BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS
OBITUARIES
HAWES, PETER J.
Peter J. Hawes died at the residence of his son, CW Hawes, Thursday morning at the age of 79 years. The remains were taken to Eldorado for interment this morning.
Deceased was born in Mercer, co Ky March 26, 1818.
Early in life he united with the Christian church, being one of its pioneer members and Elders.
He came to Butler county in 1876, has held various positions of public trust, being a member of the Illinois legislature
two years. He was universally esteemed by all who knew him. (Augusta Gazette, February 19, 1897, submitted by Julie
Stevens)
POLK, THOMAS P.
Dr. Thomas P. Polk died at his residence on Santa Fe street Tuesday Nov 30, at 7:15 p.m.
The funeral was held from the Christian church Thursday at 3 p.m., Rev. C. D. Hestwood of Hillsboro, Kansas, conducted the services.
Thomas P. Polk was born in Perryville, Ky., Sept 15, 1855. He came of a family of physicians, his father and grandfather having been doctors and he selected the practice of medicine as his vocation. He studied medicine at Nashville, Tenn., and New Orleans, La.
In 1879 he begun the practice of his profession at his native town, Perryville. On Oct 23rd of the same year he was married to Miss Katie E. Camp. To this union were born 6 children, three of whom are still living.
In 1886 he moved to Augusta where he followed the practice of medicine. He served as a member of the pension examining board under the last Cleveland administration. But a few months before his death he had been appointed local physician for the Santa Fe Railway. In September 1892 he lost his wife. On August 19, 1896 he was married to Miss Cora Glass of this city, who with the three children, Jennie, Ethel and Fay survive him.
His death was due to what is called Acute Tuberculosis. On Oct 12th last he left for Hot Springs, New Mexico, on an excursion with the Santa Fe physicians and surgeons returning home in about a week. He was taken sick the night he left here but managed to keep up on the trip west but was confined to his room most of the time since his return.
Since coming to Augusta Dr. Polk had built up a lucrative practice and was considered a man of noble character. No man stood higher in the affection of the people than he.
Although it was blowing and snowing the Christian church was packed which shows in what esteem he was held by the people.
The sermon by Rev Hestwood who had been his friend in life was an eloquent tribute to his character. (Augusta Gazette, Friday, December 3, 1897, submitted by Julie Stevens)
Little Robert Hunt Buried at Chelsea
Funeral services were conducted over the body of Richard Robert Hunt, 4-months-old baby boy of Mr. and Mrs. George Hunt, near Chelsea, at the Methodist church in Chelsea at the Methodist church in Chelsea at 2:30 Monday afternoon. Rev. Mr. Brown of Chelsea and Rev. Dr. A. O. Ebright of the El Dorado Methodist church, conducted the services. Among those from El Dorado attending were Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Roberts, grandparents of the child and Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Osburn. (Walnut Valley Times, Tuesday, February 16, 1915)
Mrs. W. W. Leathers Dies Late Yesterday
Mrs. W. W. Leathers, a resident of the West Branch and Chelsea communities praatically all her life died here late yesterday afternoon following an illnes of several years. Shew as 65 years old.
Born in Ripley County, Ind., August 2, 1876, Mrs. Leathers came to butler County as a small child and had resided here since. She was married at El Dorado on March 4, 1896. Mrs. Leathers was a member of the Methodist Church.
Surviving are her husband; a son F. W. Leathers, Route 3, Leon, and a granddaughter, Nelda Marie Leathers, Oklahoma City, Okla. Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Byrd Funeral Home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock and interment will be made in the Chelsea Cemetery. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, October 18, 1941)
Hold Services for Mrs. W. Leathers
Funeral services for Mrs. W. Leathers, Route 4, who died here Friday, were held yesterday afternoon at the Byrd Funeral Home. Rev. Alvin W. Murray, pastor of the Methodist Church, officiated and interment was made in Chelsea Cemetery.
Members of the West Branch Women's Aid Society, of which Mrs. Leathers, was an active member, attended in a body. Mrs. Roy Morris played and sang "Going Home," and Myrl vincent of Burns, accompanied by her mother, Mrs. W. D. Vincent, sang "One Sweetly Solemn Thought." Pallbearers were: Wallace Cameron, floyd Forrestal, Charles Guinn, Rex Hill, Robert McCully and Lyle Cherryholmes. (El Dorado Times, Tuesday, October 21, 1941)
Gilbert Samuel McCreight died at his home in Sycamore township, 16 miles northeast of El Dorado, Sunday night, August 2, 1914 at 12:30 of apoplexy. He was 59 years, 8 months and 20 days old. He had been a sufferer for the last five weeks.
