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Biographies
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Arthur E. Baldwin
Fifteen years of residence at Anadarko constitute Arthur E. Baldwin, one of the pioneer white settlers, and for a number of years he has been profitably engaged in the real estate business and is also a banker. As a citizen he has likewise been an important factor in developing the local interests of this city.
The Baldwin family to which he belongs came originally from England and was settled in New York during the colonial era. Arthur E. Baldwin was bor n at Wyoming, Iowa, December 31, 1871. His father, L. H. Baldwin, was born at Canton, Ohio, in 1834, and removed from Ohio to Wyoming, Iowa, where he was a farmer, and in 1872 when Arthur was one year of age, went to a farm at St. Edward, Nebraska, and became a pioneer in that region. In 1903 he went still further west to Salem, Oregon, was engaged in gardening there until his death in February, 1915. In politics he was a republican. L. H. Baldwin married Jemima L. Fisher, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania in 1836 and now lives at Anadarko, Oklahoma. His only daughter, Myrtie, died at Genoa, Nebraska, at the age of twenty-two, being then the wife of Andrew J. Tabor, who was in the Indian service for the government at Seneca, Kansas, and later at Genoa, Nebraska, and is now deceased.
The only living child of his parents, Arthur E. Baldwin, acquired his early education from the common schools at Fremont, Nebraska, and also attended a business college there. His life up to the age of twelve was spent on his father's farm and at that early date in his career he became self supporting. For many years he was in the railway service and was employed in that capacity with various promotions and responsibility in the State of Nebraska for twelve years. From 1895 to 1900 he was ticket agent at Sioux City, Iowa, and came to Anadarko, Oklahoma, in 1900 as a railroad man, being employed here as agent for one year. From 1901 for a year and a half he was collecting clerk for the First National Bank of Anadarko and then opened his office as a dealer in real estate and farm loans. His offices are in the First National Bank Building and he is one of the old and reliable men in the handling of farm lands and loans in Caddo County and also deals extensively in city property at Anadarko. He is also vice president of the Stecker State Bank at Stecker, Oklahoma.
In civic affairs he has the distinction of having been the first treasurer of the public school board of Anadarko, and for several years was a member of that board. He is active in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, is superintendent of its Sunday School, is a member of the Anadarko- Commercial Club, was formerly affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a republican.
At Blair, Nebraska, on June 7, 1897, Mr. Baldwin married Miss May Hancock, daughter of B. F. Hancock, who is a farmer at Hooper, Nebraska. Into their home have been born seven children: Myrtie and Bernice, both of whom graduated from the Anadarko High School in 1915; Kenneth, a junior in the local high school; Bertram, in the seventh grade; Bettie, in the fifth grade; and Margaret, in the first grade of the public schools; while the youngest is Donald, who has not yet attended school.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4 By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy]
Clarous H. Johnston
It is not necessary that the man who achieves success be made of sterner stuff than his fellow man but there are certain indispensable characteristics that contribute to the prosperity of the individual; these are energy, enterprise and determination and the ability to recognize and improve opportunities. These qualities are cardinal elements in the character of Judge Clarous R. Johnston and have accompanied him on his progress from a humble station in life to one of prominence and affluence. Self educated, inasmuch as he made his own way through school, his career as a successful attorney is most interesting. He is judge of Caddo County and resides in the City of Anadarko.
In Monroe County, Indiana, September 21, 1880, occurred the birth of Clarous R. Johnston, a son of A. H. and Debbie J. (Morgan) Johnston. The father was born in Harrodsburg, Indiana, in 1857, and he has been a farmer and stockraiser in the vicinity of that place during the entire period of his active career. He is a stalwart democrat and for four years gave efficient service as trustee of his home township. He is an elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which both he and his wife are devout members. Mrs. Johnston was born in Harrodsburg, Indiana, in 1856, and she and her husband are parents of the following children: Clarous R., of this notice; Dr. R. E. was graduated in the Louisville Medical College of Kentucky and is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at Bridgeport, Oklahoma; Gertrude is the wife of W. W. Wilson, an electrician in Indianapolis; Hansel T. is a merchant in Indianapolis; Goldie was graduated in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music in 1915 and resides at the parental home; O. A. is studying dentistry in Indianapolis; Bessie is the wife of Claude Rogers, manager of a wholesale grocery concern in Arizona; Mary is a junior in high school at Smithville, Indiana; and Ava, Truly and Catherine are pupils in the public school of Harrodsburg.
