History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens, Part 36

Author: Case, Nelson, 1845-1921, ed
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 846

USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A. D. Neale, son of Leroy Neale, grew up in Chetopa, was associated with his father in his life time, and took the business of the firm after his father's death. He was admitted to the bar in 1889, since which time he has com- manded a large share of the practice from Chetopa.

John H. Morrison came to Oswego from Illinois and at once entered on a successful practice. It was his good fortune to be able to pass for his full worth. He was possessed of popular traits and made and held many friends. Several other members of the bar were better lawyers, but few of them would pass for such with the public. He served a term in the Legislature and a term as county attorney. He was not always his own friend. His career ended while he was comparatively a young man.

J. F. McDonald, of Parsons, was more notorious than profound. No one could con- vince him that he was not a great lawyer, but his clients found he could get them in trouble more rapidly than he could get them out. His theme of discussion was his ability to down the corporations; however, most of them still survive.

M. Byrne studied law in jail and after be-

295

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

ing released spent several years at the bar, having quite a good line of business. Deem- ing the opportunities for the full use of his faculties here inadequate, he left the county and went to New York City.

E. L. Burton studied law in Cherokee county. On starting in business in Oswego he showed a willingness to attend to the most trivial matters and by this means was not long in working into a very fair business, and for several years past he has had a good line of practice. He has been active in politics and has before him a fine prospect of political prefer- inent.

E. C. Clark was admitted to the bar before entering on his duties as clerk of the district court. After completing his term as clerk he formed a partnership with E. L. Burton. He has found the experience he acquired in the clerk's office very useful to him in his practice. Burton & Clark is one of the substantial law firms of the county.

T. N. Sedgwick is one of the old men- bers of the Kansas bar, but he has not been in this county many years. He came from Em- poria to Parsons to take charge of the legal department of the M. K. & T. Ry. Co. As general attorney of that corporation he has made a fine record as a corporation lawyer. He insists on his company being law abiding and will scarcely ever allow it to settle a liti- gated claim until he is satisfied of its legality by the decision of a court of last resort. He will probably be retained in the service of the company as long as he remains in the prac- tice.

C. W. Butterworth was raised in this coun- ty, but was admitted to the bar and spent sev- eral years in practice away from here. Recent- ly he has returned to this county and intends doing some practice here.

WV. D. Atkinson has for years been attor- ney for the Parsons Commercial Bank, has served a term or more as city attorney of Par- sons, and has had a general practice. He is a careful and competent attorney and has been very successful in handling his business.

Soon after Fanny Cooper was admitted to the bar, she formed a partnership with W. D. Atkinson, which had other purposes than the practice of the law. No one looks for a dissolution of this firm till the death of one of the parties.

Among the young lawyers who have been admitted to the bar somewhat recently are those whom I will now name. Some of them have already obtained a good start in the prac- tice, while others have most yet to gain.

C. E. Kennedy has lived in Parsons from boyhood, has a large circle of acquaintances and may expect a remunerative practice. M. P. Gillin, D. N. Matthews, J. D. Peters, Will- ard Reynolds, A. H. Noyes, C. L. McGuire are Parsons lawyers who have a fair chance to make their way at the bar. W. A. Disch has been acquiring valuable information as deputy in the office of the sheriff and the dis- trict clerk. Walter Von Trebra, of Chetopa, has a promising future. Harry G. Davis studied law and was admitted to the bar after coming home from the Cuban war. He has located in Kansas City, Kansas. James R. Scott for some time assisted Mr. Sedgwick in railroad legal business. W. J. Gillette has given more attention to politics and medicine than to law. Rollin P. Norton did no business at this bar after his admission, and the same may be said of Ike D. Nearhart. Preston S. Davis has located at Vinita. H. H. Claiborne while editing the Times-Statesman was admitted to the bar, but with no expectation of entering the practice here. Henry C. Long read law

296

HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY

with Case & Glasse and was admitted to the bar after completing his work as superintend- ent of the Oswego city schools. He then moved to Leavenworth and commenced practice.

Brady: Four of this family have become members of the bar within a few years. F. M. Brady has served two terms as county at- torney and is now engaged in general prac- tice. T. M. Brady has located at Parsons; E. H. Brady at Chetopa; and May R. Brady is in the office with her brother Frank at Os- wego. Each is recognized as having good legal ability.

