Bios Index

COOL, COMMODORE F.

COMMODORE F. COOL, one of the substantial citizens of Columbus, a member of the Logan Abstract & Loan Company of this city, was born in McLean County, Illinois, and is a son of H. and Esther (Haner) Cool.

The father of Mr. Cool was born in West Virginia and moved in 1856 to Illinois, where he followed farming until 1870. Then he moved to Cherokee County, Kansas, arid secured a farm in Lyon township. He died in the fall of 1896. He had served as justice of the peace and on school boards, and had been active in political affairs. The mother of Mr. Cool was born in Illinois, and died in Cherokee County, Kansas, in 1884. The children, besides the subject of this sketch, are,-J. W., a farmer in Lyon township, Cherokee County; Mrs. R. D. Oliver, of Webb City, Missouri; Mrs. Tom Murphy, of Meade County, Kansas; J. E., of Salida, Colorado; and Clarence, of San Francisco, California.

Commodore F. Cool remained at home until he attained his majority. His early life, from the age of seven years until that of 22, was mainly devoted to maintaining himself and laying a foundation for a very liberal education. At the age of 22 years he attended the Quaker Academy for a month, and was a pupil later at Fort Scott, teaching in the meantime, and thus providing himself with funds, so that in .1889 he was graduated with the degrees of B. A., and B. O., at the Kansas State Normal School at Fort Scott, and in 1893 at Emporia he secured a life certificate. The accomplishment of this desire meant a great deal, for it was secured entirely through his own unassisted efforts, and indicated a perseverance and concentration which will be winning factors through his later life in the business world. He continued in the educational field, serving as principal of the Humboldt High School, then as superintendent of the Scammon schools and then from 1897 to 1901, as county superintendent of schools. In the fall of the latter year he resigned the position to become a teacher of elocution, oratory and English in the Cherokee County High School. In June, 1903, Mr. Cool entered into partnership with J. Wilbur Logan, forming the Logan Abstract & Loan Company, an enterprise which is a leading business institution of the city.

Mr. Cool married Catherine Vincent, who for 12 years previously had been a teacher in the Columbus schools. They have three children,-Christine, Victor Vincent and Courtney Franklin.
The parents of Mrs. Cool, David and Rachel Vincent, were early settlers at Columbus, where Mr. Vincent conducted a hotel and restaurant for a number of years. His death occurred some years since, but Mrs. Vincent still survives and is a member of Mr. Cool's family.

Mr. Cool has been identified with educational matters ever since he has resided in Columbus. He was president of the board of trustees of the Cherokee County high school, and had much to do with securing its location and getting it into operation. Formerly he was a Republican, but is now a Populist, having been elected county superintendent on the Fusion ticket. Since the age of 17 years, he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an active worker in the church, Sunday-school, and Junior League, of which he is now superintendent. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 300-301)

SLEASE, C. J.

C. J. SLEASE, who has been engaged in mercantile pursuits at Columbus since 1886, and is now one of its leading citizens, was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, in 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Baker nee Lucas) Slease.

Jacob Slease was a farmer all his life and owned a fine property in Pennsylvania, where his death occurred in 1898, at the age of 70 years, after two visits made to Cherokee County, Kansas. In politics, he was an old-line Democrat. The mother died on the home farm in 1895. They reared six children to maturity, namely: John and Harvey, farmers in Pennsylvania; L. J., our subject; George M., who, with Harvey, owns the old homestead; and Emma Jane, who lives on the old homestead with her brothers.

Mr. Slease was 21 years of age when he came to Cherokee County, in 1879, after completing a good, common-school education and teaching about three years. After coming to this section, he taught school three years near Weir City. He removed then to Columbus and accepted a clerkship in the Branin Brothers' bookstore, where he remained for three years, until the building was burned. He then entered into partnership with W. J. Branin, and for about five years was engaged in book selling, in the front of the post office, moving as the post office was moved. He then sold his interest, to engage in his present successful enterprise.

