USA > Kansas > Cherokee County > History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative citizens > Part 43
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In March, 1903, Mr. McNeill was appointed by Governor Bailey a member of the State Board of Charities and Corrections, for a term of four years. This appointment met with the approbation of his wide circle of friends in the county. Fraternally, he is an Elk, and belongs to a number of fraternal insurance organiza- tions. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
In addition to paying a large indebtedness which his father incurred by financially assist- ing a number of his friends, he lias accumulated a fair share of wordly possessions, his integrity having ever, been unimpeached. He stands to- day as an example of able, honest, American manhood, a type which for some years has be- come more and more the hope of the nation, the type that cherishes a high standard of business
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and professional honor, that encourages patri- otism. and sets an example of steadfast adhe- sion to principles. Portraits of Mr. McNeill and his son Maurice accompany this sketch.
E DWVIN A. HAINES, one of the pros- perous farmers of Spring Valley township, who resides on his well cultivated farm of 160 acres in sec- tion 5, township 35, range 24, is one of the most highily esteemed citizens of the locality. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, Febru- ary 19, 1839, and is a son of Stacy and Judith (Terrell) Haines.
Stacy Haines was born in Campbell County, Virginia, and accompanied his parents when they removed to Greene County, Ohio, in his boyhood. At that time his father owned the site of the present busy little city of Waynes- ville. Mr. Haines completed his education there and studied medicine which he practiced for two years and then engaged in farming and in work as a plasterer. Later he bought a farm in Clinton County. He married Judith Terrell and they had issue as follows : D. T., Amos and S. T., all of whom died at Muncie, Indiana ; S. A., who died at Baxter Springs, Kansas; Sarah E., who married Fisher Curl, of Clin- ton County, Ohio; Martha, who married John W. Moore, of Clinton County, Ohio: Judith Ann, who is the wife of George Brackney, a retired farmer living at Wilmington, Ohio; Edwin A., of this sketch; and Calvin, a resi- clent of Muncie, Indiana. The death of the father occurred from an attack of cholera, at Muncie, Indiana, and that of the mother while visiting there at a later date.
Edwin A. Haines was educated in the schools of Clinton County, Ohio, completing his education when 18 years of age. He then began to operate the home farm for his mother
and remained with her until of age and then followed farming for himself until 1865, in which year he moved to Muncie, Indiana, and engaged in a hotel business. This he sold in 1867 and came to Cherokee County, Kansas, where he took up a claim where he now resides. Until 1868 he resided at Baxter Springs and then settled on the farm where he has ever since remained, with the exception of one year, dur- ing which he traveled for his health, and visited many interesting points.
On August 12, 1865, Mr. Haines was mar- ried to Saphronia A. Snyder, who was born in Brown County, Ohio, and they had three children, viz: Carrie, who married Samuel Cassell, a machinist of Pittsburg, Kansas, and has four children,-John, Flora M., Dora and Walter; Elmer E., who died at the age of 22 years; and Flora M., who married Edward Ai- kens, a farmer of Hitchcock, Texas, and has one child, Ada. The mother of the above fam- ily died November 17, 1901. On November 17, 1903, Mr. Haines married Sarah Louisa Haines, who is a daughter of Albert Haines, who is a retired resident of the Creek Nation, Indian Territory.
Mr. Haines is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he votes independently. As one of the representative citizens, he has been called upon to serve in a number of the township offices, and has been very acceptable as school director, township clerk and township treasurer. Fraternally he is associated with the Masons.
A LBERT WILLARD, one of the old residents of Baxter Springs, who has been prominently identified with the affairs of Cherokee County for 38 years, was born in Erie County, New York, November 19, 1834, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Williams ) Willard.
