
lic affairs, having been a member of the City Council for a number of
vears.
The I>octiir and liis family arc leading members of the Methodist
Episcopal eliuieli and are esteemed memlieis of the iikisI exelii.sive
social circles of Cherryvale. Eminent in his profession, noble and pure
in his character, Dr. Seacat is respected in all walks of life.
Briefly noting the salient points in the family history of Di'. Seacat,
his parents are Hamilton and Mary A. (King) Seacat. They were natives
of Harrison county, Indiana, where the father was an extensive farmer
for a long period of years. The parents were both devoted members of
the Methodist church. The father died in his native county. Se]>tember
7, 1S7!), at the age of forty-eight years. His widow is still residing on the
old homestead at the age of sixty-seven. It might be noted in passing,
the Gresham family, of which Secretary of State (iresham was a mem-
ber, is connected with the Seacat family, our subject's father having
been a first cousin of Judge (Jresham. A rather remarkable instance is
w'orthy of noting here concerning the longevity and activity of this
family. Our subject's great aunt, Mrs. Sally Rumley — mother of Judge
Gresham — on September (J, 1901, at the age of ninety-eight years (at her
home near New Albany. Tnd.) tasked herself, unaided, to ]ii-e|iare dinner
for her fifty guests, who had as.sembled to celebrate her birdiday, a task
which she performed with apparent ease. She still resides in the same
house to which she came as a bride in 1822.
In social affairs, he is a member of the \Ado(lmen, of the Fraternal
Aid and of the Sons and Daughters of Justice. Politically, he is an
ardent Reimblican, and contents himself with casting his vote for the
candidates of that jiarty. He is a constant student of his ])rofession and
keeps in close touch with it. He is a close reader of the best lirerature
and is a member of a number of the different associations. ]irominent
among which is the National Association of Railway Surgeons, the
American Medical Association and the Kansas ;Me(lical Associalion, and
was the local surgeon for the Santa Fe ('(imiiany for a jieiiod of eleven
years.
Dr. Seacat's nuirriage occurred September 1, 1S89, when iliss J.
Rosa Gramly became his wife. Mrs. Seacat is a native of Baltimore,
Maryland, and is a daughter of Rev. C. H. and Chesta Gramly. Her
father is a jnoinim'iit diviiip of the Methodist Episcopal chiiMh and has
lived in Kansas since ISSn. He is now on the superannuated list and
resides in 8t. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Seacat's mother died in 1870', aged thirty
years. 8he was a woman of beautiful character and a consistent mem-
ber of the Methodist chunii. The children born to Dr. and Mrs. Seacat
are: Charles II. Craiuly. Lester <i. and Chester (I (twinsi, the lafter
deceased at one y<'ar. TJic vounjicst child is Leora <irain1\.
lUCHAKl* H. De.MOTT. One of the well known pioneers of .Mont-
gomery county and a retired fjirnier of Independence is the giMitleman
whose name introduces this jiersonal record. His advent to the county
dates from IStii). and lie was one of a colony of ininiii;raiits from .lolni-
son county, Indiana, several of whom jierforiiii'd an ini]iorlanl pari in
the lural development of the ninnicijiality.
Richard H. DeMott was horn in .Mercer count v, Kent nek v, April 17,
1847. His father, I'eter De.Mott. was horn at Cove Springs, in the same
county, in November, 181.'!. and was one of ti\e sons of Lawrence L>e-
Mott, who settled in Kentucky from New Jersew wlicrc his ancestors
settled in 1(;!»8. \\'liile the family cann^ fr(ua Holland tlicv wen- orig-
inally from France. Lawrence DeMott died in Mercer ccninty, Kentucky,
and neaily, if m)t <|uite, all of his children removed to Indiana, where
nian\ of them died. They were: Low, William. John, Ixichard — all of
whom passed away in Indiana — I'eter, who died in Mmitgomery connty,
Kansas; Kebecca, who ni.irried Frederick Low; Sarah, who married
John Hobinsnn; Dorolliy, wife of Eli I'eters. and Jane, who became the
wife of ilerril Cleveland. I'eter DeMott married Indiana Drnry, who
passed away in Montgomery county. Kansas, in 1871. Her husband sur-
vived her till T.IOI, when, in Octob.M- of that year, he died, being the
fathei- of :\laigaret J., who married Alfred Carter; William L.. of Mont-
gomery connty: IJieli.ird II.. our subje.t ; Mary E.. deceased wife of Will-
iam <!anett: Nancv A., deceased wife of John Hamilton; Sarah D.,
now Mrs. Frank I'.oswell. of Indianapolis, Indiana; :\Iartha K., wife of
Joseph Reeves, of I'awnee. Oklahoma, and Mag-ie K., widow of Dora
Parkhurst, of Indianapolis. Indiana.
Th.' comon schools jirovided Richard II. DeMott with tlii' rudiments
of an education, lie began life as a farmei- on his new farm in Mont-
gomeiy county. He continued the calling without serious interruption
till SepiiMiibe'r. l!)()-_'. when he came to Tndepend.Mice to s].end his de-
clining yeais. Ills farm of six hundred and forty acres is one of the
well im|iro\ed and productive |ilaces of ln(le]iendence townshij) and he
owns other lands in addition to this.
He was mairied in Johnson county, Indiana, in 18(l(i, his wife being
Matilda J. I'arkhurst, a daughter of the i)ioneer and wcalthv retired
farm<-r, Robert S. I'arkhurst. of Indejiendence. The children of this
marriage are: Lucinda. wife of A. R. Faetheringill. of .Montgomery
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 703
<;ounty; Chester W., JI. D., of Independence, a graduate of Knsli ^Icdieal
College and practicing medicine with Dr. J. T. Davis, I In- firm being
Davis & DeJIott ; I'earl, Frederick F. and Lee C, twins.
On leaving Kentucky in 185G, Peter DeMott went up into Johnson
countv, Indiana, with which he was identified till 1869, when he gath-
ered his effects together and drove his teams through to his destination
in Kansas. He entered land near Independence and was an active
farmer till 1874, when he became a member of his son Richard's house-
hold and remained with him till his death.
In party politics the DeMotts of this branch believe in and practice
Democracy. The tenets of faith of this historic old party were imparted
to the early generations of the family and their children and grandchil-
dren accepted them and have lived by them. Richard H. DeMott has
served as Trustee of Independence township, has taken some active jiart
in county politics and has become somewhat known for his political acts.
JONAS HEEOHLY. In Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on May
16, 1832, Jonas Beeghly of this personal record, was born. When he was
young in years his parents moved into Ashland county, Ohio, and in
1865, he located in Senaca county, that state. He brought his family to
^loiit.Lii.niery county, Kansas, in October, 1883, and located, first, four
miles west of the town of Index>endence. In 1897, he removed to his
present farm in A\'est Cherry township, located on section 15, township
32, range 16.
Mr. Beeghly \\as a son of Jolin P.ceghly, a native of Somerset county,
Pennsylvania, a farmer, and a son of John Beeghly, Sr., of (lerman
origin. His grandfatln-r married Miss Florv and reared Samuel, David,
John, Mrs. Kate Arnold, [Mrs. Sallie Milfer, Mrs. Susan Miller. Mrs.
Elizabeth Flickinger.
John Beeghly, Jr., married Kate Peck, a Pennsylvania lady and a
daughter of Jacob and Eve Peck. Thirteen children were the issue of
their marriage, namely: Abraham, David, Jonas. Jacob, of Ashland,
Ohio; Joseph, of same place; Samuel, of Iowa; Mahlon, of North Da-
kota; Mrs. Mary Trucel; Mrs. Anna Clark, of North Dakota; Mrs. Susan-
nah Martin, of Ashland, Ohio; Mrs. Kate Hostetler, of Holmes county,
Ohio; John, of Ashland, Ohio, and Uriah, of Kansas.
Elizabeth Earner became the wife of Jonas Beeghly in Ashland
county, Ohio. Her father was Samuel Harner and her mother •
Miller. Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Beeghly,
as follows: Ezra J., of Iowa, who has four children; Samuel H., of
North Dakota, with one child, and Frank and Emma, yet with the
parental home.
Mr. Beeghly is a Republican and is a member of the (Jerman Baptist
church.
704 IIISTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
.(A.MKS 11. (iltAVKS. Among the old-tiiiic settlers (if Moiitgcmicry
couiitv no one more deserves recognition in this volume than James H.
Graves. He was born near Racine, Wis., March 1st, 1844. His fallier,
Greenville Graves, was a native of Kentucl^y, and came to Illinois with
his parents when only ten years of age. He was reared in Vermillion
county, of that state," and married lliiTr. Mary Cddk. a native of Ohio.
He went to Wisconsin in the early years uf that stnt(^ but returned to
Illinois in 1S44, where he di.'d al the age ef seventy i-ight, his wife having
died sixteen years befoit'. Tiieic weic iiiiii> childreii. five of whom are
living: Margaret •!., <'ida. Saiiiantlia, .laiiK's 11. and l.arkin T. To his
se.'oiid marriage, id Sarali l»avis. three iliildreu were lidrii : Flora, -Tnlia
and Charles; .'lulia. alene. is living.
.latues II. (Itaves w.is reared du the tariu and lived with his father
till 1S(;4, when he enlisted in Company "C." iL'th 111. Vdl. Inf. With this
regiment lie served till the close of the war. partieipating in several
battles, among which were Dallas. Kenesaw Mounfaiii and Atlanta; and
was with Sherman on his march td the sea. After the long march up
through the Carolinas he was taken si( k. and finished liis journey aboard
a boar. A short period in the hospital at Alexandria, and then to Wash-
ington, where he took part in the (Irand Keview. He received his dis-
charge at Springfield, Ills., in .Inly. \S(;:>. IJeturniug home, he remained
in Illiduis until ISCil, when he started for Kansas, an uncle accomi)any-
ing him from Kansas Cilv on.
(Joing to I'aola, Kansas, they joined a |i,irly (d' five other men. and,
together, tliev came to .Montgomerv count v and secured claims. Mr.
C,rav.-s is the only diie df the jiarty wild stayed through all the hard
times, and deeded his land, all but one of the jiarty dying too soon. Mr.
Graves lived with liis uncle nntii their money i^ave out, and tliey could
gel neilher Work nor provisions to live .u.. A large herd of Texas cattle
came into the ((nmly and a great many of them died and the owners
gave awav hides foi- skinning and in this way the boy and his uncle got
through the winter. For thiee vears. Mr. Craves hired out as driver
and drove rattle frotn Texas, stili h.ilding liis elaini. At the end of five
vears he had earned enough money td s.Miire his land, which he had
rented, and tlieu letniiied Id his old home in Illinois.
Se|iteniljei till. ISSO. he was married to Nancy r.anham. of Madison,
Indiana, and a n.ilive (,f the state. They imm.-dialely came to Kansas
and to(d< possessicui of the little log cabin Ihal had been built before
his return to Illinois, lleic the yoinig eonple went to work, and, by per-
severanct- and the faculty of oveironiiug ditlicnit ies, they made a com-
forlable coniiieieiK e and a good home. His farm now cduiprises four
hundred and I'i-iilv acres df line land. n|idn which there are two large
residences. In aild'iiidii to the cullivali(Ui (d' all kinds of faiin iiroducis,
Jlr. erases is interested in the raising of stock.
.lulv i:.")lh, IS'.ll, death claimed the wife and mother of the tamily
I
' (
I
1804, deatli
V.
J H. GRAVES AND WIFE.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 707
in MiitltM' coiiiity, April (i, 1S;{0. Here he was r#'ui»'(l to fjuiii life aud
remained until the date of his coming to Kansas.
As the mutterings of civil strife became more and more distinct, Mr.
Jones watched each succeeding event with a)i alisorbing interest and
was ready to defend the honor of the Hag when the call was made in
the fall of 1861. In December, he enrolled as a member of Company "C,"
11th Ky. Inf., under Col. P. B. Hawkins, and which became a part of
Generals Crittenden and Hnrnsides' Divisions. The bloody battle of
Stone River initiated him into tlie "deliglits" of mortal combat, and
later at Knoxville he had a month's taste of siege life. At Burne's Sta-
tion and ("nmberland (Jap his regiment had a ))iiish with the enemy,
after which the rest of his service was mainly in long and weary mai'ches
over the States of Kentucky, Tennessee and (Jeorgia.
Noting somewhat briefly the essential points in Mr. Jones' family
history, the biographer records that he is a son of William and Rebecca
(Jones) Jones, both natives of the Blue Grass State, but of no blood re-
lation. Their children were: Josiah, Joab, William, Rebecca and Luvica.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were James L. and Nancy
Jones, who came into Kentucky from Virginia, where James was per-
sonally aciiuaiiited with (icn. Washington and served under him as a
<'a])t;uii in the War for Independence. The childr«»n of James were: Peg-
gie, Philip. Thomas, R. (i. L., Moses, Polly, Nancy, Nellie, Rebecca and
William.
The iiiimcdiatc family of ^^■illiam Jones consists of four children:
Charles M.. Mena, Clara and I^dward, the mother having died in April,
1800. Mr. Jones tirst entered wedlock in 1853, being joined to Mary
Deweese, daughter of ^A'illiam Deweese. She became llie mother of two
children, Klvira and Columbia, all of whom are now deceased. His sec-
ond marriage oicuned Nov. L'(>. 1S7."?, tlie maiden name of the mother
of his children being Louisa lEllenger) Brost.
S. J. HOWARD— The gcnilciiian whose name initiates this review
is the etticient assistant cashier of the Monlgomery <'ounty National
Bank, and has been identilied with the life of <"hrrryvale for some fif-
teen years. He is a son of J. T. and -Jane R. (Williamson) Howard, both
of whom are natives of Illinois. The father was a faruier and carpenter
by occupation. He was a man of intensely ^Kitriotic convictions and
at the breaking out of the Civil War left bis family and enlisted in the
service, becoming a member of Company "I," 47th 111. Vol. Inft., in 1862.
This regiment saw exceedingly active service, in which Mr. Howard
took a prominent part, serving fiom August of 1862 to August of 1865.
Although in many of the bloody battles of the war, he did not suffer
wounds, nor was he so unfortunate as to be taken prisoner. These facts
are the more to be remarked, as he was a member of the disastrous
708 IIISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Banks Expecjitiqu up Ked river, which endod iu the death of so many of
the '"Boys in. Blue," or to the wrecking of their physical health. Since
the war he has followed his trade in Kansas City, Kansas.
Our subject was the eldest of five children and the second child was u
daughter, Lizzie, now the wife of C. E. Garrison, telegraph operator at
Albuquerque, New Mexico; Addie is Mrs. A. D. Hall; Lorin, of Kansas
City; Elmer, also lives at Kansas City.
S. J. Howard was born in Woodford county, Illinois, March 16, 1863.
He received his educatiou in the common schools of his native state, and
one year in college at Eureka, Illinois. Upon completing his education,
he returned to the home fai'ui, where he continued to reside until he was
twenty-five years of age. He then entered the banking business, starting
as a book-kee()er in 1891, and later, being promoted to the position of
assistant cashier, which position he is now holding with satisfaction to
his employers.
Mr. Ho^yard married in 1888. on tiie Utli of Fchrnaiy, Miss ilary
I., daughter of Jauu's Bell. Mrs. Howard is a native of illionis. Her
fieople j-eside in Montgomery county on a farm. Slie is one of eleven
children, ten of the family now living: Mrs. Howard, Jennie, wife of D.
R. Jones, Moutgomcry county; Ettie, widow of J. D. Orr; Ella, wife of
James B. James, Montgomery county; Daisy, Mrs. S. S. Johns; Frai]Ji,
Martin and Boss are farmers of Montgomery county; Corda, Mrs. Walter
Mull, MontgouuM'y county, and Miss liertha, single, at home. Mr. and
Mrs. Howard are the parents of five interesting children: Edith L.,
Ruby B., Ralph F., Clarence R. and Edna. The family are all members
and active workers in the Baptist chui'ch, of which organization Mr.
Howard is Ti't'asurer. Prior to Mrs. Howard's marriage she was an
efiScient and successful teacher in the public schools of Illinois for a
number of years, and her reputation as an instructor and disciplinarian
was of the best.
In fraternal life, Mr. Howard is a valued mcmb.T of the Knights of
Pythias, in which he lias passed most of (he local chairs. He is also con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen, of which organization he has been
clerk f(M- the jiast seven year.s. He is living an upiight and consistent
life ill tlio coinmnnity au(l is held in very high esteem.
EDWAUI) n. SIvlN.XKK— The subject of lliis personal mention is
the efficient Ti'casiirer of .Montgoinei'v county and has been a citizen of
the county since ISKf,. His material' connect ion with the affairs of the
county has been |)i'omineril from his advent and. as a eilizen of Cauey,
he is at once, a leader and prominent man of-affairs.
A nativ(M)f Monroe eounly. New York, .Mr. Skinner was born June
19, 1858, and was a son of Charles Skinner, a native of the same state, and
of Vermont ancestry. Tlie latter eame west toward the clo.'se of his life
HISTOKY OF MONTUOMElil' COUNTY, KANSAS. 709
aud died at Butler, Missouri, in 1888, at the age of sixty-five years. He
married Mary Bliss, who bore him an only surviving child, and who re-
sides in the city of Kochester, New York.
Edward B. ►Skinner remained in his native state till past his major-
ity, when, in 187!), he went west and located at Colorado Springs, Col-
orado, where, for a time, he was in the sheep Imsiuess, but lastly in the
employ of the Denver & Kid (irande Kaihvay Company. After six years
spent in the Kockies country he returned eastwarcl and found his choice
of locations at Caney, Kansas. Here he engaged in the live stock busi-
ness and only closed it out when he was elected Treasurer of Montgom-
ery county. In November, 1897, he was the candidate of the Fusion
forces — as a Democrat — for the office he holds and was elected by a
majority of only fifteen votes. He took office in October, 1898, and the
fall of 1899, he was again elected, liis majority this time being nearly
three hundred votes.
To his favorite town of Caney ^\v. Skinner has been a useful citizen
and has rendered it sincert- and unselfish otficial service. His first office
was that of member of the city council, where he served two years, and
his second public position was that of Mayor of the city. This latter he
filled for three years, and the interests of the corporation were cared for
as he would care for his private business. His frankness and honesty
in those positions and his personal popularity made his candidacy for a
county otfice a formidable one, and, when the test came, it proved to be a
successful one.
October 28, 18S7, Mr. Skinner married, in New York, Miss Frank
AYhite, a daughter of J. B. White, of Kochester. Four children have re-
sulted from this marriage, namely: Kay. Tercy, Ted and Marian.
lu 1900, ;\lr. Skinner secured a franchise from the city of Caney to
furnish it gas and was insfrumeiilal. chiefiy. in the organization of the
Caney Gas Company, of which he is the general manager. Successful
prospecting was done, an abundance of gas discovered and the Caney
Brick Company was formed with Mr. Skinner as its Tresideiit. Leases
covering twenty tlionsand acres of land in Ciiney townshi]! arc held by
the gas comjiany and its jn-oven value ])ioniiscs nuicli mateiial good to
Caney and to the jirime movers in this mineral di'vplopment.
In the fiateiiial world. Mr. Skinner afliliates as a member with the
Modern Woodmen, Kniyhts of rvthias and Elks. He is a Master Mason
and is a I'ast Noble (iraiid of the 1. (>. (). F.
JAMES D. UrDD— The possibiliti<-s of life to (me without the ordi-
nary i)reparation of youtli, yet having and being endowed abundantly
with the essential (jualities to a successful career, are strikingly fur-
nished in the ]>erson whose name apjiears in the introduction to this
article. As an example of ((iiisjiicuous financial and business achive-
iiiciit wiiliotit anv of the auxiliaries of an education to encourage him.
Ills jiosition is unusual in contrast with that of the average business man
of our day. Orphaned, even before liis birth, and being forced from
home, as a child, by an unfeeling step father, he was doomed to carve
out his own destiny, guided largely by the experiences which came to
him from day to day. Nature provided for the misfortunes of infancy
and childhood by unusual mental endowments such as capitalize one's
life and initiate him into the world's affairs, equijiped for the successful
career which is finally his.
James D. Budd is a native of the Iloosicr Stall'. lie was born in
Hendricks county, Indiana, on Fi-b. stli. IS."..". His father, Marcus Budd,
was a A'irginian who settled in Hendricks county in the early fifties and
died in 1854. He married Margaret Mct^loud who resides, now, in
Crawfordsville, Indiana, as Jlrs. Margaret Halston. :\[is. Minerva
Welch, of that city and our sul>je(t constitute her family and she is now
76 year.s old.
' As expressed above. -lames 1). I'.iidd found himself, in early child-
Lood. without that parental love, guidance and advice common to other
children and so necessary to the proper rearing of the human offspring.
He came into conflict with his teacher in school and finished his educa-
tion with a very few week's attendance u])on a country school. He went
to live with a prominent farmer in the neighborhood, made himself
u.seful in many ways and was afterward jilaced on the regular payroll.
He ci^ntiiiiied a fanii tiaiid till about sixteen years of age, when he
employed willi a walnut imiilier ((Mieerii, cutting down trees and saw-
ing o!f logs fur sliii)iiieiit to the factory. In time, he became an expert
judge of walnut timber, could estimate intelligently and accurately the
contents of a tree and was promoted to a position commensurate with
his ability and worth. He was in the employ of Col. Straight, the
famous escai)ed prisoner of war and tunneller at Libby Prison, and con-
tinued with that firm till about the time of his departure from the State
of Indiana in 1S7G.
I.eaving his native state lie came to Kansas and established himself
at liuilington, engaging again in the walnut Inmber business. He had
charge of the business (.f his firm in that locality and accumulated a few
hundred dollars, the most of which went to defray the expense incurred
bv a seiious acrid<'nt which befell him shortly after he went there.
While carrying a iiianl and ax togethei' on the same shoulder, he
attemjiled to (li-oii I he maul bi'hind him and the ax followed and the
blade took him across the achilles, as he raised his foot backward to
intercej.t the fall, and half severed the foot from his ankle. Soon after
recovering from this accident, he came down into Montgomery county,
Kansas, on a prosi)ecting tour. He cho.se KIk City as a place of business
and located there in 1878, engaging in buying and trading stock and
flnallv in tlie mercantile business. He remained there till July, 188^,
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 71I
wheu he took up bis residence in Independence where he lia.s since
resided.
About this era Mr. Budd became interested in invention. The idea
seized him that the greatest perfection in a washing-machine had not
yet been achieved. He followed up a principle which suggested itself
to hiia and in ISSCi, patented a machine which outrivaled other similar
inventions and which he had manufactured and placed on the market.
In 1895, he patented an improvement to his machine and, in 1898, took
out an entirely new patent covering another invention much superior
to the first one and which is, apparently, the climax in the washing-
machine line. For the manufacture of his machine George and Twedale,
of Constantiue, Michigan, erected a plant and supplied the demand of
the country for a number of years. In June, 1900, Harvey and Son of
Constantine equipped a jilant for making the machine, also, and while
the plant of the first firm had a capacity of 50,000 machines annually the
Harvey factory's capacity is 100,000 machines a year. From early in the
history of the patent Mr. Rudd was in partnership with Hymer
— the firm being Budd and Hymer — but in 1899, the firm was dissolved
and since then no machine can be obtained except they be purchased
through the j)atentee, himself. More than two hundred persons handle
this invention in the T'nited States, fourteen of which states have been
opened, and it is not surprising that nmny car loads of them are annually
consumed. Little else has consumed Mi-. Budd. for nearly twenty years,
than the successful invention and handling of his jtatent. Its merit has
established its jtopularity and with its introduction to the trade began
an inflow of jtrofit to its owner. He owns valuable real property, not
only in Kansas, but in Arkansas, where, in Little River county, he has a
rich bottom tract of (!,000 acres, situated only a few miles from Texar-
kana.
August I'l. 1878. .lames 1). Budd iiiaiiied l>ciia llcekman. born on
the th of 1859. Mrs. Budd is a daughter of Sam Beekman,
of German lineage, and is the mother of Harry, born 1879, nmrried to
Maud Morgan and has a son, Marcus; Roy Budd, of Little River Co.,
Ark., is married to Maud Oliver: and Charles and IJonnie. yet with the
parental home.
Mr. Budd has been a singularly snc.essfnl man. His ]icis(iiial efforts
have won him the confidence of men looking for investment and the
result of his genius has been the erection of industrial enterprises and
the consequent employment of labor. From the dark and forbidding
future of his early life he hewed out a career of usefulness and jirotit and
the woild has looked on in encouragenieni and with pride.
CHARLES JOYCE— A belter or more favorably known cili/.en can-
not be found in Independence than Charles Joyce, one of the pioprietors
of the Opera House Drug Store, and a son of one of the pioneer farmers
of the count}-, William Joyce, now deceased. Our subject was a lad of
but seven jears when his parents moved to the county and is therefore
entitled to be regarded as to the manner born. He received a good
common school education and remained on the farm until he had passed
three years beyond his majority. He then came to Independence and
entered upon the w'ork in which he has been so signally successful. He
served in subordinate positions, first under F. F. Yoe for four years,
then with Thomas Calk until 1898, when, in company with Drs. Surber
and Masterman, he purchased a stock of drugs, the store having since
been operated under the name of the "Opera House Drug Store." The
stock represents a $9,000 outlay and is kept in first-class condition by
constant supplies of new and fresh material.
Charles Joyce is a native of Indiana, born in Marion county, Septem-
ber 27. 1864, the son of William and Margaret ((-lark) Joyce. The father
was a prominent mei'chant and stockman, having business interests
near Indianapolis for a number of years. In the spring of 1871. he sold
his interests in the '-Iloosier State" and located on a farm in Independ-
ence Twp.. which he continued to cultivate with success until his death,
which occurred Sept. L'O. 18<)!», at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Our subject's mother liail dinl March 17. 1890, at the age of sixty-five
years. They were tlic parciils of five children — Elmer, Mgr. of the
Brown Sui)ply Co., ( •ortVyviiie. Kan.; Charles, Thomas. Jfgr. of the
electric light ])lant a I (ialvestou, Texas; Harry, deceased at 2:^. years;
and Laura, wife of W. E. Morrison, a farmer oif the county.
As before stated. Charles Joyce needs no encomiums in a work of
this nature to exploit his good ((ualities to the jn'oplc of Independence.
His life has been an (>])en book before them and llieie are few in the
city but know liis wtuili. P.y persisleuce and studious concentration on
the object he sci (lui lo attain, lie has become a leading member of the
business comiiimiit\ ami an intliicntial lueiuber of its social life. In
Mnsoniy lie 1i:is taken the Itluc Lodge, ('hajitiM' and Commandery
degi'i'J^- bi'iiiu at jpieseiil Sinior W'lirden of the latter, and is also a
member of tlie Mxstic Sliriiie. He li:is for \-eai-s been a prominent
member of the ^^■oollnleIl. in whicii he has passed through all the chairs.
In the city's municijial life he has taken an active and intelligent interest,
having bi'cii for the ](ast fom- years member of the council from the
1st ward. He is now living in' (he .-.(h ward and out of i)<)litics. In
politics he siii)])or(s (lie jxdicies of the Republican j)arty, and is regarded
as spleiulid mateiial for future otficial preferment, should he consent
to the use of his uauie.
Marriage was contrMcted by our subject Maicli 21, ISSl). (he other
contracting patty being Mis. .M<Kee, (hm^hii r of -lohu Adams, a farmer
of the county. To her were born (liree cliildreii— Ivy L., Hessie T., and
Mav, the latter deceased at is monlhs. The inodier of these children
I
•5^
1 1% •• I
it l« (#
ll
HISTORY OF MONTGOilEEY COI'
1
Onr snbjf-
i tie <ounty a:.
■ >. to i!iu iiiuiiru I' born. He received a j,^^•.i
and remained on the farm until he had passed
aii.iitv U" Ik!! .aiiie to Independence and
■ !ialiy successfnl. He
Voe for four years,
1 -MaMtiuiaii, lie puiciiaiied a stotk ut" uiiig!-, i
li operated uirder the name of the "Opera Hon-
:k represi-iiU a .->'i iiiut outlay and is kept in i\i
stani sir and fresh material.
rharU? ive of Indiana, born in Marion county, Septern-
■•"• ;-.!.! !;-ini -IM.' \(-l.-r;l,-,.| ; i ' I ;1 rt 1 .1 , > V, ■,- Tll,-fflth.-
been an open book before rheni and ■
V Ids worth. By pei'sisteuce and sniu.
set out t^ attain, he has become a leadi.ij:
nmnitA' and an influential member of its >
has
th
Lnds'.
member of the ." i
member nf llii- ^^ ."
In Ill^■ city's municii
haviii- I.ii ji for tit
past fou
He is now living
he supports the policies of thi- Kupul
Chapter and
■; llu! latter, aiMi is il-. a
: years been a prominent
-^■n 'l)ra:.-li ;i.ll the chairs.
i(ent interest.
iicil from tin-
I' {wlitics. In
aa parly, and is regarded
li-ndid material for future official preferment, should he consen'
: i:s, )f his nanie.
was con J rafted li
jiarty being Mrs. M
....ly. To her were bia . .
ihe iaiter decea.sed at 18 mom.
CHAS. JOYCE.
mSlOUV Ol" MONT(j'0.MEKV COLNTY, KANSAS. 715
selves in MoiitjioiiuTy coimty. Ih-re Mrs. Houtoii died in 187."), at iweuty-
fight jeais of age, without issue. August 27, 1870, he uiaiiied l>u( y V.
Yeager, who came to Kansas in 18<i!» from her birthnhuc in Iowa.
She was a daughter of A. B. and Adda Veager, the present Dejmty
I'robate Judge of Montgomery county. The Yeager children were four
in nundier: Edward C. Clara T., Mrs. Houton, and Frank, deceased.
Mrs. Bouton's residence on the frontier near the lines of Mont-
gomery and Labette counties brought her into close proximit\- to the
notorious Bender family. She knew John and Kate well and became
familiar with their turnout as it passed to and fro past the Yeager
home to Cheriyvale. >\'lien the gory diseoveiy was finally made in tlii'
l{ender orchard. Mr. and Mrs. lioutmi were oi'i the ground and saw the
bodies of their victims exhumed.
When Mr. Bouton came to Montgomery county the claim which he
took was widely separated from civilization. Independence was their
trading point and it contained no semblance of a town for a year after-
ward. Erie was the j)oint where he went to mill and he occasionally
hauled stuff from Ft. Scott and Humboldt.
In the politics of the county Mr. Bouton has ever taken a lively
interest. He has frequently been honored with public office, being
elected Trustee of Cherry township three terms. County Commissioner
by election from 1886 to 1893 and Probate Judge of the county from
1895 to 1897. He is a radical Republican and a popular party man.
Mr. and Mrs. Bouton's family consisted of six children, namely:
Adda L. and Charles, lioth deceased; .\manda E., wife of Cuy B. Dart-
nell. of Cherrvvale; Hibbard, deceased; Freddie O. and Olla Bell.
JAMES J. MORRIS— In sections two and eleven, township 33,
range 14, James J. Morris, of this review, maintains his home. His
settlement in the county dates from the year 1880, and his residence
in Rutland township began with that year. Five hundred and sixty
acres comprises his farm and its physical condition is the pleasing out-
come of twenty-three years of ceaseless and undiminished effort. He
represents the progressive rural element of our population and, in his
way, has contributed to the warp and woof of our local civilization.
James J. Morris was, it seems, decreed by fate to pass his life in
Montgomery county. It was in that county he was born, in Indiana,
Sept. 11, 1838, and in no other county, save the one where he now
resides, has he had a home, except short periods spent in Pulaski and
Clinton counties, Ind. His father, John J. Morris, was a native of
Butler county, Ohio, and came into Indiana during the first third of the
nineteenth century. William Morris, grandfather of our subject, was
a Yirginian by birth and had children: William, James, George W.,
John, Mrs. Emma Timmerman, Mrs. Betsy Curry and Lovina. John
Morris and ]>u(iuda Hagermau, of Butler county, Ohio, became man
and wife and reared a family of nine children, as follows: James J.,
our subject; Sarah, wife of Marion Scott; Mrs. Jane Brant, Mrs. Emma
Robinson. John, of Montgomery county; Mrs. Martha Iteis, of Indiana;
George, of Col.; Mrs. JIargaret Tony lives in Missouii; Joseph, of
Indiana, and Mrs. Armilda Fuller, of Missouri.
In 185S, Janu's J. Morris married Martha J. Koush. a native of
Clinton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Sebastian and Amanda (John-
son) Roush. Seven children have come to bless the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Morris, viz: Sarah, wife of William Haish, of Montgomery county,
witli (hildren: (ieorge and Melvin ; John, of Montgomery county, with
one ihild, James; Mrs. Amanda Degarmore, of Montgomery county, with
childicii: Minnie, Frances, I^eslie, Oscar, Ed, Ophie, Ora, James and
Nina .lam', twins; Charles, of Montgomery county; Oeorge, of the same
connlN. with children: James and Myrtle; Joseph, with children: Walter
and Vivian; .Mrs. Emma I'eaper, of Independence, Kansas, with three
children : Christie, Martha and Harry. Of Mr. and :\hs. Morris' children.
John and Amanda are twins.
When Mr. and Mrs. Morris launched their 111 lie craft upon the sea
of life their capital amounted simply to their energy and their deter-
mination to win. While pursuing the even tenor of their way they
have filled a nidie in the social and business world of their community
and have risen by i-ei;ular slci)S to a jiosilion of financial independence.
LEWIS A. HI'XDELL — In this utilitarian age when the trend of
jiopnhilion is so larg.dy toward the great cities, it is gratifying to note
the sm-cess uf those voung men who have resisted the temptation to
leave the farm and are engaged in the noble occupation from whose
ranks have risen some of the greatest :nen which this country has
produced. All honor to them; and may they so instill into the minds
of their progeny a love for the soil that the tinsel of city life will have
but the effect of turning their minds the more contentedly to furrow
and field. The gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph is a
product of Montgomery's schools and rural society and is a fit repre-
sentative of that stirring and energetic young manhood for wliich the
county is famous.
Mr. Rundell was born in Charleston, Mo., in the year 1S71, and is
the son of one of the county's most respected yeomen, Mr. Levi E. Run-
dell and his wife, nee Miss Mary King. The father was born in the
State of Mississippi, Septemlier 4, 1831. Having lost his parents early
in life, Mr. Rundell, at the age of fifteen years, went up the river to
Madison Co., Illinois, where Ite engaged in farming for a period of some
twenty years. It was here that he met and married his wife. They,
later, removed to Charleston, Mo., and in 1874, located a mile and a half
east of Independence, near where they now reside. Levi Rundell is a
man whose citizenship at all times has lacked nothing of those essential
qualities necessary in the framework of a peace-loving and law abiding
community and his friends in the county are legion.
Lewis, the son, is "a chip off the old block," and is daily proving
his right to the good will wliich is his by inheritance. He was given a
good district school education and when he came to years of discretion
began farming on his own account. In 1899, he purchased the farm he
now cultivates. It lies 4 1-2 miles east and 1 mile south of Inde-
pendence and consists of 220 acres of as good farming land as may
be found in the county. He is fast bringing this farm into a high state
of cultivation and as time passes is adding substantial improvements.
No young farmer of the county has a brighter financial outlook, and
none stands higher in the general estimation.
Marriage was entered into by Mr. Rundell in 1805. Mrs. Rundell
was Hester A. G. Madden, and she is the daughter of John and Keturah
(Alatsler) Madden, respected farmers of the county. She is the mother
of three bright and healthy children whose respective names are: Levi,
seven; Lewis, four; and Lloyd, one year of age.
In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Rundell are Methodists, being
workers in and liberal supporters of that denomination, while in politi-
cal matters the party founded by the greatest of all statesmen, Thomas
Jefferson, receives the suffrage of oui' honored subject.
HENRY N. BL^NDY — Tlie gentleman here mentioned is one of the
leading business men of the prosperous community of Liberty, where he
has conducted a drug store since 1895. and during this time he has been
prominent in the development of this section of the county, and is
always in the front of every cause which has for its object the uplifting
of humanity and the building up of his community.
Mr. Bundy is a native of Indiana, where he was born, in Parke
county, in the year 18G1. The name of his father was P. H. Bundy
and that of his mother, Rachell Caschatt. Mr. Bundy was reared to
farm life, receiving a district school education, together with some
further scholastic training at Annapolis, a town of his native county and
near which his father was one of the prominent farmers. . Our sub-
ject remained under the home roof until he had attained his majority
and in the fall of 1882 came to Liberty, Ks., where he engaged in the
drug business. In the following spring Mr. Bundy's parents came to
Liberty, where for the following twelve years they engaged in the hotel
business. In 1895, they purchased a farm in the township, where
the husband still resides, the mother having died in 1895. There were
four children in the family: W. E. Bundy, a physician, living in lona,
Jewell countv, Kansas, married Ella Cook, and has two children, Clvde
-l8 mSTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
iiiul 'Vvuv. -Iciiiiv, wild uiarripfl -lohn (Jroeii of llliuDis. now a Cuunly
(■oiiiiiiissioiici- ill dial stale, r«'si(liii^ at I'aliiicr. Ills.
Oiii- subject was the youngest (if ilic family, lie iiianied Emma
Nicholson, of ('.oo.llaiiil, Newton connly. Indiana. .Mrs. I'.nndy is the
inniher of four children; Myrtle, horn, .lanuary is. ls,s;i: I^ilph. .Tan-
iiaiv 2!t, ISli;!; Hazel, Oct. 22, l.SitC; and Kennelh. Novenih.T -J. lsi)!(.
' .\li-. and .Mrs. Hundv are leadiii- factors in the social life of LilxTiy,
Avheie I hex an- iv-anlcd with very -n-al rcs|M'(i. .Mr. I'.undy is a
nienihei- of ihi. .Masonic fraternity and in |ioliii,al mailers altiliaies and
voles Willi Ihe Kepuhlhan parly, in I he local councils of which In- is
re-arded with much favor. He is a uenlleinan of altraciive |,ersonalily
and his Imsiness ndalions with his lar-e trade is of Ihe hc^i charadep.
FU.WCIS .M. SrUFACK— The
name inlrodmes this brief jieisonal ski
faiuili<-s of .M(Uitj;()ineiy county whose ;
ISSl. lie came here as a school boy and h
siieciinent of a genuine Kansaii. As a yoi
that have contributed to his success in li
ments and his jtersoiial worth are til to b<
Francis M. Suiface is a native ot i
born in Darke county, Ohio, March 22.
Sui'face, was born in 1818 and is a vcncrab
peinlence township. The latter brought hi
and settled on a tra<t of land in section 12.
chased of L. .\. Walker, well known as a
senior Surface has been an active, Innirly
went into semi ret irenn-nt only after he I
suftieient to jnovide for his comfort in his
Republican in his earlier life and was fici
ventions as a delegate from his township
Elizabeth Bnyder. The children of this n
was rtrwned in l']lk river, ]\Iontsomery at
h'ft three (diildren; .lane, wife of Free Thoi
Elizabeth, who married William Godwin, of Bolton. Kansas; Franci
M., our subject; (Iharles I., of Montgomery Co.: Clara, wife of I.incol
Thompson, of lola, Kansas, and John, deceased.
