USA > Kansas > Barton County > Biographical History of Barton County, Kansas > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
Saturday, July 6th, 1872-In the evening a gentleman called at the store and asked for me. I went down and found there a law stu- dent from Iowa City, who was there the last. Jear I was. That was the first appearance of George W. Nimocks, who was touring the state in a wagon with a camping outfit and who had established his camp near the south- east corner of the public square.
Sunday, July 7, 1872-I am considering a trip to Iowa very soon on very important bus- iness. The railroad will be completed to that place by the last of next week and I will be able to make the trip from my own town on the frontier by rail. I feel very much elated over this fact. Just to think how a person must feel, having come here only one year ago when the country was almost as wild as the day it was made, inhabited solely by the wild game of the plains and now the iron horse is about to come dashing in, bringing all the changes of civilization. Bringing stout hearts and sturdy hands to subdue these wild prairies and make them contribute to the ad- vancement and wellfare of mankind. ""T'is strange! "Tis strange, how quickly all this has come about."
Friday, July 12, 1872-I have concluded to go to Iowa as soon as possible and if nothing prevents, will be there during the week, prob- ably about Thursday.
GREAT ILKO
Santa Fe Depot, Great Bend
268
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Residence of Andrew J. Deckert (See page 123)
Residence of Carl Schneider, South Bend Township
269
OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
T. L. STONE
T HE subject of this
sketch was one of the early settlers in Barton County, and a man almost intimately acquaint- ed with all of our citizens, a brief account of his life . will be appreciated by our readers.
Thomas Longdon Stone was born near Lex- ington, Ky.,June 27, 1830, only lacking a few days of being 48 years old at the time of his death, June 2, 1887. When about 7 years old his parents moved to Paris, Mo., living there about five years, when they returned to their old home in Kentucky, where they remained
two years kept a dry goods store and was pro- prietor of the Drover's Cottage, the first hotel in this place, later the Southern. He afterward opened a meat market which he operated suc- cessfully for about two years, when he went to farming. He had 240 acres of land about 9 miles south of Great Bend, nearly all of which is in cultivation. He leaves a wife and three children, the oldest being the wife of Sheriff Winstead, Mrs. Crain and Josie, a little girl. Three daughters and two sons died when quite young.
T. L. Stone Proprietor of Great Bend's First Hotel
until 1849, when they returned to Missouri, making their home in Shelby County. On the 12th of September, 1849, T. L. Stone was mar- ried to Miss Jane W. McCracken, with whom he lived happily until his death. In 1852, dur- ing the gold excitement, Mr. Stone went to California, where he spent two years in the gold mines, and accumulated some money. He traveled all over that state and like all the early emigrants, endured many hardships, and doubtless contracted rheumatic afflictions there, from which he never entirely recover "}, and which laid the foundation for other bod- ily infirmities. He came to Great Bend in 1872, being one of the first settlers, and for
For the last two years, Mr. Stone's health had been gradually but steadily failing, and though every attention was given him he found but temporary relief. He died of gen- eral dropsy.
The Odd Fellows of this place took part in the burial ceremonies, showing that respect which was due to the deceased both as a citi- zen and former member of the order.
The deceased was a man of many excellent traits of character, a warm friend, genial and happy in disposition, and generous to a fault The community deeply sympathize with the grief-stricken family and relatives, in their hour of suffering. "Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot cure."
270
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
PATENT ISSUED FOR CITY OF GREAT BEND
During the summer of 1872 Great Bend was organzied as a city of the third class with A. A. Hurd as mayor. In September, 1872, final proof was made and a patent for section 28 issued to the mayor in trust for the use and benefit of the occupants. These, under the laws of Kansas, were considered to be the Great Bend Town Company, most of whom resided at Quincy, Ill. Accordingly a deed was made to said town company * by the mayor. The U. S. courts afterward decided that the provision making a non-resident town company occupants was not in keeping with and accord- ing to the spirit of the law of congress and that the deed must be made by the mayor to each of the actual occupants, according to his respective interest. Accordingly, suit was brought by the occupants against the Great Bend Town Company to set aside the deed from the mayor to them. However, a compro- mise was effected wherein it was agreed that a decree should be entered setting aside said decd, and the mayor should proceed to appoint commissioners to divide the property accord- ing to law, giving to each actual occupant his quota of lots, and that each occupant should
deed one-half of the same to the Great Bend Town Company. Thus the question of title was settled, and each occupant found himself to be a great deal richer than he had supposed.