E. B. Morgan had never done any practice till he came to Oswego. He has made a nice start in business since coming here and has ably filled the office of city attorney one term.

Henry A. Lamb entered the army soon after his admission to the bar and died in the service.

Jesse Richcreek did a little business in our court, but before gaining any standing he went west. George Bettis was elected city at- torney of Oswego, but left the county before completing his term. W. H. Edmundson read law with Nelson Case. He spent a year or two practicing in the Territory. He now re- sides in Oswego, but is not in the practice. W. S. Hyatt had never had any practice to speak of at the bar when he was elected county at- torney. He enters with zeal on the discharge of his official duties. Catherine Swope was one of the first teachers in the county high school; while there she arranged for a life partnership with W. S. Hyatt, and the two pursued their legal studies together. Cath- erine Hyatt became her husband's assistant when he entered on the discharge of his duties as county attorney.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

On January II, 1869, a call signed by about 20 prominent citizens of Chetopa and Oswego was furnished for publication in the Advance and Register, for a meeting to be held on January 2Ist, for the purpose of or- ganizing a Bible society. At that time quite a large number of the citizens of the county met at the office of Dr. W. S. Newlon, in Os- wego, and adopted a constitution, and elected the following permanent officers of the society : Rev. T. H. Canfield, president; J. L. Taft. vice-president; W. M. Johnson, secretary; Dr. C. M. Gilky, treasurer ; and also a board of five directors. Adjourned to meet in Chetopa, on February 7th following.

At this time a meeting was held in Spauld- ing's Hall, at 3 o'clock P. M., at which a large congregation gathered. Addresses were made by Rev. T. H. Canfield, Rev. C. R. Rice, and others. A subscription of something over $40 for the benefit of the society was taken up. This was the commencement of an organiza- tion which was kept up for a number of years, holding its meetings somewhat frequently, and doing very much toward furnishing the new communities with Bibles. . After a few years. when the growth of several of the towns of the county had been such that each felt the need of separate organizations, the county so- ciety was discontinued, and city organizations were formed.

Y. M. C. A.

OSWEGO ASSOCIATION.

The following account of the organization of the Oswego Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation is taken from an address by Fred C. Wheeler, delivered at the second anniversary of the organization of the association :

"On Saturday evening. December 8, 1883, in response to invitations that morning re- ceived through the postoffice from him, there were gathered at the home of Nelson Case, in Oswego, Rev. John Elliott, Rev. H. McBir- ney, Fred Lee, Chas. Carpenter, M. Chidester, M. E. Diehl, Thos. O'Halloran, W. F. Thorne, and F. C. Wheeler. Mr. Case made a state- ment showing the need of such an organiza- tion especially adapted to reach young men. and proposed the organization of a Young Men's Christian Association. All present con- curred in the views expressed. and a commit- tee was appointed to consider and report at same place on December 12, to which time we adjourned.

"On December 12 Harry and Will Mitchell, Will Skilling. Chas. Carpenter. Rev. H. Mc- Birney, Thos. O'Halloran, Mr. Case, and F. C. Wheeler met as per adjournment. A draft of a constitution was presented, and the mat- ter of organization was definitely decided on. It was voted to adjourn to meet at the M. E. church, on Tuesday evening. January I, 1884. to complete the organization. On the

298

HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY

evening of that date some six or eight met at the appointed place, adopted the uniform con- stitution provided by the national association, and organized by electing Nelson Case, pres- ident : F. C. Wheeler, vice-president : Chas. Carpenter, secretary. and Harry Mitchell, treasurer. The necessary committees were also appointed."

During its earlier years the association did more aggressive work, perhaps, than it per- formed at a later period. A Bible-training class was maintained for two or three years. and did very efficient work. The young men for some time had a literary organization con- nected with the association. A boys' branch was organized at the opening of the second year of the work, and in that alone enough work was done to justify the organization of the association. Some years ago an outfit was purchased for a gymnasium, and a room was kept open during the subsequent life of the association. A salaried general secretary was employed a few months at one time, but with that exception the work was done entirely by the home members. For a number of years the association was somewhat intimately con- nected with the Library Association. Since its organization it had the following presidents land secretaries : 1884-85-president. Nelson Case : secretary. Charles T. Carpenter. 1886- Charles T. Carpenter, president : Howard Mer- riam. secretary. 1887-Howard Merriam and W. F. Thorne, presidents: F. G. Mitchell. sec- retary : 1888-89-Nelson Case, president: W. G. Mitchell and W. A. Bibbitt. secretaries. 1890-A. B. Kegg. president; Ed. M. Bald- win. secretary. 1891- W. W. Flora, president ; H. H. Beard, secretary. 1892-\V. W. Flora, president : Fred W. Beymer and W. B. Covalt, secretaries, 1893-94- Dr. K. P. Ashley, president.

