USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 37
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for Topeka, located 27 miles west of Lawrence on the Kansas River, and like Lawrence is built up on the north and south sides of the river. North Topeka claims 800 inhabitants-railroad depots being located there. South Topeka lies back from the river on a rise of ground high and dry. Topeka has 7,000 inhabitants. Kansas avenue, running south from the river, being the main business street of the city, and lighted by gas, presents a fine ap- pearance in the evening-fine buildings are being put up this season; the Tefft House is undergoing repairs, also an addition of 80 feet is being attached and the main building is being raised to its fourth story. An Opera House is being built and many large store rooms, ranging from 60 to 125 feet deep. Rents are high and business good. The east wing of the State Capitol is com- pleted at a cost of half a million dollars and built of Junction City limestone. Business buildings here are mostly of limestone and brick fronts. Topeka has the State Capitol and is the county-seat of Shawnee County. The city is divided into three wards, and they are now erecting a ward school building at a cost of $50,000; the city is settled mostly by York State, Ohio and Indiana people, society good and attention paid to strangers. Topeka has two rail- roads as follows : Kansas Pacific finished west to Kit Carson, about 200 miles east of Denver City and some 500 miles west of Kansas City. The other road is the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, running south of Topeka to Bur- lingame and graded to Emporia, which will be running to that point in July."
Upon locating in Topeka, Mr. Clugston engaged in the grocery busi- ness, which he conducted with success for a few years. He then embarked in the insurance business, establishing a very extensive business which he continued until his death on August 10, 1887. He was president of the Cook and Clugston Coal Company during its life in Kansas. Having ac- quired much valuable real estate, he zealously strove to beautify the city in whose future welfare he manifested always a keen interest. He secured the beautiful tract, of six acres, known as "Brooks' Pasture" on the west side of Topeka, selecting six of Topeka's representative citizens for neighbors and designed what is now the most beautiful residence block in Topeka and known as "Governor's Square." Then with faith in the beauty of the city he selected with patience, securing lot after lot, the corner of 10th and Topeka avenues, one block west of Capitol Square, and beautified it with many well chosen trees, on which is now the residence called "The Virginia," the home of Mrs. Clugston and her only son, John McNulty Clugston, Jr.
On December 10, 1879, John M. Clugston was united in marriage with Alice Colcher, a daughter of Mathias and Martha Jane (Davis) Colcher. Mrs. Clugston's father was a native of Ohio and there followed with great success the vocation of architect. Being reared in a Presbyterian family,
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Mr. Clugston was loyal to the church of his father and contributed liberally to its support. A courteous gentleman, a progressive business man and a loyal citizen, he had many friends.
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JAMES CUTHBERT.
JAMES CUTHBERT, one of the leading business men of Topeka, senior member of the firm of Cuthbert & Sargent, general contractors and stone cutters, was born in 1849 in Nairnshire, Scotland, and is a son of James and Jane (Bowie) Cuthbert.
Mr. Cuthbert's people are all Scotch and his maternal grandmother was a member of the noted old Scitch clan of McIntosh. The father of Mr. Cuthbert died on the old estate in Nairnshire, aged 85 years and the mother still resides there, having reached the age of 86 years. They had seven children, viz: Isabella (Mrs. Duncan McDonald), of Scotland; Elsie, a maiden lady residing with her venerable mother; James, of Topeka; William, a sheep farmer in New Zealand; Mrs. Mary Mustard, deceased; Mrs. Jane Marwick, of New Zealand; and John, who died aged seven years.
When Mr. Cuthbert came to America in 1872, he had completed his education and had already acquired skill as a stone builder. He was em- ployed by the government for three years at the St. Louis Custom House, and came to Topeka in 1879. Here he soon entered into a business com- bination, the firm of Smith, Sargent & Company being formed to do business as general contractors and stone cutters. This partnership continued for four years when Mr. Smith retired and the business has since been conducted under the firm style of Cuthbert & Sargent. They own a very valuable plant and large yards at 18th street and Topeka avenue, where they are well equipped for all kinds of masonry, cut stone and brick work. They employ a large force of men and their yards are a scene of busy activity. Many of the substantial buildings of Topeka have been constructed by this firm from foundation to finish.
