USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > History of Wyandotte County, Kansas, and its people, Vol. II > Part 5
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SAMUEL I. MESERAULL .- An active factor in promoting the indus- trial interests of Wyandotte county, Samuel I. Meseranll is carrying on a substantial business in Kansas City as a printer, having a large and well equipped printing establishment at 945 Central avenue. He was born, December 22. 1866, in Lapeer county, Michigan, a son of Isaac L. Meseraull, and grandson of Peter Meseraull, an early pioneer of Michigan.
Isaac L. Meseranll. a native of Oakland county. Michigan, spent a part of his early life in Lapeer county, that state, but subsequently located in Hall county, Nebraska, and from 1871 until his death. Feb- ruary 4, 1908, was engaged in mereantile pursuits in Doniphan. Nebras- ka. Ilis first wife, whose maiden name was Frances E. Smith, was born in Lapeer county, Michigan. a danghter of Orlando and Mary E. Smith. She died in 1875, leaving two children, as follows: Samnel I., the special subject of this brief sketch : and Fred, of Holly, Michigan. He mar- ried second Esther Fry, and to them the following were born, namely : Morris and Blaine, residing in Doniphan, Nebraska ; Mrs. Fannie Lane, of Newkirk. Oklahoma : Mrs. Maria Underwood, of Doniphan, Nebraska ; Mrs. Kate Clarno, also of Doniphan ; and Martha. Sidney and Anthony, living with their widowed mother in Doniphan.
Having obtained his early education in the public schools of Grand Island, Nebraska, Samuel I. Meseraull there, at the age of fourteen years, began to learn the trade of a printer. Five years later he went to Denver, Colorado, from there going to Telluride, Colorado, where he spent a year. Locating then in South Dakota, he worked in different places, following his trade in Rapid City, Chadron and Crawford. Com- ing to Wyandotte county, Kansas. in 1894. Mr. Meseraull settled in Armourdale, and in 1895 established a printing business in that local- ity. Subsequently. during the time of the disastrous floods, he had the misfortune to lose everything in his plant with the exception of two
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printing presses. Disposing therefore of his interests in that plaee in 1905, he purchased his present property at 945 Central avenue, and built, and throughly equipped, his present large, two story, stone build- ing, which is thirty feet by ninety-four feet. ITere he is carrying on a thriving business, being actively engaged in general printing, inelud- ing job and book work.
Mr. Meseraull married, June 4, 1890, at Lamar, Missouri, Lulu M. Miller, who was born in Springfield, Missouri, a daughter of Cyrus M. and Rebecca (Allen) Miller, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Meseraull have one child. Samuel Paul, born July 23, 1891, is now engaged in busi- ness with his father.
Politically Mr. Meseraull casts his vote in favor of what he deems the best men and measures, regardless of party affiliations. Mr. Meseraull is affiliated with many prominent fraternal organizations, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America; of the Royal Neighbors ; the Modern Brotherhood of America ; the National Annuity ; the National Union ; the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; the Royal Achates; the Improved Order of Red Men; and the Degree of Honor, all of the lodges to which he belongs being in Kansas City, Kansas.
EDWARD P. Ross, president of the Auto Fedan Hay Press Company, Rosedale, Kansas, is the originator of the devise his company manu- faetures, and is a man whose influence as an enterprising, substantial citizen is felt in the community in which he lives.
Mr. Ross looks baek to Princeton, Illinois, as the place of his birth ; the time was December 8, 1863, and his parents, William B. and Mary (Russell) Ross. William B. Ross is a native of Ohio, born in 1832. In 1850 he came west to Illinois and settled at Princeton, where he en- gaged in farming, and where, subsequently, he and Miss Russell were united in marriage. He left Princeton, in 1870, and moved to Emporia, Kansas, where he afterward lived with the exception of four or five years which he spent in New Mexico. To them were given eleven children, brief record of whom is as follows: Harry R .. engaged in farm- ing and the real estate business at St. John, Kansas; Kate, widow of E. E. Townsend, is a resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma; Edward P., the subject of this sketch: Chettie, wife of Fred Long, lives in Walnut, Illinois ; Lonell V., wife of John M. Wilson of Wichita, Kansas; Louise, twin sister of Mrs. Wilson, also lives at Wichita ; Joseph A., of Kansas City, Missouri ; Gertrude J., wife of Otis Farr, of Gridley, Kansas; Albert M., of St. John, Kansas; William F., foreman of the Auto Fedan Hay Press plant ; and Bessie F., wife of Fred Simpson, of Gridley, Kansas.
