USA > Kansas > Atchison County > History of Atchison County, Kansas > Part 34
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While Mr. and Mrs. Synins were on their wedding trip on the steamer "Carrier" en route up the Missouri river from St. Louis to Doniphan, the boat sank near Hermann, Mo. They easily escaped drowning because the "Carrier" sank slowly, but they lost their newly purchased household goods and a large amount of supplies with which Mr. Symins intended to stock the Doniphan store. Mrs. Symns continued to Doniphan on another boat, while Mr. Symns returned to St. Louis to lay in another stock of household goods and provisions for his store.
The Symns family came of old Scotch Presbyterian stock. Although a southerner by birth, he was a Union man in Kansas. He was an independent Democrat in politics.
Mr. Symns was in active pursuits even after attaining the age of three score years and ten, and was always found early at his desk. He was not only the active head of the business but closely watched the details. He was always hurrying and was ever busy, and it was his custom to walk daily to the postoffice for his mail so as to have the benefit of the exercise. Having always been a man of correct habits he belied his years and his demise came unexpectedly at Hot Springs. He was accidentally killed by a locomotive on a railroad crossing at Hot Springs, where it had been his custom to go for his health during the latter ten years of his life. He was fond of his family and dearly loved his home life. He was quiet, unassuming, and was one of the kindest and gentlest of men, probably no man being more universally admired and beloved in Atchison during his day. His life story furnishes a decided inspiration for any one who may read of his success in Atchison.
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BALIE PEYTON WAGGENER.
It is not difficult to classify Balie P. Waggener so as to determine his position in the civic body of Atchison, but it is not easy to write a review com- prehensive enough to give a proper estimate of this distinguished citizen who has been honored in his home city and in the State of Kansas. When one thinks of Atchison it is only natural to refer to the city as the home of Balie Waggener, who is indisputably grouped among the prominent and widely known figures who have shed fame and luster upon their home city. A lead- ing attorney, statesman, progressive citizen, builder, farmer and stockman, friend of all children, capitalist, and public benefactor are some of the terms which might be applied to him without fear of contradiction from the mass of the people who know him best.
He was born in Platte county, Missouri, July 18, 1847, a son of Peyton R. and Sophronia Briseis (Willis) Waggener, who were American born and descended from old American families. The great-grandfather of Mr. Wag- gener served in the Continental army as a lieutenant-colonel during the Ameri- can war of independence, and his grandfather was a major in the United States army during the War of 1812. Balie Waggener attended the public schools until he attained the age of fourteen years and then obtained a situa- tion as toll-gate keeper on the old Platte City & Western turnpike. He was ambitious to become a lawyer and during the interims of his duties in attend- ing the toll-gate, and after his day's work was done, he read his law books. The next step in his preparation to become a member of the legal profession was to enter the law office of Otis & Glick, in Atchison. This was in 1866, and so assiduously did the young man apply himself to his studies that he was admitted to the bar June 10, 1867. Three years later he formed a partnership with Albert H. Norton, then United States district attorney, under the firm name of Horton & Waggener, which lasted until the election of Judge Horton to the office of chief justice of the Kansas supreme court in 1876. In 1887 Mr. Waggener formed a partnership under the firm name of Waggener, Mar- tin & Orr, which continued until April 30, 1895, when the firm was dissolved and the firm became Waggener, Horton & Orr, Chief Justice Horton having resigned his position and again entered the firm. David Martin, Mr. Wag- gener's former partner, became chief justice of the supreme court of Kansas to succeed Chief Justice Horton. In 1902 Judge Horton died, and later his place in the firm was taken by Ex-Chief Justice Frank Doster, under the firm name of Waggener, Doster & Orr. It will thus be seen that Mr. Waggener has been associated in the practice of law with three chief justices of the
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supreme court of Kansas. In 1913 Mr. Orr withdrew from the firm to become special assistant to the attorney-general of the United States, and the firm is now known as Waggener, Challiss & Crane, being composed of W. P. Wag- gener, James Challiss and Albert Crane. Mr. Waggener now devotes his time and legal talents almost exclusively to his duties as general solicitor for the Missouri Pacific railway.
