USA > Kansas > Cherokee County > History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens > Part 27
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Since that time Colonel Blue has not consented to be a candidate for any office, confining his attention entirely to the practice of his pro- fession.
In October, 1899, Colonel Blue removed to Cherokee County and located at Columbus, forming a partnership with the present judge of the District Court, W. B. Glasse, and later with J. H. Hamilton, who retired from the firm on account of ill health; subsequently Colonel Blue associated himself with J. J. Bulger. Colonel Blue has had a wide professional ex- perience, practicing in the United States courts, the State courts of Kansas and those of the Indian Territory.
Colonel Blue was united in marriage, in July, 1866, to Virginia Protzman, a native of Morgantown, West Virginia. They became the parents of seven children, as follows : Florence B., Richard Clarence, Gracie, and Cordelia WV., all of whom are deceased ; Mattie, wife of Wilmer Bennett, of Concordia, Kansas ; Madge A., wife of Dr. J. Dale Graham, of Columbus, Kansas; and Jolin W., who is single and resides at home.
Dr. J. Dale Graham, son-in-law of Colonel Blue, was born in Coffey County, Kansas, in 1873, and is a son of the late C. H. and Eliza- beth ( McKelvey) Graham. C. H. Graham was for about eight years docket clerk of the Kan- sas State Senate, and was also treasurer of Coffey County, being one of its prominent poli- ticians. He was also an extensive farmer and stock-raiser. His death occurred in 1885.
Dr. Graham attended the State Normal School at Emporia, Washburn College at Topeka, and the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kansas. Prior to entering upon the study of medicine, he was engaged in busi- ness at LeRoy. He was graduated in the spring of 1904, at the University Medical College at Kansas City, Missouri, with class honors. He
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also holds a diploma from the University Hos- pital. He is fraternally connected with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.
ON. JOHN WISWELL, senior part- ner in the law firm of Wiswell & Lu- cas, of Columbus, Kansas, is one of the prominent members and old prac- titioners of the Cherokee County Bar. He was born in 1857 in Ashtabula County. Ohio, and is a son of James H. Wiswell.
James H. Wiswell was a well known citi- zen of Ashtabula County, where he owned property and carried on a large shoe manu- factory which gave employment to a consider- able number of workmen. He also owned a tannery and a large farm, and was one of the prosperous men of his locality. His death oc- curred in 1897. He married a Miss Woodruff, who died when the subject of this sketch was nine years of age. The other members of the family are,-Edward, an attorney at Moscow, Idaho, and Mrs. Olive Pond, of Ashtabula County, Ohio. A half-brother, Edwin, is a contractor and builder at Cleveland, Ohio.
John Wiswell was mainly educated at the Grand River Institute in Ashtabula County, where he became instructor in writing and commercial branches. Later he attended the University of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, where he served in the same capacity for two years. He was associated with P. R. Spencer, Jr., the originator of the beautiful system of Spencerian penmanship. This favorable con- nection had to be broken on account of Mr. Wiswell's failing health, which occasioned his coming to the West.
Mr. Wiswell reached Baxter Springs, Kan- sas, in the fall of 1879, where he immediately entered into educational work. He served as
superintendent of public instruction there in 1880 and 1881, and resided there about four years. He removed then to Columbus and bought out Mr. Hampton's interest in the law firm of Cowley & Hampton, and the firm of Cowley & Wiswell remained in business until 1885. After practicing two years alone, Mr. Wiswell entered into partnership with Judge John N. Ritter, as Ritter & Wiswell ; later, with N. T. Allison, and still later, with W. H. Lu- cas, who is the present city attorney of Colum- bus. Mr. Wiswell was admitted to the bar on February 7, 1888, at Columbus, where he has followed general practice, devoting especial at- tention to commercial law. Whether in prac- tice alone or in combination with another able attorney, Mr. Wiswell has developed profes- sional efficiency of a high order, and enjoys the esteem of the county bar and court officials, as well as that of his large clientage.
Mr. Wiswell has other important interests outside his profession. For the past 15 years he has been the largest breeder of Jack stock, in Kansas, and he also breeds Scotch collie dogs and fancy chickens, shipping to all parts of the United States. He owns several farms, prob- ably aggregating a section of land, which is especially valuable on account of coal deposits. He is also the senior partner in a general mer- cantile concern conducted at Sherman City, Sheridan township, under the direct manage- ment of his daughter, Alice J. Wiswell, who is postmistress there,-the firm style being Wis- well & Company.
