USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 31
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
married Josephine McCracken and they have three children: John B., Jr., Eleanor and Dorothy. Politically, Major Sims is a Republican. For 40 years he has been an Odd Fellow.
WALTER L. BATES.
WALTER L. BATES, a well-known, representative citizen of Topeka, who is known all over the State as the successful breeder of White Plymouth Rock and White Wyandotte poultry, has been a resident of this city since 1868. He was born at Alliance, Ohio, April 8, 1859, and is a son of George Petti- bone and Oresta (Roberts) Bates.
The late George Pettibone Bates was a leading citizen of Shawnee County for a number of years. He was born January 10, 1825, in South- ampton, Massachusetts, and was educated in the common schools. His father was a manufacturer of woolen goods in Massachusetts, and when the family subsequently migrated to Ohio, he was wont to say that the most conspicuous part of the wagon loaded with family goods was the great dye kettle used in the woolen factory.
The Bates family settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, and there George P. worked for a time at cabinet-making, but the mercantile spirit was strong within him and he gave up the trade and started out on the road with a wagon, selling Yankee notions through the rural districts. When he had accumu- lated enough capital, he opened a store at what was then known as Freedom, near Alliance, and later, when the first railroad, the old Pittsburg & Fort Wayne, was built through, he removed to Alliance. Here he was engaged in a mercantile business for the next 20 years. In 1868 he came to Topeka, with the intention of opening a store here, but at the outset was hampered on account of lack of store room. The bulk of the business houses were then located on Kansas avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. Finally he obtained possession of a room on the west side of Kansas avenue, where he remained until he secured the building later occupied by Rogers Brothers, but after a season he moved back to the west side of the street and bought the property, which is now utilized by W. F. Weber as a grocery. Several years later, with Norris L. Gage, he erected a double building between Fifth street and Sixth avenue and moved his mercantile stock into it.
Mr. Bates had almost as much trouble when he came to Topeka in finding a suitable place of residence. He settled his family in the Gordon House, on Fourth street and Kansas avenue, where they remained until he finally secured the second floor of the residence of Guilford G. Gage, at No. 408 VanBuren street. He then bought a residence on VanBuren street, and a few years later
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purchased one on Topeka avenue and still later he erected a handsome resi- dence on Topeka avenue, where he passed his declining years.
Mr. Bates continued in the mercantile business until his health failed and he was obliged to change his occupation. For some years he was associated with Henry Taylor in a loan business, which was transacted in a building on Kansas and Sixth avenues that they purchased of James M. Spencer. Later Mr. Bates bought Mr. Taylor's interest and the property now belongs to the Bates estate. Although the years were beginning to weigh heavily on him physically, his faculties were vigorous and his judgment was as good as in youth. About this time he entered into a large land deal with an old Ohio friend, Bradford Miller. They had bought 40 acres east of the Santa Fe shops, and Mr. Miller platted the east one-half and Mr. Bates platted the west one-half. They retained this land for 20 years. In May, 1887, George P. Bates, C. W. Jewell, Noah C. McFarland and H. S. Fairfield, the last named of Alma, platted and laid out the town of McFarland, in Wabaunsee County, Kansas. Mr. Bates' last business enterprise was the building of the structure which now stands on the corner of Sixth avenue and Jackson street, known as the Bates Block. During this period his health, already impaired, failed rapidly and one year later, on November 17, 1903, he passed away, at his home on Topeka avenue, aged 78 years.
The mother of our subject still survives. She was born December 26, 1826, and became the mother of three children, two of whom died in infancy. After the death of her husband, she removed to the home of her only son, our subject, and is a beloved and venerated member of the family. George P. Bates was a Master Mason, a member of Orient Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M., to which his son also belongs. He was one of the leading members of the Congregational Church for years and was one of its deacons.
Walter L. Bates was educated in the public schools of Topeka, coming here with his parents when nine years of age. After completing his education, he engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1890, when he closed out his interests and entered into business with his father. Always a lover of flowers, he engaged in the florist business for some eight years and built several large greenhouses at Auburndale. This was very congenial as his tastes have always been in the direction of rural occupations, as may be seen in the great success which has attended his poultry business. With him this is a recrea- tion, carried on with enthusiasm and ambition. In 1904 he erected a commo- dious home at No. 1832 Park avenue, one block from the car line, where he has five acres ; a large part of the ground is given up as an ample range for his choice birds. Mr. Bates' beautiful home, known as "Elmwold,' is a very interesting place to visit, not only on account of the cordiality of its owner, but also because of the fine poultry shown here.