Those who had been principally interested in the work, and on whom the responsibility of carrying it on largely rested, found it more of a burden than they thought should be borne for the results that the association was at the time accomplishing. Some of the work, which it had originally done, could now be performed through the young people's societies of the various churches. It was decided to dissolve the association early in 1895.

PARSONS ASSOCIATION.

The Parsons Y. M. C. A. was organized December 5. 1885. with C. F. Hodgman, pres- ident ; Cyrus G. Emerson, vice-president ; W. H. Martin and Thomas Clark, secretaries; and F. H. Foster, treasurer. The following year it was incorporated. and the following officers elected : M. E. Crowell, president : E. C. Read. vice-president : A. H. Whitmarsh, secretary ; and F. H. Foster, treasurer. A ladies' auxil- iary was organized early in the history of the association, and rendered valuable aid in fur- nishing rooms and giving entertainments. The most of the time during its life. the association maintained a paid general secretary. The fol- lowing persons served in that capacity; Chas. L. Helmick was the first. and served from Au- gust. 1887. to February, 1889: James R. Smith succeeded him, and served to July, 1889: T. R. Breese, B. C. McQuestion. J. W. Shingley, WV. Russell and - Hopper since then suc- cessively held the office. A reading-room. bath-rooms, as well as reception and parlor- rooms, were provided. and much good work was accomplished.

Perhaps about the same account might be given of the efforts at maintaining an associa- tion in Parsons, as has already been given of the Oswego association. On account of the

299

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

large number of railroad men in Parsons, the needs of an association at that point were more apparent than at any other place in the county. But the expense of maintaining it was greater than the receipts would cover, and a debt was the result. The dissolution of the association followed almost as a matter of course. Charles Husband was the general sec- retary for some time before the association disbanded.

CHETOPA ASSOCIATION.

During the month of Angust, 1886, steps were taken looking toward the formation of an association at Chetopa, and on September 20, 1886, a number of the members of the Os- wego and Parsons associations visited Chetopa and assisted in the formation of this organiza- tion. At that time the following officers were elected : President. W. A. Shanklin; vice- president, W. H. Pinkerton ; secretary, George Campbell ; treasurer, T. O. Breckenridge. For a few months in 1889 John G. Lear was em- ployed as general secretary for this and the Oswego association, giving about half of his time to each. This is the only time that a salaried officer was employed. W. S. Henry was president the second year of the organiza- tion and F. M. Smith the third year; J. P. Slaughter was the second secretary, and was succeeded by H. F. Stewart. The association a part of the time kept open a reading-room and conducted various lines of meetings. The association at this place ceased work even earlier than did those at Oswego and Parsons.

Y. W. C. A.

On January 2, 1886, at the Methodist church in Oswego, an organization of this asso- ciation was effected. It kept up its work about

five years, and then for some time its members continued in an unofficial way to keep up the work. The association has never been reor- ganized. A training-class and a Bible class were conducted by it for several years; also a girls' Bible class. The association had the following presidents: Mrs. Allenette Cook. Mrs. Mary E. Case, Miss Sarah Crane, Miss Blanche Case and Miss Eunice Crane.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

In giving an account of the work of the Sunday-schools of the county I separate it from the account of other church work, not because I consider them a separate institution from the church. properly speaking. but because, espe- cially in the early work in the county, there were many union schools, connected with no church in particular, and also because the Sunday-school work is one of the most im- portant and best developed departments of church work, and is entitled to special men- tion as such.