The ability of a lawyer having the calibre of Mr. Waggener was bound to attract attention, and on January 4, 1876, he was appointed general attor- ney of the Missouri Pacific railway for the State of Kansas, and on May I, 1910, he was made general solicitor for that company for the States of Kan- sas, Nebraska, and Colorado, his son, W. P. Waggener, succeeding him as general attorney for Kansas. During the forty-four years Mr. Waggener has been engaged in the practice of law he has won an enviable position at the bar through his own personal efforts. He has never ceased to be a student of all subjects pertaining to that most jealous of professions, and it is worthy of note that he is the possessor of one of the most complete law libraries in the United States, containing upward of 10,000 volumes on every conceivable legal subject. He keeps his library at his residence, which is one of the hand- somest and best appointed in the city of Atchison, and he prepares most of his cases in the study of his home where privacy is possible.
Naturally, a man of Mr. Waggener's vigor and broad-mindedness would engage in enterprises outside of the practice of his profession, and he has done so in such a manner as to profit himself and the community. In 1892 he was elected president of the Exchange National Bank of Atchison, which position he has since held. He perfected and put into operation the Atchison Railway, Light and Power Company in the city, and is the owner of the famous "Green View Stock Farm," comprising 500 acres, beautifully located a short distance west of Atchison, and which is one of the best equipped and most modern farms in Kansas. Through experimentation and adapting modern methods of agriculture to the cultivation of his land and the breeding of fine live stock, Mr. Waggener has become a recognized authority on agriculture and animal husbandry. The annual sales of fine live stock which are pro- duced on his farm have become an annual event in this section of Kansas and the West, and are largely attended by buyers from all parts of the country.
In addition to his professional and business interests, Mr. Waggener has manifested a public spirit in matters pertaining to the political conditions of his city and State. Firmly grounded in Democratic principles, he has become one of the foremost leaders of his party and occupies a high place in its coun- cils. In 1869 he was elected to the Atchison city council when he had barely
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attained his majority. In the year 1872 he was the nominee of his party for the office of attorney-general of the State of Kansas, and in 1873 was made city attorney. From 1889 to 1891 and again in 1895-97 he was mayor of the city. In 1902 he was elected a member of the lower branch of the State legislature, which had a large Republican majority, and during the term held the important position of chairman of the judiciary committee. It is generally conceded that he influenced much of the legislation at that session, and his record so commended him to his constituents that in 1904 he was elected to the State senate from a strong Republican district, carrying the district by a majority of 1.500 votes, although at the same election Theodore Roosevelt, the Republican candidate for President, carried the same district by over 3,600, an indisputable testimonial to Mr. Waggener's personal pop- ularity and his ability. Mr. Waggener served in the senate of the Kansas State legislature in the sessions of 1905 and 1907, and was reelected by a hand- some majority of over 2,000 in November of 1912, He is now holding the position of State senator from this district.
Mr. Waggener is a member of many secret orders, and is prominent in Masonic circles, being a Knights Templar and a Thirty-second degree mem- ber of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
On May 27, 1869, Mr. Waggener married Miss Emma L., daughter of William W. Hetherington, one of Atchison's prominent citizens, now de- ceased, a review of whose life and career is given elsewhere in this volume. Two children were born to this union: William Peyton Waggener, a "chip off the old block." and present general attorney of the Missouri Pacific rail- way for the State of Kansas, and president of the Exchange State Bank of Atchison ; Mabel L., wife of R. K. Smith, vice-president and general man- ager of the Mississippi Central railway.