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
Mr. Bates has taken so much interest in the fascinating occupation of raising and displaying fancy poultry that there is little connected with it which has escaped his attention. Some four years since he constructed a brooder and has since, on several occasions, improved on it, and this he uses in his own yards and has put upon the market. These brooders possess every desirable quality to be expected in constructions of this kind; with one of these inventions, no poultry raiser is at the mercy of the old-fashioned, oft-times recalcitrant mother hen. Mrs. Bates is equally interested with her husband and has a distinct department of the business as her own.
On the 18th of April, 1883, Mr. Bates was married at Milwaukee, Wis- consin, to May E. Merritt, who was born at St. Louis, Missouri. They have four children : George Merritt, William Mortimer, Henry Pennock and Al- bert Jewell. The eldest son bears the name of both paternal and maternal grandparents. The second son also bears a family name, as does the third, while the youngest was named in honor of an old and beloved friend of the Bates family.
Prior to the death of his father, our subject had the main management of the latter's business and at his decease, assumed the business responsibili- ties in full. Since 1888 he has been a notary public, but has not been active as a politician. The many business interests to which he succeeded and the management of his feathered pets at "Elmwold," make up a busy life, one which brings adequate enjoyment.
THOMAS JAMESON KELLAM.
The death of Thomas Jameson Kellam, at his beautiful home on the corner of Western avenue and Huntoon street, Topeka, on February 4, 1896, brought added meaning to the trite expression that "death loves a shining mark." A man endowed with so many personal attractive traits, successful in business, honored by his associates and fellow-citizens and in the enjoy- ment of domestic happiness, surely was entitled to more than 44 years of ex- istence. Such seems the limited human view. Mr. Kellam was born June 15, 1852, at Irasburg, Vermont.
Mr. Kellam accompanied his father's family West and located at Chicago, from which city he came to Kansas, in 1870 and engaged with his brother in the cattle business. Later he came to Topeka and filled a position in the Post Office, which he left to enter into business with Henry King in a book and newspaper business. Subsequently he bought Mr. King's interest, and conducted the Kellam book-store for some years. In 1888 the Merchants'
DAVID O. CRANE
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National Bank was organized, with Mr. Kellam as vice-president, and the Kellam Book & Stationery Company was formed, the employees buying a minority interest and Mr. Kellam continuing to hold a majority of the stock. Mr. Kellam was also a director of the Wichita & Western Railroad Company, a director of the Public Library and of the Topeka Club, and was interested in all that went to make this city worthy of its name of capital. For some 14 years he liad been a vestryman in Grace Cathedral.
In 1877 Mr. Kellam married Lillie Holliday, who is a daughter of Colo- nel Holliday, of Topeka, and she, with three children, Kurtz, Louise and Katherine, still survives. The son, who was formerly the manager of the Kellam Book & Stationery Company, now resides in Kansas City.
The immediate cause of Mr. Kellam's death was from railroad injuries received near Victor, Colorado, on January 17, 1896. For some days hopes of his recovery were entertained, but they proved false. His passing re- moved a man of examplary character, one who took more than a slight interest in art and literature and in all that goes to make up a higher life. His manly attitude, his generous sympathies and his winning courtesy made his personal friends a legion.
DAVID O. CRANE.
DAVID O. CRANE, a well-known citizen of Topeka, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is superintendent of the Topeka Cemetery, in which capacity he has served continuously since 1884. He was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1842, and is a son of Franklin L. and Mary Elizabeth (Howell) Crane.
Franklin L. Crane was born in the town of East Windsor, Connecticut, January 10, 1808. He was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in Com- pany E, IIth Reg., Kansas Vol. Inf., and his son, Franklin L., Jr., served in Company G, Second Reg., Kansas Vol. Inf. His father, David Crane, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War.