Mr. Slease is proprietor of the "Fair" which he opened up in what was known as the Branin Building, where he continued two years. Then he removed to the Scammon Building, on the east side of the square. In April, 1896, he moved to the Opera House Building, in which he is interested as a stockholder. This is one of the finest locations in the city. Here the business has been developed into a dry goods, clothing, boot, shoe and notion emporium. Mr. Slease carrying a very heavy stock which is accommodated in a building no feet deep by 40 feet in width, modernly equipped. The services of four courteous ladies and the same number of gentlemen, on opposite sides of the building, are required, in addition to the assistance rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Slease and their son, Charles M. They have devoted close attention to the upbuilding of this enterprise for the past 12 years, and have met with gratifying success. Mr. Slease is one of the city's capitalists ; he is one of the heaviest stockholders in the Columbus Vitrified Brick & Tile Company, and is also interested in the Cherokee County Lumber Company, both successful organizations.
Mr. Slease was married in Platte City, Missouri, to Maggie Slease, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who had been prior to her marriage a successful teacher in Northern Kansas. They have two intelligent, capable children,- Charles M. and Helen Mary. The former is his father's bookkeeper and cashier. He at-
tended school at Columbus, beginning at the age of six years, and never missing a day until he graduated at the County High School in 1902. This perseverance and attention to duty have accompanied him into business life, and he is laying the foundation for a future prosperous career. The daughter is a student in the County High School, and although but 16 years of age is already a valued instructor in instrumental music. She has been the organist for the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school for some years, and is the assistant church organist. Her talents promise to bring her into prominence in the musical world. The finely improved home of the Slease family is situated in the northern portion of Columbus, and is one of the most valuable residence properties in the city.

Politically, Mr. Slease is a Democrat. In 1901 he was elected mayor of the city, on the Citizens' ticket, and served from 1901 to 1903. His fraternal relations are with the Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Columbus. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 301-302)

NORTON, W. S.

COL. W. S. NORTON, who for the past five years has been a valued citizen of Columbus, is one of Cherokee County's most prominent and wealthy residents, a large mine and land owner, a political leader and a sociable, whole-souled gentleman. He was born in July, 1845, at Paris, Illinois, and is a son of Amos and Elizabeth (Frasier) Norton.

Amos Norton was born in 1826 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a nephew of "Little Ben" Norton, the noted territorial Senator from Ohio, who was also the first Senator elected from that commonwealth when it became a State. In 1854 Amos Norton visited Kansas but did not locate here, settling at Buffalo, Missouri. In 1855 he purchased land south of Buffalo, in Dallas County, Missouri, and was engaged in farming and stock-raising until the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted as quartermaster of the 14th Regiment, Missouri State Militia, and was captured and killed by Turner's band of guerrillas, on April 2, 1863. His widow, who was a daughter of William Frasier, of Kentucky, died at the home of the subject of-this sketch in Columbus, in 1901, in advanced age. Of their three sons, only Colonel Norton ever became prominent in this section.

The adventurous and interesting career of Colonel Norton dates from his 15th year, when he left his home at Buffalo (where his father had located, bringing the family from Edgar County, Illinois, when our subject was nine years old) and enlisted in the Missouri State Guards. This took place May 4, 1861, and for 10 months he served in Company A of this organization and then for 90 days, in the Home Guards, and later, in the 8th Regiment, Missouri Vol. Cav., from which he was honorably discharged in September, 1865, with a commission. The close of the war found him, like many others, in doubt as to his future, different localities presenting their claims, but many having serious drawbacks attached. Thus his venture into Old Mexico only resulted in a breakdown of health, and January, 1866, found him back at work on the home farm. In the following summer he first came to Cherokee County, Kansas, a section in which he is now so well known and so highly valued.

At this time, on account of a heavy fire loss. Colonel Norton was some thousands of dollars in debt; all his obligations have long since been discharged, dollar for dollar. He located one and a half miles west of the present site of Galena on government land which had been transferred to James F. Joy, the promoter and builder of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad. Settlers who had located were exempt and could keep their lands. Colonel Norton purchased from the heirs of John Ross. In three years he broke out and seeded a portion of the tract, made improvements, secured the location of a post office at the crossroads town of Checo, served as its first postmaster and then sold out to Rev. Mr. Stephens, whose son is now a business man of Galena. Mr. Stephens succeeded as postmaster, and served as such until the organization of the town of Galena.

In 1869 Colonel Norton began school teaching near Carthage, Missouri, and lived there until February, 1871, engaging also in freighting between Granby and Sedalia. He then settled in Joplin, where he began his mercantile career and his mining operations. His earlier mining ventures were in lead and zinc, but his present operations are confined mainly to coal mining and are extensive and successful. He owns over 2,000 acres of land in Cherokee County, 600 of which are included in two stock ranches, one located south of Lowell, and the other, northwest of Columbus, the rest of the property being coal and farming land. For 15 years he had given his attention closely to his coal and mercantile enterprises, but in the fall of 1903 he closed out the latter, which had been conducted at Scammon.