Perhaps the trait of character that most endears Mr. Waggener to the people of Atchison county is that liberality which led him in 1897 to inaug- urate the system of giving an annual picnic to the children. Every year, at his own personal expense, he furnishes free transportation, free entertainment, and free refreshments to all the children of Atchison county who can attend his picnic, and the larger the crowd the greater is his delight. These picnics are not given for the purpose of increasing his popularity or for any self- aggrandizement whatever, but solely that he may steal at least one day from his business cares and derive a wholesome recreation in contributing to the amusement of the young people. This innovation has occasioned at various times favorable and commendatory comment in the press of the State, and a record of these picnics has been placed in the annals of the Kansas State His-
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torical Society. The report of the secretary of the historical society for the year 1911 has considerable to say concerning the visit of President Taft to Kansas in that year and his attendance upon Balie Peyton Waggener's picnic to the children of the neighborhood. The President left Topeka on September '27, about one hour after laying the cornerstone of the Memorial Hall build- ing and reached Atchison in time for Mr. Waggener's twelfth annual picnic. The President spoke words of high praise of Mr. Waggener and presented him with a silver loving cup in behalf of the people of Atchison county. Mr. Taft's words in making the presentation were: "A token is this, Mr. Wag- gener, that carries real sincerity of friendship. I present this beautiful vase of silver in the name of the people here assembled as a sign of love and esteem. I congratulate you on the eminence you have attained." Mr. Waggener re- sponded : "This is a distinction unmerited. I have no words to express my grateful acknowledgment." Balie Waggener's picnic has become a feature of Kansas history of a most pleasant nature. He is a life member of the State Historical Society, and has always been an ardent and most liberal friend of the society.
When Mr. Waggener was forced by illness to go to Rochester, Minn., for the purpose of having a surgical operation performed, his safe return to his home was made the occasion of a time of great rejoicing by the children of the city, and a reception was given him, such as has never been given an Atchison citizen before nor since, and which occasioned State-wide comment on the part of the press as a fitting testimonial of the great love and esteem in which he was held by the children and people of his home city. During the time he was at Rochester undergoing a surgical operation and his subse- quent recovery, the children of the city had been praying for his restoration to health and his safe return to their midst. It was their great friend who was ill, and, when the word came that he would arrive home on a certain evening the children prepared to receive him in an appropriate manner. All the children of Atchison turned out to give him welcome, and hundreds formed in line, through which Mr. Waggener passed on his way to his home. He and his automobile were pelted with flowers and tears filled his eyes, and he was unable to express his heart-felt appreciation of the reception which his people had given him. It has been described as the most beautiful and touching thing that has ever happened in the life of Mr. Waggener. To quote briefly from the Kansas City Journal, which described the incident : "Few men in this world were so fortunate as to enjoy such an ovation. Men who have done important things have been received by town hands and by citizens covered with fluttering badges. Men have come back to their home
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people to be received in the opera house, and cheers have echoed in their re- ceptive ears. But it must be understood that no such home-coming as Mr. Waggener's could come to an ordinary man. It was the tribute of sincere devotion and genuine friendship. It couldn't be bought with money or earned by material success. These Atchison children didn't care a rap for Waggener, the railroad attorney, nor Waggener, the politician, nor even for Waggener, the exemplary citizen. It was Mr. Waggener, the good, kind friend they loved, to whom the welcome was given, and it sprung from sheer joy that he had recovered his health and was with them once more. And who can say that the earth holds a more splendid triumph as the crowning glory of a life than this? All other laudations and exclamations are tame compared with the flushed enthusiasm of hundreds of happy children shouting from their hearts :
"'Waggener, Waggener sis boom ah! Our friend, our friend, rah! rah! rah! "
ALBERT E. MAYHEW.
Personal achievement on the part of the individual who accomplishes things worth while for himself and in behalf of his fellow men, is always worth recording. The inherent qualities possessed by an able man will de- velop and become pronounced in decided results if he be given the proper op- portunity. Albert E. Mayhew, legislative representative from the Atchison county district, and a successful merchant, belongs to that type of men who by force of intellect and sheer ability to do things have placed themselves in the forefront of affairs and taken their proper places as leaders in their re- spective communities. Forty-five years of his life have been spent in Kansas, and he can properly be classed as one of the pioneers of the State. Mr. May- hew established himself in business in Effingham January 1, 1899, and his success since his advent into Atchison county has been marked and rapid. He began at first with a capital of $3,000 invested in a hardware and imple- ment business. With characteristic energy and enterprise he developed his business to the extent that his extensive stock of goods now requires a cap- ital of $10,000. In 1912 he purchased a lot at the corner of the two prin- cipal streets of Effingham and erected a handsome two-story brick building and a warehouse at the same time. This building measures 84x60 feet, includ- ing the warehouse and two splendid show rooms, filled with high class goods.