Mr. Wiswell's first marriage was to Jennie E. Bishop, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in the winter of 1878. At that time she was a teacher in the Grand River Institute. She died in 1883, leaving two children,-Alice J. ; and Florence, who is now deceased. Mr. Wiswell married for his second wife, Martha McMillan, formerly a teacher in the public schools, who was born
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and reared in Harrison, Arkansas. Both Mrs. and Miss Wiswell are members of the Pres- byterian Church.
Politically, Mr. Wiswell has been one of the zealous and influential Republicans of this sec- tion. The esteem and confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens has been shown on many occasions, and upon four of these he was chosen for the city's highest municipal position his first election being in 1888. Mr. Wiswell takes pride in the fact that since his first elec- tion to the office of mayor, there has never been a saloon in Columbus. Since early manhood he has belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fel- low bodies, becoming identified with them in Ohio. He has been very prominently con- nected with the growth and development of this city.
P ROF. O. C. ECKE, superintendent of the city schools of Columbus, Kansas, and a prominent educator, was born in 1866, near Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, and is a son of Henry and Dora (Rain) Ecke.
Henry Ecke was one of the three earliest settlers of Crawford County, Kansas, coming early in 1866, when pioneer conditions pre- vailed in what was then known as the Cherokee Neutral Lands. He cleared up a farm and cul- tivated it until 1871, when his death occurred, and his was the first burial in his section of the county. His widow still survives and resides at Walnut, in Crawford County, where several of her children also live.
Professor Ecke was a pupil in the early schools of Crawford County and later gradu- ated from the Walnut and Girard high schools. Subsequently, he secured a State certificate as a teacher at Emporia. He has devoted his life to educational work, having begun to teach
about 13 years ago. Since then he has fol- lowed the profession continuously, meeting with the success which his scholarly attainments and earnest endeavors deserve. In 1895 he re- moved to Columbus, first in the capacity of ward principal. Then he became a high school teacher, and afterwards, was made city super- intendent, a position for which he is eminently fitted, and which he has filled with dignity and efficiency for the past five years.
Professor Ecke married, in Crawford Coun- ty, Hattie M. Culbertson, who was formerly a teacher in the Crawford County schools. They have one daughter, born in Columbus. Professor Ecke and wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fraternally, the Professor is a Mason, and a Modern Woodman. His work in Columbus has been most satisfactory, and the high stand- ard maintained by the schools of the city must, in a great measure, be attributed to his care, in- fluence and encouragement. Personally, he commands the respect and enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens.
OHN H. HAMILTON, an attorney-at- law of Columbus, Kansas, of which city he has been a resident for the past 17 years, is identified with large busi- ness interests both in Cherokee and in other counties. He was born in 1857 near Glasgow, Scotland, and is a son of Andrew and Jane (Foxe) Hamilton.
Both parents of Mr. Hamilton were of Scotch descent and came to America in 1864. Andrew Hamilton, Sr., located with his family at Braidwood, Illinois, and engaged in coal de- velopment, both as an operator and miner. He died at Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1881, aged nearly 70 years. The mother still survives, at the age
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of 86 years, and resides at Weir City, Cherokee County. The surviving members of their fan- ily are: J. H., of this sketch ; William, a coal operator living at Weir City, Cherokee County ; Matthew, formerly a coal operator, now a far- mer and stock raiser of Missouri; and Mrs. McClennehan, a widow, and Mrs. McGregor, who are engaged in farming near Weir City. Cherokee County. Andrew Hamilton, Jr. (a brother of our subject), formerly a coal opera- tor, died in 1898 at Weir City. The family own extensive coal interests in this locality.
J. H. Hamilton accompanied his parents to Pittsburg. Crawford County, Kansas, August 20, 1878, and for a time engaged in coal mining there, but for some years has been interested in lead and zinc mining in the Galena district, Cherokee County, owning several tracts of land there. He is also one of the largest stockhold- ers and the vice-president of the King Lumber Company of Chanute, Kansas.
