USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 19
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250,000 00
Deposits
1,081,992 47
Total
$1,645,406 40
In 1859 Mr. Bonebrake was united in marriage with Martha A. Lowe, and the two survivors of their family of four children are : Frank M., who is cashier of the Merchants' National Bank; and Frederic B., who is vice-presi- dent and treasurer of the Osage City Grain & Elevator Company. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Bonebrake has been a member since youth.
Mr. Bonebrake has never lost his interest in politics, and is now, as he has been for many years past, treasurer of the Republican State Central Com-
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mittee. He has served many years as a member of this committee and much of the time as its chairman, and his advice and counsel have long been sought by party leaders. He is known to his fellow-citizens as preeminently a man of affairs, and the results he has accomplished justify the opinion. His ability has not been confined to his own affairs; in fact, Topeka owes much to his public spirit and personal endeavor. He has taken a very prominent position in inaugurating and perfecting many of the great business enter- prises which have contributed so largely to Topeka's commercial prosperity, notably the building of the water-works, of which construction company he was president and secretary, and the securing of important railroad lines to and through this point. He is vice-president of the American Bankers' Asso- ciation of Kansas.
Personally, Mr. Bonebrake is the soul of integrity. Although for many years he has held a commanding position in the business world, he is simple in his tastes and unassuming in manner. Few of his fellow-citizens know the extent of his charities, of the struggling youths he has helped, of the benevolent objects he has encouraged or of the religious enterprises he has furthered. In Parkison I. Bonebrake, the city of Topeka has a citizen of sterling worth.
WILLIS NORTON.
During the last decade, Death has many times entered the ranks of Topeka's business men, removing from the city's busy activities those who had been instrumental in promoting her prosperity, and in no case was the loss more deeply felt than in the passing of Willis Norton, late president of the Bank of North Topeka, sole proprietor of the Inter-Ocean flour mills, and an able, forceful factor in almost every circle. Willis Norton was born July 22, 1845, at London, Ohio, and died at Topeka on April 10, 1895. He was a son of Thomas R. Norton, being one of a family of II children born to his parents, six of whom still survive, namely : John F., of Topeka; Charles F., of Canton, Ohio; Mrs. Fassler, of Topeka; Mrs. Kauffman, of Columbus, Ohio; Percy; and Mrs. Burnett, of Springfield, Ohio.
Mr. Norton entered into business life upon the conclusion of his school- ing, becoming connected with the dry goods house of his uncle, John Foss, at Springfield, Ohio. In 1871 he came to Topeka, where his energies were given until his death to founding and fostering her greatest business enter- prises. In 1871 the Capital Bank, one of the early financial institutions of Topeka, was organized by Mr. Norton, John D. Knox and Mrs. E. Chris- man. At a later date, Mr. Norton became connected with the Central
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National Bank, and in 1883 he bought a half interest in the Bank of North Topeka, and continued as its president until the close of his life.
Mr. Norton was interested in many business undertakings and identified with the founding of charitable institutions and the promotion of civic im- provements. In the industrial world he is most prominently recalled as the head of the great Inter-Ocean flour mills, the largest plant in Topeka. This business was established in 1879 by Mr. Norton, Thomas Page and Messrs. Shellabarger and Griswold. In 1882 Mr. Norton became the sole owner. In this great enterprise as in every other, his ability was a recognized factor and his business integrity stood unquestioned.
Mr. Noron was twice married. His first wife, Lillian Coats, died in October, 1890, leaving one daughter,-Josephine. On December 5, 1894, Mr. Norton married Lizzie Thompson, a daughter of Thomas Thompson. Mrs. Norton with one child, survives. They occupy one of Topeka's beauti- ful homes at No. 908 Topeka avenue and move in the best circles of the city's society.
Politically, Mr. Norton was identified with the Republican party. In religious views he was a Methodist. His fraternal and social connections in Topeka were quite extensive.
ALEXANDER MCQUISTON.
ALEXANDER McQUISTON, one of the well-known residents of Mon- mouth township, Shawnee County, is also one of the old settlers, having preempted 160 acres,-the northeast quarter of section 10, township 13, range 16,-as early as 1858. He was born in Venango County, Pennsyl- vania, February 7, 1834, and is a son of David and Mary (Davidson) Mc- Quiston.