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The parents of Mr. Willard were born in Boston, Massachusetts, and early in married life removed to Erie County, New York, and later to Tecumseh, Michigan. The mother died soon after this removal. The family consisted of nine children, viz. : George, who was drowned at the age of 20 years; Samuel, who died at Grand Rapids, Michigan; Albert, the subject of this record; Lester, who died aged 10 years; Eliza (Mrs. Johiell Morgan), who died at the age of 25 years: Mrs. Sophronia Standish ; Maria (Mrs. Lee Sanderson) ; Adelia (Mrs. Nemirah Candy) ; and Mrs. Sarah Laysure, of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Our subject accompanied his parents to Te- cumseh, Michigan, and there he was educated. After the death of his father, in 1845, he went to Goshen, Indiana, where he obtained employ- ment on a farm for several months, and then went to Crawfordsville, Indiana, and there worked at the carpenter's trade until 1858, when he came to Kansas. He located near Maple- ton, just north of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, and this was his home until the close of the Civil War. He enlisted in Company C, 6th Kansas Regiment, and was later transferred to the 4th Kansas Regiment and served eight months. Then he settled at Baxter Springs, which has been his home ever since. He has engaged in various occupations,-merchandis- ing, milling, farming and stock-raising.
On July 22, 1872, Mr. Willard was united in marriage with Mrs. Lucinda Ann ( Harlan) Archer, who is probably the oldest settler now living in Cherokee County, her birth having taken place about one mile and a half from Baxter Springs, on June 28, 1840. She is a daughter of David M. and Lucinda (Tucker) Harlan. David M. Harlan came to Baxter Springs very early from South Carolina, set- tling in Cherokee County in 1835, and follow- ing the trade of miller. Mrs. Willard, by a previous marriage to Thomas N. Archer, which
took place on July 22, 1856, had a family of four children, viz : William Perry, who mar- ried Margaret Van Gundy and has these chil- dren,-Seth, Roy, Dalton, Leslie and Juanita ; James Siegel, who married Alice Doran, and has one daughter,-Anna; John Rankin, who married Minnie Faulkner; and Mary Ellen (Mrs. Frederick Propp). Mr. and Mrs. Wil- lard have two sons : Leon Lewis and Albert B., the former of whom resides at home, and the latter, who married Della Ferris of Joplin, Missouri, is a locomotive engineer on the "Frisco" system.
Mr. Willard has been a lifelong member of the Republican party, and cast his first presi- dential vote for Jolin C. Fremont. He lias taken an active interest in public affairs and has served for several terms as alderman and as a member of the School Board. He is a charter member of Kansas Lodge, No. 15, Ancient Order of United Workmen. When he came to Kansas, a spirit of outlawry prevailed in this section and he was the organizer of a vigilance committee which had much to do with ensur- ing peaceful settlement here. He carried the first mail between Fort Scott and Fort Gibson, making tri-weekly trips to Baxter Springs and weekly trips to Fort Gibson. He is a man of great personal courage and of sterling char- acter.
E. STICE, cashier of the Galena National Bank, died suddenly at his home, on the corner of Ninth and Main streets, February 28, 1899. By the casual reader of the day's events, the above announcement, full as it is with its sug- gestions of grief, might have been lost sight of, in the aggregation of records of human misery, which, alas, makes up so much of the average knowledge of the outside world, be- yond one's own special sphere. It was not so
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to the people of Galena, who received the news of the sudden demise of one of their most truly honored and beloved citizens. Grief stalked unashamed in the streets of the city, sorrow reigned in every circle and from the miner's camp to the most palatial home ran a feeling of deep, licartfelt pity for the family of wife and children so lamentably bereft.
The late W. E. Stice was born in 1850 in Illinois and was taken as a child to Oswego. Kansas, and was a son of D. M. Stice, of that city. The parents still survive, with three sons : James L., a post office inspector, who resides in St. Louis ; and two others, who are fighting for their country in far away Manila.
The late Mr. Stice had been a resident of Galena since 1882, coming here then in search of fortune, with little capital except courage, energy and manly ambition. His connection with banking affairs commenced when he was given the position of cashier, with O. T. Street, in the Miners' & Merchants' Bank. In this po- sition he exhibited so much tact, judgment and ability that he attracted the attention and won the friendship of J. Shomon, who was then pres- ident of the old bank, inducing the latter, sev- eral years later, to accept the young man as a business partner, although Mr. Stice's capital was little more than brains and experience. Under the new management, the institution became the Bank of Galena, which was subse- quently changed to its present title, the Galena National Bank. Much of its great financial suc- cess must be attributed to Mr. Stice's manage- ment, his personal attention being given to all its affairs. He gained the justifiable reputation of being one of the most competent financiers and general business managers in the State, and was held in the highest esteem by all those with whom business ever brought him into contact. Taking pride in the success of this institution, to which he had devoted the best part of his life, he fell a victim to what has been denomi-
nated American intensity, which caused the lowering of vital forces and the consequent in- ability to overcome what might have been but a slight indisposition to one in perfect health. The one comfort afforded his devoted wife was that she was able to minister to him through the few moments of mortal agony.
