USA > Kansas > Shawnee County > History of Shawnee County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 45
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stock-raising business with his father and brother, who married Jean Edna Beach and lives with his father. Mr. Tomson and his sons make a specialty of Shorthorns, and usually have on hand about 130 head.
Thomas K. Tomson formed a second marital union with Mrs. McArthur, a daughter of Joseph Miller, one of the pioneers of Topeka. She was seven years old when she accompanied her parents to this city and here she resided until her death in 1899. This union resulted in the birth of a son, Joseph M.,. who is attending Topeka Business College. Fraternally, Mr. Tomson and his son, James G., are Odd Fellows, and his sons, John R., and Frank D., are Masons. Politically, all are stanch Republicans. In religious attach- ments they belong to the Congregational Church.
REV. DELOU BURKE.
REV. DELOU BURKE, canon of Grace Cathedral, at Topeka, is one of the most scholarly clergymen of this city, and is also one whose influence is. felt in many directions. His voice is always heard in support of higher and better things, for what is noble, holy and helpful, and probably no man of his calling is more universally esteemed. He was born at Crawfordsville, In- diana, March 24, 1858.
Canon Burke was educated at the Central Normal College, at Danville,. Indiana, where he was graduated in 1877. He was one of the first students at this college, which was then in its infancy but has since had lusty growth. From his graduation until 1888, he engaged in teaching, and then entered the- Nashotah Theological Seminary, at Nashotah, Wisconsin, where he was graduated in 1892. On Trinity Sunday of that year, he was ordained priest by Bishop Nicholson, in All Saints' Cathedral, Milwaukee.
He then passed two years as rector of St. Mark's Church, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and then accepted a call to St. James Church, South Bend, In- diana. There his ministerial labors continued through a period of six years, during which he secured the erection of a beautiful new church edifice. In- the fall of 1898 he accepted a call to St. James' Church at Vincennes, In- diana, and held his first service on Advent Sunday. In September, 1901, he- was elected to the chair of philosophy and pedagogy, in the Vincennes Uni- versity. This educational position he filled until the call came to him from. Grace Cathedral, at Topeka.
Rev. Mr. Burke was warmly welcomed to Topeka and a few months. later was made canon of the cathedral. As such, with multitudinous other duties, he has charge of two flourishing missions, the Church of the Good'
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Shepherd, in North Topeka, and the Church of St. Simon, a colored mission. He is secretary of the faculty of the Kansas Theological School, in which he is professor of Christian ethics and Christian evidences; is assistant chap- lain of Christ's Hospital; and acting chaplain and teacher of Church history at the College of the Sisters of Bethany. In addition to these numerous duties, Canon Burke finds time to do some teaching at home, those fortunate enough to come under his personal and private instruction having access to . his fine library, which is one of the best in the city. As a writer on moral questions, he is also well known.
Canon Burke has no domestic ties, but he enjoys the companionship of congenial spirits to be found in fraternal associations. He has taken all the degrees of Odd Fellowship, including the Canton; is a Knight Templar Mason, and has taken all the degrees in the Knights of Pythias except the . Uniform Rank.
W. M. FORBES.
W. M. FORBES, who has been engaged in an insurance, real estate and loan business at Topeka since February, 1886, is one of the leading insurance men. of Shawnee County, and is also one of Topeka's well-known and representative citizens. Mr. Forbes was born in Decatur County, Indiana, February 28, 1847, and is a son of John G. and Elizabeth ( Mathews) Forbes.
The Forbes family came originally from Scotland. The parents of our subject removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa, when he was small. The father was a farmer and there the family was reared and the parents passed away.
W. M. Forbes was educated in the district schools, the Upper Iowa Univer- sity at Fayette and the State University at Iowa City. where he was graduated with the degree of A. B., in 1873, and in law, in 1874. He then engaged in teach- ing school for a time, and for two years was principal of the Burlington city schools. He then settled at Beatrice, Nebraska, where he practiced law for seven years and also was engaged in a banking business at Table Rock. In the early spring of 1886 he came to Topeka and has been engaged in his present line ever ยท since, and is now located at No. 107 West Seventh street. He gives his main attention to fire and tornado insurance risks and represents these leading com- panies : Royal, of Liverpool, England ; Insurance Company of North America, Philadelphia : St. Paul Fire & Marine, Minneapolis ; Pennsylvania Fire, Phila- delphia ; National Fire, Hartford, Connecticut ; Phoenix, Hartford ; and Spring- field Fire & Marine, of Massachusetts.
