USA > Kansas > Crawford County > A Twentieth century history and biographical record of Crawford County, Kansas > Part 13
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roads, honey-combed with mines, columns of smoke attesting the result- ing industries : farmhouses, cities, hamlets overrunning into each other, churches, electric cars and lights, water works (and bonds), all the evi- dences of modern lite, force me to recall that on that trip I called at what was then known and afterwards recognized by the United States postoffice department as Iowa City, the only inhabitant, now dead, being Geo. Hobson. His prophecy, then uttered, that he had located the future city of the Neutral Lands at the Cow Creek crossing ( just below the Broadway of your city ) has been fulfilled, and he lived to see it fulfilled. Near the dividing line between the two counties formerly composing the Neutral Lands, Pittsburg has become the commercial center of the two. Its columns of smoke, ascending unintermittingly, may be seen from the farthest boundaries of both counties. Its industries and its trade, its advantages of every kind, are a source of pride to all who have a proper pride in the peculiar advantages possessed by the section of country in which they live. If Geo. Hobson's prediction now seems to have been reasonable, it is no greater prophecy to assert that in the not remote future the greater half of Crawford county will be united in one city.
[ Reply to toast by Jas. . \. Smith, of Girard, at the recent attorneys' banquet at Fittsburg. ]
OLIVER T. BOAZ.
The subject of this sketch is a man of excellent natural ability and is a college graduate and possesses literary attainments seldom found in western lawyers. He has a sunny disposition, always seeing the humor in things and is courteous in his association with members of the pro- fession and others. He is thoroughly well versed in the law and his arguments to the court and jury are not only logical and convincing but are models of rhetoric and eloquence. He came to Crawford county 11
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about 1880 and soon thereafter became associated with .A. A. Fletcher in the practice of law under the firm name of Fletcher and Boaz, at Pittsburg, and has been engaged in the practice since that time, but has devoted a considerable portion of his time to outside business affairs.
HON. P. P. CAMPBELL.
P. P. Campbell came to Neosho county, Kansas, while a small boy with his parents and lived upon a farm until he attained his majority. He attended the district school while at home and afterwards attended the Kansas State University at Lawrence, where he attained quite a reputation for oratorical ability, having been chosen to represent his state at an interstate contest for oratory and receiving the first prize. He afterwards studied law and was admitted to the bar in Wilson county, Kansas, in October, 1889, and immediately came to Pittsburg, where he became associated with T. W. Cogswell, under the firm name of Cogswell and Campbell. Afterwards the firm was dissolved and he formed a partnership with his brother, John J. Campbell. under the firm name of Campbell & Campbell. In 1902 he was elected congressman from the Third congressional district of Kansas, and re-elected to said position in 1904. Since being in Congress he has attained a national reputation as an orator and statesman. He has been specially recog- nized by the speaker of the House in being called to preside over that body, a distinction seldom given to so young a member or so young a man. He has been also recognized by the president as a man of ability and been entrusted with affairs of importance.
One of the most important things he has done was the introduction of a resolution calling for an investigation of the Standard Oil trust. Mr. Campbell gave up a lucrative law practice to enter the political field, where he is already recognized as one of the strongest young men of the nation.
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JOHN J. CAMPBELL
Is a brother of Hon. P. P. Campbell and successfully carries on the law business of the firm. He is recognized as one of the ablest young lawyers of southeastern Kansas, and was earnestly solicited by his friends and admirers to become an applicant for the judgeship in the new 38th judicial district hut declined this honor for various reasons.
He served one term as county attorney of Crawford county and refused to be a candidate for renomination, He is now city attorney of Pittsburg and takes an active interest in social and political affairs.
MORRIS CLIGGITT.
Mr. Cliggitt graduated at the Union College of Law of Chicago, Illinois, in June, 1883, and was admitted to the supreme court of the state. June 7. 1883.