Edward P. Ross spent his boyhood days working on the farm and attending district sehool. ITis first business venture was as a dealer in hay, and he early realized the need for a better device in the way of a hay press than was then in use. Accordingly he set abont the work of making a better one, and the Auto Fedan Hay Press is the result. For a time he manufactured this devise in small quantities at Emporia, and Topeka, Kansas, until the demand for them having increased to such an extent as to go beyond his capacity, he came to Rosedale, in Vol. II-3
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1908, and organized the Auto Fedan Hay Press Company, of which he is president. The product of this company's plant is now being ship- ped to all parts of the United States, and it is the intention of the com- pany to make shipments to foreign countries next year. It is a matter of record that the Auto Fedan Hay Press Company is selling more presses than any company manufacturing a similar device.
While Mr. Ross' father is a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in polities, he is inclined to affiliate with the Republican party, and always votes for the candidate he believes to be the best man suited for the office irrespective of party.
Mr. Ross married. in 1905, Miss Alice Goodhue of Topeka, and they are the parents of two children, Diek G., five years old, and an infant. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ross are enthusiastic golf players, he having won the Kansas City tournament in 1910; and motoring also has a great fascination for him.
JOHN F. BJORKMAN .- The Swedish type is one which has found many representatives in the New World and it has assuredly contributed its quota toward the onward movement of progress. America owes much to the Swedish stock and has honored and been honored by many noble men and women of this extraction. Among the enterprising representatives of the nation in Kansas City, Missouri, is John F. Bjorkman, of this notice, whose business headquarters are in the city mentioned. but whose home is maintained in Kansas City. Kansas. Since 1903 he has conducted one of the best and most exclusive tailoring establishments in the city and as a citizen and a business man his loyalty and patriotism have ever been of the most insistent order. Mr. Bjorkman was born in the city of Linkoping. Ostergotland. Sweden, on the 14th of April. 1863, and is a son of Gustaf and Johanna Bjorkman. both of whom are deceased. The father was engaged in merchant tailoring during the major portion of his active career and of the four children born to him and his wife, he whose name inaugurates this review is the youngest in order of birth.
After availing himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native land. young Bjorkman entered upon an apprentice- ship as a tailor. In 1884, having become familiar with the trade and being just attained to his legal majority, he came to the conclusion to try his fortunes in the land across the seas whose advantages he had heard so greatly vannted, and accordingly he severed home associations and immigrated to the United States. Hle located in New York City and in that great metropolis engaged in the work of his trade for the en- suing four years. In 1888 he followed the tide of immigration westward and established his home in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has ever since maintained his business headquarters. Ile worked as a journey- man until 1903, in which year he decided to go into business on his own account. He then formed a partnership with E. G. Zimmer, under the firm name of Zimmer & Bjorkman, and their splendid tailoring estab- lishment is now located at 914 Grand avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. In due time the firm built up a large and merative trade and it now enjoys distinction as one of the most enterprising concerns of its kind in the state.
On the 20th of November, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of
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Mr. Bjorkman to Miss Anna C. Edlund, whose birth occurred in the city of Stockholm, Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Bjorkman are the proud parents of two sons, concerning whom the following brief data are here entered : David is paying teller in the Commercial National Bank of Kansas City, Kansas; and Erie is in business in Kansas City, Kansas. The latter spent several years in the most fashionable shops in New York City learning the secrets of tailoring and he is considered the best cutter and the nattiest tailor in the state of Kansas. In fact he enjoys a large share of the patronage of the best-dressed men of Kansas City, Kansas. Both boys were afforded an excellent edneation and a brilliant and successful future is prophesied for them.