In 1877 Mr. Cuthbert was married to Samantha Fitzpatrick, and they have had II children, namely: Mary Jane, wife of A. C. McKitrick, of Denver, Colorado; Jessie May, wife of N. G. Edleblute, of Baldwin, Kansas; Katie Bell, William F., James R., Mabel and John, who live at home; George, Charles and Elsie, who are attending Topeka High School; and Robert, who died in infancy. Mr. Cuthbert is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, of whose church edifice he was the builder.
While not active in politics, Mr. Cuthbert performs a citizen's duty on
HON. WALTER E. FAGAN
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on every occasion, and is identified with the Republican party. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America. Socially he is president of the leading Scottish society in Topeka. Mr. Cuthbert is a progressive and enterprising business man and is one whose fair dealing and honest work have brought him the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.
HON. WALTER E. FAGAN.
HON. WALTER E. FAGAN, deceased, formerly judge of probate and superintendent of the State Reform School at Topeka, whose portrait ac- companies this sketch, was born near Richmond, Indiana, July 14, 1859, and died at Topeka May 10, 1903. He was a son of Thomas and Isabel (Boyd) Fagan.
Mr. Fagan was educated in the Richmond, Indiana, schools and at the State Normal School at Terre Haute. He came to Topeka in 1880 and first engaged in teaching in Shawnee County and later was engaged as a teacher in the State Reform School. He continued with this institution in various capacities and finally became its superintendent. His administration was characterized by many reforms and needed changes in methods of govern- ment. He was ably assisted by his estimable wife, who served as matron during his incumbency.
In 1891 Mr. Fagan took up the study of the law and was admitted to the bar in 1893, and in 1894 was appointed auditor of Shawnee County by Judge Hazen. In 1900 he was first elected judge of probate and was sub- sequently re-elected, receiving a magnificent majority. His public services were all of such a character as to secure him the confidence and continued esteem of his fellow-citizens.
On February 1, 1883, Judge Fagan was married to Lillie A. Buck, of Topeka, who is a daughter of John F. and Ada L. (Davis) Buck. The fa- ther of Mrs. Fagan was a teacher and also a dental surgeon. He had been connected with the Reform School at Lancaster, Ohio, and at Mount Union, Ohio, was superintendent of the Children's Home. He came to Topeka in 1882, to become the first superintendent of the State Reform School which had been established in this city six months previously. Dr. Buck lives re- tired in North Topeka. Judge Fagan is survived by his widow and one daughter, Norma Belle, aged five years.
Judge Fagan was very active in Republican politics and for a long time
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was a member of the Republican State Central Committee. He was promi- nent in Masonry and was also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Sons of Herman.
WILLIAM M. REAM.
WILLIAM M. REAM, one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Soldier township, Shawnee County, who resides on a fine farm of 160 acres, in section 31, township 10, range 16, was born January 27, 1835, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Eliza (McClure) Ream.
The father of Mr. Ream was a native of Ohio, and the mother, of Pennsylvania. The father owned a large farm in Ohio and raised a great deal of stock, his son, our subject, gaining experience there which he put into practice later in life. Of the eight children of the family, he was the only one whose interests and inclinations led him to establish his home in Kansas.
From his farm in Ohio, Mr. Ream enlisted as a private, May 1, 1864, in Company C, 160th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Colonel Reasoner and General Sigel, and soon after was elected Ist sergeant. He participated in many skirmishes and in the battles of Antietam and Martinburg and was mustered out at Zanesville, Ohio, in September, 1864. Returning to the farm, Mr. Ream remained there until 1866 when he went to Somerset, Ohio, where he engaged in a general mercantile business until 1872, under the firm name of Huston & Ream. During this period of his life he formed the acquaintance of Gen. Phil. H. Sheridan, the hero of Winchester, with whom he became associated in bonds of closest friendship. When the whole country mourned the death of that gallant officer, Mr. Ream was one of the chief mourners and was a pall-bearer at the funeral of General Sheridan's father.
