USA > Kansas > Wyandotte County > Kansas City > Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Historical and biographical. Comprising a condensed history of the state, a careful history of Wyandotte County, and a comprehensive history of the growth of the cities, towns and villages > Part 56
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WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
Hon. William A. Coy, mayor of Kansas City, Kas., is a popular official of the city. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, Novem- ber 30, 1835, and has resided in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, since 1887, and has become well and very favorably known. He is a son of Allen M. and Sarah (Bush) Coy, both of whom were born in Chenango County, N. Y., the former having been born in 1804 and the latter in 1809. Their marriage took place in 1826, and to them three sons and three daughters were born, all of whom are living, the youngest two, who were twins, being now in their forty-fourth year. The names of this family are as follows: Polly M., William A., Henry A., Emma S., Jerome and Josephine, all of whom were born in Portage County. The father, who was a farmer and live-stock dealer, died in 1861, his widow passing to her long home ten years later. The subject of this sketch remained in his native county until he attained his eighteenth year, when on January 3, 1853, started from home for the West, and he, accompanied by his father, settled in Buchanan County, Iowa, the latter purchasing a stock ranch in the county on which he laid out the town of Coyville. In that place William A. started a general store, having been provided with the necessary means by his father. This establishment he continued to conduct un- til 1856, at which time he came to Kansas and located on a claim which he had purchased in Jefferson County, when two years later he returned to Iowa, where he spent a few months with his parents, who had removed there in the fall of 1853. In June, 1858, he secured a position as traveling salesman for the firm of David Ransom & Co., of New York City, and continued in the employ of that firm until Janu- ary, 1861. Meanwhile, on November 17, 1861, he was married to Miss Julia Cole, a daughter of S. S. Cole, of Chillicothe, Ill., who is now with his wife and family residing in Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Coy began housekeeping on his claim in Jefferson County, Kas., in January, 1861, and in the fall of 1862 was elected register of deeds, serving one term of two years. In the fall of 1864 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and served one full term and part of another by appointment. During all this time he resided in Oskaloosa, the county seat, and while there he was a partner in a gen- eral store at that place. In March, 1867, he removed to Leavenworth, Kas., where, for two and one- half years, he was a salesman in a whole- sale dry goods establishment. Upon his return to Oskaloosa in 1870 he resumed mercantile pursuits, and to this and the live stock busi- ness his attention was given until 1879. In that year he removed to
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HISTORY OF KANSAS.
Lawrence, Kas., and in 1881 settled in Kansas City, Mo., where he became associated with the wholesale clothing firm of Hannah, Chit- tenden & Co. He continned in that capacity for five years, the firm name in the meantime being changed to Tootle, Hannah & Co. Early in 1886 he formed a partnership with James Hingston and William Peake, under the firm name of Hingston, Coy & Peake, and they were in the wholesale clothing and furnishing business at Nos. 533 and 535 Delaware Street. In 1888 Mr. Coy sold his interest in this establish- ment, and the same year, in connection with his son-in-law, Charles H. Simms, he built the business block known as the Department House in Kansas City, Kas., and in this building they have conducted a large general store ever since. Mr. Coy is also associated with other firms, and is a member of the clothing firm of Coy, Simms & Johnson, and the clothing firm of Coy, Simms & Co., of Kansas City, Kas., the clothing firm of Coy, Hutchins & Co., at Valley Falls, Kas., and the clothing firm of Hutchins, Coy & Co., of Holton, Kas. Besides the enterprises mentioned above, Mr. Coy has been identified with several others of more or less importance, and in 1882 started a store at Clay Centre, Kas. A year later he established a store at Butler, Mo., and in the same year one at Pleasant Hill, the same State. In 1889 he was elected mayor of Kansas City, Kas., and is now filling this posi- tion in a most acceptable manner. He was one of the incorporators of the Kansas City Clothing Manufacturing Company, and is now pres- ident of the same. Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and in his political views is strictly Republican. He and his wife worship in the First Presbyterian Church. Their children are Delia (who is now the wife of Charles H. Simms) and William Edward (who died at the age of sixteen years).
M. L. Critchfield, of the firm of Critchfield & Daily, merchants of Armourdale, Kas., is a gentleman who enjoys an enviable reputation for integrity and high business ability, while he is esteemed and re- spected by all. He was born in Jefferson County, Kas., in November, 1859, and is the son of Terry Critchfield, who came to Kansas in 1855. The elder Critchfield located at Leavenworth and there han- dled claims for some time. He subsequently engaged in the real es- tate business, was county clerk of Jefferson County for several years, and was Representative for three terms. He is now engaged in the banking business at Oskaloosa, Kas. He is, and has been, a very prominent man. M. L. Critchfield passed his youthful days in Jef- ferson County, and received his education at the State University, at
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WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
Lawrence, Kas. He was reared to mercantile pursuits and was in bus- iness at Oskaloosa, Kas., for a number of years, carrying an immense stock. He was postmaster at Oskaloosa under President Cleveland's administration, and put in a fine Yale lock office while filling that po- sition. In March, 1890, he came to Armourdale and established an immense store, which receives an extensive patronage. Mr. Critch- field was married in 1885 to Miss Mollie Johnson, a graduate of Beth- any College, and whose father is a banker in Oskaloosa. Mr. Critch- field is a Royal Arch Mason, K. of P. and A. O. U. W. He is at present assistant cashier of Jefferson County, Kas., Bank.
