USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 77
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band is a mining engineer at Cripple Creek, Colorado, and who has two daughters.
Dr. Lisle was originally a Whig, in poli- tics, and is now a Republican. He has held the offices of treasurer and trustee of his town- ship. He was raised a Quaker, but is now liberal in his religious views. He was made a Mason in Ohio, fifty-seven years ago, and is a member of the blue lodge at Chetopa. Dr. Lisle is a very intelligent man, and is con- sidered.one of the best physicians in the town- ship.
HARLES M. CONDON is widely known as one of the foremost busi- ness men of Labette county, and is one of the most public spirited citi- zens of Oswego, Kansas. He came to Oswego in 1868, has been closely identified with its growth, and has established and supported many of its most worthy public improvements. He conducts a private bank there, a mercantile concern, the city water works and the electric light plant, besides several other enterprises in different parts of Kansas, but gives his personal attention mainly to his banking interests in Oswego.
Mr. Condon was born.in Schenectady coun- ty, New York, in 1843, and is the son of James and Mary (McCarthy) Condon. His father was a native of Ireland. He came to this country after his marriage, and settled in Schenectady county, New York, about 1840. He followed farming there until 1852, when he removed to DeKalb county, Illinois, where he continued farming until 1858. In that year he moved to Madison county, Iowa, where lie resided until his death, in 1898, at the age of eighty-two years. In Ireland. he married1 Mary Mccarthy, who died at an early age,
leaving four children : Thomas, deceased; Charles M .; James, deceased; and Mary (Couch), of Stewart, Iowa.
Charles M. Condon attended the public schools of DeKalb county, Illinois, and started out in the world on his own account, at the early age of fourteen years. In 1859, he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he held a clerical position until 1862. He then enlisted in Com- pany I, 18th Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and served with credit until the close of the war; he was discharged in August, 1865. Upon returning home from the war, he was engaged in farm- ing in Warren county, Iowa, until 1868, the year of his removal to Labette county, Kan- sas. He located in Oswego, and was there suc- cessfully. engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1880, when he turned his attention to bank- ing. He became associated with B. F. Hobart in the Hobart Bank, the name of which was changed to the Hobart & Condon Bank. In 1884, Mr. Condon became sole owner, and it has since been known as the private bank of C. M. Condon. He is a shrewd, sagacious busi- ness man, and his bank has always been a pay- ing venture,-being on a firm financial basis. He has confined his personal attention to this business, although he is extensively interested in different enterprises, both in Oswego and other Kansas towns. In 1896, he established a general store in Oswego, in addition to which he owns other mercantile establishments, and two banks, elsewhere. He also owns the city water works and electric light plant, both of which are operated in accordance with modern ideas, and give to the city the best possible serv- ice. Hecame to this county without means, and the success of the many branches of business with which he has been identified reflects great credit on his ability.
Mr. Condon was married in 1867, to Mary
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E. Beckel, and they are the parents of the fol- lowing children: Geneva. Estella, Wilbur F., Wayne, Corinne, and Clifford. Geneva is Mrs. Ramsey, of Carthage, Missouri. Estella is Mrs. Maxwell, of Pittsburg, Kansas. Wil- bur F., a graduate of the public schools of Oswego, and of Princeton University, is cash- ier of his father's bank. He married Wilmatte Baty. Wayne, who was educated in the schools of Oswego, and in a preparatory school at Lawrenceville, New Jersey, is engaged in mercantile business; he married Miss Harvey. Clifford is attending the Oswego schools.
E. STAIGE. This gentleman is the popular editor of the Edna Sun, and is one of the most influ- ential citizens of that city. He was born on Christmas day, in 1859, near Bur- lington, Iowa, and is a son of J. E. Staige.
J. E. Staige was a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and removed to Iowa, in 1839, soon after the trouble with the Indians had culminated in the Black Hawk War. He took up a homestead in Des Moines county, where he resided until 1882, when he came to Kan- sas. He carried on farming until his death, which occurred December 12. 1899. His wife was born ' at Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, and died January 3, 1894, aged sixty- nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Staige were mar- ried in Louisa county, Iowa, and reared seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The names of the five living are: Sarah E. (Creighton), of Oakville, Iowa; Mary (Luck- enbill), of Huron, Iowa; M. R., of Porterville. California; W. E., the subject of this sketch; and Joe, of Kinnison, Indian Territory.