After selling his store, Mr. Ream went into a banking business, but in 1878 went to Texas, where he bought a ranch of 16,000 acres in Kerr County and controlled 16,000 more. This great extent of land he utilized in the raising of sheep and his first clip paid him 32 cents a pound. The passage of the Wilson tariff bill in the next year reduced his clip to eight cents a pound, the duty having been taken off wool, and this caused him to sell out. In the fall of 1880 he returned to Missouri, bought a farm and went to raising stock. In 1887 he came to Kansas and bought 160 acres at Kilmer Station where he continued for 16 years, engaged in farming and raising fine stock. In 1903 he sold to advantage and bought his present place. He cultivates 50 acres here and the rest of the 160 is fine grass land. The place is known
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as the "Tom Stanley" farm at Ream's Corners. Mr. Ream has always been interested in business enterprises of importance. For eight years he was one of the directing board of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company and helped to build 44 miles of the road,-from Newark to Shawnee, Ohio. He still holds some of the valuable stock.
Mr. Ream was married November 22, 1859, to Mary C. Axline, who is a daughter of Emanuel and Susannah (Shaffer) Axline, natives of Vir- ginia. Mrs. Ream was reared six miles from Harper's Ferry. Two of her brothers were in the Civil War; David C., of Louisville, Kentucky, now 84 years of age, formerly a private in an Indiana regiment and still so patriotic as to offer his services during the Spanish-American War and Solomon N., of the 3Ist Ohio, who died while at home on a furlough. Mr. and Mrs. Ream had five children, namely: Charlie, who died aged II years, December 23, 1872, and was buried at Somerset, Ohio; George, who died March 8, 1877, and was also buried at Somerset; Carl, who died August 2, 1874, and was buried at Somerset; Maud, who first married Louis Shaffer and by this union had one daughter, Nellie Ream,-her second marriage was with James R. Peck, of Jefferson County, Kansas, and they have two children, Mary Estella and Florence Ethel; and Ralph K., who assists his father on the farm. Politically Mr. Ream is a Republican. He is a member of the Grange at Indian Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Ream have living with them a girl who came to them in January, 1862, and hence has been living with them for over 43 years.
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LEROY MCLELLAN PENWELL.
LEROY MCLELLAN PENWELL, president of the National Funeral Di- rectors' Association, treasurer of the Commercial Club of Topeka, a promi- nent Democratic politician and one of the best known fraternity men in this section of the country, was born November 25, 1862, at Buchanan, Michi- gan, and is a son of Eli W. and Mary L. (Rouse) Penwell.
On the paternal side Mr. Penwell comes of Welsh ancestry and on the maternal the line runs to Ireland. The paternal great-grandparents were David and Jerusha (Hyde) Penwell, and John Nelson Penwell was our sub- ject's grandfather. In early days in Michigan, Mr. Penwell's father was a prosperous lumberman but the panic of 1872 caused him great loss as it did hundreds of other honest men. During the last years of his life he followed the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trades. He died in 1886 and his widow survived only until September, 1892. They had six children, four sons and
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two daughters, the latter of whom died in infancy. The sons still survive but our subject is the only one who resides in Kansas.
Mr. Penwell's education in the public schools closed at the age of 13 years and since then he has made his own way in the world, reaching posi- tions of honor, responsibility and financial ease entirely through his own abilities. He began working as a farm hand at $7 a month and kept it up for three years, during this period getting up regularly at four o'clock in the morning and working until dark. Possibly the discipline was good for him but it did not result in his becoming a permanent agriculturist. Later he adopted his father's trade and has often found it a valuable aid in his busi- ness ventures.
In 1875 he came to Topeka at the time the Santa Fe shops were located here. Although Mr. Penwell is still a comparatively young man, he ex- presses it that he feels like a pioneer when he recalls the wonderful changes which have taken place in the development of the city in his life here. On May 1, 1894, he became the junior partner of E. O. De Moss and they jointly opened an undertaking establishment at No. 511 Quincy street, at first on a small scale. The firm now utilizes eight rooms and are preparing larger accommodations. The present equipments are all modern and sanitary and in every detail of the business public convenience and private respect is shown. Mr. Penwell is a practical embalmer, having received his diploma on April 13, 1900.
Mr. Penwell has become very prominent in political and also in fraternal circles. He is chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee and treasurer of the Democratic State Central Committee and during the last campaign he was a member of the executive committee. He is a member of almost every reputable fraternal organization and is an official in many. He is past grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed all the degrees in the order, including the encampment and at present holds the office of czar of the Muscovites, which society has practically the same rela- tion to Odd Fellowship as the Mystic Shrine has to Masonry. He is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, past commander of the Select Knights, past master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, past consul of the Modern Woodmen of America, a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of the Knights and Ladies of Security and on March 22, 1905, he was elected exalted ruler of Topeka Lodge, No. 204. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is one of the degree team taken from the four Odd Fellow lodges of Topeka that won the first prize of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the World. He has also served as lieutenant colonel on General Mitchell's staff in the Modern Woodmen of America.