David O. Crane received his educational training in the public schools of Easton, Pennsylvania, and of Dobb's Ferry, New York, being located at the last named place a period of four years. In 1858, he came West to Topeka, Kansas, where he attended school during the winter of that year, then learned the printer's trade under J. F. Cummings, proprietor of the Topeka Tribune. On May 14,. 1861, he enlisted from Shawnee County for the three months' service as musician in Company A, Second Reg., Kansas Vol. Inf., under Capt. Leonard W. Horne and Col. Robert B. Mitchell. The
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
regiment was recruited during May and was rendezvoused at Lawrence, Kansas. It was mustered in at Kansas City, Missouri, June 20, 1861, and then joined the brigade commanded by Major Sturgis at Clinton, Missouri, which was attached to the division of Brigadier General Lyon near the Osage River at St. Clair, Missouri. Camp was established near Springfield and drilling commenced. The First and Second Kansas regiments were joined under command of General Dietzler, and first underwent fire at Forsythe, Missouri, July 22, 1861. They moved south under General Lyon and on August 2nd engaged and defeated the enemy at Dug Springs, pursuing him to McCulloch's ranch. The enemy fell back to concentrate their columns into one, and the Second Kansas retired to Springfield, where a large and heavy supply train awaited them, it being so unwieldy as to preclude rapid movement without abandoning it. General Lyon determined to attack at daylight on August 10, 1861, Colonel Siegel's artillery opening the engagement of Wilson's Creek, and the Second Kansas supporting Totten's battery and the extreme left. During the first of the battle, which was fought in a corn- field, the regular infantry fell back, the Second Kansas covering the retreat with the aid of the battery, driving the enemy beyond the field. Colonel Mitchell fell wounded, and General Lyon, who had been twice wounded, answered Colonel Mitchell's call to lead the regiment. He had just turned to fulfill the order with the words, "Come on brave men," when he fell, mortally wounded by a bullet in the breast. Lieutenant Colonel Blair assumed com- mand and after six hours of severe fighting received orders to withdraw his command. Feeling it impossible to retire at that crucial moment, he held his ground one hour and a half, when the enemy's fire was utterly silenced and they withdrew. The Second Kansas was the only regiment to keep its line and organization from first to last, but it was at the cost of one-third of its men. At the close of this engagement, the command returned to Spring- field, thence by way of Rolla and St. Louis to Leavenworth, Kansas, where they were mustered out with orders to reorganize. Mr. Crane was honorably discharged October 31, 1861, and reenlisted March 17, 1862, for the three years' service as a private in Company A, Fifth Kansas Vol. Cav., under Capt. William F. Creitz and Col. Powell Clayton. This regiment participated in the engagement at Drywood, September 2, 1861 ; at Morristown, Missouri, September 17, when Col. Hampton P. Johnson fell; at Osceola, where they attacked the rear of Price's army, routing them. Lieutenant Colonel Clayton assumed command of the regiment in February, 1862, and in May they drove the guerilla band of Coleman out of that section of the country. On July 6th they routed an Arkansas cavalry regiment at Salem, Arkansas, and dur- ing the following winter engaged in skirmishes with the Rebel cavalry near Helena, Arkansas. On May 7, 1863, they joined the expedition of Colonel
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Clayton through the country west and south of Helena, destroying supplies, and on August 15th joined Colonel Steele's Arkansas expedition. On Sep- tember Ioth they engaged the enemy at Little Rock, and on October 25th were attacked at Pine Bluff by General Marmaduke with 3,000 men and 12 pieces of artillery. Colonel Clayton had opposed to this force but 600 men and nine pieces of artillery. After six hours of action, the Rebels were defeated at all points, leaving the field to Colonel Clayton and his small force of brave men. Mr. Crane was after this battle transferred to Company H, Fifth Reg., Kansas Vol. Cav., with which he served throughout the remainder of the war. He was honorably discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, July 19, 1865, and returned to his home in Topeka.
David O. Crane had charge of the Topeka Cemetery from 1868 to 1871, under direction of his father, who had for some years served as its superin- tendent. In the spring of 1871, he moved to Osage, Kansas, where he re- sided until the death of his father, November 17, 1884, since which time he has lived in Topeka and has had charge of the cemetery. Prior to No- vember, 1884, there were 3,857 interments, and at the present time the number aggregates 10,898.