W. E. Staige, whose name appears at the
opening of this personal sketch, received his primary education in Iowa, and in 1885 and 1886 attended a business college at Sedalia, Missouri. His first active business for himself was in the newspaper line. November 22, 1894, he established the Edna Sun, there be- ing no other paper in Edna. His first office was north of his present location, over J. C. Arnold's grocery store in the brick block. Each year has brought an increase in business, and the Sun now has a circulation of 700, ex- tending into the Indian Territory. This is exclusive of the foreign list, exchanges, etc. Mr. Staige has a plant worth $1,200, runs two presses, and employs competent help. He is a well informed man, and keeps posted on all current topics.
Mr. Staige was married in Labette county to Jennie Rhodes, November 26. 1889. She died February 8, 1892. He formed a second union, January 6, 1896, Mrs. Warren Fuller- ton being the bride. They reside in a fine home in Edna, which is worth $1.500. Mr. Staige is a strong Republican, and is at pres- ent serving as city clerk. He does not be- long to any fraternities, nor is he a member of any church. Mr. Staige has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business with W. H. Pottorff, for the past six years, under the firm name of W. H. Pottorff & Company. No public enterprise is complete without Mr. Staige's assistance, which he gives readily, and he is one of Edna's most public spirited, active citizens. Mr. Staige is an ardent temperance worker and has devoted much of his time and money to assist in freeing his town from the blighting curse of the rum power. His paper, the Sun, has been given up largely in the past three years to fighting the "joint" evil and while he has made enemies his friends have in- creased in number, and he enjoys the confi-
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dence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. He attributes his success and financial standing at the present time to the position taken by him in favor of the enforcement of the prohibitory laws, and to his close adherence to strict business principles.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."
OHN FRANCIS HOLTEN, a dealer in harness, at Edna, Labette county, Kansas, has been identified with the growth and development of that city for a number of years. He was born in Ripley county, Indiana, in 1865, and is a son of W. H. and Eliza J. (Hayden) Holten.
W. H. Holten was a native of Indiana, where he lived until 1881, when he removed to Labette county, Kansas, and died at the age of sixty years, in 1893. His wife, who now lives at Edna, aged sixty years, is also a native of Indiana. They reared the following children,-John Francis ; Emmet P., deceased ; Margaret, who lives at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Anna ( Hoole) and Mattie, of Colo- rado Springs; and Bertha, who is a clerk in the Condon mercantile store at Edna. By a previous marriage with Miss B. Waggoner, W. H. Holten reared the following children : W. A., of Ripley county, Indiana ; Vedantus, of Edna, Kansas; Calvin, deceased; H. L., of Elm Grove township; and Sarah J. (Brown).
John Francis Holten attended the schools at Edna, and later the county normal school, and studied one term at Parsons. Afterward, he taught in Labette county for four years. In 1891, he engaged in his present business,- carrying a general stock of harness, vehicles and saddlery. The building he first occupied
was destroyed by fire, in 1892, and a stock company was formed to erect the present building. Mr. Holten now owns the entire stock. He employs two men to assist him, and has a large patronage. Mr. Holten is a me- chanic by trade. He does a first class business, and carries a fine line of goods. He deals hon- estly and openly with all, and has many friends in the county.
Mr. Holten married Jessie Keeler, who was born in Elm Grove township, and is a daughter of Capt. C. M. Keeler, an old settler of Labette county. She has two sisters here, -Mrs. Ida Martin, who is ex-county superin- tendent of schools, and Flora (Stone), who lives on a farm in Howard township. Two brothers reside at Gravett, Arkansas, and are engaged in the fruit business. Mr. and Mrs. Holten have one daughter,-Florence Esther, -aged five years.
Mr. Holten has a new home on Labette street. In politics, he is a firm Republican, has served in the city council, and is at pres- ent serving as city treasurer. He is district deputy grand master of Edna Lodge, No. 368, I. O. O. F. He is also banker of the Edna Camp, M. W. of A., and his wife is a mem- ber of both auxiliaries. Both are members of the Presbyterian church.
JOSEPH CRAFT, who has ably filled the office of postmaster of Chetopa, Kansas, since 1898, was born in Will- iamsport. Pennsylvania, in 1848, and is a son of William and Mary (Armstrong) Craft.