The subject of this review was educaled in the common school
of Montgomery county and remained a com]ianion of the domesli
fireside till twenty-two years of age. He married tlien. Miss Miiini
Buck, a daughter of Isaac Buck, of the Indian Territory, but formerl
from Indiana. Mrs. Surface was born in the month of June, ^S7'■
and was married to Frank M. Surface. January 22. lS!i:!. She is lli
mother of three children, as follows: Marion. Fred and Eat tie.
;sful
voinii; f:
irii
lel- v
vhose
,'prese
1 hith(
Ills one (
■r dates f
if I
roi
he w
11 the
orthy
■ vear
las gr
own u])
an
exc(
'llent
1 he d<
■v.-loped
th(
■ elei
aeiits
and ;
is a man
hi
■^ 1'
,1^1, ,|.
llleve-
' I'.ncI
keve' Sla
te.
H<-
was
■;7i.
Hi's fath
er.
Alia
nil J.
hlc re
lired cit
izen of
Inde-
< fami
Iv to Ka
ins;
is in
1S81
towns
hip :!:{. r
ange l.'i
. piir-
•itizen
of till' 1
o<i
ilitv.
Tlu'
man
...1 .1..
all his 1
oil!
- I'ifi
■ and
telle V
ail ai
ileclin
e. He V
.as
iimpe
an :
lcti\-e
ueillh
seen in
C(
lunty
con-
For
his wifi
' h
e III;
irried
arria.i;
I' were:
.1;
lines.
, wlio
iiity. ■
in August.
1S07,
, and
ipson.
of Kans
las
City.
, Mo.;
JiUllifaEtffi:
)I-Y 0" MOXTrn-^'r-pV CO'
I ^ • i;
■l;;ri..!,'- w
; 'all fin mi
!■
■
1
•wv|
1
. ,.> <i V«_lKTa'.ll.- U'()
■((1 cili;',:-;!
.1' i:r;
1- brought Ills l'illl)ii^
to ivansas
in IS
in section ]2. i. wi'si'
;; :::;, r :.:v'
!', i.ii
••li;:-.: ■: •:' i.. .-•. . \\':i
ii'.'!-, Weil linown as ii •
; .-; .<,; Siiit;i,'( lia.-'
Ki'ii an a<'tiv(-', liearl;
■■ -nl iiil(, seiui I'l-''
. ,, ,1 ..niv :,f:,..' ; ,.
' riPUt to pl'O'
;il.!ifan in li -
Elizabeth.
m: n,iv sr
- review wa-
iher oi' thre<' chilflren, as follows: Marion, F
et,
i/-,
^^
^*%
B^^HI^^H^B '^''' M
<■ ^ "'i^
i^E
J'
F. M. SURFACE AND WIFE.
HISTORY or MOXTGOMKRY (Or.NTY, KANSAS. 72I
iug. Having fulloMt'd this for sonic voais and llicn liaxinj; rntcreil
mercantile pursuits at Longton, lie bccaiiic one of iIk- well known and
at the same time one of the substautial men oi the i-onnly.
Mr. Wooldridge was born in liussell eounty, Kenliuky. Felniiary
17, 1833. His father, William Wooldridge, was born in the same county
in 1801 and died in Hojikins, Missouri, in 1880. The latter was a son
of Richard Wooldridge, of Virginia, who settled in Kentucky before
its admission into the union of states. William Wooldridge grew up in
the wilds of Kentucky and took for his wife Agnes Allen Mho died in
Iowa in 1857. They went to Iowa in 1846 and lived in Davis county
and were prosperous farmers and highly respected citizens. The chil-
dren born to them were: Margaret, Samuel, Martha E., John, Nancy B.,
William R., Dicy A., Mary, Baxter, of Hopkins. Missouri; Julian F., of
I'hoenix, Arizona, and Emily, deceased.
W. R. Wooldridge aciiuired a common school edinaiinn and began
life as a farmer. He was married April 7tli. 1857, his wife being
Susan, a daughter of John Jessee, originally from Tennessee. This
union resulted in the following children: Walter and Dooly, both
deceased; Margaret, who married John G. Clark and died leaving two
children; John, deceased, likewise Kenneth; Lena and Mattie, deceased;
Esca. of Okhihoma, and Riley, of Independence, Kansas, who married
Iva Urawfoi'd and has a daughter. Civstal. In the month of Sept.,
1898, Mrs. William R. Wooldridge died, after n married life of forty-
one years.
August 9th, ISO:.', in Ringiidld county, Iowa. Mr. Wooldridge
enlisted in company •■(;.' l-'lUli Inf. and served in the Department of
the 'SVest under Generals ("urtis and Steele. He took part in the battle
of Helena and left for Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 10th, reaching there
about ten days later. Broke camp at Little Rock in March to meet
Banks on Red River and during that march he had his left arm shot off
by a tM'elve pound shell at Spoonville and was left on the field as dead.
He was taken by the enemy and was a prisoner at Camden, Ark., for
five months and about Sept. 15th was marched to Tyler, Texas, in
which prison he was confined till Feb. 15th, 1865, when he was taken
to New Orleans, where he was furloughed for 30 days. He proceeded to
Davenport, Iowa, where his discharge from the army occurred June
22nd, 1865. Resuming civil pursuits he re-engaged in farming and con-
tinued it until 1883, when he disposed of his Iowa interests and came to
Kansas. He spent the winter in Winfield and in the spring of 1881
moved to Longton. He maintained his residence in and business rela-
tions with Elk county for 16 years and then removed to ^lontgomery
county, his future home.
In his political action Mr. Wooldridge was an Inde]>eiideni. with
unfriendly feeling toward the dominant political jtaity. When the
-several elements of the ojiposition crystalized into a new party he joined
font's with till' (ii-eenback party and later became a factor in Peoples'
Party affairs. He was a delegate to the Populist convention of 1896
at St. I.oiiis. While not a Democrat, he believes firmly in the political
tenets as aniioiiiici'd bv Mr. P.rvaii.
11\A llADLEY — The settlers of Montgomery county of the year
18S2 number among its band the substantial farmer- and splendid
citizen of Bolton, Ira Hadley, of this brief review. He came in response
to the general movement of the time and place toward Kansas and
emigrated from Parke county, Indiana. He was born in the latter
county and state August 30, ISlo, where his father, Simon Hadley,
settled in ISol and where he maintained his residence till his death
in 1896. Simon Hadley was born in ChatLam county. North Carolina,
in 1810 and was, consequently, twenty-four years old when he took
up his residence in the wooded country of western Indiana. There he
aided by physical effort the clearing up of the county in which he lived
and was one of its moderately successful farmers. In his northwaM
and westward journey he came through Ohio where he sojourned
temporarily working as a farm hand and doing other manual labor as
the necessities of the occasion required. He was a son of Jacob Hadley
w^ho died in Xorth Carolina, and was one of the following children:
Jonathan, who went into Iowa; William, who remained in the Old
Nortli Stale: Thomas, who died in the state of his birth — North Caro-
lina; a (laughter who died in Hendricks Co.,
Indiana, and was the wife of Joseph Ronsley; Eleanor, wife of Owen
Liudley, (lied at Prairie ("enter, Kaiis. ; Susan, who married
Harris, of Xorth Carolina; and Eunice, who became the wife of
]\Iarshall of the old Carolina home.
Simon Hadley married Eunice Hobsoii who survived until 19(12 and
died in Parke connty, Indiana, at the age of seventy-nine. Their
children were: Eliza, deceased; Ira, William, of P>loomingdale, Indiana:
Narcissa, of Marshall, Indiana; Elwood, of the same connty; Rlioda,
who died at Rockville, Indiana, was the wife of M. W. Marshall; Samuel
and Ruth, of Marshall, Indiana, and .Mbert and ilahlon, of the same
county and state.
Ira Hadley, our subject, passed his life on his father's farm, in
childhood and youth and received a country school training. He brought
his limited accumulations of fifteen years of independent effort with
him to Montgomery county, Kansas, and purchased land in section 19,
township 3o, range 15, where he owns one hundred and forty acres.
For some years he was engaged in the nursery business, having several
acres of his farm devoted to the production of a large variety of horti-
cultural plants, with the promotion of which industry he was occupied
HISTOUY OF MONTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 723
until 18!t((. As a farmer, f?i'ain raisiiiff claiiiis his atit-ntion and lie
goes about his daily task iu a modest, unassuiiiiu}; way.
In the month of Jan., 1S72, Mr. Hadley was uuuiicd in Fountain
county, Indiana, his wife being Ruth H. Towell, a daughlci- <if Isaac H.
Toweil and a sister of Ira X. Towell mentioned on another page of
this volume. The issue of this marriage is as follows: Oliver ()., born
in 1S75; Clara E., born 1877; Euuiee A., born 1S7!»; John W.. born in
1883; and Floyd S., born in Kansas in 188!).
AYithout fuss or show ^Ir. Hadley has gone alxiut the alVairs of
life and has merited and won an enduring jiosition iu the (estimation
of his fellow eitizeus. He has been true to his family, true to his
neighbors and true to his j)olitical party. He has been a Republiean
all his life and the isms and side-issues of designing politicians have
not attracted liim in- larried him awav. He is a Mason.
T. (J. TKl'MAX — I'roniiuently identified with the business life of
the city if Independence for three decades and connected with the
governing body of the municipality over half of that period. Mr. T. 0.
Truman, proprietor of the city's leading ice manufactory and cold
storage jilant, well rejiresi iits a type of citizens whose hustling quali-
ties have not only brought success to the individual, but jiroiuinence
to the city as well.
The year 1S71 found Mr. Trnemau on a virgin claim in Rutland
Twp., where he for two years tried the virtues of a farmer's life. Tins
not being to his taste he sold out and moved to town, where, in partner-
ship with John Hebrank, he began the manufacture of beer and car-
bonated drinks, later adding the ice factory and cold storage plant. The
business has grown with the city and is now one of the most extensive
in southern Kansas. Mr. Truman has always taken an active interest
in the welfare of the city. He is at present a member of the Common
Council, his first connection Avith that body beginning in 1875, when
he served continuously for eleven years. Again, in 1000, he became
a member of that body, the date of his present incumbency. During
these years the Council was called upon to make the public improve-
ments necessary in the early growth of a municipality, and much of
this important service was rendered by our subject. He is a valuable
member at the present time as he knows the city "like a book" and can
give the location and history of any i)ublic improvement.
J[r. Truman succeeded in getting a fair education before President
Lincoln's first call for troops. On the 20th of June, 1861, he enlisted
as a private in Co. "K", 2d W. Yd. Vol. Inf.. in which he served until
November of 1804, particijiating in many of the battles and skirmishes
in and about the famous Shenandoah ^'alley. At this date, while at
IVew ('reek, he suffered capture, together with five hundred others. He
was takeu to Libby Prison and for four months experienced the horrors
of that noted institution, tlie date of his exchange being Feb., 18C5. He,
howcvci', recovered rapidly from the rigors of prison life and in thirty
(lays was a^ain with his company at Fredericksburg. The assassina-
tiiiii (il I lie I'rcsident caused his company to be detailed for service
in llic iii]iliue of Booth and his co-conspirators, and for several weeks
our subject scoured the country about Washington. After participating
m the tirand Review the regiment was ordered to Ft. Sedgwick, Col.,
1o lake ])arl in (liscii)lining the Indians who had given such trouble dur-
ing (he war. .\fter a year of such service, he, with his regiment, was
ninsteied out .May 1st, 186G, his record for faithful service to liis coun-
ti'\ being one of whicli he may well be ])roud.
On his return home Mr. Truman embarked in business as a mem-
ber of the tirm of Wells & Truman, lumber merchants, which con-
tirned successfully until 1868, when he eame wist to Kansas City.
Here he continued in the manufacture of rougli Jninber until the date
of his coming to Montgomery county.
]\[r. Truman's home life began November 28, 1807, the date of his
marriage to Elizabeth Dewey. She died in 1883 in Tnde])endence at
the age of forty years, leaving no children. He married his present
wife Iteceniber li, 188fi, in West Virginia, her maiden name having
been .Miss Cnluuibia A. T.urk. She is a lady of much good sense, ah
acfiv member of the Presbyterian church, and a leader in the social
anil charitable work of that organization.
In the business life of the city he has been an important fai-tor.
He is a Directo' in the Commercial National Bank and a member of
the Busiu' s< .Men's Commercial Club. In the fraternities, Mr. Truman
finds great (leliglil, as he is a thorough believer in that idea. In
Masonry lie has passed through the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery
and Shrine, and is now Treasurer of St. Bernard Commandery. He
i)ecan!e an Odd Fellow in April of 1872, and filled all the chairs
through the Encampment. Our subject is also a helpful member of
the Woodmen, Elks, G. A. R., and of the affiliated bodies known as the
Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. In political matters Mr.
Trunnin is a staunch Republican and is one of the wheel horses of the
local organization.
Passing back into the family history and earlier life of our subject,
his birth occurred in West Virginia, September 21, 1843. He is the
son of Absalom and Serena (Diltz) Tniman, the father a native of Cal-
houn county, Va., a farmer by occupation, and both he and his wife
members of the M. E. church. They died within a year, both at 7f!
years of age. Their family consisted of five children — Elizabeth. Thomas
C, Henrv D., Almira, and Francis M.
MARY ANN CLIFFORD— A family which has had a long and hon-
orable career in Montgomery county is that of which Mrs. Mary Ann
Clifford is now the head, her husband, William Clifford having died in
1877. They settled on a claim of 114 acres in Sycamore township,
section 8-31-15, in 1871, where she now resides with her son, John B. and
his family.
William Clifford was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Thomas and
Catherine (Lawson) Clifford. The names of their nine other children
were: John, Sarah, Betsey, Charles, David, Mary J., Jane and Thomas.
Mrs. Clifford comes from Westmoreland county, Pa., where she
was born November 10, 182(1; the daughter of Robert and Dorothy
(Decker) Irwin. Robert Irwin was the son of Edward, who married
Marth.q McGatta, and reared: Robert, Polly, Jeremiah, John, William,
Henry, Thomas, James and Margaret. Of the children of Robert Irwin
and Dorothy Decker, Mrs. Clifford was the eldest. Those younger
were: Martha, John, Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah, Moria, Alexander and
Robert.
On the tenth of December, 1844, Mary A. Irwin became the wife
of William Clifford. He was a young man of considerable prominence,
having prior to his marriage been a Captain of militia in the "Keystone
State." He, later, left that state and became a resident of Rush coiinty,
Ind., fro7u which point he, for many years, operated in produce along
the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. To the marriage of Mrs. Clifford were
born: Thomas B., who married Mary Flack and resides in Montgomery
Co., Kas. ; Sarah, wlio nmrried deoige Sharp and lives in the Indian
Territory with her one child. Ralph; Robert, now deceased, married
Olive Bonty and left three children, Ida, Charles and Bert; Charles has
one daughter, Olive E., and Benton, a son, Robert E.; Gordon, the fourth
child, has not been heard from for twenty years; William H., who
married Mary J. Hatt, resides in Chautauqua county, Kansas, and hasj
two children — Harold and Byron — and is an artist of note. John P..
Clifford lives on the homestead with his mother. He was born in
Westmoreland county. Pa., June 9, 1S."i5, and was first married to
Mary Verbryck, wliose children were : Irwin T., Clayton H., and Claud.
His present wife was Addie, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Scott)
Kington. She is a native of Illinois and her parents are of Virginia
and Ohio, respectively. She is the mother of J. Raymond and Paul V.
Charles L. the seventh child of Mrs. Clifford married Sarah Jane Ver-
bryck, lives in Independence and has six children: Lela, Pearl, Guy,
Homer, Walter and Glenn; the youngest, Cirrilda Clifford, married
David Hooper and lives in Montgomery Co. with her children : Myrtle,
Mable, Clyde. Bessie and Lee R.
Mrs. Clifford is a woman of many strong attributes of character,
greatly beloved by her children, and held in loving veneration by her
-726
friends and
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.1. A. UROW X— Tlie honorable and rcsponsildc posiiion of Mayor
of KIk <'ily is Leld by one of tlie leadinj: business men .d' the town! J.
A. IJrown. now serving; liis seeond teini, and one of I he niosl jiopnlar
otiieials ihe innnieipalily lias ever had. lie is a man of I he mosi earefnl
business habiis, and insisis on condnclin.u public business on the same
lines.
Mr. JirownV native stale is ilial n( New V(nk, where lie was born,
in Erie eountv, Aiij^iist 1. b^47. lie was a son of William and Elizabeth
Brown. His' father was a native of En-land, while Ihe mother was
born in New .Jersey. AVilliam I'.rown caiiK' to I his coiinlry in 1S41,
and settled in Erie Co., N. V.. and ihen w<ni In Ciccn Co., Wis., in
bSoO, where he has passed all his active business life, lie w.is. for lout;
y<-ars, a larjie dealer in j^rain, and was also connected with the bankinj;
business, but is now livin}; in lei ii-emenl. Mrs. Hrown, his wife, died
tU the afi'e of sixty-tive yeais. in Monroe. Wis. Thev reared a faiiiilv of
five children as follows: .). A., Ellen, dec'd, Maria, Nettie and Heniy.
Our subject was taken to Wisconsin bv his jiarents when three
years of a},'e. In his childli 1 his father followed farininfi and the
son «;rew to loxc a rural life, ihoiijrh liavinj; jiassed the latter part of
his boyhood in lown. When he arrived at years of maturity he began
fariniii}; for himself, and after his letiirn from the war, continued in
that line, in \\isconsin, until his cominj; to Kansas, in 1870. He took
up a claim, first, in Howard county, cultivated it for several yeai^s, and,
in IS.sii, sold out and embarked in the business he now conducts in
Elk Cily. Bcfjinninj; oii a modest scale he irradually added to his stock
and floor space tintil he is now one of the leadiiij^ merchants in the
city. He has a handsome two-story building', 1(1(1x2.") and 80x2.t on one
floor. I>otb floor and basement are tilled w ith a choice stock of general
merchandise, and he caters to a ver_\ large liade.
Mr. Brown has always been an interested worker for the advance-
ment of the city of his adoption and has served in nearly every office
of trust in its gift. He was tirst elected Mayor in 1S!»7, served two years,
and. a year later, was again elected. He lias held the office since that
li lo ihc eiilire satisfaction of his const it iients. Jn the social and
reli^iious life of Ihe community he and his wife are potent factors, and
are leaders in every enterprise that promises to advance the moral tone
of the peojile. They are both members of the Christian church, in
which organization Mis. Bi-own is a deaconess and consequentlv a
leader in the work of the church.
Ml', and Mrs. ]$rown were joined in marriage .laniiary 1, ISOS. Her
maiden name was Kate Mc\'ean and she was a dautrhter of I'eter and
MRS. KATE BROWN, WIFE OF J. A. BROWN.
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IIISTOUY OF MONTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 727
Elizabotli McVoan of Wiscousiu. Her mother resides at Uroadliead,
Wisconsin, the father being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the
parents of six children — Libby B., wife of J. W. Love, of Kansas City,
with one child, Homer; liOrena, who married F. C. Strawn and resides
in Alva, Ok., has one child, Jo.scphine: Nettie J., Mrs. L. V. Coleman, of
Poplar Blntt', .Missotiii; Edna K.. Frankie and Henrie arc children still
at home.
Mr. Brown is a member of the (1. A. R., earning his right to belong
to that grand organization by service on the field. He was not old
enough to enter the army at the breaking-ont of the war, but as
soon as he could "pass muster" he became a private in Co. "K," 16tli
Wis. Inf. His regiment arrived at the front in time to participate in
the Atlanta campaign. Its first taste of battle was at Big Shanty,
whence it followed "Uncle Billy" to the sea, up into the Carolinas,
where it saw secession's banners lowered, and the stars and stripes
again floating over Ft. Sumter. The hearts of its loyal members
welled with pride as they participated in the Grand Review, the grandest
exhibition of fighting men ever held; and then home, to take up the
thread of life where it had been snapped asunder.
F. E. TAYLOR — County Commissioner Taylor came to Kansas and
settled in Montgomery county in 1884. He emigrated from Muncie,
Indiana, in which state he was born in Putnam Co., October 13, 181.5.
His parents, William and Catherine (Tracy) Taylor, were native Ken-
tucky people who moved into Indiana about 1S4() and passed their lives
on a farm. The father was born in 18()ti and died in 1856 while the
mother was born in 1808 and died in 1851. Their children were ten in
number and were the following: Eliza, who married James Burris and
died in Illinois in 1901 at seventy-three years of age; Susanna, wife of
H. Seward, died in 1860 at twenty-five years; Georgianna, who married
Perry McCombs, died in 1869 at about twenty-two years of age; John
W., of Marshall Co., Kansas; Amelia, who died very young; Mary A.,
who also died in childhood; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. ,Tohn Robin-
son, died at twenty-one; F. K., of this review; Zachariah. wlio dii-d
in babyhood; and Mrs. Catherine Baize, of Newton, 111.
The district schools of Indiana furnished the educational equij)-
ment of F. E. Taylor. He accepted the occupation of his fathers and
became a farmer on beginning his life work. In July, 1862, he enlisted
in Company "C," Lst Indiana Heavy Artillery, which was assigned to
the Department of the Gulf. He served in Banks' Red River Expedition
and was with the exjiedition sent to the reduction of Forts Blakely and
Spanish and the capture of Mobile. Upon the expiration of his enlist-
ment he veteranized and remained "in the service till January, 1866,
thus seeing three and one-half years of service without casualty to
7-8 IIISTOKY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
liimself. Kcsuiiiiiif; bis (icciii»atioii in civil lift- ln' contiuucd faiiaini^
iu his native state until his departure for Kansas. He established him-
self on a new farm in Hutland towiisliip, Montgomery county, of one
hundred and sixty acres. His etl'oi-ts were rewarded as the years
passed and two hundred and fifty acres more were added to his domain
and this, and his residence jirojierty in Independence constitute the
niaj^or portion (if liis estate. His success indicates that he has taken a
lively and active interest in Kansas a.uricultnre and wiicii lie retired
from the farm in l!t(IO it was in response to a wish lo rclic\c liiinsclf
and wife of the work and responsibility of the farm.
Xov. 17, 18G7, Mr. Taylor married .Malinda J. Smith, a (huighter
of Jonas and Kosanna (Coopen Smith, both deceased. Five children
are the issue of this niarriatic. namfi_\ : William I!, .of Indcjiendence,
ouci' a mercliani, and an ex-teaclicr of llic countv, married to Dessie
Alkiiisoii and has cliildrcii: I'ansie and .jewel: Alary K.. wife of J.
1\. Moore, wiio r<'sidcs on a farm near Tvro. lias cliildicii. liennie,
Emmett. Harry and Knbie F.; .Jonas K., sinj^le and a fannci-; Aar.ui C,
also a farmer and unmarried, and .Mary I\.. who died ai iliicc \i-ars.
The j.areuts and children are membeis of the Christian chinch.
• lonas Smith and wife, natives respectively of Tennessee and South
< 'aioliiia.eacliacconi])anied his jiareiits to Martin Co., Ind., at an early pe-
riod and were married in that < imnty. They owned and operated a farm
all their lives, -lonas Siuiih died in IsTT. a.i;ed 7s y,-ais. His wife died
in 18r,(). ai^ed 4.-, y.-ars. The names of iheir children are: Benj. F.,
Amelia, Susannah, -lolin. decM: .Malinda, Casandei', Amanda, and Docia.
All excejii .lohn lived to be well up in years. Grandfather Cooper lived
to be !is years old and Grandfather Smith was 87 years old at the
time of his death.
Mr. Taylor holds a membership in the subordinate and encamp-
ment of Odd Fellows, in the Grand .Vrmy and in the Eepublican
]iarty. He was elected County Commissioner from the 2nd district in
1S!I7. was reclecie.l in liidO. and will have served six years on the
board when his term expires in .lanuaiy. 1!MI4.
WILLIA.M .\ISTIN— The younj-er element of the old settlers of
Montgomery county is worthily represented in the person of William
Austin, of this brief sketch. He has resided in the county since 1872,
whicdi year his ])arents established the family <me mile west and four
miles north of Cherryvale. Mr. .\ustin was born in Knox count.v,
Illinois, .laiinaiy 22. isiit. .\bel .\nsiin was his father and his mother
Saiah T. Scott, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Hlinois.
I'^irming was the life occniiation of .\liel Austin and he died at forty
years of age in 187r.. The mother returned to Hlinois with her large
family on the eve of this misfortune, where she remained till her sons
iports the policies of i!
■■]•■■>■: und Iirnlihful 1
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 73 I
later, went into a drug stoi-e in Warsaw. In 1882, he came to Kansas
and enfiajicd in tlie drng bnsiness at Altaniont, but he sold out later on
and was aiii)oinled |)osl master of lliat lit.v, under President Cleveland.
On retiring from ottice lie becanie a tiaveling salesman for a drug house.
Following tills, he elerked four and onehalf years in a drug store in
Cherryvale, and in May of ]!t02, wenl into bnsiness for himself there.
He is an efflicient and safe ]>rescii|)tion clerk and holds a druggist's
diploma from the Kansas State r.(»ard of I'harnuicy.
In 1878. Mr. Houghton was joined in marriage with Minerva A.,
daughter of Tallman ami Hachei i Warren) Hlue. Her father was a
native of Oliio and a tanner by trade. He, later, moved over into Kos-
ciusko county, Ind., when- he died. Mrs. Houghton is the eldest of three
children, the others, Kosella and .John, being deceased. Her father was
married a second time, Nellie, a minister's wife, being the child of this'
marriage. She resides in Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Houghton
have been born seven children: .Muriel E., clerk in the store; diaries'
F., who works in the pivss brick dejiartment of the vitrified brick com-
pany; Grace E., Lee II., Pearl K., William and Howard I).
In a social way Mr. Houghton is a member of the Masonic order and
of the A. O. T'. W., and in ])olitics su[)|)orts the |)olicies of the Democi'atic
party. His citizenshi|i is of tiiat clean and healthful variety which
secures the resjiect ami esteem of all.
GEOKtiE ELLIOT COX is one of the large land owners of Mont-
gomery county, being in control, at the present time, of a domain of
eleven hundred and fifteen acies. He has been a resident of the county
since 18(^1!), in which year he settled with his parents in Louisbuig town-
ship, where his father jjurchased a large body of land, ujion a part of
which this son now resides, ^\'illianl Henry Cox, father of George E.,
was an Ohioan by birth, born .Ian. '27. 1821, a son of William Cox, who
locate(' in Bartholomew county, Indiana, the year of Henry Cox's birth.
Here William Cox continned to reside until his removal to Johnson Co.,
in 1841), where he died twenty years later. His wife died in 18:!4. at the
age of thirty-sexcn years.
Wni. Henry Cox, in 1S.">4, married Xamy Cidlett. a native of .Johnson
count^. Ind.. and a daughter of .lames Collett. Prior to this, he married
histirst wife. Levena Elliott, whose three children were: Elizabeth, widow
of F. M. Coleman, of Elk City, and IJenjamin and Emma, deceased. By
his second nnirriage were born: -James M., who married Clara Blair
and now resides at Oak Valley, with children: Ethel, Gladys. Bernice,
Herman, Victor. Alberta and James; George E., the esteemed subject
of this review; John L., who married Laura L. Little, and resides at
Crane. Kansas, with children: Essie, Hazel and Herbert; Albert T., who
married Ella Jones and resides in Indei)endence, being editor of the
--2 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
••Star and Kaiisan;" their four cliildreii arc: Autlra, Karl, Paul aud
Ivannie; Ira, who married Gertie Myers and resides in Anadarko, Okla-
homa, where he is cashier of the First National Bank. Their two chil-
dren are: Burnell and Maxiue; Annie May is the wife of Ka.v Dirst, and re-
sides at Independence, Kansas; Chester C, who married Lillie May Har-
mon of Elk City; their two children being: Orlis and Nannie; Silvia
Gertrude married William Johnson and resides in Columbia, ^lissouri,
with one child, Lorin. The parents of this family continued to reside
on the old homestead for many years, but luive siven up the active life
of the farm and are now residents of Elk City.
The Collett connections are Keutuckians. and grandfather Samuel
Collett and Elizabeth Whiteacre. his wife, liavini; been early settlers
in the "Blue Grass State."
James Collett settled on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres near
Indianapolis, and became a man of much prominence in that portion of
the state, where he ^rev.- quite wealthy. His estate, at his death,
Mving been rated at $60,0(10. Th.- Colbtls ar.' of Kn,iilish descent.
George E. Cox was born in .lolmson county. Indiana, in the year
1862, and there he took his first stejis toward an education. He con-
tinued it in the district school of his lionie neighborhood — after his par-
ents removed to Montgomery county and lias been a resident of the old
homestead since, with the excption of three years sjii-nt on a farm, a mile
northw.'sl of Klk City, when he Haded for the old linioe place of two
bundled arres. In ISill. he bon-lii of his fallier three iinndred and eight
acres ;i(ljoining him; in 1Sll."i, he |iurcliased one hundred and thirty-two
acres adjoining this; in ItMil. he added one hundred and f(mrteen acres
more and in litOl', ]niirhased of his brother, I. E. Cox. thirty-six acres on
Elk river, eight miles from his home i)lac.'. As stated, he is one of the
most extensive farmers in the county, and the nianiiei- in which he con-
ducts his large interests clearly marks him as one of ihe most progres-
sive and efficient members of the agricultural class.
On the first of July, is,sr>. Mi-. Cox took unto himself a wife in the
person of Fannie Allen, dauj^hter of I'inkuey and Maitha Jane (Free-
man) McDowell. Airs. Cox is on<' of four children; James Alexander, a
farmer, of Liuiisburs townshiji. elsewhere reviewed in this volume; Mary
Susan and William Thomas, deceased, and Mrs. Cox, the youngest. The
mother of this family is now an inmate of the hiuiie of .lames .McDowell.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cox five children ha\c been born, viz.:
Claude L.. born October IH, 1886; (Jrace Inez,, born i>.ceinber 1:2, 1S8T;
AX'illiam .\llen, born Sejrfember .5. 188!); Cecil .May, liorn November 24,
fsiCt, an.l .\nna Fay<-, born October 4. 1S!I4.
Mr. Cox is i-egarded as one of the [.romimnl sjiirits of Louisburg
townshi]) and indeed of the whole county. He gives a large part of his
attention necessarily to his extensive landed interests, liut finds time to
take a good citizen's part in the administration of affairs in bis conr
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 735
Stovall, of (Jiitlirif, Ok. Ty. ; Minnie X., wife of F. (i. Wilson, of Inde-
pendence; Miles <).. decciiscd, in liKIl', at twcnl v-tliice vcars; Enicison
W., a brieklayw, of Okla. Cil.v; .Icnnic, sinj^lc, and l>ais.v, who died in
infancy.
F. U. Bi-ewstei' is a native of Tuscarawas county, Oliio, where he
was boi'n April 18, 1868. He came with the family to Kansas, and,
after securing a p;ood common school education learned the bricklaying
trade with his father. He was his father's rijiht-hand man until 1891,
when he besan contracting for himself. The Haden warehouse in Inde-
})endence was his first contract, and his success in this inslance has been
dnjilicrited many times. Some of his larger contracts are: several school
houses, the Masonic Temple, Carl-Leon Hotel, and the Hollingsworth
residence. The secret of his success is possibly in the fact that his word
is as good as his bond, and when he enters into a contract to jierform cer-
tain work, the specifications will be followed to the letter.
Mr. Brewster and his family are active members of the M. Iv cliurch,
while he affiliates with the Masons (Blue Lodge, Chapter and Comman-
dery), and the A. O. U. W. He votes the Rei)ublican ticket.
Mrs. Brewster was Miss Mattie Fla<k jjrior to March .30. 1802, the
date of their marriage. She is a native of lndiaii;i. a daughter of John
and Nancy Flack, deceased. Two ( liijdren liave been born to hi-r, Ivan
pjlsie and James Russell.
MILTON DAVIS— The family of which Milton Davis, a worthy rep-
resentative of the agricultural class in <"lierokee township, is a member,
originated in Wales. In the ye.ir Ki.'iO, lour brothers crossed the ocean
and cast their future with the i)eo]ile who had fonnded the colony of
Maryland. From this family quartette sprung the foiffatheis of our sub-
ject and thus the head of the family represented by the subject of this
review. From Maryland to North Carolina their posterity spread and
our National history is tilled with the names of ])atiiots and statesmen
who have added renown to the already brilliant achievements of our re-
])ublic. Captain Isaac Davis, who fought valiiuitly for oiir freedom from
British rule, was a descendant of this and a grand amrstor of our snb-
ject.
ALlton Davis was born in Terry County, Illinois, Decembei- 114. 1S40.
His father was Joel Davis, a native of Tennessee, born March 2mi. 1818.
His mother was Millie Robertson, a native of the same stale. b(Uii March
18, 1820. The nuirriage ceremony was ()erformed in \\'ashington Co.,
111. The paternal grandparents of our subject removed, in LS22, to Illi-
nois, where Joel Davis was reared to nuinhood on the farm and resided
until 1870, when he came to Montgomery county, and settled in Chero-
kee township, five miles east of Coffeyville. There he died August 5th,
1892, aged seventy-four years. His wife died in June, 1890, at the
age of scvciilv years. Kh-vrii iliildtni cmni.os.-d ili.- famil.v. I'mii- of
whom died in iiifaiicv. Xi'wtoii dii'd at thirl \ -one and there aie now
six liviuj;: Frank M., William. Joel, Cliailes. .Millon and .'\Iis. Saiali
Ci-aliam.
Mr. Davis seemed a disiiiet school i-duration and was still at home
when tile call was made for ti-oo]is To pnt down The rebellion. In the
early part of 1S(;2, he enrolled as a jnivate in Company "A," 101st.
111. Xo]. Inf., and sei\-ed his connliy to the close of the strnggle. He
was with •■Incle I'.illy" Sherman at \'i(d<sbnro-. accompanied liim across
to ("h.itlasooga. to .Vtlania and to the sea. np through the Carolinas and
to the (Irand Review of the l)attle-scai'red veterans at tlie Nation's
<'aj)itol. During these years of jieril, he had many narrow escapes, but
returm-d in comiiai'atively vigorous health, and with no serious wounds.
He was struck seveial times by spent balls and i)ieces of shell, but never
lost a day by reason of his wounds. He was discharged on the 22u(\ of
Jene, 18<i.'., iit Springtield. III.
Mr. Davis i-emained in Illinois engaged in farming until ISTl, the
date of his settling in Cherokee to\vnshi]i, Jfontgomery county. He re-
sided thei-e f(tr three yeais and then bought IfiO acres of the land on
which he now I'esides. He has i-edeenuHl this land from its wild state
and has it in a high slate of cultivation. To The original quarter, he has
added another, tlie farm now comprising .'IlMl acres. He is engaged ex-
tensively in the raising of cattle and hogs.
Duiing his residence in the county. Mr. Davis has taken an active
and heljiful ])art in building up the institutions of society which makes
Montgomery county a desirable j)lace of residence. Four terms has he
seiNcd as inislee .if his townshi]i and he has acted as treasurer, also,
for a iiumbei- of terms. Frateinally. he atliliates with the Masonic lodge
at Cotfeyville, and is also a member of the ("oiumandery at Tndej.end-
ence. His vole is alwavs counted in support of Th(" ]irin<-iiiles of
Democracv.
November .-.rd, ISCI, was a day to b.- remembered in the lives of
our subject and his wife, for, on that day. the latter changed her maiden
name oif KlizabeTh Kobinson to that ofDavis. She was born in White
c(mnl.\. HI., on Sepl(>mber I:.*, l!S4."(. Her father was George Robinson,
her mother, F.lizabeih ( Iverfield, both natives of Virginia. To the
marriage of .\lr. and Mrs. Davis, five children have been born: Charles
E., a farmer of iliis township: l^eidella. wife of IT. .\. Brown, a farmer
of tlie lowuslii|i: Kichai-d. who lives at ( 'offewille; Nellie. Mrs. O. A.
Creen of Irnhpendence, and .Mvrtle. Mrs. FIbert Drvden of Ft. WoT-fh,
Texas.
W II.I.IA.M L. F.OLTDX— February IL'. Isci', William L. Bolton was
liorn ill ('edar county, Iowa. He was twelve vears of age when he ac-
UlSTOttY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 737
rompaiii.'d liis parents from his native state into Kansas and liccaine a
citizen of Butler Co., later of Montfionier.v rounly. Here lie came to
maturity and was educated and has achieved his inalcrial success. He
is recofinized as one of the men of promise in the :i},Micultural and graz-
in<j world of Cherry townshiii and is pursuinj; his calling with a modesty
and frankness becoming the man.
Mr. Holton is a son of James Bolton, a native of Virginia, and of
Elsie Thorn, also of that state. In 1854, the jtarents moved ont to Iowa
and passed many years in Cedar county. They also resided in the State
of Missouri a short time and, some years later, resided in Butler county,
Kansas. They finally came to Montgomery county where the father yet
lives and where the mother died at the age of sixty-eight years. Six
children were the issue of their marriage, viz: Mary, Nancy, Ellen,
William L. and James; Nancy and William L. being the sole survivors
of the issue. One child died in infancy.
The country schools of Kansas supplied William L. Bolton with a
fair education and equipped him to cope successfully with his fellow-
man. He was married in November, 1885, his wife being Emeline Estes,
a daughter of Edniond Estes, and widow of E. S. Estes from North Caro-
lina, ilrs. Bolton came to Kansas with her first husband in 1883, and
located on Drum creek, five miles northwest of Cherryvale. Their
energy and iTidustry ini])roved this farm, brought it to a high state of
cultivati(m and made it one of the splendid estates in the Drum creek
valley. Since his marriage, Mr. Bolton has assumed diarge of the affairs
of this farm and its cultivation and Tuanagement, together with that
of his own farm adjoining, consumes his time and gives him ample lati-
tude to demonstrate his prowess in the battle of life. The homestead
and its adjunct comprise a tract of three hundred and four acres and
constitutes one of the best wheat and stock farms in Cherry township.
A new residence has sprung up and other substantial improvements
mark the progress of its dual and worthy owners.
Mr. and 5Irs. Bolton's marriage is without issue. They are hospi-
table and happy in their home life and are without ambition beyond good
citizenship and a fair remuneration f(H' theii' hones! etl'oits. Mr. Bol-
ton sui)ports the cause of K.-publicanism at the polls and does this bit
of jiolitical woi-k from i»urely i>atriotic motives.
F. W. C.VKLIXCHorSE— It is said that a man's < haracter is much
affected by the work in which he engages — that the mason's frequent
use of the plumb line, the carpenter's use of his sq\iare, the farmer's
efforts to run the plow in a straight line across his field — that all these
exert an unconscious influence upon the character of the individual. If
this be true, it accounts, in some measure, at least, for the upright char-
acter of the gentleman above mentioned. Mr. Garlinghouse is a worker
738 HISTORY OF MONXGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
in marble, and the reputation which he sustains In his home town of In-
dependence would seem to indicate that there is something in the above
theory — he Is as clear cut and upright as the shafts which show his
handiwork.
Mr. Garlinghous is following the trade of his father, (leorge C. Gar-
linghouse, now a resident of Oklahoma, but for a number of .years in
business in Montgomery county. He and his wife, nee Helen Salisbury,
removed to Montgomery county from McDonough Co., 111., with their
family of five children. They resided in the county until 1894, when the
parents removed to Oklahoma. The names of the children are: Eva
E., now Mrs. C. Gibson, of Cbanute, Kas.; F. W. the subject of this
sketch; Opal, Mrs. P. E. Voyles, of Independence; Clyde, at home with
his i)arents; Avis, of Independence.
