USA > Kansas > Leavenworth County > History of Leavenworth County Kansas > Part 29
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John Milton Cory, now living near the Country Club of Lansing, Kan- sas, is one of the pioneers of Leavenworth County, and for many years was engaged in farming. He was born in Hancock, Virginia, now West Virginia, in July 10, 1861, and is the son of Jonathan Davis and Clara Elizabeth Fisher Cory, both deceased. Jonathan Cory was also born in Hancock, Virginia, but moved to Leavenworth County, Kansas in 1867, where he purchased a homestead. He died in 1872 and his wife died in 1884. During the Civil War, Jonathan Cory was a member of the Home Guard of the Federal Army, the minute men of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Cory had the following children: John Milton of this sketch;
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Lydia, the wife of C. P. Rutherford, an attorney of Leavenworth; W. A., of Kansas City, Missouri, who is in the commission business; and Bessie, deceased, who was the wife of William Weir of Kansas City, Missouri, also deceased.
John Milton Cory received his education in the common schools of Leavenworth County. He bought the home farm from the other heirs and lived there until 1910, following general farming, buying and selling of stock, trading, etc. Mr. Cory bought an additional one hundred sixty acres, making a total of three hundred twenty acres.
Mr. Cory was elected county treasurer in 1902 and reelected in 1904 on the Republican ticket. He was a capable and conscientious public officer, and performed the duties of this office to the entire satisfaction of all.
In 1910, he bought property owned by J. E. Gamble on the Fort road, just south of the Country Club, and made this place his home. He has a thoroughly modern residence and twenty-five acres of splendid land.
John Cory was married the first time to Nancy E. Cleavinger in 1889, who died in July, 1915. They had two children: Luella E., a librarian at the Illinois University, was graduated from the Kansas University in 1916, after which she took a course at Columbia University, New York, and taught two years in Leavenworth, before accepting her present posi- tion. Their other child, Homer Davis Cory was commissioned a captain and was in the officers' reserve corps, and when war was declared, he was ordered to report to Fort Riley, which he did in May, 1917. He was im- mediately detailed as finance officer at Fort Riley, which office he filled during the period of construction at Camp Funston. The expenditures of both Fort Riley and Funston went through his hands up to the time the 89th Division was assembled. In November, 1917, he was made dis- bursing officer at Fort Riley and during this time, he handled for the gov- ernment over $20,000,000.00. He was mustered out November, 1919, after about two and one half years of excellent service. He is now book- keeper for the Missouri Valley Bridge Works of Leavenworth. Prior to his induction into United States service, he had been connected with the First National and Manufacturers National Banks of Leavenworth, and after being mustered out, for a short time was assistant receiving teller for the Southwest Bank of Commerce of Kansas City, Missouri. He mar- ried Miss Eloise Catlin in 1917, and they have two children: Clara Eliza- beth and an infant son, who was born January 17, 1920.
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John Cory was married to his present wife in December, 1919. She was Helen L. Fisher, a daughter of H. O. and Elizabeth Fisher. The former lives in Leavenworth, and the latter is deceased. Mrs. Cory was educated in the public schools of this city, and for five years was a gradu- ate nurse at Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. Cory is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 32nd degree and a member of the Shrine. His son is also a member of these lodges. Mr. Cory is a prominent man of the county and has always been a public spirited citizen and a man of real worth to his com- munity.
John H. Jeffries, who was for a number of years prominently identi- fied with the affairs of Leavenworth County, and who now resides at Fif- teenth and Spruce streets, Leavenworth, was born in Hamilton County, Indiana, December 29, 1853. He is the son of Richard J. and Sarah Ann (Clayton) Jeffries, the latter now lives at Springdale, Kansas, and is eighty-seven years of age, the former died at the age of forty-four years. They were married in Indiana and came to Leavenworth County, Kansas, in 1858 and settled at Springdale, where he was a merchant for four years. He also served as justice of the peace for several terms and was one of the most widely known men of that vicinity.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Jeffries were the parents of the following children: John H., of this sketch; Anna J., the wife of Samuel Hanley of Springdale, and Addie, who died at the age of six years.
John H. Jeffries was educated in the public schools. He also helped his father in his store while attending school. After finishing his educa- tion, he was guard at the Lansing Prison for six years. He then bought the home farm where he lived until 1905, during which time he served as trustee of Alexandria Township for three terms and was township treas- urer for two terms, filling both offices most acceptably.
