Kansas Genealogy Trails' Norton County BIOGRAPHIES

ARCHER, Garfield J.
Garfield Joseph Archer, merchant and banker, was born in Densmore, Kansas, June 9, 1880, son of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Bates) Archer. The father was born in Noble County, Ohio, and died in Densmore, November 7, 1930. He was a farmer, businessman and clergyman. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in Noble County, Ohio, in 1858, and is still living. She is the mother of a 'large family.

Garfield Joseph Archer attended public school at Logan, and in June, 1900, was graduated from high school there, where he was a member of the debate team. He engaged in farming until he reached the age of 29, and for the cast 20 years or more has been en-gaged in the lumber, coal, grain and banking business. He is the owner of more than 2000 acres of land in Norton County, and is associated with the Farmers State Bank of Densmore.

A Republican, Mr. Archer has been interested in township and county political work, and has held several offices. He has been a member of the school board in his home district, and for six years was one of the trustees of the county high school. In 1932 Mr. Archer was elected state representative from Norton County. A member of the First Methodist Church, he has served as superintendent of the Sunday School 30 years, and on the general executive board of the church for eight years. He is a trustee of Central College at McPherson, having held that office 17 years, and for the past ten years has been secretary of the board.

During the World War he was a leader in all activities. Mr. Archer was one of the group which helped log Highway No. 9 when it was first laid out.

On November 8, 1902, he was united in marriage to Adah M. Burnap at Norton. Mrs. Archer is the daughter of Clarence and Teressa (Illingworth) Burnap. To them three children were born, Glenn L., March 29, 1906, who married Ruth A. Ford at Wichita on June 16, 1928; Vern B., March 6, 1909, who married Ruth Blair at Concordia on June 12, 1929; and Teressa R., November 8, 1915, a student at Central College. Glenn is superintendent of schools at Densmore, while Vern holds a like position at Calvert. Residence: Densmore. ("Illustriana Kansas", by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 41)

BLANDING, W. R.
Among the prosperous business enterprises of Barnard, Kansas, none perhaps are more soundly established than is the Blanding Hardware Company, which was started by W. R. Blanding, the present secretary and treasurer, who is also vice president of the First National Bank of Barnard. He is a man of large business experience and in public esteem no citizen is considered more trustworthy.
W. R. Blanding was born in Kent County, near Lowell, Michigan, May 11, 1871. His ancestors came to the United States many generations ago from Germany and settled in New York, and in that state his grandfather was born in 1806. As a pioneer settler and prospective farmer he settled in Kent County, Michigan, in 1855, cleared up a substantial property and died there in 1878. His wife bore the maiden name of Smith.
A. H. Blanding, father of W. R. Blanding, was born in New York State in 1837, and died near Randall in Jewell County, Kansas, on his old homestead farm, July 25, 1910. He was a young man when he accompanied his parents to Michigan and six years afterward, in 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil war in a Michigan regiment, a state that sent out troops that were notably valiant soldiers. At the battle of the Wilderness Mr. Blanding was captured by the Confederates and for nine months suffered imprisonment at Libby and Andersonville, the effects of which he was never able to overcome. He was a man of robustness, weighing 160 pounds when he was taken prisoner, but nine months later, when exchanged, his weight was but ninety pounds. In 1872 he came to Kansas and homesteaded 160 acres in Jewell County and spent the rest of his life on that property, which is now owned by his wife. He was a republican in politics and at times served in public office and once was county commissioner of Jewell County. He belonged to the Odd Fellows, and was a faithful member of the Christian Church.
In Kent County, Michigan, A. H. Blanding was married to Almetta Nash, who was born in that state March 18, 1848, and now resides at Randall, Kansas. They had the following children: Nina, who is the wife of J. H. Stauffer, a farmer near Randall, Kansas, and is vice president of the Blanding Hardware Company; M. I., who is a farmer near Formosa, Kansas; Phoebe, who is the wife of Christian Krough, a farmer in the State of Washington; W. R., of Barnard; I. A., who is a farmer near Formosa, Kansas; Fred, who is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, resides at Lenora, Kansas; and Addie, the wife of John Flynn, a farmer near Randall, Kansas.
W. R. Blanding remained his father's assistant on the home farm in Jewell County until he was eighteen years old, in the meanwhile attending the public schools, and then worked on other farms for one year before beginning to farm for himself, in which he was engaged until 1895. He then went to Custer County, Oklahoma. There he secured a homestead claim of 160 acres, which he still owns.
In 1902 Mr. Blanding returned to Kansas and soon afterward established his present hardware business on Main Street, Barnard, a business which is incorporated, the partners being W. R. and Fred Blanding and J. H. Stauffer, and they operate under the name of the Blanding Hardware Company, with Fred Blanding as president, J. H. Stauffer as vice president and W. R. Blanding, secretary and treasurer.
At Mankato, Kansas, in 1890, Mr. Blanding married Miss Nora Getman, who is a daughter of L. A. and Mina (Bunnell) Getman, the latter of whom resided at Jewell City. The father of Mrs. Blanding came to Kansas in 1880 and engaged in farming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Blanding have four children: R. L., who lives at Barnard, is connected with the Blanding Hardware Company; Nettie is the wife of Robert Wallace, who is a farmer living two miles east of Barnard; Albert is a farmer living ten miles northwest of Barnard; and Etta is a student in the Barnard High School. Mr. Blanding owns a handsome residence on White Street, together with his business house and a furniture store on Main Street. He has never been unduly active in politics, but is recognized as one of the city's useful and public spirited citizens. For many years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows and belongs to Barnard Lodge No. 374, is past noble grand of the same, and belongs also to Barnard Council, Knights and Ladies of Security. The Blandings have always been supporters of school and church.
["A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, Volume 5, 1918" - Sub. by K.T.]

