USA > Kansas > Leavenworth County > History of Leavenworth County Kansas > Part 25
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Franklin Wuerth was educated in the public schools of Leavenworth and also attended the old Morris school and the Oak school. He was his father's partner, and since his father's death, he bought out the other heirs, and the firm remains the same-"Wuerth & Son," the son now
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being Floyd E. Wuerth. This firm is one of the oldest and most reliable in the city. Mr. Wuerth carries only high class goods, the same lines that are carried by jewelers in the largest cities, and he represents lines made by the oldest and best manufacturers in the country, continuing to do business with firms with whom he started thirty-six years ago.
Franklin Wuerth's brother, H. E. Wuerth, of Kansas City, was fore- man for R. N. Hershfield, of Leavenworth, when Hershfield was perhaps the largest jeweler in the United States, having thirty-five men employed. When Hershfield went to Kansas, H. E. Wuerth went with him, later going into business for himself. Franklin Wuerth learned diamond setting from his brother, and watch making from J. A. Schmidt, and he also worked with a Swiss watchmaker and a Frenchman by the name of Herman Huber, both expert watchmakers. While in the latter's shop, Mr. Wuerth made a complete watch before he was eighteen years old. He started in business with his father when twenty years of age and sold his first watch to Rev. R. B. Broener, formerly of Sacred Heart Parish, and who was introduced to him by Rev. Bishop Fink. The watch is still running and in good shape.
On July 13, 1892, Franklin Wuerth was married to Miss Lenora O'Brien, a daughter of P. and Mary O'Brien, early settlers of Leaven- worth. Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien had the following children: Mrs. William P. Gilbert; Joseph, of Leavenworth; Mrs. J. W. Melvin, of Leavenworth; Mrs. Thomas Jones, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Mrs. Franklin Wuerth.
Mr. and Mrs. Wuerth have a son, Floyd, twenty-six years of age, who is an assistant in the store. He is a graduate of the Catholic High School. He served during the World War for sixteen months and was first ser- geant, having enlisted in 1917. He attended the officers' training school at Camp Hancock, going first to Camp Funston, then to Camp Pike, Arkansas. He was in a machine gun company, and made a fine record.
Franklin Wuerth is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Shrine at Leavenworth. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Country Club. Mr. Wuerth is a progressive citizen in every sense of the word. He and his family reside at 413 Chestnut street.
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Francis J. MeAuliffe, secretary and treasurer of the Mehl and Schott Drug Company, is one of Leavenworth's wide awake and progressive citi- zens. He was born in Leavenworth County, Kansas, April 5, 1883, the son of James and Anna (Sullivan) McAuliffe, both natives of Ireland, the former from Beaufort, Ireland, and Mrs. McAuliffe from County Kerry. The father came to America when a young man and attended school in St. Joseph, Missouri. She came to Leavenworth when eleven years of age and lived with her aunt, Mrs. Mack Brennan, now deceased. James and Anna McAuliffe now live at 600 Kiowa street, Leavenworth. They have the following children: May, of Denver, Colorado, who is employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company; James, of Santa Rosa, Cali- fornia ; Francis J., the subject of this sketch ; William, of South St. Joseph, Missouri; Genevieve, a Sister of Charity, now of Denver, Colorado; and George, of Glenn's Ferry, Idaho.
Francis J. McAuliffe received his education in the Leavenworth, Kan- sas, public schools, and also learned pharmacy here. He is the efficient secretary and treasurer of the firm of Mehl & Schott. He began working in 1910, and upon the death of W. S. Schott, was taken into the firm as secretary, and since the death of H. W. Mehl in 1919 he was also made treasurer. Mehl and Schott were pioneer druggists, having been in busi- ness here thirty-five years.
Mr. McAuliffe also takes an interest in local affairs and holds the office of commissioner of parks and public property, having been elected to this position in 1918.
Mr. McAuliffe is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Sidney O. Colvin, the dependable and energetic agent of the Crew Levick Oil and Gasoline Company, is a native Missourian, born in Hanni- bal, September 1, 1885. He is the son of A. T. and Sarah J. (Main) Colvin, the latter of a pioneer family of Pike County, Illinois, born February 29, 1852. A. T. Colvin was a son of William A. and Elizabeth (Ready) Col- vin, born in LaSalle County, Illinois, February 23, 1850. Elizabeth Colvin died about 1854 and William A. Colvin died in 1882 in Pike County, Illi- nois. He was a native of Ohio.