Mr. Jeffries has taken an active part in civic affairs and in 1905 was elected recorder of deeds on the republican ticket. He was re-elected in 1907, 1909, 1911 and 1913, serving for ten years in this position, four years longer than any other man. His lengthy term of office shows the respect in which he is held in the county. He was a very capable officer and discharged the duties of recorder in an entirely satisfactory manner.
After retiring from office, Mr. Jeffries moved to his present location
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at Sixteenth and Spruce streets, where he has nine acres of land inside the city limits, a modern residence, barn, orchard, poultry house, etc., all of the improvements being done by Mr. Jeffries. Here he raised Buff Orpington and White Leghorn chickens.
In 1876, Mr. Jeffries was married to Belle (White) Damrell, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and they have four children: William, who married Miss Marie Meyers and lives at Springdale, Kansas; Charlie, who married Emma Rhoades, and also lives at Springdale; Ernest, who married Mrs. L. Ray, and who live at Leavenworth, he being a mechanic at the car barns; and Nellie, who is a graduate of the Leavenworth High School and for six years was deputy recorder with her father, and for four years with Mr. Howard, his successor. She now is employed by E. W. Hopkins, an abstracter of Leavenworth.
Mr. Jeffries is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Felix C. Brown is the founder of Elmwood Hospital, one of the impor- tant institutions of Leavenworth, which was started in 1888. Mr. Brown was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, August 13, 1843, and is the son of Gideon L. and Matilda (Patton) Brown.
Gideon Brown came to Missouri from Tennessee in 1830 and settled in Jackson County, later moving to Platte County, Missouri, in 1837. In 1857, he came to Kansas and entered land in High Prairie Township, in Leavenworth County, but never located there. He died in 1859 at the age of fifty-nine years. His father was Felix Brown of North Carolina, of Scotch descent, and who was prominently identified with colonial history.
During the Civil War, Felix C. Brown enlisted in the Confederate Army under Governor Jackson, and soon became a member of the First Missouri Artillery, in which he remained until the close of the war. He was wounded at Newtonia, Missouri, and also at Jenkins Ferry, Arkansas, but not seriously either time. He took part in all of the battles west of Mississippi, in which his department participated except the Battle of Elk Horn. He was also a bull whacker for two years on the Oregon trail, in 1859 and 1860, and during this time went to Salt Lake City with Sidney Johnson.
In 1872, he settled in Atchison County, Kansas, but returned to Mis- souri eight years later, and in 1883 came back to Leavenworth County, Kansas, and took charge of the Maplewood Asylum, where he remained for
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one year. He then engaged in the mercantile business for four years, and in 1889 erected the present building known as the Elmwood Hospital, where he has lived since. This is a private sanitarium, which is located on twenty-five acres of ground, all inside the city limits, and all of it is farmed or used for garden. Persons of all ages are cared for here, where they find a real home and friends. Mr. Brown is admirably fitted for such work, for he makes it a study and gives the inmates much care and attention.
Mr. Brown was married February 15, 1866, to Jincy A. Blakeley, of Platte County, Missouri. They have the following children: Thomas J., of Leavenworth, Kansas, who is manager of the Hippodrome, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; Cora M., the wife of Arthur Land, of Leav- enworth; Maude, the wife of C. H. Masterson, of Leavenworth; Felix L., who is with his father and assists him in the management of the Elm- wood Hospital; Gus, superintendent of the County Hospital; Jesse, who owns a confectionery and pool hall at Twelfth and Spruce streets, in Leav- enworth; Ernest, a barber of Leavenworth, and who was in the World War, enlisting in 1917 with the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Artillery, and was stationed at Camp Funston and Camp Pike, Arkansas; and Kirby, who manages a soft drink emporium in Leavenworth.
Mr. Brown is a democrat, and was twice a candidate for alderman in Leavenworth, but defeated. He very efficiently filled the office of trustee of Walnut Township for two terms.
Mr. Brown is a member of the Past Grand of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 103.
John Wortman, a leading jeweler of Leavenworth, is proprietor of one of the best jewelry stores in this city, and is located at 510 Delaware street. Mr. Wortman was born August 1, 1893, and is the son of Henry and Caro- line Wortman. Henry Wortman was a brickmaker and located in Leav- enworth about the year 1885. He died at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife lives in Leavenworth.