Mr. Forhes was married in Iowa to Lucretia Parsons, a native of Illinois, and they have four sons, viz : Robert L., a farmer : Frank, associated with his -
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father; Carroll, mining engineer with the Victoria Mining Company, a grad- uate of the Michigan State School of Mines; and Roy, who is a student in the. junior year at the Topeka High School.
Mr. Forbes' pleasant home is situated at No. 328 Woodlawn avenue, Pot- win Place, and he served two years as mayor of this suburb and for 10 years was a member of the School Board. Fraternally, he is a Master Mason, and for the past 10 years has been national treasurer of the Knights and Ladies of Security. He belongs to the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man who stands very high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, both in his personal relations and as an honorable business factor.
ROYAL C. BRADSHAW.
ROYAL C. BRADSHAW, trustee of Mission township, Shawnee County, is a veteran of the Civil War and makes his home in section 33, township II, range 15, in the above named township. He is the owner of considerable real estate in Topeka, and is possessed of exceptional business ability. He was born in Chautauqua County, New York, August 4, 1842, and is a son of Solo- mon and Mary (Scott) Bradshaw.
Solomon Bradshaw was born in Connecticut in 1801, and died at the age of 84 years. He married Mary Scott, who was born in New York State in 1810, and died in 1894, just 10 years after the demise of her husband. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: Henry, deceased; Tirzah, wife of Levi Holmes, of Jamestown, New York; William, of Jamestown, New York; Nancy, now a resident of Fredonia, New York, who married Henry Boujean, and after his demise married William Bloomer, who is also deceased ; Archibald, who lives on the home farm near Mayville, New York; Royal C .; and Margaret, who has attained distinction as an author and poet, among her best appreciated efforts being the novel, "My Heart Remembers How."
Royal C. Bradshaw was educated in the public schools of his native town, and was reared on the old homestead in Chautauqua County. After the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted from Cattaraugus County, New York, June I, 1861, as a private in Company H, 7Ist Reg., New York Vol. Inf., under Capt. Thomas Rafferty and Col. George B. Hall. He was mustered into service at Camp Scott, Staten Island, June 20, 1861, and served with distinction through- out a greater part of the war. He was promoted first to corporal, then to ser- geant major, and on May 12, 1864, for bravery and meritorious conduct in the battle of Spottsylvania was made 2nd lieutenant. He was honorably dis- charged on June 21, 1864, and was immediately mustered in as 2nd lieutenant
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of Company E, of his old regiment, under Capt. Tom Murphy and Col. Henry L. Potter. This regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Second Divis- ion, Third Army Corps, in the Army of the Potomac, and saw the hardest fought battles of the war, participating at Stafford Court House ; siege of York- town; Fair Oaks or Seven Pines ; the Seven Days Battle, including Oak Grove, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Hill and Carter's Hill; Bristow Station; Groveton; Fredericksburg; Chancellorsville; Gettysburg; Wapping Heights; Kelley's Ford; Locust Grove; the Wilderness; Spottsylvania; North Anna, Tolopotomy; Cold Harbor; Petersburg, and minor engagements. While in front of Petersburg, his term of service expired and he went to New York City, where he was honorably discharged July 30, 1864. He returned to his home in New York State, and there farmed until 1871, in which year he came West to Topeka. He located in Waubaunsee County, where he farmed in Maple Hill township for some years, also serving as trustee of that township during the years 1874, 1875, 1883 and 1884. He later removed to Topeka, where he owns considerable valuable town property, and there lived until a few years ago, when he purchased three acres in section 33, township 11, range 15, in Mission township and erected the handsome home in which he now lives. He is a man of strong personality and pleasing manner, and has a host of firm friends wher- ever he is known.
June 6, 1867, Mr. Bradshaw married Eva M. Fay, who was a daughter of Joseph B. and Martha (Haywood) Fay, of Chautauqua County, New York. Her father died at Chicago in 1886, aged 68 years, and her mother died in Topeka in 1896, aged 78 years. Mrs. Bradshaw, who died January 3, 1903, aged 58 years, was the mother of two children : Joseph F., who died December 22, 1890, at the age of 21 years ; and Martha H., wife of Walter M. Cust, who . is identified with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Masonic Order.