On March 3, 1869, Mr. Crane was joined in wedlock with Anna S. Kay, of Topeka, Kansas. Her brother, James T. Kay, served in Company C, 83rd Reg., Indiana Vol. Inf., during the Civil War and was killed in battle. To this union have been born four children, of whom three are now living, as follows : Mary E. (Radcliff) ; Anna S .; and Franklin L. Fraternally, our subject is a Mason and has taken all the degrees up to and including the 32nd degree; he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias; Ancient Order of United Workmen; Modern Wood- men of America; Fraternal Aid and other societies. He is a member of Lincoln Post, No. I, Department of Kansas, G. A. R. Mrs. Crane is an active and honorable member of Lincoln Circle, No. I, Ladies of the G. A. R., and she and her daughters are members of Naomi Rebekah Lodge, No. 95, and of the Order of the Eastern Star. A view of the Crane resi- dence is shown on another page of this work.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, TOPEKA.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK of Topeka, one of the leading financial institutions of the State, was organized in 1882, with Thomas Curran as president and J. W. Redden as vice-president. D. A. Moulton was cashier and the directors were: Maj. William Sims, William Wellhouse, W. A.
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
Johnston, T. J. Anderson, W. W. Mansfield, F. L. Stringham, J. D. Burr, George W. Wood, Theodore Curran, J. W. Redden and D. A. Moulton. Of the above officers and directors, the only member of the present board ( 1905) is Maj. William Sims.
The present officers of The First National Bank are: Maj. William Sims, president; W. H. Rossington, vice-president; Charles E. Hawley, cashier and C. S. Bowman, assistant cashier. The board of directors is made up of these capitalists: A. A. Robinson, president of the Mexican Central Railway Company; Charles J. Lantry, of the firm of B. Lantry & Sons, contractors; W. H. Rossington, vice-president of the firm of Rossington, Smith & Histed, attorneys; Charles J. Devlin, coal operator; John L. Chris- topher, vice-president of the T. M. & N. Railway Company; Maj. William Sims, president and Charles E. Hawley, cashier.
The condition of The First National Bank as rendered in 1883, one year after its organization, was encouraging. The capital was increased from $100,000 to $150,000. In 1888 it climbed to $200,000 and in 1892 it was raised to $300,000. According to the report rendered April 24, 1901, the standing was as follows:
RESOURCES.
LIABILITIES.
Loans and discounts $486,387 09
Capital stock paid in
$300,000 00
Overdrafts
4,496 51
Surplus and profits
6,025 07
U. S. and other bonds
129,735 51
Circulation
50,000 00
Real estate
18,000 00
Dividends unpaid
40 00
Banking house furniture and
Deposits
643,709 33
fixtures
115,000 00
Cash and sight exchange 243,655 29
Redemption fund with U. S.
Treasury
2,500 00
Total
$999,774 40
Total
.$999,774 40
The present capital of the bank is the largest of any bank in the city. The report of the business on March 14, 1905, was as follows :
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts $1,041,452 30
Capital stock paid in .$300,000 00
Overdrafts
3,087 06
Surplus and profits
99,764 76
U. S. Bonds
314,000 00
Circulation
300,000 00
Other bonds
80,000 00
Deposits
1,566,999 13
Real estate
2,741 83
Banking house fixtures, etc. .. 91,250 00
Cash and sight exchange
719,232 70
Redemption fund with U. S.
Treasury
15,000 00
Total
$2,266,763 89
LIABILITIES.
Total
$2,266,763 89
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
In order to note the increase in the volume of business, a comparison made with the statement at the close of business on July 15, 1901, will show that at that time the loans and discounts amounted to $557,624.65, and de- posits, $822,063.02. Much of the prosperity of the institution must be attributed to Cashier Charles E. Hawley, a man of extended business expe- rience. The whole make-up of the bank shows the influence of business experience and large finances. Maj. William Sims, the president, is a finan- cier in whom the public has the greatest confidence. He is a veteran of the Civil War, a native of Ohio. After a term of residence in Illinois, he came to Topeka in 1872. In 1901 W. A. Stephens, treasurer of the T. M. & N. Rail- way Company, was one of the directors but he is not a member of the pres- ent board.
CHARLES E. HAWLEY.
CHARLES E. HAWLEY, cashier of the First National Bank of Topeka, and an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, was born in Saratoga County, New York, in 1850, and is a son of Isaac H. and Jane (Travis) Hawley.
The parents of Mr. Hawley were substantial farming people in Saratoga County. The family consisted of seven children, three of the sons and three of the daughters reaching maturity and three sons and one daughter still surviving.
Mr. Hawley's boyhood and youth was similar to that of other boys born on a farm. He attended the district school, commencing at four years of age, and a local academy until he was 13 years old and then entered a general store in the capacity of clerk. This he did with an eye to preparing himself for a business career, but he by no means abandoned his books, his evenings and leisure hours being given to improving his mind. The Sara- toga County merchant was also the postmaster and Mr. Hawley assisted in receiving and distributing the mail according to the methods then in use.