John Wortman received his education in the Maplewood School, and at the early age of thirteen years, began learning the jewelry trade, receiv- ing for his work $1.50 per week. He worked for these wages for eighteen months. The wages were increased gradually until he thoroughly learned the trade. He opened his present shop at 510 Delaware, where he has a
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complete stock of jewelry, watches and clocks. He carries the "Com- munity Plate Silverware", cut glass, and repairs watches, clocks, etc. He has met with satisfactory success and has built up a large trade. He is an excellent workman, and keeps a nice, clean stock, which is artistically displayed.
Mr. Wortman was married November 11, 1913, to Agnes Snyder, of Leavenworth, a daughter of M. J. Snyder. Mr. and Mrs. Wortman have two children: Lillian and John, Jr.
Mr. Wortman is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Columbus and Security Benefit Association. He has an extensive ac- quaintance and ranks as one of the substantial and reliable business men of this city.
Charles Morehead Swan, the senior member of the firm of Swan and . Wilson, proprietors of Cedar Grove Farm, which is located on the electric line near Lansing, Kansas, was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, Janu- ary 5, 1870, the son of D. M. and Lemira M. Swan, who came to Leaven- worth immediately at the close of the Civil War. D. M. Swan was an insurance man and also was one of the ten men who organized the Water Works Company of Leavenworth, Kansas. He was superintendent of construction of this company until the plant was finished. Mr. Swan was also one of the three men who organized the telephone company of Leav- enworth.
Charles M. Swan has been a poultry man all of his life, learning the business after he finished his education, when he lived with his uncle, H. W. Barnes, in High Prairie Township. Mr. Swan is a graduate of the high school at Leavenworth and also attended the business colleges in Leavenworth and Kansas City, Missouri. He began raising poultry for himself about twenty years ago, and soon discovered the Rhode Island Red chickens to be his choice, and since has given his attention to them. He purchased his present farm of three acres in 1909, and his associate in business, J. H. Wilson, owns four and one-half acres near it. Both men own a farm of forty acres in Salt Creek Valley, on which they raise poultry also. They have 500 hens on the last named farm, as well as 500 on the farm near Lansing. J. H. Wilson became associated with Mr. Swan in the poultry business in 1915, Mr. Wilson coming here from Iowa. The two men devote their time to selling eggs, baby chickens and breeding
C. M. SWAN
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stock, the latter being their main field of endeavor. They have male chickens worth $100 each. They have five brooders, and use eight incu- bators with 2,000 capacity, also set hens. This firm has an increasing market each year, and part of each year cannot fill all orders. They ship to all parts of the United States, and exhibit poultry in all of the shows in the state, winning some of the best prizes. They have won first prizes at the Topeka State Poultry Show in 1916, the Kansas State Fair at Hutchinson in 1918, Kansas City Show in 1917, Kansas State Show at Topeka in 1919, Kansas State Show at Hutchinson in 1919 and 1920, be- sides winning prizes at many other shows in both Kansas and Missouri.
This firm has the advantage of all trains running from Leavenworth and Lansing, Kansas to Kansas City, twenty trains each day, giving them easy access to good transportation.
Mr. Swan and Mr. Wilson are liberal with the knowledge they have acquired through years of study and practical experience with chickens and they give valuable instruction to all of their patrons in regard to the care of poultry. They have a wide acquaintance with farmers and poultry breeders throughout the state.
Mr. Swan is a member of the Yeoman Lodge, and for fourteen years has been secretary of the Leavenworth County Poultry Association, the oldest association of this kind west of Chicago.
J. J. O'Donnell, Jr., is a member of the oldest firm of undertakers in this section of the state. He is a native of Leavenworth, of one of the well known pioneer families of the city, and was born March 17, 1898. He received his education in the schools of Leavenworth, and St. Benedict's school at Atchison, and was graduated from the latter in 1915.
During the World War, he enlisted in the summer of 1918 and was in service in the Infantry at Camp Grant, Illinois for nine months. Upon his return from the army he re-entered business with his father, J. J. O'Don- nell, Sr.