On the paternal side our subject comes from Scotch ancestry, although the family has been American for several generations, his grandfather having been born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In 1800 the grandfather worked in Cincinnati and helped to shingle some of the first houses ever built there, but his home was in Venango county. Our subject's mother was born in Pennsylvania of Irish parentage. Our subject is one of a family of II sons born to his parents, namely: John, deceased; William, deceased; James, who died in infancy; David H., deceased; Alexander; Joseph, of Pennsylvania; Davidson, deceased, who served in the Civil War; Ira, of Platte County, Ne- braska; Robert, an old soldier of the Civil War, living at Big Springs; Cyrus, of Pennsylvania; and Hiram, deceased, who served in the Civil War. Three
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of the sons of this family served in the Civil War. There have been three fatal accidents also in the family : the grandfather Davidson was killed while doing his duty as sheriff in Pennsylvania; Rev. John McQuiston was killed by the cars at Pauline, Kansas; and Hiram McQuiston was accidentally shot after safely passing through the dangers of the Civil War.
Our subject remained at home with his parents until 21 years of age and then went to Bureau County, Illinois, to join his brother John, who had settled there in the previous year. After three years of farming there, Mr. McQuiston returned to Pennsylvania on a visit. In July, 1858, he came to Shawnee County, Kansas, where he preempted his present farm in Monmouth township. He lived in a little board shanty until he put in his first crop. When everything looked promising, he returned to Illinois and was married there in July, 1859. That Mr. McQuiston's first agricultural operations were a complete failure was no fault of his, for that was the year of the great drought which is a part of the history of the settlement of the State. He was one of the hundreds of unfortunate men who saw all their efforts go for naught. The fall of 1860 found the little family in dire need and on this account Mr. McQuiston accepted the invitation of his father-in-law to re- turn to Illinois for a season.
Mr. McQuiston expected to almost immediately return to Kansas, but just then the war clouds broke over the land and as two of his wife's brothers enlisted, he remained to assist his father-in-law and did not come back to his Kansas farm for five years. This has been his home ever since and he has a valuable property. The planting of maple and cottonwood trees proved a wise measure and he now has a fine grove. He also set out orchards, apple trees alone to the number of 1,000, built a comfortable home and substantial barns and has continued to prosper. His farm is devoted to grain, fruit and stock.
Mr. McQuiston was married to Mary A. Winder, a native of Illinois, who died in Kansas after 25 years of happy wedded life. They had three children, the one survivor being Mrs. Mary Alice Lovell, of Pennsylvania, who has nine children. Mr. McQuiston's second union was to Susan A. Newman, who was born in Breckenridge County, Kentucky, October 11, 1856, and came to Kansas with her parents in 1879. She is a daughter of Jolin J. Newman. They have three children. Nora Viola, William A. and Frank H.
Politically, Mr. McQuiston is a Republican. For 14 years he has served as justice of the peace, twice being appointed by the Governor. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.
The detailed story of Mr. McQuiston's early experiences in Kansas is very interesting. It was hard work to place his farm in its present condition,
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but the results show what determination and energy will finally accomplish. Every year agricultural operations are becoming more and more the subject of scientific study and those who succeed to-day have much less to contend with than did those of even a decade ago.
HON. CASSIUS G. FOSTER.
The roster of distinguished jurists who have brought honor to the bench and bar of Kansas contains many names of deserved eminence, and among the great leaders in the legal profession was the late Judge Cassius G. Foster. Judge Foster was born at Webster, Monroe County, New York, January 22, 1837, and died at his beautiful home in Topeka, on June 21, 1899. He was a son of Rufus W. and Prudence (Stewart) Foster, members of families whose ancestral lines reach back to colonial days.
Cassius G. Foster's early education was obtained in the common and high schools of his native place, and that he was fitted for the law, in Michi- gan, was something of an accident. He had become a member of the family of a maternal uncle, who lived near Adrian, Michigan; after a short time spent in the Adrian Academy, he became a law student in the office of Hon. Fernando C. Bowman, of that city. One year later he went to Rochester, New York, continuing his law studies, which he later completed with Bartaw & Olmstead, at Leroy, New York, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1859. In June of the same year, he removed to Kansas, selecting the healthy little town of Atchison as the scene of his first legal struggles. There he formed a partnership with S. H. Glenn and the firm soon became one of importance, handling cases of all kinds with the skill and ability which brought in a large income for the young firm and much prominence for its members.