Judge Johnston was graduated in the Harrodsburg High School in 1896 and for six years thereafter was engaged in teaching school in Monroe County, Indiana, serving a part of the time as principal. During tho spring and summer terms of the last three years of that period he attended the University of Indiana and in that way completed his freshman year in college. In 1902 he was matriculated in the university as a regular student and in 1905 was graduated in the law department, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He initiated the active practice of his profession at Bloomington, Indiana, and in 1906 located at Bedford, Indiana, remaining in the latter place until 1909. In December of that year he came to Caddo County, Oklahoma, and after spending a couple months in Bridgeport he settled permanently in Anadarko, here entering into a partnership alliance with R. K. Robinson. In May, 1912, he became interested in politics and was induced to run for the office of judge of Caddo County on the democratic ticket. Owing to political exigencies he was defeated and he continued in his law practice until the spring of 1913, when he was elected city attorney. November 6, 1914, he again entered the race for the county judgeship and met with success at the polls. He resigned his office as city attorney in order to assume the responsibilities of his new and more important office and he is proving unusually capable and energetic as county judge. For one who had his own way to make on the ladder of achievement his rise has been rapid and spectacular, showing that he possesses the ability and determination to make the best of adverse circumstances and forge ahead in spite of obstacles which beset his path. While in college he was truant officer of Monroe County, Indiana, for one year, being the only democrat in office at that time.
December 28, 1911, at Bedford, Indiana, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Lulu G. Cobb, a daughter of C. H. Cobb, a retired business man at Bedford. Judge and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Mary Frances, whose birth occurred September 22, 1912. In religious faith the Johnstons are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4 By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy]
William W. Kerley, M. D.
Doctor Kerley in his professional service has been prompted by a laudable ambition for advancement as well as by deep sympathy and humanitarian principles that urge him to put forth his best efforts in the alleviation of pain and suffering. He has gained recognition from the profession as one of its able representatives and the trust reposed in him by the public is indicated by the liberal patronage awarded him. Doctor Kerley has been a resident of Anadarko since the opening of this city, in 1901, and he served as county coroner and as city physician for a number of years.
At Blue Mountain, Stover County, Arkansas, June 4, 1871, occurred the birth of Dr. William W. Kerley, who is a son of James and Nancy (Meadows) Kerley, the former of whom was born in Hardin County, Tennessee, in 1848, and the latter in Wayne County, Tennessee, in 1846. As a young man the father removed from Tennessee to Blue Mountain, Arkansas, in which latter place he was married and where he continued to reside until the death of his wife in 1907. He is a farmer and stockman by occupation and is now a resident of Cordell, Oklahoma. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerley, as follows: Dr. William W. is the subject of this review; James W., twin of the above, was graduated in the National University of Tennessee, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and he is engaged in the practice of his profession at Cordell, Oklahoma; Melissa A. is the wife of Joseph Smith, a druggist at Bessie, Oklahoma; P. A. is a farmer and stockman and maintains his home in Oil City, Oklahoma; Albert M. is a railroad man and lives in San Diego, California; Ollie is the widow of Joseph Dodson, who was a United States marshal in Arkansas and who was killed in service; she resides in Arizona; and Joseph E. is a railroad man in San Diego, California.
