USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. II > Part 41
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Mr. Falconer, with his business partner. Mr. Benbow, arrived in Kansas City, Kansas, September 27, 1888, and in this city they con- tinued the above business, their combined capital consisting of the modest sum of seventy dollars. They did all of the work themselves and surely, if slowly, established themselves. In the spring of 1890, Mr. Falconer bought ont the interest of Mr. Benbow and has since con- tinned operations on his own account, to the springs adding the com- modities mentioned in a foregoing paragraph. In addition to his mereantile and industrial activities, he has other interests, being a director in the Commercial National Bank and the Kansas Trust Company.
On November 27, 1889, Mr. Falconer laid the foundation of a happy and congenial married life by his union with Miss Callie Robinson, who was born in Iowa and is the daughter of George W. and Rachel Robin- son, the former a native of the state of New York. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters, viz: Mabel L., Clarence E., Harold C., and Margaret A. Mr. Falconer is a consistent member of the Presby- terian church and in politics gives heart and hand to the cause of the Republican party.
CHARLES M. TABLER .- Standing prominent among the leading men of Delaware township is Charles M. Tabler, a prosperous and progres- sive agriculturist, who has won for himself an enviable reputation for good citizenship, and has contributed his full share toward the advanee- ment and development of Wyandotte county, one of the finest counties in the state of Kansas. A son of the late William L. Tabler, he was born January 26, 1852, in Berkeley county, West Virginia, where the days of his boyhood were passed.
William L. Tabler was born in Virginia in 1823, and there reared to agricultural pursuits. Crossing the country with his family in 1868, he located on a farm in Wyandotte county, Kansas, and was here
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successfully employed in tilling the soil until his death, December 13, 1885. Having the misfortune to lose his sight during the latter years of his life, he depended largely upon the assistance of his only child, Charles M., in the management of his land. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Siler, was born in 1811, in Virginia, and died in Wyandotte county, Kansas, August 29, 1883. He was identified with the Whig party in his earlier days, but on the formation of the Republi- can party became one of its stanehest adherents. As a young man he was affiliated with the Methodist church, but after his marriage united with the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was a member.
Brought up on the Virginia plantation, Charles M. Tabler obtained his elementary education in his native state, and after coming with his parents to Wyandotte county, Kansas, attended the district schools a few terms. He remained at home subsequently. assisting his father, who, as above mentioned, became blind, in the care of the farm, under the wise tuition of his father becoming an adept in the art and seience of agriculture. Mr. Tabler now owns four hundred acres of fine farm- ing land, and also has the management of one hundred and sixty acres belonging to his wife. He earries on general farming in a systematic manner, raising wheat, oats and corn, and paying considerable atten- tion to the growing of stock, in each branch of industry displaying skill and ability. A Republican in politics, Mr. Tabler has served as town- ship treasurer and as school director of Delaware township. Religi- ously he is a Presbyterian.
Mr. Tabler married September 1, 1874, Nannie A. Ferrel, who came. in 1866, with her father from Virginia to Platte county. Missouri, where their marriage was celebrated. The only child born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Tabler died in infaney. Their pretty estate is named "Walnut Dell Stock Farm."
PETTIS FLEMING .- A publie-spirited and highly esteemed citizen of Delaware township, and a prominent member of the agricultural com- munity, Pettis Fleming is widely and favorably known throughout this section of Wyandotte county as an unright, honest man. of sterling worth and character. He was born April 18, 1855. in Platte county, Missouri, of pioneer stock.
His father. David Fleming, was born in North Carolina, in 1805, and died in Platte county, Missouri, in 1880. Moving with his parents to Missouri in his boyhood days, he subsequently taught school a few terms in Platte county, where he was afterwards engaged in general farming. He married Minerva Fox, a native of Tennessee. and to them twelve children were born, as follows: John; William; Henrietta; Theodore ; Cicero; Pettis, the special subject of this brief personal re- cord ; Rush ; Pleasant P., deceased ; Oscar; Mandana, Abner and Eunice, the three last being deeeased.