BOWER, Vernon V.
Perhaps no better estimate of a community's stability, importance and prospects can be secured than that given by a successful business man, one who has made his own way and through experience has learned both the possibilities and limits of business development. Many prospectors, tourists and transients have come to Idaho and have left again with but a cursory knowledge of the great resources of this part of the Union and their statements are of no more value than those of the traveler from across the sea who spends a day in the great eastern metropolis and goes back to his home to publish his notes on America. It is from the solid, sensible, business-establishing, home-building class of residents of Idaho that comes the enthusiasm that proclaims this one of the most promising states of the western country, rich in every possibility and awaiting proper developing agencies. To this class belongs Vernon V. Bower, a successful real estate man, at Richfield, Idaho, where he is also one of the representative men in all public matters.
Vernon V. Bower was born at Ashtabula, Ohio, December 20, 1877, and is a son of William J. and Augusta (Atkins) Bower, the father being a native of Ohio, and the mother belonging to one of the old settled families of Ohio. In 1879 the Bowers moved from Ohio to Norton, Kansas, and there the father engaged in merchandising and so continues. There were nine children in the family, Vernon V. being the fifth in order of birth, the others being as follows: A babe that is deceased; Adelmer A., who is a resident of Norton, Kansas; Frank L., who is in the real estate business at Gooding, Idaho; Ernest B., who is in the mercantile business at Goodlands, Kansas; Maude B., who is the wife of Noel J. Hedge, of Norton, Kansas; Claude, who is associated with his father at Norton and Goodlands, the firm being extensive hardware and furniture merchants; Floyd, who is a resident of Kansas; Glenn E., who is associated with the Ostrander Furniture Company at Twin Falls, Idaho.
Vernon V. Bower was graduated from the Norton high school at Norton, Kansas, afterward taking a business course in a commercial college there and then worked for his father for two years, after which he went out on the road as a commercial traveler and continued in that line for seven years, seeing much of the country and making and cementing many friendships, his routes taking him through Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado. After retiring from that line he engaged in merchandising at Norton for two years and then sold his interests there and in the fall of 1908 came to Richfield, Idaho, and early in the following year embarked in the real estate business, which he has continued with every evidence of marked success. He owns a considerable amount of valuable realty in this place and enjoys one of the most attractive and well placed residences as his home.
In June, 1904, Mr. Bower was married to Miss May Hedge, who was born in Iowa, and they have one daughter, Irene B., an engaging little maiden of seven years. Mr. Bower is not only an energetic and active business man but he is also deeply interested in public matters and has been a factor in Republican politics, and in 1909 was elected to the Idaho legislature and served ably in the interest of his constituents.
[History of Idaho: a narrative account of its historical progress ..., Volume 3 -- By Hiram Taylor French, 1914]

CAMPBELL, Marjorie Eleanor
Marjorie Eleanor Campbell, register of deeds of Norton County was born at Lebanon, Nebraska, August 9, 1905, daughter of William Samuel and Emma May (Sommer) Campbell. Her parents were married at Denver, Colorado, February 20, 1895.
She was graduated from Norton Community High School in May 1923 and for five years was employed in an abstract office and by the Norton County Building and Loan Association. She was elected to her present position on the Republican ticket in 1928, and was re-elected in 1930.
Miss Campbell is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and the Rebekahs. Her hobby is hiking. She is a Republican. Residence: Norton. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 193, transcribed by Peggy Thompson)