I will first give an account of the schools which have been at least a part of the time classed as union (although some of them might properly be spoken of as denominational), and will then mention the denominational schools, connecting those of each denomination wher- ever situated in the county, instead of classify- ing by localities. No one can realize more than I do the imperfect history which I here present of these schools, but all the information is given which I have been able to gather. It is regretted that parties who might have fur- nished more definite information have failed to do so. One reason why this information is not accessible and has not been furnished, is that in many instances no record whatever has been kept of the school work, and in many

300

HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY

other cases records that were kept at the time have been misplaced or lost. Some of this information has been furnished me from peo- ple's memory, and of course contains more or less errors, but in the main, so far as it goes. I think it is as reliable as could be expected. All the data that is given respecting union schools has reference to their work prior to 1893, for no facts have been furnished re- . garding what they have done since that date. From what is here set forth in succeeding pages, some one may be able to construct a more perfect account of this important de- partment of work.

UNION SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

CHETOPA.

The first Sunday-school in the county was organized by the early settlers at Chetopa, be- fore the war. In a letter referring to these early times Dr. Lisle says: "Mr. Bryan or- ganized a Sunday-school sometime in 1858, which was kept up most of the time until the Rebellion." The Mr. Bryan here referred to is Rev. J. E. Bryan, then a minister of the M. E. church South, in charge of the work of the circuit including Chetopa, and in 1871 pastor of the M. E. church of Oswego, and still more recently a practicing attorney in this county. This Sunday-school was held in the school-house, an account of the building of which is given in a preceding chapter devoted to educational work in the county. 1

After Chetopa began to resettle at the close of the war, the first Sunday-school to be or- ganized was in the summer of 1867, in a small frame building standing on the southeast corner of First and Maple streets, sometimes called the "Cabinet Shop," but more generally desig-

nated "Bachelors' Hall." G. H. Hard was the superintendent of this school. Later, arrange- ments were made for holding the school in the Ephraim Doudna store building. The school was closed during the winter, and opened in the spring of 1868. James H. Crichton, Sr., fa- ther of the attorney who has lived there so long, spent a part of the summers of 1867 and 1868 at Chetopa, and assisted in superintend- ing the school. The first Sunday in Septem- ber, 1868, the school having previously been very poorly classified and organized, a reor- ganization was had, and Edward Johnson was elected superintendent ; F. H. Mendenhall, as- sistant ; and D. J. Doolen, secretary. Early in 1869 J. M. Cavaness was elected superintend- ent, and continued to serve until the organi- zation of the denominational schools, in 1870.

PARSONS.

The first Sunday-school in Parsons was or- ganized in April, 1871, by the joint efforts of Rev. G. W. Pye and Rev. H. H. Cambern. It was started and for some time maintained as a union school. It had a hard time to main- tain an existence. With no permanent place of meeting, driven from vacant store buildings, offices and shops, as they were needed for other purposes, it finally found a somewhat perma- nent and comfortable home in Cary's Hall. T. C. Cory was its first superintendent. After a few months of service he resigned, and J. E. Wilkes succeeded him. In January, 1872, E. B. Stevens was elected superintendent; M. G. Brown was elected in 1873, and M. Wallace in 1874. During a part of this time some schools which had started as denominational schools were merged with the union. On the organiza- tion of the denominational schools this school ceased.

301

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

OSWEGO.

The Sunday-school work in Oswego dates from the early spring of 1867, when a Sunday- school was organized in the log cabin owned and then occupied by Dr. J. F. Newlon. It stood at the northeast corner of block 26, just south of where he afterwards made his home. William Herbaugh was elected superintendent. It was kept open only during the summer, and was reorganized the following spring. It met in such vacant houses as could be secured, holding scarcely more than two or three Sun- days consecutively in any one place. In the fall of 1868, when the building was erected which was afterwards donated to the county for a courthouse, the Sunday-school found therein a somewhat permanent home. From this school the denominational schools were es- tablished as follows: The Methodist in 1868, the Congregational and Presbyterian in 1870. and the Baptist in 1871.

NEOSHO TOWNSHIP.

Concord District, No. 16 .- The school- house in this district is now in North town- ship, but when first built was in Neosho. In the summer of 186- Mrs. Owens organized a Sunday-school in their house on the northeast quarter of section 5, which was maintained during that summer, and when the school-house was built a reorganization was had, locating it in that building, where it was continued for a number of years.

New Hope District, No. 15 .- In 1869 there was a log cabin about half a mile north of where Matthewson now stands, known as the Sweet school-house. Rev. R. P. Bukey preached there frequently. In that house was started the first Sunday-school in that part of the county. Wm. McDown was its superin-

tendent. It was not long until the new school- house was built. A Sunday-school was con- ducted in this district during the summer months for a number of years, commencing with 1869. It was generally conducted as a Methodist Episcopal school. W. D. Bevans superintended most of the time. W. T. Carter and Rev. J. A. Harvey were also among those in charge of the work.