A. T. Colvin came to Kansas from Hannibal, Missouri, in February, 1887, and engaged in the oil business on his own account for a number of years. He was also engaged in the grocery business for two years. He
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began with the Uncle Sam Oil Company in 1905 and was their agent for fourteen years, and, when the Crew Levick Company bought the Uncle Sam's interest in 1918, he was appointed assistant manager for this com- pany, a position he now holds.
A. T. Colvin was married October 14, 1888, and Mr. and Mrs. Colvin are the parents of the following children: Minerva, wife of Joseph Malee; Beulah A., wife of Edward Kulmus of Columbia, Missouri; Sidney C., the subject of this sketch; Tony, of Hutchinson, Kansas, who is agent for the Crew Levick Company, at that place; Gladys, widow of Wilford Logan, who clerks in the main office of the Crew Levick Company at Topeka, Kansas.
Sidney O. Colvin was educated in the public schools of Leavenworth, and was window trimmer for William Small and Company of Leavenworth, for fifteen years prior to accepting a position with the Crew Levick Com- pany as agent in 1918. The company's place of business is at Sixth and Delaware streets, and the 'warehouse or tank station is at Twelfth and Osage streets, where five men are employed. Another filling station is located at 315 Shawnee street.
Sidney Colvin was married July 18, 1906, to Pearl Colby of Leaven- worth, Kansas, a student of the Leavenworth High School. She is the daughter of Charles and Harriet (Reynolds) Colby, early settlers of Leav- enworth, and both are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Colvin have two sons: Richard, born December 31, 1908, and Robert, born January 31, 1912.
Mr. Colvin is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America No. 365, and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 2, and takes a great interest in both lodges. He has a wide acquaintance in Leavenworth, and by his courteous manner and obliging methods has made many friends.
E. D. Lysle, president of the Lysle Milling Company, has been identi- fied with the industrial development of Leavenworth all his life and stands at the head of and is the principal owner of this great manufacturing concern which is one of the leading milling institutions of the country. E. D. Lysle is a son of James 'C. and Letitia S. (Dickey) Lysle, both of whom are now deceased.
James C. Lysle was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Chester County, December 2, 1828. He spent his early life in his native state and served
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an apprenticeship in a paper mill where he learned the paper making trade. He came to Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1867. In 1868, in partnership with Mr. Dilworth, he started a hub and spoke factory which was a thriv- ing business during the days of overland transportation by wagon. As the railroads were built in the West there was a decrease in the demand for wagons for transportation purposes and the Lysle-Dilworth plant was converted into a furniture factory. Later the firm began the manufacture of flour and Mr. Lysle continued in the milling business here during the remainder of his active career. He retired from active business pursuits - in 1909 and died in Leavenworth in 1911. He was a capable business man and was notably one of the successful men of Leavenworth and Kansas. James C. Lysle married Miss Letitia S. Dickey who was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1837 and died in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1918. She and her husband are buried in Mount Muncie Cemetery at Leavenworth.
To James C. and Letitia S. (Dickey) Lysle were born the following children : May, married C. W. Chase, Leavenworth, Kansas; Carrie, mar- ried W. A. Jeffries, Leavenworth, Kansas; and E. D., the subject of this sketch.
E. D. Lysle was reared in Leavenworth and completed his education in 1890. He then entered the employ of the Kelley & Lysle Milling Com- pany of which his father was the principal owner. He served in various capacities of responsibility with this company until 1898 when he became manager and in 1909, when his father retired, he succeeded to the presi- dency of the company and still holds that position.
E. D. Lysle was united in marriage November 15, 1894 with Miss Grace Phillips and to this union has been born one son, James C., who is sales manager for the Lysle Milling Company and resides in Leavenworth. He was graduated from Yale in the class of 1916 and when the United States entered the World War he was commissioned second lieutenant in the regular army. He was a member of the Twelfth Field Artillery of the famous Second Division and participated in much of the severe fighting in which the American troops were engaged. During the course of his military career he was promoted to the rank of captain. In the opera- tions at Chateau Thierry he was wounded and gassed. At the close of the war he returned to Leavenworth and resumed his position as sales man- ager of the Lysle Milling Company. He was married February 7, 1921, to Miss Frances Fennelly of Kansas City, Missouri.
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E. D. Lysle is one of the progressive business men of Leavenworth and the Lysle family have for many years been prominent in this section of the country.