Mr. Stice was an honored member of a number of fraternal orders, including the Ma- sons, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Woodmen and others, car- ried insurance in all of these and an additional old-line policy for $15,000. He had numerous financial interests and business associations with successful enterprises, which combined to make him a factor in the financial world.
In 1884, Mr. Stice was married to Blanche McPherson, who is a daughter of Hon. A. M. and Elmira T. (Inks) McPherson, and they and three children: Florence, Shomon and Alfred, all of whom survive. The father of Mrs. Stice is vice-president of the Galena Light & Power Company, vice-president of the Union Ice Company and one of the leading men of Galena. He was born in Kentucky, but was reared near St. Louis, Missouri, where his edu- cation was obtained in the district schools. For several years he engaged in farming and stock- raising and moved in 1870 to the vicinity of Springfield, Missouri, where he made a spe- cialty of raising stock. In 1877 he came to Cherokee County, Kansas, in the first days of the discovery of lead and zinc ore, when the present busy city was but a tract of woodland. Of the two first prospectors here, one was ready to sell his interest, which Mr. McPherson bought for the sum of $400, and he mined here, with success, for some years, and then became interested in an ice and coal business. He has served the city of Galena, at various times, as councilman, was its second mayor, and in the fall of 1886 was appointed postmaster by Presi- dent Cleveland, and was reappointed during
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that statesman's second administration. He is a member of the Commercial Club; of the Ma- sons, being a Knight Templar and a Shriner ; of the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; of the Knights and Ladies of Security; of the Bankers' Union; and of the Elks, in which order he has served as exalted ruler. His three children are: Mrs. W. E. Stice; Mrs. B. W. Miller, of Galena, and Mrs. J. B. Witt, of Kansas City.
The funeral services over all that was mor- tal of WV. E. Stice took place at the cemetery, in Galena, in the presence of hundreds of those who by their presence desired to testify to their love and respect. It was one of the largest fun- erals ever held in the city. In compliance with the mayor's proclamation, appended be- low, all the business houses were closed, and both in mining and in commercial circles busi- ness was practically suspended. The Galena Lodge, A. F. & A. M., had charge of the ser- vices and they were of a character to impress even the most thoughtless. The beautiful cas- ket, weighing 600 pounds, was of solid iron, with broadcloth coverings and gold and silver trimmings, with an interior of white satin and a large gold plate on the top, engraved with the suggestive words "At Rest."
After appropriate services were held at the home, the cortege formed and moved to the cemetery, headed by a cordon of police and the Galena Firemen's Band. The ritualistic service of the fraternity was performed in a solemn and impressive manner and when the vast con- course turned away to again face their own private sorrows, there were few eyes that were not wet with sympathy for the bereaved widow and little ones. Many Masons and other friends from abroad were in attendance, eaclı one eager to tell some characteristic story or relate some kind deed of the friend from whom they had just parted. Among those who found it impossible to reach the city in time was Mr.
Shomon who had hastened home from Albu- querque, New Mexico. Through the thought- ful consideration of Mrs. Stice, the casket was opened upon his late arrival, that he might once again view the face of his dearly beloved friend.
The mayor of Galena, Hon. J. P. McCann, issued the following proclamation, which, in itself, was a token of unusual honor to a pri- vate citizen :
Realizing the esteem in which our lamented fellow citizen, W. E. Stice, was held by our people, regardless of class, and his standing in business and commercial circles, and appreciating the fact that he was a promi- nent figure in all matters pertaining to the interests and welfare of Galena, and the further fact that he has been identified with us all in matters of a business or social character for many years, it is deemed proper that we accord him a mark of respect due citizens of that char- acter, whom an all wise Father has seen fit to call from our midst.
Therefore, I would request and urge that all places of business be closed and that our citizens abstain from the transaction of all business between the hours of IO A. M. and 12 M. to-morrow, Thursday, March 2, 1899, in order that all who may desire can attend the funeral services to be held during those hours, and as a mark of respect to the memory of one whose loss is mourned by the entire community.
(Signed) : J. P. McCANN, Mayor.