*The officers and stockholders of the com- pany, as appears from the Arkansas Valley, published in July, 1872, were as follows: Officers
J. L. Curtis, President, Keokuk, Iowa.
M. F. Bassett, M. D., Vice-President, Quincy, Illinois.
C. R. S. Curtis, M. D., Corresponding Secre- tary, Quincy, Illinois.
Directors ..
Hon. D. L. Lakin, Land Commissioner A.,
T. & S. F. R. R., Topeka, Kansas.
Hon. T. J. Peter, General Manager A., T. &
S. R. R., Topeka, Kansas.
Hon. A. L. Williams, Attorney of Company, Topeka, Kansas.
Additional stockholders.
James Israel, Esq., Mt. Vernon, O., Judge T. J. Mitchell, Quincy, Ill., Rev. R. F. Shinn, Paysor, Ill., Rev. W. E. Johnson, Jacksonville, III., T. L. Morris, Great Bend, Kansas, Hon. John T. Morton, Topeka, Kansas.
MAYORS OF GREAT BEND
A complete list of the men who served the city of Great Bend as its chief executive from 1872 to 1912:
Name-
Date.
A. A. Hurd 1872 and 1873
Samuel Maher 1874
Richard Taylor 1875
C. F. Diffenbacher 1876
A. C. Fair
1877
G. H. Hulme 1899
L. P. Aber 1901
Martin Weirauch 1903
E. W. Moses 1905
E. W. Moses 1907
E. W. Moses 1909
G. W. Nimocks
1883
E. W. Moses 1884 and 1885
D. N. Heizer 1886
After 1886 mayors were elected for two- year terms.
A. J. Buckland 1837
O. B. Wilson 1889
A. Laidlaw .1891
G. N. Moses 1895
G. N. Moses 1897
G. N. Moses .1878
A. W. Gray 1879
E. L. Chapman 1880
Henry Kline 1881
J. V. Brinkman 1882
O. W. Dawson 1911
Birdseye View of Great Bend
271
OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
BARTON COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION
I N the early days of Barton County it was a sportsman's paradise, but after the ex- termination of the buffaloes and ante- lopes from this part of the state, hunters were compelled to be satisfied with quail, prairie chickens and water fowl. Each year when the ducks and geese and other migratory birds pass over this part of the country in the spring and fall, many of them stop and are found on the marshes, creeks and rivers in large numbers . The people of Barton County are hunters by heredity because of the fact that the first settlers in this section depended a great deal on their prowess with the gun for their food. In 1905 a number of the citizens of the county got together and organized the Barton County Sportsmen's Association, the
object being to maintain hunting privileges in different parts of the county. The organiza- tion was a success from the beginning and it now controls the hunting privileges on about six sections of land in the Cheyenne Bottoms which is but a short distance northeast of Great Bend. Here the ducks and other water fowls are found in large numbers at certain times of the year and here the members of the organization enjoy what many believe to be the grandest of all sports. The officers of the organization are C. D. Spaugh' president ; Lester Cox, secretary and treasurer, and these together with E. W. Seward, Ben McMullen and C. W. Scherzer form the board of direc- tors. The association now has about 125 meni- bers
JOHN WEST PASCOE
P ROMINENT among the really old timers of Barton County is John West Pascoe who came here at a time when the county was just in the beginning of its his- tory. He was born in Cornwall, England. Oc- tober 28, 1833. He came to America May 8, 1856, and landed at Philadelphia. From there he went to Ontanogan County, Michigan, and from there came to the State of Kansas and arrived in Russell County April 19, 1871, and from there came to Barton County in July of the same year. He located on the west line of Great Bend township, the land comprising the northwest quarter of section 18. He went back to Michigan June 2, 1872, where he re- mained until July 19, 1873. He located in Eu- reka township and until 1903 was actively en- gaged in farming. In that year he retired and now lives in Great Bend at 1607 Williams street where he has a neat comfortable home. He was married January 26, 1854 to Miss Grace
Dyer. To this union there were born seven children, five of whom are living. Elizabeth and Clara are both dead, and those living are as follows. Paul is farming in this county and is mentioned in another part of this book; Re- bekah is Mrs. William Thomas of Kansas City; Elizabeth Anne is now Mrs. Edward Harper and resides in Great Bend; Martha is now Mrs. William White; and Maria is now Mrs. Samuel White of Great Bend. Mr. Pascoe's first wife died February 28, 1889. September 28, 1889, Mr. Pascoe married Mrs. Anna Watts of Great Bend. They have one adopted child, Ruth Anne who now is nine years of age. Mr. Pas- coe is one of the best known residents of Bar- ton County. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. His son Paul and grand- sons are also prominent in this order. The elder Mr. Pascoe has been a member of the Blue Lodge and the Chapter for .... years.
