LYON COUNTY, KANSAS
LYON COUNTY, KANSAS
BIOGRAPHIES
Beulah Lillian Altman, professor of modern languages at the College of Emporia since 1926, was born in Jewell County, Kansas, January 4, 1882, daughter of Samuel and Olive Oatman (Cribbs) Altman. Her father was born near Blairsville, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1851, and her mother in Venango County, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1860. She died at Emporia, November 1, 1925.
Beulah Lillian Altman attended high school at Hardy, Nebraska, two years and at Superior, Nebraska for a like period. She attended the College of Emporia receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1905 and in 1914 was the recipient of a Master's degree from the University of Chicago. Miss Altman was a student at the University of Berlin and Sorbonne University in Paris in 1910; the University of Madrid 1921, the University of Illinois 1921-22, the University of Buenos Aires in 1925 the University of Mexico in 1927 and Columbia in 1928.
From 1905 until 1909 she taught at the high school in El Reno, Oklahoma, and the following four years at Emporia
High School. She became a member of the faculty of the College of Emporia in 1914 remaining there two years and
in 1917 began teaching at Kansas State Teachers College. From 1922 until 1924 she taught at Frances Shimer School.
Miss Altman is the author of comparison of Marot's Ecologues with Those of Virgil (1914). She served as president
of the Emporia
ranch of the American Association of University Women from 1928-30, and as chairman of the Spanish section of
Kansas State Teacher's Association in1929. She has been a member of the Young Women's Christian Association since
1901, was president of the college Young Women's Christian organization 1903-04, and during 1913-14, was sponsor
of the Emporia Girl Reserve. She is a Presbyterian and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Residence:
Emporia. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 33)
ARNOLD, FRANK M.
Frank M. Arnold, banker, livestock grower and rancher, was born in Lee County, Virginia, May 4, 1859, and since
1879 has resided in Kansas. His father, Alexander Taylor Arnold, was born in Tennessee, May 18, 1829, and died
at Anthony, Kansas, June 17, 1886. Sirilda Thompson, his wife, was born in Lee County, Virginia, September 27,
1826, and died at Anthony, January 24, 1924.
Frank M. Arnold attended public school two years in Virginia, and is practically self educated. At the present
time he is president of the Commercial National Bank and Trust Company of Emporia, president of the Kansas National
Livestock Show and Association in Wichita, and president of the Kansas Livestock Association.
On June 17, 1888, he was married to Ifie May Espey at Ashland, Kansas. She was born at Bushnell, Illinois, February
17, 1870. There are four children, Lucile M., born March 15, 1889, who married Judson Cook Fisher; Francis H.,
born August 13, 1895; Marion E., born October 4, 1897, who married Nita Mitchell; and Iras M., born August 14,
1902, who married Albert Phelps Armour. Francis H. is engaged in banking with his father in Emporia, while Marion
E., is engaged in ranching and livestock breeding on his father's ranch. Residence: Emporia. (Illustriana Kansas,
by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 43)
ATYEO, WILLIAM
William Atyeo, stockman and oil operator, was born at Emporia, Kansas, December 15, 1874, son of John and Margaret
(Daley) Atyeo. The father was born in Bridgewater, England, September 15, 1830, and died at Emporia, November 16,
1910. Margaret Daley was born at Galeshield, Scotland, September 8, 1845, and died at Emporia, April 6, 1920.
The parents met in Illinois and were married at Jacksonville in 1872, coming with a party of young Englishmen to
Kansas shortly thereafter. Mr. Atyeo started a meat market, the second one in Emporia, which later developed into
a small packing plant. After Mr. Atyeo's retirement the business was continued by his two sons, William, the subject
of this sketch, and Edward. In 1905 Edward retired because of ill health, and the business was carried on until
1920 by William.
William Atyeo attended public school and Kan-as State Normal. Now retired, he has for many years been active in
the cattle business, and in managing his large real estate holdings. In later years he has operated extensively
in oil.
