History of Leavenworth County Kansas, Part 50

Author: Hall, Jesse A; Hand, LeRoy T
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 684


USA > Kansas > Leavenworth County > History of Leavenworth County Kansas > Part 50


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).


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The year before the two world's fairs on the Pacific coast Mr. Hovey took up publicity work with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. At San Francisco, while engaged in news work, he met Albert T. Reid, president of the Kansas Panama-Pacific Exposition committee, and ac- quired considerable stock in The Leavenworth Post of which he became editor and manager in July, 1915. Since that time he has had but one aim-to make The Post one of the best daily newspapers in Kansas. From a money losing daily, The Post has become a valuable property.


"If I ever make any money as manager and editor of The Post, Leaven- worth will be the beneficiary," said Mr. Hovey to the historian. "All that I can accumulate in the way of filthy lucre will go to the benefit of Leav- enworth," is the statement that Mr. Hovey made. Having no children, this newspaperman expects to leave whatever he may possess to Leaven- worth charitable institutions.


Wallace F. Hovey was married at Hiawatha, Kansas, September 19, 1910, to Miss Carrie M. Steele, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Steele. Mrs. Hovey was born at Rulo, Nebraska, and at the time of her marriage was society editor of the Hiawatha Daily World.


Wallace F. Hovey was born with enough "pep" for two, or if not he has since acquired this amount. He finds time while at his editorial desk to look after the details of his paper from every angle, and when his best reporters are out on a hot scent for news they often find the editor has beat them to it. He is-loyal to friends, honorable and just to employees and in the conduct of his paper is unafraid .- Written by Ed Blair.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


T. C. Pulley, who owns and operates the Pulley Dairy Farm, one of the most successful and best dairy farms in the county, is a native of the Kansas, and was born at Leavenworth, February 11, 1893, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Sandwritter) Pulley, the latter being deceased. His father, Charles Pulley, is a native of England, and is now superintend- ent of construction at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.


Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pulley were the parents of the following chil- dren: T. C., the subject of this sketch; Miss Anna Pulley, and Mrs. Charles E. Prentiss.


T. C. Pulley received his educational advantages in Leavenworth, and then worked for his father for two years. For five years he was with the Army National Bank of Leavenworth, and with the National Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Missouri, for two years. He was then engaged in farming for two years in Delaware Township, after which he moved to his present farm, which is situated one-half mile south of Lansing and con- sists of 160 acres. He also owns forty acres of land in Delaware Township. The place where he lives is well watered, having three splendid springs and two wells. He also has water system which supplies his house and barns.


Mr. Pulley has fifty head of Holstein cattle, and twenty-eight milk cows. All of the Holsteins are registered. "King Komdyke A. K. K. Krum- mer Ormsby" is head of the herd. Mr. Pulley also raises registered Hamp- shire and Poland China hogs. He has an up-to-date farm and has made a success of his dairying and stock raising.


In 1916, Mr. Pulley was married to Anna Mary Spears of Platte City, Missouri, and they have one son, T. C., Jr.


Mr. Pulley is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Modern Woodmen of America, and of the County, State and National Farm Bureau. He is also a member of the Holstein Freirson County, State and National Association.


Oliver F. New is a substantial farmer of High Prairie Township, and was born in McPherson County, Kansas, in November, 1886. He is the son of Frank and Carrie (Scheurer) New. Frank New died April 5, 1917. He was a native of Illinois and an early settler of McPherson County, Kan- sas, where he followed farming, and was also a teamster. His wife is now living in Leavenworth, Kansas.


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Oliver F. New received his education in modern public schools and took a correspondence course in modern farming. He has been engaged in farming for the past five years, and prior to that worked for the Leav- enworth Stove Company. He bought his farm of 117 acres from Frank Sommers. He has a good residence, two barns, chicken house, garage, crib, etc. The farm is also well watered. Mr. New is a good manager and knows the farming business well. He also does some dairying, hav- ing a herd of ten dairy cows and a registered Holstein bull.


June 1, 1910, Mr. New was married to Carrie Saunders of Leaven- worth, a daughter of Frank and Ida Bell (Edgell) Saunders of Law- rence, the former being a native of Douglas County, and was born, Decem- ber 9, 1856. Mrs. Saunders is a native of Kickapoo Township and was born in 1864. The home farm of Frank Saunders was at Sibley station on the Santa Fe Railway, and H. F. Saunders, his father sold the land for the station site. H. F. Saunders moved there in 1854 from Boston, Mass- achusetts.