Colonel Norton is a lawyer by profession, and was in active practice from 1881 to 1900, having been admitted to the bars of Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. It is not remarkable that a man so identified with such large business interests, should be also prominent politically. He was reared in the traditions of the Democratic party, but has long been affiliated with the Republican party, and served as State Senator from Cherokee County, from 1888 to 1892. He served for six years as mayor of Baxter Springs, and has been a leading factor in almost all of the public affairs of this section for the past 30 years.

On April n, 1883, Colonel Norton was married to Mary A. Stall, who was probably the first female infant born at Fort Leaven-worth, Kansas, her father being a lieutenant of United States Dragoons, who subsequently met death from wounds, during the Civil War, at Andersonville Prison. Mrs. Stall died in California. Colonel and Mrs. Norton have two children,-Maude, who is yet a student at college, and Claude, who is a student in the Missouri Military Academy, at Mexico, Missouri. Mrs. Norton and her daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. The Colonel has liberal views, but they never take him very tar from orthodoxy.

His social and fraternal associations are with the Columbus G. A. R. Post, in which he has filled chairs at Baxter and Galena, and with the Masonic Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter of Columbus. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 302-304)

SAYER, P. R.

P. R. SAYER, D. D. S., secretary and treasurer of the Sayer & Puttkamer Mining Company, of Cherokee County, and one of the leading dental practitioners of Columbus, was born in 1872 near Des Moines, Iowa, and is a son of G. W. and Margaret (Malone) Sayer.

The parents of Dr. Sayer moved from Iowa to Kansas in 1876 and settled near Manhattan, where they were engaged in farming until the spring of 1889, when they came to Cherokee County, and now reside in the vicinity of Crestline. They had the following children: P. R.; William and Roy, of Cherokee County; T. V., formerly a dental practitioner, but now interested in mining; and Charles.

P. R. Sayer was reared in Kansas and was a pupil in the common schools of Cherokee County. In 1896 he entered the office of Dr. J. O. Houx, for the study of dentistry, and also took a literary course in the State Normal School at Fort Scott. He remained two years with Dr. Houx and in 1899 opened an office of his own at Columbus, where he has met with the most satisfactory success. He has a finely equipped suite of rooms in the LaRue Building.

Dr. Sayer has been quite extensively interested in mining operations for some years, giving attention to lead and zinc working in the Galena district and, as stated, is an official of the Sayer & Puttkamer Mining Company, the president and general superintendent of which is John Puttkamer, and the vice-president, T. V. Sayer. The property is considered very valuable, and the developing work now in progress gives every promise of rich returns.

At Columbus, Dr. Sayer married a daughter of DeWitt C. Seibert, who was an early settler of Cherokee County. They have two children,-Constance Annabel and Grace Emeline. They enjoy a pleasant home with beautiful surroundings, in the southwestern part of the city. Dr. and Mrs. Sayer are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Fraternally, Dr. Sayer is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he belongs also to the State Dental Association of Kansas. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Page 304)

LARUE, T. P.

T. P. LARUE, president of the First National Bank of Columbus, and one of the leading capitalists of Cherokee County, was born in 1844 in Morrow County, Ohio, and is a son of Aaron
LaRue.

The LaRue family is of French extraction, and the American branch was instituted by Huguenot refugees who became prominent in the State of Virginia and, later, in Ohio. Aaron LaRue was born in Virginia in 1800, and died in Iowa in 1885. He took his family to Iowa in 1856, and settled on a farm in the vicinity of Vinton, in Benton County.

T. P. LaRue was reared on his father's farm in Iowa. He possessed the business capacity which led him to invest his small capital to the best advantage, and to turn it over until he had secured enough to establish himself in a private banking business. This he accomplished in 1877 with means he had earned himself, for Mr. LaRue is an example of a self-made man. He continued in the private banking business at Scranton, Iowa, until 1886, when he moved to Cherokee County, Kansas, subsequently purchasing the Columbus Bank, a private institution, of which Jarvis, Conklin & Company were the owners. This bank, which was founded in 1882 by Dwight & Schott, had been disposed of to Jarvis, Conklin & Company, and was sold to Mr. LaRue in the fall of 1887.

