USA > Kansas > Cherokee County > History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens > Part 29
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The parents of Mr. McLaughlin spent their whole lives in Ireland. The four of their nine children who came to America, were,-John, the subject of this record; William, a resident of Mercer County, Illinois; Matilda and Jane.
John Mclaughlin grew up on his father's small farm, which he continued to assist in cul- tivating until he reached the age of 21 years, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which was hiis main occupation through life. After coming to America, he settled in Allen County, Indiana, where he married. In 1855, he re- moved with his wife to Richland County, Wis- consin, where he was engaged in farming for a time. Then he went to Illinois, and rented a farın in Mercer County until 1866, when he
located in Johnson County, Kansas. In the spring of 1867 he came to Cherokee County. He secured 160 acres of wild land in Sheridan township, to which he later added 160 more, which was subsequently found rich in coal de- posits, and was sold to a coal company.
Those pioneers who settled in Sheridan township as early as 1867, only 10 years later than the arrival of the first settler who dared fate by establishing a home in this Indian reser- vation, had still much to contend with,-the subjugation of Nature in the clearing of their lands, the protection of their families and flocks from the savages and wild beasts, and the en- durance of drudgery and deprivations of every kind. being inevitable incidents of those days on the frontier. Mr. Mclaughlin had the great advantage of possessing a wife who was his cheerful, helpful assistant in every emergency, and one to whom he always gave much credit for his success. While he cleared his land, and made the fine improvements which mark it as one of the valuable farms of the township, he continued to work at his trade. He built struct- ures of all kinds throughout the county, includ- ing the first house in Oswego, Kansas, and many of the churches and school houses, which bear their own testimony to the educational and moral status of the good people of Cherokee County.
In Allen County, Indiana, on January 9, 1852, Mr. Mclaughlin married Isabel Orr, who was born in March, 1831, in County Derry, Ireland, and is a daughter of James and Jane Orr, both of whom were natives of Coun- ty Derry. Mr. Orr came to America in 1834 and settled at Trenton, Ohio, later moving to Allen County, Indiana, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives on their farm. The three survivors of their nine children are,- William, who lives on the homestead in In- diana; Annie, who resides at Ovid, Michigan ; and Mrs. McLaughlin. The five children born
HON. JOHN MILTON COOPER
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to Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin were,-Alvin, who is a prominent citizen of Chandler, Okla- homa, where he is treasurer of Lincoln County, and a large land owner; James Orr, deceased at the age of 38 years, who was a farmer in Ross township, Cherokee County ; William and Willis, twins, of whom the former is night watchman in mine No. 8, West Mineral, and the latter is a lumber dealer at Wellington, Kansas; and Mary (Mrs. Alexander Hudson), who resides in West Mineral.
Mr. McLaughlin became a member of the Republican party soon after its organization, and continued his identification with it until his death. He was a prominent figure in coun- ty politics for years, filled many township offi- ces, and was a member of the Board of County Commissioners. For years he was active in the Presbyterian Church, being one of the el- ders, and was always interested in the work of the Sunday-school. Wherever known, he was respected and esteemed.
Mrs. McLaughlin still survives, and until 1904 she continued to reside on the home farm in section 12, township 32, range 22, in Sheri- dan township, the place in which she and her late husband had spent so many happy years together. She now resides in a pleasant home in West Mineral, surrounded by all the com- forts grateful to advancing years, and beloved by her family and friends.
ON. JOHN MILTON COOPER, ex- Mayor of Baxter Springs, a promi- nent and successful business man, conducting the largest general store in the city and identified with farming and min- ing interests in Cherokee County, was born December 1I, 1841, at Eldara, Pike County, Illinois, and is a son of Isaiah and Elizabeth (Sigsworth) Cooper.
Isaiah Cooper was born June 18, 1817, in Virginia, and in boyhood moved to Pike County, Illinois, where he later became a suc- cessful farmer. He married Elizabeth Sigs- worth, a daughter of Joseph and Anna (Jor- den) Sigsworth, farming people of Pike County, who came originally from England. The children of Isaiah Cooper and wife were: John Milton, of this sketch; Joseph H., of Bax- ter Springs; Ann Elizabeth, wife of B. F. Townsend, of Santa Anna, California; William Shepherd, of Kansas City ; Isaiah Matheny, of Santa Anna, California; George Elliott, of the Indian Territory ; Andrew Eugene, of Miami. Indian Territory ; Blanche Ellen, wife of Bra- ziller L. Naylor, of Wagner, Indian Territory ; Benjamin F., who died at the age of 45 years ; and Charles Albert, who is engaged in farming in Kansas.