Spending his early life on the home farm, Pettis Fleming obtained his early knowledge of books in the district schools. Leaving home in 1880, he eame to Wyandotte county, Kansas, in search of more remunera- tive employment than he could find in his native county, and for awhile worked by the month on the farm which he now owns and occupies. This farm, which contains one hundred and twenty acres of rich and fertile land, he is managing with excellent pecuniary results, raising
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large annual erops of wheat and corn, and also growing hogs and cattle to some extent.
A loyal supporter of the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Fleming has never shirked the responsibilities of public office, but has served on the township board ; has been supervisor; has filled the posi- tion of township clerk ; and for twenty years has been treasurer of school distriet. No. 30. lle is a member of the Presbyterian church, and be- longs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons.
Mr. Fleming, in 1883, was united in marriage with Alice Bishop, of Kansas, whose father, James Bishop, was superintendent of the Wyan- dotte county poor farm at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are the parents of five children, namely : James Howard, a farmer and school teacher ; William W., a school teacher; Harry Thomas, living at home ; Edna Alice, also at home; and Curtis Verne, attending the public schools.
JEFFERSON A. DAVIS, M. D., who is a prominent and influential citi- zen of Kansas City, Kansas, has been engaged in practice here for about eleven years and has risen to high favor among the citizens. enjoying a representative and high class patronage. He has lived in the Mississippi Valley district during practically his entire life and is thoroughly im- bned with the progressive spirit and advanced thought of the western country and the present day civilization. He is thoroughly equipped for his profession and up-to-date in his methods of practice and research, so that what he may lack in years of experience he makes up in modern science and skill.
Dr. Davis was born in Marion county, Missouri, the date of his nativity being the 7th of March, 1863, and he is a son of Paris and Mary (Simpson) Davis, the former of whom was born in the state of New York and the latter of whom was a native of England The father was a farmer during the greater part of his active career, and when the dark cloud of Civil war cast its pall over the national horizon he enlisted as a soldier in the Confederate army, serving with all of faithfulness and gallantry as such until he was taken prisoner by the Federal forces and locked up in the United States prison at Alton, Illinois, where he siekened and finally died, in 1863. The devoted wife and fond mother passed to the life eternal in July, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Paris Davis were the parents of five children, of whom the doctor was the youngest in order of birth. He received his elementary ednea- tion in the public schools of Quiney, Illinois, and later, having decided upon the medical profession as his vocation in life, he entered the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, while subsequently he at- tended and was graduated from the medical department of the Uni- versity of Kansas. He located at Kansas City, Kansas, in the year 1900 and in very short order succeeded in building up a large and luera- tive patronage, which he enjoys today and which has increased with the passage of years. He is a member of the Wyandotte County Medical Society and of the Kansas State Medical Society.
On the 21st of September, 1891, Dr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Mary O'Brien, who was born and reared in Quiney, Illinois, and who is a daughter of Pat and Elizabeth (Farris) O'Brien, both of whom are now deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Davis have two children, Loretto, Vol. II-20
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whose birth occurred on the 26th of September, 1892. and Jefferson W., born on the Ist of November. 1894. Both children have received ex- vellent educational adyantages, the son is in his second year in high school, and Loretto is attending St. Mary's in Leavenworth, Kansas.
In polities Dr. Davis endorses the cause of the Democratic party and while he has no aspirations for public office of any description he is deeply interested in the well being of this city and contributes liberally of his aid and influence to that end. In 1905 he was appointed police surgeon of Kansas City by Mayor W. W. Ross, and he continued the efficient inenmbent of that office for a period of two years. In 1909 he was elected county coroner, serving in that capacity with credit to himself and his constituents until 1911. In a fraternal way his affilia- tions are with Robert Booker Lodge, No. 406, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. of Quiney, Illinois; Wide Awake Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Davis is very publie spirited and has in many ways assisted in the upbuilding and advancement of the city where he has made his home for so many years.