Judge Foster possessed too ardent a temperament and too much force of character to stand aside during those stormy days in the political field, and his influence was soon felt. During the Civil War he served with the rank of colonel on the staff of Governor Carney until, in 1862, he was elected by the Republican party to the State Senate. Upon the close of his term, he resumed his law practice and in 1867 he was called to fill the posi- tion of mayor of Atchison, then a city of largely increased importance. In March, 1874, he was honored further by appointment as United States dis- trict judge, an office he filled with the greatest efficiency until his retirement on January 6, 1899, by special act of Congress.
Judge Foster sat upon the bench for a quarter of a century and during this long period of judicial life proved himself to be one of the ablest men
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that has ever administered justice in the State of Kansas. His opinions showed him to be learned, fearless and impartial. Personally, he was a man of deep sympathies and wide interests, an appreciative supporter of educa- tional, scientific and moral movements. The Topeka Foster Humane Society is the outcome of his efforts in one direction, and this benevolence, like many others, was supported mainly through his liberality.
On September 12, 1878, Judge Foster was married to Angie V. Luding- ton, who was a daughter of R. W. Ludington, a prominent citizen of Lawrence, Kansas. Mrs. Foster still survives, with two daughters, Beatrice and Lillian; they reside in a beautiful residence on the corner of 11th and Harrison streets, and move in the best society of Topeka. During the later years of Judge Foster's life, the family traveled in many lands, in a vain search for health for the beloved husband and father. Although perfect re- covery from his malady was not granted, his days were prolonged. He was permitted to pass away surrounded by his family and friends and in the city where he had gained so many legal triumphs.
ERNEST B. CONANT.
ERNEST B. CONANT, one of the prominent members of the bar of Shaw- nee County, Kansas, who has been a resident of Topeka only since August, 1903, but whose connection with Washburn College has made him many friends among the citizens, was born at Enfield, New Hampshire, and is a son of Washington I. and Anna F. (Skinner) Conant.
The parents of Mr. Conant were both of New England birth and educa- tion, the father being a native of New Hampshire and the mother, of Ver- mont. Enfield is one of the important mill towns of Grafton County, the center of a large manufacturing district, and the father of Mr. Conant was superintendent of one of the great woolen mills there. In 1886 he retired from active life and his death took place in 1902, at Boston, Massachusetts, but his burial was at Enfield.
Ernest B. Conant completed the common-school course in his native State and in September, 1887, he entered Phillips Academy at Exeter, New Hampshire, where he remained four years, completing the course in June, 1891. He then entered Harvard University, where he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of A. B. In the same year he entered the Harvard Law School where he was graduated in law in 1898 and in September of the same year was admitted to the Massachusetts bar.
Mr. Conant entered into the practice of his profession at Boston, where
FOSTER DWIGHT COBURN
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he remained until the end of 1902, when he moved to Chicago, having been appointed one of the professors in the Illinois College of Law. In May of the same year he was elected dean of the law department of Washburn College, and came to Topeka the following August. Since taking up his residence here, he has been engaged in general practice, having become a member of the Shawnee County bar in October, 1904.
FOSTER DWIGHT COBURN.
FOSTER DWIGHT COBURN, whose prolific pen devoted to the agricultural interests of Kansas, as well as his distinguished public services in connection with the State Board of Agriculture and the State Agricultural College, have made him known all over the land, is a native of Wisconsin but Kansas has claimed him since 1867. Mr. Coburn was born in Jefferson County, Wis- consin, May 7, 1846, and remained there on the parental farm until 13 years old and then lived three years at Hannibal, Missouri.
Mr. Coburn is a graduate of no college or university, his school train- ing having been confined to what he could secure in the common schools of his native county. When but a youth of 18 years he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering as a private Company F, 135th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., at Greenville, Illinois. After the close of his first term of service, he reenlisted in the 62nd Regiment, Illinois Vet. Vol. Inf., and served until March, 1866, when he was mustered out. with the rank of sergeant major, at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory.