Mr. and Mrs. New have four children: Richard, Mildred, Viola and Jack.


Mr. New is a member of the Yeoman Lodge and the Grange at Boling, Kansas.


Captain Nicholas New, the grandfather of Oliver New, died at the age of ninety-two years at McPherson, Kansas. He came from Illinois, and was a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War.


B. C. Chambers, a successful grocer of Leavenworth, with store at 813 Cherokee Street, was born November 24, 1889. He is the son of W. A. and Jennie (Jackson) Chambers of Leavenworth. Mr. Chambers is with the Abernathy Furniture Company. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were reared in Leavenworth County.


B. C. Chambers was educated in the public schools of Leavenworth, and for the past twelve years has been in the grocery business. He first worked for Louis Beauthin, and then with other firms until January, 1919, when he bought the grocery of Heine Blockberger of Leavenworth. Mr. Chambers owns the building, also a two story brick, and has a complete stock of groceries and meats. Mr. Chambers is thrifty. He began saving his wages when he first started to work, and the prosperous business he owns is the result of hard work and close application to business. He has a fine trade and in a splendid locality.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


In 1913, Mr. Chambers was married to Dorothy Benner, of Leaven- worth, a daughter of F. G. Benner and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers have two children, Samuel and Chad.


Robert S. Connelly, the widely known and successful horse and mule buyer and shipper, has a well established business which extends to the adjoining states and includes Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri.


Robert Connelly was born at Easton, Kansas, August 30, 1878, the son of James and Elizabeth (Clinkinbeard) Connelly. They were early settlers of Easton Township, owning a farm six and one-half miles from Easton. They moved to Fresno, California, in 1903 and are still living at that place. They are the parents of six children, as follows: Edna, now Mrs. Adams, Fresno, California; Robert S., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Eva Genter; Mrs. Della Brown; Mrs. Lulu Shannon and Mrs. May Miller, all of Fresno, California.


Robert Connelly attended the district schools of Easton Township, and remained with his parents working on the farm. He had always been interested in the buying and selling of mules and horses since young man- hood. For sixteen years he has had a barn established at Easton, Kansas, and since January, 1920, he has made Leavenworth his headquarters. During the World War, Mr. Connelly bought many mules for the govern- ment. At times he has had 125 head of horses and mules on hand.


The marriage of Robert Connelly and Mary Stevenson was solemnized December 24, 1899. She is a daughter of James and Iva Stevenson, of Kearney, Missouri. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Con- nelly, as follows: J. T., Iva, Anna, at home, and Millie, who died at the age of five years.


Robert Connelly is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security. Through his business interests he has won many friends and acquaint- ances in adjoining states.


Charles E. Keating is the energetic proprietor of the Keating Supply Company, 601-603 Cherokee Street, Leavenworth, Kansas. He is a native of Leavenworth, born November 30, 1891, and is the son of Thomas and Florence (Webber) Keating, both natives of Pennsylvania. Thomas Keat- ing is a pioneer railroad man, and has the distinction of having run the


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


first engine out of Leavenworth on the L. K. & W. Railway. He is still an engineer on the same road, and is now sixty-two years of age.


Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Keating have had six children: John of Kansas City, Kansas, who is a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad; Winifred, the wife of C. W. Floburg, and who resides at Marysville, Kansas ; Charles E., the subject of this sketch; James A., who is traveling in the show business ; Mamie, a stenographer in the Quartermaster Department at Ft. Leavenworth; and Thomas, who is with his brother Charles Keating in the Supply Company. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Keating reside at Fourth and Market Streets.


Charles E. Keating received his education in the common and high schools of Pottowatomie, Kansas, and was graduated in 1900. He then worked for the gas company in Leavenworth for four years, and was with the Evans Garage Company for six years. He opened his present busi- ness in 1917, and has a fine patronage. This was the first battery and service station in Leavenworth. Since its establishment, it has been enlarged on account of the extensive repair business. Mr. Keating also carries a line of accessories. He employs from four to six men. Mr. Keat- ing is one of the progressive and enterprising young men of Leavenworth, and has earned for himself a leading place in Leavenworth and Leaven- worth County.


Mr. Keating was married to Mabel Aaron, a daughter of Michael and Nettie Aaron of Lansing, Kansas, pioneers of that city.


Mr. Keating is a member of the Knights of Columbus.