After completing the prescribed course in the common schools of Baxter County, Arkansas, Dr. William W. Kerley attended Searcy College for three years, at the end of which he was matriculated as a student in the University of Arkansas, in the medical department of which excellent institution he was graduated, in 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He pursued 'a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic in 1904; attended the Chicago Polyclinic in 1907; and spent the year 1911 studying in the New York Post-graduate School. In his New York work he made a specialty of the diseases of women and children, and in this line he has met with marked success. He was engaged in the active practice of his profession in Thayer, Missouri, from 1898 to 1901 and on September 5th of the latter year came to Anadarko, being the pioneer physician in this city, where he has since resided. His offices are in the Whitlock Building and he controls a large and lucrative general practice. In connection with his life work he is a valued member of the Caddo County Medical Society, the Oklahoma State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a republican in politics and at the present time he is a member of the County Board of Insanity. For several years he was coroner of Caddo County and he has likewise given efficient service as city physician. He is a stockholder in the National Bank of Anadarko and has always evinced great interest in all matters pertaining to the general improvement of his home community.
In a fraternal way Doctor Kerley is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and with the time-honored Masonic fraternity, in which latter organization he is a member of Anadarko Lodge, No. 21, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Valley of Guthrie Consistory, No. 1; and India Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Oklahoma City.
July 27, 1897, at Mountain View, Arkansas, was solemnized the marriage of Doctor Kerley to Miss Salena Alberta Winston, a daughter of the late Simpson Winston, formerly a merchant at Mountain View. Two children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Kerley; Virginia, a pupil in the public school of Anadarko; and William Roberts, who died at the age of thirteen months.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4 By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy]
Randall Ulysses Livesay
Prior to his removal about fifteen years ago to Anadarko, where he is now one of the leading members of the bar, Mr. Livesay was a teacher and lawyer in the States of Iowa and Kansas, served from the latter state in the Spanish-American war, and gained his first experience as a lawyer in Kansas. As a lawyer he has been identified with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of Caddo County, has given several years of public service to the community, and is well known over the state in the Orders of Masonry and Odd Fellowship.
His family came from England and in colonial times made settlement in what is now Greenbriar County, West Virginia. They were there before the Revolution, and when that locality was still known as Western Virginia. The Livesays were of the fine old Southern stock, and Patrick H. Livesay, who was born in Lee County, Virginia, in 1837, became a Confederate soldier in the war between the states, and was under the command of the great cavalryman, General Forrest. Later he became a farmer and stock raiser in Lee County and married Elizabeth Anderson, who was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, in 1838. They lived in Lee County, Virginia, for several years after the war, and in that locality Randall Ulysses Livesay was born January 20, 1868. When he was about nine years of age, in 1877, the father moved out to Jefferson County, Iowa, and in 1885 to Barton County, Kansas, where Patrick H. Livesay died in 1911. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser both in Iowa and Kansas. The children were: J. G. Livesay, who is assistant postmaster of Blanchard, Oklahoma; James M., a farmer at Hooker, Oklahoma; Randall U.; Jennie, wife of E. B. Whaley, a farmer and stock man at Great Bend, Kansas; and Maggie, wife of James R. Hall, one of the leading farmers, stock raisers and a banker and prominent citizen of Hoisington, Kansas; and Virginia, wife of Frank Gustin, their homo being on the old farm in Barton County, Kansas.