Mr. McCreight was born in Ohio, November 13, 1854. He was married at Shellsburg, Ia., February 3, 18880 to Miss Jennie Youel. They came to Kansas during that year and located in Jackson County and located on Durachen. Chelsea and Sycamore townships have since been their home.
To them have been born six children, five sons and one daughter. One son, Elton, died four years ago. The others with their bereaved mother survive. They are: Mrs. Blanche Ditch, Frank C., Roy Y., Verlie O., and Clarence L. McCreight, all of Sycamore except Roy, who lives in El Dorado.
Mr. McCreight was a good man and estimable citizen, a member of the Methodist Church since hisyouth and one whose life was blameless.
The funeral will be held from the home Tuesday at 10 a.m. conducted by the pastor of the M. E. Church at Cassoday followed by interment in Chelsea cemetery. (Walnut Valley Times, August 3, 1914)
Mrs. Wayne Manka and Son, leslie, Meet Death Late Yesterday Afternoon when Santa Fe Freight Train Hits Light Truck Seven Miles Northeast of El Dorado
Manka Badly Injured in the Accident
Sustains Brain Concussion, head Lacerations and Hurt Back; Truck Hurled 50 Feet and Stops on its Wheels; Whistle of Locomotive Sounded Several Times
Two members of a Butler County family were killed and a third was seriously injured late yesterday afternoon when the light truck in which they were riding was struck by a Santa Fe freight train, seven miles northeast of El Dorado.
The dead are:
Mrs. Wayne Manka aged 34 years, Route 3
A son, Leslie, aged 10
Seriously injured was Mr. Manka. He sustained a brain concussion, multiple head lacerations and an injured back. The full extent of his injuries had not been determined at noon today, however, and he is not yet considered out of danger.
The fatal accident occurred at 4:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon when the freight struck the vehicle broadside.
Hurled from Truck
The victims who resided on a farm about three miles northeast of Chelsea were hurled out of the truck and the latter was tossed at least 50 feet from the crossing and stopped on its wheels. Mrs. Manka was killed instantly while Leslie lived only a few minutes. The truck was practically demolished.
According to Ernest A. Ledwitch of Emporia, fireman on the train, Mr. Manka could not have failed to see the freight. The truck, he said, had crossed in front of the train only a few seconds before and the driver apparently attempted to beat it to the next crossing at the end of a horseshoe turn. Ledwitch declared that the train was traveling at a speed of approximately 40 or 45 miles an hour, and that the whistle was sounded several times.
Following the crash, the train was held up for some time until Dr. A. P. Cloyes, county coroner, and county officers, could investigate. Both Charles Mason, undersheriff, and O. J. Connell, assistant county attorney went to the scene immediately.
Investigation revealed that the truck had been struck on the right side as it headed west across the tracks. The freight was bound in a southwesterly direction.
Coming To El Dorado
It is believed that the Mankas were coming to El Dorado to pick up another son, Monte, who is a student in the Ninth Grade at the Junior High School here. The latter has been staying with Mrs. John Fox, 418 South Atchison Street.
Members of the train crew were Frank Hansen, conductor; H. W. Bobinsky, engineer; E. A. Ledwitch, fireman, J. M. Harris and George Thompson, brakeman. All live at Emporia. So far as is known there were no witnesses of the tragedy with the exception of the crew.
Bodies of the victimes were taken to the Byrd Funeral Home while Mr. Manka was rushed to the Allen Memorial Hospital. Attending physicians said this morning that he may recover. He has not yet been informed of the death of his wife and son.
Well Known Here
Mrs. Manka had resided in this community for the past 15 years, coming here from Fairview, Okla. She was born at El Dorado however on October 4, 1906 and was married at Fairview in 1925.
In addition to her husband and son, she is survived by three sisters, Miss Mary Early of Fairview, Okla., Miss Dorothy Early of Alva, Okla., and Mrs. Doris Knoop of Oklahoma City and two brothers, George Early of Marshfield, Mo., and Paul Early also of Fairview.