In January, 1890. he located in the city of Pittsburg and began the practice in this county. A short time thereafter he associated him- self with Ed VanGendy under the firm name of VanGendy & Cliggitt. which partnership continued until the death of Mr. VanGendy. Mr. Cliggitt was appointed assistant United States District attorney for Kansas under the Cleveland administration and served from December, 1892, until July, 1893, when he resigned. Mr. Cliggitt is one of the ablest lawyers in the state of Kansas and so recognized by the profes- sion. He is a close student, an untiring worker and strictly honest and reliable. He makes his clients' cause his own and while he treats his opponent with courtesy and respect he uses every honorable means to serve the interest of his client. His opinions are quoted by other mem- bers of the bar and always have weight with the court not only because of his ability and industry in briefing his cases but on account of his honesty in his positions. Mr. Cliggitt is not only a good lawyer but he is a public-spirited gentleman. He takes deep interest in all public
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affairs, and has done as much toward the upbuilding of the city of Pittsburg as any resident of the city; especially is this true along edu- cational lines. Schools and the public library are matters of deep inter- est to him. He also devotes considerable time to literature. His library in his home is perhaps one of the best private libraries in the state, and his general reading has covered a wide range.
He is a lover of good music and fine pictures and possesses musical instruments and the walls of his home are adorned with fine pictures.
He enjoys perhaps the most lucrative law practice in the county consisting largely of corporation practice.
T. W. COGSWELL
Was admitted to the bar in the state of California, in 1861, came to Kansas in 1869 and located in Osage Mission (now St. Paul), Neosho county, where he practiced law for a number of years. He served as county attorney of that county in 1878 and 1879. Afterward he located in Pittsburg, this county, and was the senior member of the firm of Cogswell & Campbell. He was appointed assistant attorney general, but served only a short time.
After the firm of Cogswell & Campbell dissolved he formed a part- nership with W. J. Gregg under the name of Cogswell & Gregg. Some years later he quit the practice of law and lived on a farm east of Pitts- burg. He is now holding the office of justice of the peace in the city of Pittsburg.
While in the active practice he was attorney in some very important cases in both Neosho county and Crawford county. Among those in Neosho county was the case of State of Kansas vs. Willie Sells, in which defendant was charged with the murder of his father, mother and brother. At the time the defendant was about fourteen years of age. He was convicted and is now serving a life sentence in the penitentiary.
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The case attracted the attention of the whole county for a long time on account of the youth of the defendant and the heinous nature of the crime.
The case of the State vs. Frankie Morris is another murder case in which Mr. Cogswell made an able defense, and succeeded in having the case dismissed. His client was charged with administering poison to her mother and causing her death in order to collect the insurance on her mother's life. Mr. Cogswell was identified with the early settlement of Neosho county and took an active part in the litigation of that day. He has enjoyed the reputation of being a good lawyer and a good citizen wherever he has lived. His knowledge of law makes him an exceptionally good justice of the peace and few cases are appealed from his court.
CURRAN & CURRAN.
This firm of attorneys is composed of John J. Curran and Andren J. Curran, brothers. They began the practice of law in Pittsburg in the year 1895. Andrew J. Curran is a graduate of the celebrated Mich- igan University at Ann Arbor and John J. attended the law school at Lawrence, Kansas.
Through their industry and careful attention to business this firm has established a lucrative law practice and are regarded as able young lawyers. They have been engaged as attorneys in some important liti- gation and represent some of the substantial business concerns of the city and county.
BENNETTE S. GAITSKILL.
The subject of this sketch is a native of the state of Kentucky. Attended the University of West Virginia, where he took a law course. He came to Crawford county in 1882, and was associated with C. Dana Sayers under the firm name of Sayers & Gaitskill. He was elected to
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the office of county attorney in 1888 and served two terms. In 1898 he was again elected county attorney and served one term. At the latter date he was nominated by the Republican party, although he had been a lifelong Democrat. He also received the Democratic nomina- tion and by the united vote of both parties was elected over the candi- date of the Populist party. Mr. Gaitskill has made a specialty of the criminal practice and has for the last fifteen years been retained in nearly all of the important criminal cases in the county. He is a re- sourceful trial lawyer and an effective speaker and is regarded as one of the foremost criminal lawyers of the state. He has a genial disposi- tion and is well liked by all who know him. He received the Demo- cratic nomination for judge of the Sixth judicial district at the last election, and made a hard fight during the campaign, but with his party was defeated.