The O'Donnell Undertaking Company is the leading firm of its line in the city and was founded by J. P. O'Donnell, the grandfather of J. J. O'Donnell, Jr., in, 1862. He came to Leavenworth in 1857 and was in the mattress business, prior to entering the undertaking and furniture busi- ness. He died about 1895 and was succeeded by his son, J. J. O'Donnell, Sr., who is senior member of the present firm. The company is located at
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518 and 520 Shawnee, Leavenworth, and they carry a complete line of undertaking goods.
J. J. O'Donnell, Jr., is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the American Legion of Leavenworth. He is a progressive young man, and is well qualified for the business in which he is engaged.
S. C. Porter is the secretary and manager of the Porter Potter Pro- duce Company, a leading business in Leavenworth, which is located at 706-712 Delaware street.
He was born at Decatur, Iowa, October 4, 1876, and is the son of H. C. and Catherine Porter, both deceased. S. C. Porter was educated in the schools at Decatur, Iowa, and for ten years afterward was engaged in the lumber business. Prior to coming to Leavenworth in 1915, he was in Custer City, Oklahoma, for several years. He and F. M. Potter or- ganized the present company, which is doing an excellent business. The officers are F. M. Potter, president; O. J. Potter, vice-president, and S. C. Porter, as previously stated, the secretary and manager.
This company handles produce as far west as the central part of the state. They have a cold storage at Schalk Packing Company of this city. They handle poultry, eggs and hides. They have built up a satisfactory and profitable business, which was successful from the first, and are rec- ognized as one of the leading firms in their line.
S. C. Porter was married July 4, 1904, to Lulu Harmon, of Carter City, Oklahoma. They are among the best respected citizens of the city.
Mr. Porter is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a Shriner and Knight Templar.
S. C. Porter is the progressive president of the Porter Potter Oil Company, which is located at 706-712 Delaware street, Leavenworth, Kansas.
This company was organized in June, 1920, and is incorporated. The officers are as follows : S. C. Porter, president and manager; F. M. Potter, vice-president; and W. B. Woodman, secretary.
Although the firm is practically in its infancy, it does a fine business and is growing each month. They handle two grades of gaso- line, one standard grade, and one high test grade, known as Porter Potter
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high test. They have four trucks operating in Leavenworth County. The company also handles exceptionally high grade lubricating oil and greases. At present, they employ eight men, and, in addition to the plant at Leavenworth, they have pumps or depots at Lansing, Kickapoo and Boling.
S. C. Porter is a very energetic business man, and, in addition to his presidency and managership of this company, he is also secretary and manager of the Porter Potter Produce Company, which is located at the same address. Mr. Porter is winning success in both fields of endeavor, due to his good business methods. He has many friends in and around Leavenworth.
Further reference to F. M. Potter and O. J. Potter is made in con- nection with the State Savings Bank of this city.
Ross J. McClure, for twelve years on the police force, and now the popular owner of the McClure's Lunch Room at 310 South Fifth street, was born in Winchester, Kansas, February 2, 1882.
He is the son of Reuben and Amanda (Legin) McClure, the latter deceased. Reuben McClure lives at 325 Market street. He located in Leavenworth in 1898. He is a Civil War veteran- and lost a leg in a battle, just a year after enlisting.
Ross McClure was educated in the schools at Winchester, Kansas, after which he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he learned the pastry and baking business. He came to Leavenworth with his father in 1898 and worked at the Siebold bakery at Fifth and Spruce streets. In 1908, he joined the police force, and in 1909 and 1910 was captain of police. In 1911 he served as merchant police, and continued on the force until March, 1920. During all of these years he made an enviable record. He per- formed his duties conscientiously and was well liked by all with whom he came in contact.
In 1920 Mr. McClure purchased the union depot lunch cafe, which he conducted until March, 1921. Because of his popularity, he has made a success of this business from the first, and has a fine trade. He is now located in same business at 310 South Fifth street.
Ross McClure was married in 1900 to Lulu Majors, and they have one son, Lloyd, who is a graduate of the Leavenworth High School, and
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also attended the University of Kansas in the years of 1919 and 1920. He is now employed as advertising solicitor at the Leavenworth Post.
Mr. McClure is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Joseph Spaulding, well known liveryman at Number Four North Seneca street, was born in Leavenworth March 15, 1874. He is the son of Alonzo and Rozanna (Harris) Spaulding, who were married in Leaven- worth prior to the Civil War. He was in the State Militia here during the war and lived on Fifth and Olive streets. After the war, he was engaged in plastering until the time of his death in 1916. He is buried at Arkansas City, Kansas. His wife died in 1905 and is buried in Leavenworth.
Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Spaulding were the parents of the following children : Ernest, of Oakland, California ; Mrs. Harriet Clark, of Arkansas City, Kansas; Alonzo, of Kansas City, Kansas; William, of Leavenworth ; and Joseph, of this sketch. All of the children attended the public schools of Leavenworth.
Joseph Spaulding drove a hack in this city for twenty years for Wil- liam Boy, a liveryman who now lives in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Spaulding went into business for himself in 1917, opposite the Planters Hotel, and in 1920 moved to his present location. He is industrious, hon- est and well liked by his numerous friends and acquaintances. He rents livery, also runs an express wagon, and boards horses.
Mr. Spaulding tells many interesting stories of the old times when steamboats plied the Missouri River, bringing cotton, peanuts and other merchandise from the south, and in those days all the townspeople would go to the wharf to see the steamboats when they landed.
Minor H. Day is the enterprising owner of Day's Battery Service, which is located at 510 Cherokee street, Leavenworth, and was opened September 1, 1918.
Mr. Day is a native of Illinois, born in Vermillion County in 1877, and is the son of John and Delewna (Campbell) Day. The latter resides at 314 Grand avenue, in Leavenworth, and John Day died in 1893. He is buried at Fredonia, Kansas. He was a native of Ohio, and Mrs. Day
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was a native of Illinois. They were married and came to Bates County, Missouri, near Butler, in 1883, and later moved to Wilson County, Kansas, where he engaged in farming.
Minor H. Day received his education in the Wilson County, Kansas, public schools, and took a course at the Leavenworth Business College. After leaving school, he began working for the Missouri-Kansas Telephone Company, and was with this company for eighteen years, during which time he was in the engineering department in Kansas City, Missouri, and wire chief at Leavenworth.
In his present business, Mr. Day rebuilds batteries of all kinds, and also carries a line of Philadelphia Diamond Grid Batteries, the only bat- tery that is guaranteed for two years. Mr. Day handled the first storage battery that was ever in Leavenworth. This battery was used in the old telephone exchange.
Mr. Day has a growing business, and by his courteous and accom- modating manner has made many friends.
In 1910, Mr. Day was married to Anna Cox, of Kansas City, Missouri, a native of Houston, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Day have three children: Hazel Eugenia, Bessie Leona and Robert W.
Mr. Day is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
The Campbell Brothers Tire Service Shop is one of the important in- dustries of Leavenworth, located at 508 Cherokee street. The firm is composed of three brothers: R. C., Archie H. and Arthur W. Campbell, who were all in the army during the World War. The firm has another shop at McLouth, Kansas, which is managed by R. C. Campbell, the shop at Leavenworth being in charge of Archie and Arthur Campbell, and who, are doing a splendid business. They do all kinds of vulcanizing and retreading auto tires, as well as handling new tires.
Archie and Arthur Campbell are twin brothers, and were born Sep- tember 4, 1889, and are sons of Arch and Cora (Heckman) Campbell, who live at the corner of Washington street, between Quincy and Ohio streets. Arch Campbell came to Leavenworth in 1855 and prior to the Civil War was wagon master at Fort Leavenworth. For many years he was fore- man at the Great Western Store Works, and was also with the Great Western Manufacturing Company for a number of years, being with the two firms a total of thirty-nine years. He is a carpenter by trade, and
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was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife is a native of Ohio. He is now eighty-five years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Arch Campbell were the parents of the following chil- dren : Florence, deceased; Archie and Arthur; Cordelia, who is dead; Roy, of Havana, Cuba, who is with an automatic electrical company ; and Roscoe C., of McClouth, Kansas. The last named enlisted in the United States Army and was with the Rainbow Division. He was overseas for eighteen months, and has a medal from the United States Government for his valiant services. Arthur and Archie Campbell enlisted at Leavenworth with the Thirty-first Engineers, in March, 1918, and were sent to France June 1, 1918, where they were put in the railroad service, and remained overseas for fourteen months, returning to Leavenworth in July, 1919.
Archie Campbell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Both young men are hustlers and are doing well in their line of work. They live with their parents in Leavenworth.
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