He had the pleasure of seeing his son Paul
272
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
and two grandsons initiated into the Royal Arch and the Knights Templar degrees of Ma- sonary at the same time. They also are mem- bers of the Coinsstory at Wichita and are 32nd degree masons. Mr. Pascoe is one of those hardy men who blazed the way that made pos- sible the development of this county to one of which all its residents are justly proud.
Since the above was written John W. Pascoe has passed from this life to his reward in Hea- ven. The following is from the Daily Tribune of July 13th, 1912.
John W. Pascoe died this noon at 10 min- utes of 1 at his home in this city. He had been suffering from a general breakdown and the last several months had been very feeble in health. No arrangements have yet been an- nounced regarding the funeral services but they will undoubtedly be held under the aus- pices of the Masonic order of which he was a devoted member. Mr. Pascoe had been a res- ident of this county for nearly forty years, coming here from Michigan. He was born in England and grew to manhood in that coun- try. He was a man of absolute honesty and in-
tegrity and. enjoyed the respect of everyone who knew him. Further particulars regarding the deceased will be given in a later issue.
Mr. Pascoe was a zealous Mason and it was his pleasure to see his son and two grandsons join the lodge of which he thought so much. It is nct often that such a distinction is en- joyed by any lodge, that of three generations belonging to the same lodge.
The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon, July 15, at 2:30 o'clock at the Meth- odist church.
He was a man of absolute honesty and in- tegrity, was devoted to his family and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was a devout Christian and during most of his life was a consistent member of the Methodist church. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity of this city and a member of the Consistory in Wichita.
He leaves to mourn his loss a wife, five children, twenty-three grand-children, two great grand children and a large circle of friends.
Funeral services were held this afternoon from the Methodist church, this city.
E. J. Dodge, (See page 80)
273
OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
RICHARD TAYLOR
T HERE are very few, if any, old timers of Barton County who did not know Rich-
ard Taylor, or "Dick," as he was com-
monly called by those who knew him best. Dick arrived in America shortly after the close of the civil war in 1865, a typical Eng- lishman, whose love for his native land- - where he belonged to the farming classes -- made him believe that outside of England there was very little worth while. Small of
stature, but possessed of unlimited physical energy, he at once entered the field of active effort in this country, his first venture being in the brokerage business in Milwaukee, Wis., with an uncle, Richard Peough. He remained there a few years, after which he came to Kansas and located first at Russell in Rus- sell County. This was in 1872 and it was but a short time after his arrival there that he engaged in the lumber business with Mr. Yox- all in Great Bend. In those days lumber was
Richard Taylor, 1875
sold by this firm to parties in Barton County, the lumber being freighted in wagons. It might be interesting to know that white pine was about the only lumber obtainable at that time, and with the high freight rates and bis expense in handling it sold for about the same price that it brings today. In 1875 Dick en- gaged in the farming business a short dis- tance northwest of Great Bend where he still resides. His home place is known as Walnut Hill Stock Farm and is one of the most desir- able and highly improved farms in the county. Mr. Taylor makes a specialty of raising thor- oughbred Hereford cattle; his herd is one of
the finest in this part of the country. Mr. Taylor was born in Hereford, England, July 10, 1844, and left there for America when he was 21 years of age. His liking for Hereford cattle is due to the fact that his birthplace is the home of this famous breed. He was married November 21, 1875, to Miss Rachel Slack and they are the parents of three chil- dren as follows: Annie R., Arthur E., and Thomas R. Annie and Thomas are residing at the old home place while Arthur E. is in the real estate,insurance and farm loan business in Great Bend. Arthur was born in Barton County April 17, 1880, and was married Janu- ary 4, 1905, to Miss Mable Brinkman ,and they are the parents of two children: Lillian and Elizabeth. When Dick Taylor arrived in Bar- ton County he was accompanied two brothers, Harry, who died after he had been here about two years and Thomas, who is now engaged in the cattle business in Kiowa Coun-
Richard Taylor, 1912
ty. Mrs. Taylor is a daughter of Rachel Slack, who arrived in Barton County in 1873 fron Oswego, New York. Her husband was killed in the civil war. She located on land two miles north of Dartmouth. She was born November 29, 1827, at Leeds, England, and died January 1, 1812. Dick Taylor was the third mayor of Great Bend and also served as the county assessor in the early days. In
1910 Mr. Taylor took a trip back to England and while he had always pointed with pride
to England as the leader in everything, he found that the methods that he had learned in the United States were superior to those in
274
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
use in his native land. In the free and easy days of the first settlements in this county there were numerous tests of physical skill and strength in the way of boxing and wrest- ling bouts, and in these lines Dick Taylor was frequently pitted against men much larger than himself and always came out of the frays with flying colors much to the surprise of some of his larger opponents. When Mr. Tay- lor arrived in this country he had only seven- teen suits of clothes, but unfortunately the style worn at that time by the best dressed people of England did not fit very well with
the dictates of fashion in America. However, as soon as possible Mr. Taylor secured for his wardrobe a number of suits containing tlio highest class of American style and quality. Mr. Taylor is justly proud of his ancestry and native country but has always been a patriotic and progressive American and a citizen whom any community might desire, especially a com- munity such as Barton County was at the time he took up his residence here. This is true because it is such men as Mr. Taylor who were required to withstand the hardships and make a productive section out of barren prai- rie land.