P. W. Garllnghouse was born in McDonough county, 111., November
16, 1SG7, and came to Kansas with the family. He was given a goo3
education in the common schools, after which he learned the trade of
marble-cutter under the watchful and experienced eye of his father. In
1891, he began business for himself in Caney, with his father as a part-
ner. The firm continued three years, when F. W., bought his father's
interest, the latter having determined to go to Oklahoma. In 189.5, Mr.
Garlinghouse moved his business to Independence and purchased the
marble yard of ^Vnl. Dawson, where he has since been engaged success-
fully. An evidence of the satisfactory character of his work is in the
fact that although he covers a large field, no coniiiclitor has been able to
establish himself here.
The married state was entered into by Mr. Garlinghouse in Fort
Sco+t, Kansas, the date being October .'{0, 1900, the contracting party
being Flora J. Atkins, daughter of William Atkins, the whole family
natives of New York state, where the father still resides, the mother
being deceased. Two childrn have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garling-
house: Donnle F., and Freddie J. Mrs. Garlinghouse is a lady whose
influence for good is felt in M. E. church circles, she being an active mem-
ber of that organization. Mr. Garlinghouse affiliates with the Modern
TN'ooduien and the Kiiiglils of I'vthias. and is Republican in jmlitical
belief.
ing work. Mr. Wise is
:!(i, isct;. His parents,
me state. In 18«7, the
I'l- to ("herryvale where
the niotluM' died in 1S77, at the age of thirty-seven years. She was a
devout member of the M. K. church. Tlie father, now resides in Mound
Valh'y, Kansa.s, where his two oldest sons are in business.
J. F. WISE— Wise .^ Sinnel are 1
leadil
Cherryvale, also large jobbers in tin an
li l>lll
a native ()f Illinois, born in Cicen conm
Iv, .\
W. J. and Susan Wis<-, wei-e natives (i
if the
family removed to Ottawa, Kan., and (
•anie
I HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 739
Afr. Wise, Sr., rcsiMiiidcd to llu- call of his counlrv in the days of the
Bebellion, becouiiufr a ineinber of Company "<t." 59th. 111., Vol. Inft., in
which he served faithfully for the entire period of the war. During his
early residence in Montgomery, he lived on Cherry creek, one and one-
half niiles north of Cherryvale, and then moved to the city in 1873.
J. F. Wise, the subject of this sketch, is the third of four children.
L. H., the eldest, and J. A., the next younger, live at Mound Valley and
are partners in business there. The youngest, (I. E., being in their
employ. J. P., was born in Illinois, but reared and educated in Kansas.
At eighteen, he began his active business career as a clerk in the drug
store of Richart & Hockett, of this city. Thence to Mound Valley, where
he passed seven years in the employ of F. P. Dicus & Co. In 1895, he
entered the hardware business for himself at Mound Valley and there
gained valuable experience in the conduct of such a business. Three
years later he came to Cherryvale and bought a half interest in the Cash
Hardware Company. The tirm has one of the best locations in the town
and carries everything in the line of heavy and light hardware, also
plumbing and gas fixture su]iplies. Though absent for a considerable
period, Mr. Wise is really one of the oldest settlers of this locality, as he
came here at six or seven years of age, and thus might be called a product
of Cherryvale. He is a keen business man and the city may well be
proud to claim him as a citizen. He has served one term as a member
of the comnioii council of the city and held the same office for a like
period in Mound Valley.
In 1890, Mr. Wise was hajijiily joined in marriage to Ida P. Hill in
Mound Valley. Mrs. Wise is a native of Missouri, the daughter of
Thomas Hill, of Audrain county, that state. Hhe was for four years
connected with the firm of F. P. Dicus & Co., in Mound Valley, a portion
of which time Mr. Wise served the same fii'm. To Mr. and Mrs. Wise
have been born three chihden: I'aul E.. Abbie Dicus, who died at the
age of four, and Ralph J. Both parents are members of the Presby-
terian church, of which Mr. Wise is a deacon and at one time ruling elder
of the Mound Valley church. He is a member of the K. and L. of
Security, being treasurer of the same. He is treasui-er of the Aetna
Building and Loan Association of Topeka, and is a member of the school
board of Cherryvale. In political belief he ascribes to the principles of
the party of Lincoln and McKinley.
Mr. Wise's brother went to Mound Valley in 18M4. forming the part-
nership of F. P. Dicus & Co. The firm name is now Wise Bros., they
having purchased the interests of the Dicus Bros, in the year 1900. These
gentlemen are well and favorably known in their county, having been
in business since 1884, at Mound Valley. Mr. J. A. Wise has been
mayor of the city and held other ])ublic offices of trust. L. H. is a mem-
ber of the council and treasurer of the school board, also an active
"40 IIISTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
worker, and elder in the I'resbyterian cluircb. .]. A. has two children
and L. H. has three.
Mrs. J. F. Wise came to Mduiid Vtilley in 1883, to assist in the
Office work of F. P. Dicus & Co.. being a niece of the Dicus Bros., and
afterward l)ecanie one of the principal salesladies of the dry goods de-
partment, giving universal satisfaction to the firm and general pnblic
and counting her friends by the score.
JOHN FADLEli— In the subject of this brief article is presented
one of the more recent settlers whose identity with Montgomery county
matters, dates from 1882, when he became the owner, by jjurchase, of a
body of land in .sections U and 12, township 33, range 15, upon which
he has since made his home. He is one of the progressive farmers
of Independence township, has prospered in keeping with his efforts and
has become one of the substantial men of the agricultural class. He has
erected a modern residence, barn and other improvements necessary for
the symmetrical and well-balanced development of his estate and is the
owner of three hundred and thirty-seven acres of land in the county.
John Fadler was born in Perry Co., Mo., March 5, 1849. His father,
Adam Fadler, settled In that locality as a young German, fresh from
his native land and was identified with it as a successful farmer till his
death March 1, lS!tO, at the age of seventy-five. Adam Fadler left Ger-
many in c()ni[>any with a brother at the age of seventeen, and what
little personal etfecls he possessed, were lost by the burning of their ship
at sea. Day labor was the (channel through wliich he acquired his first
capital, and this he invested wisely in real estate as the occasion otTered.
He married Easter Meyers, and tlie two ])ut forth the toil and the exe-
cutive ability in the accumulatiDu of a valuable estate. Mrs. Fadler
died in 1861, and two of her children, only, grew to maturity, viz: John
and Solomon. The father of these sons was one of the leading citizens
of his community. While he deemed his ])rovince to be a laborer in the
field and employing liim.self with liis own alfairs, he gave patriotic atten-
tion to his duty as a citizen. He allied himself with the Republican
party in jyolitics and was an active member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Fadler. of this record, came to maturity on his father's farm. At
about eighteen, he sinrted in life as a hand, working for wages. He was
in the lead mines in SI. I<'i-aiices Co.. and in the coal mines of the locality,
and for several years s\h-u{ his wages as he got them. His marriage
induced a sjiirit of cconomv, and from lS7(i till ISSII. his profits as a miner
were carefullv guai(b'd. The jtroceeds of six years labor he brought
with him to Kansa.s and Ihey formed the nucleus aboul which later ac-
cumulations have centered.
December 12, lK7(i, Mr. Fadler iiiarri.Ml Mag-ie ('. CoiiKle. a
daughter of Uenben and I'llizahelh iCIine) Conkle, formerly from ATle-
<' 4 «
eft-
r c e
Dicus Bros., and
DLEK— In the subject
(• recent settlors wlio.- c i
iroiu 1882, when In
! secti<;ns 11 and i
ha^e, of a
i'on which
M Inraiity ;
iiifii-d with
in real estate as i
. (^^•A pnt forth t!
Mr. Fadh
(.•HI ciijlltetH!.
;id mine
, hi S:. Lra,hus <
several
veans sjx^nt his
, -M.::!:
(,i : i-iii.Miiv, and tV
'he proc.A'ii
y fdrnied t
i'J,, iH7t>, Mr. FadUn'
ibcn and Kli/.abeth (<'l
■ I'T in the
iotic atteu-
';.' pnhli.'mn
JOHN FADLER.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 743
JAMES HELMS— Juue 3, 1833, the subject of this notice was born
in Clinton county, Indiana, and in infancy, his parents removed to Iro-
quois Co., 111. On coming of age, he returned to Indiana and purchased a
small farm in Newton Co., where his efforts were concentrated till the
outbreak of the Civil war.
November 15, 1861, he joined Co. "B," 51st Ind. Vol. Inf.. Col.
Able D. Strai<,'hfs resiment. belonging to the 4th Army Corps. From
its rendezvous at Indianapolis, the regiment was ordered to Louisville,
Kentucky, where subject was taken sick and sent to Bardstowu, Ky.,
and placed in the hospital. In three months he was able again for travel
and he was ordered to Mnmfordsville, where he convalesced, rejoning his
regiment in Alabama after the tight at Corinth. Mississippi. He jiartici-
pated in the battle of Murfreesboro and accompanied four regiments
down through Georgia to Day's Gap, on Crooked creek, where their
ammunition gave out and the whole command was taken in and sent to
Rome, Georgia, as i)risoners of war. They were removed, later, to
Atlanta, and finally to Richmond, and placed on Bell Island, where they
were exchanged seventeen days later. Mr. Helms was then ordered
to Baltimore, thence to Columbus, Ohio, and on to Indianapolis, where
for seven months, he was detailed to guard Rebel prisoners. He was
then sent to the front and reached the field at Nashville, Tenn. He took
part in several skirmishes and small lights and did what he could toward
winning the battle of Nashville itself. His regiment was then detached
and sent to San Antonio, Texas, where, Dec. 15, 18G5, our subject was dis-
charged after a service of four years and three months, a veteran volun-
teer of a great civil war. He was promoted to be a corixiral, and to duty
.sergeant, and reached home January 13. 1866.
He cultivated his little Indiana farm till 187!t, when he brought his
family westward and settled, for the time being in Woodson county.
He came to ilontgomery county in 1882, and located on his present place
of one hundred and twenty acres in section 11, township .33, range 14. a
place without improvements and as untamed as nature left it. His first
residence was the proverbial log cabin, with dimensions 14xl(), and this
served the family as a domicile until greater atTlucmc could provide a
better home.
James Helms was a son of .lames Helms, a farmer, who died just
prior to our subject's birth. The latter was the oldest of three sous,
the other two being William and Thomas. James married Rachel
Taylor, a Tennsylvania lady, and their children were: Mrs. Elizabeth
Sherrel, Mrs. Sarah Davis. .Mrs. Nancy Shevrel. Thomas, \Villiam,
George and James.
In the year 1859, Eli/.alx-tli .M. Tiinmons Ijecanie tlie wife of .lames
Helms, our subject. Her native place was Newton Co., Ind., and hep
parents were Basset and Sarah (.lohnson) Timmons. Tlie children of Mr.
and Mrs. Helms are: Mrs. Martha Crosson, of Elk City, Kansas, and
Mi's. Sarah Brown, a resident of this county. By a former marriage to
Ann Eliza Kaiuey, tliere were born two children : Eva, who died, aged
about 21 vears, and Ann Eliza, who married Joseph Egbert, and resides
in Bates Co.. Mo.
In his political beliefs l[r. Helms is independent. He is a member
..f Till' Metlio.list I'ldlcstaiil rlnnch and of the A. H. T. A.
JOHN FRENCH — The gentleman here named is one of the enter-
prising and thrifty business men of Cherryvale. senior member of the
hardware and grocery tirm of French & Raymond. His birth occurred
in the State of New Hamjishire, February 25, 1838, his parents being
Jesse and Ann (Chaniberlin) French. The father was, in his earlier man-
hood, a successful school teacher and later a farmer. He was a man
of parts in his locality, there being scarcely a period in his life when he
was not an incumbent of a public office. He served with distinction in
the legislature of his state, a coincidence being that he and one of hfs
sons were members of the body at the same time. He was born in the
year 1800, and lived to the age of ninety-six years, his wife dying in 1899,
at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of ten children,
eight still living. They were intensely devoted to their country's wel-
fare and gave three sons in time of need, whose service aggregated
seven and a half years. Of the.se, Henry served three years as a private
in the 11th N. H. Vol. Inf., oni' subject and his twin brother, Elias,
enlisting at the same time. Their first battle was at Fredericksburg,
where Henry was wounded and subsequently sjient four months in the
hc^spitnl. Returning to the ai-my, he served to the close of the war,
as did Elias. Jlr. French served some IS months, was twice wounded,
and was finally discharged for disability.
Our subject learned the machinist's trade jiiiiir to the war and in
1865. came out to I'earson. Ind., where he worked four ye;ns; thence
to Chicago, where he entered the employ of Palmer & Fuller, sash and
door manufacturers. He was a faithful employe of this firm for a
period of fifteen years, and in ;ill that lime never lost a day. Ijabette
county. Kan., was then his lionie foi' ten years, where he put in a fine
stale <'f euJtivatioii, a lialf section of land. In 1S94, he came to Cherry-
vale and began work in a modest way, in a gun repair shop.
On J;,n. 1st. lOO:',. the present firm was formed, and purchased the Tuttle
building, a laige brick, 2S.\100, and with three rooms on the ground
floor. They addi-d a sfcxk of groceries and geiieial haidware. By close
attention to business and handling none but tlie best goods, they have
built uj) a tine trade, and are increasing theii- business yearly.
Marriage with .Mr. French was an event of (tdoiier 14. IStU), his
wife's niaid<Mi name hiiviiiii been Libbic Perkins, a sister of Hon. B. W.
Perkins, for l<niir vears one of the state's honored members of f^on-
FRANK D. HOLLAND AND FAMILY.
fVr
w
w
fie
• « «
■ « 2 4
f ♦ 4
# » «
* c a
« * «
■fK
HISTORY OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 745
gress. This family were oiijiinall.v fi-om Massaibnsi'iis. I he cliihlrcn
haA'ing- been leared in Ohio. To tlic iiiariiauc nf Mr. Firnch llicii' was
boi'ii a daughter, who died in infanc.v.
Holding niembeiship in no seci-et order or chnrcli, Mr. French con-
tents himself with looking after his business and enjoying the lestful
quiet of his home. He cares nothing for the emoluments and honors of
public office, bur is uutsjidkcn and enthusiastic in liis sup]Hul of the
party of Lincoln and (iaitidd, wiiiili has received his \<itc almost since
Its incejition.
FKAXK D. HOLLA^;l)--^^•e present in this article the careei— in
brief — of a gentleman whose New England origin has eqni])ped him with
a personality peculiarly his own, and in striking and favorable contrast
to the native sons of Montgomery county. He has been ideutitied with
the west for the past eighteen years, and thirteen years of that time, he
has passed in the vicinity of his present home. He owns two hundred
and ten acres of section !>, township 33, range 16, and has been occupied
during his domicile here, with the business of acquiring and preparing
his family and himself with a modest and unincumbered home. His
efforts in this county have shown him to be possessed of the spirit which
achieves worthy and substantial i-esults, and it is such settlers who con
tribute the best elements of our citizenship.
Frank D. Holland comes from Androscoggin Co., Maine. He was
born in Lisbon, that county, January 20, 1847, and his ancestors were
of the pio-neer settlers of the "Pine Tree" state. His father was Capf.
Henry I. Holland, a venerable, wealthy and retired citizen of Lewiston
and his grandfather was Capt. Daniel Holland, commanding a fleet of
fishing vessels on the New England coast and lost at sea about 1815.
The grandfather left a family of sons, as follows: Daniel, Richard,
Michael and Henry. Henry Holland was a self-made man who learned
the tanner's trade in youth, at Danville — his birthplace — and when he
acquired the means with which to engage in business for himself, he es-
tablished himself at Lisbon where he conducted his leather factory for
many years. He was ever an active man in his county, was a Whig and
then a Republican in politics, and represented his county in the Maine
legislature of 3 860. Toward the evening of life, he invested largely
m real estate in Lewiston, which holdings grew into money rapidly with
the growth and prosperity of the city, and in time he was numbered
among the wealthy men of the place. He married Jane M. Thompson,
who was born in Newfield, Me., in 1816, — three years after his own
birth — and died in 1866, leaving the following issue, viz: Charles, who
died in Maine, and has a son in Paris, France; Frank D., of this mention;
Sarah J. and Edith C, both principals of schools in Massachu.setts.
Mr. Holland of this I'eview acquired a fair education in the j>nblic
746 HISTORY OV MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
schools of liis native county. .Superior advantages were offered him for
acquiiing an education, but his inclination was for play and fun and not
for books. He played truant many a term when his parents thought him
to be delving into Ills lessons, and not until it was too late to mend mat-
ters did he discover the misfortune he had brought on himself. He was
not concerned seriously with the possibilities and res])onsibilities of life
^haying a wealthy parent— till above forty years of age. He picked up
some points of value about carpenter work and, being handy with tools,
and when the parental contribution was withheld, he applied himself
industriously to the cari)enter trade. He remained in the State of Maine
till 1884. when he came out to Kansas and resided for a short time in
.Osage county. He next went to Envporia, where he took charge of a
hotel, and while here met the lady who is n(»w his wife. Leaving Lyon
county, he came to Montgomery county and began liis career here with
"one black team" as a starter. A judicious investment in real estate ha-s
enabled him to solve the difficult problem of finances, to a limited extent,
for the present. He and his emergetic and industrious wife and sons
are causing substantial improvements to be made in their new home
and a herd of cattle and other stock is growing up around them. .V
Jersey stock faiun is contemplated and, with favoring fortune, and with
the assuring elements of personal success present in the family, their am-
l)ition will be achieved.
February 8rd, 1886, Mr. Holland married Mrs. Eva E. .\ney, a
•laughter of Andrew J. Aney, formerly of Oswego, X. Y. Mr. Aney was
a butcher — as was his father, also, Michael Aney. The Aneys were old
i-esidents of New York state and of (Jerman antecedents. Andrew J.
Aney married Louisa C. Marble — originall.y written De Marble. Mrs
Aney's father was a shoe dealer of Syracuse, New York and she, her-
self, resides in Emporia, Kansas. Her husband died in 1880. He was a
soldier in the Civil War in the 106th. 111., Inf., and served four years and
three months. He died at Sedalia, Mo., leaving the following children:
.Mrs. Holland, born in Monroe Co., Wis., Sept. 23, 18.55; Jennie, wife of
J. W'eatherby, of Birmingham, Ala.; Charles, of Portland Oregon; Kate,
of F^mporia, Kansas, is the wife of Robert Sims; Annie, who died at
Kingfishei-, Oklahoma, was the wife of David King, of Kingfisher, Okla-
homa; Dow, of Emporia, Kansas, and Grace, now Mrs. Charles Frisby,
of Kansas City Mo., wife of the son of one of the well-known engineers
on the St. Fe Railway. Mrs. Holland was reared in Logan county, Illi-
nois, and resided there from 18.57 to 1885, when she came to Kansas and
located in Emporia. She and Mr. Holland are the parents of thi'ee sons,
namely: Leroy, .\d(lis and Doron, aged sixteen, fourteen and twelve,
respectively.
.l.\MES .M. WILSON— Twenty-five years have elaiiscd since Jam
M. Wilson established his residence in Montgomery county. He fir
The earliest recollection of our subject is of the itinerant pi'eacber and
bis hearty welcome at all times in the ^Yaggoner home, where, iu the
earlier days, services were always held. Later, a church was built by the
family and a few neighbors. The parents lived to a ripe old age, the
father dying at sixty-five, and the mother at seventy-seven years. They
were the parents of seven children, five of whom now survive.
Our subject was reared on a I'ennsylvania farm and in 1868, came
out to Decatur, 111., where for a number of years he was engaged in the
grocery business and other lines. His father having been a large dealer
in stock, Jlr. Waggoner had learned much concerning the business, and
upon his coming to the county found the knowledege of much service in
connection with his farming interests. The county has no better judge
of horses or mules than our subject. He owns and operates two fine
farms in Drum Creek Twp., and is also engaged in furnishing shale to
the brickyard.
Mr. SVaggoner's ideas of citizenship do not carry him into the field
of i)olitics, though he takes delight in furthering, the interests of the
KojMibliean party, an organization which has received his support since
he began exercising the franchise. He is a prominent member of the
Knights of Pythias, and he and his family are active members of the M.
E. church. His family consists of wife and two children: Gertrude C.
is at present with her parents, while Earl Donald is a sophomore at
Baker University, where he has made a most enviable and creditable
I'ecord as a public speaker, having won several prizes in debate and
oratory. His future has much of promise in it. Mrs. Waggoner is a
native of Decatur, 111. Prior to ^September 29, 1874, the date of her mar-
riage to Mr. Waggoner, she was Miss Kate M. Stickle, daughter of John
Stickle, who reared and educated her most carefully. She w-as gradu-
ated at Jacksonville Female College and for years was a successful
teacher in the schools of Decatur. In the social and church life of Inde-
pendence she is a potent factor, her early training being such as to make
her competent to fill any position to which she is called.
SIDNEY A. PRATT— For the past two decades the soil of Mont-
gomery county has been the richer and the moral tone of her society
strengthened by the presence within her borders of tbe family whose
honored head is here mentioned. In an unobtrusive and quiet, but none
the less effective manner, Mr. and Mrs. Pratt and their family have
exerted a most wholsome influence along lines of good citizenship, and
deserve, as they receive, the hearty good will and esteem of their many
friends in the county.
Kansas is indebted to the old "Hoosier State'' for this contribution
to her population, Mr. and Mrs. Pratt both being natives of Parke coun-
ty. Jfr. Pratt was born there on the 28th of December, 1835, and is the
s(.ii of .lames and Klivr (I'latd I'lalt. tlir jiai'dits Ikmiij,- tiist cdiisiiis.
Their were seven cliildien in tlieir faniilv— Sidney A , M\ r.iii .1.. (if lu-
deiMMKh'nce.aiidlMiiil.v, Hannah, l^orinda, i'hoebf and an iniaiil, deceased.
The parents of this family weic of tlie thrifty fanner class of Indiana
and passed th(>ir entire liyes at filling of the soil, the father d.yin- on tlie
old iionieslead at sevenly-six years, and ihe niolhei' al the a.uc of tifty-
six.
Sidney I'ratl f(dlo\ved the occu|.alion of his father until 1SS4, \u
I'ai'ke count V. In that year he purchased the farm where he jiow re-
sides, three miles east of Independence, and has sin<-e participated acT-
iyely, nipi only in the cuUiyation of Mont j;omery's soil, but in sustaiuiiifj
her eduialiomil and i'(di{;ious institutions. an<l in every nio\enient cal-
culated to elevate the tone of society about him.
The maiden name of Mrs. I'ratt'was lli'tly A. Conner. Samuel and
Elizal)etli iDeal) ('onner, her parents, were [lioneers of Parke county,
the father liavin;; been a cariwiiter and farmer by occupation. Their
family consisted of ei^lit childri'n, two of whom died in Infancy. The
livinji are: Susan, who laari'ied I>avid Stever, and now lives in (ieorgia ;
Louisa, wife of James Davis, of Coal City, Ind.; Mr.s. I'latt, Allen, of
P.edford, Ind.; Mary, deceased, was the wife of (ieorse < "arson, of Mo-
mence. Ills.; Nancy Jane, died at 18 years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have been born s.-ven children, now men and
women taking their places creditably in Ihe society of the ditterent c(un-
innnities where they re.<iide. Myron Allen is the eldest; a carpenter in
the em[doy of the C. & E. I. railroad in Illinois. He married Josejdiine
Pilkington, who ha.s borne him four children — CJoldie, Cloe, Ahna and
Herman; Edson A. is an engineer on the C. & E. I., living at I)alt(m, 111.
His wife was Emma Ilhodenbaugh and his ehildren are: Clyde and Hattie
pjllen; Zina A. is a cari>enter living at Kansas City. He married Dora
B. Wilson, a native of Ohio, whose four children are: George C. Clara,
Mabel and<;Cliaa-les:L.; Hiram Wilson, a stenographer in the National
Bank of Commerce in Kansas City, married Mattie Cordes. of Inde
pendence, of German parentage; his boy's name is Merwin W. ; John
S. ehose the occupation of his ancestry and lives on the home farm;
James is stenographer and assistant eashiei' in the I'nion National Bank
of Manhattan, Kan. The youngest is Olive W., who married Fred Bru-
ington and resides on the home farm with their one son, George Sidney.
The above will serve to note briefly the essential jionts in the history
of this excellent family. Mr. and Mi's. Pratt are members and liberal
supporters of the Methodist church. While our subject has never sought
office, he has at tiuius -filled positions of tiusi in his local community,
and is a loyal supporter of tlie principles of government taught by Jetfer-
son, the sage of Monticello.
, J. ^ %
I 4rt lh #^
V i #• t
e # 4;
ft !<
9 i %
JACOB E, MENSCH.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 753
diverted to the serious affairs of fitizenship and lie became iiileicsted in
the new ])()lieies of f>overninent as ]ir(iiiips«'(l and advucatcd hv tlii' Fann-
ers' Alliance. He esponscd the .aiisc of Ihc rdonncrs and iMM-airic Iheir
standard-bearer for the Ic-islaltnc in IS-.MI, arid was casilv (■I,m|...I. He
lail was defeated bv a Itepid.iican.
W'lnie tillin.u his pastorale at Liti lestnwii. I'a.. Ilie battle .if <iettys-
bur- was fon.yht and he acted as chaplain of the 14."ith Ta. ti(.o|is. speiid-
ini; ninch of his time for some days in the field hospital there and in
adjacent territory nnder the auspices of the Christian ("omiiiission.
Key. Henry was a son of Joseph R. Henry, of Adams county. Pa.,
who passed his life largely in the drug business. His father was George
Henry, with (Jerman and Scotch-Irish blood coursing through his veins.
The grandfather niarrieil .Julia X. Kosenmiller, a blood relative of Com-
modore I'orter. She was a native of .\dains (oiiiity. I'a.. and was the
mother of an onl.\ child, -loseph R. Henry.
llary Ickes becann- the wife of Joseph R. Henry. She was a daugh-
ter of I'eter and Dorothy Ickes, Adams county people. Two children
resulted from the union of Joseph R. and ISIary Henry, viz: Sniauel and
Mrs. Dorothy Graff, now deceased.
Nov. 2d, 1850, Rev. Henry married Kli/.abeth S. \\eaver, of Gettys-
burg, Pa., a native born Penusylvanian and a daughter of Jacob and
^Margaret (Eyster) Weaver. The children of this marriage were Mrs.
:Mary E. Shinier, of Easton, Pa.; Joseph R.. deceased, and William. Mrs.
Shimer's children are: Elizabeth. Alberta. Emma, Henry, Lida and
John. The <hildren of Joseph, de<eas<-d. wer<': ^^■illiam, Sarah E., Cath-
erine ^r.. Ellen ^I. and Samuel.
By a singular coincidence Rev. and 51rs. Henry were born on the
same day. May 3d, 1828, he being eight liours the older. They have
jjassed fifty-three years together nnder the most sacred vow and the
wife has been an ever-present aid to her husband in his labors in active,
as well as in retired, life. Rev. Henry was prominent in the administra-
tive affairs of his church while in the vigor of life and held the offices of
President and Secretary of the East Pennsylvania Synod of the Luth-
eran church four years, was I'resident of the Central Synod of Penn.syl-
vania for one vear and was a delegate to the General Svnod at Harris-
burg, in 1S67.
JOHN F. RINGLE— One of the valuable farms of Cherry township
is owned and operated by John F. Ringle of this review. It lies less than
three miles from the city of Cherryvale and is, in ajipearance and pro-
ductiveness, a resultant from the efforts of its dual owners, John F. and
Charlotte Kingle. These worthy settlers came to Jfontgoinery county
in 1S7S, and ])ur(hased a farm, paying out nearly all their means for a
754 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
title to I lie land. In their cii'cunistances it iMi^quired some ingennitj to
keep tlieir little craft afloat, but the eonihined efforts of luishand and
wife weathered the stoi-nis of drouth and flood and chinch bugs and ac-
(•oin|>lislied the task of improving; their home. This is the farm they
have passed twenty-five years of their life on, and it is one of the desir-
able and commercially valuable ones of the county.
John F. Ringle was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
Sept. 22, 1845. John and Sophia (Boarts) Ringle were his jtarents, the
father of Westmoreland county. Pa., and the mother of Ohio birth.
After their removal to Stark county, Ohio, in 1848, the father learned
the stone cutter's trade, at which he worked for some years, but becom-
ing ultimately, a farmer. He died in Stark county at fifty-three years of
age. while his wife still .survives, there, and is aged seventy-nine years.
Nine of their family of ten children were: Albert. J(diii P.. Daniel.
Amos. Obediah, who died at four years; P,li/,abeth. Pmma. who also
died unmai'ried; Mary A. and ■\^'illiam.
The district schools of the country ])rovided our subject Avith the
rudiments of an education and he made his home with liis parents till
he was past his majority. January 4, 1870, he married Charlotte Kej)-
linger, a natixc of Stark county, (^liio, and a daughter of Jesse and Re-
becca ( Ileini I Kejiliuger, both natives of the Keystone State. The Kep-
lingers went to Ohio as childrini and were married there; Mr. Keplinger
being a miller in early life but later a farmer. He was born in 17!t9 and
died in 1855, while his widow sui^vives him in DeKalb county, Indiana,
at seventy-three years old. Mrs. Ringle was born Nov. 4, 1848, and is one
of four children: Priscilla, who died in infancy; Charlotte, Rebecca, who
died at eleven years, and Josephine.
Mrs. Keplinger married, the second time, Charles Baughman. who
died leaving nine children, namely: Mrs. Caroline P.-intoii, Sarah C.,
Mary A. and Florence K.. deceased; Charles. Allen, Marion, Tabitha. de-
cease(^. and Magdalena.
After the marriage of John F. Ringle he purchased a sixty acre
farm in Stark county, Ohio, and was employed with its cultivation till
he set out for Kansas. In their climb upward in Montgomery county
Mrs. Ringle's efforts were as valuable in the field as in the home. The
misfortunes of the early years added greatly to her distress of mind and
such real home-sickness as she experienced never afflicted mortal man.
But she nei'ved herself to the inevitable and in the end found much
pleasure in the sacrifices she made.
The Ringle home comprises 160 acres, is adorned with beautiful
trees surrounding a commodious two-story residence. Gas serves the
household for fuel and it comes from the bowels of the earth just be-
neath their own possessions.
Two of their three children Mr. and Mrs. Ringle still have with
them ; the other having died in infancy. Those living are; William Edgar,
a stutk'ut of the Baptist College at Ottawa, Kansas, for two years, and
a graduate of the State Uuivei'sit.y of Kansas. He is now Supl. of the
("olfeyviUe siiiools and is niariied to Lillian Newton. Ida Josepliine is
th<- voniifivst child of Mr. and .Mis. Kingle and is the wife of I'eail .\ustin
Dai-iiug and resides on the Kingle homestead. She is a j;iadnate of the
Cherryvale hi;;li srhool ami was a leacher for I'oni- .\c'ars before she mar-
ried. Emma Sonliia is the deceased child and was the lirst born.
A. G. .McCOKMlCK— In the phenomenal development which has
been yoinj- on in the southern Kansas gas belt, the town tif Cherryvale
has been a potent factor. It has kept pace with events and, thanks to
her enterprising citizens, has reaped a golden harvest. To none more
than the gentlennin herein named is due a greater degree of credit for
this advancement. ^Mr. JlcCormick, as President of the (L'herryvale Gas
Company, and a stockholder in the brick plant, lias been instrumental
in building uj) many enterprises in the city, and has shown in numerous
ways that he has Cherryvale's interests at heart.
He was born in Perry county, Ohio, Ai>ril 7, 1844, a son of William
and Elizabeth (Johnson) McCormick. The father was a native of Penn-
sylvania, the mother of \'irginia. He was a farmer and limeburner, and
started the town of Ma.xville, it being built on his land in Perry county.
He was widely and favorably known over his part of the state, and died
in 185.J, at the age of fifty-two years, his wife preceding him. They were
members of the Methodist church, and one of the oldest families in the
state, being related to the "Harvester"' McCormick.
A. G. McCormick is one of nine children, six of whom are living. He
was educated in the common schools of the Buckeye State, but his edu-
cation was cut short, as in the case of many other loyal boys, by his en-
listment in Company "C," 62d O. V. I. He, later, became a member of
Company "G,'' 184th O. V. I., serving two years in the two enlistments.
He was discharged at Nashville in 1865.
At the close of the war Mr. McCormick came to Coffey county, Kan-
sas, where he worked on a farm for two years, then took up a claim on
Elk river. After fifteen years residence on this claim he came to Cherry-
vale, and engaged in shijiiiing stock, also operating a coal and lumber
yard. He sold out in 18SI!. and then — 1889 — became connected with the
Cherryvale Gas Company, since when he has devoted his energies to the
conduct of that company's affairs. Mr. McCormick is one of the leading
business men of the city and takes an active interest in any enterprise
which has for its object the building up of Cherryvale. He is a leading
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his family are
active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The domestic life of Mr. McCormick was initiated on the Ijth of
January. 1S71. when he was joined in marriage to Sara E., daughter of
-56 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KAiNSAB.
J. II. ;iu(l S;ir:ili Iv Kfid. To this luarriiijie liave been born four cliildreii
— Mcllv F.. Mrs. Frank K. Shmiianl. of Clierryvale; her ehildren being:
Liicilc ami .Mark; Minnie May died in infaney; Bertha M., wife of S. M.
Stfil'iT. with rcsidrnce in Ninishi-w. Cal.. and Stella M., a student in the
hilih s,il<mL
.Ml', and Mrs. M,( -uiniick and faniil;
Chcrr.wali'. where they nnnibcr their frii
circles.
most hi.!.
.'hly respec
ted in
nion^- til
1.' n)osl ext
■lusive
DANIEL G. PARKS, JK. — As a seventeen-year-old boy, to whom
the world was just opening up a career, the subject of this sketch set-
tled with his mother on a farm on Elk river, in Montgomery county.
This was in the year of the great immigration to the county in 1871.
Daniel Parks has been a resident of the county since that time, and his
character for probity and uprightness are such as to make his name one
of the honored ones on the roll of the county's population.
In the year 1854, on the 15th of February, ^Ir. Parks was born in
Blair county, Penn.sylvania; the son of Daniel J. and Susan (Ropp)
Parks. He was one of eleven children, eight of whom are now living:
Mary, the wife of farmer William M. Eddy, lives at Crane Station, Mont-
gomery county; John is deceased; the third child was Daniel G.; Jacob
lives in Chautauqua county, Kansas, and is married to Minnie Garst
and has three children: Fannie, Lon and William; Ellen, married Will-
iam T{op]t, an Oklahoma farmer, and has four children: Julius, Walter,
Maud and Mary; Geoige mai'ried Bessie Blackmore and resides on the
home farm and has three children: Claudia, James and Mattie; Julia
married John Thompson, a farnun- of the county, and has six children:
James, John, Lula, Margaret, Grover and Emmet; Samuel L. is a farmer,
residing in Sycamore township. He married Stella Goodwin and they
have tive chilrden: Rose, Bessie, Nellie, Daniel and an infant; Nettie i.s
the wife of William Rennert. a farmer of Rutland township; their
children are: Ona, Orval and Ella.
The members of this family are all resjiectcd factors of the different
communities where they reside and are flllini; nsdnl jiosiiions in life.
The parents of Daniel G. Parks remained in tiie east until after the
war, when they removed with their family, in 18(i5, to Woodson county,
Kansas, where the father died Sept. 11, 1871. The father and husband
in Coffey county, Kansas, was a veteran of the Civil War, having served
gallantly as a private soldier of Company "K," .35th Iowa Vol. Inft. He
was a man of many good traits of character, industrious and honest. He
died a.s a result of a breaking down, consequent upon the hardships of
army life. After his death his widow removed with her family to Montj
gomery county, as above stated, where she jturchased the farm upon
which our subject now resides and which he purchased from the heirs
m
r» t- »
i^ # 4f
« e ^
t t <
j( » «
e < »
# £ 21
:i^^
I
jiUL
DANIEL G. PARKS.
niSTOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 759
wliicli lia\(' hcioiiic a standard article with those who handle saddlery
goods.
Touching briefly the pionts in the career of this enterprising young
Napoleon in business, the biographer notes that he was born in DeWitt
county, 111., July 10, 1871, and is the son of S. B. and Arietta M. Clayton.
natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. The parents are respected
residents of Cherryvale, the father, as stated, being a member of the
firm. To these parenls were born a family of two sons, Eobert F., the
youngest, being in the saddlery business in i-'t. Louis.
•J. A. ("layton was biought to Kansas by his parents in 1874. They
settled (m a faini in ("owley county, where the children were reared and
given a good common school education. At the age of eighteen, Mr.
Clayton entered ujjon nu ap])renticeship to the harness trade in Emporia,
Kansas, and in 1891, began business for himself at Maple City. In 1892.
as stated, he came to Cherryvale, and, as may be inferred, is one of the
"strictlj- business'' kind of men. He has found some time to devote to
civicduties,and,as in his private aft'airs, these duties have been performed
with energy and fidelity. He was a member of the common council for
four years, during one of which he was honored by his associates with
the piesidency, in which position he was acting Mayor of the city. Both
he and Mrs. Clayton are earnest workers in the Presbyterian church, in
which he is an Elder. In the fraternities he is a prominent member of
the Knights of Tythias — in which he ha.s occupied all the chairs — and
of the Modern Woodmen. Politicallj', an ardent Republican, he is a
valued worker during the campaigns in the interest of that party's prin-
ciples.
Mr. and Mrs. Clayton's marriage was an event of November 29, 1893,
at Arkansas City, Kansas. She is a native of Iowa, and is a daughter of
H. and Martha E. Ferguson, now residing at Maple City. To the Clayton
home there has come one bright little son, Hubert Lee, who is the joy
and pride of the household.
With material success already assured, a happy domestic life, and
with the approbation of business and social friends, it would seem that
there is little left to be desired by our subject. His career should be the
source of great pride, and an object of emulation to others.
JOHN MASON — Two of the largest individual farmers in the coun-
ty and gentlemen who have made farming a great success, financially,
are John Mason and his brother Edward. The farm of the former con-
sists of 240 acres, and lies in Rutland township. These gentlemen are
vigorous and industrious workmen and show by the successful conduct
of their farms what may be done by industry and economy in southern
Kansas.
John Mason was born in Devonshire, England, in December, 1834.
760 UlSTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
He rciuaiiKd in his native land until he was twenty-oue years of age,
when he crossed the Atlantic ocean and located at Leavenworth, Kan-
sas. There he engaged with the United States government as a team-
ster for two years. He remained at this i)lace until 18()9. when, in the
month of .tiilv. he located <in his jiresciit farm, where he has since con-
tinued 10 reside.
jturinu ili.^ war and inuiiedialelv after. Mr. .Mason was contidential
scoiii and messenger for tlie famous cavalry leader. "I'hir" Slieridan.