After the family removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, Randall U. Livesay continued his public schooling, and in 1892 graduated from the Central Normal College at Great Bend, Kansas. Most of his teaching was done in Barton County, Kansas, where he was connected with the local schools until 1898. On May 13, 1898, he enlisted in Company A of the famous 21st Regiment of Kansas Infantry for service in the Spanish-American war. He became quartermaster of the company and was with it in camp at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and at Lexington, Kentucky, and was finally mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas, December 10, 1898. Returning to Groat Bend he was appointed sergeant at arms in the Kansas State Senate for the session of 1899. Having formed a definite purpose to study law, he pursued his reading in the office of D. A. Banta, who is now judge of the District Court at Great Bend and was admitted to the Kansas bar in 1900. For the first year he practiced at Oalena. Kansas, and in August. 1901. came to Anadarko about the time the Kiowa and Comanche reservation was opened to settlement. He has been particularly successful as an advocate in both civil and criminal cases and has had a large amount of experience, having served as deputy county attorney from statehood in 1907 to 1911, and during 1903-04 was city attorney of Anadarko. His offices are in the Barber Building. Mr. Livesay is a democrat and attends the Presbyterian Church. He served one term on the Anadarko School Board. He is now serving the fifth term as district deputy grand master of the Masonic Grand Lodge and has local affiliations with Anadarko Lodge No. 21, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was master in 1908. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason, and Knight Commander Court of Honor, and belongs to Consistory No. 1 in the Valley of Guthrie. In the Modern Woodmen of America he is a member of Camp No. 10025 at Anadarko. Ho is past noble grand of Anadarko Lodge No. 184, Independent Order of Oddfellows, and is now a district deputy grand master of that order. Mr. Livesay is president of the Anadarko Commercial Club. His wife was formerly from Great Bend, Kansas, where they were married. Her maiden name was Ella M. Day, and her father was Judge Samuel J. Day, now deceased, at one time a judge in Great Bend. Their one child is Randall V., born March 28, 1909.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4 By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy]
Claude Smith
The bar of Oklahoma is constantly being reinforced with trained men of legal talent, and a material addition of new blood is noted. The day of the shyster is past. The man who studies for a few weeks and presumes to enter competition with trained men has no chance for any sort of success, and such are notably conspicuous today because of their absence. It is worthy of notice that many of the more recent additions to the bar of Oklahoma have been men of Indian descent, trained in the best schools in America, and equipped to take their place among the best talent of the day.
Claude Smith comes to the bar of Southeastern Oklahoma possessed of superior legal training. After spending two years in academic work at Washington and Lee University, in Lexington, Virginia, he entered the law department in that famous and honored old institution, and was graduated duly with the degree LL. B. Then he entered the Yale Law School and passed a year in post graduate work there. His training in a theoretic way as complete as it could be made, he returned to Oklahoma, was admitted to the bar, and is now in practice to stay. He has a brilliant future before him and it is generally believed that he will fulfill the promise of today.
Claude Smith was born on March 26, 1891, at Jackson, in the old Indian Territory. His parents are W. T. and Louvina (Bohannon) Smith, of Caddo, Oklahoma. William T. Smith was born at McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee, on November 6, 1853, and is a son of George W. and Elvira (Gibbs) Smith. The children of George and Elvira Smith were as follows: Frank, who died in Tennessee; George W. who moved to Bennington, Indian Territory; John C., a merchant at Jackson, Oklahoma, who died in 1911; Mrs. Mary Northcutt, of Frisco, Texas; Mrs. Lou Smith Clark, also of Frisco, Texas; and William T., father of the subject.
William T. Smith came to the Indian Territory in 1882. He had left Tennessee at the age of nineteen, going to Colorado, but a little later left that state and crime to the Indian Territory, locating on what was called Ten Mile Prairie and building the first house on that tract. It is on this prairie that the Town of Jackson now stands. Here Mr. Smith opened up a store and began to trade with the people in that vicinity. He also was instrumental in getting the first post office known in that region, and it was carried on in his store. The place was called Annette, Indian Territory, for a long while and was later changed to Jackson. After the establishment of the store at Jackson, Mr. Smith withdrew and settled at Bennington, there operating the famous ''Red Store.'' But he later returned to Jackson, and there he married Louvina Bohannon, daughter of Edmund Bohannon and his wife, Louvina (Wall) Bohannon. The Bohannon family was prominent in Choctaw affairs through many years.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Ella Lee was born May 29, 1887. She was educated in Grayson College, Whitewright, Texas, and Kidd-Key College at Sherman, Texas, and is a young woman of varied talents. She married Henry Edwards, assistant cashier of the Security National Bank of Caddo, Oklahoma, and they are popular and prominent in that place. Claude is the second and youngest child. In 1891 the parents moved to Caddo, and there Mr. Smith engaged in a wider sphere of mercantile activity than had previously engaged him. He retired in 1911.