Isaiah Cooper engaged in a mercantile busi- ness at New Salem, Illinois, and prior to 1860 owned and operated a flouring mill, with an output of 100 barrels daily. He was not only an enterprising and successful business man, but he was also a patriotic one. In May, 1862, he enlisted and was made captain of Company K, 99th Reg. Illinois Vol. Inf., and at Black River Bridge, near Vicksburg, he was in a furious engagement with the enemy, and while gallantly leading his command was so wounded that he lost an arm. He was invalided home and later was honorably discharged. After recuperating, Mr. Cooper resumed his farming operations and remained in the vicinity of New Salem until 1867, when he removed to Chero- kee County, Kansas. He located some six miles west of Baxter Springs, and also operated a general store in Baxter Springs for a time. He then resumed farming and was so occupied until his death on February 8, 1895. His wife had died on January 16, 1884. Thus passed away two most worthy and esteemed residents of Cherokee County.
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John M. Cooper was educated in the public schools of Pike County, Illinois, and completed his school course at the age of 18 years. On May 24, 1861, at the age of 20 years,he enlisted in Company K, 16th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf .. and until he was honorably discharged in 1864 took part in many of the conclusive battles of the war, notably those of Resaca; the fighting along the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad; Island No. 10; Pittsburg Landing and the siege of Corinth. Although he was, with his com- mand, near enough to witness the battle of Chattanooga, they were not engaged in it. The most severe engagement in which he partici- pated was that at Buzzards' Roost, in which 400 men made a gallant charge, capturing the enemy's works, but sustaining a loss of IIO men. Mr. Cooper was with his regiment until the expiration of his term of enlistment and was discharged May 24. 1864, at Springfield. Illinois.
After his return home, he entered a com- mercial college at St. Louis, from which he received five certificates and a diploma. He next opened a mercantile establishment at New Salem, Illinois, and remained there for two years and subsequently engaged in farming until 1868, when he removed to Baxter Springs, Kansas. He has made this city his permanent home and is here interested in farm- ing. mining and storekeeping. He is the head of the largest general store in Baxter Springs. carrying a complete stock of large value.
on Main street, and he still has a store on Main street. The John M. Cooper M. & M. Com- pany owns over 3,000 acres of rich mineral lands, from which a handsome royalty is received.
On September 24, 1868, Mr. Cooper was married to Emily Little, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Keyes) Little, farming people of Pike County, Illinois. They have had these children : Laura May, Ida Lee, Jessie Milton and John Isaiah. Laura May is the wife of WV. E. Price, manager of the Cooper Drug Company, of Joplin, Missouri. They have five children,-Herbert Williamson, born Septem- ber 25, 1893; Earl Cooper, born December 13, 1894, deceased in childhood; Helen, born Oc- tober 25, 1896, deceased; Jessie June, born July 28, 1898, and Laurence Wallace, born July 31. 1900. Ida Lee married Charles F. Noble, of Baxter Springs, an oil speculator, and has had three children,-Clara May, born Jan- uary 1. 1893; John Franklin, born July 14, 1895 : and Scott Osborne, born March 2, 1898, who died in infancy. Jessie Milton, born Jan- uary 22, 1880, and John Isaiah, born August 12, 1889, live at home. Upon this happy family circle fell a crushing bereavement, in the death of Mrs. Cooper, who passed away at Baxter Springs on July 27, 1904. She was a woman of rare character, one who was adored by her family and loved by her friends. She was a ministering angel to those in need and a support of the weak and wavering in her own circle or wherever her gentle influence was needed. In her the Episcopal Church lost a devoted mem- 1:er. She was a charter member of the first lodge of the Order of the Eastern Star, at Baxter Springs.