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The stock of goods in the Mayhew establishment embraces hardware, farm- ing implements and wagons, paints, furniture, and he also conducts an under- taking establishment. Three men are employed to attend to the extensive trade of this store, which is the most important institution of its kind in this section of the county.
Albert E. Mayhew was born March 17, 1866, at St. Mary's, Ontario, Canada, a son of William, born in 1833, died in March, 1906, and Mary ( Lan- caster). born in 1833, died December 25, 1878, Mayhew, both of whom were born in England and immigrated to Canada when in their youth. William Mayhew ran away from home and made his way to Canada where he became a farmer and married. William Mayhew and his wife resided in Canada until May, 1870, when they immigrated to Kansas, settling in Nemaha county. They purchased a farm near the town of Centralia, developed it and Mr. May- hew made a success of farming and stock raising. He began with a large tract of land at first, but soon ascertained that it were better to have a smaller farm, and accordingly reduced his acreage to 160 acres, upon which he pros- pered. Mrs. Mayhew, the mother of Albert E., died on the home place in Nemaha county. William, as old age crept upon him, removed to San Diego, Cal., where his demise occurred. He is buried in the cemetery of the Cali- fornia city. Five sons and a daughter were born to William Mayhew and wife, namely : John, a merchant, of Denver, Colo .; Robert, a retired farmer and merchant, living in Topeka, Kan .; George, a merchant, of Denver, Colo .; Eliza, wife of A. B. Clippinger, Kansas City, Mo. : Albert E., the subject of this review, and Leonard, of Los Angeles, Cal.
Albert E. was reared to young manhood on the home farm in Nemaha county, and received his education in the public schools of Centralia, Kan., and the Seneca, Kan., high school, completing his education in the normal school at Emporia, Kan. He taught school for a number of years in his home county, saved his earnings and in 1887 embarked in the hardware and imple- ment business at Vermilion, Kan. He conducted this business with fair suc- cess until 1897, and then sold out, coming to Effingham soon afterward and engaging in the same line of business in this city. In addition to his exten- sive business Mr. Mayhew is the owner of two excellent farms in Marshal! county, Kansas, aggregating 640 acres in all, which has his attention. He has a beautiful, modern residence in the south part of Effingham.
Mr. Mayhew was married in September, 1887, to Anna J. Tinker, of Vermilion, Kan., born in Humboldt county, Kansas, a daughter of Avery and Ellen Tinker, natives of New York State, born at Hastings Center. that State. Two children have blessed this union of Albert E. and Anna May-
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hew : Avery, born in 1889, and died June 2, 1901; Carl H., born January, 1891, and associated with his father in business. Carl H. married Miss Vera Snyder, and has one daughter, Lucille, aged two years.
Mr. Mayhew is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations and has taken an active and influential part in the affairs of his party since coming to Atchison county. In November, 1914. he was the candidate of his party . for the high office of State representative from this district and was elected, subsequently serving in the 1915 session of the Kansas legislature with such marked ability as a legislator that his course and activities conferred distinc- tion upon himself and his constituents. During this session he was a mem- ber of the committees on insurance, education, legislative appointments, mines and mining, and judicial apportionments. Having always taken a keen in- terest in educational affairs, his position as a member of the committee on education gave him an opportunity to support and advocate legislation which would enhance the cause of education throughout the State. He succeeded in having passed through the house an act requiring the school moneys of the State to be loaned to farmers. There was plenty of precedence behind an act of this character, and the fairness of its provisions is very evident, al- though it was opposed by the banking interests of the State. The act, how- ever, failed to take its regular course through the senate, because of the ad- journment of the legislative body. It is probable that the act will be finally passed at the next session and it is morally certain to have strong support, if Mr. Mayhew is again representative from Atchison county. He also intro- duced and successfully fathered an act, allowing districts to levy higher taxes to provide more amply for bridge building and road improvements, two pro- visions, which were of direct benefit to the farming interests of the State, inasmuch as the movement for better highways is fast gaining ground in Kansas. Mr. Mayhew also assisted in the passing of better automobile laws, and took an active part in all the deliberations of the legislative body, special- izing, however, in legisation which had for its utlimate object the betterment of the school system of the State. He is a member and trustee of the Pres- byterian church, of Effingham, and is fraternally associated with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. It is probable that no citizen is more widely or more favorably known throughout Atchison county than A. E. Mayhew, and his course as a successful merchant and public official has been such as to favorably commend him to the masses of the people, who are al- ways found appreciative of honesty and square dealing on the part of men
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in public life, whom they honor with their political preference. He is well worthy of the confidence and trust which have been bestowed upon him by the people.