FLOYD CLINTON ELLIS .- Prominent among the younger generation of Kansas farmers is Floyd Clinton Ellis, who is a fine representative of the native-born citizens of Wyandotte county, his birth having occurred, March 8. 1877, near White Church.
His father, Asa Ellis, was born in Platte county, Missouri, in 1842. Ile served as a private in the Civil war, and soon after its close bought land in Wyandotte county, Kansas, where he has since been actively and profitably engaged in agricultural pursuits, having a well improved and finely appointed farm. Ile is a stanch Republican in politics, and a member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Order of Masons. By his marriage twelve children were born, eight of whom are now liv- ing, as follows : Mary E., wife of W. F. Duncan, of Kansas; Lizzie, wife of W. D. Waldron, of Kansas; Frank M., a Kansas farmer; Flora, wife of G. O. Luther, of Great Bend, Kansas; Ella. wife of W. A. Scott : Floyd Clinton, the subject of this sketch; Asa, engaged in farming in Wyandotte county ; and Manford R., engaged in the confectionery busi- ness at Piper.
(leaning his early education in the district schools of Wyandotte connty, Floyd Clinton Ellis obtained a good knowledge of agriculture on the home farm, which he has always assisted his father in managing and improving. In 1910 he was made postmaster at Piper, and is still holding the position. He is active and prominent in the social life of the community. and in politics is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Ellis belongs to numerous fraternal organizations, including the Order of Eagles; the Modern Woodmen of America; the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; the Order of the Eastern Star; and the Royal Neighbors.
Mr. Ellis married, in 1895. Josephine Kirby, of Wyandotte county. A few years later, on October 4, 1907. she passed to the higher life. leaving one chill. Edna Ellis.
ROBERT LEE BROWN .- A man of mmuch prominence and influence, and one of the best known citizens of Wyandotte county. R. L Brown,
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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MR. AND MRS. HERBERT J. HOLMES
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familiarly known as Lee Brown, is prosperously engaged in general farming on one of the most attractive and desirable homesteads in this seetion of the state. A son of the late Washington HI. Brown, he was born October 11, 1865. in Platte county, Missouri, but was reared and educated in Kansas.
William H. Brown was born in Clay county, Missouri, and during his earlier life was a farmer in that state. He subsequently came with his family to Wyandotte county, Kansas, and here followed his peaceful and independent vocation until his death, in 1905, at the age of seventy- four years, his birth having occurred in 1831. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Baptist church. Ile married. in Platte county. Missouri. in 1859, Susan Pierce, who was a native of that state ' having been born in Clay county, in 1830. They became the parents of four children. as follows: Jennie, widow of Otho Green: William J., deceased ; R. L .. the special subject of this sketch ; and Martha, deceased.
Brought up on a Wyandotte county farm, R. L. Brown was edu- rated in the distriet schools and at the Lawrence Business College. He subsequently began his business career in Piper. Kansas, and there served as postmaster during Cleveland's first administration. Ile is now the owner of a magnificent farming estate of three hundred and twenty-five acres of land near Piper, on which he is raising wheat, eorn and cattle on an extensive seale, being one of the largest and most successful agriculturists of the county. In politics Mr. Brown is a Democrat on national issues, but locally voting according to the dictates of his conscience, regardless of party affiliations and prejudices. He is a member of the Baptist church, never having swerved from the re- ligions faith in which he was reared.
Mr. Brown married. June 16, 1903, Miss Zena L. Dail, a native of Kansas, and their home has been brightened by the birth of three in- teresting ehildren, namely : Susan E., Nannie A., and Washington H.
HERBERT JAMES HOLMES .- It would perhaps be an easier task to name the occupations that Mr. Holmes has not followed than those in which he has been engaged, as he has dabbled in all sorts of enterprises, amongst which might be mentioned the bakery trade, the work of a taxidermist, (which really was the business that he followed most of his life) ; an employe in the stock yards and for the railroad company and a rolling mill. In addition to this he has managed some pienie grounds, property for others and his own farm, in addition to numerous other enterprises. It is now almost forty years since he first came to Rosedale, and although he has traveled extensively during these four deeades, his home has been here, with the exception of three years.