DYATT, Andrew
Banker, farmer; born in Ontario. Can., Oct. 28, 1860; son of Hugh and Ann (Edgar) Dyatt: graduated from Batavia (Ill.) High School: married, Almena, Kansas, Sept. 10, 1901, Olive Burnap: two sons. Began life as a farmer boy, later moved to Colorado and engaged in mining business. Superintended various mines, and was general manager of several prominent mines in the Leadville district, and became quite successful; began banking business in 1897 at Almena, Kansas, also farming. President First National Bank of Almena. Progressive Republican; Presbyterian. Mason. Recreation: Hunting. Address: Almena.
["Who's who in finance, banking and insurance...", Volume 1 edited by John William Leonard, 1911]

EAKIN, Myrtle Estella
Myrtle Estella Eakin was born near Bluehill, Nebraska, October 16, 1877, daughter of Oran Farris and Orpha Annetta (Snow) Milner. Her father, a farmer and dairyman, was born near Pickway, Ohio, May 31, 1851 and died at Clayton, Kansas, December 26, 1928. His father was a Baptist preacher in Iowa and Nebraska. From 1893 until 1900 Mrs. Eakin taught in public schools and for 25 years thereafter, from 1903 until 1928, was a dry goods and general merchandise saleswoman.
Her marriage to Walter Allen Eakin was solemnized at Norton, August 15, 1900. Mr. Eakin who is a retired merchant and landowner was born in Nuckolls County, Nebraska, April 24, 1877. His father was a merchant in Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Kansas.
Mrs. Eakin is a Republican. She is a member of the United Brethren Church, the Royal Neighbors of America, the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Women's Missionary Association. Residence: Clayton.
[Source: "Illustriana Kansas", by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 352.]

FELT, Horatio Washington, born in Penfield, Feb. 1, 1827; married in Flushing, Mich., Oct. 1, 1854, Arvilla Ann Miller, daughter of Isaac and Susan (Slade) Miller. She was born in Busti, N. Y., June 22, 1832.
Mr. Felt moved to Michigan with his father in 1844, and helped clear up a new farm in Clayton, suffering the inconveniences and hardships incident to a new country. He then removed to Maple Grove, Saginaw County, upon a partly cleared farm, labored to clear the balance, and at times followed the carpenter's trade, which he had learned. While residing there he was elected justice of the peace, and was the first to hold the office in this town. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted, Sept. 23, 1861, in Co. G, 8th Mich. Infantry, and served as a private until discharged. His regiment proceeded to Hilton Head, S. C., and was present at the Battle of Port Royal, Nov. 7. They were soon afterwards stationed at Beaufort on guard duty, and Mr. Felt was here detached as hospital cook and nurse. In April, 1862, they were sent to Tybee Island, and, after a while, back to Beaufort. Then to James Island, S. C., where about half his company was destroyed while storming Fort Johnson, June 16. Subsequently, part was taken in the Battles of Second Bull Run, Aug. 30, Chantilly, Sept. 1, South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14, Antietam, Sept. 17, and Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13. Soon after this the regiment was transferred to the Mississippi Valley, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and in several engagements in that neighborhood. Afterwards they were stationed at Crab Orchard, Ky., then at Knoxville, Tenn., where Mr. Felt was left to care for the sick in hospital. While in Knoxville his term of enlistment expired, but he re-enlisted as a veteran, and, after a thirty days' furlough at home, the regiment was ordered to Annapolis, Md., then to Arlington Heights, Va., and from there started on a march and took part in the Battle of the Wilderness, Va., May 5-7, 1864, Spotsylvania Court House, May 8-18, then around to the front of Petersburg, where Mr. Felt remained caring for the sick until discharged from the service, Sept. 22, 1864.
In 1866 the family removed to Missouri, where he worked at his trade, but not being satisfactorily located there, they returned to Maple Grove after a few months' absence. Mr. and Mrs. Felt are earnest members of the Methodist Church, and it was largely by their means that a church edifice and parsonage were built in Maple Grove. He donated two acres of land for its location, and gave a tenth of his time towards the erection of the buildings. Seeking a good Christian education for their children, they sold their farm and removed to Spring Arbor, Mich , and were rewarded by seeing them graduate with honor from the classical department of the Spring Arbor Seminary. After this time the family removed to Almena, Norton County, Kan., where they now reside.
Children:
Eva, b. In Clayton, July 5, 1856; d. in Maple Grove, Feb 16, 1865
Alice, b. Jan 17, 1860; m. Ancil B. Tibbetts
Abbie Kent, b. in Maple Grove, March 21, 1862
Grant Horatio, b. Nov 12, 1864
Elijah, b. in Maple Grove, June 1, 1868; there Aug. 25, 1868
Elisha Elton, b. in Maple Grove, July 25, 1869
Lucy, b. Sept 16, 1871; m. Arthur J. McKinney
[Source: "The Felt Genealogy: A Record of the Descendants of George Felt of Casco Bay", by John Emery Morris, 1893]