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Mr. Penwell is secretary of the Kansas Funeral Directors' Association, organized at Emporia, Kansas, in 1897, and is one of the board of five examiners that put through the law to license embalming, which placed this matter in the hands of the State Board of Health. He served as Ist vice- president of the National Funeral Directors' Association one year and was elected president at the annual meeting held October 13, 1904, at St. Louis, Missouri.
At Mount Hope, Kansas, August 18, 1888, Mr. Penwell was married to Ella Maston, and the have one bright, attractive daughter, Portia W. It may not be out of place to remark that she is the light of the beautiful home, which is situated at No. 520 Monroe street. The family belong to the First Christian Church of Topeka.
HENRY H. GLENN.
HENRY H. GLENN, one of Topeka's well-known business men and very highly esteemed citizens, was born at Philipsburg, Center County, Pennsyl- vania, February 1, 1833, and is a .son of George and Sarah (Hartsock) Glenn.
Mr. Glenn was educated in the common schools of his native locality and removed as far West as Illinois in 1857. He was still in that State when the Civil War broke out and he enlisted for the three-years service, in September, 1861, entering Company C, 34th Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., under Col. E. N. Kirk. Two months later he was appointed quartermaster sergeant. After one year of service he was taken ill and was so sick that his life was despaired of. His comrades demanded his discharge from their colonel without his knowledge and the report was sent on to the headquarters of the department. Being delayed by red tape and having been overlooked in the various business affairs of the official quarters, the discharge did not arrive for three months and by that time he had entirely recovered. It was a unique situation. The colonel was aware of his mathematical accuracy and desiring his services appointed him civilian clerk in the brigade commissary depart- ment. Therefore he continued in the army through the whole of his term of service, doing as necessary and as important work as if he had been out on the field. When Sherman started on his "March to the Sea," Mr. Glenn, by the advice of his superior officer, boarded the last train for the North and thus arrived unexpectedly. He is a member of Lincoln Post, No. I, Grand Army of the Republic, of Topeka.
In 1888 he came to Kansas and conducted a mercantile business at
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Leavenworth for three years and then came to Topeka. Here he has been in partnership with his son in conducting "The Fair" and has but lately disposed of his interest.
Mr. Glenn was married February 8, 1855, to Elizabeth C. Gorazier, who is a daughter of Henry and Mary (Beck) Gorazier, of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. They had the pleasure of celebrating their "Golden Wedding" on February 8, 1905. They became the parents of four children, two of whom died in infancy, the survivors being Jessie E. and William C. The former married G. R. Bothwell, a mining broker of Salt Lake City, Utah, and they have had seven children: Ina G., who is in her second year at Leland Stanford, Jr., University, California; Zayda, Charlotte, Roy and Floyd, all attending school in Salt Lake City, and two who died in infancy. William C. Glenn has been and still is engaged in business enterprises with his father. He married Margaret Aument and they have two children : Charlotte M. and Harry A. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are valued members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
ALBERT NEW MAN.
ALBERT NEWMAN, who is now serving his second term as county clerk of Shawnee County, is one of the most efficient officers the county has ever had and is exceedingly popular, not only in his own party, but among that class of independents who recognize and commend merit wherever they find it. He has been a prominent citizen of Topeka during the past decade, and has been especially prominent in political circles, being one of the local leaders of the Republican party.
Mr. Newman was born at Falls City, Nebraska, September 3, 1873. and is one of a family of five children born to M. J. and Rachel (Marks) Newman. He was reared and educated at Omaha, Nebraska, and has been a resident of Topeka since 1894. He attained success as manager of both opera houses in this city, a position he held for a number of years. During the years of 1899 and 1900 he was secretary of the Republican County Central Committee, and in 1901 was elected county clerk on the Republican ticket by a majority of 3,780 over his opponent, P. H. Miller. His increasing popularity was attested in 1904 when he was reelected by a majority of 5,043, a silent tribute to his efficiency as a public servant.