Claude Smith was graduated from the Caddo High School as a member of the first class graduated by that school, in the year 1908. His matriculation at Washington and Lee University followed in the autumn of the same year. His two years spent there were devoted mainly to economics and history, and in 1910 he entered the law department, as has already been said. During that year the young student experienced a difficulty with his eyes that made it necessary for him to give up his work, but he resumed his studies the following year, and in a year from then he was graduated from the law department. He took up practice in Caddo, but after a few months decided to add something to his equipment by means of a course of study in the Yale Law School. After his return he engaged in practice in Durant, where he is now located, and where he is making excellent progress in his chosen profession.
In college Mr. Smith enjoyed a degree of popularity among his fellow students, and was a member of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity. He is a member of the Southeastern Oklahoma Alumni Association of Washington and Lee University, and of the Presbyterian Church. He is a democrat, active in the interests of the party, and he gained some prominence in stumping Oklahoma in the interests of Robert L. Owen, candidate for the United States Senate, to which he was elected.
Mr. Smith has many warm friends throughout Southwestern Oklahoma, where he has been known all his life, and enjoys the confidence of the people in a degree that will win him many successes in his professional life.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4 By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy]
Grover Cleveland Wamsley
Grover Cleveland Wamsley. Present county attorney of Caddo County, Oklahoma, is a resident of Anadarko, his professional headquarters being in the courthouse. The Wamsleys are descended from an old line of English lawyers, representatives of the name in America having coming hither in colonial times, locating in Virginia.
At Huttonsville, West Virginia, October 8, 1884, occurred the birth of Grover C. Wamsley, who is a son of Stuart M. and Mary E. (Crickard) Wamsley, both of whom are now living, their home being in Jefferson Township, Caddo County, this state. The father was born near Huttonsville, West Virginia, in 1860, and he was a pioneer settler in Yukon, Canadian County, Oklahoma, whither he removed in 1893. In 1901 he took up a homestead in Jefferson Township, Caddo County, and there is following his occupation of farmer and stockman. Mrs. Wamsley was born near Huttonsville, West Virginia, in 1862, and she and her husband became the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest. Elmer, second son, is a farmer in Grady County, Oklahoma; Agnes married William Martinseau, editor of the Livestock News, at Oklahoma City; Teresa and Hope are both popular and successful teachers in Caddo County; Rose is a pupil in St. Mary's Academy, in Oklahoma City; Lina died at the age of eleven years.
As a boy Grover C. Wamsley attended the country schools near Huttonsville, West Virginia, and near Yukon, Oklahoma, and subsequently he was a student in the Yukon High School, this state. He was graduated in the Central State Normal School of Oklahoma, in 1907, and shortly thereafter entered the University of Michigan, in the law department of which noted institution he was graduated, in 1910, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He entered upon the active practice of his profession in Anadarko in January, 1911, and here he has met with unqualified success as a general practitioner. He is a democrat in his political affiliations and November 6, 1914, he was honored by his fellow men with election to the office of county attorney. He has filled this office with the utmost efficiency since January 1, 1915, and he is well known throughout this section of the state as a loyal and public-spirited citizen, who has at heart the best interests of his home community.
In August, 1913, in this city, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wamsley to Miss Nettie Daniels, a daughter of W. H. Daniels, a prominent carpenter and builder in Anadarko. Mrs. Wamsley has long been prominent in educational work in this section of the state and since 1911 has served as county superintendent of schools for Caddo County; her term of office expires July 1, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Wamsley have no children.
In a fraternal way Mr. Wamsley is a member of Anadarko Lodge, No. 21, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons; and of the Odd Fellows order. As a man Mr. Wamsley is thoroughly conscientious, of undoubted integrity, affable and courteous in manner, and he has a host of friends.
[Source: A Standard History of Oklahoma Volume 4 By Joseph Bradfield Thoburn - Submitted by a Friend of Free Genealogy]