After the close of the war, Mr. Coburn came to Kansas, more interested in agriculture than anything else, being led to this section on account of the location here of his former superior officer, Col. L. C. True. Colonel True owned a ranch in Franklin County and he engaged Mr. Coburn's services and gave him an oportunity to prove his ability. He soon became so inter- ested in the various branches of his work that he consented to discuss various topics at the farmers' meetings and to contribute articles for the local press upon what he considered important subjects, that by 1880 he had attracted enough attention to be offered a position in the office of the State Board of Agriculture. In the following year he was unanimously elected its secretary. After serv- ing for a short period. he located at Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kansas, where he took editorial charge of the Kansas City (Missouri) Live-Stock Indicator, a journal he conducted successfully for nearly six years, increasing in this time his popularity as an agricultural authority to such a degree that in 1882 he was appointed by Governor George W. Glick, a regent of the State
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Agricultural College, and made president of the board. Upon the expiration of his term he was reappointed, and reelected president. In 1894 he again became secretary of the State Board of Agriculture and was reelected on five excessive occasions by acclamation. When Governor William E. Stan- ley became chief executive of the State, he appointed Mr. Coburn a regent of the State Agricultural College, and he was elected vice-president of the board.
Mr. Coburn has contributed vastly to the agricultural history of Kan- sas and his books on general agricultural subjects form of themselves a library, which covers many of the most important subjects. Among these works may be mentioned as leading ones: "Swine Husbandry," "Alfalfa Growing." "The Helpful Hen," "Cow Culture," "The Modern Sheep." "The Horse Useful," "Corn and the Sorghums," "Forage and Fodders," "Short- horn Cattle," "Hereford Cattle," "Polled Cattle," "Pork Production," "Kan- sas Wheat Growing," 'Modern Dairying" and "Potato Production," all of these, as will be noted, on such practical subjects as to make them valuable as text-books.
Mr. Coburn was married in 1869 to Lou Jenkines, and they have three children, all of whom are graduates of the State Agricultural College.
Mr. Coburn has always been a consistent Republican and on more than one occasion has been urged to accept political offices of the highest character. In 1898 he was brought forward as his party's candidate for Governor but absolutely declined the honor. He has also been tentatively proffered the presidency of the Agricultural College, but, while appreciating the confidence of his fellow-citizens, has declined to serve. Mr. Coburn's portrait accom- panies this sketch.
REV. FRANK E. MALLORY.
REV. FRANK E. MALLORY, pastor of the Christian (Disciples) Church Topeka, Kansas, was born at Franklin, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1865, and is a son of Russell and Elizabeth ( Shearer) Mallory.
The Mallory family came from Pennsylvania to Jewell County, Kansas, about 1879, settling on a tract of 160 acres where the father carried on gen- eral farming for some years. He now resides at Jewell City where his wife died May 8, 1898. The family consisted of 10 children, the survivors being : Jennie, wife of A. J. Wise, of Pennsylvania; David C., of Atchison, Kansas; James M., a farmer of Jamestown, Kansas; Elmira, of Jewell City; Frank E., of this sketch; George W., of Jewell City; Clayton, of Mankato, Kansas; and John C., of Concordia, Kansas.
Our subject accompanied the family to Kansas and lived in Jewell
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County until 1883, when he graduated from the High School. In 1893 he came to Topeka. For one year he served as general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Atchison. In September, 1893, the Christian (Disciples) Church was organized at Topeka, with a membership of 429, and on October Ist Mr. Mallory was invited to become its first pastor. He has continued in this relation to the present time and the encouraging condition in which this little body of earnest men and women find themselves is mainly due to his untiring energy and faithful stewardship. In 1894 the church edifice, which is situated at Third and Lake streets, was erected to seat 1,000 persons, and it is almost entirely paid for. In connection with the Christian (Disciples) Church is a Sunday-school of 300 members, the Ladies' Auxiliary to the C. W. B. M. and the Ladies' Aid Society, all these organi- zations being in a flourishing condition.