Prior to leaving Illinois, Mr. Hamilton had commenced the study of the law, but this was interrupted during his active operations in the Crawford County coal fields. At a later date he resumed the study of the law in the office of Blue & Glasse and was admitted to the bar at Columbus, in May, 1902. For a time he prac- ticed in partnership with Col. R. W. Blue, to whom he has but recently sold his fine law library with the intention of devoting his time to coal developing. Mr. Hamilton has purchased some land near Greenwood, Arkansas, which is underlaid with a coal vein of from five to nine feet thickness. He proposes to open shafts on the land and will devote his personal atten- tion to the work. This coal, which on analysis has proved to be semi-anthracite, is of a much better quality than any yet found in Cherokee County. Two railroads already run into the district, thus insuring transportation facilities, these being the Iron Mountain and the Midland Valley, the latter of which runs through Mr.
Hamilton's land. His prospects could scarcely be brighter for a large development and his pre- vious business success is indicative of probable prosperity.
At Weir City, Mr. Hamilton married Anna B. Brown, whose parents came to Kansas 24 years ago, and whose mother still survives. They have four children, all born at Columbus, viz: Benjamin Harrison, Andrew Alexander, Jennie Foxe and John H., Jr. The pleasant family home is situated opposite the Cherokee County High School building.
Politically, Mr. Hamilton is a Republican. In 1886 he was elected clerk of the District Court of Cherokee County, in which capacity he served two terms. He is prominent in a number of fraternal organizations, among which are the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Columbus Camp, and the Ma- sonic order, in which he has taken the 32nd de- gree. As a Mason he is a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Chapter, R. A. M., at Columbus; the Commandery, K. T., at Os- wego; the Consistory. S. P. R. S., at Wichita ; and Isis Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Salina. With his wife, he is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. They attend the Presbyte- rian Church.
h ON. M. A. HOUSHOLDER, whose popularity in Cherokee County has been repeatedly emphasized by his election to high and responsible pub- lic offices, has resided here since 1880. For the last 12 years he has ably and honorably held the position of Senator from the Tenth Senatorial District, and is equally well known to the citi- zens of Columbus and Cherokee County, as a lawyer, merchant and breeder of some of the finest cattle ever exhibited from this portion of the State.
Senator Housholder was born June 13,
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1852, on his father's farm, in Darke County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Rachel (Stahl) Housholder. On both sides the ancestry is of German extraction. On the paternal side, the great-grandfather emigrated from Germany and settled first in Virginia ; he removed thence to Maryland and still later to Pennsylvania, where Senator Housholder's father was born, July 21, 1811. On the maternal side, the first migration was to England, thence to New York and later to Pennsylvania, where Senator Housholder's mother was born, in Bedford County, April 20, 1815. After his marriage, in 1835. David Housholder, who had formerly been engaged in lumbering, moved to Darke County. Ohio, and there secured large tracts of heavily timbered land from the government. and became, in the course of time, one of the prominent farmers and exemplary citizens of his locality. His death, which was occasioned by an accident, occurred in 1897, when he was 87 years of age. He supported the Demo- cratic party, but never consented to take an active part in political life. His wife died on the farm in Darke County in 1868. Both were most worthy members of the United Brethren Church. Of their 10 children, all but two sur- vive: one of the deceased was an infant. and the other. Francis Marion, died in 1897. Fran- cis Marion Honsholder was a very prominent citizen of Noblesville, Indiana, who was state's attorney, and postmaster during the adminis- tration of President Cleveland. His death, in the prime of life, was caused by disease con- tracted in a protracted army service, during the Civil War. He enlisted first in Company C, 52nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and reenlisted in Company G. 187th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served faithfully until the close of the war. He then engaged in the practice of the law at No- blesville, and became a prominent and valued citizen, but his health had been undermined and he finally succumbed.
Senator Housholder remained in Darke County. Ohio, until he was 25 years of age, enjoying the educational advantages offered by the common and high schools of that locality. and later attending the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. After completing his education, he was engaged in teaching for four years, both in the country and in Green- ville, and then entered upon the study of the law. Subsequently he was graduated, in 1879. at the Indiana Central Law School, at Indian- apolis, and, under the late Hon. Walter Q. Gresham, was admitted to practice in the Uni- ted States Circuit and the Indiana courts.