GREEN, Hon. S. L., McCook, Red Willow county (Neb), is a native of Saratoga county, N. Y., born Feb. 28, 1823. In 1837 his parents settled in Ill., where he was raised, in Peoria county. His father was a farmer and stock-raiser, and the son attended the common schools and the academy, and at 20 years of age began the study of medicine. About 1845-6 he went into the banking business. He followed that about ten years, then settled in Coles county in the southern part of the state and practiced medicine. In 1871 he came to Nebraska, located in Richardson county, and followed his profession there for a period of three years, then pulled up and located in Norton county, Kan., in the practice of medicine. In 1876 he was in the Kansas legislature. He located at Indianola, Nebraska, in 1880, and when McCook began to boom he went up there, practiced medicine until within the last three years, since which time he has been in the drug trade. He is a Republican, as old as the party, a man of ability, and he will fill his legislative position honorably.
[Source: "Biographical manual of the members and officers of the twentieth Legislature of Nebraska", February 1887, By C. L. Hall - Sub. by K.T.]

HALL, Louis Graner
Louis Graner Hall, farmer, was born in Almena, Kansas, September 19, 1890, son of George Washington and Augusta Louise (Graner) Hall. His father, a farmer of some prominence, was born in Wabasha, Minnesota, September 2, 1859, and died at Almena, April 26, 1908. His mother, who is still living was born in Cooks Valley, Minnesota, December 7, 1863.
Mr. Hall attended public school until 1904, was graduated from high school in 1908 and in 1913 was graduated from the Mosher-Lampman Business College at Omaha. From 1916 until 1926 he was a member of the firm of E. E. Keckley of Almena, and until 1923 also operated a farm. He was associated with the Sommers Oil Company of Denver in 1924 and since that time has engaged in farming.
On August 2, 1914, Mr. Hall was married at Almena to Eva Luft, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Lohnes) Luft. She was born in Dillon, Illinois, January 8, 1890. They have one daughter, Beth, born October 12, 1915.
Mr. Hall is a Democrat. He is a member of Naphthali Lodge No. 310 of the Masons of which he was worshipful master in 1929, senior warden in 1928 and senior deacon in 1914. Mr. Hall enjoys hunting, while his hobby is mechanics. Residence: Almena [Source: "Illustriana Kansas", by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 471.]

HARWI, Henry J.
Banker; born Millbrook, Kan., Sept 29, 1886; son of Henry J. and Ida M. (Tillotson) Harwi; educated common school, Hill City, Kan., and school, Norton, Kan; married, Russel Springs, Kan., Oct 11, 1908, Lora M. Wilson. Cashier and director Russell Springs State Bank. Republican; Presbyterian. Treasurer school district of Russell Springs. Member Knights of Pythias. Address: Russell Springs
[Source: "Who's who in finance, banking and insurance...", Volume 1 edited by John William Leonard, 1911]

JANES, Edmund S.
Residence,196 North Chester avenue,Pasadena; office, 619-21 Laughlin building, Los Angeles. Born January 29, 1858, in Champaign, Ill., son of Rev. Lester Janes and Sarah Hall (Smith) Janes. Married April 5, 1882, to Mrs. Hattie Wilkins. Received his early education in the schools of his native place, and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ill., A. B., 1878; M. A., 1881. Studied law in Quincy, Ill., and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of that state, June 18, 1880; engaged in practice in Quincy with brother, George M. Janes, until 1885, when he moved to Norton county, Kan.; local attorney for Missouri Pacific Railway in Kansas, for several years; later moved to Missouri, where he remained until 1905, when he located in Los Angeles. Served as delegate to Republican State Conventions in Missouri four times. Member Masonic fraternity, and Quincy Illinois Society (Los Angeles). Republican. [Source: "History of the bench and bar of Southern California", By Willoughby Rodman, 1909 - Sub. by K.T.]