On November 4, 1903, he was married to Carrie Gertrude Hillerman at Emporia. She was born in Jennings County, Indiana,
October 30, 1878, the daughter of John W. and Emily E. (Polen) Hillerman. The father, a pioneer settler in Kansas,
was born in Indiana, February 22, 1855, and died at Emporia, May 18, 1923. The mother was born in Indiana, September
13, 1860, and resides at Emporia. Mrs. Atyeo is active in the Woman's Club and in civic affairs. There is one daughter,
Winona May, born August 11, 1908, who is married to Howard Edward Davis.
Mr. Atyeo is a Democrat, a member of the Elks, the. Modern Woodmen of America, the Emporia Country Club and the
Fox Lake Club. Residence: Emporia. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933,
page 48)
BABER, CARROLL PRESTON
Carroll Preston Baber, librarian, professor of library science, and director of the library school of Emporia
State Teachers College, was born at Clifton, Kansas, May 4, 1885, son of Ellis Ransom and Sarah Ellen (Perkins)
Baber.
Ellis Ransom Baber, born at Polk City, Iowa. March 30, 1859, died at Norman, Oklahoma, December 13, 1922. He was
a clergyman, and for ten years superintendent of the Northwest Kansas conference of the United Brethren Church.
His wife, Sarah, was born at Sumner, Iowa, July 5, 1862, and died at Asheville, North Carolina, August 1, 1928.
She was a leader in the church organizations.
Carroll Preston Baber received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Campbell College at Holton in 1912, and his master's
degree from the University of Illinois, in 1927.
On June 15, 1911 he was married at Whiting, Kansas, to Nellie Salina Spencer. There is one son, Eric, born April
19, 1912.
Mr. Baber taught in the public schools of Kansas later graduated from the University of Illinois Library School
(1927), and since that time has held the following positions: general assistant, University of Illinois Library,
1919; acting librarian, University of Oklahoma, 1920; and assistant librarian, 1921-26.
He is the author of the volume Manual of Order Department Routine for the College and University Library (G. E.
Stechert and Company, New York, 1929) ; chapter on Progress, Ideals and Standards in Teachers College Libraries,
appearing in the volume College and Reference Library Yearbook (American Library Association, 1931) ; section Library
Facilities for the School Child, appearing in the volume entitled Handbook of Kansas Social Resources (State of
Kansas, 1932) ; chapter on University Libraries, in the volume Library Planning and Construction (Snead and Company,
1933).
He is also the author of various articles for educational and professional journals, including: Freshman Courses
in the Use of the Library (Library Journal, December 15, 1928) ; The Mission of the Normal School and Teachers
College in the Training of School Librarians (Education, April, 1929) ; The Teachers College Library (Educational
Administration and Supervision, October, 1929) ; Access to Shelves (Libraries, May, 1928) ; and Library Ruts (Library
Journal, March 1, 1929).
Mr. Baber has written poems for The Harp, Prism and the Kansas Authors Club Bulletin. He is a member of the Kansas
Authors Club (director, 1932-; chairman, department of philosophy, 1930, 1932, president, fourth district, 1931)
; the American Association of University Professors (secretary, local chapter, 1931-) ; the American Library Association
(member of council various times; chairman, section, College Librarians of the Middle West, 1929; chairman, section
Normal School and Teachers College Librarians, 1931) ; the Kansas Library Association (president, 1932), and the
Kansas State Teachers Association. His other memberships include the United Brethren Church, the Lions Club, the
Men's Faculty Club, and the Forum Club. Residence: Emporia. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert
Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 54)
Source: KANSAS BIOGRAPHY, VOL. III PART 2
Page: 1020
Owen S. Samuel, lawyer and county attorney of Lyon county, was born at Arvonia, Osage county, Kansas, Oct. 1, 1882,
the son of William and Lillie (Williams) Samuel. His grandfather, Richard L. Samuel, was a native of Wales, who
immigrated to America with his family and settled near Emporia, where he engaged in farming and also worked at
his trade of stone mason. William Samuel was also born in Wales, where he was reared and received his early education.
He came to America in the early '70s and went to Wisconsin. In 1875 he came to Kansas and took up land in Osage
county, broke it up and soon had a fine farm. He was thrifty, made a comfortable fortune and has now retired from
active life and is enjoying his declining years at his home in Topeka. Mr. Samuel is a Republican in politics,
but never aspired to hold office. Owen Samuel's maternal grandfather was a Georgian, born and reared near Columbus.