And what manner of man was this, to whom citizens of high and low degree paid re- spect, deplored his loss and grieved with his beloved ones? In reply we feel that we can no better answer than to add to this record from the columns of the Galena Daily Republican of March 1, 1899, the testimony of one who had known him from his first location at Galena and appreciated him as one high-minded man may another :
"The death of W. E. Stice is the subject of conversation everywhere. A gloom such as was never before experienced seemed to settle over the entire community. Nothing else was talked of, nothing else thought of, yesterday. Men could not concentrate their minds on busi- ness, but seemed dazed at the awful visitation of the Death Angel. We doubt if another case
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is recorded where there was such universal sor- row over the death of a citizen of such modest and humble pretensions. The more men thought of the life and character of the de- ceased, the greater seemed the loss. The more they knew of him, the more they realized his true worth : the more free they were to proclaim his virtues. Stice was one man among a thousand. To say he had no enemies would be to slander him, for the man with no enemies is a cipher in the world, but we say he had fewer enemies than any man we ever knew who was engaged in the same business. Every one has a kind word to say of him. Said one gen- tleman : 'I do not believe Stice ever refused to aid a worthy person or object, whether church, politics or charity.' His heart and purse were ever open. Said another : 'Many of our citi- zens owe their prosperity to Ed Stice, whose assistance enabled them to make a success of their enterprises. A number of merchants would have failed had he not come to their rescue and bridged them over bad places.' On every hand we hear these comments. Men re- spected him in life, and, while they did not give voice to personal praise, they showed by every means the high esteem in which they held him as a citizen and a friend, and left no doubt as to their appreciation of his kindly deeds."
G. POLSTER, one of the old and re- spected citizens of Baxter Springs and a prominent Republican politi- cian of Cherokee County, has been identified with the business affairs of this city for the past 35 years. He was born in Hun- gary, January 10, 1840, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Polster.
The parents of Mr. Polster were also natives of Hungary. They came to America in 1858 and settled in Warren County, Missouri, where the father subsequently died. The mother still
survives and lives in the city of St. Louis, at the advanced age of 92 years. Their eight chil- dren were : J. G., of this sketch; Mary, wife of Louis Redmiller of St. Louis; Rosina, wife of Fred Koch, of Warren County, Missouri; Theodore, a traveling man, now engaged in a hotel business at St. Louis; Elizabeth, also a resident of St. Louis; Tobias, in a real estate business and conducting a World's Fair hotel, at St. Louis; and Mina, who also resides in that city.
Mr. Polster was educated in the Hungarian schools and then went to Vienna, where he was instructed in the jewelry trade, remaining there for three years. After coming to America in 1858, he worked at his trade in St. Louis. until 1861, when he went to Springfield, Mis- souri, where he embarked in the jewelry busi- ness for himself. Finding conditions of trade less acceptable there than at St. Louis, he closed out his business at Springfield three years later and returned to St. Louis. In 1870 he located at Baxter Springs and accepted a partnership with his brother, who was established here in a large general mercantile business. Until 1878 the brothers operated the largest store in Baxter Springs. Then our subject purchased his present property and opened up a drug and jewelry store, to which he has added wall paper, paints, oils, glass and general notions, his large and complete stock being valued at not less than $10,000. It is the leading store of its kind in its section of the county. He is a large property owner both in Baxter Springs and in St. Louis, and owns a large interest in the Visitors' World's Fair Hotel and Restau- rant, which is being operated in the beautiful Missouri city by his brother Tobias. During these months of deep interest there, its hospi- tality has been extended to not only many visi- tors from far off Hungary, but from all por- tions of the globe, who find there rest and re- fresliment.
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Mr. Polster has always taken a deep and intelligent interest in politics and has supported the Republican party since the election of Presi- dent Lincoln. For some 20 years he served as a useful member of the City Council and has given liberally of his means and time to increase the city's civic importance. During these long years of residence here, he has earned honor and respect and is justly considered one of the representative men of this part of the State.
ILBERT ALLEN. The late Gilbert Allen, a highly respected farmer of Mineral township, was one of the early settlers and substantial citizens, owning a well improved farm of 320 acres. Mr. Allen was born at Chelsea, Vermont, in 1818, and died in 1902, aged 84 years, at his home in Mineral township. He was a son of Obed Allen, a lifelong farmer in Vermont.