LARRICK, Seywood
Seywood Larrick, prominent Kansas banker was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, November 20, 1859, and died at Seaside Hospital in Long Beach, California, November 2, 1930. He came to Logan County with his parents at the age of thirteen. He was the son of Asa and Sarah Jane (Hardesty) Larrick, the former of whom she was born near Mt. Zion, Ohio, June 17, 1837. He was a pioneer Kansas farmer, whose death occurred at Logan, April 24, 1915. Sarah Jane Hardesty was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, August 3, 1840 and died at Logan, October 29, 1920.
Seywood Larrick attended public school in Ohio and in 1872 came to Kansas. In company with Mr. Wiltrout and Mr. W. A. Reeder of Logan he purchased the Exchange Bank at Lenora, which he operated there for many years. Later he organized a bank at Edmond, and still alter a bank at Hoxie. Thereafter he purchased the Gaylord State Bank and the First National Bank and consolidated them. He was a Republican a member of the Congregational Church, the Red Cross, the Masons (Shrine), the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
On July 22, 1885, he was married to Celestia Alpha Hardman at Milbrook. She died at Lenora, September 12, 1920. To them the following children were born: Lottie, June 20, 1886, who married William Lloyd Leidig, Ollie, November 10, 1888, who married Edward M. Simons; Fern, April 24, 1892, who was first married to Dr. Carter Ward, and who is now married to Stephen T. Kaufman; Louis, June 7, 1894, who died September 20, 1918; and Erma, January 31, 1896, who married Adin W. Finley. On September 19, 1923, Mr. Larrick was married at Seattle to Jessie Smith, who still survives him. [Source: "Illustriana Kansas", by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 677-678.]

LEIDIG, William Lloyd
William Lloyd Leidig, president of the Exchange Bank of Lenora, was born in Graham County, Kansas, August 12, 1881, son of John Wesley and Rebecca (Miller) Leidig. The father, who was a farmer and Civil War Veteran, was the son of John and Libbie (Mort) Leidig.
He came to Kansas from Lathrop, Missouri, in 1870, coming direct to Graham County where he homesteaded three quarters of land, filing on a tinkers claim. He died in Graham County, Kansas in 1914. He was of German ancestry. The mother, Rebecca (Miller) Leidig, who was the daughter of Adam and Mollie (McCoy) Miller died in Graham County, Kansas in 1903. She was of Scotch descent.
William Lloyd Leidig attended public school at District No. 45 in Graham County. Upon leaving school Mr. Leidig farmed for several years and after his father's death went to Kansas City where he studied pharmacy at the Kansas City College of Pharmacy. He passed the state boards of Missouri and Kansas in 1904, Dunbar Drug Company at Lenora, in 1905, which he served as cashier of the Exchange Bank. He has been its president since that time. He is vice president and director also of the First National Bank of Gaylord. He has also held various civic offices in Lenora. Mr. Leidig is a Republican.
On June 24, 1908, he was married to Lottie A. Larrick at Lenoa. Mrs. Leidig was born in Graham County, June 20, 1886, the daughter of Seywood and Celestia (Hardman) Larrick. She has always been active in club work. Mr. and Mrs. Leidig have two children, Karl, born January 20, 1912; and Robert, January 23, 1920. Karl is a graduate of the Topeka High School and a student at the University of Kansas.
Mr. Leidig is a member of the Masons, was worthy master of Lodge No. 181, of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, for two terms, and is a member of the Shrine, the Order of Eastern Star, Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Wokrmen. His favorite sport is golf. Residence: Lenora. [Source: "Illustriana Kansas", by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 688.]

McDANIEL, ISAAC of Cedar Township, (Iowa) ranks among the honored pioneers of the Hawkeye State, coming here when the land was wild and unbroken, and when only here and there could be seen the humble cabin of the adventurous emigrant. His birth occurred in Orange County, N. C., on the 8th of January, 1802. His father, James McDaniel, was a native of the same county as his son, and his grandfather was born in the North of Ireland, of Scottish ancestry. He came to America before the Revolutionary War, in which he served as Colonel, and made for himself a gallant record. Prior to this he had settled in Orange County, N. C. He improved a farm there, and after the close of his military career retired to his estate and spent the remainder of his days. In early manhood, James McDaniel, the father of our subject, was married to Miss Charity, the daughter of Joseph Wells, of his own county and State. She was reared in the Society of Friends, and she and her husband are buried in the Quaker Cemetery near Rushville, Ind., whither they had removed.