On April 5, 1898, Mr. Newman was joined in marriage with Sadie Snadtinger, by whom he has a son, Victor. Fraternally he is a Mason of the 32nd degree, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the
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Modern Woodmen of America. He is also treasurer of the First District Congressional Committee. Mr. Newman resides with his family in a pleasant home at No. 923 Monroe street.
JOHN DICKEY.
JOHN DICKEY, an honored survivor of the great Civil War and a pioneer in Auburn township, Shawnee County, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres known as "Seven Oaks Farm," located in section 30, township 13, range 14, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, near Washington Court House, September 23, 1842, and is a son of William and Eleanor (Ghormley) Dickey.
The father of our subject was born in South Carolina. He was educated for the Presbyterian ministry and preached for 55 years. He organized a church at Bloomingburg, Ohio, in which he preached for 40 years to a day. His death took place there at the age of 83 years. For military service in the War of 1812, he received a grant of 160 acres of land. He married Eleanor Ghormley, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Ohio, aged 60 years. They had five children, those who reached maturity being: William W., of Johnson County, Kansas, who served three years during the Civil War in Company C, 20th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf .; Sarah Jane, wife of Tracy Down, of Chalk Mound, Kansas; John, of this sketch; and Amanda, wife of H. H. Davis, of this county. By a former marriage with Rebecca Ross, he had 10 children.
Our subject remained on his father's farm in Ohio until he was 16 years old, too young by far to don a soldier's uniform, but this he did on August 6, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, First Reg .. Ohio Vol. Cav., under Capt. John H. Robinson. Companies A and C of this regiment were sent to Virginia and took a prominent part in the battles of Cheat Mountain, Green Brier River, Winchester, Port Republic, Mine Run, Fredericksburg, Chantilla, Slaughter Mountain, Second Bull Run, Gettysburg, Monterey, Falling Water, Brandy Station, Antietam, and the Wilderness. This troop of cavalry was then transferred to the Army of the Tennessee, being intended for General Kilpatrick's body-guard.
On August 22, 1862, Mr. Dickey was taken prisoner, with 300 com- panions, at the time that General Stuart made a raid on General Pope's wagon train. He was confined in Castle Thunder, Libby Prison and Belle Isle, but was paroled before long. During his three years of arduous service, he participated in 23 regular battles and many minor engagements. At the
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close of his army life, he returned to Ohio and engaged in farming for four years, coming then to Kansas and settling on his present farm in 1868.
When Mr. Dickey located here, he found a great tract of unimproved land in his part of the county. From the very first he took a deep interest and genuine pride in his possessions and has given the best years of his life to developing his farm, now one of the finest in his locality, devoted to the raising of grain and stock.
In 1879 Mr. Dickey was married to Sadie Reed, who was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1856, and is a daughter of H. H. and Eliza (Fisher) Reed. They have two children: Guy Thompson and Earl Fisher, both of whom still remain under the parental roof.
In political sentiment, Mr. Dickey has always been a Republican. He has acceptably filled a number of the township offices, being trustee for five years and clerk for seven years and is justly looked upon as one of the reliable representative men of this section.
OTIS E. HUNGATE.
OTIS E. HUNGATE, prosecuting attorney of Shawnee County, is a mem- ber of the well-known law firm of Austin & Hungate of Topeka, with offices in the Stormont Building. As a public officer, as well as in private practice, he has won distinction at the bar and takes rank among the foremost lawyers of the capital city.
Mr. Hungate was born in Topeka, December 8, 1871, and is a son of Andrew J. and Sarah L. (Ritchie) Hungate, his mother being a sister of Gen. John Ritchie, who attained distinction in the Union Army during the Civil War. Andrew J. Hungate, whose death occurred October 30, 1904, was one of the pioneer citizens of Shawnee County and was its foremost live-stock salesman up to the time of his death.
Otis E. Hungate was reared and educated in Topeka, attending the public and high schools of this city. He read law in the office of Attorney Joseph Waters and attended the law department of the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor, in 1891 and 1892. He was admitted to practice at Topeka December 8, 1892, on his 21st birthday. He immediately entered practice in his native city and during 1893, 1894 and 1895 served as assistant city attorney. He then resumed private practice and attained a high degree of success. He formed a partnership with Mr. Austin, under the firm name of Austin & Hungate, and this is widely known as one of the strongest com-
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