In 1869 Mr. Hawley came to the great West, locating at Rock Island, Illinois. For eight years he was connected with the First National Bank of Rock Island, entering as bookkeeper and filling positions of trust and sub- sequently becoming teller. After a residence of 17 years in Rock Island, he removed to Kansas and in 1886 came to Topeka. For eight years Mr. Hawley was associated with Edward Wilder, treasurer of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company. In April, 1901, Mr. Hawley became cashier of the First National Bank of Topeka, a position for which he is well equipped on account of his years of thorough business training. Per- sonally, he is a man of affable manner and sincere courtesy, qualities which add
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HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY
much to the furthering of business and are elements in adding to the high regard in which he is held in social and private life.
Mr. Hawley was married at Rock Island, Illinois, to Ella Merrill, who was born at Providence, Rhode Island, and is a daughter of M. D. and Sarah G. Merrill. They have three children. The family belong to the First Bap- tist Church of Topeka, of which Mr. Hawley is treasurer. He is one of the leading members of the Young Men's Christian Association. He belongs to the Bankers' Association and in Masonry has taken three degrees. Ever since coming to Topeka to make this city his home, he has taken an in- terested part in its upbuilding and development, and stands as one of its highly considered, representative men.
CARY SNYDER.
CARY SNYDER, who came of a prominent family of Shawnee County, Kansas, was engaged in general merchandising at Dover until his death on September 8, 1899. He is a son of William P. and Matilda (Denious) Snyder. A sketch of his father appears elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Snyder was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Henrietta E. Beach, a daughter of Dr. Samuel E. and Jane (McGregor) Beach. Her father was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, February 22, 1822, and was a son of William K. Beach, a native of Connecticut. Samuel E. Beach accom- panied his parents to Ohio in his early youth, and there received a primary education in the schools of Medina County. He was graduated from the Cleveland Medical College in 1849, and immediately engaged in practice in that State. He then located at Appleton, Wisconsin, where he practiced with much success for a period of 10 years. Prior to leaving there, Dr. Beach made a trip to Kansas in 1856, and located a farm of 160 acres in what is now Wabaunsee County, then returned home and continued his practice. In 1856, his father also went to Kansas and located a claim. Dr. Beach also took up his residence on this place in 1858 and so continued until the spring of 1863, when he joined the Union Army as Ist assistant surgeon of the Eighth Regiment, Kansas Vol. Inf., Colonel Martin commanding. He was immediately sent to the front, and in the fall of the same year while left in charge of the wounded at Chickamauga was taken prisoner. He was one of the three surgeons who were immediately exchanged, but unfortun- ately died on his way home, at Officers' Hospital No. 2, Nashville, Tennessee. Mrs. Beach was then residing on the old home farm in Kansas, but had his remains sent to Appleton, Wisconsin, for interment, as the railroad facilities
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and connections were very poor in Kansas. Fraternally, he was an Odd Fellow. He was a Republican in politics.
Dr. Samuel E. Beach was united in marriage with Jane McGregor, who was born in Scotland and came to America with her parents when four years of age. Her parents, John and Isabelle (Brock) McGregor, were both born at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, where John McGregor engaged in school teaching. Upon coming to America, he first taught school in Vermont, then in Canton, Wadsworth and Sharon, Ohio, where he died at 52 years of age. His wife died 15 years later at Canton, aged 67 years. Some 40 years after the death of John McGregor, a number of his early pupils, scattered through- out the United States, erected to his memory a statue made of Scotch granite. In the presence of a large number of his early students the monument was unveiled October 21, 1887. John McGregor and his wife reared nine chil- dren, three of whom are now living, as follows: Jane, the widow of Dr. Samuel E. Beach; John, who is in the wholesale hardware business at Spring- field, Missouri; and Malcolm, who is a lawyer and formerly was a judge at Carthage, Missouri. Mr. McGregor was a Mason and a Woodman. He was a Democrat in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Beach had three children : Hen- rietta E., the wife of our subject; William K. and J. M., the two last named living on the home farm established by their father, to which they have largely added. Mrs. Beach is now 81 years of age, and is living with her daughter, Mrs. Snyder, at Dover, Kansas, in the enjoyment of the best of health.
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