GREAT BEND POSTOFFICE
G REAT BEND was designated a postof- office of the fourth class in 1872 the first postmaster being Mr. Fos- sil. The first building used as a postoffice -- a likeness of which is shown herewith-is now used as a residence in the northeast part of town. Great Bend was designated a post- office of the second class in 1902 and in 1906 had reached a point where it was possible to make successful application for free delivery in the city. City free delivery was established that year with three carriers, the number having been added to as demand required. The first rural route out of Great Bend was put on September 1, 1904, and in 1912 this number had been increased to six. In 1890 the re- ceipts of the office were $5,666, this being the amount for the year ending June 1, 1890. For the year ending June 1, 1893, the amount of
receipts of the office was $5,175, for 1902, $7,484, for 1905 $10,977, for 1909 $17,875 and at the close of the postoffice year June 1, 1912, the preceding twelve months showed a total of $18,102. By an act of congress in 1908 an appropriation was made for a federal building at Great Bend to cost $65.000. It will be completed and ready for occupancy before the fiirst of the year. It is a fine building, built of granite, is fire proof throughout and will be furnished according to the latest ideas and the well known demands of the govern- ment for substantial quality and beauty. The present postmaster is Theodore Griffith who has served since August, 1902. He has been an efficient and conscientious official and has discharged the duties of the office in a way that has met universal commendation.
Mr. Fossil, Great Bend's First Postmaster
275
OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
Great Bend's First Postoffice
U. S. Postoffice, Great Bend, Aug. 3 1912
276
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Home, Great Bend
Elks
OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
277
BENEVOLENT PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS No. 1127
T HE Great Bend Lodge No. 1127, Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks was or- ganized Oct. 1908. Previous to this there were a number of gentlemen of Great Bend belonged to the Hutchinson lodge but in 1308 Great Bend had reached a population of 5,000 and a charter was issued for a lodge. There were fifty charter members and in 1909 the membership had increased to something over 400, when steps were taken which resulted in the building of the beautiful home for mem- bers of the order in Great Bend. The home was dedicated March 17, 1910. The exalted rulers of the lodge since it was organized have
been R. C. Russell, 1908-09; Dr. R. H. Meade, 1910; William Smythe, 1911 and J. L. Cox, 1912. At the present time the lodge has a membership of 607 and the officers are: J. L. Cox, Exalted Ruler; F. W. Brinkman, Es- teemed Leading Knight; Dr. Stinson, Esteem- ed Loyal Knight; Wells Thompson, Esteemed Lecturing Knight; W. L. Bowersoxx, secre- tary; E. L. Chapman, treasurer; W. L. Dela- plane, Inside Guard; Justus Sandrock, Out- side Guard. The Great Bend Lodge is known in Elkdom as being one of the livest organi- zations of the order and this is saying a great deal as all Elk bodies are live ones.