.\ brother of our subject. Henry .Mason, located in (nierokee connty,
where he siibse(|uently died, while 'still another brother, .laiii.\s, located
in and died in Kniland township. The jiarents of these sons died in
Kngland. as stated in the sketch of Kdward Mas(Mi elsewhere in this book.
•l(din .Mason married in the county, in 1S7.'{, Kmily Howard, a nati\e
of Indiana. She came to Montgomeiy connty, Kansas, with her jiariMits
but two of whom ale now living. \iz; Minnie Maw who mairied ('land
Kin- of Cotieyville. with her two children: Kthel'and Willie. The sei--
ond child. Thomas Kdward, now resi<les on the home farm. He married
Marv L(dlv. of this townshi]!. and Ihev h.-ive one .hild. John, named in
honor of his grandfather.
.Mr. Mason is a man who attends studiously to his own affairs, con-
cerning himself veiy little with inalters of laiblic interest. He, how-
<'ver. can alwa\s be deiiended u])on to su])]port measures which have for
their object the betterment of conditions in his neighlxuhood. educa-
tiiuially, leligiously m- otheiwise. He is a consistent mendx'r and liberal
sujiporter of the Fiiends church and votes the Democratic ticket. He
jiiid his family are lo(d<ed ujkmi as one of the juost substantial residents
of the township, where all unite in giving them the esteem which they
deserve.
t'HARLKS .\. KN'.KXS — The life of the extensive farmer mentioned
as the subject of this sketch almost began in .Montgomery county, Kan-
sas. He is a natixc of the Km]iiie State, but was only five years of age
when his parents cast Hieir lot with the new country of Kansas. He
was born .lanuaiy 1.!. ISO."), in Oneida county. New York, and his father
was the late (ieiuge II. Evans, who pioneered to Montgomery county in
iscii. took a tract of land as a claim in section I'l, township 31, range 16,
returi,<'(l east and brought out his family the following spring and
housed them in the rude cabin provided foi- them by his own hands.
(ieorge 11. Kvans was born in Oneida county. New York, also, his
birthday beitig .lanuary L'L', is:ill. His father, Th'onms Evans, was born
in Tenby, England, August t. ISOl, and his mother. Elizabeth Bailey,
was orjojnally a subject of an lOnglish king, and was born in Wichwich,
lOiid., October l.j, liSlii. The parents established the family in
i!>, when, in the
,. )i:n< Sillff OOP-
i
ill It;. IN iji \iL» ju^ijuliiuirtiooil, tdu
:<• i>; it consistent member and lib.'
.Miiii,\ aiv 1 juL>cu iij.uu lit, one of
wnship, where all unite in givii,:
• hen 111.. , . .
!-^ born Janii
i-^ the late (.
iiifi; spring and
•wn h'lTids.
'iKT l.X 1.812. llie
EVANS AND FAMILY.
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 763
township, the subject of this brief sketcli. He setth'd liei-c from Iiuliaiiji
in 1885 and. until 1S!>7. resided on liis farm six miles nortli of Cherry vale.
He has protited h\ his i'X]icriciirc in Kansas where the productiveness
of Mo7itj^omery coniiiy's soil lias niateiially added to his financial stand,
ing.
Our subject is a native of tl aslci'ii slmre. havin": been born in
Sussex county, Delaware, Sejii. is, 1S40. .lulm Quiglej, his father,
was born in Philadelphia, I'ennsyivauia, and was married to Margaret
Valance, a lady of that city. .Vbont 1848, the parents moved westward
and located in Lal'orte county, Indiana, where they died; the father
passing away at seventy-foui- yeais of age and the mother at sixty-
two years. Of their old-time f.imily of eigiiteen children, nine lived
to maturity and only foui' yet survive, as follows: Thomas L., George
W., Mary A., and Leonard.
George W. Qiiigley attended the country schools of Indiana
irregularly from his eighth to his niueteenth ,\i'ar. He was yet with
his jtarents when the Hebellion of IStU came on and he enlisted in the
call for three month's troojis in the !»th Indiana regiment. He reen-
listed for three years, after the ex])iration of his first term, in com-
pany "F," iJltth Vol. Inf. The war not yet over when this enlistment
expired, he veteranized and supi)oited the fortunes of the Union 'till
its last foe had laid down his arms. His divi.sion was commanded by
one of the ^fcrooks and among some of the engagements in which
he ]iartici]>ated were: the siege of Knoxville, Stone River, Lookout
Mountain, Jlissionary Kidge and Gettysburg. He was captured three
times but always made his escape; at one time overpowering the guard
himself and enabling forty jtrisoners to get away. The most severe
of his three wounds he received at the battle of Stone River, where a
bayonet ])assed through his wrist and came out under his thumb.
He was knocked down three times within ten minutes by bullets graz-
ing his skull, on a certain battlefield, and the Rebels contributed a
ball to his right hip which he will carry to his grave. No matter how
hot the fight or Innv severe his wounds he kept his face to the enemy
and stayed the battle tlirough. He wa.** discharged at Indianapolis,
Indiana, with a service of four years, nine months and four days to his
credit, which service has since had the effect of dimming his eyesight
almost to the point of blindness.
In 1872, ]\Ir. Quigley married JIary Ann Tate, an Indiana lady who
died in 189:., leaving two children: Maggie, wife of Alexander Phebus,
and Jennie, who died small. In 1897, Mr. Quigley married Hattie
"Munger, who came to Kansas young wifh her jjarents from the State
of Illinois. Millie, George Dewey and May are the product of the mar-
riage of ^Ir. and Mrs. Quigley.
The Quigley family home is situated six miles north of Cherryvale
where they own one hundrtnl and twenty acres. Mr. Quigley has been
704 UlSTOKY OK MONTtiOMEKY COUiNTY, KANSAS.
constable of his township and while he was bronsrht up ;i Democrat
his politieal 0])inions have changed and he now <i;ives his support to
ihe Republican party at the polls.
W. D. VANDERPOOL, M. 1)., physician and surgeon of Cherryvale,
Kansas, was born in Ray county. Missouri. July 2Cth, 1852. On the
father's side the Yanderpools are of Holland Dutch extraction and
on the mother's, pure German. Grandfather Anthony Vanderpool came
from Tennessee to Missouri in 1880, and died there at the af>e of sixty-
flve years. His wife was a des(<Midanl of the Vount family of Ten-
Our subject's parents were S. ( '. Vanderpool and Susan (ireen.
They were both native Tennessee ])eopl(\ The fattier was a farmer
and at the age of seventeen years came with his jiarents to Ray
county, Missouri, where he settled, entered land and became one of the
pioneers of the state. He was a prominent and devout member of
the Baptist church, as was also his wife. He died at the age of eighty-
one, W'hile his wife died at the age of fifty years.
Dr. Vanderpool was the ehh'st of four children, all of whom are
living. The second child was .Amanda, Mrs. Sti'plien Lybarger, of
Homestead, Kansas. The third child is Mrs. ('. .\. Cowley, who lives
.at Cottonwood Falls. Her husband is a mercliant and siMved two
terms as Treasurer of Chase county. Kansas, ^^■tlile the foiiith child
is Dr. ,7. E., a practicing physician of Grove <'ity, Kansas.
• Our subject received a common srlnxd education in the locality in
which be was reared. He taught school for seven years in the country,
with great success. While employed at this work he began reading
medicine, as he could find time. For a year he read under J. D. Gant^
of Knoxville, Missouri, and later attend<»d the Missouii ^Medical College
of St. Louis, where he graduated in 1882. He began juactice the same
year at I'lymouth. Jlissouri, where he lived for four years, afterward
moving to western Kansas, where lie luaiticed a short time at Leota.
After that, for fourteen years, in Arlington, Kansas, whence he moved
to Cherryvale in 1!»(I2. He is the jiroprietor of the liesi ei|iiiii|ied drug
store in the citv and has other substantial interests.
He was married in 188!), to Miss May H. Ilehir. a ii.uive of Illinois,
•and a daughter of .lames Hehir, who was a nati\i- ot ('
father was a farmei-, at one time a miner and was a soldiei
HI. Vol. Inf. lie served several years, returning at tli.'
war with lie;illli badly impaired by rigorous service in tin
<1«'atli occinred in ISSii. ;it the ;iii;c of forty-eight, his wife
two veins |iicvioiis at the a^e .if lliirlv-lwo. Their one c
A'amierpool.
To the inairiauc of Docior and .Mrs. Naiideroool h;i
'aiiadii.
The
r in the
8:ird
close o
f the
le field.
His
having
died
.•hild is
.Mrs.
IS bc'll
born
oue child, Olaiid H., who is now a fifth sirade student in llie city school.
Mrs. Vanderpool is a member and leading worker of the rresbvterian
church, while the Doctor holds a membership in the Afodern Woodmen
and the Ancient Order of P.yramids, his wife also being a member of the
latter and at present Secretary and Treasurer of the order.
The success which has attended Dr. Vandepool is particularly
gratifying, in that he is a self-made man in the truest sense of the
word. He taught school to procure the means to secure for himself
his medical education and began at the lowest "round" of the ladder.
He and his wife, who is a valued assistant in the drug store, are popular
citizens in C'herryvale and are potent factors in the city's business life
and the esteem in wliirh tlicy arc licld is general and uniform in this
part of the county.
CYKl'S (". PAXSON, M. D.— In 18S4, the subject of this personal
sketch united his fortunes with the people of Montgomery county
and became a citizen of Rutland township. While his professional
duties have limited his sphere of action in the direction of th<' public
welfare, yet he has crowded into tlie intervals of professional inaction
many acts promotive of the iniblic weal and conducive to the well-being
of his locality.
Cyrus C. Paxson is descended from Virginia antecedents, his
I)aternal grandfather having come out of the Old Dominion and settled
in Belmont county, Ohio, in the first years of the nineteenth century.
He was twice married and reai'ed a family of twelve children. His
name was Benjamin l*axson and the mother country of his European
ancestry was England. Charles Paxson, the youngest child of Benjamin
Paxson, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1810, came west into
Indiana as a young man and died in Howard county in ISo.S. He was
a farmer and was united in marriage with Louisa, a daughter of Paul
Cotliu who emigrated from North Carolina early and was a pioneer
settler of Indiana. Cyrus C. was tlie oldest and is the only stirviving
heir of Charles and Louisa Paxson. His mother died at the age of
thirty-seven, leaving him an orphan at the age of sixteen years. Neces-
sity compelled him to seek the field of industry to supjily the necessities
of life and he turned bis attention to farm work. He labored as a
monthly wage earner 'till past his majority when he engaged in farm-
ing with a degree of independence, yet. as a renter. He continued this
some ten years and then took up the study of medicine in Howard
county, Indiana. His old preceptor was Dr. Holiday, of Parke county,
Indiana, and when he had completed his preliminary reading he entered
Rush Medical College, at Chicago, where he completed his course,
graduating in 1807. He located for practice at Ridge Farm, Illinois,
in ^'ermillion county, where he ministered to the jdiysical ailments
766 HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
of its ciii/i'iislii]! soiuo twenty years. Fioin this jioint he tiansfencd
his family and his interests to Montsonieiy ((uiiity, Kansas, wlieie ho
is (inc of rlie esteemed and honored citizens.
I)i-. I'axson was horn in Henry cnniily. Indiana. Octolier 1, is:>(i.
Tiic inral schools fnrnished him with his elementary edncation and the
activities of the farm and field, his j)liysical exei'cise and development.
He was first married in Indiana in lSr)(>, his wife bein<i ilatilda Carter,
who died in ISfU, leaving one child. Flora A., wife of John Yates, of
Whiting, Iowa. November lit, 1S(!7, Dr. Paxson married Louisa Mack,
who moved into Indiana from Ohio in an early day. By his second
marriage (he doctor ha.s a son, Charles M. Paxson, born Nov. 11. 1868.
Tlie latter is Cnder Sheriff of Montgomery conntv, Kansas, and mar-
ried .\ddie Wilev. Their children are: Orville. Flora. Llovd. Vada and
Frank M.
Dr. Paxson manifests no interest in jiolitics save as a patriotic
citizen of his connly. His ancestors were Whigs and when he came
to choose a jtarty he pinned his faith to the Ke|niblicans and lias
proven a fii-m and steadfast friend. He is a blaster ilason and a mem-
ber of Foi-titnde TiOdge of Indejtendence.
.WDKKW J.\('KSON P.rSP.Y. M. D.— In (he person of Dr. A. .1.
linsliy I lie peo])ie of Montgomery eonnty ai'e presented with one of the
anciciii huidmarks of the departed frontier. The emblems of civiliza-
tion have o])li(ei'ated all evidences of the primitive border, save the
hoary headed [)ioneer whose halting speech and heavy tread mark the
near apjiroach of the final day. Weighted with years yet filled with
ho])e and enlivened by the consciousness of duty done, our subject
awaiis I he inc\ italilc summons with resignation. Having spent more
lliaii a lliird of .i century in identification with the development work
of a m\v country, participating in its toil, ministering to its afflicted,
encouraging its dejected and rejoicing in its successes arid achievements,
he occujiies an unusual position as one of the characters of his county.
During (lie year ISO!*, Dr. Rusby brought his family and effects
from Cosjioilou county, Ohio, journeying two months enroute to the
Osage lands of Kansas. Two teams trans]iorted the liousehold of six
and (he liitie hand was unloaded at the door of the Chouteau cabin,
occu|)ying (lieii- half sectioii of land which the Doctor had purchased.
A claim of one hundred ami sixty acres was also taken and within six
years I he trait of four hundred and eighty acres was under board
feni-e fiom tile sawmill of Dickerson and Reeves nearby. As the
counliy s<'((led uji, the Doctor reduced his realty holdings, reserving
only the farm in section 34. township 81. range 10.
For a few years the Indiana and whites occuiiied Montgomery
county jointly. The white man was there by sufferance and it occa-
i^^ismis^mL^^m
ina m ]So»;. Iijs
a- child., Florn
s point he transl< rn-i]
vAy. Kansas, wliero Jur
' ji and tJio
I . iM , i .l.-velopment.
• bfinfj Matilda CaHpr,
wif( of John Yates, f.f
married I-onina Mark,
V ilav. l{v his pi'fond
>'K Vforu ?Jov. n, 186S.
Kansas, and mar-
I>lov(l. Vada and
Dr. A. J.
one of the
■;< luis of civiliza-
'lorder, save the
tn-iid lUitrli tlio
:■ y:>ib. yet filb'd wifit
;.itY done, onr Hiibjecr
;i oiri!' Njient more
i)i,-nt work"
- afflicted,
Mevenients,
his count V.
lid effects
i. . . ..lite to the'
■1 the household of six
if the rhoiitean cabin,
.. Doctor had i i ik-.-'
as also taken ani,.
;htv acres was m
4
• 1. *S •! I
A. J. BUSBY, M. D.
ship, near Tahlc Mouiui. Here the fatlicr died a f.w vcars lat. r. tlie
inothcr still rcsidinj; on the old lionicstcafl.
Mr. Clifford was reared and educated in liis native connly and eou-
tiuued to reside with his parents six years after his riiajoi-it y. H(; then
engaged in farming on his own aceount and in IMSS. pui«has<'d the i)ie€ft
of land he is now cultivating. It lies in Indepench'uce township, three
and one-half miles southeast of the county-seat, and consists of eighty
acres of fine laud, well watered and in a good stale of cultivation. The
intelligent methods used by Mr. Clifford on (his farm has placed him
in the front rank among the successful agriculturists of (he county. He
is looked upon as an authority in all matters pertaining to proper crop
rotation and is an excellent judge of farm animals of all kinds. In
his social relations Mr. Clifford is most happy, numbering among his
friends the leading men of affairs in the county. He is not inclined to
politics, but can always be counted on to support by his vote the party
of Jefferson and Jackson.
Marriage was contracted by our subject, November 12, 1S90. Mary,
daughter of John and Nancy Flack, was the maiden name of Mrs.
Clifford. Her father was a resjjected farmer of (he county, his death
occurring in 1882, his wife jiassing to her rest soon after. They were
natives, respectively, of Worcestei', Ohio, and Pittsburg, Penn., and
they reared a family of seven children — Frank, Mary, James, Gardner,
Mattie, John and Ella.
The problem of life is well on towar<l solution when we have found
an occni)ation to suit us and have health of body and mind to i)ursue it.
The problem is being solved successfully because of these conditions
being met by o\ir subject, and he and his gocMl wife are enjoying the
deserved esteem of a host of friends and neighbors as they travel along
life's journey.
PATRICK C. <;LKNNEN— Had the rulers of Mreat Britain been as
wise in the early ])art of the lltth century as King ICdward of the present,
the Emerald Isle would now be in the hands of a loyal, home-loving and
home-owning people. lint 'tis an "ill wind that blows nobody good,"
and (ireat Britain's loss of so many tine citizens i)roved the Great Re-
publii"s gain.
From County Tipperary, Ireland, there came to this country in
18:19. Pierce Clennen and his son, Patrick C. Clennen, an honored
resident of West Cherry townshii), being then a twelve-year-old lad.
Pierce was the son of Patrick, and one of five children, the other mem-
bers of the family being: James, I'atrick, Hetty and Mary. Pierce had
married in his native connTy, ^Margaret McLaughlin (daughter of Pat-
rick i. who became the mother of: John. I'atrick < '. (subject of this
sketch) William, James, Pierce, Margaret and Katharine. The family
settled in Huron Province, Canada.
Patrick C. Clennen, the gentleman whose name initiates this review,
left Canada with his family in the fall of 1870, and came out to the
Sunflower State, where he took up a claim near Girard. This he
relinquished the following spring, and, coming to Montgomery Co.
purchased of William Tinker his right to 160 acres of section 17, range
16, township 32, paying therefor |800. This has since constituted his
home, though by his skillful hand it has been greatly transformed in ap-
pearance. Since his coming to the county, Mr. (Menimen has been a i>o-
tent factor in shajting its institutions, and he and his family which he
has ivared stand second to none in the couiiiy for reliability and integ-
rity.
Mr. Clennen in 1859, was happily joined in marriage to .Margaret,
daughter of Daniel and Bridget (Downey) Moran, the parents being
natives of Kings county, Ireland, while she was born in the Province
of Toronto. The fruit of this union has been seven children, as follows:
John, who married Ann Young and whose children are: Maggie, Mary,
Lizzie, Bertha, Lena, Leroy and an infant; John lives in Cofteyville;
Thomas, living in Denver, Col., married L(mise Trout and has two
children— Margaret and Howard; Patrick resides in Montgomery
county; his wife's name was Clara S(iuires and she is the mother of
Mabel and Thonuis; Jasper, of Montgomery, married Ollie Little and has
one child. Howard; Mary, is a single lady at home; Maggie is Mrs.
Josejih Kellev, of this county; her two children are: Selva and Clara.
The voiinirest of the family is William, who is single and resides in
Dcnv'.T.
E. B. PENN— The gentleman here mentioned is one of the leading
contracting carpenters of Independence, and sustains an excellent repu-
tation as a workman and citizen. He was born in Highland county,
Ohio, June 22, 184!), the son of Lloyd and Mary (Core) Penn. natives
of Ohio. Lloyd Penn was a well-to do farmer and influential citizen
and passed his life in the aforesaid county, dying in July of IStil. He
was twice married. After the death of our subject's mother, in 1852,
he took to wife Mrs. Harriet Heiser. To the flrst marriage there were
five children— John W., who died in 1861; Kslher .\., ]N[rs. W. H. Head,
of Hillsboro, ().; William, of Leesburg. (>.; Jamrs, of Mt. Carmel, O., and
E. B. Of the second family there were: Sli>|.li('ii, of London, O. ; Spencer,
of Cynthiana, O.; Kulh, Mr.s. John Sliijilon, of Ifainsboro, O. , and
Joseph, of Pike county, Ohio.
Our subjecl was married in ISC!), !.• Ucbccca A. Caiiier, who is the
liiotluT of : John I.., a bookkeper of St. I.ouis, iiiaiiird Llllie K'eed, whose
children an-: Uutli aii<l Ib-ster; Hose ()., .Mrs. -Iciivll Otwell, a farmer
JACKSON GRAY AND FAMILY.
i 1^ «
* 1 1
•rV
J^ € I
« « ii
« f f^
* e € '\
I i ¥
JACKSON GRAY AND FAMILY
m
HISTORY OP MONTGOMEKY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 77 I
ueai', IndcpoHdence; one child, Jei-aldine; Cora, a milliner of rittslmig,
Kan., and Dora, a successful teacher of the county. Mrs. reuu was
born in the kShenandoah valley of Virginia, the daughter of Rev. John
M. and Mary (Pitman) Canter. Her father was a prominent minister
of the I'. B. church for long years prior to tlie war in that section
of the "Old Dominion'' state, and, later, in Ohio, and was noted as a
most successful worker in revival services. Th(» <'anter home was
uufortunat<»ly in the path of both armies as they i>assed up and down
the valley and became the rendezvous of each in turn. Rev. Canter
was a Union sympathizer, but took no part in the fighting; he and his
family confining their attention to caring for the wounded of both sides.
During the noted battle of Fisher's Hill the Canter home was between
the contending lines, but while cannon balls frequently struck near the
house, no one was injured. The family finally found it necessary to
refugee into Ohio, where they found a welcome in the home of Mrs.
Penn's grandfather, John Canter, who lived near Hillsboro. Rev.
Canter continued his labors in the ministry in Ohio until his death at
Athens, June 6, 1888, the mothei- having passed to her reward in 1878.
There were seven daughters in the family, as follows: Mary E., Mrs.
Jacob Hayse, of Independence, Kansas; Hester, W.. Mrs. Henry Cantor,
of Inde])endence; Martha C.. of Jones Tropp, Ohio; Mrs. E. B. Penn,
Emily J., Mrs.. A. Neel, of Lawrence county, O. ; Rosanna, who died at
nineteen, and Eve F., Mrs. Charles Lake, of Indejieudence.
E. B. Penn received a fair education, after wliich he was apprenticed
to the carpenter's ti-ade, his first etforts for himself beginning in 1871,
in Highland county, Ohio. He continued operations ther(> until 1884,
when he settled in Independence, Kansas, since which time he has been
identified with the progress of the city. His work during this time has
been of the highest character, many of the best r<'sidences and busi-
ness buildings of tlie city having been erected under his supervision.
He is a member of the United Workmen and of the Select Knights, is a
Republican in ]ioliti(s, and lie and his familv aie leading workers in
the M. E. clinrch.
JACKSON (iRAY--In the early spring of 18(;!», Jackscui (iray, in
company with the settlers, Sylvester (Jray, C. W. Leedy and Alfred
Catron, with families, drove through from Carter Co., Kentucky, and
each head of a family took a claim in Montgomery county, Kansas.
A wife and three children and a few household goods, together with his
team, constituted the Jackson Gray possessions and he established
himself on one hundred and sixty acres in section 4, township 31,
range 10, where he erected a small cabin, 14x14 feet. This modest and
rude dwelling was of short duration for it was fired by the torch of
one of White Hair's band of Osages and the family was left homeless,
and even ordered not to rebuild in this country. The baud absented
itself from the county soon after this and while it was away a new
house went u() on Jackson's (juarter and its owner treated the
returning band so kindly and dealt with them so liberally that he
Avon their friendship and remained un(lislnrl)ed in the peaceful posses-
sion of his claim.
The tribe so ingratiated itself ujion the confidence of the Gray
family as to warrant the parents in jx-rniitting their son, Samuel,
then just large enough to run about, to visit the village of White Hair's
people, near by, and play with the little papooses and be thrown up in
a blanket just as the Red Man was wont to do. But while Mr. Gray
was unmolested in his residence he was not allowed to cultivate more
than a small tract of land until the Indians were removed from the
county in accordance with the anangenients made in the treaty for the
Osage Diminished Reserve.
When the county was left in iindispuliMl ])(isscssiim of the white
man, the settlers engaged in earnest in the peaceful pursuits of agricul-
ture and grazing. Mr. Gray, among others, Avas encouraged to exert
his best efforts in behalf of his family and to the end that, today, his
farm embiaces, instead of a single (juarter of laud, five hundred and
forty-five acres, much of which is under and yielding to the magic touch
of its intelligent and practical owner. The second pioneer cabin gave
way, in ten years, to a modern and ronifml.iblc farm residence, then one
of the best in the township, r.ni ns ranir ijito existence as fast as they
were needed for the acconinnKlatioii ul ilic gi-iin and stock, and tlie
decoration of the laiKl.scapc wilh Irci-s and shrubs during all thi- years
produced a })leasing and civili/.ing cHimI and marked the Gray settlers
as substantial ami jinigressive ritizeiis.
Jackson Gray was born in Wythe (
He received a meager education in the
state and was employed, as he neared i
In 1801, he went to Carter Co., Kentu.ky. v
was occupied witii its niltivalion 'till li
spring of ISr.n.
Klizalieth Cray, iiiollier cf oni- siibjcri. was a native of Wythe Co.,
Virginia. She hail fuiir cliildicn. viz: Svhesl.-i', of Neodesha, Kansas;
Mrs. l-:iiza .Vewnian, (if Smith Co., \iiginia; .lacksnn, and Mrs. Mary
I.eedv, of Montgoniei-y counlv, Kansas.
Jackson Gray married Calhei-ine Sli.^llon, a naliv of Wythe Co..
Virginia, and a daughter of Creel and .Marv i llauniliell) Slielhm. of
North Carolina and Virginia, respe.i i vely, .Vlr. and .Mis. (iiay are the
parents of William S,, of Monlgoniery lonnly, wilh eliildr.'ii, Samuel
and >\'illiam: Samuel (Irav, of .Monluomerv rouiitv. wilh rliildren,
Edward and ilow.ml, and .Miss lairy C.iay, y.-l wilh \hv domestic
circle.
^'il■ginia, Sept. i:'..
, 1S40.
lools then comnmn
to the
ihood, as a bi'ick-mi
i.ulder.
re he puiiliased a far
in and
removal lo Kansas
in the
William and Leonora Watson. Tlu'ir only child, Maud Todd, lives at
Independence, Kansas. To a second wif(>. Leonora Watson, a sister
of the first wife, was lioin one ciiild, Mrs. Josie Henneman, of Independ-
ence.
The lady who now presides ov.-r I he home of Mr. Hork was ifary,
daughter of'.lohn and Susan O'Dare. They have one son. Tlieophilus,
named for his jia(eriial grandfather.
MILO .M. L()N(J — One of ilontgomery county's good citizens whose
four years" residence in the county has been suthcient to establish
the fact that society is not the loser by reason of his coming, is Milo
M. Long, a worthy farmer of Independence townshiji.
Ml. Long's nativity dates in Peoria county. III., April i, 1815.
For fifty-four years he lived on the home farm, coming to Montgomery
Co., Kansas, in March, 189!). Mr. Long's family is an old and honored
one, whose different members in their time have contributed much to
the upbuilding of our free institutions, and were always found on the
side of right and patriotism in the different contests at arms which
the republic has waged.
Henry Long, paternal grandfather of our subject, came to this
country from Ireland in the early part of the lltth cenlnry. He married
Miss Irwin, and to him were born, near Natchez, .Miss., two sons, John
and James. The latter at maturity, came up into Illinois and was
there joined in marriage with Nancy Proctor, daughter of Reuben and
Sarah ( Mathews i Proctor. Their children were: Milo M.. honored sub-
ject of this review; .Mrs. Mary J. Rose, of this county; John H., of
Oklahoma; Sarah ('., Mrs. Richardson, of Illinois, now deceased.
Mr. Long was happily joined in marriage with ]\Iary E., daughter
of John and Kliza (Henner) Klertinan. Mis. Long was a native of
Peoria county. 111., boin April 7, INH'ti. One son, Oscar, now a school-
boy, has come to bleijs their home.
In his Illinois home Mr. Long was highly regarded, having been
for a number of years a member of the school Ixiaid jind also piomi-
nently identified its a memlx-r of the A. II. T. .\. He has been a life-
long member of the Methodist church and is .i staunch Prohibitionist
and tem])erance man.
W.VLTKR FKINK— The venerable genthMiuin whose name intro-
duces this biograjdiy has been a resident of Montgoinery county for
twenty-seven years, having settled heic in L^TO. He came from Macomb
county, Michigan, in which state his parents settled in 1H?,~>. The
family were emigrants from Niagara county. New Vork, where, at the
town of ("ambria our subject v.as born .Inly S. ISiiC. The parents
l)roii<;lit their f:miil\ \i\> mi n .MicliifiMii t;iriii wii.Tr I lie inincii.lcs of
}j;ood c-itizonshii) and iii(liisir\ wcic Imuj^IiI.
Walter Friiik was a son of lOlias and a jiiandson of Zafhaiiali
Frink. nalivcs of ('oniifci iiiil. in whicli slate the family was estab-
lished al a \ery larly dale, /aidiariah Frink's family came into western
New York when lOlias was eleven years of age. He had five children;
Darias, Elias, Moses, Ezra and Daniel. Elias was born at Sterling,
Conneetient, and was married in New York to Hannah Carney, a Tenn-
sylvania lady and a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Tarney, from
down on the Sns(iuelianna river. Tin- children of Elias and Hannah
Frink were: Marinda. who married Thomas I'hillijis; Annie, wife of
Charles King; Samnel. Elias, Walter, Clarissa, Herman and Ellen.
Mr. Frink of this review was libeially educated in the common
schools of Michigan — suhscrii)tion in character — and he chose farming
as his vocation which he followed in the Wolverine State for forty
years. He then came to Kansas and purchased his Montgomery county
farm. He chose a (juarter section in section 27, townshiii :!!, range 16,
and paid its owner, Fat'rick Doiigan, .fL',.")!)!).!)!) for it. Here ho has
since made his home and, while having no family of his own, his
home is jiresided over by his sister, Ellen, and it is one of the hospitable
places of West Cherry townslii]). In jiolitics, Mr. Frink leans toward
the Democratic party, but has had no inclination toward i)iiblic otli.'O
and no ambition of tliis nature to gratify.
E. COODKLL— NN'hat imiiresses the transient iiiosl forcibly in
Independence is the substantial character of the business seel ion of the
city and the evident ])ride taken in keejjing its ai)])earance up to-date
by" the merchanls atid tradesmen doing business there. A closer
acc]naintance with tlie personnel of the business element dis(doses the
fact that this ei\ ie piide is due to a few choice si)irits who have
preached this seniiiueiii. day in and day out, for years — and verily they
have their reward. The name of one of the genllenien to whom such
is due for the s])lendid development the city has made, api)ears above.
For two decades Mr. (ioo(h'll has been part and parcel of the city's
growth, his cliaiaiter tor business integrity not being surpassed by any
of (he many good men now connecled with the business interests. He
does a large business in meat proibicts, and in many resjieels his trade
is the choicest in the city.
The linckeye State was the jdace of .Mr. Coodejl's iialivity, he
having b.'en born in I'cutage ((.unly, Sei.tember 10, 1S4(I. He was a
son of Samuel and -lulia (ioodell, Ihe former a native of Vermont and
the latter of ( ■oiinect ieul. Thev were anumg thai class of early ].ioneers
who met the foes of progress and faced dangvrs Ihal iiiighl well apj.all
the stoutest heart, liavin- s.-l lied t iiere immedialely succeeding the
JACOB SHUMAKER AND FAMILY.
W* €> V w a
r « t' ^
6^4
H f 1^
r- |« r
r r t
« # i n ^
f» f« f» f
; -t -I -%
HISTORY OV MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. 777
Will- of 1812. Tbt-y \vt'n> tillers of tin- soil and found ils exacting lahors-
too arduous, both d.viiijj within oi};lit days in 1S4."); Ilie father at tliirty-
ei^riit, the mother at thirty six years. ()f their family of four .liiidreu,
our sulijecl is llie eldesi, Ihe olliers heiiii; : Kmeline. .\niie(ta, Mrs. H.
]). Coe. of I'orla^e roiinly. Ohio, arid .lane, wife .it Ur. CI.-iiU. of Washing-
ton.
E. Goodell received an excellent education in the common schools
«f his native state, to which was added scholastic Irainiuf; at lliram
College, he being a student there when i1 was under the charge of the
lamented I'resident (iarfield.
After his school days he returned to the farm, wheie he was engaged
at the breaking out of the Civil \\;n: In January of LSGLl. he enlisted
in Company "K,'' 17th Wisconsin Inf., to which state he had gone but
a short time before. His regiment became i)art of the Army of Ten-
nessee and he participated in its movements for a period of eight months,
■when he was honorably discharged from the service on account of sick-
ness. Returning to Wisconsin, he put in the winter in the lumber
♦ramp, the following spring coming out to Kansas. Here he settled in
Coffey county, where he was engaged in fanning until 1869, the date
«f his settlement in Montgomery. He took a claim in Sycamore Twp.,
■which he successfully farmed nntil 1883. A year on a cattle ranch
preceded his coming to Independence, where he has since resided,
engaged continnously in the sale of meats.
Mr. Goodell affiliates with the Masonic order, and is always found
ready to engage in any service which has for its object the advance-
ment of his municipality. He was married in April of lS6o, in Le
Boy, Kansas, his wife having been Mary A., daughter of Benj. and
Sophrona Randall. Mrs. Goodell is a lady of many excellent traits of
character, a consistent member of the Christian church, in whose social
work she takes an active part. She is the mother of four children,
three of whom have left the home roof and are respected members of
society. Their names are: John E.. and Clarence H., connected with
their father in business. The former married Miss Retta Neilson, and
the latter Maud Sevier. Mamie is living in Colorado, the wife of Earl
Hamilton, and Bessie is a school girl at home.
JACOB SHT'MAKER— March '2. 1850, Jacob Shumaker, of Cherry
township, was born in Buffalo, New York. His parents were German
by birth and were Jacob and Otheler Ih-sil Shumaker, the father a
native Swiss. They left their native ]>laces at different times, when
quite young, and met and married in Buffalo, New York, where they
resided until 1800, when they moved to Des Moines. Iowa, thence to
Missouri and settled in Buchanan county, near St. Joseph. They were
farmers, and engaged in the dairy business in Missouri, where their
770 IlISTOKY OF MONTUOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
childri'u ^rew up ;iiid wlu-iv both father aud mother passed away,
the mother at sixt.y years of age and the father at sixty-seven.
Six children comprised this family, as follows: Jacob, Michael,
Barbara, John, Lena and Frank.
Jacob Shumaker was given a country school education in Missouri
and after he reached his majority he spent some five years in sight-
seeing and travel. He visited Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Ohio. Indiana aud Illinois, in which last state he met, and subsequently
married Mary ISaucr. licturning to St. Jose])li, he engaged in farming,
and ran a dairy also. He continued the dual business until 1899, when
lie sold his property and c;ime to Montgomery county, Kansas, wliere,
in ("herry tovvnshii), he purchased two hundred and forty acres of
splendid land, six miles north of Oherryvale. His farm lies on one arm
of Drum creek, has plenty of bottom laud, the timber-fringed creek
jiassing through and supplying an abundance of stock water. He has
one of the largest bearing orchards in the county and the productive-
ness of his soil never permits his cribs to become empty. He is in the
natural trend of the gas and oil vein and had the good fortune to
locate here when land was yet cheap.
The Shumaker faiiu was made by Jacob Shumaker and his wife.
Their etforts from their marriage through the years that followed have
brought the accumulations that finally won them this splendid estate.
The growing of grain ()ccn])ies the attention of the household in their
new home and their success marks Mr. and Mi's. Shumaker among the
substantial farmers of their locality.
Eight children have come to bless the home of the Shuniakers, as
follows: Jacob, of ^Vashingto^ state; Emeline, deceased; (Jeorgc,
Christina, wife of H. Xoduifth, of Washington; Dora, who died at six-
teen years, and Henry, <ius and Matilda, still with the family circle.
In politics Mi-. Shumakei- is a I\ei)ublicaii.
WILLIAM WRIGHT— One of the pioneer druggists of Montgomery
county, and one whose connection with the business interests of Elk
City antedates the re<'ollection of nearly every citizen in the place at
the present date, is the gentleman herein named, widely known and
honored for the sterling quality of his citizenshii).
Mr. Wright is of Irish descent, the son of William and Margaret
Wright, natives, resj)ectively, of County Down and County Monaghan.
They came to America in childhood and were married in Canada, where
they lived until 1857, when they settled in Kickapoo City, Kan., and
later, at Ottawa, where they died; the father at seventy-lhree ycais.
and the mother at sixty-three years old. They were tin- paiciils of
Ihiiteen childien, live of the girls and three boys still living.
-Mr. Wright, of Ihis review, was born in" the Province of Ontario.
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 78 I
:\[RS. ANX KEHECCA HENDERSON— In April, 1871, Janus Hen-
dorsou and liis wife, Rebecca, left Warren sburg, in Johnson county,
Missouri, and brought their family of five children through to Kansas
in a wagon. They settled in Montgomery county where Mr. Henderson
entered land in section 10, township 31, range Ifi, oli which a cabin 7x10
had previously been built, and into this a portion of the family belong-
ings were stored. Between the cabin and the wagon-box, the house-
hold found shelter the fli-st sunmier, when a more pretentions log
hrtuse, 20x20, was ereclcd. in whicli the family \v;is housed tlie suc-
ceeding four years.
The work of farm devehtpmcnt began at once with the settlement
of the Henderson place. During the earlier years, fences were put uj),
buildings were erected, and orchard and shade trees set out and, as
their circumstauces would warrant, more land was added to the home.
Before his death in 1898, Mr. Henderson owned a tract of two hundred
acres, successfully tilled, and well and substantially improved.
Mrs. Henderson was born in Wood county, Virginia, January 27,
1844, and left that state with her parents for Washington county, Ohio,
wh(>n ten years old. She was a daughter of Silas and Elizabeth
(Raines) Malcom, native born Virginia ijcuplc, farmers and residents
near the city of Charleston. Silas .Mal((iiii \v;is a son of William Mal-
com, a Virginia gentleman with Si-oTch foicfa fliers. The children of
William Malcolm were: Robert, Jolni, William, Silas, Elizabeth and
^Irs. Polly Dixon.
Silas Malcolm's children were: William, ihs. Emeline Howell,
James, Mrs. Mary Neal, Mrs. Sarah Daugherty, of Columbus, Ohio;
John, who was killed in the Civil war; Mrs. Rebecca Henderson,
Andrew, of Cal.; Horace, Mrs. Nancy Wright, of Marietta, Ohio, and
Silas, of Cal.
Ann Rebecca Malcom was married July 4, ISriS. to James Hender-
son, her late husband. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Novem-
ber 27, 1831, and passed his life in the States of Ohio, Tennsylvania,
Missouri- and Kansas. He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard,
company "K," 14Sth regiment, under Capt. Wolcott, Col. Thomas
Moore. The next year after the war closed he moved to Johnson
county, Missouri and, five years later, came to Montgomery county,
Kansas. He was a son of John and Jane (Steele) Henderson, natives of
rennsylvania, who reared other children, as follows: William, Rachel,
who married Benj. Bay; Allen, Smith, John, Mrs. Sarah Crail, Henry,
Mrs. Amanda Crouse and Robert.
The children of Mrs. Henderson are: George, Charles, of Okla-
homa, with children : Alphonso F., Alta, Flossie and James; Mrs. Frances
rhelon, deceased; John, of Montgomery county; Mrs. Elizabeth John-
sou, of Neodesha, Kansas, with two children: Myra and Joy; Alonzo, of
Neodesha, with two children: I'auline and Harold; Mrs. Etta Hurst, of
N.-odrslm. Willi oil., cliild, CMvnrll; Mrs. Mvill,. Wcs.olt, of W
vouiilv. Kiiusas, aiMl I'raiikliii and I«la willi tiic faiiiilv liuincstcad.