L. M. POWELL, A. B., M. D.
L. M. POWELL, A. B., M. D., is one of the most distinguished physicians . and surgeons of Topeka, where he has been engaged in practice for many years. He was born at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1858, and is one of two children born to Charles Morgan and Margaret Ann (Lewis) Powell. His father, now de- ceased, was a successful contractor in Iowa until his death in 1860. His mother was again married to Rev. J. W. Clock, in 1863.
Dr. L. M. Powell accompanied his parents to Baldwin City, Kansas, in 1871, and there attended school. He attended Baker University, then known .
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as the "Old Chapel," and in 1878 was graduated from the High School at Ottawa, Kansas. He took a one year course in the Baptist College, of Ottawa, and then entered the University of Kansas at Lawrence, from which he was graduated in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He also took the pre- paratory medical course offered by the University. He was for two years assistant to the professor of chemistry. He then engaged in teaching school for a number of years, serving as principal of the High School at Newton, Kansas, one year, principal of the Quincy School at North Topeka one year, and of Lincoln School at Topeka one year. In 1888 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated with the class of 1891. Upon leaving that institution he came West to Topeka, Kansas, where he has since practiced his chosen profession with a high degree of suc- . cess. He fills the chair of clinical obstetrics in the Kansas Medical College, at Topeka. He is a Phi Beta Kappa. For five years he was chemist and microsco- pist for the State Board of Health. He was president of the Board of Health of Topeka one year, and is secretary of the medical staff of the Jane C. Stor- mont Hospital. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Kansas State Medical Society and the Shawnee County Medical Society. He repre- sented the Fourth Ward on the School Board one term while residing in that ward. He has a fine suite of offices in the Central National Bank Building, and commands the most desirable practice in the city.
In 1888, at the close of his school teaching, Dr. Powell was joined in mar- riage with Clara Bunker,, of Marion, Ohio, and they have four children : Grace D., Loretta M., Elizabeth C. and Wendell B. Religiously, they are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Topeka.
ARCHIBALD MCKEEVER.
ARCHIBALD MCKEEVER, who now lives in honorable retirement at his comfortable home at No. 1107 Western avenue, Topeka, is one of the pioneers of Kansas, one whose life has been identified with the most eventful years of the State's existence. Mr. Mckeever was born April 6, 1830, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Clark and Jane (Wallace) Mckeever.
The Mckeever family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and both of the par- ents of our subject were born in Ireland. The mother died in 1858 but the father, who was born in 1798, survived until within nine years of completing a century, his death taking place in this State in 1889. Of their eight children, Archibald was the fourth, five reached maturity and two survive,-our sub- ject and a sister, who lives in Jackson County, Kansas.
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Until he was 10 years old, Mr. Mckeever attended the district schools about three months in the year, his companion farmer boys enjoying about the same privileges, but an active mind and close association with men of in- telligence and participation in stirring events have made him not only a man of great information but one of discriminating judgment as well. From Penn- sylvania he went to Central Ohio and in 1857 he came to Jackson, Kansas, settling on what was known as the Delaware Trust Land, where he secured 480 acres for which he paid $3.50 per acre. In those early days in the Terri- tory primitive conditions still existed and the pioneer settlers accommodated themselves to them. After he had secured his claim, he built his own pictur- esque log hut, paying $1 each for the logs, and this humble dwelling served as his home for some years. He remained here only until 1876, led to move to Jefferson County in order that his stock could be sure of having water, that great and crying necessity wanting in some of the fairest sections of this State. He did not attempt extensive farming but found the raising of stock and cattle extremely profitable even in those days.