Thomas Morris, proprietor of the Radiator and Fender Repair Shop located at 112 North Fifth Street, Leavenworth, Kansas, is an industrious young man and is successfully conducting one of the thriving business concerns of the city. Thomas Morris is the son of J. L. and Emma (Kirk- man) Morris, of Sedalia, Missouri. They are both natives of St. Charles County, Missouri. J. L. and Emma (Kirkman) Morris are the parents of five children, as follows: Earl, Sedalia, Missouri; Mrs. Alza Conkle, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Nellie M. Bailey, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Elmer Earls, Kansas City, Missouri; Benjamin, Sedalia, Missouri, and Thomas, the subject of this sketch.


Thomas Morris was born October 21, 1899 in St. Charles County, Missouri, and attended the public schools of Sedalia, Missouri. He was


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


employed by the McCord Radiator Company, of Detroit, Michigan for three and one-half years, and during that time learned the repairing of radiators. He was foreman of the shop of the McCord Radiator Company and was considered one of the best workmen in the employ of that company.


In December, 1920, Thomas Morris opened his shop at 112 North Fifth Street, specializing in radiator and fender repair work. He has an acetylene welding outfit which enables him to repair sheet metal tanks and etc., and he is building up an excellent trade. Mr. Morris is one of the progressive and enterprising young men of Leavenworth.


The Hinz Brothers and Company, florists, located on Fourteenth and Vilas streets, Leavenworth, Kansas, has one of the finest and most mod- ernly equipped greenhouses of this section of the country. This green- house, owned by R. O. and E. H. Hinz and W. A. Kuhnhoff since 1919, was originally owned and operated by R. C. Hinz. R. C. Hinz started this business many years ago and won a reputation far beyond the con- fines of Leavenworth. When the firm of Hinz Brothers and Company purchased this greenhouse it was a growing business. Since their acquisi- tion they have improved it, remodeling and using more modern methods. The plant has 32,000 feet of glass, under which fifty different varieties of plants are grown. They have 125,000 plants in two inch and five inch pots and 300,000 carnations growing.


In 1917, when the entire plant was remodeled, 3,000 feet of two-inch pipe, privately owned, was piped from the city reservoir to the plant. There are from five to seven men employed the year around to handle the business. July, August and September are the dullest months of the year. This firm wholesales much of their output of flowers, having a good market at Kansas City, Missouri.


R. O. Hinz, the manager of this firm, worked in Chicago, Illinois and on the Pacific coast prior to coming here. He learned the business thor- oughly and practically has done nothing else all of his life.


R. O. Hinz married Nellie Knife, of Leavenworth. She is the daugh- ter of Herbert Knife. To Mr. and Mrs. Hinz have been born one child, Herbert.


Mr. Hinz is a member of the Masonic Lodge and of the Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


W. A. Kuhnhoff, of the firm Hinz Brothers and Company, was born in Doniphan County, Kansas, August 31, 1864, the son of Charles and Caroline Kuhnhoff, both deceased. They were early settlers of Doniphan County, locating there in 1859. During the Civil War Charles Kuhnhoff was a soldier in Company B, Thirteenth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry.


W. A. Kuhnhoff attended the public schools of Atchison County, Kan- sas, and followed farming for many years. Thirteen years ago he was employed by R. C. Hinz and became a member of the firm, Hinz Brothers and Company, when they organized in 1917.


In 1894 W. A. Kuhnhoff was married to Otellia Hinz, of Atchison County, Kansas. They have two children, Caroline, wife of Charles Seifert, Leavenworth; and George H., who married Marie Seifert and lives in High Prairie Township.


The firm of Hinz Brothers and Company is a growing one and their trade extends into new territory each year. It keeps abreast of the times and will enlarge its plant very soon. The members of the firm are sub- stantial citizens of Leavenworth and worthy of the success coming to them.


Francis A. Byrne, the efficient manager of Sunset Hill Gardens, of Leavenworth, Kansas, with main office at Kansas City, Missouri, was born in Inverness, Scotland, January 5, 1866, the son of Francis A. and Mary (Cameron) Byrne, who came to America in 1870 and located in New York. Both died in New York and are buried there.