SAMI'E1> U. (lONNKR— Otic of flic siicc-ssfiil fniiiins and
stdclc laisiMs of Sycamoi-c tc.wiisliiii is Saiimcl II. Coiiiicr. Mr. < 'oii-
iici- is a .voimj;- man coiiiiiai'ativtdy, hiil 1)\ i'iicrj;\v and i^ood liiisincss
JiKljihiciiI has jda.ccd liim.stdf in ilic van of the pi-occssion in Mont-
jiomciy county. He owns a larjjc farm and rents several Inindicd
aires, all of wliicli he Iia.s under cultival ion. lie has li\ed in the
countv since 1hc sjiriiis of ISSil, and has a host of friends and well-
wishers.
Samuel Conner looks I.a<-k to I he old Kc\ stone Stale as the jihicc
of his hii-th, the lime l.cin<; Fchiuaiy C, lSi;T. In his infancy his iiaicnts
removed to \\'hitcsidc county, III., and there he was reared to farm life.
His education vva.s sik h as comes to the averajic farm lad. and at nine-
teen, h( hade jiood-hyc to liona- and its hallowed a.ssociations and started
out in life for himself. For the first few years after comin.i; to the
county he rented land of thrw different parties, and in 1801. came to this
jilace which he rented for :'. years and then was in ])artnersliiii in the
stock business with (Jeorfic T. (Juernsey for sexcii years, since which
time he has conducted business alone. He now li\es on a ihi. c limi-
dred and twenty acre farm which he rents from his former jiartnei.
rentini! another' i)lot (.f 1(»(» acres from II. i;. Hansen. In addition,
he has a quarter sec(i<in of j.asture land of his ow n, in Rutland township,
and .".I'O acres in Sycamore, alto};ether making 1)2(1 acres wliich lie
has under contrcd. He is interested laiKflv in the fe<'ding of cattle
for the market, liaviiip; handled successfully as hifjh as two hundred
and eighty head at one time. In addition to the i-aisinf; of corn and
forage for his stock, he has this year some two hundred and fifty adcs
in wheat.
The social life of Mr. < 'onner is marked by a };eniiine interest in
conditions about him, his keen insifjlit into ati'airs cansin<; his selec-
tion as a member of the .scliool board and as trustee of his towiisliiii.
He is active in religions afTairs, being a member of tlie I'nited Hrelliicii
church at Radical, of which he is class leader. He is a thorough be-
liever in the fraternal principles, and is jirominent in the Woodmen,
the Koyal Neighbors, flie Fraternal Aid. the Home Builders' T'nion.
and the A. H. T. A. Mr. Connei- is a slaiimh l{e])nblican and is look.d
upon as available timber for future poliiical preferment, should he so
desire.
As to family history, the following is to the jioini: .lesse ('on
ner, grandfather of oiii' subject, married I'.eisv Laiidis. lioili iiali\es of
the Kevstone Stale. Their children were: .lacob. Mary llarley. Susan
/eigler'. Isaac. Sarah. Fli/.abeth and Ahram. Of this family. Isaac
EDWARD HOBSON AND FAMILY
Srtrah PittniM.i,
Kansas: Milioi,
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HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 7S3
mari-iod Haniiab naldeman. also a native of rcnnsjlvania, and a
daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Horning) Haldenian. Of their
children our subject was the eldest, the others Ix'ing as follows: Har-
riet Woody, of Montgomery Co., Kansas; Ella McMillen, now deceased;
Sarah Pittman, also of Montgomery Co.; Abram, of Brown county,
Kansas; Milton, a clerk in the oflSce of the Kansas City Star, and Elmer,
who resides with our subject.
Samuel H. Conner began his domestic life in 18S.5, at which time
he brought to his home Mary, daughter of Judge Daniel and Sarah
(Boyer) Cline. Mrs. Conner was born in Carroll county, Ind., and came
to Kansas in 18G9. Five bright children are inmates of the Conner
home, their names being: Ola, Nellie N., Esther, George, I^eslie and
Daniel W.
ED^\'ARD HOBSON — This personal reference pertains to on(; of
Montgomery county's pioneers, Edward Hobsou, of Rutland township.
He ac(om]janied his paients hither in 1870, from Keokuk county, Iowa,
where his birth occurred March 21, 1855, and where he resided until he
was fifteen years of age. The settlement in Montgomery county was
made in Independence township, where the father purchased the Geo.
Brown claim of a quarter section, which was the family abiding place
till 187(), when the family settled on the farm now owned by E. M.
Koger, where the father died, on section 26, township 32, range 14. in
Rutland township.
The Hobsons of this notice emanated from North Carolina, where
Joseph R. Hobson, father of our subject, was born. He was a son of
Joseph Hobson, of Guilford county, that state, who pioneered to
Indiana in 1821, where he ran a saw-mill and a grist-mill of the primi-
tive horse power pattern. He left that state with his family when his
son Joseph was eighteen years old and settled in Henry county, Iowa,
where he died, engaged in the mercantile business. The children of
(Jrandfather Hobson were: Peter, Mrs. Edis Collins, George, Mrs.
Eleanor Hadley Rogers, Mrs. Mary Radcliff, Joseph R., Mrs. Mc(iown,
Saniuel, and Mrs. Hannah Rickley. Joseph R. Hobson married Mary Had-
ley, a North Carolina lady and a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hin-
shaw) Hadley. The issue of this Hobson union were: Joel, Ann, who
first married Mahlon Hadley, but is now the widow of J. D. Engle, of
Kansas City, Kansas; George, of Independence, Kansas; Joseph,
deceased; Martha, wife of Albert Johnson, of Independence, Kan;>as;
Edward our subject, and Isaac. Joseph R. Hobson married Cyrena
Coberley for his second wife. She was a North Carolinian and a daugh-
ter of Reuben Coberley.
Edward Hobson has resided at his present location, on section 26,
township .')2, range 14. in Rutland townshij), since attaining his major-
7S4 IIlS'l'ORV OK MONTOOMKRY fOfNTY, KANSAS.
ily. Ui- h.is hccii i.lciil iticd willi all the work of farm (l.'v.'loinnciit of
Ills half srclioii of land, and has };i\cn a .i;ii<>d acr.niiil cvf his twcnty-
scvcM v<'ars (if a<-(ivc, iM(h-|.cn<Jrn( lilV. In addilioii l<i his fanning. 1h^
follows Ihivshin- during (ho season, lie was unilcd in inania'iv willi
Orla .M. I)a\is in 1S77. Sh,- was a dan-hlrr nf .\nd.r-soii .'nd .Marv .1.
(.Inn, .si Haxis, and .1 nalixc of .IctVcison r.innly, Iowa. Two childVon,
Oiwin and Aviil, havo icsnllrd from Ihoii- union. Oiwin is nianird (o
llallio Kakci-. of .iowcll rount\, Kansas, and now icsidi^s on a jiail of
II10 homo plaro.
.Mrs. Haxis slill livrs on Iho Inono farm in Itnlland lowii^lip; hor
hnsliand .Ivin- in 1S!I7, af;vd sixlv-oi-ht vars.
.Mr. Ilohson is a l*<iiMilist, has 1 n lownship rh-rk and has served
Jiis sidnxd hoard Icii .years, lie is a Modern Woodman and an arti\e
niemhi-r of the Friends' rhnirli.
dOlIX O'P.KiKN" -.Mr. (Cl'.rien. now a nlired eilizeii of Ind.pen.I-
enee. was for many years identitii'd. as a farmer and stockman, wilh
the rural coiniininify of Liberty townshiii, in whieh he settled and took
ii (daini in the year IKCil. This f^ieat length of lesideme ^n 1 he .-omity
and the fact of liis s<-l(lenieiit on the (hen fronti<'r. entitles him I0 he tlio
distinction a<corded |»i(tne(MS, and as such, his life i-ecord a]i|iears on fho
pages of this volume for the information and gratification of jiosterity.
January ."!(), 1K41, .lolin O'I'.rien was born in I'ike count \, <)liio.
His pai-ents, Enoch and Nan.y (Walls) OM'.rien. wer.- both natives of the
same county with himself, the father born in 180S. and the mother in
1809. Elijah O'I'.rien, paternal grandfather of our suliject. >^ettled In
Ohio early in its history as a state. sery.Ml as a soldier in the XN'ar of
1812, and followed (lie trade of a .lock and gunsmith, lie was an ex
pert workman, and in this his son, Eno( h. .also excelled. He died at the
age of eighty-four. Only three of the iiiiM' childien of Eno. h and Maiy
O'Brien survive, nanndy: Nancy, now Mis. William Minni(k, of Mo.it-
gomery county, Kansas; i\Ioses, a farniei- of Liberty (ownslii|). the same
c-ounty, and John of this notice. .\ sister. .Mrs. Elizabeth .\ddie, dic-d in
Denver, CoL. in July, l!t01, h'aving a daughter. Mrs. Matt (irillin of
Montgomery county.
The Pike county, Ohio, sehoids furnished 4. dm O'Urien with a 'air
knowledge of the ihVee "R's" and he was an active ai<l about the f.imdy
homestead during the period of his mimnitx. lie left lionie foi- tin'
west a young man of twenty-eight, his bosoin welling with hope for his
future, as he should carve i't out of thi' wild an<l unscho.ded regions of
Kansas. He entered land in Montgomery county and passed irnni' than
thirty years in the somewhat monotonous occu]iation of building and
developing a home. The results of his efl(uts. coupled wilh those of 1 is
.(h)mestic aids, are shown in (he possession of two hundred and lineM'
IIISToItY III' MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 7S7
icssfiil husiucss cariMT. .Mr. Xewkirk is a jJi-odiKl nf ilic iiisiil nl imis
and social t'livirouniciit of lOlk ("ity, and it niifiiil he addfd this fact
casts no reflection upon citlicr; for no more ^cntlciiianlv imsller (an be
found in the town's environs.
The parentage of Mr. Xewkirk is responsible for a portion of his
popularity, as (hey were among the chosen few of the old settlers' guard
which moved in on the erstwhile ''cowpuncliers' trail" and redeemed
Montgomery in the interest of good morals and better government. His
father, Capt. W. C. Xewkirk, was one of the defenders of the I'nion
whose thoughts naturally turned to the child, born mid the throes of
incipient rebellion, and where he was sure of finding other untold thous-
ands whose blood had been spilled in securing to it, forever, the ])rec-
ious birthright vouchsafed it by a liberty-loving peoide. Capt. Xew-
kirk and his good wife were natives of the "Tloosicr State." her maiden
name having been Sarah B. Eeynolds.
At the breaking out of the war, Mr. Xewkirk ]ironi]itly enlisted and
for four years did his duty bravely. He died at the age of H2 years tm the
!ltliofA|iriI,l!l(ll. mourned by the entire community. Mrs. Xewkirk contin-
ues to be an honored resident and is held in the highest regard by all. Her
children, of whom there are six living in the county, are all useful and
respected members of society and reflect, in their sterling ([ualities, the
careful training of their parents. Two are deceased — Carrie L., at eight
years, and Frederick K. at twenty-eight. Thomas E., AA'illiam T.. James
L., and Alonzo are successful farmers of tlie county. The one daughter,
Silver B., married Alonzo Smith, and also resides on a farm.
Robert L. X'ewkirk, the sixth child of this family, was born on the
home farm April 4, 1ST4. He graduated from the high school in 1899,
and soon began his business career by the management of a creamery
at Independence for a year. He then farmed for a time and in the
spring of 1901, began his connection with the firm he now serves so
acceptably. Like his lamented father, Robert enters into every project
which has for its object the betterment of conditions in his community,
and the spirit which he infuses into any undertaking with which lie is
entrusted always carries it to a successful conclusion. He served during
the year 1902, as clerk of the township. Of the fraternities, he affiliates
with the Woodmen and the A. O. U. W. In politics he votes with the
Democratic party.
The marriage of Mr. Xewkirk occurred on the 24th of December,
1901. :Mrs. X'ewkirk's maiden name was Rhoda E. Rains. She is a na-
tive of Kentucky and is a daughter of Matthew and Maftie Rains, resi-
dents of Independence. Mrs. X'ewkirk is the mother of two children,
Rurnell and Julius R.
ySS HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUiNTY, liAiNBAS.
HOWARD M. IlILI.— The pioinotion of the stock and bncdiiiji in-
tcrcsls of M(iiitj;(iiii('rv county arc successfully engaged iu by the young
jMuneer seltler whose name initiates this jiersonal review. He is a son
of on,- of the pioneers of Wilson county, Kansas, and was reared from
infaTirv within a score of miles of (he scene of his ])resent acti\ities.
The -SMamore Sjirings Stock I'arni" is the outgrowlli of his idea and
Ihe result of a lient exhibited by him from boyhood. His dominions
comiuise an estate of five hundied and twenty acres, stocked with the
various farm animals and with registered heads for b(.th his stable
and his herds.
Having come to tlie adjoining county of ^^■ilson in ISTli. Mr. Hill
is worthily designated in this article as a jjioneer. The city of Neodesha
was tin- s(<'ne of his boyhood and youthful activities, and from its high
school he graduated at the age of seventeen. For a higher education
and a broader culture, he entered the Kansas State University, from
which he graduated in 1S!)0, v.ith the degree of LI.. K. He did extra work
in ]i(ditical eeonomy and natural history and com]deted the law course
of the institution also. On assuming a station as a business man he
took th<' position of cashier of the Hank of Lafontain. which was
esiablished bv his father, the veteran banker, William Hill, of N<'o-
desha, and conducted the affairs of the little institution during the five
y(>ars of its existence. Following his natural tendencies he then de-
voted hiinscdf to and became a positive force as a farmer. His inti-rest
in live stock was an absorbing one and took form in an ambition to
become a breed(>r of blooded, or fine stock. Short Horn cattle and For-
cheron horses comprise his important registered stock, "Iniitorted Jlar-
iner,'' of the S.otch ".Missie- family, bred liy Wm. Marr, being at the head
of his herd, ami .lena, of the Hrilliant family, and bred by Dunlnim,
Fletcher & Coleman, of Fort Wayne, 111., is his famous Percheron stal-
lion. A half dozen fine mares of the same blood were purchased with
him at the Kansas City sale of Samuel Hanna, of Howard, Kansas, and
by the diffusion of this blood with that of his large number of the cmn-
nioner stock the general iniprov<'menl is at once striking and aiijiarent.
In 18flS. Mr. Hill gave a sale in Kansas City of registered Hereford
cattle raised on the Sycamore S]>riugs Stock Farm, thirty-five head bring-
ing an average price of four hundred and one dollars ($401.00), the high-
est price ever brought at such a sale in Kansas.
Howard M. Hill was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, Nov. 28, 1870.
His father was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1832, and followed the
trade of a printer when a young man. His parents brought him to the
TTnited States at ten years of age and stopped in Ohio, where he at-
tained his majority. He learned the printer's trade and went into Wis-
consin, Sauk county, where he published a newspaper for several years-.
He was married in that state to Ellen C. Maxwell, and of the union four
sons were born, as follows: Arthur, Howard M., Bert and Irving. In
HISTORY OK MONTOOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. 789
1S72. lie bi'oiijiht his family to (he new village of Neodcslia, in Wilson
county, Kansas, where, the following year, be established the Xeodesha
Savintis Hank, which grew to be a strong, safe and popular institution.
AA'illiaiii Hill is a q\iiet, unpretenlions gentleman, genteel and courteous,
with a decidedly commercial bent. His life has been moral and ui)right,
if possible, to a fault, and liis examide (o the world aboiil him has been
one worthy to emulate.
xMay -M), inOO, Howard M. Hill married Rebecca .M. Cam])!..-!! at Al-
luwe, Ind. Ty. Mrs. Hill is a danghler of H. M. Campbell and has two
children: r". Maxwell and \Niiliam. -Mr. Hill is an Odd Fellow and is
descended from Democratic anci'strv.
ELIJAH I). HASTINGS— The bar of Montgomery county will
stand comparison favorably with any other county in the state. The
members from ('herry\ale are men of wide knowledge in the law and
of successful an<l rxicnsive practice. Among these is the subject of this
review, E. D. Hastings, who has been connected with the development
of th(; city since lis inception; indeed he may be called the god-father
of Oherryvale, as it was tiirough his efforts that the town was incor-
porated by Judge Bishop W. I'erkins, and in whose ottice our subject was
present at the tirst election of otHcers for the new town.
Benjamin and Elizabeth (Smith) Hastings, the parents of our sub-
ject, were natives of the State of Xew Hampshire. Benjamin was a
farmer and mill-wright and during his life was most widely and favor-
ably known among the Xew Hampshire hills, living to the extreme old
age of eighty-eight; his wife dying at eighty-three. They were devout
and consistent members of the M. E. church and were highly respected
citizens of the community in which they resided. They reared a family
of ten children, of which F^lijah was the eldest.
Mr. Hastings secured a good common school education; his tirst
scholastic education having been received at Kimball Union Academy,
in his native state, from which he graduated in 18.j6. He immediately
took up the study of law, his preceptors being Amasa and Samuel Edes,
of Newport, New Hampshire, and after three years' study he was ad-
mitted to practice, and at once located at C'harlestown, New Hampshire,
changing his i>lace of practice to Filton after a short period, where he
entered the army, enlisting in the fall of 18(il, in the 0th New Hamp-
shire Vol. Inft. He immediately went to the front and his regiment
became a part of the Army of the Potomac under, at that time. General
Burnside. His first experience with powder and ball was at the second
battle of Bull Run, where he received a j)ainful wound above the right
knee. He was sent to the Union Hotel Hospital in Georgetown, and
after three months received honorable discharge from the army on
account of disability. After a year of convalescence at home, he was
790 HISTORY OF MONTUOMKKY COl-NTY. KA.NSAS.
advised i>i lio to a seaport town, and for seven years following was a
citizen of I'.oslon, .Mass..wliere he was clieck master for tlie Old Colony
and Fall Kiver Kailioad. and later was an eiii|,loyc of tlie K. F. Briggs
directory firm.
Leaving Boston. Mr. Hastings came west to St. ]>ouis. Mo., where he
engaged for a nnndxn- of years in various imrsnits. In 1871, he formed
a law jiartnersliiji with a JMr. iMiajiin and jiracticed for a number of
vears under 1 he tirm name of <'ha)iin iV Hastings, and then followed
illie lif<' insnianc.' Imsiiiess foi- a time. Aftei- ten y.^ais" i-csid.-nce in St.
J.ouis. he located in Cherryvale. tlic <hitc of his ;iriival l)cing .\ugust,
1S7S. Since that time lie has heen engaged in the jnactice of his i>ro-
fession. For fifteen years he has been a paitner of M. P.. Soule, else-
where rc|iiesented ill this volume. Three years later, having ill-health,
he gave lip the practice of law and has sin<e been eiigag<-d in writiiig
lir(» insurance, representing the Pandy Fire and .Maiiiu' Conipaiiy and
the (ierman American of New York.
During his residence in Cherryvale (jur subject has taken an active
interest in the jmblic life of the city, having serv(^d three terms in the
Citv Council and a like period as City Attorney. In social life he is a
valued member of the Masonic Order, having tilled all the offices of
the liliie Lodge, and in p(ditical matters acts with the Kepulican xjarty.
The marriage of Mr. Hastings was an event of Sejitember 6th, 18G8.
Mrs. Hastings" maiden name was Frances A. Corhiii. She is a native of
Newport. New Haiupsliire. and is the daughter of Dr. Walter and Olive
F. (Fitch) Corbin. No children have been born to this marriage. The
life which .Mr. Hastings has Iwl in Cherryvale has made for him a last-
ing I'eputation among her citizens, for integrity and honesty of purpose,
nnd both he and his wife numbei- their freiends by the legion in the
vountv.
KI.I.VS THOMAS LEWIS— Among the substantial pioneers of
Montgomery county is Elias T. Lewis, of Rutland township, whose set-
tlement here was made in the month of June. 1S71. On the 2nth of that
month he bought the claim right of Mark Beal and then, later, another
eii^htv adjoining, the (piarter in section 1. townshij) M:^, range If, bring
tliCn entered by himself and forming the nucleus of his first and perma-
nent 1 e.
Chief Nop:iwalla and his band of Osages were in the vicinity of
Mr. Lewis' settlement and their presence for a few months served to
remind the pioneers that their settlement was really on the frontier.
While Hair and Big Chief were also within reach, but none proved a
serious menace to the jieacefiil occuiiafion of our subject of his newly
ac<|iiired land.
Coming into the countv single, as he did. .Mi. ]>ewis went baik to
it W 9
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E. T. LEWIS AND WIFE.
tiana (Hoskinjj) Ti-cf-tMiilKi, liaviiif;- <■ .• lo lln' I'liilcd Smics in ist;.").
They settled in Min(]ue(tc county, Mirhio.ni. wli.-ir ihry icniaini'd for
live years (eiijiafiod in niininj;'), and when r sulijiri w:is lioni. Aiiyiisi
IL*. IHIil. Ill 1S7(l. Ihc family settled in Osa-^e roiinly. Kan. Uesides onr
snbject thciv was a faniily'of live cliildivn.
The ].ar('nls aiv nicnii.ei-s of the stiiidy yromaiiiy of Kansas, self-
respectinj;- and prospcfons, and artivc roniiiiunicanl s of liie .Mdliodist
Episcopal clnircli.
Mr. Tie-ieml.a of iliis noli.o j.as.sod ilir pniod of youth and boy-
hood on the farm, wlioic he dc\flo|icd a strong |)liysical frame, and in
the excellent schools of his home disliici secured a fi'ood foundation for
the later business course which he look at Lawrence, Kan. His first
venture was as a ;;cneral mcrchanl in Overbrook, Kan., from l.S.S!) to
1892. Foi' a period of sc\cn \cais, suciccdin^-, lie was chief book-keeper
for a millinji' company at Oswcjio, Kan.,, and in IS!)!), as stated, located
in Indejiendeiice. He here cniiafjcd in the- lumber business with suc-
cess, and in tiie early jiarl of the ])resent .M'ar became one of the organ-
izers of the Glen laiinber Coiiipany, of which he is Secretary. This com-
pany is extensively en}ia<;cd in the sale of all kinds of buildiiifi material,
and does a larj»e and increasin};- business all over the county.
Mr. Tregemba's domestic life was hai.i.ily initiated June Ifi, 1900,
when lie called to jireside over his home Miss .\iuia Holmes, of Oswego,
Kan. Mrs. Tregemba is a daughter of Charles and Jennie Holmes. To
the marriage have been born a ]iair of twins, Helen and Miriam. Mr.
and Mrs. Treg(Miiba are prominent workers in the Tresbyterian church,
lie being a Huling Elder in that organization. T{usin(\ss interests pre-
vent him fi'om taking more than a v(ding ]iart in politics, but he can
always be de])ended on to sup])ort the jiolicies of the I{e])ublican ])arty.
He served in the city council from .\]iril, 1901. to .\]>ril, 190^, during
which jieriod his keen business sagacity was of value in the set-
tlement of the many (luestions which came before that body. The char-
acter of his citizenship is on that high plane which thinks the best none-
too good in the moral and material develoimicnt of the city.
M. .v. FIXl.KV, .M. !>.— One of the most successful ,nid poi.ular
young physicians of the county is Dr. Finiey, of Cherryvale, whose large
and increasing practice mark him as an able exponent of his profession.
He is rapidly attaining distinction in surgery, having performed some
yery delicate and successful operations within the last year.
Dr. Finiey was born in the State of Missouri, Saline county, June
15, 1809. He is a son of .lames Y. and Klizabeth J. (StewartlFinlev.
The father was a native ,>( Missouii and the mother of Tennes.see. The
father was a farmer during the early jiart of his life, latei- engaging in
Ilic bauking and iiu'icantili- Imsiucss. He was a man of attractive \wr-
sonalitj and was very widely known in that section of tlu^ state.
Our subject's giandfathei-, together with two brothers and three
sisters, settled in Baline county. Mo., in tlie early thirties, where they
became widely known for their many cardinal virtues. Our subject's
father remained in that county until he was fifty years of age and then
removed to an adjoining county, where he died in 1891, aged fifty-six
years. He was a consistent and active worker in the Cumberland Pres-
byterian church, as was also his wife who is now a member of the
family of her son in t'herryvale.
Dr. Finley was the eldest of seven children. The second cli.ld, Isa-
belle, married Lafayette Mortimer and resides in Labette county, Kan-
sas; W. B., oil and gas driller of Cherryvale; the fourtli child, Mary L.,
died in infancv; J. (". resides on the old homestead in Labette county.
He married, in' XovcmlM-r. IIKIL'. Miss Ktlicl (iibsnn; Miss l{osc. is a mil-
liner in Clievrvvale. and Maud is a student in the liigh s.-h.ml, class of
lf»03.
The Doctor received his preliminary education in tlic district
schools of his native county and later attended an amdemy at Green-
field, Missouri. He then became a student in the Kansas t>tate Normal
at Emporia, from which he graduated in the Latin course in 1893.
He taught before going to the State Normal, and after leaching several
yearshetook u]i the study of medi<ine and for two years attended the Illi-
nois Medi.'al College of ChicMgo; thence to St. L.niis. wlu-re, in 1897, he
graduated in iIk' College of riiysi( ians and Surgeons. In these diflfer-
eut institutions he was a poimlar student, having been elected at St.
Louis as the valedirioi i;in from a .lass of one Imndred and two nu'm-
bers.
Upon comi.leting his conrse Dr. Finley came immediately to Cher-
ry vale and began the practice of his profession. He is a student still
and is known throughout medical circles as a contributor of valued
articles to the "Kansas Medical .lournal'' and the "St. Louis < 'lini(|iie,''
the latter being th<' oflicial |.ublicalion of his .\lma .Mater. The Doctor
is a close reader of current medical literature and is acii\e on the social
side of his profession, being a member of the local County Medical So-
ciety and also of the "Southeast Kansas Medical Society," and the
larger state organi/,ati(Uis. in all of wliicli his voice is heard in the dis-
cussions which are the features of the yearly meetings, lie is also a
member of the Anu'ii.an .Medical .Association.
While the Doctor is giving his attenticui to the general practice of
liis profession, he has. in later years, given special attention to I'ectal
surgery, in which line he has achieved most flattering success. In the
community in which he has been a resident he lakes an active and help-
ful interest, having served the <'ity as alderman for a period of three
HISTOUV OF MO.NTliOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 795
veins ;ui(i iilso one year as City I'liysician. He is a iiieiiilicr of tlie Mod-
eiu Woodmen and of the Kni^^lits and Ladies of Secniity.
The domestic life of Dr. Finlcy was initialed in IS'.IS, lie having
been joined in marriage on thai dale to .Miss Tearl, danj;hlei- of ( Charles
A. and Elizabetli Hanco( k, of Kniixjiia. Kansas. Tlie Doclor and his
wife are leading niembeis of the I'resliyterian chnreh, in which he is
an Elder. They move in the best social c'^'lcs of the city and are re-
garded in the commiinity with feelings of the greatest esteeein.
JAMES IM L(iEK— The gentleman whose name lieads this article
is one of the genuine jiioneei's of Montgomery county and when he set-
Tied in West Cherry lowushi]), while settlers were rarely to he seen. It
was in the s])ring of IStlS, that lie located on a (juarter of section 35.
townshiji SI, lange Iti. for tlie i)iir|)ose of carving himself out a home.
A rude cabin, the familiar- and subslanlial residence of the first settlers,
was erected on his claim and in it he housed his family for a period of
ten years. His new farm was a location of I'atrick Boland, for which
Mr. Bnlger paid the sum of .fSOD.Itl), and on it he resided, engaged in its
intelligent iiii|)roveineiil :irid development, for thirly years, owning it
still, but (leserliiig it only tor llic roiiveniem-e and c<niil'er1 of his son's
home near by.
James Bulger is a Canadian by birth. His native place was in
County lieauhoinway, Province of Canadii East, and his birth occurred
March 17. 1S:!S. He remained in his native locality till he was twenty-
five years old, when lie sought the Cnited States and became an employe
on the I'nioii Pacific Railway, then building toward the (ioldeu Gate.
He remained with the road three years as a bridge carpenter and then
left the west, went to Chicago and was married. In a few months he and
his young wife came to Kansas and began their life on a new farm on
the fiontier in .\rontgomeiy county. The leduction of wild nature kept
them busy for a few yeais, and I he fencing of the fai-m and its provision
with the frontier buildings necessary for the shelter of their scant sup-
ply of stock. Modern and substantial improvements came with the
lapse and successes of years and, after thirty-five years, the comforts
of a contented home are, by the family, enjoyed.
James liiilger. Sr., was the father of our worthy subjecj. He was
born in <"ounty W'e.xford, Ireland, and was a son of Hugh Bulger, wha
had four sons, James, John, Euke and Thomas. All of these sons came
to America and were reared as farmers. James married Mary Granels,
a County We.xford lady, and reared eight children, namely: Mrs. Mary
Hendratty, Hugh, James, Ann, Thomas, John, Luke ;ind Kate; the latter
a sister in a c(mvent.
Kose (iarvey a Canadian lady, became the wife of the subject of
this sketch. She was a daughter of Patrick (iarvey, who married a Mis*
790 HISTORY OF MONTUOMEBY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Lawler. Mrs. Kose CovL of Fort vSiiiitli, ArkiiDsas, is the oldest child
of Mr. aud Mrs. Bulger. She has chilrden: Thomas and Johu; James
is the second child; Mrs. Mary Piffer is the third child. She resides in
Pueblo, Col., and has one child, Wauneta ; Mrs. Lucy Riggs, of Pueblo,
is the fourth, and the others in their order are: Majiuie. Eliza and Ed-
ward.
Ii! 1SS7, Mrs. Hul-er dii-d and lier liiishand's household is ]>resided
over and cared for by their younger daughters. The family are mem-
bers of the ("atholic cliureh and. in ixijitics. Mr. P.ulirer is a Democrat.
SEXKCA E. TllOM.VS— The ,i;cnlleHian whose name introduces
this biofira](liy is widely known in ("berry lownshiji. Its citizenship has
known him favorably for many years and it is jileasini; lo record in this
work the narrative Avhich shall idenlify his household wiili ihe material
development of Montgomery county .
His fauiilv originated in Sharon, Connectieut, whei-e Ihe Thomases
had lived for several generations and where he was born March LM), 18-10.
His parents were -lames H. and Harriet (Edget) Thomas. The father
learned the machinisCs trade and was emiiloyed in the engine works at
Sharon, Connecticut until his departure from the state in 1862. On
leaving the "Nutmeg State" he settled in Ottawa, Illinois, where black-
smithing constituted his ])articular liiu' of work. He resided on a farm
near town, and on this his children took their first lessons in practical
agriculture, ^^'hile in that stale his wife died, in 1870, at forty-five
years of age. and in ISlii. he came l<> Kansas, whei-e, a1 the home of our
subject, he dieil. aged sixty four years. Five children constituted his
family, namely: Lewis 11.. .lames E., Emma, deceased; Mrs. Ellen Man-
chestln- of South Dakota, and Seneca E., of this nolicc
The work of the farm occuiiied Seneca E. Thouuis duiinii his period
of youthful develoiunent and the home of his iiai<>nts was his own till
his" marriage 1 )c( . 1(1. ISCS. at which lime he set iij. a honsrliold of his
own, going to lii-nion county. Indiana, where be resided until the year
1876, when he eslabjished himself a citizen of .Montgomery county,
Kansas.
Mr. Thomas married Marv .1. Hendricks, whose lather, .lames Hen-
dricks, was a cousin of the late \ic.- I'resideni Hendricks, of Indiana.
Mr. llendiicks niairie<l Nancy Farrow in the State of N'irginia. where
They were born, and bolh c;lnie lo Indiana, \oun.i; and vigorous; the
wife riding Ibc entire distance on horsebacli . Mrs. Hendricks was a
niece of Col. \\ illiam Farrow, of ( ireeiicasi le. Indiana, aud was mar-
ried at fourteen vears of age, rearing a familv of niin- children. The
Hendrickses left in<liana in an early day and made seiilenMnt in Illinois,
whei'e lliey passed away, the father at si.\ty-lwo and llie mother at
eight\ years old. Of llieir family, those deceased ai-e: Tliomas, Mary,
UlSTOKY OV MONTGOMEUY COUNTY, KANSAS. 797
]\I:iri;! and Joliti. Those surviving are: Mrs. Maliuda O'I'.ricii. .lames,
Mrs. Mary J. Tlioiiias, wife of our subject; Mrs. Libbic Tlioiuas aud
Josepli. Jdliii Ilciidricks enlisted in the First Indiana Heavy Artillery
and served liis Hirer years in the field; from 18G1 to 1S()4. He then veter-
anized aud finished out the war, experiencing much of the arduous serv-
ice of the great Civil War. Following the close of hostilities between the
two warring secti'uis of our countiT ; he enlisted iu the regular aruiy and
spent ten years in this service, uuikiug a total of foui'teen years' service
in war and peace.
Mr. Thomas' liist home iu Monlgomery county was on a snuill
sixty acre farm on which he erected, what wonld now be considered
a toy house — 12x12 feet in dimension —and in these modest surround-
ings he and his faithful wife were content to remain 'till their industry
rewarded them with more commodious quarters. The farm was
improved commensurate with their ability and they were happy in
their surroundings 'till a conflagration visited them in 1002 and
destroyed their barns and grauaries, containing their farm imjjlenu^nts
and vehicles, a blow which was almost paralyzing in its consequences.
But, nerved to the occasion, Mr. Thomas proceeded immediately to
rebuild and the destruction of yesterday is ri'placed by the re-creatiou
of todav.
Mr. Thomas is an admirable <iti/,en, obliging, agreeable aud easily
ai)]iroachable by all. These and other traits account for his wide
j)opulaiity. He is disposed to look always on the bright side of things,
aud while In^ suffers from the pangs of misfortune, melancholy never
seizes him and, encouraged and cheered by his constant companion — -
his wife — life is as sweet to him under adversity as under prosperity.
His farm, which is in the proven oil and gas belt of Cherryvale, has
become valuable aud he is surrounded liy many luxuries of life.
Iu ])olitics, Mr. Thmuas is a Republican aiul he has served his town-
ship as Justice of the Peace. He is an Odd Fellow and a Rebekah and
served Cherivvale Lodye of the former for twelve vears as :\ Trustee.
He is also a 'Modern Woodman.
W. E. WOHTMAX. editor of tliat siirightly weekly journal, the Elk
City Enterprise, and the efficient postmaster of that jirosperous village,
the gentleman named herein combines qualities which make him a most
popular citizen. His connection with Kansas affairs began two dec-ades
ago, since which time he has been a firm supporter of its institutions,
and of the local communitv in which he cast his lines.
On the lOth of October, 1001. the citizens of Elk City were called
on to mourn the death of one of her old soldier citizens, a man whom
they had learned to revere for his many noble qmilities and for the
sterling character of his citizenship among them. This gentleman
\v;is iIm fallicr of the subject of this sketch, Jacob (i. Woiliuiui. Mr.
WOrhnaii was a native of the P.ucke.ve State and there <;iew to man-
hood, Icaininj; the trade of a shoemaker. At the breaking out of the
Civil War lie was following his trade in Marion county. Ohio, and there
enlisted as a jirivate soldier, .luly (i, IStU, in Co. "E." !>(Jth O. V. I.
This regiment became a part of the Thirteenth Army ('orjis, and was
seni to the southwest, where, during the war, it saw most ti-ying service.
Jt cri..ssed the bridge at Cincinnati with the full complement of 1,100
men; it ictiuTied three years later with less than three hundred to tell
the story of those three years of suffering and privation, endured
uncoiii|ilaiiiingly for the honor of "Old Glory." After i)articipating in the
battle of Arkansas Post, Mr. Wortnuin was at the siege of Vicksburg,
afti-r wliiili 1 ngaged in the Ked River campaign. It was in this
campaign that the regiment suffered such terrible loss, in one battle
losing every line otWcer but one. In this same battle Mr. Wortnuni
had several marvelously close calls, at one time having his mustache
shaved by a bullet as clean as if by a razor, his clothes juerced in two
difterent places, and a lock of his hair cut from the top of his head;
this latter incident ever after reconciled him to his rather diminutive
height, as, if lie had been an inch tallei- the wound would have been a
fatal one. After ihis cami)aign the regiment went via New Orleans to
Mobile where it paiticiiiated in the fall of that city and the sieges of
Forts M<.igaii and Spanish.
After his T-eturn home, Mr. W'ortmaii <(i}it
tiade in Ohio until 1881, when he settled in IClk
vears before his death he conlinned to jiiy his
failing, he gave u\> the bench and heli.ed about t
felling to wear out rather than rust out.
.1. (!. Woiliuan was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October li.'!,
is;;."i, and in ISIU, was joined in marriage to the lady who now survives
him, nee .Miss Harriet L. Warwick, daughter of John Warwick. To
the marriage were Ii.uti : W, F.., our subject; nuldah I.., now Mrs. O. 1 >.
AVright, a farmer „f this ((Miiity; children— Hazel. Jacob, Paul and
Waller; Sadie M., wife of Prof. ("aslilh> of the county high school;
.iiildreii -William, Harriet. Elizalteth and John; Wayne J., of Flk City,
iiiaiiied Inez Easley; one child — Irene.
Tl Idest of 'this family, W. E. Wortiiian, was born in Marion
comity. Oliio, .laiiiiaiy lit, ISCi". He lereived a good common scho(d
ediiralioii and at an early age was a[i|ireiitired to the printing trade
ill the olliri' of the Caledonia Argus, where he remained five years. H(^
I hen caiiK' to Kansas with the family, and after working at the case four
or live years, bniighl the Enterprise. I'nder his management this
joiiiiial has lie.oiiii- s(Hiiething more than a mere chronicle of the news
of the roiiiiiiiiiiily and is a credit to the town. In February of 18!t8,
Mr. Wort man was a[iiioinled [lostmaster of Elk City and has since
Hied to work a
t hi
"ifv, \\here until
1W'
■ocation. His h
call
11' iiiiiiting otiice
. iii<
JOSEPH H. NORRIS AND FAMILY.
ry, KANSAS. 799
He livf's with, and cares
. ' :< ..,) ,i)is( infancy gavi*
ifo singly u,nd
* * *
« t- #
■AWAY. ins sou. '
Island ill 1804. I!
to thai <9ta!'' iviic-
Indiana, the famllv havinfj remoA-ed
':? T.'ars. [To lived in Dearboni and
• "Jraut county, Wis.
lluT, Sarah Ward,
.r ' y I t ii
■• « « *
- i « ^
3? € *
^ « i «
;1 «.« * « t
f # « * ^
4 i
i # ^
Vw...
Hi
■
JOSEPH ;■
i<erved with entire satisfaction to the patrons. He lives with, and cares
witli singnhir devotion for, the mother who in his earliest infancy gave
lier hnsband to his coiintrv and fought the battl(> of life singly and
JOSEPH Hl'RLBUET NORRIS— Among the worthy and repre-
sentative citizens of the county engaged in agriculture is Mt. Joseph H.