Mr. Mckeever was one of the very first settlers in Jackson County and his reminiscences of pioneer life teem with interest. At that time the prin- cipal trading place where supplies could be obtained was Leavenworth, about 40 miles away, to which he and his pioneer neighbors went two or three times a year, laying in supplies which had to last until the trip could be made again. Mr. Mckeever was popular with his neighbors and was twice elected assessor of Jackson County and served two terms as county commissioner. In the year following the great drought in Kansas, a notable period in the history of the "Sunflower" State, he accomplished the assessing of Jackson County in 27 days, assessing clear to the Kaw River. As there was an excellent mill at Valley Falls, Mr. Mckeever relates that he frequently went there to trade. For 15 years he rode the saddle, looking up and buying steers, and some of his stories of the adventures of those days stir the blood of a younger generation. His old homestead in Jackson County is now occupied by Ex-Sheriff Cook.
Formerly Mr. Mckeever was a Republican and he was elected county commissioner on that ticket and he lacked but one vote of being selected as a nominee for county treasurer. His political affiliations at present are with the Populist party. From Jackson County he removed to Jefferson County, where he owns 1,000 acres of fine land all in one body, which is operated as a stock farm by his son George. It is accounted one of the best farms in this part of the State. It produces from 60 to 80 bushels of corn to the acre and other produce accordingly.
In 1903 Mr. Mckeever left the farm and moved into Topeka, where he has since invested in considerable property, including a handsome home in
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a choice locality and his time is pleasantly occupied in looking after these investments.
At St. Joseph, Missouri, Mr. Mckeever was married, in 1861, to Elvira Means, who is a daughter of James Means, who was a pioneer in Buchanan County, Missouri. Her great-grandfather, Robert Means, purchased about. 1,600 acres of Missouri land and Mr. Mckeever has the deeds of two of these quarter-sections which lie in Southwestern Missouri, near Springfield. This land is as yet unimproved and probably will be of great value as it is. largely mineral. A family of eight sons and one daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. McKeever, the daughter and the oldest and youngest sons now being deceased. Those who survive are: James, who is in the furniture business at Topeka; Edwin D., who is one of the city's prominent attorneys ; William, who is a professor in the State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kansas; George who, as noted, operates the farm in Jefferson County ; Horace Greeley, junior member of the law firm of Cromwell & Mckeever, of Enid, Oklahoma; and Harry Sunshine, who is in the real estate business at Topeka. It has been one of Mr. Mckeever's aims to so educate his children that they could take advantage of all the opportunities that modern life presented to them and he has great reason to feel gratified over the result. They have all developed into representative men, worthy successors of the pioneering stock from which they originated and possessing many of the sterling traits of their father and grandfather.
Hon. Edwin D. Mckeever, the second surviving son of Archibald and Elvira (Means) Mckeever, and assistant United States district attorney at Topeka, was born in Jackson County, Kansas, May 6, 1866. His education was a liberal one, including four years at Washburn College, Topeka, and then he entered upon the study of the law in the office of Johnson, Martin & Keeler, and was admitted to the bar in July, 1889. He has been in active prac- tice ever since, taking part in much of the important litigation of the various courts, including the Supreme Court. On January 1, 1902, he was made assistant United States district attorney, in which position he has added to his professional laurels.
Mr. Mckeever has been a very active and influential member of the Republican party for many years, entering upon the field of politics coincident with that of the law. He was first elected to the Legislature in 1896 and served in this body for three terms, and during 1899 he served as chairman of the judiciary committee. In 1901 he was speaker pro tem of the House, and his whole career as a statesman but served to advance him in the confi- dence of his party and in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. His continuation in office is but proof of this and his fitness is a fact beyond question.
In 1893 Edwin D. Mckeever was united in marriage with Luetta Mohler,
ALBERTUS T. LUCAS
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an accomplished young lady who was born in Indiana. They have one son, Archibald, his grandfather's namesake, who was born in 1896. Mr. Mc- Keever has been a resident of Topeka since 1884, coming here some years prior to his father's arrival. He owns one of the fine homes for which this city has gained reputation, a beautiful modern residence situated at No. 1214 West Ioth avenue.
ALBERTUS T. LUCAS.
ALBERTUS T. LUCAS, sheriff of Shawnee County, whose portrait accom- panies this sketch, is serving his second term in that capacity and is widely known throughout this section of the State. He has been a resident of To- peka since early youth, and has been identified with numerous enterprises in this city. He was born at Brimfield, Illinois, July 26, 1867, and is one of four children born to John E. and Gruetta (Wilson) Lucas.