Isaac McDaniel of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in North Carolina, and removed with his parents to Indiana. He was married in this latter State on the 5th of November, 1828, to Miss
Frances Edwards, also a native of North Carolina, born Jan. 26, 1811. After farming seven years in Indiana, he sold out, loaded his household goods into a wagon and started for Illinois. He located in Morgan County, where he remained until the spring of 1837, then gathered up his goods and started for Iowa. After two weeks of slow travel they landed in Henry County, camping near Salem.

At this early day the land in this vicinity had not even been surveyed, and a white man was seldom seen. With the assistance of his wife Mr. McDaniel put up a cabin of small logs, during the building of which they lived in a tent. Their lonely and isolated condition and the uncertain prospect for the future would seem almost appalling to the citizens of to-day, surrounded by the comforts and luxuries which the old pioneers have assisted to provide. But Mr. McDaniel was made of stern stuff, and he possessed in his wife a helpmeet equal to every emergency. With heroic determination they persevered through every difficulty, and in due time reaped the reward of their labors. When the land in that vicinity came into the market Mr. McDaniel entered 160 acres in one body and located forty acres in another, and now, after a space of fifty years, still occupies his original purchase of 200 acres.

Isaac McDaniel and his wife have become the parents of nine children, the record of whom is as follows: Richard lives in Norton County. Kan.; Junius died in Cedar Township; William lives in Missouri; Clarissa, Mrs. Heddlesen, is in Jewell County, Kan.; Nathan lives in Cedar Township, Iowa; Perry is in Jewell County, Kan.; Emily J., Mrs. Masden, is in Norton County, Kan.; Newton is on the old homestead; Catharine, Mrs. Stedman, is in Jewell County, Kan.; Mr. and Mrs. McD. of this sketch have forty-five grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren. The wife of our subject is connected with the Christian Church, and during the fifty years that they have resided in this locality they have surrounded themselves with a large circle of warm friends, who, appreciating the dangers and the difficulties through which they have come to years of honor, render them the reverence and the homage due to the pioneers of half a century.
[Source: "Portrait and biographical album of Lee County, Iowa", Chapman Brothers, 1887 - Sub. by K.T.]

PATTON, Seymore
Seymore Patton is one of the oldest citizens of Lake county (Indiana), both in years of his age and in length of residence, and his honorable and active career as a farmer here for over forty-five years is one of the important items of the history of Center township. He came here in the strength and vigor of his young manhood and settled on the land which has ever since formed part of his homestead, and from the wild prairie and woodland he developed a farm whose continued cultivation has afforded him a most honor-able occupation and a means of livelihood, resulting in comfortable circumstances for his old age and in grateful esteem and regard from all his fellow citizens and associates.
Mr. Patton was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, December 18, 1828, a son of John and Eliza Jane (Dixon) Patton, the former a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ireland, whence she came to America at the age of fourteen. His parents were married in Butler county, Pennsylvania, where his father followed the occupation of farming, but spent his last years in Lake county, Indiana, where his death occurred at the age of sixty-four years. His mother died in this county at the age of sixty. There were sixteen children in the family, and all but one grew up and married and reared families.
Mr. Patton, the fifth child of the family, was reared in Trumbull county, Ohio, and was educated in that county's public schools. He was married there in 1852, and in the same year he came to Indiana, for the first two years being located in the south part of the state, in Morgan county. In 1855 he came to Lake county, but two years later moved to LaPorte county, whence two years later he moved back to Lake county. He then bought the farm where he now lives, and has continued his home and habitation thereon during all the subsequent years. He found the place a raw prairie, but he has placed and replaced many improvements since the day of his arrival. The present home place consists of eighty acres besides fifteen acres of timber tract.
In 1852 Mr. Patton married Miss Sarah Ann Beber, who was born near Allentown, Pennsylvania, and died May 8, 1904. Five children were born of this union of over fifty years, and four are now living: Anna M., the wife of Freeland Price, of Norton county, Kansas; Sarah, unmarried; William H., at home and performing most of the active work of the farm; and Vina, at home. Anna was a successful teacher in Lake county and also in Kansas. Mr. Patton has long been one of the Democratic voters of the county, and has always given his influence to the work of progress and development of his community. (From the "Encyclopedia of Genealogy and Biography of Lake County, Indiana" from 1834-1904 - Transcribed by K. Torp and B. Ziegenmeyer)