He has always taken an active part in politics and is well known over the entire state.
THOMAS J. WIDBY
Is a graduate of the Union College of Law of Chicago, Illinois, and was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the state of Illinois in 1879. He came to Kansas in 1879 and located at Burlington, Coffey county, where he practiced law until 1885, when he located in Girard. While living at Girard he held the office of city clerk and city attorney respectively, and in 1896 was elected to the office of county attorney on the Populist ticket, which office he held for one term.
In 1899 he located in the city of Pittsburg and continued the prac- tice of law. He was appointed city attorney by Mayor Hunter and served for one term, when a change of administration occurred and his successor was appointed.
Mr. Widby is a hard-working and painstaking lawyer and a suc-
arthur Fuller.
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cessful practitioner. He is associated with Frederick B. Wheeler under the firm name of Widby & Wheeler.
FREDERICK B. WHEELER
Graduated from the law department of the State University in 1895 and immediately began the practice of law at Pittsburg, where he has remained ever since. In 1898 he was elected representative of the twenty-fourth representative district of the state of Kansas by the Popu- list party and served one term. He is associated with T. J. Widby in the practice of law and insurance business. He is an energetic young lawyer and a successful business man.
T. J. KARR
Graduated from the law department of the Kansas State University and began the practice of law at Girard about 1900.
He is a young man of considerable literary attainment and has a good knowledge of the law. He is of studious habits and is strictly honest and reliable.
E. M. MASON
Read law in the office of VanSyckel & Wells in 1888 and was admitted to the bar of Crawford county in 1889. Mr. Mason has a college edu- cation and is a natural student. He followed the vocation of teaching until late in life he took up the law. He is a man of good natural ability and of fine attainments, has held the office of justice of the peace in the city of Girard and has taken an active part in politics. Now holds the office of deputy district clerk and his knowledge of law makes him exceptionally well qualified for the duties of the office. He is one of the best stump speakers in the county and is thoroughly familiar with the political history of the country.
ARTHUR FULLER.
Arthur Fuller, born in Macoupin county, state of Illinois, is now
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forty-six years old. He received a common school education and at- tended the high school at Springfield, Illinois. He came to Crawford county, Kansas, and at the age of eighteen years commenced teaching school and continued for four terms, after which he commenced reading law with D. B. VanSyckel in the city of Girard, Kansas, and was ad- mitted to the bar to practice law by Judge B. W. Perkins at the fall term of Crawford county court in 1882, and was admitted to the supreme court of Kansas in 1885. Immediately after his admission to the bar he formed a partnership in the practice of law with John T. Voss, then considered the ablest lawyer in Crawford county. After- wards, John T. Voss leaving for Colorado. Mr. Fuller formed a part- nership with John Randolph, which partnership continued until the death of John Randolph, which was in 1901: since that time he has continued the practice by himself.
Arthur Fuller was the attorney for the First National Bank of Girard for fifteen years, and attorney for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company since 1886. Mr. Fuller was employed as one of the attorneys in the Frontenac explosion cases, said explosion occurring in 1888 at Mine No. 2 of the C. & P. C. & M. Co., which resulted in the death of fifty miners, and the said company was sued by the heirs at law of said miners in sum of about $10,000.00 each, and said cases were vigorously prosecuted in courts of this county for ten years, when they were all settled and adjusted by compromise.
Mr. Fuller has been employed in a great deal of railroad litigation and other important civil and criminal cases. He is considered one of the best corporation and criminal lawyers in southeastern Kansas. He has attained this eminence by his studious and energetic efforts to place himself at the head of his profession, and upon the recommendation of the bar of Crawford county, the Republican central committee of Craw-
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ford county, all the county officials, nearly all of the business men of Girard and Pittsburg and many of the citizens of the county, he was ap- pointed by the governor, the first judge of the Thirty-eighth judicial dis- trict, just established by an act of the legislature in March. 1905.