CHARLES A. HOOPER
A MONG the few business men of Great Bend who came here in the '80s and went through the good and bad times, and are here today and still in business is Charles A. Hooper. He was born in Adams County, Indiana, September 29, 1860, and came from there to the State of Kansas in 1878. He first located at Atchison where he remained until 1886 when he came to Barton County and opened a drug store on the lot now occupied by the Ideal Bakery. At the end of six months the business had grown to such an extent that more room was needed and the stock was moved to the corner of Lakin and Main street where the Wagaman store is now located. Mr. Hooper remained there a year and moved to his present location, 1507-9 Main street. Be- fore coming to Kansas Mr. Hooper attended the Valparaiso College and Notre Dame Col- lege of Indiana where he fitted himself for a pharmacist and is now registered in the State of Kansas. Mr. Hooper was married Septem- ber 4, 1883, to Miss Margaret Kennedy of Atch- ison and they are the parents of six children, five of whom are living as follows: Irene, who is now Mrs. J. P. Healy of Oklahoma City; Chas. Warren is attending John Hopkins Uni- versity of Baltimore, Maryland; Ulanda, Jacob and Muriel are living at home. Mrs. Healey is a talented singer while her sister, Muriel, is a violinist of exceptional ability. Mr. Hooper's
business in this city has grown steadily since its inception and his establishment is now recognized as being one of the largest drug, music and book stores in this section of the country. The stores occupy two large rooms. with balconies making a total floor space of 105,000 square feet. In the drug department can be found an exceptionally fine line of drugs, chemicals, toilet articles and the soda fountain is one of the best equipped and most sanitary to be found in Central Kansas. In the music department Mr. Hooper carries a line of pianos that compare favorably with the stock found in the largest cities and here one can obtain any kind of a musical instrument as well as sheet music, Victor talking machines and a complete line of records for these in- struments. Then Mr. Hooper also makes a specialty of wall paper, books, stationery and he has built his business to its present high standing by correct methods and square deal- ing policies. When Mr. Hooper located in Great Bend it required men of great fortitude and keen business knowledge to overcome the adverse conditions with which they had to contend. However, Mr. Hooper was equal to the occasion and saw his business grow until it stands today among the leading mercantile establishments of Barton County and the State of Kansas.
278
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
T HE first steps for the organization of the First National Bank were taken
May 9, 1885 when the call was issued by Mr. McBride for a meeting for that purpose. Mr. zation committee and was the first vice-presi- dent of the bank.
The first board of directors consisted of Mr. McBride, E. M. Parlin, W. H. Campbell, G. H. Hulme, R. C. Bailey, E. L. Chapman, C. F. Willner, J. H. Hubbard and John Lin- das. The charter was issued by H. W. Can- non, then comptroller of the currency, on the
20, 1911 to July 1, 1911; Chas. Lobdell, July 1, 1911.
Cashiers-R. C. Bailey, July 7, 1885 to Jan- uary 10, 1888; S. E. Prentis, January 10, 1888 to July 23, 1891; C. M. Wickwire, July 23, 1888 to November 2, 1891; G. L. Chapman, Novem- ber 2, 1891 to January 14, 1895; H. J. Klein, January 11, 1898 to January 14, 1902; Ed L. Chapman, January 14, 1902 to June 1, 1912; F. H. Miller, June 1, 1912.
The real history of the bank began with the election of G. L. Chapman as cashier in 1891
G. L. Chapman
7th day of July, 1885 and it began the trans- action of business with E. M. Parlin presi- dent and R. C. Bailey as cashier.
Officers of the bank since the date of its organization have been:
Presidents-E. M. Parlin, July 7, 1885 to July 31, 1888; J .W. Rush, July 31, 1888 to Oc- tober 6, 1892; E. L. Chapman, October 6, 1892 to June 13, 1894; G. H. Hulme, vice-president and acting president,. June 13, 1894 to Jan- uary 14, 1895; G. L. Chapman, January 14, 1895 to March 20, 1911; R. L. Hamilton, March
and he was from that date to the date of his death, the active manager and guiding genius of the bank, carrying it through the panic of 1893 and the years of depression that followed. The story of the bank has been one of remark- able success-it having notwithstanding the necessary losses incident to the collapse of the bcom of 1886 and '87 and the panic of '93, made a net earning during the period of its exist- ence, up to July 1st of the present year of $167,455.98 and with its capital of $100,000 and surplus of $20,000, it is today one of the strongest financial institutions of the South- west.
279
OF BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS
September 9, 1912, the First National com- pleted a business arrangement which resulted in nearly doubling its deposits and which has made it the strongest bank in the State of Kansas in a town the size of Great Bend and one of the strongest in the country. The deal resulted in the consolidation of the J. V. Brink- man Company Bank with the First National. The Brinkman Bank was the oldest institu- tion of the kind in the western part of the state and its deposits were among the largest of any state bank of Kansas.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.