Francis Byrne received his education in the night schools of New York, studying Latin, Botany and Greek. He commenced working when ten years of age at Jersey City, New Jersey, learning the florist business and remained there four years. He then entered the botanical service of the United States Government, for more than eight years traveled over Europe, Asia and Africa, North and South America in search of flowers of the different countries. He was then employed as foreman for John H. Small and Company, of Washington, District of Columbia, after which he established a floral business for himself at Sewickly, Pennsylvania. He sold out this plant after a short time and went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was manager for the Johnson Floral Company, coming from there to Leavenworth to accept his present position. Mr. Byrne is


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


thus thoroughly versed in flowers and plants, having had such a wide experience, and having given the different varieties so much thought and study.


The Sunset Hill Gardens at Leavenworth have 32,000 feet of glass and 12,000 in Kansas City, Missouri. They have 200 different specimens of peonies, seventy-five varieties of green house plants grown in water, more than 400 in all. This company ships flowers and plants to Kansas City, Missouri, and also furnishes the Knipe Floral Company of this city with flowers. They have an excellent business, which is well and capably conducted by Mr. Byrne.


In 1888 Mr. Byrne was married to Martha Atterbury, of St. Clair County, Missouri. They have the following children: Horace, who lives at home, married Mollie Rouse, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Flora, the wife of James H. Martin, of Huntsville, Alabama; Mabel, the wife of C. H. Johnson, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Miss Charlotte Byrne, who lives at home with her parents.


Mr. Byrne is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is a life member of the Masonic Lodge and a lecturer on Masonry and perhaps has visited more lodges of foreign countries than any one in the country. He has also given two lectures. in Leavenworth, and his talks indicate that he is as well versed in Masonry as he is in flowers.


Henry C. Knipe, a well known florist of 114 South Fifth Street, is owner and manager of one of the important enterprises of this city. He is a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, born September 5, 1876, the son of Hubert and Sybilla (Hensler) Knipe.


Hubert Knipe was a native of Coblenz, Prussia, and was born in 1845 and came to America with his people in 1854, settling in 1855 in western Missouri. He came to Leavenworth in 1856 and engaged in the grocery business, having a store at Sixth and Miami streets. In 1871 Hubert Knipe was married to Sybilla Hensler, who was a native of Baden, . Germany, born in 1847 and who came to America in 1857. During the Civil War Mr. Knipe did active service in Company B of the Eighth Kan- sas Volunteer Regiment, being with this company from 1861 until 1864, when he was discharged for disability, for which he received a pension. Prior to entering the grocery business in 1870, he was a clerk for a num-


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


ber of years. He was prominently identified with the Republican party and was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He died July 31, 1907 and his wife died in December of the same year. Both are buried at Mt. Muncie Cemetery.


Henry C. Knipe grew to manhood in this city and was educated in the schools here. In 1901 he bought the McNally Transfer Company and followed this business until March, 1916 when he sold out to his brother, Benjamin H. Knipe. While still engaged in the transfer business, he opened the Sunnyside Greenhouses at Twelfth and Vilas streets, in 1909. In October, 1920, he sold out his interests; he discontinued his interests in the transfer company and devoted his entire time to the Sunnyside Floral Company and does an extensive business in flowers and plants. He is one of the progressive men of Leavenworth and has a wide acquaintance in the city.


Mr. Knipe has given attention to public affairs of Leavenworth and filled the office of city commissioner at the time the commission form of government was put into effect. He finished the unexpired term of one year under Ed Crancer, who was mayor, and was re-elected and served two additional years under O. M. Abernathy.


June 2, 1902, Mr. Knipe was married to Mrs. Frances Gabriel, of Leavenworth, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Gabriel, of this city. Mrs. Knipe was also educated in the schools here. Mr. and Mrs. Knipe have one son, Henry, Jr., who is a student in the Leavenworth High School.


Mr. Knipe holds membership in the following lodges: Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also the United Commercial Travelers. The family reside at 1320 South Broadway.


Louis Smith Weingarth, a substantial citizen of Leavenworth, Kan- sas, is a native of this city and was born June 24, 1872, the son of Louis and Mary (Caldwell) Weingarth. The father is deceased, and the mother lives at 618 Ottawa Street, Leavenworth. Louis Weingarth, Sr., came to Fort Leavenworth in 1868, when a boy, from Newark, New Jersey, and began working for the government as storekeeper at Fort Leavenworth, when eighteen years of age, and held this position continuously for thirty years, or until the time of his death in 1898. He is buried at Mt. Muncie Cemetery.


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


Mr. and Mrs. Louis Weingarth were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Leo Phillips, of Kansas City, Missouri; Louis, of this sketch ; Mrs. Madge Wyatt, the widow of Robert Wyatt, and who lives at home; Frederick, who died at the age of thirty-six years, and who, during his lifetime, was steward at the Officers' Club at Fort Leavenworth; and Mrs. Anna Alexander, deceased.