RAY, Cornelius Nathaniel, president the Ray Chemical Co.; born, Norton Co., Kan., Feb. 22, 1871; son of Cornelius Nathaniel And Cora (Chandler) Ray; educated in public schools of Nebraska; married at Detroit, Oct. 22,1897, Lillia Eleanor Little. Began active career as manager drug store of F.S. Hazard, Grand Island, Neb., continuing, 1888-91; was with pharmaceutical department Cudahy Packing Co., Omaha, 1891-93, and at Chicago, for same company, 1893-96; with Parke-Davis Co., Detroit, 1896-97; organized The Ray Chemical Co., 1897, of which has since been president and general manager. Member Board of Commerce. Republican. Episcopalian. Clubs: Detroit, Detroit Golf. Recreation: Golf. Office: 21-26 Locust St. Residence: 232 Seminole Av. ["The Book of Detroiters". Edited by Albert Nelson Marquis, 1908 - Transcribed by Christine Walters]

RAY, William F.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN RAY is one of the respected and well known men of Coos county, living upon his well developed ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, located three miles from Cooston up Willanche inlet. He was born in Mercer county, Missouri, in 1854, and is a son of Wade Hampton and Mary E. (Clenkenbeard) Ray, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. The parents of the father and also of the mother removed at a very early day and settled in southwestern Missouri, where Mr. and Mrs. Wade Hampton Ray celebrated their wedding, after which they removed to northeastern Missouri, at which place occurred the birth of the subject of this review. They became the parents of twelve children, four of whom died in infancy. The eldest of those living is James S., a resident of New Windsor, Colorado, who is engaged in farming, is married and has nine children. John M., a resident of Leon, Kansas, is a blacksmith by trade, and has one son. Mary E., the widow of James H. Hurst, of Almena, Kansas, is the mother of six children. William F. is the subject of this review. Richard B., a resident of Norton, Kansas, is married and has five children. Calvin J., a resident of Norway, Oregon, who is engaged in farming, is married and has eight children. Sarah E., the widow of Ede F. Milton, is engaged in farming in Weiser, Idaho, and has eight children. Wade L., the youngest member of the family, who is engaged in farming at Myrtle Point, Oregon, is married and has six children.

William Franklin Ray was reared at home and received his early education in the public schools. At the age of thirteen years he started in life for himself obtaining as his first employment, a position as cattle herder, for which he received a compensation of eight dollars per month. He continued in that employment for two years and then was engaged as laborer on a farm for a number of years. In 1876 he rented eighty acres of land for one year and engaged in farming. The following year he rented forty acres, to the cultivation of which he gave his attention for one year and in 1878 he took up a timber claim in Kansas, which he kept for sometime and later filed upon a preemption claim and also a homestead. In 1887 he disposed of his real-estate holdings in Kansas and removed to Garfield county, Washington, and was there employed for one year in a sawmill. The next year he was engaged in the butcher business, and later he and his wife successfully conducted a boarding house in Spokane Washington, immediately after the destruction of that city. In 1890 he removed to Coos bay and settled in Marshfield, where he worked for E. A. Anderson in the livery business for four years. He then rented a ranch located on Isthmus inlet and was engaged in general farming for one year. In 1895 he rented the ranch belonging to Judge Watson, of Coos City, for whom he established a well equipped dairy. In 1896 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of choice agricultural land located on Willanche inlet and there established his home and has since continued to reside. He makes a specialty in the raising and marketing of poultry and is also heavily interested in the raising of pure bred angora goats and beef cattle.

In 1884 Mr. Ray was united in marriage to Miss Laura H. Rouse, a native of Iowa and a daughter of John and Hannah (Straight) Rouse, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. They became the parents of ten children: Joanna, deceased; J. Smith, named in honor of Captain John Smith, who came over in the Mayflower and was the captain of the Plymouth Colony settlement made in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620; O. T., of Spokane, Washington; Mary, who married George Finley, of Finley, Washington, and by him has one child; Andrew M., deceased; James P., a resident of Jennings, Kansas, who is married and has five children; William M., who resides in Nebraska; Laura H., who is the wife of the subject of this review; Frank, who resides in Greenwood, Nebraska, and has five children; and Ella, who married Mr. Sims, of Washington, and by him has four children. Mrs. Ray has the distinction of being a direct descendant of Captain John Smith of Mayflower fame. Mr. and Mrs. William Franklin Ray have a son, Austin A. Ray, who was born in 1885.