JOSEPH COUPE.
Joseph Coupe, late of Benton township, was born December 6, 1852, in Utica, N. Y., and was a son of James and Jane ( Latus) Coupe, both of whom were born in England. James emigrated from his native land when a young man and located in New York, where he married and reared a family, cul- tivating a farm located one mile from the limits of Utica. He died on his farm. Josephi was reared on the family farm and attended the Utica public schools, receiving an excellent education, after which he took up the study of law and was admitted to practice in his home city. He practiced his pro- fession in Utica until 1881 and then came west and located at Falls City, Neb., where he continued his practice with considerable success until 1906, when he removed with his family to his farm, west of Effingham. Failing health induced him to make the change, and it was thought by his physicians that the open air life would be beneficial to him. He died February 10, 1908.
Judge Coupe was married in 1890 to Miss Anna Mooney, and to this union were born six children : Margaret, a graduate of the county high school, and a teacher in the Effingham public schools ; James, who is managing the home farm with his mother; Richard, a graduate of the county high school; Anna, likewise a high school graduate; Mary, a junior in the high school ; and Joseph, a pupil in the Sisters' school at Effingham. The mother of these children was born in Atchison, Kan., confirmed and baptized in St. Bene- dict's church, and was a daughter of James, born in 1833, and Julia ( Ryan) Mooney, born in 1837, both of whom were natives of Ireland. James Mooney emigrated from Ireland when a youth, was first a resident of Buffalo, N. Y .. and in 1857 moved to Nebraska, and was later employed at the nursery in Atchison, Kan. From Atchison he removed to Rulo, Neb., where he still lives. He was married in 1860, and the family lived in Atchison during the Civil war. James and Julia Mooney were the parents of five children, namely : Thomas, deceased in March, 1908; John and James, farmers; Mar- garet, at home in Rulo with her parents; Mrs. Joseph Coupe.
Previous to locating in Kansas, Mr. Coupe had resided on a farm near Falls City, but was induced to remove to Effingham and here purchased a farm of 194 acres west of the city in Benton township, this farm consisting
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of 160 acres of excellent tillable land and thirty-four acres of pasture. He was prominently identified with civic and political affairs in Falls City and Richardson county, Nebraska, and had built up a large and lucrative law prac- tice. He was a Democrat in politics and was one of the leaders of his party in Nebraska, serving four years as county judge and was successful in re- election to a third term, but resigned on account of poor health. He was popular with the masses of the people and well liked by all who knew him, being universally admired for his many excellent qualities of mind and heart.
JOHN SEATON.
The name and accomplishments of the late John Seaton appear promi- mently in the history of the constructive period of the development of Kansas and the city of Atchison. Destiny and natural endowments designed Mr. Seaton to become a creator and builder; inherent ability also made him a statesman and leader of men; design and inducement led him to locate his enterprise, which was the work of his own hands and brain, in the city of Atchison. In the course of time he was the gainer, becoming one of the first citizens of Kansas, and Kansas and Atchison were doubly gainers, be- cause of him and his great work. What John Seaton wrought, in an indus- trial sense, will live long as a monument to his energy and enterprise; the record of right doing, honesty, plain living and his work in behalf of his fellow-men in the halls of the State legislature will live in the minds and hearts of his fellow citizens in the long years to come.
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