In 1902 the institution became the First National Bank of Columbus, which is capitalized at $50,000, and has about $5,000 in undivided profits. Mr. LaRue is now in active charge of the bank as its president, and the other officers are,-Isaac Wright, vice-president ; H. A. LaRue, cashier; and A. M. Albin, assistant cashier. The success of the institution has been assured ever since Mr. LaRue took charge, and the business has continued to expand until now it is rated, not only as one of the safest, but also as one of the most important financial concerns of the State.
When Mr. LaRue came to Cherokee County, he brought considerable capital with him, which, under his good management, has many times increased. He owns between 4,000 and 5,000 acres of land in Cherokee County and is the largest tax payer. He also has property located in other states, and owns stock in several other banks. His farming land he rents, devoting the greater part of his time to the management of his numerous investments.

Mr. LaRue married Elizabeth Hutton, who was born in Ohio, and taken to Iowa when a child by her parents. Six children were born to them, four in Iowa, and two (twins) in Kansas. Mrs. LaRue and the younger children are enjoying the comforts of the beautiful winter home at Los Angeles, California.

During the Civil War, Mr. LaRue served for 18 months as a non-commissioned officer in Company G, 2nd Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and saw active service during his time, but returned uninjured. Politically, he has always been a strong supporter of the Republican party, but has never accepted preferment of any kind. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason, and belongs also to the Grand Army of the Republic. In religious views, he favors Catholic institutions.
Without doubt, Mr. LaRue is one of the I most widely known men in business and financial circles in this section of Kansas, and he fills a prominent position as the president of oldest banking institution in Cherokee County. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 304-307)

SHEARER, ANDREW

ANDREW SHEARER, a prominent resident of Columbus, and one of the most substantial citizens and largest land owners of Cherokee County, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born in Scotland, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Chambers) Shearer.

Robert Shearer was born in Scotland. His wife, while of Scotch parents, was born in White Haven, England. She died in Illinois, in the winter of 1902, but Robert Shearer still survives, residing near Keelville, Lyon township, Cherokee County, and, although almost 87 years of age, still takes an active interest in: agricultural affairs. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of his family of six children. A brother and sister still reside in Illinois, and two brothers, Hugh and John, settled in Lyon township, where the former died in April, 1902. Andrew Shearer was reared in Will County, Illinois, and attended the public schools. His business has always been of an agricultural nature and he has been highly successful. He located in Cherokee County, Kansas, in February, 1881, having purchased a farm of 160 acres from the railroad company in the previous year. To this first purchase he has added until he now owns over 1,000 acres in Cherokee County, including one entire section. When he came here he brought with him some fine Clydesdale stock, and has continued to raise this breed ever since. He has done an immense amount of feeding, buying and selling cattle. In 1900 Mr. Shearer purchased his present home site in the northwest portion of the city. He improved it greatly and now enjoys one of the really fine homes of Columbus.

Prior to coming to Cherokee County, Mr. Shearer had married, in Illinois, Kate Kassabaum, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared in Illinois. They have three children, namely: Mrs. Addie Mclntosh, born in Illinois, and now residing on the old homestead in Lyon township, who has one son,-Arthur, -born there: Mrs. Maggie Deem, born in Illinois, who also resides in Lyon township, and has one son,-Harry; and Oliver, born in Cherokee County, who is still at home.

Politically, Mr. Shearer is a Republican, and has been a very prominent factor in county politics. From 1893 to 1896 he served as county commissioner, and from 1897 to 1898 as county treasurer. Prior to this he had served in various township offices, and has always done his full duty as a public-spirited citizen.

The family is connected with the United Brethren Church, although Mr. Shearer was reared in the Presbyterian faith, his father having prepared for the Presbyterian ministry.

While still a resident of Illinois, Mr. Shearer became identified with the Masonic fraternity, and since coming to Kansas he has become a member of the Odd Fellows. He is one of the highly respected and widely known citizens of this section. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 307-308)

LAMASTER, JAMES W.

The name of Lamaster has long been an honored one in Lola township, four, members of this family having been among the early settlers. The gentleman mentioned above was the first to come to the county, making the trip from Knox County, Missouri, in May, 1870. He located on the farm in section 27, township 33, range 22, which now constitutes his home,-being part of what were called the "Joy lands." Mr. Lamaster was born in Garrard County, Kentucky, November 6.