Mr. Bjorkman is affiliated with several social orders of a repre- sentative order. He has taken an active part in unifying and uplifting the Swedish people of this community. In politics he endorses the canse of the Republican party. While undoubtedly Mr. Bjorkman has not been without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as au ineentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pur- suits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. In community affairs he is active and influential and his support is readily and generously given to many measures for the general progress and improvement. He is a man of splendid exeen- tive ability and unusual energy and by reason of his sterling integrity is accorded the whole-sonled regard of his fellow men.
THOMAS W. SUTHERLAND .- A prosperous and highly esteemed resi- dent of Kansas City, Kansas, Thomas W. Sutherland has been actively identified with public affairs for several years, and in addition to his business interests is prominent in fraternal organizations, being one of the leading Masons of Wyandotte eounty, and a valued member of other beneficial societies. He was born, September 22. 1861, in Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, a son of Philemon Sutherland, and of Virginian ancestry.
Philemon Sutherland was born, in 1818, in West Virginia, and in early life located in Lafayette county. Missouri, where he became, in course of time, owner of a magnificent farm of six hundred and forty arres, in the superintendence of which he took much pride and pleasure, although he was not actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He car- ried on an extensive and Inerative business in Lexington, Missouri, as a contracting painter, in the fulfilment of his contracts keeping from two hundred to three hundred men busily employed. He died at his home, in Lexington, in 1863, while yet in manhood's prime. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Ann Fewell, was born in North Carolina in 1823, and as a child accompanied her parents to their new home in Benton county, Missouri, where she was reared and edueated. She survived her husband, passing away in 1899. Nine children were born of their nnion, three of whom are living, as follows: Sallie F., wife of Titus O. Samuels, of Oceanside, California; John P., a resident of Ramona, California : and Thomas W. The parents were members of the Missionary Baptist church, and the father, who was a Whig in polities during his early life, was afterwards a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.
Left fatherless when but two years old, Thomas W. Sutherland was
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educated in the public schools of Lexington, Missouri, and at the age of seventeen years began life on his own account, going to Odessa, Lafay- ette county. Missouri, where for two years he was engaged in the transfer business. Selling his interests in that venture, he continued there as a general merchant until 1884. when he removed to Emporia, Kansas, where, for five years, he was Grand Recorder for the Ancient Order cf United Workmen. Coming from there to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1889, Mr. Sutherland embarked in the wholesale bakery and retail grocery business, and in that line of industry met with success. In 1900 he had the misfortune of being burned out, the disastrous con- Hagration destroying his entire property. Never losing courage, how- ever, he secured a position as conductor on the North East Electrical street car line, and held it for two years. Crossing the river then into Kansas City, Kansas, Mr. Sutherland became conductor for the same system on the West Side street car line, continuing thus occupied for a year. The ensuing ten years he was time keeper for the Armour Pack- ing Company, leaving in 1903 to go south for the benefit of his health, which had become impaired. Returning to Kansas City, Kansas, after his recovery, Mr. Sutherland was engaged in the wholesale and retail tobacco business ntnil 1908. In 1906 he was elected Register of Deeds for Wyandotte county, and having been re-elected in 1908 served with fidelity until January 1, 1911. Ile is vice president of the Home State Bank.
Mr. Sutherland uniformly supports the principles of the Demo- «ratie party at the polls. He stands high in the Masonie fraternity. being a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Caswell Consistory, No. 5, and of Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3. Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. Both he and his wife are members of Mandias Chapter, No. 1, Order of Eastern Star. He was also one of the directors in the building of the Masonic Temple. He belongs to Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and to Encampment. No. 9.
Mr. Sutherland married, November 26, 1898, Minnie B. Taylor, who was born in Andrain county, Missouri, a daughter of Isaac P. C. and Mary (Da Zell) Taylor, being one of a family of five children, three of whom are living, as follows: James T .; Mrs. Sutherland; and Charles W. Isaac P. C. Taylor was born in Pennsylvania in 1836, and spent his last days in Kansas City, Kansas, passing away in 1899. Ile was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic Order. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have one child, Everett William T. Sutherland.
WILLIAM S. KAY, of the well known firm of Baxter & Kay, general merchants of Bonner Springs, is one of the active and prosperous busi- ness men of Wyanodtte county. Hle was born, in October. 1859. in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, but has lived in Kansas since a lad of seven years.