Two of the sisters, Mary and Dorothy and a brother, Paul arrived in El Dorado early this morning while Mr. Manka's father, John Manka and a sister Gladys both of Lockwood, Mo., were expected to reach here some time today.
Leslie, the other victim was born September 25, 1930, and attended the Chelsea school.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed. (El Dorado Times, Friday, February 7, 1941)
Mrs. Anna Margaret Becker wife of H. W. Becker, died at the Cameron home. They will be conducted by Rev. Paul Holmes. Burial will be made in the Chelsea cemetery. It was Mrs. Becker's request that no flowers be sent to her funeral.
The body is in charge of the Byrd Brothers Funeral Home.
Mrs. Becker had lived in Kansas 40 years. She was born on October 21, 1843, at York Springs, Pa., and was married to Mr. Becker on January 17, 1876. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Shelly. (Walnut Valley Times, February 3, 1926)
H. W. Becker a Pioneer is Dead
End comes to a Well Known Northeast Butler County Man This Afternoon
H. W. Becker, who would have been 88 years old had lived until June 30, Civil War veteran and for a number of years a prominent farmer and stockman of the Chelsea community, died at 12:50 o'clock this afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wallace Cameron, six miles north of El Dorado after an illness of a number of months. Mr. Becker had been seriously ill for the past sevearl days.
No funeral arrangements had been made this afternoon but it was said the services probably will not be held before Tuesday. One of the last requests of Mr. Becker was that there be no flowers at his funeral. The Byrd Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of the body.
Mr. Becker was born at Gettysburg, Pa., on June 30, 1840, in early life, he learned the tanner's trade but later he engaged in farming.
Mr. Becker was educated in public schools of Pennsylvania. In 1862, he enlisted in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Vavalry. Mr. Becker took part in a number of wars at Antietam, Stone River and a number of wars. He was with General Sherman on his march to the sea. The cavalry unit saw as much service as any other organization in the war.
In 1867 Mr. Becker was married to Miss Margaret Shelly, a native of Pennsylvania. To them seven children were born, one died in infancy. In addition to Mrs. Cameron, Mr. Becker is survived by three other daughters, Mrs. Lon Carter, and Mrs. Margaret Putnam, both of Chelsea; Mrs. Edna McMillan, of Wichita and two sons, W. S. Becker of Carthage, Mo.; and K. S. Becker, of Chelsea.
Came Here in 1884
Mr. Becker came to Butler County in 1884, settling in Chelsea Township, where he bought 160 acres of land. He engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years, and became one of the prosperous and substantial residents of the northeast part of the county.
Posted on Politics
For a number of years, Mr. Becker was one of the best posted men on local political conditions in the county. He gave his allegiance to the Republican Party. he was a delegate to a number of party conventions.
Mr. Becker had made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Cameron for the past two years since the death of Mrs. Becker. Previous to that Mr. and Mrs. Becker had lived at the Cameron home a year.
In commenting on Mr. Becker's death this afternoon, Wallace Cameron, his son-in-law, said: "Mr. Becker was a great supporter of this country. He voted for Abraham Lincoln for president and never failed to cast a ballot at every elections. He believed a man who did not vote was not a good citizen. (The Walnut Valley Times, Saturday, April 14, 1928)
Mrs. Charles Buchanan Dies; Services Sunday
Mrs. Charles Buchanan, 78, 219 North Vine, died here last night following an illness of three days.
She was born Aug. 1, 1874 at New Albany, Kas., and was married to Charles Buchanan Oct. 14, 1896 at El Dorado. He preceded her in death in 1948.
A lifelong resident of Kansas she first came through El Dorado on her way to Ness County in 1886. She returned here in 1888 and lived here until her marriage when she moved to the Chelsea community. She returned to El Dorado in 1935.
Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Mary James, 917 West Olive; Mrs. Olive Dannenfelser, 602 South Topeka, Mrs. Hallie Shutts, Wichita; Mrs. Daisy Morrill, WIchita; one son, Merrit Buchanan, Route 3, one sister, Mrs. S. E. Dubbs, Crowley, Colo., and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Kirby Funeral Home. Rev. Donald C. Morrison, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Chelsea cemetery. (El Dorado Times, Friday, September 19, 1952)
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