The father of the subject of this sketch was Alexander W. Lamaster, a native of Kentucky, who lived out his 60 years of life there and in Missouri, dying in Knox County, Missouri, in 1865. He was a cooper by trade and also followed farming. He married Nancy Lear, also of the "Blue Grass State," who died in Knox County in i860 at the age of 48 years. She was the mother of the following children: Mrs. Elizabeth Haden, who came with her husband to Cherokee County and is now deceased; Mrs. Sallie Starks, of Montana; James W., the subject of this review; Mrs. Zarelda Lewis, of Pony, Montana; Mrs. Edna Earl, of Lola township; William A., elsewhere mentioned in this volume; Mrs. Katherine Lightfoot, of Deer Lodge, Montana; Mrs. Nancy Bradshaw, of LaBelle, Missouri; and Joel Garwood, of Butte City, Montana.

James W. Lamaster was 13 years old when his parents removed from the "Blue Grass State" to Knox County, Missouri. He received a fair common-school education, and learned lessons in thrift and economy in the rigorous farm life of his early manhood. His youth was passed amid the exciting events of the Civil War, but he was too young to enter the service. He remained at home until 1869, and then resolved to take advantage of the cheap lands then obtainable in Southeastern Kansas. Arriving in Cherokee County in May, he soon found a suitable location, as noted above, and began the arduous task of building a home in a new country. His first entry was a quarter section of the "Joy lands' to which he later added 150 acres of "treaty-right" land in section 29, 40 acres in section 21 and 40 acres in section 27, adjoining his home place, making in all 390 acres, all in township 33, range 22.

As he looks out upon his broad acres at the present time, his mind reverts to the period when the surrounding country was nothing but unimproved prairie, with neighbors many miles away, the nearest trading points being Columbus, Chetopa and Oswego,-the first named place having at that time only a few small houses or huts. But strong in the faith that out of these seemingly desert lands would come fertile and productive farms (for it was at one time thought that the Western prairies were barren), he worked away, breaking land for his neighbors as well as for himself, planting fruit and shade trees and adding one improvement after another as he had the means, and finding himself a little in advance every year. When he came to the county he had only a team and about $200. His first habitation was a frame box-house one story high, and 12 by 14 feet in size, with two doors and one window. This continued to be his home until 19 years ago, when he built his present commodious and substantial frame dwelling. For a good many years Mr. Lamaster kept bachelor's hall in the primitive house mentioned. For six years he ran a prairie team, making trips to and from Columbus with oxen. At first he had very poor crops, the failures being caused by severe droughts and grasshopper raids. Probably the most discouraging year was when myriads of grasshoppers attacked his 40-acre wheat field, and destroyed every blade, as well as nearly everything green on the farm.

Mr. Lamaster married rather late in life, waiting until he had accumulated considerable property and was well established in business. In 1881 he was united in marriage with Elzada Thompson, who was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, September 18, 1859, and is a daughter of Adam and Zella Agnes (Bursott) Thompson, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. One daughter, Zella May, was born to this marrige, December 28, 1882. Mr. Lamaster has been a great worker in the Christian Church, and a fast friend of education. He has at various times served on the School Board. He votes with the Populist party, although he cares little for politics. Mr. Lamaster has been a member of the A. H. T. A. and the Land League of the settlers. He is a gentleman whom all unite in greeting with warm expressions of esteem. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 308-309)

DODSON, JAMES N.

JAMES N. DODSON, city treasurer of Weir City, and one of its prominent citizens and substantial business men, was born in Johnson County, Missouri, in 1855, and is a son of William and Sarah (Farris) Dodson.