Mr. Allen was reared on his father's Ver- mont farm, and attended the schools of his native place. In 1862 he married, and in 1868 moved to Jefferson County, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farming until 1874, when he removed to Kansas. He settled in Mineral township, Cherokee County, and as he was a very temperate and industrious man he ac- cumulated a large property, and was able to leave his surviving widow a well cultivated farm of 320 acres, located in sections 7 and 18, township 32, range 24.
Mr. Allen married Mary M. Lougee, who was born at Chelsea, Vermont, and is a dauglı- ter of Peter and Betsey (Morrell) Lougee. They had four children, viz: Hattie, now de- ceased, who was the first wife of Hon. A. H. Skidmore, of Columbus, Kansas, a sketch of whom will be found in this work, and who later married Alice, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen; Alice; Etta M., who died, aged
five years; and Walter P., who married Kate Graham, and has two children,-Peter Leroy and James.
When Mr. and Mrs. Allen came first to Mineral township, there were few settlers, and 10 house was within visiting distance. No public highways had yet been constructed, mar- kets were far away, and what we now con- sider necessaries were then luxuries. Mr. Allen lived to see his family enjoy the fruits of his years of labor, and his last days were comforted by their care and affection. He held no political or township office in this county, but in Jeffer- son County, Wisconsin, he was one of the officials. Mrs. Allen rents out the greater part of her large estate, her son Walter P., being a farmer in Mineral township. The family is well known and highly respected.
HARLES W. COE, who has effi- ciently served in the capacity of city clerk of Galena since 1901, has been a resident of this city continuously for a period of nearly 15 years. He is a man of high standing in the community, and has many stanch friends throughout Cherokee County.
Mr. Coe was born in Mattoon, Illinois, in 1866, and is a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Verinulen) Coe, being one of a family of three sons and one daughter. His father is deceased, and his mother resides in Galena, Kansas.
Charles W. Coe attended the common schools of Mattoon, Illinois, and at an early, age removed with his parents to Troy, Ohio, thence to New York State. At the age of 14 years he began his business career and has since filled many positions of trust in a most capable manner. In 1890 Mr. Coe came West to Cherokee County, Kansas, locating in Galena, where he has since lived and engaged exclus-
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ively in mining. At the present time he is secretary of the Galena Prospecting Company. He has always been an enthusiastic Democrat and has worked hard for his party's success, frequently representing his precinct as a dele- gate at county conventions. He received an appointment as city clerk under Mayor J. P. McCann. May 7, 1901, succeeding his brother, F. P. Coe. He was reappointed by the present
mayor, Charles L. Sawyer., and still is discharg- ing the duties of that office. Prior to his incum- bency, the city clerk employed two assistants, but by faithful service Mr. Coe has managed to discharge his duties without assistance. He is the 10th city clerk appointed since Galena was incorporated June 19, 1877.
In 1894, Mr. Coe was united in marriage with Mary Bradley, a native of New York State, by whom he has one son,-Elemon F. Our subject is a member of the Commercial Club, of which he was secretary for a time; secretary of Galena Lodge, B. P. O. E .; and a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men.
OSEPH S. HOLT. Among the early settlers of Cherokee County, few are better known than the gentleman who bears the above name, who lives on his farm of 240 acres, situated in Sheridan and Lola townships. He was born in Alamance County, North Carolina, May 6, 1834, and is a son of David and Nancy (Green) Holt, both natives of the same place.
David Holt, besides managing a farm, was a wagon-maker and blacksmith. In politics he was an old-line Whig and later a Republican. He was an attendant of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. The family consisted of four chil- dren, of whom William, Michael and John are deceased. Joseph S. is the only living child. The father was twice married, the first wife be-
ing Sally Caps, of North Carolina. The chil- dren of this union were,-Robert, Henry and Nicholas.
Joseph S. Holt was educated in the three- months schools of his native county, and lived at home until grown to manhood. He enlisted at Indianapolis, Indiana, in October, 1864, in Company H, Ist Indiana Heavy Artillery. The company was sent to the southern department of the army, where the subject was wounded by a shell at Mobile, Alabama, which disabled him and he was taken to the hospital at New Orleans and later to Philadelphia. For some time after his discharge in 1865, he was unable to do anything.
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