The Lysle Milling Company, of Leavenworth, Kansas, is one of the leading commercial institutions, not only of Leavenworth County but of the state. From a small beginning it has gone on in its development until the Lysle Milling Company is recognized as one of the leading manufac- turers of high-grade flour in the entire country. This business was founded in 1872 by James C. Lysle and James Dilworth who were also at that time engaged in the manufacture of furniture. This partnership ar- rangement continued until 1880 when John Kelley bought Dillworth's interest, and in 1889 Mr. Lysle bought Mr. Kelley's interest, becoming the sole owner and proprietor. In 1909, the name of the company was changed to The J. C. Lysle Milling Company.
In 1889 the original mill was destroyed by fire and at that time a mill with a capacity of 500 barrels per day was built, which was considered a large mill at that time, the old mill having had a 250 barrel daily capacity. The capacity of the mill has been gradually increased from time to time and at present the mill is capable of manufacturing 1,800 barrels of flour per day, and the mill and elevators have a storage capacity of 350,000 bushels of wheat. In addition to their Leavenworth plant, the Lysle Mill- ing Company erected a large modern flouring mill at North Kansas City in 1920. This is a concrete structure equipped with the most modern milling machinery and has a capacity of 3,000 barrels daily, and is one of the important manufacturing institutions of North Kansas City, Missouri.
The Lysle Milling Company has always been conducted on progressive lines. This mill introduced Kansas hard wheat flour on the European mar- kets and began to export flour in 1890. However, flour from the mills of Minnesota had been exported prior to that time.
The company gives employment to over one hundred people, twenty- five of whom are connected with the offices and sales department. The Lysle Milling Company has long since been recognized as one of the important factors in the making of industrial Leavenworth and stands as a monument to its principal founder, James C. Lysle.
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Harry Isaac Coldren, a well-known and successful plumber of Leaven- worth, Kansas, was born in this city June 15, 1867. He is the son of Hosea W. and Anna (Lovett) Coldren, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in Detroit, Michigan. She died in August, 1911, at the age of seventy-two years. Hosea W. Coldren was born in Delaware County, Ohio, and came to Leavenworth with his brother in 1857 and engaged in contracting and building. He built a number of residences and business houses in Leavenworth, and followed his trade until about ten years prior to his death. He died in January, 1916, aged eighty-four years. During his lifetime he was prominent in local affairs and served as councilman in Leavenworth eight years.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hosea Coldren are as follows: Byron, Hattie, the wife of O. H. Shelley ; Charles R., a carpenter; Harry, the sub- ject of this sketch, and John H., a contractor, all of Leavenworth; George, a painter of Wichita, Kansas; Jessie, the wife of Charles Watson of Iowa; Anna, at home, and Bert, a jeweler of Wichita, Kansas. All the children were reared and educated in Leavenworth. Hosea W. Coldren and his wife celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary December 25, 1908. At their funerals their six sons officiated as pall bearers.
Byron Coldren learned the trade of carpenter from his father and began working with him at the age of sixteen years, and, since his father's death, he has conducted the business. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Harry Isaac Coldren was educated in the public schools and began the plumbing business when sixteen years of age, consequently he has a thorough knowledge of every phase of the work. He first was with Lovett & Nash, one of the pioneer business firms in the city. After six years with them he entered the employ of Hombrook of Kansas City, Missouri, and remained with that firm for four years. In 1890 he opened a plumbing shop in the basement at the corner of Fourth and Delaware streets, and in 1910 he moved to 410 South Fifth Street, and has been in business ever since.
The members of the firm are Harry Isaac Coldren and sons. They are : Hosea W., Carl E. and Harry I., Jr. They have done some of the largest jobs in the city, among them the plumbing and heating for the Planters Apartment, formerly the Planters Hotel, the Cathedral, Orpheum Theater, Lyceum Theater, German Catholic School and I. O. O. F. Hall.
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On December 25, 1888, Mr. Coldren was married to Sophia Sohl, a native of Brehman, Germany, born in 1867, and they have three sons, all members of the firm with their father: H. W., who married Gertrude M. Vieth; Carl E., who married Helen Schaller, and Harry I., Jr., who mar- ried Lena M. Zeugin. They have six grandchildren: Howard, Walter, Gertrude, Russell, Helen and Harry III. Mr. and Mrs. Coldren reside at 525 Michigan avenue. Mr. Coldren is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Shriner, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Independent Order of Red Men lodges, and is a Democrat.