He came to Kansas at an early day and located on a prairie farm in Osage county where he lived until his death.
Owen Samuel received his early education in the public schools, attended the Emporia High School, Emporia College
and the State Normal School at Emporia. He decided to become a professional man and to this end entered the Kansas
City Law School, Kansas City, Mo., where he graduated in 1903. After receiving his degree he located in Emporia
for the practice of his profession. He began to practice with Lambent & Huggins; later was associated with
Dennis Madden, and in 1906 opened an office of his own. In 1908 he was elected county attorney on the Republican
ticket and in 1910 was reelected. Mr. Samuel is a young lawyer of great promise, highly respected in Emporia, and
is regarded as one of the rising men of the Emporia bar. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and is a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
In 1906 Mr. Samuel married Ruth, daughter of G. W. Ellis, one of the faculty of the state normal school at Emporia.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel have one child, Owen G.
Transcribed as written by Millie Mowry.
Source: KANSAS BIOGRAPHY, VOL. III PART 2
Page: 1034-1035
William Wayman, president of the Emporia State Bank, Emporia, Kan., and a member of the Kansas state legislature,
has had a remarkable career. He was born in England, May 15, 1850, and that same year was brought to America by
his parents, John and Mary (Reed) Wayman, natives of England, who first settled at Lockport, Ill. There the mother
died, as also did the only daughter, leaving two sons: Berry and William. Berry enlisted in the Civil war, and
was never thereafter heard from. He enlisted presumably under an assumed name. The father left Lockport and came
to Kansas, where he married a second time, and reared a second family.
William Wayman began his independent career when but fourteen years of age. He arrived at Waterloo, Kan., Aug.
15, 1864, alone, barefoot and without an education. He obtained employment on a farm and then attended school for
a short time in Burlingame. He later entered the railroad service and soon gave such evidence of capability and
responsibility that he was made a locomotive engineer in 1868. He continued in that position until 1870, when he
went to Texas and began the life of a cowboy, which he followed until 1875, and in that time he drove cattle over
nearly every trail in the Southwest. In 1875 he returned to Emporia, where he began work by the month. He went
in debt for fifty acres of land and soon paid for it. He continued to purchase land until he had 1,800 acres, and
in the meantime dealt extensively in cattle. His keenness of perception and accurate judgment also adapted him
to the banking business, in which line of activity he has engaged with marked success. He has organized three banks,
one at Admire, Kan., in 1888, the State Bank at Allen, Kan., and the Emporia State Bank, of which he is president.
The last named bank was organized in 1901 with a capital of $50,000 and now has a surplus and undivided profit
of $23,000. In addition to his ranch and banking business, he is also the owner of valuable city property in Emporia.
Mr. Wayman affiliates fraternally with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with the Masonic order as
a Knight Templar and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Politically he gives his allegiance to the Republican party,
and as that party's candidate was elected to the state legislature in 1910. Mr. Wayman is a man of sterling integrity
and strong personality, and richly deserves the honor he has received at the hands of his fellowmen and the success
which has attended his years of industry.
In 1875 Mr. Wayman wedded Adaline A. Miller, the daughter of Richard Miller, a pioneer of Kansas who came from
Wisconsin in 1854. He was a farmer by vocation and died in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Wayman have three children, namely:
Harry A., cashier of the Emporia State Bank; Lee William, who has a successful abstract and farm loan business
at Emporia; and Pearl Adaline, now a student in Lake Forest University, Lake Forest, Ill.
Transcribed as written by Millie Mowry.
F.W. BLOSS, a leading hardware merchant doing business at No. 25 South Broadway, is a native of Aurora, born March 20, 1858, and is the son of Daniel and Telina (Davis) Bloss, who at one time owned the property from Spring Lake cemetery clear to Jackson street. He came from New York to Aurora about 1844, and engaged in carpentering and contracting, which occupation he followed for a few years. In company with Russell C. Mix he worked on the Blackhawk mill, and also on many other buildings. Strange to relate, the two were buried on the same day, February 21, 1871, Mr. Bloss dying on the 18th of February, from congestion of the lungs. His marriage with Miss Telina Davis occurred about 1845. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but took no especially active part. His wife is still living at the age of seventy-three years, and a resident of Emporia, Kansas, is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their family of five children, our subject is the youngest. Of the others, Henry, who was first a farmer and later a telegrapher, died at the age of forty years; Mary J. is the wife of L. Titsworth, of Aurora; Bertha is the wife of C. B. Sims, of Emporia, Kansas.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Aurora, and spent his boyhood and youth engaged
in farm work. In 1878 he became a clerk in a hardware store in Aurora, and with the exception of one year as postal
clerk and one year as clerk in the offices of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, he has been
in the hardware business,' either as clerk or proprietor. In 1889 he purchased the establishment of his employer,
and has since conducted a profitable business. His stock of hardware, stoves, ranges and agricultural implements
is always full and complete, and he has his full share of trade of both city and country.