On August 12, 1884, Rev. Mr. Mallory was married to Mary Glad- felter, of Nortonville, Kansas, who is a daughter of Wesley and Henrietta (Berry) Gladfelter, who are engaged in farming.
Rev. Mr. Mallory has been a member of the Topeka Board of Educa- tion for six years and has been its president for the past three years. He has always been identified with educational and religious progress here. His fraternal relations are with Topeka Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., and Sun- flower Camp, No. 536, Modern Woodmen of America.
EDWARD HENRY MOESER.
In the course of human events, the older citizens of a community pass off the threshold of life to give place to the new generation pressing on behind, and thus the time comes when the pioneers, those who have borne the heat and labor of the day that others may enjoy the shade and ease, are represented only by memories. In the death of E. H. Moeser, Topeka lost a pioneer, an honorable man and a valued citizen.
Edward Henry Moeser was born April 6, 1849, at Giessen, Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany. He came of good, sturdy German stock, his father being a farmer by occupation and a respected, industrious man. In 1857 our subject emigrated to America with his mother and located in Chicago. In 1862 he came to Kansas, settling first at Leavenworth; one year later he took up his residence at Topeka, which city continued to be his home and the scene of his business success. Shortly after settling at Topeka, with his brother Philip he became interested in the operation of an ice and cold storage business which he developed into the large concern at Nos. 200 to
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218 Polk street, known as the Moeser Ice & Cold Storage Company. Although Mr. Moeser was not officer of the company at the time of his death, he was one of its founders and to his early business enterprise and fostering care its expansion to its present proportions may be mainly attrib- uted. During his active business years his integrity and ability brought him many friends who entertained a life-long respect for him and confidence in his judgment.
Mr. Moeser was married at Topeka, July 4, 1871, to Ida Bohne, who still survives, with four children: Etta E .; George E., a well-known engi- neer; Clara I. and Irma R. The three daughters reside with their mother in their handsome home at No. 208 Tyler street. This attractive residence was erection in 1901 under the supervision of Mr. Moeser. To daily watch the completion of this new home was a task he enjoyed, although he was con- scious that he could scarcely survive to long enjoy its comforts.
The death of Mr. Moeser, which occurred on Thursday evening, March 2, 1905, was not altogether unexpected, as he had been a sufferer from Bright's disease for some five months. His remains rest in the Topeka Cemetery.
Mr. Moeser was connected with a number of the early civic organiza- tions and was a member of the first city fire company. He was a just man in all his dealings and gave to charitable objects that he deemed worthy of support. With his family, he attended the Lutheran Church.
EUGENE HAGAN.
EUGENE HAGAN, a prominent figure in almost all the legal controver- sies, in the past decade, at Topeka, gaining eminence at the bar while yet in middle life, and rich in personal gifts and scholarly attainments, belongs to the State's long list of leading men. Mr. Hagan was born July 8, 1859, in Monroe County, Missouri, and is a son of Joseph and Mary Hagan, and a descendant of Revolutionary stock.
Mr. Hagan spent the period between the age of 14 and 18 years at school in St. Mary's, Kansas, and then went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was graduated from the academic and law departments of the State University of Kentucky. After a short season of practice at Chicago, Mr. Hagan turned to the West for a less crowded field, coming in 1880 to Topeka, where he became associated with the old law firm of Peck, Ryan & Johnson. At a later date Mr. Peck became general attorney for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, and a new firm was formed, Johnson & Hagan, which
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continued for three years. He has since practiced alone. He has been retained in many notable cases, has assisted in forming the policies of many great concerns and the State records are filled with his successes. It was Mr. Hagan who brought the action in the Supreme Court which was known as the Gunn case, which resulted in the settlement of the legislative struggle of 1893. Another notable instance was when he was attorney for Mrs. Mary E. Lease and gained a victory over the opposing counsel and over Ex-Governor Lewelling. While every phase of law is familiar to him, he takes a particularly active interest in criminal cases and has won a justifiable reputation in this branch of practice. Mr. Hagan is noted for his faithful adherence to his clients and has the manner which immediately inspires confidence. Gifted with a retentive memory and quickness of perception, a complete comprehension of every legal point and avenue, he is an antagonist to be feared and an advocate to be depended upon.
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