John E. Lucas was born at Warsaw, Indiana, where he was reared, later moving to Peoria, Illinois, and finally in 1868 coming to Shawnee County, Kansas. For 12 years he followed farming in Mission and Auburn townships and became a resident of Topeka in 1880. He has long been identified with city affairs in various departments and lately served as city detective. On April 17, 1905, he received the appointment of under sheriff of Shawnee County. He is a citizen of manly attributes, strictly honest and of unquestioned integrity, and possesses the good will and esteem of his fel- low-men.
Albertus T. Lucas was less than a year old when he came to Shawnee County with his parents, who settled on a farm in Mission township. Later they moved to another farm, in Auburn township, and in 1880 established the family home in Topeka. Our subject grew to manhood in Shawnee County and received a good education in the country schools and in the schools of the city. Upon arriving at man's estate, he engaged in the livery busi- ness and after a time had charge of the money wagon of the Wells, Fargo & Company Express. He next served as steward of the Elk Club and then two years as deputy sheriff. Upon giving up the latter business, he conducted a laundry for one year, after which he sold out and engaged as traveling salesman for a large packing company. Three years later, in the spring of 1901, he was elected sheriff of Shawnee County on the Republican ticket, receiving a majority of 1,315 votes over Frank M. Stahl and Dan. Markem, Independent and Democratic nominees. He was re-elected November 8, 1904, with little opposition, leading the ticket with a majority of 5,097 over Dan Markem, whom he has twice defeated. He is unswerving in his sup-
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port of the Republican party. Through his faithful and honest administra- tion of the affairs of the office of sheriff, he stands well in the esteem of the general public.
On January 22, 1896, Mr. Lucas was united in marriage with Mary Miller, a daughter of Bradford Miller, who has been mayor of Topeka, county treasurer and county commissioner. They have one child, Helen. Religiously, they are members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Wood- men of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen and United Commer- cial Travelers.
HON. THOMAS A. OSBORN.
Prominent in the long line of statesmen who have contributed to the glory of Kansas, was the late Thomas A. Osborn, the sixth Governor of the "Sunflower" State. Thomas A. Osborn was born on October 26, 1836, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where his life closed on February 4, 1898.
The early life of Mr. Osborn, up to the age of 15 years, was spent in laying the foundations of an education in the common schools, the limited resources of his parents affording him no better opportunities. At this age he became a wage earner, learned the printing business and thus secured the means himself to pay his way through Allegheny College. Then followed the study of the law. He was 21 years of age when he went to Michigan and was admitted to the bar. In 1857 he came to Kansas, as a printer, securing em- ployment in the office of the Herald of Freedom, at Lawrence, and subse- quently filling every position in the business. In 1858 he went to Elwood, a small town in Doniphan County and formed a law partnership with the later distinguished James H. Lane, who was subsequently elected to the United States Senate, when the partnership was dissolved.
At this time the young lawyer was beginning to be recognized as an able member of his profession, was invited to take part in the political struggle then going on, and in 1859, but two years after he had come to Kansas, was elected on the Republican ticket as a member of the first State Legislature. This was followed in 1862 by his election as Lieutenant-Governor and it was during this incumbency that he presided at the impeachment trial of Governor Charles Robinson, all of which is absorbing State history.
In 1864, when but 28 years of age, he was chosen by President Lincoln as United States marshal for Kansas, a responsible and difficult position, which he held until removed by President Johnson, in 1867. That he contin-
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ued in the confidence and esteem of the majority of the citizens of Kansas was shown by his election as Governor, in 1872, and emphasized by his reelection. What years of growth, development and increase of wealth, prosperity and peace, were these years of the administration of Governor Osborn! He was a man of such strength of character, such uncorruptible integrity, such pro- gressive ideas and political foresight that under his guidance industries were encouraged, the tide of immigration flowed in, education and religion flour- ished and Kansas took her proper place in the sisterhood of States. Yet he had much with which to contend, including the Indian depredations on the frontier, and the grasshopper pest which destroyed crops over a great section. It was almost entirely through the wisdom of Governor Osborn that the dire effects of these calamities were lessened, his prompt call for a special session of the Legislature resulting in the immediate appointment of a State relief committee, which raised and disbursed large sums to the sufferers. He closed his career as chief executive of the Commonwealth with the honors his faith- ful service merited and was urged by his party for a seat in the United States Senate.
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