J. A. TAYLOR.
He graduated at the Kansas State University law department and commenced the practice of law at Pittsburg, Kansas, and soon there- after devoted his time more especially to real estate and loan business. He is a young man of good habits and exhibits some skill as a lawyer and is very active and successful in his present business.
CAPTAIN W. H. MORRIS.
Has been a resident of Kansas and a member of the bar for a great many years but until the last few years has been engaged in other pur- suits than that of practicing law. He was elected county attorney of Crawford county and served two terms. In 1896 he was elected auditor of the state of Kansas, which office he held one term. He was again a candidate for the office of county attorney in 1904 but was defeated by the present incumbent, J. M. Wayde.
Captain Morris has repeatedly held the office of justice of the peace in Pittsburg. He served as a captain in a Kansas regiment during the war. He was a successful prosecutor and one of the most impartial prosecuting attorneys the county ever had. He is a very pleasant gen- tleman and possessed of scholarly attainments, and has fine natural ability.
MISS LAURA A. WILSON.
Miss Wilson has the distinction of being the only woman ever admitted to the Crawford county bar. Miss Wilson, while serving as stenographer in the office of Fuller & Randolph, in Pittsburg, read law and after passing an excellent written examination was admitted to
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practice law. She has never engaged in the practice of law. however. but has for several years occupied a position in the postoffice at the city of Pittsburg.
D. H. WOOLLEY.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pennington Point, Mc- Donough county, Illinois, October 6, 1862, and received a common school education in said county, and came to Crawford county, Kansas, with his parents in March, 1873. He attended high school two years in Osage Mission, Neosho county, Kansas, one year in the Kansas Uni- versity at Lawrence, and one year in the Normal School at Ft. Scott, Kansas, after which he taught school in Kansas and Illinois for four years. He read law in the office of Ed VanGundy, and on the 30th day of August, 1889, was admitted to the bar to practice law in the district court of Crawford county, Kansas, October 7, 1896, to the supreme court of this state, and on December 14, 1893, admitted to practice law in the federal courts. He was appointed deputy county attorney of Crawford county, in January, 1903, and reappointed to said position in January, 1905, which position he now holds, and has held several other positions in the said city of Girard.
D. H. Woolley is a young man of scholarly attainments and dis- plays a good deal of oratorical skill and has become quite proficient in the legal profession. He makes a good deputy county attorney, and by his studiousness and attention to business bids fair to become one of the leading lawyers of the county.
E. A. PERRY.
Has practiced law and dealt in real estate in the city of Cherokee for the last twenty-five years. He owns property there and does quite a business.
He is a genial, warm-hearted man and is called "Judge" by all who know him, although he has never occupied a judicial position.
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JAMES A. SMITH.
Served in the war of the rebellion as a non-commissioned officer in an Illinois regiment. Came to Ft. Scott, Kansas, in 1865. Read law in the office of General C. W. Blair and W. C. Webb and was admitted to the bar of Bourbon county in 1866. In November, 1866, he was elected county attorney for what was known as the Neutral Strip, which composed a strip of territory twenty-five miles east and west and fifty miles north and south, and which was divided in 1867 into the counties of Cherokee, Crawford and part of Bourbon. After the division Judge Smith was in Cherokee county and was elected the first county attorney of Cherokee county. He removed to Crawford county in 1875 and located at the city of Cherokee. He was elected probate judge of Craw- ford county in November, 1876, and held the office for four consecutive terms. He was again elected to said office in November, 1888, and held the office for one term. He has held the office of justice of the peace in the city of Girard for several years last past. On account of holding the offices above mentioned, Judge Smith never engaged ex- clusively in the practice of his profession. He enjoys the distinction of holding one office for more consecutive terms than any other county officer, thus showing his popularity and the esteem in which he is held by the people of Crawford county. He was admitted to the supreme court February 7, 1884. He has been admitted to practice in the federal courts and also the pension and claim department at Washington. Judge Smith has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the old soldiers. their widows and orphans, and has secured more pensions and increases of pensions than any other man in the county. Being the oldest living member of the Crawford county bar, he is the best qualified of any one in the county to give a true history of the bench and bar of the county.