Mr. Bloss has been twice married, his first union, in 1884, being with Miss Belle Elliott, daughter of W. F. and
Sarah Elliott, of Oswego, Illinois. Two children were born of this union as follows: Daniel Elliott and Belle.
The mother died June 22, 1892, at the age of thirty-two years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and
for some years was a teacher in the schools of Oswego, Illinois, and in other parts of Kendall county. The second
marriage of Mr. Bloss was celebrated September 21, 1894, when he was united with Miss Clara Fickensher, a daughter
of Henry Fickensher, one of the old settlers of Aurora. She is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church.
Politically, Mr. Bloss is a Republican, and although never aspiring to office himself, he has been quite active
in the interests of his friends. A lifelong resident of Aurora and a representative of one of its pioneer families,
he takes especial interest in everything calculated to promote the growth and prosperity of his native city, and
is therefore numbered among Aurora's most enterprising citizens.
"Biographical Record of Kane County, Illinois", S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1898 - Sub.
by K.T.
LEWIS C. ODAFFER, a prosperous and respected agriculturist who occupies a valuable farm of 330 acres in Harrison
township about half a mile northwest of Ashville, was born near Tarlton, in Fairfield County, Ohio, on the 30th
of April, 1855. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Camp) Odaffer. When an infant of one year he was brought by
his parents to Washington township, Pickaway County. They were good, industrious people, well-known members of
the Presbyterian Church and Lewis C. Odaffer was brought up in the healthful discipline of farm labors and taught
to think for himself. When the young man moved to Pickaway township in 1879 he was a thoroughly trained farmer
and stock-raiser, and was well prepared to establish a home of his own and commence an assured career of honorable
usefulness.
In 1880 Mr. Odaffer was married (first) to Lina Hosler, daughter of Daniel E. Hosler, of Washington township, Pickaway
County. Their daughter, Maud, was reared in Kansas by her grandparents and married Barton Brewer, a resident of
Lyon County, that State. Mrs. Lina Odaffer died in 1881, and in March, 1889, our subject married as his second
wife Ann Rader, daughter of James and Mary (Shock) Rader. His present wife is a native of Pike County, Ohio, but
as she was reared in Pickaway County she is closely identified with this section of the State. James Rader, who
was a native of Pike County, Ohio, moved to Pickaway County in 1875 and died on his farm in Pickaway township April
17, 1902, aged 62 years. His wife, also a native of Pike Coun'ty, Ohio, died on the home farm in Pickaway township
June 12, 1891, at the age of 50 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Odaffer are the parents of two sons: Harold, born March 17, 1890; and Ray, born November 8, 1898.
Both are attending school at Ashville.
The father of our subject, John Odaffer, was born May 16, 1818, and died November 4, 1905, at the advanced age
of 87 years. His widow, at the age of 72, is living with her three sons, (who have never married) in Lyon County,
Kansas, where they are engaged in farming and stockraising. In the order of their birth the children of James and
Elizabeth (Camp) Odaffer are: William Allen, Lewis C. (our subject), Charles and Arthur Clinton.
Since 1903, Lewis C. Odaffer has been the owner of his present fine property, which was formerly known as the Morris
farm. Since it came into his possession it has been greatly improved and now gives ample evidence of the energy,
thrift and industry which have marked the entire course of Mr. Odaffer's life. He is a Democrat in politics, but
only takes the interest of a faithful, intelligent citizen.
History of Pickaway County and Representative Citizens, 1906. page 806-807.
Transcribed by: Millie Mowry
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