Dr. S. B. Langworthy, with offices in the Axa Building, is dean of general practitioners in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1858, the son of Joseph A. Langworthy. He received his early education in Fredonia, New York, and was gradu- ated from the State Normal School in 1878. After graduation he went to Cherokee County, Kansas, and taught school for one year, and the next year went to Leavenworth County and taught at Fairmont two years, and two years in the city schools of Leavenworth. He then took up the study of medicine and was a student of Dr. J. A. Lane, after which he attended the Kansas City Medical College and was graduated in 1887. He then began the practice of medicine at Leavenworth, but left shortly afterward to form a partnership with Dr. John H. Van Eman in Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained for four years. During this time he was instructor in the Kansas City Medical College until 1893, when he returned to Leavenworth, where he has since practiced with unqualified success.
Dr. S. B. Langworthy was married in September, 1878 to Mary H. Moore, of Brocton, New York, a daughter of Rensselaer and Dorcas Moore. They are the parents of four children: Dr. Joseph H., a sketch of whom appears in this book; Herman M., an attorney of Kansas City of the firm of Warner, Dean, Langworthy, Thompson and Williams, and who is a graduate of the Law Department of Columbia University, New York, with degrees Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts at State University at Lawrence, and is married to Minnie Leach, of Leavenworth; Amy E., at home, who is a teacher in the Leavenworth High School, at the head of the foreign language department; and William James, who is the book-
DR. S. B. LANGWORTHY
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keeper for the Galveston Dry Dock and Construction Company at Gal- veston, Texas. He is married, his wife being Miss Genevieve Leek, of Leavenworth.
Doctor Langworthy takes a keen interest in civic affairs, and is ever ready to lend his aid to the support of all movements of the development and improvements of affairs and conditions in Leavenworth. For the past fourteen years he has been a member of the school board, and has been its president for three years. He also served as president of the board twice previous. He has been chairman of the faculty for the Cushion Hospital Nurses Training School for eight years, and a member of the faculty for more than twenty years. Doctor Langworthy was adjunct professor of gynecology at College of Medicine at Kansas State University for several years. He has served as president of the County Medical Society for several terms.
Doctor Langworthy is a Royal Arch Mason and member of Fraternal Aid. For the past ten years he has been a trustee of the First Methodist Church of Leavenworth.
Doctor and Mrs. Langworthy have seven grandcihldren: Herman M., Jr., Dorcas, Robert Burton, William James, Jr., Joseph Howard, Jr., Wil- liam Biddle and Frances Langworthy.
Dr. Joseph Howard Langworthy, a well known physician of Leaven- worth, is a native Missourian, born in DeKalb County, Missouri, June 21, 1879. He is the son of Dr. S. B. Langworthy, a sketch of whom appears in this book.
Dr. Joseph Howard Langworthy received his education in the Leav- enworth High School, and was graduated from that institution in 1898, and in the universities of Kansas and Pennsylvania. After finishing his medical education, he was an interne one year in the Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia. He began the practice of medicine in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1908. In 1911 he joined the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States Army and went on active duty March, 1916 with the rank of lieutenant. In 1918 he was promoted to rank of captain and was made a major in 1918. During the entire time he was stationed at Fort Leav- enworth.
Doctor Langworthy was married October 17, 1917 to Mrs. Dorothy Biddle, a daughter of W. I. and Minnie Fisher Biddle. Mrs. Langworthy (20)
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is a graduate of the Leavenworth High School. Doctor and Mrs. Lang- worthy have two children: Joseph Howard, Jr., born August 12, 1918, and William Biddle, born December 14, 1919.
Doctor Langworthy is a member of the Leavenworth County Medical Society, King Solomon No. 10 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Chapter, and is a charter member of the Byron H. Mehl Post of the American Legion. He was the physician who enlisted Byron H. Mehl when he entered the army as private.
Doctor Langworthy is a very successful physician and his offices are located in the Axa Building.
Malcolm Nathaniel McNaughton, one of the leading members of the bar in Leavenworth, and one of the younger generation of the profes- sional men of this section, is a native of Leavenworth. He was born April 4, 1882, a son of S. J. and Anna A. (Eaton) McNaughton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. S. J. McNaughton is a native of New York, coming to Kansas in 1872 and settled in southern part of Leaven- worth County, and is now engaged in the practice of law at Tonganoxie. He received his education in Williams College in Massachusetts and taught school prior to 1892, when he began the practice of his profession. His wife was a native of Massachusetts, a daughter of Nathaniel H. and Mary Ann Eaton, who came to Kansas and settled in 1872. Mr. Eaton died at Wellsville, Franklin County, Kansas, in 1894, and his wife died at Tonga- noxie in 1913.