Since 1877 Mr. Cooper has been identified with the mining interests of the county, and was one of the original members of the Galena Mining & Smelting Company, which laid out the town-site of Galena and he was one of the heaviest stockholders. He is now president Mr. Cooper has always been an active Re- publican. He has been a member of the City Council, and during two terms served the city as mayor. He is president of the Inter-State of the Jolin M. Cooper M. & M. Company, which was organized with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr. Cooper had one of the first stores, if not the first store. in Galena, sitinted Reunion Association and a member of the
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Grand Army of the Republic. He is a 32d degree Mason, and an Elk, and formerly be- longed to the Knights of Pythias and the An- cient Order of United Workmen. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
B. HENDERSON, whose real estate, loan. rental, insurance and abstract offices are located in the Crowell Building. Columbus, Kansas, has been in business in this city since April 28, 1885. He was born October 5, 1862, at Deer Creek. Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Margaret (Thomas) Henderson.
John Henderson was born in Pennsylvania and was 10 years old when his parents removed to Ohio and located in Pickaway County, where the family lived until 1885. They moved thence to Bates County, Missouri, where Jolın Henderson bought a farm. There Mr. Henderson died, April 7, 1900, aged 67 years, but his widow still resides in Bates County. Mr. Henderson was an active Democrat and, being a man of education and responsibility, was frequently elected to local offices.
The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Pickaway County, Ohio, and from his 17th to his 21st year was engaged in teach- ing school there. Then he went to Nebraska where he was employed as a solicitor in the organ, piano and sewing machine business, and gained much necessary experience, by coming into contact with the great public. On locating at Columbus he entered upon his present line of business, and has become interested in, and identified with, a number of the successful min- ing operations of this section. He is secretary and treasurer of the S. H. & S. Mining Com- pany, which has its headquarters at Columbus and its mines at Peacock, where the company has a mill and developing plant. He is also
secretary and treasurer of the T. P. La Rue Investment Company, of which H. A. La Rue is president. This company was organized in April, 1902, with a capital of $12,000, and owns the Opera House Building. He is also secretary of the Electric Investment Company, organized at Columbus, with a capital of $20,- 000, the stock being backed by land adjoining Columbus on the east and north. Mr. Hender- son also owns stock in the Cherokee County Lumber Company : he is interested in consider- able oil land in Appallatchie, Oklahoma; in mining land at Galena and on Spring River at Badger and Peacock; he owns, with D. M. Bliss, 1,400 acres of farming land, which yields about 500 tons of hay, besides other farm prod- ucts, and has a farm of his own, of 400 acres, in this county.
Mr. Henderson married a daughter of Lorin W. Camp, who was born and reared at Clay- ton, Illinois. Mr. Camp was born at Camptown, Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Ed- wards, born at Laceyville, and they later re- moved to Illinois. Their two children were Mrs. Henderson and Dr. J. E. Camp, of Brook- lyn, Illinois. Mrs. Henderson's father was a piano tuner and also a teacher of music, and for a long time was manager for the musical negro wonder. "Blind Boone." In 1887, Mr. and Mrs. Camp located at Wichita, Kansas, and in June, 1898, removed to Columbus, where Mr. Camp died November 12, 1903, at the age of 73 years. He was a man of great musical ability, and was known to the profession and the public over a large extent of country. Mrs. Camp resides with her daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have three sons, Lynn Camp, Leslie Thomas, and John, aged 14 years, nine years and one month respec- tively. Mr. Henderson occupies a handsome residence which he has built within a park of 15 acres, where he gratifies liis taste for breed- ing high-grade stock and horses. Politically
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a Democrat. he has never accepted office be- yond serving as chairman and secretary of the Democratic County Central Committee. His fraternal connections include the Knights of Pythias, of Columbus, in which he has served in all the chairs ; the Elks of Galena; the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, of Columbus ; and the Knights and Ladies of Security, of the same city.
Mr. Henderson and his wife were reared in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Hen- derson inherits much of her father's musical taste and ability, and at her former home in Clayton, Illinois, served as the church organist.
EORGE B. MCCLELLAN, M. D., senior member of the firm of Mc- Clellan, Revell, Iliff & Newton, all leading medical practitioners of Cherokee County, was born in 1864, at War- rensburg, Johnson County, Missouri, and is a son of Dr. Andrew Jackson and Sarah ( Rown- tree) McClellan.