William Dodson was born in 1813 on the site of the city of St. Louis, Missouri, when it was but a little collection of log houses, inhabited chiefly by French traders. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming all his active life. His first removal was to Howard County, Missouri, thence to Johnson County and later, in 1859, to Henry County, where he located in the vicinity of Calhoun. His death took place at Lewis Station, Henry County, September 20, 1879, at the age of 66 years. In political views, he was in accord with the Republican party. William Dodson was twice married, the two children of his first union being,-Mary, who is a resident of Joplin, Missouri; and Henry, who resides at Bartlesville, Indian Territory. Henry Dodson enlisted in the Civil War in 1861, entering the 7th Regiment, Missouri Vol. Cav., as a private, and rose successively to the rank of 2nd lieutenant, 1st lieutenant and captain. He has been a prominent figure in political life, and served two years as sheriff of Henry County, Missouri, and two years as sheriff of Butler County, Kansas. The second marriage of William Dodson was to Sarah Farris, who was born in Missouri in 1828, and died September 5, 1893. Their surviving children are as follows: John T., of Joplin, Missouri; Martin F., of Seattle, Washington; James N.; Nealia, of Lowry City, Missouri; Charles J., of Pittsburg, Kansas; Jennie, of Weir City, Kansas; and Robert, of Lowry City, Missouri. James N. Dodson was four years old when his parents moved to Henry County, Missouri, and settled on a farm, and he assisted in its cultivation until he was 22 years of age. Then he began to work in the coal mines of Henry County, where he continued for 10 years. In 1880 he married and six years later moved with his family to Butler County, Kansas, and embarked in mercantile pursuits at Leon. Two years later he moved his family and stock of goods to Bennetts, Arkansas. Mr. Dodson carried on his store in connection with the butchering business, from November, 1887, to May, 1888, when he moved to Huntington, Arkansas. There he remained from May to August 1, 1888, and then settled at Weir City. Mr. Dodson worked in the coal mines at Weir City, that being the leading industry, until 1890, when he accepted a position in the general store of the Kansas & Texas Coal Company, at Weir City, beginning as a grocery clerk and through efficiency rising to the position of grocery manager. He continued there until 1900, when he bought a half interest in the general store of the J. R. Crowe Coal & Mining Company at Columbus.

After this purchase, the stock was moved from Columbus to Stippville, Cherokee County, and the firm style became J. N. Dodson & Company, which was continued for two years. Then Mr. Dodson sold his interest in the business at Stippville to the J. R. Crowe Coal Company, and entered into a mercantile venture at Weir City. In 1902 he purchased the store of B. S. Abbott. This store is one of the leading business establishments in the city, its management and operation reflecting great credit upon Mr. Dodson.

In 1880 Mr. Dodson was married, at Montrose, Missouri, to Mary Mahon, who was born in 1857 at Peoria, Illinois. They have a family of eight children, viz: John W., born at Lewis Station, Henry County, Missouri, who married Eva Pollock, of Scammon, Kansas, and has one child,-John James, born at Weir City, Kansas; Winnie and Mary, born at Lewis Station; Raymond, born in Butler County, Kansas; and Ella, William, Joseph and Irene, born at Weir City. The family attend the Catholic Church.

Mr. Dodson has been closely identified with the business interests and political affairs of Weir City for a number of years, and has frequently been honored by the Republican party, of which he is a stanch member, by election to responsible offices. He has been a very useful member of the School Board and the City Council, and at present is the city's capable treasurer. His fraternal associations are the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dodson is a man who commands universal respect, and is a worthy representative of the city. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 309-311)

COWLEY, W. R.

HON. W. R. COWLEY, general attorney of The Long-Bell Lumber Company, which has its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, has been identified with this corporation since its inception at Columbus, Kansas, in 1875. Mr. Cowley was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1843, and was eight years old when he came to America, accompanying his parents, who located at Hudson, Ohio, where both subsequently died.

Mr. Cowley attended the schools of Hudson and Akron, Ohio, until the age of 16 years, when he entered the Christian College at Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he completed the literary course in 1868. His entrance into business was as a surveyor at Montezuma, Iowa, where he spent one year as surveyor of Poweshiek County, and then engaged, for two years, with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, platting and appraising lands for them in Western Iowa. He afterwards commenced the study of law at Montezuma, and was admitted to the bar. Thereupon he located at once in Columbus, Kansas, where he entered into practice.

Prior to this, Mr. Cowley had made a fine war record for himself, first, as a member of the 84th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Col. William Lawrence, who afterwards became Comptroller of the United States Treasury. With this regiment he served four months on guard duty, along the Potomac River. He then returned to Iowa and enlisted in the 15th Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., under Col. W. W. Belknap, and served for two years, being honorably discharged without having suffered either wounds or imprisonment.