William Craft was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and removed to Chetopa, Kansas, in 1867. He built the Chetopa House, which
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hotel he conducted for a period of six or eight years. Mr. Craft was a farmer by occupation ; he died in 1880, at the age of sixty years. His wife died in 1890, aged seventy-four years. They reared eight children: Edward, who died in the army; Anna Belle (James), who lives in Chetopa ; Catherine (Grant), a widow who lives on a farm near Chetopa; Mary Ellen (Barker), who lives near Altamont; Sarah (Curry), who died in Indiana; Joseph ; Jennie (Watson), who died in California; and Will- iam, a farmer and stock man, residing in the "strip."
Joseph Craft attended the common schools of luis native state, and assisted his father on the farm for a number of years. October 20, 1867, he moved to Chetopa, Labette county, Kansas, where he has since lived. In 1875, Mr. Craft engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued until his first appoint- ment to the office of postmaster. This term began in 1889 and ended in 1894. He then worked as clerk for Mrs. Flannelly, for two years, after which he was engaged in the shoe business until his second appointment as post- master, which occurred May 5, 1898. This position he fills to the entire satisfaction of all, and the prospects are that he will hold this office for some time to come. Mr. Craft is a public spirited man, and takes an active interest in all public enterprises. He is a man of sound judgment and good principles, and has been very successful.
Mr. Craft was united in marriage with Lucy Rathborne, who was born at Salem Cen- ter, Meigs county, Ohio, where she was reared and schooled. Mr. and Mrs. Craft have seven children, namely: Mabel; Maude, who is the wife of E. S. Nance, assistant postmaster of Chetopa; Harry; Alla; Emma; Nellie; and Helen. Mr. Craft has built a very pleasant home
in Chetopa. He has always been a Republican in politics, has served two terms as councilman, and also on the board of education. Frater- nally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., M. W. of A., and K. of P. lodges. His wife is a member of the Pyramids, and Woman's Relief Corps. Religiously, Mr. Craft favors the Baptist church.
S. ANDERSON, a prominent and progressive real estate dealer of Par- sons, Kansas, ranks among the pio- neer settlers of Labette county, and claims the distinction of having been the first settler in School District No. 79, in Osage township. Mr. Anderson is a son of G. W. and Lavina (Clark) Anderson.
G. W. Anderson was born in Virginia and died in Illinois. His wife was born in Ohio, and died in Kansas in 1871. Of his ancestors, Mr. Anderson knows little, except that they were extensive stock raisers and traders in the East. One brother, James T., was killed dur- ing the siege of Vicksburg. He also had two sisters, Matilda and Cynthia, both of whom are deceased. His only living relatives with whom he has any personal acquaintance, are two nieces, one of whom resides in Oklahoma, and the other in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. Anderson was born in Schuyler coun- ty, Illinois, October 15, 1839. He obtained but a meager education in the district schools, after which he was engaged in farming pur- suits until the Civil War broke out. Respond- ing to his country's call for men, he enlisted in Company E, 14th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., and served from 1862 until the successful termina- tion of that bitter conflict. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and participated in
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Sherman's famous march to the sea. Although comrades fell thick about him and his brother was killed at his side, Mr. Anderson was not even wounded, and was mustered out of serv- ice at Beaufort, North Carolina, at the close of the war.
In 1868, Mr. Anderson was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Purvines, who was born in Illinois, in 1847, and who died in the fall of 1871, in her native state. In 1868, Mr. An- derson came west, and in 1869, moved to La- bette county, Kansas. On February 10, 1869, he located on the northwest quarter of section 31, township 31, range 18, in Osage town- ship, having preempted 160 acres. The jour- ney westward from Menard county, Illinois, was made in true emigrant style, in a covered wagon, with his companion by his side. After farming for twelve years in Osage township, he removed to Parsons, where he conducted a grocery store for several years and finally en- gaged in the real estate business in 1884. Since then he has devoted his entire time to buying and selling real estate. The first three years, J. Willard Walker was a partner in the business. Since then Mr. Anderson has con- ducted it alone, assisted only by his daughter, Helen. In 1889, his office was removed to its present location, over No. 1902 Johnson av- enue. His home, however, is at 1930 Appleton avenue, where he built a fine, large residence.
Some time after removing to Labette county, Mr. Anderson contracted a second mat- rimonial alliance, Julia Glossop, an Ohioan by birth, but an Illinoisan, by adoption, became his wife. Six children were born to them, namely: Cora D., William T., Gertrude, Jes- sie E., Helen M., and Claude R. The last named two still brighten the home fireside. Cora D. married a Mr. Parsons, a railroad engineer at Parsons, Kansas; they have three
children,-Carl, Hazel, and Eugene. William T. has been a pressman in Chicago for the past five years. Gertrude married a Mr. Beever, of Joplin Missouri, and Jessie E. is now the wife of Mr. Cosatt, a prominent grocer of Parsons.