Louis Smith Weingarth was educated in the schools at Fort Leaven- worth and city of Leavenworth. After finishing his education he worked for E. P. Marquis, a grocer, then for Ollois Kermaye, then at the Officers' Club at Fort Leavenworth. In November, 1903, he began working for the M. A. Kelly Broom Company as bookkeeper and has filled this position very acceptably ever since. The Weingarths are especially noted for sticking to their positions, and adhering closely to business.


Louis Smith Weingarth was married April 4, 1894, to Julia Fourcade, of Leavenworth, a daughter of Isadore and Rosalie Fourcade. Her father was chef at the National Hotel for many years, and her mother is now living at Sacramento, California. Mr. and Mrs. Weingarth have one daughter, Marguerite, the wife of Beverly Hallaux, and they live at Ot- tawa, Kansas.


Mr. Weingarth has membership in the following lodges: Modern Woodmen of America, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Antlers, and F. A. U. He is now president of the F. A. U. and of the Antlers and a trustee of the Modern Woodmen of America.


Mr. and Mrs. Weingarth reside at 211 Ottawa Street.


H. A. Lohman, a prominent farmer in High Prairie Township, and proprietor of Elm Slope Farm, one of the best farms in this township, is a native of Indiana and was born January 1, 1868, the son of August and Phoebe (Gropengiszer) Lohman. The latter now lives in Eastern Town- ship and is seventy-six years of age. August Lohman died January 26, 1911 and is buried at Potter, Kansas. While living in Indiana he was a member of the Home Guard of Switzerland County. He and his wife came to Leavenworth County in 1869 and settled on a farm of 414 acres near Potter, where H. A. Lohman spent his boyhood days and grew to manhood.


Mr. and Mrs. August Lohman were the parents of the following children: John, who lives on the home place; Henry A., of this sketch;


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HISTORY OF LEAVENWORTH COUNTY


Fred, of Potter, Kansas; Mrs. Emma Holtmeier, of Easton, Kansas ; Mrs. Mary Gore, of Leavenworth, Kansas; Mrs. Clara Toetter, of Leavenworth, Kansas; Mrs. Ida Nieman, of Leavenworth, Kansas; August, of Potter, Kansas; Mrs. Minnie Meinert, of Leavenworth, Kansas.


H. A. Lohman was educated in the schools of the district and farmed the home place before coming to High Prairie Township. He bought his present home in 1901, purchasing eighty acres. He later added eighty additional acres, which was formerly the John Murray farm. He now owns 160 acres one and one-half miles north of Boling. This place is well improved with a good seven room two story house with good barn and hog shed and garage.


Mr. Lohman is particularly interested in raising cattle and hogs and has twenty head of cattle and fifty or more of hogs. He is successful, a good manager and industrious.


March 29, 1894, Mr. Lohman was married to Lizzie Werner, of Leavenworth, a daughter of John and Annie Marie (Ehart) Werner; the former died in 1905 and is buried at Leavenworth and the latter died in 1920 and is buried at Mt. Muncie.


Mr. and Mrs. Lohman have five children: Albert and Lydia, who live at home; Lillie, the wife of Herman Griesel, of Fairmount, Kansas; An- drew, who lives at home and attends school at Central No. 9 District; and Anna, who lives at home. Albert Lohman was in the United States Army just for one day, armistice day, November 11, 1918.


H. A. Lohman is a member of the Grange at Boling.


Samuel Opliger, enterprising merchant of Jarbalo, also vice-president of the Jarbalo State Bank, was born near Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio, in 1870, the son of Christian and Mary Opliger, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.


Samuel Opliger was educated in the schools of Holmes County and came to Kansas in 1893 with his parents and worked on farms in this vicinity by the month. He bought a farm in High Prairie Township, which he traded for a bottom farm in Stranger Township, and sold this farm in 1920.


In 1913 Mr. Opliger came to Jarbalo and established a general mer- cantile business. He carries a line of dry goods, shoes and groceries and does an excellent business. His building is 24 by 50 feet with basement,


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and up-to-date throughout. Mr. Opliger has met with unqualified success, has a splendid trade and a good store. He built a new modern residence in 1920 adjoining the store building. His residence consists of six rooms and bath and is equipped with electric lights and water system, which pumps by an engine and automatic cut off.




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