In May. 1880, the young lawyer cama to Cherokee County, and during his three years of legal practice became also interested in mer- chandising and in the breeding of fine stock. He almost immediately took a leading position in political circles. He secured a ranch on Cherry Creek, about 10 miles north of Colum- bus, and stocked it with thoroughbred Short- horn cattle, the breeding of which has not only brought large financial returns to him, but has afforded him the recreation and outside interest so grateful to the tired. political leader. Inci- dentally, it may be mentioned that his herd of splendid cattle has twice taken the large prize offered by the Iowa State Fair where all breeds of cattle were in competition. Senator Hous- holder still continues to be one of the county's farmers, but closed out his mercantile interests in 1903. His delightful suburban home is sit- uated in the midst of a park of 15 acres, adjoin- ing the city of Columbus.
Senator Housholder has had many political honors tendered to him, the last one being a unanimous nomination to the office of Lieuten- ant-Governor, proffered by the late Populist and Democratic Convention, which assembled at Topeka, on August 3, 1904. He has been in the public eye since 1888, when he was first nominated by the Democratic party, as Sen-
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ator from the Tenth Senatorial District. This nomination came as a surprise, his first inti- mation of the honor done him, being received through a newspaper. At that time he was ex- hibiting his fine cattle at the State fairs of Illi- nois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. The Democratic party met with defeat that year in the district, althoughi our subject ran far beyond the ticket. In 1892 he was nomi- nated for the same office by the Populist party. C. B. Stone of Galena, and Dr. J. H. Baxter, of Columbus, being respectively, his Republican and Democratic opponents, both men of worth and ability. Senator Housholder was elected to the office by a plurality of 687 votes. In 1896, after a bitter fight made by the Republi- can party, he was reelected by the gratifying plurality of 1,400 votes. In 1900 he was a third time elected, having the distinction of being the only Senator elected to this office thrice con- secutively. During each candidacy, he was nominated by acclamation, this unanimity of feeling showing clearly the public esteem in which he is held. His services in the Senate have been consistently directed to aid the con- stituiency by which he was elected, but at the same time he has always held the interests of the public before all others.
Senator Housholder is a man of versatile talents, as is evidenced by his success in so many different lines. He has filled other posi- tions of responsibility, always with the same conscientious regard for the welfare of all con- cerned. Since 1893, when he was appointed a member of the State Board of Charities, by Governor L. D. Lewelling, he has served as its president. His attention is also given to local matters where his influence may lead to public improvement or progress, and many times he has shown a deep interest in educa- tional matters and charitable institutions.
On August 6, 1876, Senator Housholder, then but an ambitious young aspirant for legal
honors, was united in marriage with Mary J. Baughman, who was born October 28, 1856, in Darke County, Ohio. She is of German an- cestry, lier parents, William and Elizabetlı Battghman, having been born in Germany. The five children of this marriage were: Forest A., who was born November 10, 1877, and died at Columbus, Kansas, November 1I, 18844: Mabel M., born in Darke County, Ohio, April 6, 1880, who is a very accomplished young lady, and has served with extraordinary ca- pacity as hier father's private secretary during five sessions of the Kansas Senate; and Valley Fern, born at Columbus, Kansas, October 25, 1885; Vale I., born at Columbus, October 12. 1888, and Victor Hugo, born March 18, 1892, all of whom live at home.
For many years Senator Housholder has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has always given a liberal support. In closing this brief sketch of one of Cherokee County's favorite sons, it is pleasant to record that his popularity with the public is fully equaled by the esteen felt for him in private life. He is fortunate indeed in enjoying domestic happiness, the re- spect and affection of those with whom he has been associated on terms of personal friendship for so many years, and a popularity of no un- certain kind, after having been in the lime-light of public life for more than a decade.
ILLIAM H. MILLSTEAD, a prom- inent and successful member of the Cherokee County Bar, was born in 1839 in North Carolina, and is a son of J. M. and Elizabeth (Purnell) Mill- stead.
J. M. Millstead was born in Maryland and died in North Carolina at the age of 58 years. Prior to the Civil War, he was a large slave
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owner and a prosperous merchant. The great struggle entailed heavy losses on him, but he resumed his mercantile business and continued in it until his death. His wife was born in Virginia, and died in North Carolina, in 1869. aged 57 years. They had two sons,-William H. and Frank. The latter enlisted as a private in the 55th Reg., North Carolina Inf., C. S. A., and became 2nd lieutenant of Company F. By trade he was a painter and carriage-maker. He married Bertha Phillips of North Carolina and died in 1896, leaving two children.