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W. J. GREGG.
A former resident of Pittsburg, where he read law in the office of T. W. Cogswell and afterward formed a partnership with Mr. Cogs- well and practiced for several years. A few years ago he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and recently located at Tulsa. Indian Territory. Mr. Gregg grew to manhood on a farm in this county.
E. W. ARNOLD.
Read law in the office of John T. Voss and Arthur Fuller in 1882, but before being admitted to the bar he became engaged in the real estate and loan business and for several years devoted his entire time and energy to that business. Later and about 1890 he again took up the law and after further study passed his examination and was admitted to the bar of this county.
His experience in the real estate and loan business caused him to make a specialty of real estate law, and he is considered an expert on titles.
L. H. PHILLIPS.
Read law in the office of Arthur Fuller and was admitted to the bar at the July term of district court, 1891.
Before beginning the practice, he attended the University of George- town, D. C., from the law department of which he graduated in 1894, with the degree of LL. M., since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law in this county. He has been deputy county attorney and city attorney.
He is now a member of the firm of Ryan & Phillips. He has met with a reasonable degree of success in the practice of law in this county and is looked upon as one of the promising young men of the bar of this county.
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J. M. WAYDE.
Graduated from the law department of the State University of Kansas in 1889 and located at Pittsburg in the practice of law in 1900. He has held the office of justice of the peace in said city for several terms, and in 1902 was elected to the office of county attorney, and re-elected in 1904. He has made a successful prosecutor and endeavors to protect the interest of the county in every way. He is regarded as one of our best trial lawyers and as a conscientious, hard-working attorney.
GEORGE H. STUESSI.
Graduated in the law department of Kansas State University in June. 1904, and admitted to practice law in this state in the supreme court in same month, and located in Pittsburg, Kansas, in the practice of law in September, 1904. He is a bright young man, and without doubt will succeed in his profession.
W. H. RYAN.
William H. Ryan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, August 15. 1857. moved to Neosho county, Kansas, with his parents in June. 1870, attended the public school in said county and afterwards the Catholic School at Osage Mission, now St. Paul, Kansas. He was appointed postmaster by President Arthur, at Brazilton, Crawford county, in 1882. He was elected representative in 1892 and state senator in 1896 to the Kansas legislature from Crawford county, by the Democratic and Popu- list parties and while in the legislature he served for four sessions on the judiciary committee.
He was admitted to the bar in Crawford county by Judge Walter L. Simons at the March term, 1898, in the district court of said county.
He was elected mayor of the city of Girard in April. 1898. and was the Democratic nominee of the Democratic party for Congress in
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the third congressional district of the state of Kansas in 1904. He is a member of the law firm of Ryan & Phillips, located at Girard. Senator Ryan is a forcible speaker, and has been very successful in the practice of law, obtaining a verdict for his clients in some very important cases, and bids fair to gain distinction in the legal profession in the county and state.
JOHN L. KIRKPATRIC.
This young lawyer graduated in the law department of the State University of Kansas in June. 1904, and in the same month was admitted in the supreme court to practice law, and located in Pittsburg, Kansas, in the fall of 1904 in the practice of law, and from all appearances he will make his mark and succeed in the profession.
WILLIAM J. WATSON.
Born January 1, 1872, near Cato, Crawford county. Read law in the office of Fuller & Randolph at Pittsburg and was admitted to the bar of Crawford county. He afterward graduated from the law department of the Kansas State University in 1896, and was admitted to practice in the supreme court in May, 1896. Was elected justice of the peace in 1897.
He practiced law at Pittsburg until the war with Spain was de- clared in April, 1898, and volunteers called for, when he enlisted and was chosen first lieutenant of Company D, of the Twentieth Kansas Regiment, which regiment was commanded by Colonel, now General, Fred Funston.
In the early part of the war in the Philippines, on March 24, 1899. he was promoted on the field of battle, for bravery, to the office of captain. In the battle of Guiginto, Luzon island, he received a rifle ball through the chest and lungs which necessitated his withdrawal from active service for some time. He returned to the United States and
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