Mr. Anderson cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, but his sympathies are now with the Populists. He is a valued mem- ber of the Order of Select Friends, and of the G. A. R., Post No. 81, both of Parsons. Be- ing a man of enterprise, he has always evinced a fitting interest in the welfare of his adopted home, and has held various positions of trust. He is largely interested in educational matters, and has served on the school board for several years. He enjoys the society of his family, around his own fireside, and unites with them in worshipping at the M. E. church, of which all are devout members. Altogether, he is a good and progressive citizen, and one whom Parsons could ill afford to lose.
EORGE P. BUSH, one of the most prosperous and progressive business men of Chetopa, Labette county, Kansas, is the proprietor of one of the most completely stocked drug stores in the county. He has been located here since 1877, and has a wide acquaintance throughout this section. He was born April 8, 1853, in Belvidere, Boone coun- ty, Illinois, and is a son of Oliver W. and Es- ther (Calender) Bush.
Oliver W. Bush was a prominent farmer and stockman of Scotland county, Missouri, whither he moved when George P. was quite young. He was at one time wealthy, and re- sided eight miles west of Memphis, Missouri,
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but, being one of the only three Union men in that locality, was a heavy financial loser on account of the war. He was at one time al- most forced to leave the country by the Se- cessionists. He subsequently moved to Kan- sas, and died at Concordia. His wife died in Scotland county, Missouri. They had three children : Emma, of Pennsylvania; George P .; and William E., who resides near Minne- apolis, Minnesota.
George P. Bush was reared in Missouri. and first worked upon his father's farm. He learned the trade of a jeweler, and after mov- ing to Oswego, Labette county, Kansas, in 1877, followed that trade for several years. He then embarked in the drug business at Oswego, where he conducted a store until 1886. He then moved to Chetopa, where he has since engaged in the same business with great success. He carries a very heavy stock of all goods in the drug line,-its value being . upwards of $10,000. Some years ago, he erected a fine brick building, 24 by 75 feet, in dimensions, with a warehouse in the rear 24 by 20 feet in size, and now has a handsomely equipped store. He owns a fine residence property in the city, located on Maple street, and also a good barn, located near town, and valued at $5,000. He had very little means upon coming to this town, and his success has been attained almost wholly in Labette county.
Mr. Bush was united in marriage, at Os- wego, to Clara Newlon, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Dr. Newlon. She is a grad- uate of Keokuk Medical College, and was engaged extensively in practice, at Cheto- pa, until the past year. This union re- sulted in one child, C. W. Bush, now nineteen years of age, who is in attendance at the Wentworth Military Academy at Lex- ington, Missouri,-he is also studying phar-
macy, and gets the necessary practical experi- ence in his father's drug store. In politics, George P. Bush has always been a Republican, and has served two years in the city council, and six or seven years on the board of educa- tion, of Chetopa. Fraternally, he is a member of Chetopa Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Oswego Commandery; Wichita Consistory, No. 2; the I. O. O. F., of Chetopa; the Knights of Pythias, of Chetopa; and the B. P. O. E., of Parsons. Mrs. Bush is a member of the East- ern Star lodge. She belongs to the Presby- terian church.
ILLIAM J. LOUGH, who has been one of the foremost business men of Altamont, Kansas, for many years, is a member of the firm of Lough Brothers, merchants of that city. He formerly conducted the Altamont Roller Mills, which were burned to the ground. Mr. Lough was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1856, and is a son of John A. Lough, and a grand- son of William J. Lough.
His grandfather was born in Ireland in 1805, and moved to Ottawa, Canada, in 1816, where he lived until his death in 1896. He married Elizabeth Taylor, a native of Aber- deen, Scotland, who was born in 1806, and died in 1899. His son, John A., was a machinist and millwright by trade, and was engaged in milling nearly his entire life. He was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1835, and moved with his. family to Chetopa, Labette county, Kansas, in 1869. He built the Anchor Mills of that place, in the winter of 1869 and 1870, and served as- superintendent of the same from that time un- til his death, February 6, 1894. His widow, Susan (Craig), who was born in 1836, still
B 7. Brings
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resides in Chetopa. They were parents of eight children: William J .; Martha E. (Al- len), of Baldwin, Kansas; Robert A., super- intendent of the Anchor Mills, at Chetopa ; Thomas H., who was born in 1862, and is in partnership with William J. Lough; Emma J. (Kinzer), of Baldwin, Kansas; Samuel A., professor of Greek and Latin in Baker Uni- versity, at Baldwin, Kansas, and also treasurer of the board of trustees; Hariet ( Milner), of Chetopa, Kansas; and Nellie E. (Allen), of Parsons, Kansas.