Norris, who, since 1876, has cultivated the farm on which he now
resides, six miles due <'ast of Independence. Mr. Norris is a gentleman
of fine education and training, having for a number of years in his
early life been an educator of no mean reputation in the good old
Hoosier State. He has done much through the intervening years to
encourage the establishment of good schools in the county, and has used
his influence at all times in the amelioration of the ills of his fellowmen.
Mr. Xorris conies of excellent patriot stock, his grandfather Joseph
Xoriis having been one of the ^Minute Men of the Revolution. He lived
in Long Island at that time and later moved out to Charleston, West
Virginia. He Anally settled in Boone county, Ind., where he passed
away. His son, Joseph, the father of our subject, was born in Long
Island in 1804. He was reared in Indiana, the family having removed
to that state when he was a lad of 12 years. He lived in Dearborn and
Jefferson counties and in 1834, Josejjh removed to Grant county, Wis.
In Dearborn county h(> married our subject's mother, Saiah Ward,
and whose premature death in 1850, caused the father to return to
Boone county, Ind., then the residence of Joseph, Sr.
Our subject was then a lad just entering his 'teens and he passed
tlie remainder of his adolescent period in attendance on the district
schools. He was then sent to Asbury (now the famous Del'auw)
University, and later to the academy at Thorntown, then presided
over by John C Ridi)ath. wlio afterward became famous as a historian.
At the age of twenty he left this institution and entered the school-
room as a teacher and for many years pursued this vocation with
unusual success. Believing that Kansas had in store for him a better
field, he, in 1876, left the ferule to others, and coming to Montgomery
county j)urchased the land on which he now resides. Nearly thi'ee
decades of patient and unremitting toil, together with intelligent hus-
banding of his resources, has placed him in comfortable circumstances,
and he is now able to take life more easily. As before intimated, Mr.
Norris has been a most potent factor in the development of the county
and is held in great favor by a large circle of friends. Formerly a
Republican, he has since 1890, voted and worked with the Populist
party. While a Republican, he was elected to the legislature and was
a member at the time the first ]irohibition law was passed. In 1800. he
•was elected cleric of the district courl by tli<' Popnlisl jiarty.
Mary (".(udoii. (iaii};ht(M- of Kichai-d and Sarah (iordoii. a faiiiHM-
of l>niia ("n-ck Twp., lu'camc (lie wifV of our .losc])h 11. Noi-tis in ISSl.
This huiy lived hut a short time after i^iviii^ birtli to a son, Oscar M.
by iiaiiic. and wlio, at nineteen years, suffered deatli by drowniuj; in
tile Si. Croi.x river. He was a manly boy and his death cast a deeji
f;h.oni over I he household. The death of his mother occurred in Feb-
ruary of ISS-J, and ill 1SS4. ^Ir. Noris hroiij;ht to ]ueside over his h(mie
.Miss Dorolliy .\.. dauj;hter of Gilberl and Jlary (Pool) Domiuy. The
latter is now deceased, but her husband resides in lnde])endence. hav-
ing been foi- many years one of llie lioiiored yeomen of 1he c(mnty.
Mrs. Norris is tiie' iiMitlier of lliree bii-hi clMldreii— Sarah, seventeen;
Katie, tifleeii. and -losepli. eleven years of ai;c.
■ l.XCor. !-. \'.\\ DV.XK — Tile family which is here named has been
|u-omiiieiitly and liomuahly associated with the devel()]mient of Mont-
.<>omei.\ county for nearly fi>iir decades, the i;entlenian whose name
ajipears above liavinj;- come to the county with his jiarents as a four-
teen year old boy, in the year lS(i!). Since that dale they liave been
ideiitilied with the firowth and i)i-os]ierity of the county and have
always j;iven their voice and vole to the best measures of i^oveinmeiit
Id-ojiosed to be ailopted in their local communily.
The \aii Dvnes are Iloosier Stale people, where, in Wells Co., John
and Kleanor i li(mdeyslielU \'an l>yne reared their family, dolin Van
Dviie was .1 native Of Ohio, born .luiie I'S, I.SIS. Eleanor, the wife,
vviis born there November 2:;, 1S17. To these ]iarents were born eleven
children as follows: Christopher, b<uii, .March S. \i>:i7, now deceased;
Frances, born .Inly L'f., ]s:!S, married Cornelius Truax and live.s in
< Columbus. Indiana; Mary, born February li'_', 1S4(I, is now deceased;
Klizabeth, born .lanuarv l'(>, fS42, lives in .Missouri, the wife of Joseph
Xeriiis; Sara .\nii, born December 1, 1S4:{, lives in Oklahoma City, the
wife of .losejih S]iencer; Xancv -V., born February i:i, 1S4(), married
.lames Xeriiis and both are deceased; Matthew .M.. born April 5. 1847,
is a farmer <if j.iherly townshi]); f.ydia. horn May l.".. lS4f|. is deceased;
<'viitliia !•:.. born .lanuarv 1."), isni. is deceased; .bdiu (i.. born May 7,
isn:;, is deceased; .lacob'L.. our subject; William II.. Ixun .\iuil fL'lh,
]SC)I>. and .lames, born Feb. Kith, ISIil^.
.la<-oli \'aii Dyne was born in Wells couiily, Indiana, Auj;ust 1ft,
IS.").". .\s staled he came to Kansas with his paicnls. who lo<-ated two
miles from .Mr. \'an DyiieV |nesent home, and where he was reared to
man's estate. lie remaine<l on llie Ikmiic farm until his marriage,
February ll, IS7(;, ti> .Martha C.. daiij^liter of .loliii and Delilah (Reed)
Sjiickard. .Mrs. \'an Dyne's iiarenis were natives of Kentucky, inunoving
lo Meiier Co., .Miss(Miri, where Mis. \'an Dyne was born on the 17tli
MaiJison, IihI.; .Iciiiiic S., Kdwiu I{.. of K:is( SI. l.ouis. 111., aud Mrs.
licllarny.
Mr. and Mrs. lii'llam.\ and thoir cnlirt* lamilv aie active membors
of the Methodist church and their couneclion with tlie social life of
the community is most helj)fnl and n]jliftin;;. They are the recipients
of nniveisal regard from a laijic circle of friends, whom they delight
W. K. I'KATT, bookseller and stationer of Independence, and for
several yeais a member of the city council, is a .young man of sterling
integrity, whose connection with the business aud social life of the city
has been of a character to make him many steadfast friends. He came
to the city in 1899, and has been in the stationery and book business
since that date.
Kentucky is the native state of Mr. Pratt, liis birth occurring in
Madisonville, Hopkins county. May 1(5, 1871. His parents, Cliftou J.
and t^arah M. Pratt, still reside in the "Blue (Jrass State," where the
father is Attorney-General of the state, having been elected on the
Republican ticket in 1899. Judge Pratt was among the loyal people of
the "Blue Grass State" who stood by the I'nion during the Civil War,
he entering the union army as a courier early in the struggle, and, as
soon as he had attained the proper age, became a full fledged soldier.
He was in the service during the entire period of tlie war, ending witli
Sherman's march to the sea. Upon his return he studied law and has
since been connected with the courts of the state. He was for five
years Judge of the 2nd Judicial District of the state, and served one
term in the state senate prior to his election to the judgeship.
W. R. Pratt is one of two living children. His preliminary
scholastic training was secured in tlie schools of his native town to
which was added advanced work at Eureka, 111. He entered upon his
business career as Associate Editor of the Eriington, Ky., "Bee," but at
the expiration of a year opened a bookstore in liis native town, where
he continued until his removal*to Independence. He keeps a large line
of stationery and such goods as are usually found in a well-regulated
book store, and his shelves are filled with the latest and best in liter-
ature. Indeed, it is remarked that citizens of few towns of the class
represented by Independence have so com]ilete a stock from which to
select their reading matter.
Since his identification with tlie cily. Mr. I'ratI has taken an active
and helpful interest in its progress. He is an ardent Republican in
politics, and is prominent in the councils of tliat party in the different
local campaigns. In 1901, he was elected to represent the 4th ward in
the governing body of the city, tlie character of his seivice having been
eminently satisfactory to his coustitui'Uts. He is a member of the
Christian clinicli, anil is opon handed in his support of worthy chari-
tabh^ entcrprisi's.
Tho domestic life of our subject dates from June 2fi, 189:1, when he
■was joined in marriage with Miss Helen, daughter of J. S. Whittinghill
and Genoa Frances Gooch. The mother died Feb. 2n, 1881, and the
father resides in St. Joe, Mo.
Mrs. Pratt is a true type of the southern born woman, hospitable
and social to a degree, and possessing that instinctive knowledge of
society and social customs so necessary in the pi'esent day hostess. Her
three children are Florence E., Clifton J., Jr., and W. K., Jr.
JOHN WALLICK— Away back among the pioneers of 1870, there
came to Montgomery county John Wallick, of West Cherry township,
the subject of this sketch. " He had journeyed across the Mississippi
valley from the Prairie State by team and wagon and, after a month
of weary trudging and anxiety, reached the Verdigris River in Mont-
gomery county, Kansas, where settlement was made. For a small con-
sideration William Hendricks was induced to relinquish his claim right
to bis one hundred and twenty acres in section 20, township 31, range
16. and this tract became the first home of our new sctlh'rs and formed
the nucleus of their present extensive domain.
In that early time the widely scattered settlements of the frontier
granted unrestricted liberty and license to the evil doer, and while
most pe(i])le were engaged in the legitimate arts of peace there were
lazy and worthless Indians and occasional dens of thieves afflicting
the honest toiler. These forays of the midnight prowler kept com-
munities in a state of constant dread, for no respectable settler and
])roperty owner felt sure of exenijjtiou from their attack. Their hiding
places were in out-of-the-way places along the river or back in the
blufl's and the plunder of every des(ri])ti(in that found its way to "Hell's
Bend" or to the wigwam of some worthh>ss Red Skin would have been
the envy of "William Sikes"' in Oliver Twist. Hell's Bend was the
rendezuous of a band of dcsjicradoes and was situated near the lionie
of Mr. \\':illiil;. Some of his iicighbois belonged to the band and five
of thcni scpvimI Iciiiis for ihc illegal ]iart they took in aii]iroi)riating
other jicople's ino|)c'ily. Chief "Sun Down,"' 'of the Osages, had his
liahil:.lion near, lor a lime, and became a familiar figtir(> over the town-
ship as well as al llie home of John Wallick.
The lirst habitation of Mr. Wallick in Kansas was a 12x14 cabin
which was on the farm when he .selUed lliere. This sufficed the family
as a residence "til! some time in 1S72, when a more pretentious box
house was built which, in turn, was the abiding ]ilai'e of the household
until 1882, when the commodious home of the ],re.sen1 was ere<ted.
Farming claimed the attention of our subjeet from first to last. His
early training came to him from parents fnll of rural indiislTial aitivity
and the heart of the son was laid upon the possession of a fai'iii, in fee
simi»lo. and the product of his own hand. The intelligence with which
lie builded in Kansas is revealed in the possession of an estate of three
hundred and seventy acres and its splendid improvement and in the
general substantiality of his business connection.
John Wallick is a native of Madison county, Oliio. tvhere he was
born October 14, 1838. He is of (Tcrman lineage, his grandfather,
Michael Wallick, having migrated to the Ignited States as a young
man — from some (ieiinan state — and settled in Bedford county, Penn-
sylvania. The Keystone State remained his home afterward and there
he pursued the calling of a blacksmith and farmer. His family num-
bered eight children, as follows: Andrew, Philip, Henry, Michael,
Elizabeth. Ann, Charlotte, and Samuel. The sons were soldiers in the
War of 1812, and Samuel, our subject's father, married Susan Silver and
left his native county of Bedford in Pennsylvania, when young in years,
and settled in Madison county. Ohio. They were the parents of ten
children, namely: Richard, deceased; Asa, Michael, Charlotte, Mrs.
Elizabeth Silver, of Fulton county, Illinois; John, of this notice; Wil-
son S., of Seward county, Nebraska; Samuel, of Bushnell, Illinois;
Mrs. Mary J. Everly, of Prairie City. Illinois, and AllMM-t M., wlio died in
infancy.
Tn 1843, Samuel Wallick brought his family farlher west and located
in Fulton Co., Illinois. Here Jolin was leared with other children and
secured a f;iir education. He had accumulated a little projierty when
he decided to become a .settler and a citizen of Kansas but the achieve-
ment of his life came to him as a citizen of the Sunflower State.
July 4, 1870, Mr. Wallick married Amanda Markley, a native Fulton
county, Illinois, lady, and a daughter of Conrsid and Ruth (Foster)
Markley; the i)areuts native Ohio jieople. Four children are the issue of
this marriage, viz: Lillian, wife of J. W. licit, with a child, Leroy
Ivan; Samuel L., Conrad and Rulh still with the family home.
Mr. Wallick has ((intentcd himself with being a (]uiet, industrious
citizen. He has tilled the offices of Clerk and Treasurer of his township
and served many years on the district school board. His wife is a mem-
ber of the Jlethodist chui<h and he holds a membership in the Ancient
Order of Fnited W<Mkiiien and in the Knights and !,adies of Security.
SOPHRONIA HEXDKRSOX— The family of which .Mrs. Sojihronia
Henderson is now the head came to the county in 1870. and settled
where she now resides, in \^'est Cherry township. Section 8, Range IC.
Mrs. Henderson has attained the ripe old age of eighty-two years,
having been born in \\y*lie c(niiily. Xa.. July 1. lSl!1. Iler paternal
grandfather was l.eimard P.inwii a native of the same state, and whose
cliildn'ii \ver<>: David, Kli, Andrew, Kalliarini-, F-lizahctli aud ►Sarah. The
son Andrew married Susannah Leonai-d, iif the same county, and
thiujihter of Adam and FJiy.aiieth Leonard, Ohl Dominion State people,
'Potliemwei-ehoiii : Sophronia, l']iizabeth (Ilammons), Joseph W., James,
John, Man- (Coshwilleil and Sena, wife of Henry Hilderbrand.
Mrs. Henderson left \'irginia when a child of eight years with her
parents, who settled in Johnson county, Ind. Here Sophronia was
reared to womanhood and in 1839, married Thomas Henderson. This
gentleman was a native of Hendricks county, Ky., and was the son
of William and Patsy (Raker) Henderson. After their marriage they
were residents of Johnson county until the date of their settlement in
Montgomery, 1870. Here Thomas bought from an Indian of the name
of Barnaby 1(50 acres, paying for it |S0(». It was without improve-
ments save a double log cabin, and in this the family resided some
seven years. As ju'osjierity attended their eft'orts they erected the
present comfortable home, and where Mi-. Henderson died, on the ."ith
of Sept., 1894.
The following are the childien and grand children o(^ Mrs. Hender-
son: Susannah married Strand Henderson of Jlontgomery county, and
has seven children, as follows: John married May Madden, whose
children are Ethel and John. Daniel married Luella Newell and is the
father of Ella, Iva and Cora. Frank's children are: Maud, Mary, William
and Murray, who nmrried Millie ('. Foster, children Marion, I'red and
two others. Then comes in order Anda. deceased, Eddie and t'ynthia.
James F., now deceased, married Harriet Deboe, who became the
m(>ther of Thomas, whose wife was Nancy Gilkey and whose children
are: May. Alice, Floyd and Sophronia; Albert married and has one
child, Etta, wife of Phett Churchill, her five children are: Elsie, Mabel,
Han;., Virgil and Chester. William lives in the Indian Territory. He
married Elizabeth Cokendiver and his children are: All>ert, Adelbert,
Frank, Lucy and Sena Ann. Jane is the wife of Janu^s ("ampbell,
Montgomery county, whose children are Sophronia, who married Hart
IJowers, and has Earl and Edwin; Mary, wife of (Jeorge (Joshwiller; two
childien — Hertha and Zelma; William, whose wife's name was Jessie
Bowers and whose children are: Eugenia. Slelhi and .Mary; Lizzie, Mi"s.
John Nary, wlmsc rhildren are: OIlie, Ethel. William and Mary. Flor-
ence. Mrs. Filkins, lias Earl and Fred. Angeline Wells has Dora aud
Marshall. John and Luther complete Jane Caniiibell's family.
-Mrs. Alice \'erbrick. the sixth child, lives in this cnnntv with her
children. Thomas and Frederick.
Mrs. Anna \. Madden, the voungest. also has two ehildr.Mi. Charles
W. and Elsie.
H. W. YOUNG.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS. 807
HEXRY WILSON YOUNG was born at Northvilk-, Suffolk coiiuty,
"New York. December 17th, 1847. His father was Noah Wilson Young,
whose life was spent in farming at his Long Island home. His grand-
father was raj)tain Noah Young, who, with his militia company, partici-
pated in one of the engagements of the War of 1812, and who served
as a member of the New York legislature in the early thirties, as a col-
league of Jlillard Fillmore, who afterward became president. The
family was of English descent and traced back to Reverend John Young,
who came from Connecticut to Long Island about KilO, and was the
spiritual adviser of the first settlers at the east end of the island.
The mother of the subject of this sketch was Dcncy Jane (Luce)
Young, daughter of Hallock Luce. The Luce family is said to have
been originally of French extraction, but had been in England since
the Normau conqu<'st. Mrs. Young's mother was Sarah Fanning, who
was of Irish extraction, while Mr. Young's paternal grandmother was
a Reeves, and of Dutch descent.
Noah W^ Young's family consisted of six children, all of whom
are living. Henry W. was the eldest and the only one who had any
disposition to roam, or ever made a home five miles away from the
paternal domicile. The others were: Drusilla J., Edna A. (Hallock),
Lcander E., Daniel R., and Sarah K. (Hallock.)
The homestead on which the family lived is on fhe north shore of
Long Island, only a mile from Long Island sound, and about two and a
half miles from Peconic Bay, which here bisects the island. It is a farm
of a hundred acres, which w:is pnichased prior to the war of the revolu-
tion by Rufus Young, great-grandfather of Henry W., and has been ever
since in ])oss('ssioii of tlic familv, Ix'ing now the prop<'rtv of his voungest
brother, Daniel R. '
"Henry Wilson," as he was known aiiKing liis school males, to dis-
tinguish him from other Henrys, obtained his education in the district
schools and at Northville Academy, which he attended in the winter
until seventeen years of age, being engaged in farm work during the
summer months, after his twelfth year. In 1865, when eighteen years
old, he engaged in teaching school, at Aquebogue, Long Island, where
his father had taught many years before. His mother was also a school
teacher. '
In 1S6S, having gone through the necessary, prepai'atory studies, he
entered Washington college, Lexington, Virginia, but owing to poor
healtli. did not remain there long. In the fall of 1870, he took a steamer
trip to New Orleans, and from there went out into Texas with a view
to locating, hut not finding the country to his liking, returned to New
York. The summers of 1871-'72 and '73, he devoted very largely to the
study of botany and the identification of the indigenous species of
plants growing on the eastern end of Long Island. In this work he
was associated with Elihu S. Miller, of Wading River, and, together, in
SOS HISTORY OF MONTOOMEKY CUVISLX, KAINBAa.
1S74. ihf.v imhlisluMl a paniiililct contaiiiiii'' a coinidete list of the uative
Mora of f^uUolk county.
On account of bis health, in the fall of 1S72, he set sail iu the bark
Adaline C. Adams for Rio Janeiro, Brazil. Yellow fever was prevailing
there at the time of his arrival, about Christmas; and before his return
he sutfered an attack of that disease and was cared for in a hospital
where none of the attendants spoke a word of English. The return voy-
age was made by way of Cuba, where a month was spent at Cienfuegos
iu loading with a cargo of sugar.
In the summer of 1874, he was again seized with the desire to follow
Horace Greeley's advice to "go west and grow up with the country."
If^peaking of Greeley is a reminder that he received the news of Greeley's
death by flag signals, away south of the equator, from a swifter sailing
vessel, a mile away, that had left New York a week later than the
"Adaline C. Adams,"' and which passed the latter in the neighborhood
of the Brazilian penal settlement of Feinando de Noronha, a rocky and
mountainous islet wIkm-c tlic had iicoidc nf (hat ciupire expiated their
crimes.
This time he went to Chicago, and liimi tlicrc out to Ocjuawka,
Illinois, a moribund town on the .Mississip|ii, wliere he visited Harry N.
Patterson, a botanical corresiK)ndeiil. Tattcrson was a printer, and
whiling away the time in the village piintiug ofWce, the young man
from the east got to dabbling with the tyiies, and settled the problem
of his career before he knew it by drifting into the country newspaper
business. After a winter spent in teaching school at Terre Haute, Hen-
derson county, Illinois, and a suimner triji to (Jeorgetown, Colorado,
where he set type in the office of llic ••( icorgetown Miner," he invested
his savings in the pinchase of a liaif intei-est in the Galva, Illinois,
Journal, of which he became editor. .\ f(^w months later he bought out
his jtartner and became the sole i)roprietor of that paper. He con-
ducted it as an independent journal, although a pronounced partisan
personally, a delegate to Demociatic stati' conventions, a sjieaker at
Democratic meetings and secretary of llie 1 »enioci'atic county central
committee.
\Vhile living at Galva, he was uniied in marriage, January 31st,
1878, to Annie Eliza .\yres, daughter of \'. M. Ayres of that place.
Of this union four children were horn, lleniy Allen, Lawrence Ayres,
Mabel Leone, and .Marian UrMsiihi. Lawrence and Mabel were taken
away by an attack of diphtheria in Ociolier, 1S!I4, at the ages of twelve
and six vears, .\ilen is now associated wilii his father in business
and .Marian gradnaled from I lie Independence city scliools in June,
1 !»(»:!.
Ill .\i)iil, ISSl, Mr. Young removed to Colfeyville, Montgomery
county, Kansas, and established there the "Cotteyville Star."' In October
of tiie same year, the office was removed to Independence and the pai)er
HISTORY OK MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS. Sll
liis politicjil ;i<lv('isari('s th:il tcstilics lo (lie csliiiial ioti in which he i^
h.'hl l.v liis ii.':nvs( iici-iilmis.
WALTER .1. UKAWDON-AitioiifT |h<' Icadiiij; iciJicsciitiitivcs of
(lie agricultural class in Lihcity lownshi]!, Ilic l)i()j;ra|)li('r fouutl the
gentleman above mentioned. lie has already made for himself a i)ei-
manent place in the esteem of the community in w hicli he resides. He
lives on a farm of 160 acres located one mile from the town of Lihei'ty.
Noting briefly the points in the ancestral history of Mr. Keardou,
he is the son of John and Ellen (Ryland) Heai-don. John Reardon was
born near Oswego, New York, in 1S21. and died on the !)th of March,
1875. His wife was born in Shelby county. Tenn., in 1829, and died in
Lafayette county, 5Io., in Jlay. ^*^Sl•. They were nuirried in Iowa and
farmed in that state until IS")!!, when they removed to Jackson county,
Missouri. The fierce political turmoil of that time was such as to
make it an undesirable place of residence and they returned to Iowa,
where they settled at Dubuque, and where they lived until the close of
the war. They then, again, came to Missouri and took up their residence
in Saline county. After two years they removed to Lafayette county
in the same state, where the husband died as stated.
There are four children now living: Ellen, the wife of James Wil-
liver, residing in Lafayette county, Missouri ; the second child was our
subject; the next youngest is John M., who lives in Ray county, Mis-
souri; the youngest is Maggie, who married J. 'SA'. Button, a farmer
living in Oklahoma.
Walter J. Reardon was born in Mills county, Iowa, on the 27th of
March, 1859. He made the different moves with the family as noted
above, receiving his education for the most part in Lafayette county,
Mo. He came to Montgomery county in 1878, and in 1887, married Min-
nie M., daughter of James H. and Harriet (Richards) Tole, farmers of
the township. The family which our subject has reared consists of six
children: Walter Granville, born February 10, 1889; James Donald,
born October 17th, 1891; Allie Ruth, born February 2ud, 1894; Minuie
Beatrice, born April 22nd, 1897; Chester H., born May 2Gth, 1900, and
Yelma, born February 2nd, 190:1 Mr. Reardon aided his mother in the
cultivation of the home farm until April, 1878, when he came to Kansas
and, in 1897, purchased the farm on which he now resides, containing one
hundred and sixty acres. He devotes this laud to general farming
and stock raising and is fast becoming one of the leading farmers of
his section of the county. He is regarded as an authority on matters
of agriculture and is especially noted for his knowledge of good stock.
While a large number of his neighbors have yielded to the solicitation
of the oil and gas companies and have leased their farms for long
periods for gas and oil pui-poses, Mr. Reardon has thought it to be
good policy to withstand siu-h temptations, reasoning that if it is woilli
so much to these companies it is certainly worth more to him. Mr.
Keardon has never taken any very active part in the public life of tin
community but can always be counted on to support by his vote the
j)olicy of the Democratic party. The standing of himself and family in
tlie community is of the best "and the esteem in which they are heUl is
uniform.
nOMER 0VERHEI8ER— The gentleman whose uauu- i.r.cedes this
paragraiih is one of the younger element doing business in the county
seat town of Independence. A teacher of marked ability for a number
of years i)rior to bis engaging in mercantile life, his present flattering
success is all the more creditable, for it is said that the rather hum-drum
existence of the teacher's life unfits one for business. As a member of
the large dry goods house known as Tlie Overheiser-Anderson Mercantile
ComiJany, our subject is making rapid strides toward a leading jtosition
in the business world.
Mr. Overheiser is a Hoosier by nalivily, having tiecn born in Rush
county, April 15, 1865, the son of Charles and Mary J. (Bates) Overheiser.
Both of these parents are natives of Indiana, from which state they
removed in 1885, to a farm in Montgomery county. After cultivating this
farm for a number of years, Mr. Overheiser moved his family into town
and began a mercantile business. This not proving to his liking, lie sold
out and took up the occupation of his youth, that of carpentering, and
in which he is now engaged in the city. Mr. Overheiser is a gentleman
of rugged traits of character which secure him in a high degrt-e the
esteem of his fellow citizens. He and his wife are both members of
the church, he of the Advent and she of the Christian. Besides our
subject, the only other child is a sister, now living with IIkmii in their
home, Mrs. Cora Jones.
Homer Overheiser was educated in the schools of Indiana and Kan-
sas, and after securing all that the district schools were able to give him,
he went for several terms to the State Normal at Emporia. Here he
became enthused with the idea of becoming a teacher and for three
years succeeding, taught successfully in the schools of the state. His
father desiring to quit the mercantile business, it afforded him an
opportunity of leaving the schoolroom, though it can be said with
truth that he left the profession with sincere regrets, having found it
a field much suited to his tastes, and one of which he will ever have
pleasant remembrances. This change in Mr. Overheiser's life occurred
inlS!).'^,and the decade that has passed has opened up a new and enlarged
views of life to him. For two years the father continued to hold an
interest in the business, then the firm name was changed to that of
Overheiser & Anderson by the admission of Mr. Anderson. The present
style of the firm dates from the year 1893. The house carries a very large
stock of dry goods aud notions, shoes and millinery goods and enjoys
a trade second to none in the city. Promjtt aud obliging service, together
with a full guarantee as to the high character of their goods, has built
up a business in which the gentlemen who compose the firm have a
just pride, and to which they are giving their best energies.
Mr. Overheiser is as yet a single man. He holds membership in
the Christian church, in which organization he is an active worlier,
being at the present time one of the Deacons of the church. In fraternal
affiliation he meets with the Modern Woodmen, and politically, aims to
support the best man and the best measures regardless of party. The
esteem in which he is held by all classes in the community is uniformly
high, and judged by the solid character of his past, the future is indeed
one which seems to hold naught but good in store for him.
H. H. HARE — Among the representative citizens of Montgomery
county the author of this volume takes pleasure in presenting the name
of Mr. H. H. Hare, stock buyer and farmer, with residence at Elk City.
He is widely and favorably known in every part of the county and is
justly regarded as one of the most substantial of its citizens.
In passing briefly over the history of the Hare family we note
that it was found in North Carolina, covering an indefinite period up
to the beginning of the 19th century, at which date the father of our
subject, B. F. Hare, moved over into Kentucky,: where he was joined in
marriage to Mary DeBard. He was a farmer by occupation and con-
tinued to till the soil of that state until 1839, when he removed his
family to Illinois, and, later, to Johnson county. Mo. Here Mother
Hare died in 1871, at fifty-one years of age, and a iew years later the
father came to reside with our subject ; his death, occurring in 1894, at
seventy-eight years. These parents are held in blessed memory by their
large family of children, they having been splendid examples of the
proverbial pioneer, upon whose honesty, integrity and patriotism were
built the institutions which are the glory and wonder of the civilized
world. They were both active members of the Methodist Episcopal
church and their home was always open to the itinerant brethern of
that faith. Nothing could surpass the intense feeling of patriotism
exhibited by them during the long struggle over slavery, both prior to
and during the war. They were ready at all times to make any sacrifice
or to bear any burden which might weaken its. hold on the country.
When the dread echoes of "war's harsh tocsin'' reverberated from hill
to dale they freely gave of their life's blood to their country, no less
than five sons and two sons-in-law going to the front in defense of "Old
Glory.'' They were the parents of thirteen children — George \^'., of
Pittsburg, Kansas, who served four years in the ioth 111.; Elizabeth,
Sl4 IIISTOltY or MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
:Mrs. Alcxainlcr MiCnwcii, ni.w d.-ccMscd : Mainiudiikc. a faiiiici- in Mis-
soiiii. will) served eif^liteeii iiioiitlis in llii> same rej;iiiielit as imr subject;
Jiirclla, Mrs. ('as|)ei- (ilotfeldcr, nf lliis idiini.v. whose Imsliaiid served
four years in llie same ref;iment ; Caliieiine. widow of David ( Jlotfelder,
this ('ounty. who also s<'rved in the S(ilh III. Inf.. and died of si.kness at
Nashville in ISC:!; H. H., our subject; .left'eisen, a farmer in .Missouri,
wIh) served thi-ee years iu tlie SCth III. i-ej;imeni; .lam<'s. of I'.looni-
inizloii. III., served in the Uth., III.; Mart;aiei. uidi.w (,f Irvin Come, of
Clinton. Me.: .lernsha, Mrs. David Tallon. ef Sedalia. Mo.; .Mary,
deacesed wife of .hdin Foreman ; .Vuiiiisla of Canev, Kan., and Thnmas
deceased in childho.K).
II. II. Hare was horn in Pciria c<Minly. Hi.. .March !(. 1S4L'. He
allended school and w<trked.oii the honii^ farm nnlil his enlistment in
.\n}iiist of \sr,-2, in Co. "K," SCth III. Inf. He si-rved thronjih tin- entire
war. his discliarf-c at Chicajjo, dating; in -Inm'. ISC.-,. The SC.th became
a pait of the .\riny of Hie Cnnd)erland, and it was tiist under fire at the
lialile of i'ei'r.\ ville. I'.eninniiij; then with Chickaniaiii;a, the lejiinieiit
tellMwed the fortunes «f war throujih the .\tlanta cain]iai<>ii to the sea,
thence lip through the Caroliuas. It was present when Col. .\nderson
jnil "Old (ilory'' back on Ft. Sumpter. and was in line of battle when
.lohnstoii surrendered. It participated in the (Jrand Keview at Wash-
inirtim and then its ni<Miibers, conscious iif liavin<;' done their whole duty
to their cdiintry, turned their faces idward ■•home, sweet home."
TIh' subse(|iient life of (.iir subject has 1 n that of the strai^'ht for-
wai-d i-e|presenlative citizen, faithful In e\cry trust rejiosed in him and
liearin^i' his share of the burdens which snciet,\ im]ioses ii])on its mem-
bers. He fanned in Johnson connty. Mo., fer three years after the war,
tlK'ii ( ame to .Montf^oniery connty, and after ciiltivat inj; a claim for
several years, went to buying; stock. He has, for twenty years, been one
of the largest shippers in the connty and is also interested in farming.
Mary 0., daughter (.f Willis and Achsah (Kinsley) Hall, and a native
of Hamilton county, became the wife of our subject September 2, 1800.
Her jieople were farmers, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother
of Nev,- York State. P.oth are now deceased, the father dying at 54 years
in Hlinois, in ISt;;',, the mother coming out to Kansas, where she died at
the honH> of her daughter in IS'tf), at seventy-si.x years of age. The par-
ents were both highly respected residents of Illinois, and were consistent
members of and workers in the M. E. church. Of their ten children, but
live still survive: Kmma, Mrs. John Jackson, of M'ashingfon; .\nianda,
widow of James Turner, of Denver; Mrs. Hare, Jolm, .\nies and .\lira-
liam, now a resident of California.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hare were Ikmii :> children, as follows: William,
of Elk Citv. married Itosa lUistill— her .liild. .lames Henry; Herbert
H.. a clerk in Elk <;ity; J. W. D.. a sliideiil: .liiiiie, died young, and
Enid, who died in infancy.
Ml-, and Mrs. Hare are helpful members of society in tlieir coni-
iininil.v, always ready to engage in any service looking to the uplifting of
iiiimaiiity. Mrs. Hare is a member of (he M. E. church, while Mr. Hare
attiliatt's witli the W()o<lmen, and is, of course, an honored member of the
(i. A. Iv. In politiial faitli he supports the policies of the Republican
jiarty.
BP:NJAM1N M. KENDALL — To the enterprising spirit of the busi-
ness men of Elk City, is due, in a large measure, the splendid progress
made by that municipality, and it is not hard to divine its future if the
same men continue to shape its affairs. Though not a member of this
business circle many years, the gentlemen above named has proved his
right to be numbered among the most enterprising, and the drug busi-
ness which he conducts so ably, reflects its share of credit on the busi
ness section.
Mr. Kendall is a native Kansan, born in Mitchell county, August
4, 1879, the son of Edwin N. and L. C. Kendall. The parents were na-
tives of New Hampshire, coming to Kansas with the tide of Free State
men who threw themselves into the struggle for freedom with such
zest in the fifties, and who lived to see the state the first to enter the
T'nion free-born by the suffrages of her own people. They settled on a
farm in Mitchell county, where they were, for many years, prominent
in the development of that county in both a moral and material sense.
During the war. Mr. Kendall served in the IDth Kan., Cav., the
regiment which was formed to hunt down the abductors of Mrs. Morgan
and Miss White, an outrage which caused profound excitement at the
time. After a two years' chase, they were finally rescued from their
brutal captors.
Mr. and Mrs. Kendall reared a family of five children, the mother
dying in Beloit in September of 1001. After her death, the father came
to Elk City, where he now resides. They were both consistent adherents
of the Christian Science faith. The names of the children follow: Mary,
Mrs. John Hunter, of Scottsburg, Kansas, children — Crystal, Carl, Cora
and Helen; Herman, of Beloit, Kansas, married Floy Hillman, one child,
Harold; Earl, also of Scottsville, Kansas. He married Martha Carlton,
one child resulting, Carlton; Benj. M., the subject of this sketch, and
Henry, a grocer at Beloit.
The excellent common school system of the state furnished the foun-
dation for the later educational training of Benjamin M. Kendall,
which was continued at the State Cniversity at Lawrence, where he took
the course in pharmacy. After his school days, he embarked in the drug-
business at Independence and continued there until July of 1902, when
he bought the stock of C. H. Kerr, of Elk City and has since done busi-
ness here. Under the name of The Eagle Drug Store, he conducts one
of the bcsi idiaiinarics in tin- county, his vcaily sah's shuwiiij; a licalthy
iucrcasc.
Mr. K('n(hill is widi'-awake to the best interests of his eity. and is
always found ready to take i)art in any work that has for its object its
advancement, either in the line of betler government or material wel-
fare, lie is a member of the Masonic fralernity. Lod^c No. 107, Inde-
I)endence. With his present iKipiilarily witli all classes in his eom-
nuinity and his soundness in bnsiness ])rinci]ile, it is nut hard to prog-
nosticate the future of this young man.
Mr. Kendall was happily married -Inly !>. IIIOI.', to Ida. daughter of
James V. and Mi>ilie Slradley; both daughter and parents natives of
Illinois; the latter now decea.sed.
II. M. SHAFFER— Among the proiuineni and lepresentative citi-
zens of Elk City, is R. M. Shaffer, grain and coal deah-r. His connec-
tion with the bn'siuess interests of the town dates back to lS!t2, and prior
to that he had been one of the leading farmers of the county for thirteen
veais. Thiee decades of circumspect living in a community gives a man
a most powerful influence in shaping its moral and civic life, and thus
the biograjdier found Mr. Shartei a most projjer subject for a volume de-
voted to the history of the men who have made Montgomery what she
is to-day — among the best counties in the state.
Alliens county, Oliio, was the i)lace of the birth of Mr. Shatter and
July 11, 1S4(>, the date. He had not yet finished his school days when
the' roll of the drum tired his young and couiageous heart to volunteer
for the defense of Old (Jlory, and right valiantly did he carry himself
during the four long years of that sanguinary conflict. He enlisted
three different times and served in all. three yeais and lhr<M- months.
His first enlistment was in Co. "H," S7t h (I. \'. 1.. .May l-'.'i. ISilii. This
regiment became a part of the Army of the I'otoinac. and was stationed
at Harper's Ferry. It had .scarcely got its Iwarings when the Confeder-
ates appeared in force and captured the whole post. The munitions of
war seemed the only part of their capture they cared to keep, and the
regiment was parcded en masse on the 17th of September. Res(dved to
see more of the war, our subject, in October, om-e luore enlisted, this
time in Co. "A," 12!Hli O. V. I., a regiment which was jiart of HurnsideV
corps and whose first engagement was at <'uinberland Caji, Tenn. His
term of service e.\])iring March IS, IStU. Mr. Shalfer again enlisted, Co.,
"A,"' of the :!Stli O. V. I., enrolling him as a private soldier. He served
in the snpjily depiU'tment of Shernum's army in the Atlanta campaign
until the fall of that city, and then joining ilie victorious l(>gions of that
general, made the march to the sea, and u|i to the scene of the final sur-
render. With his battle-scarred comiianioiis. he |)articipated in that
(Jrand Review which has never ceased to he the subject of jieii and story,
R. M. SHAFFER.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS. SI 7
autl tlicu took iiart in that other sublime si)Octafh' which has hccn tlic
woiuler of the ages — the peaceful disintefiration of a victorious ai-uiy
and its quiet return to civic life.
A fanner for three years, a section foreman on a railroad for four, a
husbandman on his own land for seven more, all in Ohio, broujiht our
subject to 1871). the date of his coming to Montgomery county. He
bought land near Elk City and engaged in farming >intil 1802, when he
lemoved to town and entered upon the business he now conducts.
During his residence in the county, Mr. Shatter lias been z<'aious in
forwai'ding its interests, serving in ditterent offices of trust in his school
disti'ict, and since his residence in town has been continuously a meuiber
of the common council. He and his family are active workers in the
Christian church, of which he is an Elder. Fraternally he attiliates with
the Masonic order, and is a ])rominent member of the (J. A. K., of the
local post of which organization he has been Comnuinder continuously
for nine years. Politically, he supports the jiolicies of the Republican
party.
Noting family his((uy l.Helly. Mr. Shaffer is a son of William 11., and
Ann McNeal Shulfer, natives of the Keystone State. After their mar-
riage they moved to Ohio, settling in Athens county, where the father
passed the renuiinder of his life. He was a farmer and occupied a lead-
ing position in the community. He died August 7, 18f>6. He was a
member of the Missionary Baptist church; the wife is a member of the
Christian church and now resides in Elk City, a much venciatcd and
loved woman, at the advanced age of eigbtv veais.