Hopkins District, No. 62 .- From 1875 to 1882 a prosperous Sunday-school was con- ducted in this district. W. D. Bevans was one of its principal workers, and a part of the time its superintendent.

Lone Elm District, No. 21 .- Sunday-school has been started here occasionally, but has not been regularly maintained.

Hard Scrabble District, No. 46 .- The ef- fort to maintain a Sunday school in this dis- trict was not so persistent as to meet with good success.

NORTH TOWNSHIP.

Township Association .- In 1876 an asso- ciation was formed in this township, but was not effective the following year, and the vari- ous schools in the township met and reorgan- ized a township association on April 7. 1878, electing J. M. C. Reed president and S. L. Obenchain secretary. Since then the associa- tion has held annual meetings, sometimes more frequently.

Woods District, No. 18 .- Organized in 1878. Superintendents : S. Stephenson, N. T. Chambers, T. J. Van Horn and F. A. Ed- wards.

Spring Hill District, No. 22 .- Organized in 1874. Superintendents : Samuel Cherry, J. W. Scott, Messrs. Milligan, Wilson, Cham- bers and Millard.

Heacock District, No. 32 .- Organized in

302

HISTORY OF LABETTE COUNTY

1875. Mrs. Anna Heacock was superintendent for several years; afterward I. P. Merrill.

Franklin District, No. 55 .- Organized May. 1870, and maintained during the sum- mer months every year since. Superintend- ents: G. W. Goodman, J. Harlan, E. H. Taylor, - Brandon, H. McIntosh, E. H. Wells, S. L. Obenchain, T. J. Van Horn, and Robert Toles.

Prairie Valley District, No. 31 .- Organ- ized in May, 1871, and maintained since. Su- perintendents : Philip La Cornu, William Burdit, J. G. Duval, J. M. C. Reed, R. Brown. E. C. Barker, W. B. Truax, and J. N. Hard- man. For two or three years two schools were maintained at this place-one a union and one a Methodist South; one met in the forenoon and one in the afternoon.

WALTON TOWNSHIP.

Salem District, No. 42 .- School was or- ganized in this district in 1871, and has been kept open every summer since. Alex. Ables was its first superintendent. James Venable, Amos Welch and Charles Birt have been effect- ive workers and frequently have superin- tended.

Bradford District, No. 39 .- A school was organized in this district in the house of Merit Mason, in 1870, and has since been maintained nearly every year during the sum- mer months. Among its superintendents have been J. C. Bradford. Frank J. Smith, and T. J. Rich.

OSAGE TOWNSHIP.

Mount Zion District, No. 36 .- In the fall of 1867 the neighbors got together and built a log house on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 5, in township 32, of range 18, in which

to hold religious services and other meetings of a public character. A Sunday-school was organized in this house in the spring of 1868. This was the first Sunday-school in the town- ship. Harry Beggs was superintendent. The school has been maintained ever since. In the spring of 1871 it was reorganized as a Meth- odist Episcopal school, which relationship has continued, that district being one of the points where that denomination has regularly held services. Rev. E. M. Bussart, William Johns, C. L. Darling. S. C. Hocket, Phelix Oliphant and Perry Nixon are some of those who have been prominent workers in this school.

Four-Mile District, No. 38 .- The first school-house in this district was a little log building which stood in the middle of the road at the northwest corner of section 22. From this it was known as "the little log school- house in the lane." In this a Sunday-school was organized in 1870 with J. M. Armstrong. superintendent. It was reorganized in the spring of 1871. with Jacob Masters, superin- tendent. The school was maintained till 1883.

Harmony Grove District, No. 30 .- A Sun- day-school was organized in this district in the spring of 1870. with Mr. Pierce, superintend- ent, which has continued until the present-a part of the time running all the year, and a part of the time closing in the winter. It was first held in Mr. Gibson's dwelling-house on the northwest quarter of section 30. William Dick, F. H. Dienst and D. D. Lindsey were early and efficient workers here.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens, Part 36

Author: Case, Nelson, 1845-1921, ed Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 846

Author: Case, Nelson, 1845-1921, ed
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 846