After locating in Columbus, Mr. Cowley went into partnership with the late Boyd Hutchinson, and later the firm of Cowley & Hampdon was formed; still later, he was associated with M. V. B. Bennett. From January, 1879, t0 January, 1883, he served as county attorney for Cherokee County, but since 1883 he has given practically his whole time and attention to the affairs of The Long-Bell Lumber Company, traveling in their interests about 2,500 miles per month. He still retains his pleasant home in Columbus, where he and family have many agreeable social connections.

Mr. Cowley married Florence J. Smith, who was born at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and was one of his classmates at the Christian College. They have three sons and one daughter, viz: Frederick, Minnie, Lawrence L., and Clare J. Frederick, who was born in Iowa, is a farmer and stock-raiser of Cherokee County; he served three years as a member of the State Sanitary Live Stock Commission, being the youngest member ever elected. Minnie is the wife of C. S. Huffman, of Columbus; Lawrence L., who is a graduate of the Lawrence High School, the State University and the State Law School, is now an attorney at Perry, Oklahoma, and holds the position of territorial attorney for The Long-Bell Lumber Company, and general attorney for the Minnetonka Lumber Company. Clare J. graduated from the State University in June, 1904, just before coming of age, and will enter the lumber business, both he and his brother, Lawrence, being stockholders in the Minnetonka Lumber Company. All three of these young men possess the qualities and education which insure their future prominence.

Politically, Mr. Cowley is a Republican. Fraternally, he is connected with a number of the local orders, and formerly was active in G. A. R. affairs. He is a member of the Christian Church. On account of his being a representative man of the section, and an orator of more than usual eloquence, he has frequently been chosen as the speaker for public occasions, and has made addresses at the Old Settlers' Reunions. His notable efforts were his Garfield and Sherman memorial addresses and his address at the first Decoration Day celebration at Columbus. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 311-312)

LEMASTER, WILLIAM ALEXANDER

In the subject of this sketch we have one of the pioneers of the county, who came here in the days when Cherokee County was a lusty infant, and who was present at many of the "first" events now related at the meetings of old settlers. Mr. Lamaster came to the county in 1870, and immediately located on the south half of the northeast quarter of section 28, township 33, range 22, in Lola township, a portion of the 440-acre tract he now owns. He is a native of the "Blue Grass State," born April 8, 1852, in Garrard County.

The early childhood of Mr. Lamaster was passed in his native county. When he was five years old, his parents moved to Knox County, Missouri, where he lived until he was 17 years old. There his father, Alexander W. Lamaster, who was a cooper by trade, and also a farmer by vocation, died in 1865, and there his mother, Mrs. Nancy (Lear) Lamaster, passed away at the age of 48 years. Nine children resulted from their union, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Haden, who came with her husband to Cherokee County, and is now deceased; Mrs. Sallie Starks, of Montana; James W., one of the prominent citizens and well-to-do farmers of Lola township; Mrs. Zarelda Lewis, of Pony, Montana; Mrs. Edna Earl, of Lola township; William Alexander; Mrs. Katherine Lightfoot, of Deer Lodge, Montana; Mrs. Nancy Bradshaw, of LaBelle, Missouri; and Joel Garwood, of Butte City, Montana.

Mr. Lamaster came to Cherokee County in 1870, with a brother-in-law and sister, riding a horse the whole distance, and driving the cow behind the wagon; his brother-in-law drove the team and Mr. Lamaster had to help the wagon up nearly all the hills. They were four weeks making the trip, and arrived here in October. It is unnecessary to go into details concerning the hardships encountered during those first years. No wonder the old settler looks with contemptuous pity on the farmer of this day, who complains of the difficulties encountered in improving the farm from its wild state. Surrounded with all the comforts of civilization, and with modern machinery to aid him in his work, there is a world of difference between his condition and that of the farmer in the days when the county was first settled.

Mr. Lemaster joined his brother, James W., who had arrived here in the preceding May, and "bached" with him for some time. He located a claim in the "Joy lands," taking 160 acres in section 28, Lola township, where he has ever since lived. Later, he acquired the northeast quarter of section 22 and 120 acres in section 26, township 33 range 22. After living with his brother for one year, Mr. Lamaster built, on his 160-acre tract in section 28, a box house, one story high and 14 by 24 feet in size, divided into two rooms. This was the home to which he took his bride in 1875. and this continued to be his residence until about 1884, when he erected his present fine, frame house.