The familv is as follows: Our subject," K. M.; David W., of Salem,
Ohio: .Martha .)., Mrs. William P. Herrv, of Lamj.asas. Texas; .John H..
of Elk Cilv; Asbnrv H.. of Marseilles. HI.; Pox (Vlenda. of Elk Citv;
Ami (\, of Chauncey. O. ; Andrew :\I.. of Oakland, 111.; Ceorge W., of
Brushy Fork, 111.
On the 20th of Jlay, ISdC. Mr. Shatfer was joined in marriage with
Miss Mary L., a daughter of Wm. H. and Elizabeth (Roach) Powell, of
Morgan county, Ohio. :\Irs. Shatter's father was killed at the battle of
the Wilderness, the mother dying in 18.50. There were two children be-
sides R. M.: Riley E., of Chauncey, Ohio, and Maxwell G., of Burton, Ks.
To the marriage of our subject have been born: Azra W., a minister and
singing evangelist of the Christian church; Charles B., deceased; Flora
M., deceased; Lizzie, deceased; Ollie I., Mrs. Ora Fitzgerald, of Elk City;
Mamie M., Mrs. C. D. Close, of Neal Kan.; Nannie, deceased, and Elza R.,
of Elk Citv.
DANIEL ]*A INTER— Not many men have the distinction of having
brought their house with them when they came to Kansas, but that
seems to hare been true of the gentlnian whose name is herewith given.
On the lltli. of March, 1885, Daniel Painter hinded in Independence,
brinfi'int; with him the lumber out of which was built the "liuckeye
House,"' the well-known hostelry on Twelfth and Railroad streets, and of
which Mr. I'ainter was projirietor for a number of years. This lumber
had been sawed by our suhjrit away hack in Ohio, hence the name. The
Buckeye House.
Daniel I'ainter was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 13, 1844, and
is a son of John and Susannah (Fair) I'ainter, both pioneers to Ohio from
the "Keystone State." They belonfj,ed to the sturdy farming class who
came to Ohio early, and, by dint of hardest toil, carved out a home in the
white oak forests of Wayne county. They became influential and promi-
nent factors in the political, social and religious life of the county, both
being leading members of the Evangelical Association church, their
liome being frequently used for meetings of that denomination. Both
parents lived to a good old age, the father dying in 1881, at eighty-six,
and the mother Dec. 26, 1901, at eighty-four. They reared four cliildren ;
Elizabeth, Mrs. Samuel Richard, Wayne county, Ohio; David, who died
of consumption in 1804, at the age of thirty-two, resulting from the ex-
l)osures of army life in over-exerting himself in caiiyiug the dead and
wounded from a boat, wading in water up to his shoulders. David
enlisted in Co. "E," 120th O. V. I., and served in (he Traus-Mississiiii(i
army. On the Red River expedition, he took cold and, after a time in llic
hospital, came home to die; Samuel, of Sheridan county, Mo., and Daniel.
I he subject of the sketch. These were children of a second marriage, the
fathers' tirst wife having been Susan Brenker, to whom were born six
children — William, deceased; Jacob, Catherine, Mrs. John S. Byers;
Susannah, Mrs. John Rice; Mary, deceased; John, of Wayne county,
Ohio. Of this family Jacob had rather a remarkable career. He was
one of the eiuliest of the '49ers, and while at work in the gold field, had
many thrilling experiences with the Indians, having engaged in twenty-
seven jiitched battles with the "varmints," it being necessary to work
with his ritie always in reach. The family finally lost track of him, and
in ISfili. his hrother John started to look him x^). After suffering many
hardships in the wilds of the mountains, he tinally located him in Silver
City, and induced him to return home.
The first event of importance in the life of our subject, after his
school days, was his enlistment in the Civil War at the age of eighteen.
He becanie a private soldier of Co. "E,'' 120th O. V. I., and served faitli-
fiiily until October 14, 18G5, his discharge dating at Houston, Texas. His
regiment vv;is made a ])art of the Trans-Mississippi army, and saw much
of the hard service which was the lot of the I'nion troops in the swamps
and miasmatic country of the southwest. He was in seven pitched
battles — Chickasaw Bluff, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Siege of Vicks-
burg, Jackson, Snaggy Point and Fort Blakely. Ujjon returning home,
he engaged exclusively in farming for a time, and then purchased a saw-
He belonged to that class of early abolitionists whose effoils kept the
question of slavery before the nation until it had become so national
in its character that its settlement became an absolute necessity. He
was an active supporter of the "Underground Railroad," and on its rough
roadway helped manj' a black patriot to freedom. He lived to the ripe
a^r (if s(\(iii\-four years, dying in 187C. The wife had preceded him in
ISCiS, hir ■.\iir being sixty-four. Thirteen children were born to them, tin;
live living being: our subject; Rachel, Mrs. Samuel Hobson; Rebecca,
Mrs. Jos. H. Mills; John C, of Indianapolis, and Cornelius L., of Moore-
ville, Ind. Those deceased were : Steven, Matthew, Jabez, Mary, Jona-
than, James, Amos and Levi.
S. Comer was reared amid the quiet and correct influences of a
Quaker home, whose spirit of justice, equality and patriotism was early
infused into his nature by precept and example. Tbe boys of the family
were taught trades, there being four carpenters and one painter. Mr.
Comer, at seventeen, went to Iowa with his parents where, for three*
years, he worked on a farm. He then took up the carpenter's trade, and
though he had never served a regular apprenticeship, his lifelong
familiarty with tools enabled him to soon become a finished workman.
He worked in Henry county, Iowa, until 1871, and in February of that
year came to Elk City. He remained here but a short time, however,
as an opening offered in the Territory in the Government Indian service,
and proceeding there at once, remained for a period of five years. He re-
members this period of his life with much satisfaction, as his influence
among the Indians was such as to make them very tractable and docile.
On account of his growing family', he concluded to again get back to
civilization, and, buying a farm in Chautauqua county, in 1876, began a
strictly agricultural life. He cultivated this farm until 1887, when he
sold it and purchased a quarter section in Salt Creek township, which
he still owns. He continued to reside there until 1897, and then came
to live in town, where he works at odd times at his trade, on the princi-
ple that "it is better to wear out than rust out."
In the different communities in which he has lived, Mr. Comer has
been true to the best conceptions of civic duty, has served on school
boards and in tbe various offices necessary in the conduct of any well-
regulated community. He married, March 24, 1858, Sarah A., daughter
of Peter and Rachel J. Hobson. Mrs. Comer was a native of Iowa and
is one of eleven children. Her people were of the Quaker faith, and very
active workers, the father having been at one time a missionary among
the Indians. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years, the wife
dying at the age of seventy.
Mr. and Mrs. Comer had seven children born to tliem as follows:
Peter H., who died at twenty-four years; Xettie J., now Mrs. R. S. Thorn-
burg; Rachel, who married J. W. Lewis, of Sedan, Kansas, and has four
children — Jessie, Brent, Kent and Dale; Maria L., Mrs. W. D. Riley, wife
S>r2 IIISTOIiV OF MONTUOMKRY CorX-iY. KANSAS.
(if ;i Cliiniinuiiiia i(ninly filmier, throp cliildri'ii- M;nllKi S.. Xcltio K.,
Miui .M;irir; .\iiii:i L..\v!i(i died in infiiiicx ; llcihcil S..;i siirrcssful ifaclitM-
in CiiiMilaiHiua ,„uu\\ : .l.iscpli II.. a stud.Mil in ilic Siaic N..i-ni;il School
;U EniiKiiia. wlicic lie is titfiii}'- himself foi- advaincd woik in liis ciioscu
j)rofessioii. iiavini; already liad ^reat siu-cess in sncli work in I he Iiidns-
tiial school a1 Topeka. 'The inolhei- of these cliildren. aft.-r a life of
splendid de\-otion to tluMn and her home, and to the Friends' chnrch of
which she was a liiii hriulif niemher. entered into liei- rest -lannary 2'.\,
1808. ajied tifu-ninc \cars. Mr. ('(.niri-, while a hirthri-lit nienilier of
the Friends- chnnh. i,as a nienihershii> also in the .Melliodisl denoniina-
tiou. He is a Mas<pn and his political prefer<MH-es lie with ilie Kepnl.li-
ean party. Both he and liis family are the recij.ients ef a lai-r nieasnie
of esteem in tlie conntv wheri' thev liave made their li<inii'.
KKV. M. (). I'.AKXKS, INdice .Jud^e and resipected citizen of the
town of KIk City, is one of the more ])rominent of tlie '-old soldier'" ele-
nu'ut of the connty. the record of his di'eds dnrinj; the dark days of re-
bellion entillinfi him to honoralile mention amon^ onr most worthy citi-
zens.
Enterinj; the army in .Inly of ISCl. In- saw active service nntil his
discharge .Inly -'S, lSC.."i. He and his father hecami' jirivates in the sann'
comjiany, Co. -A,' l:.'tli Ky. Inf. Their first Itattle was at the siege of
Corinth', after which they iiarticij.ated in the clias<> after Bragg through
Kentucky, thence to Knoxville, thence south ou the Atlanta campaign.
Kev. Barnes remembers this as one of the most trying periods of the war;
his company being under fire for 121 consecutive days, and scarcely a da.v
of that time Itut it received one or more dren( liiugs from the pitiless rain.
At Jonesboro tliey turned with (leu. Tliomas to follow Hood into Ten-
nessee, where they fught the bloody battles of Franklin and Nashville.
This was tlie end of tlie war for most of the soldiers of the western army,
but not so for our subject. He went around via Cincinnati and the 1?.
& O., to Washington, thence south, participating in the battle of Ft. An-
derson. From there to Wilmington, to (ioldsboro, to Raleigh and to
(ireensboro, where lie sheathed the sword and jouineyed peacefully and
gladly back to Louis\ ille. conscious of duty f;iithfully jierformed.
Bev. Barnes is a Keiitnckian by birth. I'niaski, the connty and Octo-
ber :*>1. 18:!T. the date. His parents were .lesiah and Deli'la iTurpin)
Barnes, both natives of the Blue Crass Slate. Ills father was a black-
smith and piiisned his occupation in I'ulaski county until his death in
IsTii. a I the age of i;;i years. Motlier Barnes died iit (J3 years in 1873.
They wet-.' worthy anil resjtected citizens of their county and in the
natiotis distress wet e most y.e.ilous in its sujiport. The father entered
the aiTiiy. though ieall.\ e.xenijit from military duty, and served foi' two
\eais in the middle west, where he part icij)at(Hl in some of the hard-
fought battles as his son, retiring on account of disability. They were
the parents of eight children, three of whom yet survive. Our subject is
the eldest of these, the others being Martha J., (Mrs. Andrew Lay), and
Eli W., both residents of Pulaski county, Kentucky.
The merry ring of the anvil constituted the music to which our sub-
ject developed a strong physical constitution, his mental equipment
being such as could be secured in his earlier boyhood in the district
school. He was engaged in helping his father up to the war, after
which he worked at the anvil until 1868, in his home county, and then
joined the tide of emigration which had set in so heavily to the west.
Until 1884, he tried several of the more advertised counties of the state,
notably : Johnson, Butler, Cowley and Franklin. He then came to Mont-
gomery and, buying a home in Elk City, has since resided here, for the
most part engaged in working at his trade. His title of Reverend comes
from his having for years been active in ministerial work in the Friends'
organization. He is, of course a leading member of the G. A. R., and
has been Chaplain of the local post for 12 years. No more worthy citi-
zen lives within the bounds of the county than Rev. M. O. Barnes, and the
esteem in which he and his family are held is uniform.
Our subject has been twice married. The wife of his youth was a
Kentucky girl, Miss Mary A., daughter of Isaac Kelly, to whom were
born : W. T. S., now a prominent minister of the M. E. church, located
at St. Joe, Mo.; Florence W., deceased; S. F., a farmer of the county,
and Charles B., a blacksmith at Elk City. The mother of these children
died June, 1897, and on Feb. 20, 1901, Rev. Barnes consummated mar-
riage with Mrs. Millie M. Byers, a most estimable lady, widow of the late
William Byers. Her children are: Fern, Hershal, Mary and Orville.
Mrs. Barnes is a member of the M. E. church, and both she and her family
are valued workers therein.
THOMAS A. GARRISOX, although not an old settler, has worthily
identified himself with Montgomery county and Fawn Creek township,
as a farmer and busines.s man, and as such is entitled to a place in the
history of Montgomery county. He was born in Madison county, Ind.,
February 18, 1833. His father, Elijah E. Garrison, was a native of Mary-
land and his mother, nee Hannah J. Smith, was a native of Kentucky.
The parents were married in Indiana and died in that state, the father,
at the age of seventy-five, the mother later, also at seventy-five.
Thomas A. Garrison was one of eleven children, and was reared
on a farm in Indiana, receiving only a common school education. He
was a member of his father's family until of age, when he entered a flax
factory and worked there for four years, and later, bought a small farm
in Wabash county, Ind., and took possession of it.
He was united in marriage to Malentha J. Brothers, September (>,
1875. His wife was a nativo of Indiana and a dani;
«arab (Stanly) Brothers. Her death ocniiicd in I.-
parents of eight children: Ora W.. Ma\i(l. wife ot
decea.sed; Winifred, Joel and Hazel.
Jlr. (larrison has been married a scconil liiiir, i
Rifjer, a native of Indiana, and a daii},'litrr nf F. I).,
In later years, Mr. (iarriscm did a Inicksleriiiu In
denson and other nearby towns, following; this ii((
years. In IDdl, ;Mr. (larrisoii lanic li> Kansas, scft
townshii). Montjioniery county, where he linii-lit SO
miles east of Tyro.
Mr. Garrison is a niendier of the odd Fi'lldws i
In politics he is a Rej)ublican. an<l has reeenliy bi
police in the city of Cotfeyville.
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MRS. r.VTlENCE RAKER— The majority nf tlie names introducing
the sketches in this volume are of the sterner .sex. not because they aie
more worthy, but custom governs such .selection. A number, however,
will be found to represent the gentler sex, ladies, who, by the cruel hand
of the grim destroyer, are fighting tin- battle alone. So<iety bows in rev-
i>rent admiration to these women, who, with stout hearts and strong
wills, take up the burden of keeping the family together until qualified
to fight their own battles. The lady wlmse name apjiears above, is an
esteemed and worthy resident of Drum Creek to\viislii]i. residing two
and a half miles from Cherryvale on a well-tilled iiuarter section of land.
Mrs. Raker is a native of ("ass county. 111., where she was born
October 20, 1847. She is a daughter of William and Sarah (Smedley)
Shoopman, her parents having been early homesteaders in Cass county
and now deceased. They reared the following family of children: Jacob,
Mary, David and Thomas are deceased; Elizabeth, the widow of Elijah
Davis, residing with her children in Cass county. Mo. ; William, lives
in Illinois; John in California; George is one of Montgomery county's
worthy farmers, mentioned elsewhere in this book; Nicholas is a farmer
residing near the old homestead in Illinois; Nancy married Noah Sho-
waller and lives in hhilio; Mrs. Raker the youngest child.
In P.eardstown. III., on the Kllh of Fi-bruary. lS7*i, she was happily
joined in marriage to Gilbert R. Rakci-. a farmer of that county. Mr.
Raker was born in the State of North Carolina. .May 10, 1844. There he
grew to manhood and served a period in the Confederate army, after
which he settled in the county where he met and married 3Irs. Raker.
In lS7i). they settled in Mmitgomery county. Kansas, on a farm, and Janu-
arv n, lS!t7, he died on th<' Flemings farm, two and one-half miles south
.Mrs! Uaker is the mother of foni- children: Cora K., born December
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USTOBY.Or MONTGOMEaY COUNTY, KANSAS.
parcnrs '
iif William and
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Mr. (;;n-rison is a
111 piiliiic-s he is a Rep\ib::cuii,
liolice in ihe city of Coflfeyville.
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GILBERT R. BAKER (Deceased) AND FAMILY.
IMoii(j;iiiii(My coniitv in 1S70, by liis iiiollici-, llic father hiiving died when
lie was tiiil tijihlccn moiilhs of ajic lie lias, lliKnifili iudiistry and ec^oii-
oiiiy, placed liimself in Ihe cate-ioiy of successful farmers of "the coiinty.
" 111. Ettei- is a son of (ieoij;c letter, a native of Moif-aii comity, Ind'.,
whose fatlier, Daniel Ktter, was hoin in \ii-;;inia. Daniel Kiter mar-
ried ]\[aiv Diilic, and llieir union iiioduced si.xlcen diildicn, seven of
whom aie: Myia Coslei. i;.)se, llpliiiani, Levi, ( ■Inisl.ipher, ( i.-oi-e and
Diana Diokes.
(Jeoi-fjc Ktler maiiied .Maiy A. Delio, a native of Indiana and a
daufihtei- of Ransom and Khoda illendeison) Deho. To tlieni were boni
four cliiidren, whose names are: -lolm, i-esidin«j in Monljiomery county;
Laura Itell, Saniu<-1, the <'steemed subject of this leview, and Mrs.
Georgiana A. I'eny.
lu llSTO, Hansom Debo, subjecl's maleiiial ■;iaiidfat lief, lof;cthef with
our subject's mother and her thice childr-en, joined a ]iarfy, composed
of Indiauii families and came to .Moiitf;omei'y county. Kansas. Mrs.
Etter filed on a claim of SO acres, three and oii'e-half n'liles northwest of
Inde})eudence, where she erected the usual box h(mse of the time, and
continued to reside for the ensuinji' fifteen .\eais.
Samuel Etter was reared on his motlier's farm and succeeded in
securin<>- a fair common schocd education, Ihoutjh Ihe period of his boy-
hood was necessarily spent in hard labor upon the farm. He dutifully
renuiiued at luune until his I'lsl year, and then bej;an to save the profits
of his labor for himself. He worked industriously at various occupa-
tions and exercised close economy, when, in 1S!»."», he was enabled to pur-
chase his farm of Hid acres, before describiMl. He has given particular
attention to the raising of ycmng cattle and by this method has suceeded
in fully jiaying for his faini. He is looked upon as one of the rising
young farmers of Sycannu-e township, and, judging from the past, has
a splendid future before him.
KSejitember :!(), isss, nc.uired the iiiari-iage of Mr. Etter to Josie,
daughter of Booker and .lane (Kaiber) Wilson, the parents being natives
respectively of Kentucky and Illinois. To the home of Mr. Etter have
come four bright childn-n; Mamie M., David D., William F. and Harley
J. Mrs. Etter's grandfalher. Samuel Marber, was a s(ddier in Co. "E,'"'
Uth Reg. Kan. ('a v.
The social instincts of Mr. Ktter are most marked and he has entered
into the social life of the community with a true citizen's interest. He
is a member of the A. H. T. A., and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Both lie and his familv are most highly regarded in the couimunitv in
wliich thev live.
MARTHA 1. .FACK— This worthy resident of Sycamore township,
is the widow of the late ( ieorge W. .lack, one of the leading farmers of
the county, who settled here with his growing family in ISTO from Tipton
County, Ind. He was a man whom to know was lo love, energetic and
faithful, and alwavs line to his friends. His demise occurred April 1st,
1884,
He was a uati\t' of Ohio, horn in Washington county, March t», 1835,
the son of James and Rebecca Jack, the former born in Indiana, the
latter in Virginia. This couple were the parents of ten children, as fol-
lows: John, Sarah Hoover, Mary Jackson, James, Elizabeth Fauch,
Benjamin, Reis, Ann Hedley, Rebecca Decker and Lavinia Brown.
At the time of the Civil ^^'ar, Oeorge Jack was a resident of Tipton
county, Ind., and there, on the 28th day of October. 1864, enrolled as a
I>rivate soldier in Company "I,'" Sth Ind. Cav., Caj)t. Oliver M. Powers
commanding. He was mustered out July 20, 1805, at I^exington, N. C,
he having served for the greater j)art of that time as a courier.
Prior to Mr. Jack's enlistment in the army, he had been joined in
marriage on the first day of April, 1858, to Martha I. Decker, the lady
who now survives him. Mrs. Jack is a native of Tennessee, born in
Blunt County on the li)th of July, 1838. She is the daughter of William
and Jane (Householder) Decker, her father having been a native of the
old "Dominion State.'' The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Jack was a
Decker, of Virginia. To him were born : Isaac, Henry, Samuel and Wil-
liam, the latter of wlioni left ^'irginia in early life and, in Tennessee, mar
ried Jane Householder. To these parents were born seven cliildren:
Rachel, Elizabeth Handshoe, Salina, Henry, Elias, Samuel and Martha.
The latter was born, as stated, and wheu fifteen years of age acconi-
])anied the family to Tipton County, Ind., wheie she married as related
above. The family continued to be residents of that county until their
coming to Montgomery in 187(5. Hei-e they joined the yeomanry of Syca-
more township and have been respected nicinbeis of society since. A
family of seven have grown to nianlinod and w (imaiihood, and taken upon
themselves the duties of citizenshi]i. all cslcciucd members of society in
their different localities. Their names are as follows: Mary, who mar-
ried William Miner, and died leaving two children— Rollie and .Mabel.
The grand-daughter Mable married Jacob P.arkei-, and has .me child—
Jov L. ; William, of Arkansas Citv, married Eudeina Wyrick, and has
four children— Floyd, :SIand, Coildie and .May; Florence married A. J.
Ross, and has: Medy R., Oral, Jessie. Carl, Lloyd and Raymond; Cale-
donia B., married A. D. Busby and has Flossie, .\ndrew. Symbol and
Ethel; Cora married Thomas Slasher and their children are: ("laud,
Roy, Nellie and Rollie; Hugh cares for his mother on the home farm;
Frederick maifi.-d Mandie Cilkev, and lias two chihlren, Elliel and
Gladys.
GEOEGE W. PETTET— The gentleman here inciilidiicl is ilic [.res-
ent Superintendent of Montgomery's Poor Farm, whicli iiisiiluiion is
located in Liberty township. He is one of the early .settlers of flie
county, having settled here in 1877, though his resideuce since llial lime
has not been continuous.
Mr. Pettet is a native of the "Hoosier State," born in Boone county
on the fourth of September, 1840. He is a son of Purgan and I'riscilla
(Craimer) Pettet. The father was a native of Indiana, while the mother
was born in Kentucky. By occupation the father was a member of the
medical profession and practiced, for a number of years, in tiie county
seat town of Lebanon, Boone county, and where he died in the year 1843,
at a comparatively early age. He attained considerable prominence in
his profession and was a man of attractive personality. The wife out-
lived him a long period of years, passing away at an advanced age in
1887. She was the mother of nine children: Mary Ann, who became
Mrs. William Wyatt, and now lives in Pottsville, Indiana. William
died in Indiana; Catherine died in infancy; Elizabeth, John Martin was
a gallant soldier in the Civil War, and gave up his life for his country
at the battle of Stone River; Thomas Samuel was also a soldier of the
Civil War, serving three years, and died later, in Indiana; James is also
deceased; Milton V., was killed at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky,
during the Civil War. The youngest child is the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Pettet was reared in his native county, and had just reached the
age of responsibility when the war cloud burst with its tierce intensity
upon the country. He enlisted in the year 1861, in Company "E," 26th
Ind. Vol. Inf., for three years, and at the expiration of his term of ser-
vice, was mustered out at Indianapolis. He then re-enlisted as a mem-
ber of the same company, and served two years longer. During his
period of service he was engaged in many of the important battles of
the war in the southwest, some of which were Pi-airie Grove, Arkansas,
where his regiment lost nearly half of its number. He was at the siege
of Vicksburg and, when the Mississippi was opened, went down the river
and over to Mobile where he was engaged in the siege of the forts near
that city. He returned to his home conscious of having served his
country faithfully and well.
Mr. Pettet's marriage occurred in ISC.G, the la(l.\"s nann- liaving
been Nancy Greer, a daughter of John and Margaret (Pctiie) Greer,
natives of the "Blue Grass State."
Mr. Pettet remained in Indiana, engaged in agriculture, until the
year 1877, when he located eight miles west of Independence. Here he
engaged in farming successfully, until 1886, and then sold out his farm
and located on Little Caney river. Four years later, he purchased a
livery business at Havana in this county which he continued to operate
until 1896. He then sold this business and removed to Mound Valley,
Labette county, where he purchased another livery stock which he con-
tiiiiKMi t.) oi.cialc iiiilil IS'.IS. He then icluriK-d 1<. MoiitjioiiuMV coiiiity
and iMinliascd a lioiiic proiicrtv in Hit- counlv scat I own of Indciicndcncc.
His prescut aii]>oiu(iiu'nt as SniiiTinlcndent of Ihc Poor Farm, dates
from January I'd, 19(«. This farm is one of the best of its kind in the
state and is kept in a very liigli state of ciiltivalion and presents a very
neat a[)pearaiice. There are at prescnl twenty inmates of tlic insti-
tution.
The family horn to our subject, consists .,f lliicc .hihlren: .b-nnie.
who married Lee L. (iarr. a native of Indiana and now a farmer of this
county, iier two ciiildren are .Tosepli. twelve years of ajie and Lulu,
two years obi; .Marfjaret nuirried -lames K. Ulair. a native of Iowa, now
of Havana; their two children are: Thei-a, twelve years old and l,ua
E. ; the third child was Joseph David, who married Anna Williams, a
daughter of Robert Williams, of Illinois, and tiow lives in Labette
county, Kansas. He is a carpenter and mechanic. Josejjh D. Tettet is
a practicinu; physician at Mound ^'alley. T^abette county.
In political faith, Mr. I'ettet suj)])orts the policy of the jiarty of Lin-
coln and (iarfield. and is a consistent mend)er of the Friends" church, to-
gether with his family. He is a citizen whose j.rivate and ]iublic life re-
flects credit on the county of his adojition in which he numbers his
friends bv the hundn-d.
\\ILLI.\.M W. TVLEIi, one of the lar.iicst land owners in I'ark.-r
township, is one of the eastern emigrants who settled in Montgomery
county and was born in the "Empire Stale." Vates county, on the 26th,
of April, 185:5. Since 1878, he has been :i citizen of .Montgomery county
and now resides two miles west of the cil.\ of ( 'otle\ ville. IJoswell K.
Tyler, the father of William, was also a native of New York, as was his
mother Sarah IWood) Tyler. He was a farmer by occupation, and
j)assed his life in his native state, dying at the age of fifty-five. His wife
survived him many years, being seventy years old at her death. She
was the mother of six children: Frank. Harvey, Mrs. Sarah Iladsell,
deceased; William W., Mrs. Nettie Reynolds and Mrs. Adella Iladsell.
William \V. Tyler passed the period of his boyhood and youth in the
liealthful occupation of fai'in life, in Yates county, securing a fair educa-
tion in the country school duiing the sluut winter months. He re-
mained at I with his jtarents until he had attained his full majority.
Three ,M-ars later, he married and began pre])arat ions for the building"
of a home foi- himself. He engaged in agriculture in his home neighbor-
hood and continued it till the spring of 1S7S, when he came out to Mont-
gomery (((uiity, Kansas, and selected a farm of eighty acres of raw
l.raiiic'-. wliich'now constitutes a iiorlion of his estate. Here he and his
young wife began the battle of life among stiang(Ms and witli com])ara-
tively small means. They met with maiiv hardships incident to a new
V t 4 t
! • ^ ^ *: V .
^ ^- If «
* * 9
»• ^ » •
iiiitv st^al town of IndepiM...
•■^.-■tit .-,<• tlir Pocr Farm, ■: , ■
^ kiiunn rlu
I .sent s a ypiv
■if rlic ii!R-i
diuj.nhfer of Holi
ov
r low
..!(] and Lti
Auiia WilliM-:-
lives' in i."
ts in Parker
o.iilid in Montgomery
Ucs county, on the 26tli.
n HadsMl.
vontlj in tlift
k
9^.
m
r
^^- ^^H
PL
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^^^^H
Hb
#i
^Bi^^^H
m^
Pyi
^^■^^^^1
WL^
.«
H^^^H
W. W. TYLER AND WIFE.
INDEX
TO
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
Organization 5
Location 6
Land Titles 7
CHAPTER II.
Important Events 9
The Drum Creelv Treaty 9
The Elk Valley Flood of 1885. . . 10
The Volcani-- Upheaval of 1894
at Coffeyville 16
The Reed Family Tragedy 20
Why Did Pomeroy Trust York?. 24
The Montgomery County High
School 27
The Dalton Raid at Coffeyville . 33
CHAPTER III.
The Press of Montgomery County 41
Age, The Living (Independ-
ence) 45
Argus, The Montgomery (Inde-
pendence) 45
Bulletin, The Cherryvale (Cher-
ryvale) 46
Call, The Weekly (Independ-
ence) ■IS
Call, The Daily Evening (Inde-
pendence) 45
Chief, The Osage (Independ-
ence) 45
Circular, The (Coffej'^'ille) 44
PAGE.
Courier, The (Coffeyville) 44
Courier, The Independence (In-
dependence 44
Courier, The Daily (Independ-
ence) 44
Courier, The Workingman's (In-
dependence) 44
Champion, The Cherryvale
(Cherryvale) 46
Chronicle, The (Caney) 47
Clarion, The Cherryvale (Cher-
ryvale) 46
Commonwealth. The Kansas
(Cherryvale) 46
Democrat. The Kansas (Inde-
pendence) 43
Democrat, The Montgomery
County (Coffeyville) 46
Democrat. The (Elk City) 47
Bagle, The (Elk City) 47
Enterprise, The (Elk City) 47
Gaslight, The Coffeyville (Cof-
feyville) 46
Globe. The Cherryvale (Cher-
ryvale) 46
Globe, The (Elk City) 46
Herald, The Cherr.v-vale (Cher-
ryvale) 46
Herald, The (Havana) 47
Itemizer, The (Independence).. 45
Intlependent, The Gate City
(Cotteyville) 46
834
HISTORY 01^ MONTGOMERY COUNTY^ KANSAS.
PAGE.
Journal, The Coffeyville (Cof- '
feyville) 45
Kansas Populist, The (Cherry-
vale) 45
Kansan, The Independence (In-
dependence) 44, 89-63
Light, The (Liberty) 47
Monitor, The Montgomery (In-
dependence) 45
News, The Cherryvale (Cherry-
vale) 46
News, The Independence (Inde-
pendence) 45
Phoenix, The (Caney) . . 47
Pioneer, The Independence (In-
dependence) 43, 87, 88
Press and Torch, The (Havana) 47
Republic, The Cherryvale (Cher- .
ryvale) 46
Republican, The Cherryvale
(Cherryvale) 4G
Republican - Plaindealer. The
(Cherryvale) 46
Recorder, The (Havana) 47
Review, The (Liberty) 47
Reporter, The Daily (Independ.
ence) 42, 45
Record. The (Parker) 4S
Ross" Paper (Coffeyville) 44
Star, The Coffeyville (Coffey-
ville) 44
Star, The Daily Evening (Inde-
pendence) 45
Star, The (Elk City) 47
Star, The Independence (Inde-
pendence) 44, 87
Star and Kansan. The (Inde-
pendence) 10, 44
Southern Kansas Farmer, The
(Cherryvale) 46
Telegram. The Morning (Cher-
ryvale) 40
PAGE.
Tribune, The South Kansas (In-
dependence) 42, 63, 87
Times, The (Elk City) 46
Times, The (Caney) 47
Torch, The Cherryvale (Cherry-
vale) 46
United Labor (Independence) . . 45
Vidette, The Westralla (Westra-
lia) 43
Vidette. The (Havana) 47
CHAPTER IV.
Gas and Oil Development.
47
CHAPTER V.
The Political History of Montgom-
ery County '>4
Organization of the County.. fi5
Temporary County Seat 55
Election for County Seat, Con-
test and Result 56
Commissioners fix Boundaries
of Townships o7
First Trustees 58
Commissioners' Wrangle with
County Officers 58
Prosperity of 1871 59
York Defeats Pomeroy 60
Elections of 1871-2 59
Election of 1873 61
Elections of 1874-5 62
Elections of 1876-7 63
Elections of 1878-9 64
Election of 1880 65
Elections of 1881-2 66
Elections of 1883-4 67
Elections of 1885-6 C8
Elections of 1887-8 70
Elections of 1889-90 70-71
Elections of 1891-2 71-72
Elections of 1893-4 72
Elections of 1895-6 73-74
Elections of 1897-8 75
niSTOUY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
835
PAGE.
Elections of 1899-1900 (Con-
stitutional Amendment) ... 76
Elections of 1901-2 77
CHAPTER VI.
Towns of Montgomery County. ... SO
Lost Towns:
Claymore 120
Coffeyville— Old Town 122
Colfax 81, 8G
Montgomery City 55, 81
Morgantown 81
Old Liberty 81
Parker 123
Radical City 12, 80
Samaria 81
Tally Springs 122
Verdigris City 55-7, 80
Westralia 55, 121
Villages and Postoffices:
Bolton 81
Havana 82
Jefferson 81
Sycamore 82
Tyro 80
Wayside. Bearing and Crane. 82
Cities of Montgomery County:
Independence 83. S5
Land Office P3
Town Company Troubles 91
Incorporation ; SO
City of the Third Class 90
First School House 88
First Sunday School 89
First Saw-mill 87
Frank Bunker and Cabin 83
First Barbecue 86
Haytown 86
Mail Facilities 89
Mayor DeLong's Fight 95
Hard Times 96
The Hull Baby 97
I'AGE.
The First Murder 100
Building th« Mo. Pac. Ry. 100, 101
Court House Bonds Enjoined . 101
Construction of the Water
Works 100
Political Fervor of 1888 102
Boniface and Stephenson Con-
victed 104
Emmett Dalton Sentenced... 104
First Franchise for Gas 105
Milton Cannon Murdered.... 105
Vote on Water Works Pur-
chase 106, 108
Murder of McTaggart 106
Establishment of the Brick
Plant 106
Twentieth Kansas Recruited. 107
Extension of the Santa Fe to
Bartlesville 107
Postoffice Business Increase. 107
Destructive Wind Storm of
1901 108
Establishment of Factories... 109
Double Murder 109
Population 90,96.109
Coffey^'ille 128
Financial and Commercial . . . 130
Railroads 131
Natural Resources 132
Manufactures 132
A Grain Center 132
Municipal Advancement 133
Schools and Churches 134
Debt and Taxation 134
Liberty 57, 134
Caney 136
Early Settlers 137
First Newspaper 138
Railroad Bonds 138
Incorporation 138
Building of the K. O. C. &
Sw. Ry 139
Discovery of Natural Gas 139
83t
lOItY Of MONTGOMERY C'OUNTV, KANSAS.
Chartering of the C. O. & T.
Ry 139
Places of Worship 140
Elk City 141
First Settlers 141
Rise and Fall of Bloomfield,
or Fish Trap 141
M. D. Wright's Advent 141
Municipal Government Organ-
ized 142
Railroad Agitation 143-4
Prospecting for Gas 144
Population 145
Cherryvale 145
Early Beginnings 145
Coming of the Railroads 146
Discovery of Gas and Oil 147
The Edgar Zinc Company.... 147
Brick Plants and Factories.. 147
Banks 147
Schools 148
Churches and Pastors 148
Telephone 149
Water Works 149
Corbin City 147
Park and Auditorium 149
Lodges and Associations 149
Fairview Cemetery 150
Fires 150
Hotels 150
Municipal Government 150
Postmasters 151
Town Building in the Southeast
Corner of the County 110
Early Settlers Ill
Religion 113
Wedding Bells 113
First Murder 114
First Preliminary on the
Charge of Murder 115
Bonding the County 116
Murder and Mob Violence 117
Rival Towns 121
PAGK.
Tally Springs 122-
Old Cofteyville 12?
Parker 123
CHAPTER VII.
The Medical Profession 151
The Doctor of 1870 and His Otit-
flt 152
The Staff of the Independence
Medical College 153
Some Early Doctors 153
CHAPTER VIII.
Agriculture 154
Indian Agriculture 154
The New-Comers 155
Exposition Prize of 1876 156
Supremacy of the "Cow Man"
Over the Farmer 156
Adaptation of Crops 156-7
Area of the County in Acres. . . . 156
Crop Yields and Profits 157
Products 157
CHAPTER IX.
.Manufacturing 158
CHAPTER X.
History of the Bench and Bar 159
General Observations 159
Status of the Independence
Town Company 161
Character of Population In-
duced Litigation 162
District Courts 162
Location of Permanent Capi-
tal 163
Wilson County Contest 163
Appointment of First .ludge.. 164
Eleventh Judicial District
Boundaries 164
Language of the Statute Fix-
ing Court Terms 165
First Court House 166
IIISTOUY OF MONTfiO^^pRY COUNTY, KANSAS.
837
PAGE.
Judges of the District Court 167
Impeachment of Judge H. G.
Webb 171-2
County Attorneys 180
Attorneys, or Members of the
Bar 188
Personal References and Biographies
Acers, N. F
Adams, Ben
Adams, John B. . . .
Adams. John B. . . .
Addington, D. M. . .
Alger, R. A
Allen, E. P.. 20-2,
y(_ Allen, Dr
Allen, Richard ....
Allen, W
y, Allen, Sidney
Allin, Perry N
Allin, \Vm. H
Alexander, D. P
Allison and Bell
PAGE.
.. 6G
.. 15
56
395
611
470
64-5,76,100,312
121
32
56
56
660
534
102
88
Allison, Lucida W 347
Allison, W. A 58
Altaffer, John M 72, 422
American flag 31
Anderson, John J 70
Anderson, J. M 107
Anderson, M. N 38
Anderson, T. L 515
Anderson. Thos. W 348
Andress. Dr. T. F '-8
Andrews, Lindlay M 189,193
Anthony, Geo. T 63, 72
Arbogast, I. R 46
Argo, Isaac M 304
Armstrong, Ben. M 62, 189, 193
Armstrong. Martin 578
Ashby, Milton 689
Ashmore, M. L 58
Atkinson. Rev 89
Atkinson. John 696
Austin, William 728
I'ACiR.
Axtell, Alvo J 551
Ayres. Bert S 35
Ayres. Thos. G.. 35-7-9,48,66,189,194
Babb, T. C 35
Babcock. William 9
Baden, Henry 75, 105
Baden, Mrs. Mary 366
Bailey, W. J 77
Bailey. T. M 68
Baker. G. D. 43
Baker, Mrs. Patience 824
Baker, Roy 77
Baldwin, J. R HG
Baldwin. Lucius M 36
Ball, CM 33
Banks, Alex R 9
Banks, Geo. L 468
Banks, Wm. N 74, 189, 194, 281
Barbee, Mrs. R. C 22
Barbour, Lucius T 593
Barker, Dr 153
Barker, Wharton 76
Barlow, John W 638
Barnes' Garden 49
Barnes, Rev. M. 0 822
Barr. S. H 189, 194, 420
Barricklow, Joseph 63-5
Barron and Hedden 123
Bartles, J. A 139
Bartlett, W, F 189, 195
Barwick, J. J 189,194
Bass, Nathan 58-9, 189, 194
Bates, John H 501
Baylies, Wm. C 260
Beach, C. T 62-3-4-5
Beard, Geo. S 62
838
HISTORY OP MONTGOMEKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Beard, John
Beardsley, E. M. . .