Ilerbert James Holmes was born in the little village of Soberton, Hampshire, England, and is the son of Alexander Day Holmes and Martha (Earwicker) Holmes, both natives of Hampshire county, where they were reared to maturity. Alexander Holmes was a grocery man and a postmaster for some time, and passed his whole life in England, and there he and his wife are buried. They were the parents of eight children.
Herbert James Holmes spent his boyhood days in his native village where he received his education in the little village school, and when he was fourteen years old, he went to the town of Portsmouth, where
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he learned the trade of a baker and pastry maker. When he was twenty-eight years old he felt the desire for a wider field for his ener- gies, and decided to come to America in search of wealth and adventure. Hle succeeded in finding both, though the adventures came in abundance long before the wealth, but there was never a time when he suffered for lack of money. In 1872 he embarked at Southampton on an American bound boat, and commenced his new life ; he came direct to Kansas City. and immediately gained employment with the old Kansas City Railroad Company in the capacity of a taxidermist, which trade he had learned in his boyhood. His special work was to stuff buffalo heads which were shipped in from western points for some time, but it was discovered that they were so long on the road. that many of them spoiled. Mr. Holmes. accordingly, went out with a hunting party and he skinned the animals on the ground. During the next two and a half years he put up about sixteen heads a month for the railroad company, and also a great num- ber for himself. which he sold. He kept up this kind of a life until 1893, at which time the company sent for him to come in, as there were few demands for stuffed buffalo heads. in that year of the panic. Mr. Holmes was an exhibitor at the Chicago Exposition. the great World's Fair, representing the railroad company in whose employ he had worked. Samples of his handiwork are seen in the houses of many of the wealthy families of America and foreign countries, and amongst them may be mentioned the two heads that he stuffed for the Czar of Russia, and which are doubtless to be found in the palace of this monarch. Mr. Holmes was on familiar terms with all of the old time scouts and hunters, such as Colonel W. F. Cody, Lamb, and many others. Indeed he has hunted with these redoubtable characters on numerous trips. After he severed his connections with the railroad company, he was offered special inducements to go to Denver and continne this line of work, but his wife prevailed on him to decline the offer as she was in a constant state of uneasiness because of the dangers to which he was exposed. At that time, indeed, there was considerable risk attached to a life of the kind he led. for without regard to the risk of being killed by some wild animal, there were eonstant uprisings of the Indians in that part of the country, and many battles were fought in the vicinity of the camp where he stayed. Upon his return to domestie life, he secured a position in the stock yards, and later re-entered the employ of the railroad company, working for them in various ways, and later he became an agent for some wealthy people, taking care of their property. He bought seven acres of land from Mr. Saurs, and on this he built the beautiful home where he has resided since that time. Amongst the vocations which he has followed, he worked for a rolling mill, and for a time he ran a pienie ground, which brought him in a good round sum. At the time of the boom he sold out this ground, and with the proceeds he bought a farm of seventy-nine acres at fifty dollars an acre, and after three years' time, during which he lived on the farm and superintended its management, he sold the land for one hundred dollars an aere, and he came back to his home in Rosedale. Hle is not now engaged in business of any sort. but he owns nine houses, which he built, and the rent derived from these gives him a nice ineome.
Before Mr. Holmes left England he married Miss Caroline Webb, a little English girl, the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Clark) Webb.