Dr. Andrew Jackson McClellan was born in 1834 in Uniontown. Pennsylvania, and died at Weir City, Kansas, in 1898, aged 64 years. His widow, who is a native of Kentucky, still survives and resides with her son, George B. The late Dr. McClellan attended the Michigan Medical University through 1858 and 1859 and at the outbreak of the Civil War was made a post surgeon, in the Federal Army. After its close he practiced at Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas, until 1895, when he settled at Weir City, where his death occurred, as stated. In political action, he was a Democrat. During several years of his residence at Baxter Springs, he served on the pension board. He was one of the early and prominent physicians of the county, and was both esteemed and be- loved.
Dr. George B. McClellan was the only child of his parents to reach maturity. His mental training was pursued first at Baxter Springs, and later at Kansas City and in Gleason's Academy at Chicago. He read medicine with his father, whom he gratified by choosing the same profession, and then acquired practical experience in a drug store. In 1894 he grad- nated in medicine at the Northwestern Medical College of Missouri, and in the same year set- tled at Weir City. Here he has been success- fully engaged in practice ever since, first alone, and later in association with other eminent physicians whom he has called into association with him. Dr. McClellan conducts his office at Weir City in conjunction with Dr. C. B. Coss, formerly of Topeka; Dr. A. T. Revell has an office at Scammon : Dr. D. A. Iliff is located at Cherokee; while Dr. Newton opened at office at Chicopee. These physicians and surgeons individually and collectively attend to a large proportion of the sick, injured and afflicted throughout the coal mining region, and all are men of proved ability and high char- acter.
In 1895, Dr. McClellan was married to Lillian Revell, who is a sister of Dr. A. T. Re- vell. They have two children,-Adelaide and Robert Crowe, both of whom were born at Weir City.
Politically, Dr. McClellan is a Republican. but takes no very active part in politics. He is a member of the Cherokee County Medical As- sociation; the Southeastern Kansas Medical Association; the Kansas State Medical Asso- ciation ; the American Medical Association, and other State and county organizations, contrib- uting to their literature. and keeping fully abreast of the times in scientific thought. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Wood- men of America, A. O. U. W. and several other societies. He is the medical examiner of the
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Modern Woodmen of America and the A. O. U. W. Personally, the Doctor has a wide circle of warm freinds, and professionally, he enjoys the confidence of the general public.
HOMAS C. WEAVER, one of the honored survivors of the great Civil War, who is a well known business citizen of Baxter Springs, and a jus- tice of the peace in Cherokee County, was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, July 14, 1840, and is a son of George and Hannah ( Moss) Weaver.
The Weaver family has descended from Dutch, Scotch and Irish ancestry. The father of our subject was born in Clark County, Ohio, where he was educated and engaged in a mer- cantile business until the age of 25 years, when he removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana, and embarked in cattle dealing, continuing in this business until 1854. The remainder of his life was spent in farming in DeWitt County, Illi- nois, where he died at the advanced age of 89 years. He married Hannah Moss, whose pa- rents were natives of Ohio; she died at the age of 83 years. They had issue as follows: Lou- isa, wife of A. D. Cackley, who was in an ex- press transfer business at Clinton, Illinois, but is now retired ; Josephine, wife of J. D. Mitchell, who was a farmer and stock-raiser of DeWitt County, Illinois; Thomas C., of this sketch; Henry, who died in infancy ; Martha and Car- oline, who died in childhood; Mary and Hor- ace (twins), who died in infancy; Harvey V., who is manager of a sanitarium at Onarga, Iro- quois County, Illinois ; and Charles F., who is a merchant at Atlanta, Illinois.
Thomas C. Weaver received his early edu- cation in the schools of DeWitt County, Illi- nois, which he attended during the winter sea- sons until he became of age. His summers
were devoted to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. The stirring events of the early months of 1861 aroused his loyalty and he tes- tified to the reality of his patriotism by enlist- ing for service in the Civil War, on July 13, 1861, and he was mustered into the army on August 5th, entering Company C, 4Ist Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf. He served two years and re- enlisted as a veteran, on December 18, 1863. On April 12, 1864, he was transferred to the Veteran Battalion and was promoted to the rank of sergeant-major. Later he was trans- ferred to the 53d Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., as ser- geant major, on April 24, 1865, and was pro- moted to the rank of Ist lieutenant, to date from April 7, 1865. He was finally mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 22, 1865. It will thus be seen that Mr. Weaver served over four years and during this time he partic- ipated in many of the most serious battles of the war, including : Fort Donelson, Fort Heil- man, siege of Vicksburg. Hatchie River, Ben- tonville, Coldwater, Jackson and many minor ones.