William J. Lough was reared to the milling business, and for eleven years was night su- perintendent of the Anchor Mills, at Chetopa. In 1885, he bought and remodeled the Alta- mont Roller Mills, and engaged in the business for himself, under the firm name of W. J. Lough & Company. He continued thus until his mill was destroyed by fire, on June 3, 1900, through which calamity he sustained a loss of $12,000. His brother, Thomas H., was en- gaged in the mercantile business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Allen, in Altamont, and soon after the destruction of the mill, William J. Lough purchased Mr. Allen's interest in the firm. It is now conducted under the firm name of Lough Brothers, and in addition to their large regular business, they buy and sell grain extensively. Both are bright, shrewd men, and have made a success of the venture.
Thomas H. Lough was united in marriage with Rose Catlin, and they have a daughter, Ella. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M .; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a Republican, in politics, and has been city treasurer, councilman and mayor.
William J. Lough, the subject hereof, was united in marriage with Alice M. Kinzer, and they are the parents of the following children : Louise M., John E., Hazel, William H., and 38
Margaret. Mr. Lough is a Mason and has risen to the rank of Knight Templar; he has been eminent commander of the commandery and has passed through all the chairs. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a prominent Republican, in politics, was a member of the city council, and is now mayor. He has been a member of the Republican county central committee since 1899, and served as its chairman in 1900. He was a member of the state legislature in 1895, and 1896.
P ENJAMIN F. BRIGGS, a prominent citizen of Parsons, Labette county, Kansas, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, is engaged in the real-estate, loan and insurance business, and is meeting with unqualified success. He was born at Lockport, Will, county, Illinois, December 29, 1854, and is a son of Benjamin Briggs, who traced his lineage back to the "Mayflower."
Benjamin Briggs was a native of Vermont and was a cousin of ex-Governor Briggs, of Massachusetts. He was a son of Benjamin Briggs, Sr., a native of Massachusetts, and was one of a family of five children, as fol- lows: Charles, Alanson, Erastus, Cynthia and Benjamin. The father of our subject moved from Vermont to Chicago, Illinois, in 1837, and there followed his trade, that of wagon-maker, until 1848, building the first wagon made in that city. He moved from there to Orland, Cook county, Illinois, where he was located until 1852, when he bought a farm in Homer township, four miles east of Lockport. He accumulated a large estate, which was divided among his family and his widow after his demise. He died of small-
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pox at his home in 1863. His first marriage occurred at Chicago, where his wife died in 1842, leaving two children,-William and Cynthia. William served in the 100th Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., during the Civil war, and is now a farmer of Orland, Cook county, Illinois. He married Belle McGregor, and has three children : Alexander F., Ella and Ernest, one other, Benjamin, Jr., dying in infancy. Cyn- thia became the wife of John Panter, and both are now deceased; they had nine chil- dren, most of whom reside in California. Benjamin Briggs formed a second marital union in 1844, with Fidelia S. Fry, a native of Andover, Massachusetts, who is now liv- ing at Idenbro, Kansas, at the age of eighty- three years. Her father moved to New Hamp- shire and purchased the site of what is now the town of Concord. Five children blessed this union, namely : Frank, Mary (Griswold), Augustine, Benjamin F. and Eugene. Frank, a successful farmer of Kansas, married Lillie Lefever, and has three children, Frank, Mary and Lyda. Mary married Guy Griswold, who was born in Lockport, Illinois, and became a wealthy grain buyer of Henry, Illinois,-he died in 1895, and his widow resides in Engle- wood, Chicago, and has four children : Grace, proprietor of a ladies' furnishing store at Par- sons, Kansas; Emerette, wife of Mr. Gousche, a grain dealer of Bellflower, Illinois, and by whom she has a son, Arthur; Ora, whose husband is manager of a large packing in- dustry in Boston, Massachusetts; and Percy, a grain dealer of Idenbro, Kansas. Augustine came to Kansas with our subject, and is a wealthy land owner of Labette county, resid- ing at Idenbro with his mother. Eugene died in infancy.
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