Beardsley, Seth M.
Beatty. Adam
Beeghly, Jonas . . .
Begun, E. L
Bell. Dr. J. W
Bell, M. S
fAGE.
94
. . . 189, 195
58
.. 30-2.70-5
703
... 189.194
137
59
Bell. W. H 63
Bellamy, John F 189, 195. 801
Bellamy, Lura ''2
Benders, The 24-7
Bender, F. N S05
Benefiel, F. M 72-3-6
Bennett. Joseph S 561
Bennett. M. V. B 43, 191,189. 196
Benson, F. D 39
Berentz, Henry '?85
Berry. Joseph 511
Bertenshaw, Dr. B. J 679
Bertenshaw. John 189. 196
Bettis. F. A 56,164
Bethuran, H. A 55
Beyett, Alex "
Biddison. A. J 189, 196
Billings. Lewis '(*
Billings, Arthur 189, 196
Birch, Thomas 102
Bishop, W. T 82,90
Black Dog 10
Black, Geo. A 189, 197
Blackledge, J. F 297
Blacklidge, A.N 9
Blackburn, J. W 189, 197
Black well. J. H 100
Blackmore, Joseph, Jr 450
Blaes, Mathias 343
Blaine, J. G 68
Blair, A. V 189, 197
Blair, John R 30, 72-3, 635
Blank, Dr. John T 671
Blanton, N. B 122
PAGE.
Bloom. C. L 49, 53.'$
Bloxam, Joseph 94
Blue. Mrs. Jane 272
Bolton. Wm. L 736
Boone. Albert G 9
Bond. Thos. L 58
Boniface, Tom 103
Booth. Thos. J 661
Boswell. A. P 34, 64-5-7-9
Bouton, Noah E 70-1-3-4,714
Bowen. W. P 106-7-9,547
Bowlby. Samuel 368
Bowman. Lewis 11,12
Boyd, John 62
Braden. Jim 117,118,119
Braden. James 338
Bradford, W. A 46
Bradley, Dr. Henry 438
Bragg. James W 503
Brewer. W. P 58
Brewer. R 58
Brewster. F. D '734
Brewster. H. A. and Co 31
Brewster, J. H .. 35,49
Brighton, H. E 47,138,443
Bristol, N. B 189,197.492
■-- Broadbent, Albert J 80, 587
Broadhead, J. P 189,198
Broadhead. J. T 64
Broadwell. Dick 34, 36-9
Brodie. G. H 90
Brock, Thos. H 59, 62-4, 166
Brock, J. T 97,136,141
Brown, Allen 20
Brown and Risburg 88
Brown. Charles 36-9
Brown. C. S 62
Brown, D. B 189, 197
Brown, Geo. A 79, 85
Brown. J. A 726
Brown. Rev. J. J 89
Brown, Joseph D 189,198
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Brown. John W....
Brown, Perry F
Brown D B
575
68G
189 198
Brown, Sealy L,
Brown, W. E
582
Brown, W. R
Bruner, Daniel
Brunk, P S. .
64-5-7-9,70
5(i
76
Brunton, Wm. H...
Bryan, W. J
309
Bryant, Elizabeth ..
Buckley, Joseph A. .
Budd, James D. . .
298
646
709
Bulger, James
Bundy, Henry N
Bunker, Frank
795
717
83-6, 92-3
Burchard, Geo. W. .
Burchard. Frank . . .
44,62,98,189,198
102
Burdick, Squire
• . . . 14''
Burdick, J. A
Burghart, Geo
591
Burge, J. W
Burke, J. W
Burke, Thos. F
75-6,378
Burns. J. S
Burnes, R. E
Burn worth, J. D
123
189,199
105
Burt, John A
Burton, Cyrus M...
g3g
Busby. Dr. A. J
Bushnell, Edwin . . .
57-9,766
570
Butler, H. J
146
Caldwell, John T. . .
Caldwell, Mr
95
Calk, Thomas . .
go
Callahan. John
Callahan, Thos. F. .
Callahan, Patrick H
Callow and Myers . .
. 45,74,188-9,299
71,104
392
82
Campbell, C. E
S3
839
PAGE.
.. 153
89, 199
.. 77
Campbell. Dr
Campbell. B. L
Campbell, P. P
Camp, Adam 56
Canada, Green L 112,121
Canary, Abe 64
Canfield, Thos. H 43, 89
Canning, C. W 569
Cannon. Milton 105
Captain. Augustus 9
Carl. Josie 150
Carl, Frank 603
Carlton. George 114
Carlton. Mike 114
Carpenter and Crawford 87
Carpenter, C. T 34
Carson, L. M 280
Carson, O. F 63,150,146
Cass, Phillip H 189, 199, 632
Cassidy, M. P 290
Cathers, D. W 644
Castillo. John 68, 681
Castle. P. B 45
Caton, Alice 46
Cavert, H. 0 324
Cavenaugh, Patrick 189, 200
Chadburn, Ed 15
Chambers. Wm 80
Chandler, Geo 66-9,
70, 91-7, 101-2, 174, 189, 200, 733
Chandler. Joseph 96, 106, 733
Chaney, Di-. G. C 23,103-4-5,107
Chaney. E. A 31
Chanute. Octavius 128
Charlton. J. R.. 47.71.140,188-9,201,465
Charlton. Wm. J 455
Chatham. Jim 44
Chetopa 10, 85
Chouteau. Ben 122
Chouteau, Lewis P 9
Chouteau, Gusso 56
Clark, A. B 59,
62-4-6, 71, 128, 179, 187-9, 201
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COl'NTY, KANSAS.
Clark. A. C 143
Clark. A. M -15
Clark. E. B 146
Clark. Edgar M 189', 202
Clark. W. G 190, 202
Clark. O. G. & Co S2
Clarke. Hon. Sidne.v 10
Clarkson. John 122
Clary, Perr.v 121
Clay. John T 350
Clayton, J. A 758
Clennon. Patrick C 769
Clemmer. Geo. \V '"•4
Clevelanri, Grover 70-2
Clifford, Mary A 725
Clifford. John B 725
Clifford. Thos. B 768
Cline. Daniel 71-2-3, 597
Cline. David A 28,73-6-7
Clotfelter & Booth 150
Ciotfelter, C. A 146, 414
Clover, Ben 71, 173
Coffey, Col 122
Cole, B. E 77
Cole. J. E 63
Collins, A. J 321
Coleman. Wm. H 691
Comer. S 820
Compton. Wm 58
Condon. C. M. and Co 34, 41
Connelly, Chas. T 38, 40
Connelly, Chas. A 401
Conner. Samuel H 7S2
Cook, James F 418
Cook, David S 406
Conrad, H. W 55,67-8,76-8
Conry, George 127
Corbin, Jasom O 58
Corbin. C. J 64
Cormack, Dr. W. A 579
Cotton, William 317
Cotton, W. N 56
PA(JK.
Cotton. J. S 63-4, 190, 203
k Courtney, John M 77, 146-8-9, 263
Courtright. Percy L 190,203
Coventry, Chas S8
Cowell, Dr. Henry 680
Cox, Geo. E 731
Cox. Albert T 45, 190, 202
Cox, Ira E 190,203
Craig. J. B 59.90-2.172, 190,204
Crane. H. H 257
Crawford. H. C 55, 121
Crawford & McCue 88
Cree. Nathan 190. 204
Crick. John 300
Crow. Zachariah 112
Grouse, J. 1 94
Cubine. George 36-9, 41
Cubine, Georgie 32
Cunningham. B. R 57. 62
Currier. Milo D 505
Curtis. W. A 747
Cutler. E. R 190.205
Datby. Geo. P 613
Dalby, Dr. Philip H 83, 650
Dalton. Emmett.. 34-5-6-7-8-9.40-1,104
Dalton, Grat, Bob 34-5-6-7-8-9,40-1
Dalton. Lewis 33
Dana, J. Howard 77-8,140,188,522
Daniel, Cyrus F 451
Danehu. James 113
Dannettell. U. R 142
Darnell. D. Y 190, 205
Darling. Joseph R.- 741
Darrow, A. C 580
Daugherty. Amanda J 389
Daugherty. William 143
Daugherty. Mrs. Mary M 773
Davis. C. M 190. 205
Davis. John M 190, 205
Davis. D 48
Davis. Dr. J. T 21-3. 540
Bavis, Mrs. Letitia 500
IIISIOKY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
I'AGE.
Davis, Milton 735
Dawson, William 94
Debruler, J. N 86, 167
Debs, Eugene V 76
DeCourcey, B. W SI
Deer. Job 407
Delano. Secretary 2.5
DeLong. .lames 62-4.
86.9.3-4-5-6,161,190,206
Dempsey. T. B 190,208
DeMott, Richard H 702
Dennis. Eli 115, 116, 121
Dennison, Dr 122
Devore, B. F 59,63,7.3.102-3
Devore. J. F 190,205
Dietz, Lewis T 37
Dickerson. A. J 633
Dickey, Wm, C 642
Dixon, S. M 73
Dobson, R. M 329
Dodd, H. H 63-4-5,102
DoUison, J. N 29,32,74-6-7,445
Dominey, Gilbert 6G
Donlavy. J. E 90-1
Dooley. H. C 76. 190, 207
Donaldson, Col. Samuel 190,207
Duckett, Henry W 60S
Duckworth, Geo. H 59S
Duncan, A. M 121
Duncan, Harvey 474
Duncan. John 504
Dunkin, William 29,
30-1. 62, 70-5, 91-5-6, 100-2, 190, 207, 250
Dunlap, G. A 12S
Dunlap. R. W 79
Diiley, A. S 1-50
Dunnett, Daniel W 190,208
Dun well, Dr 59
Durand, Napoleon 719
Dye, F. H 138
Eaton. John A 70
Eaton, Ab 145
Earnest, Thos. H.
Easterly, J. P
Ecret, M. P. T. . .
Edgar, S. C
Edwards, D. M. ..
Eldridge. T. B
841
PAGi;.
... 71,363
46
.... 29,31
147
649
... 59,159
Ely. Noah & Sons 131
Elliott. Capt. D. S 37,
46,70, 107, 190,208
Elliott, S. C 68-9,106,186-8,190
Ellis, C. W 115, 190, 208
Ehnerson, J. D 90-1,190,209
Empfield. A. G 335
Engels. James W 558
Erdman. John G 434
Eh-genbright. O. P. 70,188,190,210,674
Ernest, Ben 73
Erret. Chas. T 44
Estey. Rev. S. S 32
Etchen. J. P 74
Etter, Samuel 826
Evans, Dr. A. W 1.53. 427
Evans, Chas. A 760
Evans. Elijah 190, 210
Evans. Geo. H., Jr 71
Evans, 0 601
Evdns. S. A 83
Ewing. C. T 147
Fadler. John 740
Fagan, Ed 122
Fain, William 112. 122
Fairleigh, H. J 20
Farlow. N. M 333
Fay, E. W 58,190,210
Fell, Adam B 590
Felker, Will 46
Ferguson, J. 0 77
Ferrel. H. D 73-4
Fields, John C 622
Fike, Mrs 113
Finlay, Geo. W 705
Finley, Di-. M. A 793
842
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
PACiE.
FUzpalrick. G. W 190, 211
Flannelly, Thos. J 77,181
Fleming, John 121
Flener, J. A 137,458
Fletcher & Stentz 81
Fletcher. Chas 190,210
Flynn, Peter R 128
Foote, Miss Laura 112
Ford, T. 0 60-2
Ford, W. W 118
Foreman, W. C 72-3
Forsyth, A. P 69,292
Foster, Ed. L 66
Foster, Edwin 56-8, 62, 96, 107
Foster. Mrs. E. L 22-3
Foster. Emery 190, 210
Foster, Goodell 56-7,
79, 90-1, 163, 182-7, 190
Foster, George 69
Foster, Hiram 517
Poster. Thos 20
Fowler. I. G 106
Fox, Peter H 32-3, 77, 498
Frazier, J. C 59
Frazier, Dr. T. C 154, 655
Frantz, Frank J 404
Freeman. Luther 190, 211
French, John 744
Fritch. F. J 73,190,211,430
Frink. Walter 775
Frost. Wm. H 360
Fugate. Dr 153
Fulton, Isaac B 27, 74
Fulmer, Geo. W 70-1-4
Gaines, Bernard 190. 211
Galey. John H !'iO
Gamble, J. D 59, 190, 211
Gamble, O. P 86,371
Gardner. N. B 190, 211
Garfield, James G 65
Garlinghouse, F. W 737
Garrett, J. S 56
Garrison, Thos. A 823
Gaski
Johi
PACK.
.. 610
Gifford. 190,212
Gilmore. G. E 20, 190, 212
Gillula. Paddy 85
Givens. John 28. 74-6-8, 278
Glass. John W 72-3
Glatfelder, Levi 63, 13S
Glick, Geo. W 66
Goodell. E 776
Gottlieb, G 100-7
Grabill, E. D 57
Graham, J. H., T. C, Allen 112
Graham, W. W 57-8, 135, 166
Grant, H. D 58. 100, 190, 213
Grant, U. S 10
Grass, Col. Daniel 63,91-6,190,212
Grass, Dr. John
Graves, James H. .
Graves. Joseph H. .
Gray, D. B
Gray, Hon. Alfred .
Gray, Jackson . . . .
Gray. Joseph D. . . .
153
704
432
95
156
771
399
Gray. Samuel F 413
Gregory, Milton 11
Green, Abner 666
Green. Mr 15
Greenlee, Mrs. Hattie E 664
Greer, Mr 13
Greer, Alex C 34fi
Greer, David P 282
Griffey, Marshall 22
Grifl
Jefferson .
508
Griffin, Matt 64t
Grubb, Benj 43
Guernsey. Geo. T 556
Guffey, .las. H 50
Guilkey. J. F 74
Gump. Chas. T 36
Haag, Henry 551
Hack, W. H 31
Haddox, Mrs. J. W 100
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
843
[•AGE.
Hadley. Ira 722
Hadley, H. M 29
Hadsell. Adam U 448
Hancock, W. S 65
Handley. J, A 150
Handley, M. C 73
Handley, R. B 75
Hainline, Grant 685
Hall, Joseph R 624
Hall, R. T 90
Hall, S. A 190,214
Hall, Dr. Wm. C 673
Hamer, Joseph S 690
Hamner. Capt 86
Hamilton, Van C 599
Hammill, Robert 157
Hanson, Thos 57
Harbourt, T. C 75
Harbert, Wm 15
Hardrobe 10
Harden, Joseph E 439
Hare, H. H 813
Harper. Albert G 698
Harper, Frank G 108
Harper & Wassam 45
Harris, J. N 58
Harrison, Benj 70-2
Harrison, C. N R3
Harrison, Geo 693
Harrison, Judge Thos. 66,190,214,274
Harrison, Thomas 73, 294
Harrod. Capt. W. J 59,190,214
Hart, Harriet A 410
Barter, W. H 63. 485
Harley, James W 403
Harvey, Gov. J. M. . 6, .55. 110. 135, 163
Hasbrook, L. Benj 190. 215
Haskell, Dudley C 66
Hastings. Elijah D... 150.191,215,789
Haverstick, Wm. C 67S
Hawkins, Andrew 588
Hayden, Thos 29, 30-1-3, 75
Hays, Will S 66-7, 73, 373
PAUi;.
.. 69
.. 367
.. 106
.. 400
Hayes. Rutherford B
Hayward. O. T
Hazen. H. W
Hazen. Thomas M
Heape. Wm. A 288
Hebrank. Dale 108
Heckert. Sarah J 581
Heckman. David 362
Heddens. J. M 62
Helphingstine 56-7-9. 62. 191, 215
Hemphill, J. J 138
Helms. James 743
Hendrix, W. R 191.216
Hendrix. William 90
Henderson. B. F 191, 215
Henderson, Mrs. Ann R 781
Henderson, J. S 442
Henderson, J. T 491
Henderson, Sophronia 805
Henry, M. D 92
Henry. Thos, B 32. 327
Henry. Rev. Samuel 71, 752
Herring, E 59, 62-3-5, 191, 216
Heritage, Maurice and George. ... 13
^ Hester, John C 70-1
' Hibbard, S. b 68, 70-3-5, 570
Hickey, M. L S9
Hickman, S. B 122
Hicks, Chas. M 560
Higby, A. T 191,216
Hill, George 77, 107
Hill, Howard M 788
Hill, John 1 502
Hill, Rufus J 166, 191, 216
Hillis, A. A 57-S
Hines. O. E 121
Hinkle. J. D 63-4. 184-7, 191
Hite, Chas. P 64S
Hobson, Edward 783
Hockett. J. C 146
Hodges, J. W 62, 137-8
Hogan, Chas. H 70
Holdren, J. W 191, 219
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
Holland, Frank D 745
HoUiday. Joshua 616
Hollings worth. P. S 138, 490
Hollingsworth, R, H 518
Hollingsworth, C. L 35
Hoober. J. B 97
Hook, John 71
Hooker, F. H 13S
Hooper, C. W 109
Horner. R. E 224
Horton, Albert H 63, 117
Houghton. Wm. S 730
Howard. N. F 121
Howard. Fred R 40
Howard. S. J 707
Howe. John W 77,525
Howell, D. W 83
Howell. Bill 115
Hubbard, Jas. P 48S
Hudiburg. Abigail 273
Hudson. L. T 108
Hudson. T. J 29
Hughbanks. Etta 150
Hull. Chas. A. and Edgar 97
Hull. Carrie 97
Hull. Latham 97
Humphrey, L. U 42,
59,63-4,71-2,102,174.191,219
Humphrey, L, L 676
Hurst. George 61
Huston. Wm 62
Hysung. John 640
Imel. William A 670
Independence Gas Co 51
Ingalls. John J 61
Ingmire, Elias M 529
Tnscho, Alvin J 306
Irwin, F. D 86, 90
Isham Bros, and Mansur. . 34-7-8-9,48
Ives. Norman H 59. 96, 100
Jack. John J 91
Jack. Martha 1 827
Jack, S. K 138
PAGE.
. ... 509
75-6, 452
... 697
. .. 364
... 91
191.224
Jackson. Joseph
James. D. S
James. Isaac
James. Joseph L
Jasper & Boniface
Jennings. T. B
Jennings. Vick 45
Jiencke. Harry 61S
Jimmerson. HA 91
Jocelyn. F. C 90
John. Jas. M 191. 224
Johnson. W. A 26
Jones. J. A 50
Jones. J. R 606
Jones. Miss Mena 31
Jones. William 31
Jones, William 706
Joyce, Charles 711
Judson & Saylor 91
Judson. L. C 57,191,224
Kaiser. Henry 91
Kalloch. I. S 9
Keesler. Mary A 322
Kearns. Ale,\ 127
Keith. J. H 78,191.224,473
Keller. Miss Anna 73-4
Kelley. James 58
Kelly. Jas. P 141
Kelley. .las. E 141
Kelly. Dr. W. B 154
Kelso, Marion E 531
Kendall. Benj. M 815
Kennedy. Chas. L 677
Kent. C. W 46
Kent. E. Y 122
Kercheval. R. P 18,191,224
Kerr, Chas. H 426
Kerr, Mrs. Geo, \V 762
Kerr. John 94
Kimball, E. C 57
Kimble, C. h 482
Kincaid, C. C 146-8,150,527
Kincaid, Jas. E 351
HI
rOUY 01' MONTGO MICKY COUNTY, KANSAS.
845
i'A(;i';.
Kincaid, Wilson 33, 67, 76, 10.3
King, Joseph F 645
Kingman, Chief Justice 63
Kingsley, D. W 69. 70
Kington, J. H 62
Kirkpatrick, Charlotte T 441
Kirkpatrick, S. S 74
Klappel, John 57
Klinefelter, Jacob B 352
Kloehr, John J 38-9,40,651
Kneeland, I. N 128
Knock. Robert B 614
Knokle & Debruler 88
Knotts, A. W 35,77
Knowles, L. M 57
Kopple. John and Samuel 141
Kountz (Kounce), E. K 55-6,
112,114,122
Kountz, James 191. 224
Kountz, John C 112
Kring,. John F 658
Krone, D. C 63.286
Krugg, Dr. A. A 478
Kurtz, Isaac 655
Lamb. C. W 354
Lassey. Wm 386
Lawson, Wm. F 497
Leasure. E. D 77
Leatherock. Fred 146
Lee, Henry 127
Lee, John 58
Lenhart, Joseph 74, 80
Lenhart, S. D SO
Leslie, G. B 65-6-8, 148
Levan, H. M 74
Lewelling, L. D 72
Lewis & Mossman 01
Lewis, E. T 72-7, 790
Light, M. B 191, 225
Lindley, P. H 83, 517, 585
Lindley, Rev. Isaac 585
Lines & Cautfman 82
Lippy, Geo. W 342
I'AGK.
Linton. W. H
13
Little Bear
10
Little Beaver
10
Livingston, Wm. P
819
Locke. Wm. N
. . . . 191, 225
Logan. Robert E
669
Lomax. Sullivan 77, 480
Long. Milo M 775
Loring. 191,225
Lotterer, F. G 147
Lushbaugh, John 112,121
Lyon, Maj. E. W 46, 405
Mahaffy, John A 536
Mapes, W. H 172
Martin, Maj. H. W 123
Martin. Gov. John A 68. 130
Martin. W. C 63
Martin. W. N 93. 191, 225
Martin, Wm. P 654
Mason. Edmund 507
Mason. John 759
Mason. Capt. L. C 49. 99. 383
Mastin. Bank 99^
Masterman. Dr. B. F 21.
66. 84. 99. 100. 153. 466
Matthews. John C 326
Matthews. E. E 191,225
Matthews. S. V 66-8.191,226,327
Matthewson, Mrs. Sarah F 417
May, Wm. J S9
Mays, W. T., S. W 112
Maxon, P. B 93
Meagher, Bridget 596
Mears, E. T 62-4,1)4
Melotumuni (12 o'clock) 10
Mensch, Jacob E 751
Merrill, Bishop 95
Merrill, Wm. A 191, 226, 308
Merriman, Chas. M 574
Merritt, Charles 105
MeWhinney & Fagan 56, 121
Meyer, Frank 102
Miller, Dr 94
846
[ISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
PAGE.
Miller.
J. A...
45
Miller,
Jake ..
117 to 120
Miller.
John W
694
Miller,
Peter .
123
Millis,
Mrs. H.
T
94
Mills, Elisha 11
Mills, J. A 191,226
Mills, Wm. H 49,50
Mills, S. W 58
Mishler, Andrew M 523
Mitchell, C. A 146-7,150
Mitchell, Thomas 66
Moore, Alex 66
Moore, A. H 97
Moore, B. F 147
Moore, C. B 43-6
Moore, Jake 453
Moore, J. A 29. 30-1, 75
Moore, P. S 28,65, 70-3
Moore, Vin W 191, 226
Moon, A. J 191,226
Moon, Dr 153
Mooney, Geo. W 443
Moonlight, Col. Tom 68
Montgomery, Col. James 55
Montgomery. G«n. Richard 55
Morehouse. S. B 55-S.
119.136,166,191.226
Moreland. J 04
Morgan. C. B 713
Morgan. J. P 142
Morgan. Charles 79
Moses, Frank C 72-3. 108
Morrill. B. N 72
Morris. J. H 66
Morris. James J 715
Morrow, Thos. F 495
Mounger, Henry 64-6
Mull. J. J 73
Munn. C. W 123
Murphy. Benj 381
Murphy. James 387
Murphy, Thos 9
PAGE.
Murphy. W. P 9
Myrick. W. A 29, 31
MacDonald. E. S 146, 151
McBride, A. P 49, 564
McCabe. "Old Man" 114-15
McCaleb. John 114
McCarty. James 13
McCloud. John E 626
McClung. Mrs 89
McClelland. Geo. W 191. 227
McCollum. M. L 76
McConnell & Mclntyre 43
McConnell. Wm. F 412
McCorkle. James F 825
McCormick. A. H 57, 100
McCormick. A. G 146,755
McCoy. Dr. I. H 13.14
McCreary. Joseph 67-8, 121. 132
McCue. Judge J. D 60-2-6-8.
70-1-3. 91. 102-4-15. 175-8. 186-7, 191
McCullagh, John 63-5, 101
McCulley. Dr. W. A 21-3.
45. 63-8, 94-7-8, 153
McDonald. John 58
McDermott. S. F 191. 228
McDowell, James A 301
McEniry. Michael 96. 191. 226
McEwen. Gen 25
McFeeters. W. S 55.191. 227
McFarland. Dr 100
McHargue. Thos 397
Mclntyre. John 112
McKinley. Wm 74-6
McKinney. Wm. W 435
McMurtry. Samuel 76-7, 304
McNeal. Joseph 559
McSweeney. J 49
McSweeny. Michael 402
McTaggart. Capt. Daniel 55,
67-8-9. 70-2-8-9. 102-6-7, 136
McVean. J. H 191.227
McWilliams, W. B 138
McWright. W 191,228
HISTOKY OF MONTGOMEItY COUNTY, liANSAS.
847
PAGE.
Nash, Alex 71-2
National Supply Co 52
Neal, Charles 100
Neal, Moses 9
Nees, S. M 32
Nettleton. Gen 14:5
Newkirk, Robert 786
New York Oil & Gas Co 52
Newton, Mrs. Ada ; 150
Newton, John 25a
Newton, Minnie 148
Newton, Revilo 29,
31-3, 73-5, 146-8, 151, 269
Nevins, J. M 94
Nevins, Mrs. J. M. (E. C.) 68, 94
Nichols, E. S 93
Nichols. Reuben 191, 228
Nickerson, J. D 49, 50, 104
Noble, T. M 56
Nolte, J. F 67
Nollsch, J. A 83
Nopawalla 10
Norris, Joseph H 71-2-3,799
Norton, Henry 77
Oakes. Gary 63, 98
O'Brien, Fred 116
O'Brien. John 784
O'Connor & McCuUey 45
O'Connor. Thomas 462
O'Connor. W. T 191,228
Oliver, Wm. T 446
O'Rear, R. F 72
Orr, John S 589
Orr, J. A 191,228
Osborn, E. A 16, 18. 29, 30, 67
Osbom, Roy 191, 228
Osborn. Gov. T. A 172
Osborn, William 142
Overheiser, Homer 812
Overman, Z. R 56
Overmyer. David 72
Page, Arthur E 687
Page. John C 318
PAGE.
Page. John Q 191,229
Painter. Daniel 817
Palmer, J. A 75-6
Palmer. F. S 65
Park, George A 463
Parker, York & Co 122-3-4-9
Parker. D. T 123
Parker, J. W 123
Parkhurst, R. S 86.264
Parks, B. P 191,230
Parks, Daniel G 758
Parsons. A. M 47, 191, 229
Parsons, Wm. B 692
Patterson, Jas. F 628
Paul, M. J 100
Paull, Robert 289
Paw-ne-no-pashe, Joseph 9
Paxson, Dr. Cyrus C 765
Paxson, Chas. M 76
Peacock & Sons 44
Peacock. T. W 191, 230
Peck. Geo. R 91,149.175,191.230
Peckham, Col. C. J 59,192,234
Peffer, Wm. A 46, 65, 174, 192, 234
Penn, E. B 770
Perkins. B. W. . . 62-4-8-9.70-1.129,172
Perkins. Luther 192. 235
Perkins. Joshua 7ni)
Perry. E. W 44
Pershing. Rev. J. E 20
Peterson. S. S 95,119
Pettet, Geo. W 82»
Pettibone. S. H 192, 236
Phalp, A 150
Picker. Geo. H 661
Pickering. J. C 604
Piper. S. H 192,236
Pitman, Ben 141
Pittman. Thos. R 63-7.83.663
Polley. Frank B 58
Pomeroy. S. C 24-6.60,03
Porter, S. M 139,192,237,428
Post, Wm. W 569
HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
PAGE.
542
112
34-8-9, 40
684
803
749
848
Powell. Alex. B. . .
Powell. Mrs. E. G.
Powers, Bill
Prather. Wm. L..
Pratt. W. R
Pratt. Sidney A..
Prentis, Chas. W 92
Prentis & Warner 90
Preston, H 67
Price, J. C 57
Pruitt, Andy 77, 461
Pugh, J. H 90,175
Purcell, G. W 192,237
Purcell, L. 1 46
Quigg, A. R 537
Quigley, Geo. W 752
Rader, Dr. J. A 75-8
Ralstin & Coventry S7
Ralstin & Stephenson 87
Ralstin. C. M. 48.56,91,167,183-7,132
Rammel Bros 36
Randle. Elder John 113
Rea. E. S 536
Rea. John B 340
Reardon, W. J 811
Reed Bros 36-8
Reed, Geo. W 20, 85, 105
Reed, Shell 86
Reed, Mrs. Ella 21-2
Reed, Joel W 419
Reid, Joseph H 425
Reeve, Hiram 699
Reeves, J. W 73
Remington, Geo. L 21,682
Renttro, W. S 59
Reyburn. J. S 83
Reynolds. M. W 9,93
Reynolds, Arthur 37-8
Reynolds, Cleveland J 45-7,138
Rice, John E 13
Richart, R. F 146
Ringle. .John P 753
Ringle, W. E 32
PACK.
Ritchie. J. H 45-b'
Ridgely. E. R 74-5
Riggs, Arley 77
Ritter, Benj. F 601
Ritter. John N 70,178
Roberts. Joe 112
Robertson. E. C 121
Robins, Chandler 100
Robinson, Charles 9
Robinson. Beale A 634
Robinson, W. M 62-4
Robinson. Rev. J. J 720
Rogers, Mr 15
Rogers. Wm 138
Rork. Curtis 774
Rood, J. P 63-4-5
Ross, A. L 87
Ross, Sen. E. G 10, 44
Ross, J. S 83
Ross. Marshall M 544
Ross. William 117-18-19-20
Rossiter. J. P 192,237
Rottler. Casper 454
Rowley. Capt. J. B 59. 6?
Rucker. Matt M 98
Rudd. I. H 62
Rundell, Lewis A 716
Rushmore. W. B 67
Russel. John 57
Russum. J. S 62
Ryan, Dr. James W 477
Salathiel. Thos. S 192,237,460
Salter. M. J 63,93
Savage. A. C 64
Savage. J. P 112-14,122
Schake, Charles 631
Schierlman. Herman J 639
Scholl. Father 105
Scott. A. L 71-2,266
Scott, Eda 20
Scott, Frank C 44
Scott. Capt. H. A.. .77, 107, 192, 238, 267
Scott, J. L 57,95.
OUY
F MCJNTGOMKRY COUNTY, KANSAS.
849
I'AGK.
Scott, James H 35S
Scott, Lewis 112-17
Scudder, John M r,7,
60,115,119,173,192,238
Sejman, Carey 38-9
Seltzer. Henry W 672
Sewell. J. B 73
Seacat, Dr. Geo. M 150, 700
Sewell, Frank B 617
Sewell, Joseph G 330
Sewell, Wm. C 627
Selby, Robert N 607
Shadley, Lafayette 64-6
Shaffer, R. M 816
Shank, Daniel 566
Shannon, Osborn 94, 192. 229
Share, J. T S2
Sharpless, John S3
Shaw Bros 115
Shaw, G. B 150
Sheffield, John P 481
Sheesley, Henry 106
Shepard. W. H 35-6
Shewalter, M. C 192,243
Shoemaker, Philip 105
Shoopman. Geo. W 456
Showalter, John W 192,239
Shulthis, Albert W 489
Shumaker, Jacob 777
Sickafoose, Michael 192. 239
Sickels, Thos. N 42-5,493
Sickels, Walter S 45
Sicks, Jacob 315
Simpson, James 60
Simpson. J. W 69.70
Skidmore. Judge A. R 30, 73-6
Skinner, E. B 73-5-6,140,708
Ski
Fred
553
Slater. Isaac 0 449
Slaybaugh. Jas. C 584
Sloan. Wm. H 293
Slocum, A. R ''4
Slosson's Drug Store 37-9
PAGE.
90,192,240
Smart, O. P
Smith, Berryman 137
Smith, Chas. K 38
Smith. Geo. B 261
Smith, Rev. J. A 45
Smith, J. H 137
Smith. Jasepr N 137
Smith, J. Hardy 664
Smith, M. V 332
Smith, O. M 137-8
Smith, Wm. N 71-2,572
Smith, S. A 577
Smyth. Prentice 627
> Snell, Daniel B 512
Snelling, G. R 77,192,240
Snow, Geo. C 9
Snyder, J. K 57
Soule, Martin B.. 77,150,192,243,486
Southard, Whig 143
Sowash, John H^
Sparks, J. A 20
Spencer. S. F 192,240
Squires, S. B 64,75-6,390
Stahl, M. S 64
Standard Oil Co 51-3
Stanford, Thos. H... 73-6.181.192,241
Stark, Chas. M 479
Starkey. Daniel 268
Stephens. M. L 29.31-2,75,370
Stephenson. L. T 56-7-S,
86-9, 94-6, 104, 164-7, 192, 241
Stevens. Dr. T. A 140,629
Stevenson, Joel A 471
Stewart, A. A 44,60,66-8
Stewart. Dr 121
Stewart. James H 320
Stewart. Joseph 192.242
Stewart. J. T 72-3
Stich. Adolph C 98,104-9,283
Stich, Carl 105
St. John, John P 64-6-S
Stinson, J. E 45
850
[ISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. KANSAS.
I'MiV..
Stone, Capt. J. E 59,
G2. 1,38. 140, 170, 302
Straub. Thos. J 78, 436
Strecker, Ignatius 40ft
Strike Ax 10
Stubbleffeld. E. E 779
Sturgis, Wm 9
Sturman. John n7-lS-19-'20
Sturtevant. Ira .1 499
Sullivan & Levan 45
Summer, J. A 138
Surber. Dr. C. C 153, 475
Surface, P. M 718
Suytlham, E;l 121
Swallow. Dr S8
Swarbourg, John 114
Swatzell, Philip L 192.243
Swatzell. J. P 143
Sweeney, 192, 242
Sylvester. \V. 0 58.85,192,253
Tallman. G. J 128
Tanquarry, Drs 183
Tasker, Horatio 541
Taylor, Dr. A. M 137, 415
Taylor. P. E 75-7.727
Taylor. N. C 9
Taylor. W. P 192. 243
Thomas. John C 484
Thomas. Mayo 77-8. 188. 192. 243
Thomas, Seneca B 79G
Thompson, C. C 146,193.243
Thompson, Geo. B 71
Thompson. Jack 112
Thompson, J. M 192. 243
Thorpe, N. B 146.151
Thrall, Dr 94
Tibbils. W. H 192,244
Tillman, S 71
Totltl, Chas 77
Todd. E. P 520
Tonkinson. Joseph 102
Towell. Ira N 695
Trask. E. R 43.86
v.Uiv:.
Tregemba, T. E 792
Trible, E. J 345
Trouvelle, T. P 91-4
Truby. John 394
Truby. Marvin L 393
Truman. T. C 723
Truskett. H. A 271
Triskett. T. W 77
Tuck. George 129
Tucker. S. H 659
Tulley. Mark 71
Turner, Ed. A 832
Turner, W. F. 192, 244
Turner & Otis 99
Twiss, John A 112,117,118,119
Tyler, Wm. W 830
Uitts, Alfred J 424
Umbenhauer, Samuel 102
Underbill. J. B 103-6
Valiet, Col 143
Vance. David 471
Vanderpool, Dr. W. D 764
Vanderslice, H 91
VanDyne, Jacob L 800
VanGundy, Edward .. 45.65,185-7.192
Vasser. "Old Man" 113
Vedder. John 46
Veeder. N. P 72-6-8
Vore. Lewis H 619
Wade. R. A 192.245
Wade, Samuel H 621
Wag.gnner, Geo. W 104,748
> Wagner, John E 625
Wagner, M. 0 192, 246
Wagstaff, Thos. E 192, 245
Waldschmldt, Alex 87
Wallace, I. B 13,68,70
Wallace, W. P 729
Wallick, John 804
Walker, Rev. P. L 113
Walker, R. L 55
Walker, L. A 62,101-2
Walker, John W 595
IIISI'OUV (IF .\I().\T(i()
I'AGE.
Walker, Miss Mary H8
Warner, Will H 44
Warner, Geo. W 192. 246
Warner. Thos. .1 354
Wassam, Dan 102
Waters, L. C 192,246
Waters, H. M 93
Watisanka 10
Watt. Guy 1 108
Watts. John R 562
Watkins. W. H 44.
58.89,92,128,192,246
Waud, Edward J... 567
Way. Earnest A 65-6-7
Way. J. S 67
Weaver. Gen. J. B 65
Weaver. P. W 514
Weaverling. W. G 46
Webb, H. G 128
Webb, Wm. C 165-6-7
Webster, E. B 339
Wei!ep, Representative 27
Wells Bros 37
West. John N 58. 137
Weston, Samuel 192. 246
Whelan. Thomas 145
Whelchel. Wm. D 66.S
> Wheeler, C. C SI
AWheeler, E. M 81, 550
'Wheeler, Geo. R 81
Wheeler, Peter 122
Whistler, Thos 380
Whistler, John 0 77-S. 381
White. Charles 57-8-9, 167
White, Eugene B 11
White Hair 9
Whitman, Geo. H 357
Wier. S. A 94
Wiggins. S. T 192,246
Wisden, F '. 658
Witt, Mr 15
Willis. A. D 192.247
Willis, Frank ... 58. 60. 170. 184-7, 192
•;KY f'OlNTY, KA.NS.\S. 85I
I'AGE.
Willis. J. W 150
Wilson, Albert L 146,193,247
Wilson, E. E 25,
64-6-7,83-6-9,90-1-2-3,103,111,256
Wilson, James M 746
Wilcox, J. H 76
Wilkins, W. J 62
Williams, Will 108
Wingard, John E 539
Wingate. G. W 77
Winters. L. D 77, 325
Winters, E. B 608
Wiltse, D. W 337
Wiltse, Harry 138
Witham. Martha 150
Wine, J. J 757
Wint. Nathan S 411
Wise. Charles 88
Wise. Joseph 14o
Wise. J. F 738
Wortman. W. E 47.143,797
Wortman. J. G 798
Wood. Millard P ' 68,70
Wood, William B 310
Woodrow, J. C 89
Woodring, H 532
Woodruff, J. C 137
Woods. Mrs. Eliza 13. 14
Woodson, Daniel 59
Wooldridge. Wm. R 720
Wooley ( P. P. Cndt ) 76
Wright. C. 0 147
Wright & Kirby 123
Wright. Greenberry 193, 247
Wright. M. D 75,141-3,276
Wright, R. W 83-6-9
Wright, William 77S
W.vcoiT, C. H 57,114,193,247
Wylie, J, A 66,78
Wyohake 10
Yates, Capt. G. W 9
Yeager, A. B 715
York, A, M... 24-6,42,60-3,93,193,247
S52 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS.
PAGE. PAGE.
York. Dr. Wm 24 Zacher. Conrad L 524
Yoe. Charles 20. 42, 400 Zaugg, B 295
Yoe, W. T 42, 101, 311 Zenor. W. S 193. 249
Young. H. W. 27.42-5.74,93,100-1,807 Ziegler. J. B 69,70.180,193,249
Young, Samuel SO Ziegler. Wra E . ... 72-3, 188, 193, 248
Younger, Adaline Lee 33
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