After the close of the war, Mr. Weaver re- turned to the peaceful pursuit of farming, in which he continued until 1882 in DeWitt County, Illinois, and then came to Cherokee County, Kansas, and engaged in a hardware business for two years, and subsequently spent four years in the grocery business. Since then his time has been engaged in the management of a successful insurance business at Baxter Springs and in attending to his magisterial du- ties as justice of the peace.
On September 20, 1870, Mr. Weaver was married to Ella Scroggin, who is a daughter of Humphrey Scroggin, a farmer of Logan County, Illinois. The five children of this mar- riage were: Edwin, who died aged two years; Alberta Maud, who died aged 12 years; George, who died aged four years ; Olive (Mrs. WV. C. Anderson), of Fort Scott, Kansas; and
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Nellie, who resides at home. The family at- tend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
From his earliest voting days, Mr. Weaver has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he has frequently been called upon to assume the duties of office. In Illinois he was a member of the local School Board and held the same office at Baxter Springs, of which city he was treasurer for six years. For, the past seven years he has filled his present judi- cial position, the powers of which he has many times used to quietly settle differences without resorting to continued litigation. His decisions have been very generally supported and his personal integrity has never been questioned.
Since the organization of the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Baxter Springs in 1889, Mr. Weaver has served as clerk. He is a member and the treasurer of the local lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is serving his fourth term as com- mander of the local G. A. R. post, of which he is a charter member.
ILLIAM W. BRANSON, one of the highly respected citizens of Ross township, Cherokee County, lo- cated in section 32, township 31, range 23, is also a survivor of that gallant army which marched out in defense of the country's integrity, in the stormy days of 1861. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 10, 1837. and is a son of Abraham and Ann W. (Wil- son) Branson.
Abraham Branson was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and the mother, in Penn- sylvania. They were married at Bridgeport. Ohio, where our subject's father was in the business of manufacturing woolen goods. They
had seven children: Lindley, Rachel, Jona- than, Elizabeth, William W., John C. and Abraham, the survivors being our subject and Elizabeth and Abraham, both of whom reside in Harrison County, Ohio.
William W. Branson obtained his educa- tion in the schools of Harrison County, and remained at home, assisting his father, until 21 years of age. He then made a visit to Cedar and Muscatine counties, Iowa, and while there, in April, 1861, he enlisted for three months. in Company C, Ist Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and took part in the battle of Wilson's Creek and later was mustered out. Seeing that the war would continue, he re-enlisted, entering Com- pany C. 98th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and partici- pated in many of the most terrible battles of the unhappy struggle. From Chattanooga he marched with his regiment through Georgia and on, with Sherman's army, to the sea, and took part in the battles at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jones- boro, and in innumerable skirmishes, his last fight being at Bentonville, North Carolina. His was an unusual case, for he was much exposed but was neither captured nor wounded and when he was finally discharged at Camp Den- nison, he was able to go back to the farm and resume his work.
Prior to enlisting. Mr. Branson had mar- ried, in February, 1860, Amanda Sergeant, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and died in 1873. She was the mother of seven children, viz: Hortense, who married J. H. Jacobs, a farmer of Oklahoma; Russell W., postmaster at Cherokee, Kansas, who married Edith Glover; Mary Ann, who is the wife of J. S. Larimer, of Greenwood County, Kansas ; Rachel E., who is the wife of F. M. Curry, of Argentine, Kansas : Loretta, who is the wife of Montgomery Boore, a farmer of Cherokee County: Lizzie, who is the wife of George Millard, of Crawford County, Kansas; and
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John H., who married Huldah Johnson and re- sides at Argentine, Kansas.
Mr. Branson was married, second, to Kate Marsh, who was born in Noble County, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Elsie Edith.
In 1878 Mr. Branson settled with his fam- ily, in Cherokee County, Kansas, for a period of four months and then bought a farm of 80 acres in Crawford County, which he operated some years. In 1888 he bought one half of section 29, township 31, range 23, in Ross township, for a brother, and remained on that place until 1891. Since then he has rented his present farm in section 32, a property that shows evidences of good management.
Politically Mr. Branson is identified with the Republican party. He has never desired political recognition, and is satisfied to do his full duty as a citizen and to permit others the honors of office. He is a member of the Meth- odist Church.
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