Thomas Kay, his father, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Kansas, in November, 1905, aged seventy-three years. A farmer by occupation, he came to Kansas in search of cheap lands in 1866, and having purchased a traet of wild land in Johnson county immediately began the improvement of a homestead. Having erected a house, and all the necessary farm buildings, he embarked in general farming and
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in addition to growing large crops of wheat he made a specialty of stoek raising and dealing, earrying on a substantial business for many years. Ile married Mary E. Smith, who was born in Ohio, and died in Kansas, in July, 1904, aged seventy-two years. They had a family of seven children, as follows: Georgia, J. Boyd, William S., Margaret E., Bess P., Mollie, who lived but one year, dying in 1869, and Myrtle.
Growing to manhood in Johnson county, William S. Kay acquired his early education, principally, in the district schools, attending the State Normal Sehool one winter term. Becoming familiar with the various branches of agriculture when young, he subsequently purchased the parental homestead, and was busily and successfully employed in cultivating the soil, and in the raising of cattle and other stock, for many years, retaining the ownership of the home property nntil 1901. when he sold it.
In 1895 Mr. Kay began his career as a merchant by buying a half interest in the Baxter Brothers' store, at Holliday, Kansas, becoming junior member of the firm of Baxter & Kay. Very successful in its operations, this enterprising firm. in 1907. opened a store at Bonner Springs, of which Mr. Baxter assumed the management, Mr. Kay re- maining at Holliday until February, 1910. when the Holliday store was traded for a farm. Mr. Kay then came to Bonner Springs, and in November, 1910, Mr. Baxter began travelling on the road in the interest of the firm, and Mr. Kay took entire charge of the store. This firm has one of the finest department stores in Wyandotte county as regards its stock, handling erockery, queensware, groceries, fruit and vegetables. employing one man, and operating a delivery wagon.
Mr. Kay has never married, but he and his sisters have a most pleasant and hospitable home in Bonner Springs. For twelve years Mr. Kay was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, be- longing to Olive Lodge. No. 387. of Wilder, Kansas, but has dropped from its rolls.
LOUIE F. BARNEY, M. D .- Dr. Barney has won secure place as one of the representative physicians and surgeons of his native state, where his father was a pioneer in the same line of professional endeavor. and he is engaged in active practice in Kansas City, the capital and metropolis of Wyandotte county, where he has gained special prestige as a surgeon, and where he controls a large and profitable practice, the same standing as voueher for his technical skill as well as for his per- sonal popularity in the community. The Doctor has depended upon his own resources in making the battle of life, has shown the determina- tion and integrity that denote the strong and loyal nature, and has therefore never been denied the full quota of popular confidence and respect.
Dr. Louie F. Barney was born at Cherokee. Crawford county, Kansas, on the 19th of November, 1876, and was the second in order of birth of the two sons and two daughters of Dr. James K. and Susan (Fundenberger) Barney, the former of whom was born in Illinois and the latter in Ohio. The father died in 1902, at the age of fifty- five years, and the mother now maintains her home near Cherokee, Kansas. Dr. James Knox Barney carefully fortified himself for the work of his chosen calling, as he was graduated in the old St. Louis
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Medical College, at St. Louis, Missouri, an institution now known as Washington Medical University. From this college he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1871, and his initial work in his pro- fession was done at Marmaton, Bourbon county, Kansas, where he re- mained for a brief interval. In 1872 he removed to Cherokee, Craw- ford county, where he continued in practice until 1877, when he estab- lished his home at Weir, Cherokee county, where he followed the work of his profession until his death. He was a man of sterling character and much ability and as one of the pioneer physicians of Kansas he ministered with all of devotion and self-abnegation to those in affliction. He did not accumulate a fortune through his earnest labors, but he left the gracions heritage of a good name, the while his memory is cherished by the many whom he served so effectively and unselfishly. He was identified with various medical societies and in politics was a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party.