Mr. Lamaster and his brother entered vigorously upon the work of preparing their land for cultivation, and broke all their own land, besides a good deal for their neighbors, at the same time exchanging work to a considerable extent with their fellow settlers. In the first winter he was here, Mr. Lamaster killed the first white prairie chicken he ever saw; he never saw any after that winter. There were a few turkeys to be seen. The district abounded in deer, and at one time Mr. Lamaster saw 38 antelope in one drove. Chetopa, 12 miles away, was his trading point.

The subject of this sketch, immediately upon locating in Lola township, identified himself with the interests of the section. He joined the Land League of the settlers, and was active in making it an effective organization. When the A. H. T. A. sprang into existence, he gave it hearty support. Of the township society of this association he has been president for the last 15 years. So faithful has he been, that last spring he was voted a gold badge for his long service. This association has been of great service to the citizens of the county in recovering stolen horses, and has sent many horse thieves to prison. In the days of the Farmers' Alliance, Mr. Lamaster was one of its enthusiastic members. The promoters of schools and churches have always found him a ready helper. He helped to build the first log school house in Lola township, at Faulkner, and has served on the School Board in Lola township for 17 years, being now its treasurer. He formerly supported the Democratic party, but of late years has voted the Populist ticket. For two years, he served as township treasurer. A member of the Christian Church, holding the office of deacon, that organization has found him a tower of strength not only in the early days, but also at the present time. He was one of the building committee, in company with William McKee and Rev. William King, on which fell the burden of building the present fine edifice of the Christian Church in Hallowell.

On December 20, 1874, Mr. Lamaster was married to Susan Dunbar, who was born in Illinois, and is a daughter of Warder D. and Louisa (Narden) Dunbar. To them were born a son and a daughter, namely: Ernest, who lives at home; and Tennie May, who is the wife of Philip Oglesby, of Lola township, and the mother of two daughters,-Letha and an infant. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 312-313)

DUNBAR, J.N.

J. N. DUNBAR, an attorney-at-law of Columbus, and the owner of a finely-improved farm of 80 acres in Cherokee County, adjoining the city, was born in 1866, near Prairie City, McDonough County, Illinois, and is a son of Warder D. and Louisa (Narden) Dunbar.

Warder D. Dunbar was born in Kentucky, but went to Illinois in young manhood. His death occurred about 26 years ago, in Cherokee County, Kansas, whither he had removed in 1869; his widow died about 18 years ago. He was twice married and the children of his first marriage, all now deceased, were: Elihu and William, who lived for a time in Cherokee County, and Cynthia and Geneva, both of whom left families. The subject of this sketch is one of six children born to the second marriage, all of whom came to Cherokee County, and one, Lucy, died at the age of 16 years, the others, exclusive of J. N., are: Waller C, who is a farmer in the Indian Territory; Susan, a twin of Waller C, who is the wife of William A. Lamaster, of Cherokee County; Joanna L., who is the widow of Edward Braerton, of Parsons, Kansas; and David, who is a farmer on the home farm in Lola township.

J. N. Dunbar was an infant when he was brought into Cherokee County, and has never found any other section more attractive. He attended the public schools and the graded schools at Columbus, and also took a business course at Sedalia, Missouri. He then taught for a season, preparatory to settling down to the study of the law. He remained in the office of Frederick Basom, at Columbus, for five months, and then went to Galena and entered the office of W. F. Sapp. In April, 1892, he was admitted to the bar. He began the practice of his profession at Columbus, being associated with C. A. McNeill for about two years, and was then put forward as the Populist candidate for county attorney. His opponent was Mr. McNeill, and their partnership was dissolved when they were nominated. Mr. McNeill was elected to the office. From 1896 to 1898 Mr. Dunbar was in partnership with W. J. Moore. After practicing alone with much success for two years, he again became a candidate for county attorney. He was elected in 1900 on the Fusion ticket, and after serving through 1901 and 1902, refused a nomination for further, honors. He has well located offices in the Opera House Block. His reputation is that of an able advocate and wise counselor.

On April 23, 1893, Mr. Dunbar was married, in the Indian Territory, to Dradie McPhail, originally from Tennessee, and they have three children,-Noel, Clara E. and J. Owen.

Politically, Mr. Dunbar is in sympathy with the Populist party, and is one of its influential leaders. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Columbus, and the A. H. T. A. In religious views he is liberal, but was reared in the Adventist Church. His wife is a Methodist. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 313-314)