William H. Millstead was reared and edu- cated in his native State, and was a student at the University of North Carolina, at the break- ing out of the Civil War. On May 6, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company F, 6th Reg., North Carolina Inf., C. S. A., but was later transferred to Company A, in which he was promoted to the rank of 2nd lieutenant, and served until the end of the war, being finally discharged in May, 1865, at Greensboro. North Carolina. He took part in many of the most serious battles and on all occasions displayed a valor which won him the commendation of his superiors and the admiration of his comrades. He participated in the battles of New Berne: the seven days fighting below Richmond; Sec- ond Bull Run; Harper's Ferry; Antietam (where lie received a scalp wound) ; Freder- icksburg; the Wilderness; Hanover Court House; Seven Pines ( where he was wounded in the left arm) ; and Petersburg.
In the fall of 1865 Mr. Millstead returned to North Carolina, but the hardships of warfare had undermined his health. and he went to Florida for a season. Upon his return he be- gan to teachi school and to read law, his studies being directed by A. M. Bogle, a prominent at- torney. He continued his law studies after he removed to Carthage and Springfield, Mis- souri, where he engaged in teaching. He re- turned to North Carolina. in 1869, to marry,
and remained in his native State until 1871, teaching the greater part of the time. Realiz- ing that time must elapse before the "Old North State" could offer inducements to a young and ambitious man, he decided to return to the West. He settled first in Crawford County, Kansas, but came later to Cherokee County, and in 1876, after a short experience in farm- ing, entered upon the practice of his profession, having been admitted to the bar in 1866. He is well and widely known in Cherokee County, has a large practice, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest counsellors in this section.
Mr. Millstead was married to Candee C. Hoke, who was also born in North Carolina, and they have five children, viz: Robert E. Lee, Florence, Junea, Alice and Cora. Robert E. Lee, who is superintendent of a smelter at Rich Hill, Missouri, was born in North Caro- lina, married Nellie Johnson, of Weir City, and has four children,-Fay, Ruth, Lulu and Harry. Florence, who was also born in North Carolina, married Theodore Moody, and they have the following children,-Benjamin, Perly, Pearl, William, Frank and an infant. Junea, Alice and Cora were born in Kansas.
Mr. Millstead has always been a consistent supporter of the Democratic party.
ICHAEL J. CALLAHAN, a suc- cessful farmer of Ross township. Cherokee County, Kansas, and one of its leading citizens, resides upon his well improved farm of 240 acres, in sec- tion 2, township 32, range 23. Mr. Callahan was born at Lowell, Massachusetts, August 10. 1854, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine (Thomas) Callahan.
The parents of Mr. Callahan were born in County Kerry, Ireland, where they were
J. H. BAXTER, M. D.
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reared. They came to America single, were married in Massachusetts, and in 1854 went to Bureau County. Illinois. The mother died in Shelby County, Iowa, where the family lo- cated in 1869. They had two children .- Michael J. and John.
Michael J. Callahan was reared in Bureau County. Illinois, until he reached the age of 13 years, when he accompanied the family to Shelby County, Iowa. Two years later he came alone to Cherokee township. Cherokee County, and there worked for Luke Hughes for three years ; since that time he has been work- ing on his own responsibility. He understood all the practical details of farming, and found no unsurmountable obstacles in his way. For eight years he continued to rent land, occupy- ing property which is now the present site of Scammon, long before the mineral wealth of the region was suspected. When Mr. Callahan purchased his present farm, it was wild, prai- rie land. and all the improvements made upon the property have been effected by him. He now has one of the best farms and finest homes in his section of the county. He has about 160 acres of his land under cultivation, raising wheat, oats, corn, hogs and a good grade of horses and cattle. In addition to his home farm, Mr. Callahan owns 160 acres in section 4, Mineral township, and 80 acres in section 13, township 32, range 23, in Ross township, which he devotes to pasture.
Besides a fine home and productive farm, Mr. Callahan has other blessings, chiefly among these being a most estimable wife and a large. interesting and intelligent family of chil- dren. He was married on November 14, 1875, to Ann Coman, who was born at Arling- ton, Illinois, and is a daughter of James and Joan (O'Maley) Coman. Mrs. Callahan's parents were born in Ireland, emigrated to America, and lived in Bureau County. Illinois, until 1869. Then they came to Cherokee
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