Dr. Louie F. Barney was afforded the advantages of the public schools of Weir, Cherokee county, including a course in the high school, and he suplemented this by a course in the Pittsburg Business College. For three years thereafter he was a successful and popular teacher in the public schools of his home town of Weir, where he was principal of a school and had five other teachers under his direction before he was twenty-one years old, the enrolment of pupils in the school having been about two hundred and fifty. Hle thus early showed his peda- gogie powers as well as his ability as an executive. In gaining his education he depended upon his own exertions for maintenance and in- eidental funds demanded, and in this connection he turned his attention to any honest employment that would afford his adequate returns. Thus it may be stated that for a time he was employed in a drug store and that he also did effective service as a driver of teams used in strip- ping the soil from coal lands, as a preliminary to the development of the properties. It may well be understood that a young man of so definite energy and ambition would early formulate plans for his future life work, and thus Dr. Barney was led to adopt the profession which his honored father had followed. With this end in view he finally entered the Kansas City Medical College, at Kansas City, Missouri, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1903, and from which he received his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine. In a competi- tive examination at the time of his graduation Dr. Barney and one of his classmates gained equal standing in a race for first prize. Follow- ing graduation he seenred the position of physician at St. Margaret's Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas, an incumbency which he retained for fifteen months. For a period of about seven years he was assistant to Dr. George M. Gray in the department of surgery at St. Margaret's Hospital, and his marked skill in surgery has caused him to devote special attention to this branch of practice, in which his success has been on a parity with his recognized ability. The Doctor is a valued member of the Wyandotte County Medical Society, the Kansas State Medical Society, the Kansas City (Missouri) Academy of Medicine, the Northeast Distriet Medieal Society and the Southwest Medical Society, besides which he is also identified with the American Medical Association.
Though essentially broad-minded and progressive in his eivie atti-
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tude, Dr. Barney has found neither time nor inclination to enter the turbulence of so-called practical politics, and he gives his support to men and measure meeting the approval of his judgment, without regard to strict partisan lines. Ile is affiliated with the Scottish Rite body of the Masonic fraternity, and it is worthy of note that he received his degree of Master Mason in Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of its founding.
On the 20th of February, 1907, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Barney to Miss Minnie C. Wahlenmaier, who was born and reared in Kansas City, Kansas, and who is a daughter of William and Caroline Wahlenmaier, the former of whom died about twenty-five years ago and the latter of whom still resides in Kansas City. Mr. Wahlenmaier came from Germany to America when a boy and he eventually gained place as one of the pioneer humber dealers in eastern Kansas. He was one of the honored citizens and influential business men of Wyandotte county, and accumulated a substantial estate through his well directed endeavors. ITis widow Caroline erected the Wahlenmaier block at the corner of Eighth street and Minnesota avenue, in Kansas City, Kansas, and the same is one of the best modern business blocks of the city.
WILLIAM D. DAVIS .- It is the lot of some men to be born great, while others have to achieve greatness. It is clearly evident that Wil- ham D. Davis, a leading agriculturist of Wyandotte county, was destined to be the architect of his own fortunes. Beginning his career on a low rung of the ladder of attainments, he has steadily pushed his way upward, making diligent use of his faculties and opportunities, and is now one of the extensive landholders and stock raisers of Basehor. He was born May 29. 1853, in Herkimer county, New York, a son of Ezra F. Davis.
A native of the Empire state, Ezra F. Davis was born March 1, 1827. A farmer from his youth up, he moved with his family to Cole county, Missouri, in 1860. and for awhile was engaged in the raising of tobacco near Jefferson City. Ile subsequently migrated still further westward, settling in Colorado, where he embarked in the cattle busi- ness. Ile married Elizabeth Eynon, a native of New York state, and to them four children were born, as follows: William D., the special subject of this brief biographical sketch; Llewellyn, a promising stock- man of Wyoming: Frank G. and one deceased.
But seven years of age when his parents moved to Cole connty, Missouri, and still young when they located in Colorado, William D. Davis had very meager educational advantages, his schooling having been exceedingly limited. He assisted his father in the eattle business in Colorado, and on coming east located at Leavenworth, Kansas, where he owned and operated a mill, and for sixteen years served as post- master. Ile is now extensively engaged in general farming, owning five hundred and sixty acres of land in Wyandotte county, three hun- dred and twenty acres of which he utilizes as pasture for his cattle. Mr. Davis is one of the foremost stock growers of his community, in fact being one of the largest buyers and shippers of cattle in north- eastern Kansas. He is a Republican in politics, but has never sought
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