Mr. Ray gives his political allegiance to the socialist party and served for three years as road supervisor of his district and has also been one of the directors of the school board for a number of years. He is also a member of the Grange. Mr. Ray is one of the enterprising and valued citizens of the community in which he lives. He is a man of strict integrity in all business transactions and highly respected by his friends and associates.
["The Centennial History of Oregon", 1811-1912, Volume 4, By Joseph Gaston, 1912 -- Sub. by K.T.]

WHITTIER, Laforest R.
The surname of the subject of this memoir at once recalls to the mind of the American patriot the gentle poet whose pen wielded an incalculable influence toward the downfall of slavery. Indeed, the gentleman of whom we write comes of the same New England family as did John G. Whittier, and drew from the same fountainhead an undying hatred for the enslavement of any part of the human race. His history and his loyalty to his country, both in peace and in war, will be of interest to his many friends here and elsewhere.

His father, Philetus Whittier, was a shoemaker by trade, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1808. When he had arrived at manhood he married Sophia A. Wilkins, whose birth had occurred at Danbury, in the same state, September 23, 1819. Six children were born to this worthy couple, namely: Flora, now of Canton, Illinois; Melissa, of Davenport, Iowa; Warren and Rosetta, deceased; Ida, of Canton, Illinois, and Laforest, of Effingham, Kan-sas. In 1853 the father removed to Canton, Illinois, and a few years later death cut short his career. He was a radical Republican and an ardent abolitionist. He lost his devoted wife in 1856, at Canton, Illinois, and on May 16, 1862, he followed her to the better land. They were members of the Methodist church, and were earnest exponents of the noble faith which they professed. Laforest R. Whittier was born near Newport, New Hampshire, November 22, 1850, and thus was only six years old at the time of his mother's death, while, from the age of twelve years, he had to make his own way in the world, unaided by either parent. The great Civil war, which was in progress during the years when he should-have paid the most earnest attention to his studies, interrupted them noticeably, and if it had not been for his youth he would have enlisted early in the war. However, he volunteered as a soldier in the ranks of Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment of Illinois Infantry, on the 9th of February, 1865. With his comrades he left Camp Butler, at Springfield, Illinois, immediately, and was transported to Nashville, Tennessee, where the hard-pressed Union forces were in sad need of reinforcements. Thence later he went to Dalton, Georgia, and to Rome and Columbus, in the same state. Returning to Nashville, he soon afterward was sent back to Camp Butler, as the war had been terminated, and was honorably-discharged on the 1st of February, 1866. He had suffered the hardships incident to army life, but, in spite of his youth, had borne them with fortitude, and often received the commendation of his superior officers. For a few years after his return to Illinois Mr. Whittier was engaged in business at Bushnell, meeting with fair success. In 1884 he came to Kansas, settling in Norton county, and in 1893 he purchased his present homestead (formerly known as the "Piggott Farm"), in Benton township. It comprises one hundred and sixty-three acres, all of which is in a high state of cultivation and improved with a comfortable house, barn and farm buildings. Adding to the beauty and value of the place are the fine orchard and groves of well-kept shade trees. On December 29, 1870, the marriage of Mr. Whittier and Caroline D. Van Doren was solemnized in Raritan, Illinois. She was born at Fairview, Fulton county. Illinois, July 22, 1851, one of the seven children of William and Mary Munson Van Doren. The father, who was born and educated in New York city, came of an old Holland Dutch family, and for years he was prominent in the business world as a hotel keeper in New York city. His two sons are George, of Illinois, and Charles, of Leland, Kansas. Susan and Sarah and Annie reside in Illinois. Steyphen (deceased) completes the family. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Whittier namely: Albert L.; Mary, E wife of Samuel Lockwood of Brush Creek, Atchison county; Emma May, who died when nine years old; Flora Bell, wife of James Iles, of Everest, Kansas: Ida Ordelle, Charles Philetus, Susie E, William J., Sarah Ellen and Carrie Ethel. Mrs. Samuel Lockwood has one son, Samuel Laforest, and Mrs. James Iles has two sons, Barry J. and W. Edgar. The boys who wore the blue have ever been sincerely loved by Mr. Whittier. who is a member of the Grand Army post at Effingham. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being identified with the Effingham lodge. With his faithful companion and helpmate along life's journey he holds membership in the Christian church.
[Source: "Genealogical and biographical record of north-eastern Kansas" ,Chicago :: Lewis Pub. Co.,, 1900 - Sub. by K.T.]