S. J. McNaughton and wife had four children: Malcolm N., the sub- ject of this sketch; Lucy McNaughton, the advertising manager of the Bunting Hardware Company of Kansas City, Missouri, Alicia and Mabel, both teachers in the Leavenworth High School. All of the children are graduates of the University of Kansas.
Malcolm Nathaniel McNaughton received his preliminary education in the common schools of Leavenworth County, Kansas, and Tonganoxie Academy, graduating from the latter in 1900. He was graduated from the State University in 1904 and from Law School in 1906. In 1908, he came to Leavenworth, where he has practiced since. Mr. McNaughton has taken an active interest in public affairs and gained many warm friends. He was appointed deputy county attorney and served from 1908 until 1913; he was assistant attorney general in 1914, and city attorney of Leaven-
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worth from 1917 to 1919. He is a member of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Knights of Pythias.
On September 24, 1910, Mr. McNaughton was married to Mary Fran- ces Dudley, a daughter of J. T. and Ida (Bronson) Dudley. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley live at 304 Vine street in Leavenworth. They are both natives of New York. In 1870 they came to Leavenworth, Kansas. J. T. Dudley conducted a book store here for several years and is now retired.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dudley were born the following children: Arthur W., deceased; Evelyn, a teacher in the Omaha High School, Omaha, Ne- braska; Annie, wife of J. W. Hirst, Chicago, Illinois; W. B., New York; Mary F., wife of M. N. McNaughton, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. McNaughton is a graduate of the Leavenworth High School and of the University of Kansas.
E. W. Snyder, the oldest bank president in the State of Kansas in years of service, having been for thirty-three years the president of the Manufacturers National Bank, has had an unusual and successful career, Mr. Snyder was born in Wayne County, New York, November 23, 1850, the son of James W. and Sarah A. (Oniell) Snyder. James Snyder was a colonel in the Federal army with the Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. He entered the service as captain and served during the entire war. He and his wife came to Kansas and settled in Washington County, Kansas, where Mrs. Snyder died. Mr. Snyder died later in Wichita, Kansas.
E. W. Snyder was educated in Wayne County, New York, and, at the age of twenty years, went to Rochester, New York, and from there to Illinois when twenty-six years of age. In 1878, he went to Washington County, Kansas, where he remained for five years and where he was engaged in the banking and grain business. While there, he organized the Snyder Brothers Bank, which later was changed to the Bank of Clifton, Kansas, and then to the First National Bank of Clifton. His brother, Chester W. Snyder, of the Topeka State Bank, is its president.
In 1883, Mr. Snyder came to Leavenworth and entered the grain busi- ness in connection with the Missouri Pacific Railroad firm of Snyder and Denton. Mr. Denton is now deceased. The firm built the Kansas Central Elevator at Leavenworth. He was in the grain business for five years, and in 1888, the Manufacturers' National Bank was organized with the following officers: James C. Lysle, now deceased, president; George H.
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Hyde, now of Wichita, Kansas, vice-president ; William B. Nickels, at pres- ent of Kansas City, Missouri, cashier. The directors were: Robert Gar- rett, J. C. Lysle, John M. Laing, Isaac Rothenburg, George H. Hyde, W. B. Nickels, and H. W. Wulfekuhler. The capital stock was $100,000.00.
The present officers are: E. W Snyder, president; Charles E. Sny- der, vice-president; C. W. Snyder, vice-president; John C. Walker, cashier ; Percival Read, assistant cashier, and Horace W. Runkle, assistant cashier. The directors at present are: A. M. Geiger, Adolph Lange, Jr., E. W. Snyder, Louis Vanderschmidt, Charles E. Snyder, W. A. Tholen, C. W. Snyder and John C. Walker. The present capital stock is $100,000; sur- plus, $100,000; deposits, $1,430,497.41. The bank owns its building at the corner of Fourth and Delaware streets. It has been remodeled and rebuilt, and is now one of the finest banks in the state. In the banking business, Mr. Snyder has evinced the same keen foresight and clear judgment that has characterized his successful career in other fields of endeavor.
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