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life-long residents of England. Their daughter, Caroline was born February 8, 1845, in the county of Hampshire where she spent her girl- hood days. She became the mother of just a dozen children, six sons and six daughters, but of this number four died in infancy, two passed away after they had become mature, and the other six are living now, and it may be of interest to make a brief mention of each. Alexander, who won the American wing-shot medal, is named after his paternal grandfather and is now the city clerk of Rosedale; Lizzie, named after her maternal grandmother, but with slight variation, is married to II. W. Cooper, an engineer on the railroad and they maintain their resi- dence on the Argentine road; Ada married William Schisley and now lives in Denver; llerbert died soon after the family came to Rosedale ; Harry is a barber in Rosedale ; Thomas owns a dairy south of Rosedale ; May died in her twentieth year after she had blossomed from girlhood to womanhood, and she is buried in Junction cemetery ; Louis Frederick is a barber of some reputation in Pasadena, California, and at the time of the St. Louis Exposition, the following invitation was sent to him to be present at the fair: "The honor of the presence of Louis F. Holmes is requested at the celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the acquisition of The Louisiana Territory, to be commemorated by the Dedication of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, April 30th and May 1st and 2nd, 1903. David R. Francis, President Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Thomas F. Carter, President Commission."
Mr. Holmes is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Hle has never cared to mingle in politics very much, and has had no desire to hold any political office. In all national questions he is a strict Democrat, but in local elections he is an independent voter. His genial manners and hearty speech have won him many friends, who are never tired of hearing him relate stories of his hunting experienees, and of his many thrilling eseapes.
ARTHUR S. BENTON .- In connection with his business as a member of the prominent real estate and insurance firm of Merriam. Ellis & Benton. Arthur S. Benton has been an important and influential factor in forwarding all movements projected for progress and improvement at Kansas City, Kansas, where he has resided since 1899.
Arthur S. Benton was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, on the 4th of March. 1864, and he is a son of William and Ellen J. (King) Benton, both of whom are now deceased. The parents were natives of Ohio and the father was summoned to eternal rest in 1864, at the age of forty, the mother having passed away in 1888, at the age of sixty-six. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Benton, Arthur S. was the youngest and he is the only one surviving at the present time, in 1911. William Benton devoted the major portion of his active business career to milling enterprises in De Witt county, Illinois. He was a staunch advocate of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands spon- sor in his political convictions and was a loyal and public spirited American in all matters of national import.
After completing a good common school education in his native place Arthur S. Benton was matriculated as a student in Baker Univer- sity, at Baldwin, Kansas, attending that institution for a period of two years, at the expiration of which he turned his attention to teaching. In
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1886 he engaged in the general merchandise and grain business at Pomona, in Franklin county, Kansas, remaining there until the spring of 1899, at which time he came to Kansas City, where he has since re- sided and where he is now engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness. In connection with this field of endeavor he is associated with Messrs. Merriam and Ellis, under the firm name of Merriam, Ellis & Benton, one of the best known concerns of its kind in the city.
On the 10th of July, 1888, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Benton to Miss Gertrude Burtner, who was born in Muscatine, Towa, and who is a daughter of Reuben and Mary A. Burtner. Mr. Burtner was long manager for the Moline Plow Company in Kansas City, Missouri, and later he was engaged in the machinery business at East Chicago, Illinois. Subsequently he resided for a time at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and thenee he removed to Kansas City, Kansas, where he conducted a machinery enterprise for a period of ten years prior to his demise, which occurred on the 26th of November, 1910. His cherished and devoted wife was called to eternal rest in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Benton are the fond parents of three children, namely : Russell, Ennice and Wil- lard, all of whom remain at the parental home.
In polities Mr. Benton accords an unswerving allegiance to the canse of the Republican party and while he has never aspired for politi- val honors of any description he is ever ready to give of his aid and in- Huence in support of all movements projected for the general welfare. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Lodge No. 3, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and with Lodge No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is exceedingly well known as a business man of un- questioned integrity and as a citizen is everywhere accorded the unal- loved regard of his fellow men.
GENERAL HOUSTON MILLER .- Wyandotte county is especially fortu- nate in having been settled up by an industrious, thrifty class of men, who, while looking carefully after their individual interests, were also mindful of the welfare of the community in which they located. Promi- nent among the early settlers of Bonner Springs was General Houston Miller, late of Bonner Springs, who was for many years one of the foremost agriculturists of this part of the county. Ile was born in 1853, in Kentucky, and died on his home farm in Wyandotte county, Kansas, February 10, 1903, while yet in the prime of life.
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