Capt. Thomas Crooks, farmer and horticulturist, Quindaro, Kas. Mr. Crooks was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on September 8, 1831, and is the son of Henry and Catherine (Donally) Crooks. The father followed farming all his life, and was an industrious, enterpris- ing citizen. His family consisted of seven children-three sons and four daughters-three of whom are now living, and the Captain, the only one in Kansas. The latter passed his boyhood days in assisting his father on the farm, and in addition to a common-school education, attended the academy at New Hagarstown two terms. After this taught school in winter and attended school in summer, thus receiving an un- usually good education. During the winter of 1856-57, induced by the favorable reports from Kansas, he determined to emigrate, and as a result reached Wyandotte County in the last-named year, settling within half a mile of where he now resides, three miles northwest of Kansas City, Kas. Having been reared to agricultural pursuits, it was but natural that he should at last make that his chosen calling, and he first hired out as a farm hand. Later he rented land, but the follow- ing spring went to Colorado, where he prospected some for gold, and was engaged in other enterprises until September. He then returned with a sick companion to his home in Kansas, and there taught school for two terms. Upon the breaking out of the war he was filled with a patriotic desire to assist his country, and on July 21, 1861, he en- listed in Company E, Fourth Regiment Kansas Volunteers, his com- pany being the first cavalry company raised in the State. G. W. Veal, of Quindaro, was captain, William Wier was colonel, and Mr. Crooks was first orderly sergeant, filling that position until January 2, 1863. He was then made second lieutenant of the company, and on July 9, 1863, he was commissioned captain of the company by the governor at the request of the company. He was mustered out on May 8, 1865, but was in the service until July 14, 1865. He served
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HISTORY OF KANSAS.
as captain until his company was mustered out. He was first under Gen. Jim Lane, and then under Col. Freemont in Missouri, then under Gen. Steele in Arkansas. His first introduction to the Southern army was at Fort Scott on September 1, 1861, and the next day another engagement took place on Drywood Creek, where the first one in the command was killed and several wounded. This company be- ing mounted was used as scouts, and Mr. Crooks was in many sharp skirmishes and dangerous positions. In November, 1864, while on the way to Fort Leavenworth to be mustered out, the command was attacked about forty miles below Fort Scott and routed, most of the train being captured. This was his last war experience. Coming home, he remained but a short time, and then reported for duty at Du Vall's Bluff, and was discharged finally in July. He began work- ing on his farm of thirty-one acres, which he had purchased in 1862, and in 1866 he added fifteen acres, and then in 1882 he added twenty acres more. He has been living here and improving his place ever since, and has been fairly successful in his operations. He has about twenty acres in fruit, and has a good house and ontbuildings. The Captain has held several township offices, and his name has been promi- nently mentioned for the position of sheriff. He is a member of the Congregational Church. In 1867 he was married to Miss Julia A. Farnsworth, of Clay County, Mo., and daughter of Isaac and Louisa Farnsworth. They are the parents of two living children, Lily May and Adaline Inza. The Captain has been a Republican, but is op- posed to high tariff.
Timothy Crowley is foreman of the hog-killing and cutting depart- ment of the Kansas City Packing & Refrigerating Company, and although he has resided here since 1885, he was born, and his youth and manhood up to that time were spent in Johnson County, Iowa. His birth occurred on August 25, 1862, to Edward and Hannah (Bradley) Crowley, the former of whom was a native of Maine, and is now resid- ing in Iowa City, at the age of fifty-four years. He is one of the early pio- neers of Johnson County, and was a true and trusty soldier during the Rebellion. His wife was born in the "Emerald Isle" and died in May, 1890, at the age of fifty-two years. Timothy Crowley is the second of five children, and his knowledge of books was acquired in the schools at Iowa City, he being an attendant for some time at the Williams Com- mercial College of that place. He was connected with his father in the stone contracting business, but gave this up in April, 1885, to come to Kansas City, Kas., where he soon secured employment with Morris,
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WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
Butt & Co., now the Kansas City Packing & Refrigerating Company, and for the past three years has acted in the capacity of foreman. He is an excellent man for the place and his duties are always promptly attended to, every detail being carefully looked after. He has always been a warm Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for James G. Blaine, in 1884.
James H. Cummings, foreman of the hide and wool department of the Armour Packing Company, Kansas City, Kas. To an active, wide- awake young man, who is the happy possessor of energy and ambi- tion, there is always a broad field for labor, and a chance to "hew" out a promising career in the mercantile world. Everywhere and among every class of men, there is a feeling of sincere respect for the man who takes up the scattered "threads of his destiny" and weaves them into a beautiful whole. And prominent among this class ranks James H. Cummings, the subject of the present sketch. With- out any assistance but his own willing hands and indomitable energy, he has raised himself from obscurity to his present lucrative position. He began with his present employers in 1884, as a common laborer, and by means of close application and competency was promoted, in two years, to fill a position where he has thirty men under his imme- diate control, and the entire responsibility of his department. Mr. Cummings is a native of County Down, Ireland, his birth occurring in that country in the month of December, 1863. His parents, John and Mary Cummings, are also natives of County Down, Ireland. After attaining the age of sixteen, and receiving a good common-school education there, Mr. Cummings started for America to make for him- self a position in business circles, and such has been his success in this undertaking that to-day he is held in the highest esteem in this community, and is rapidly accumulating a fortune. While not an ac- tive politician, by any means, he votes the Republican ticket at elections. In 1883 Mr. Cummings married Miss Martha Rebecca Tippett, of Menard County, Ill., and to this union has been borne one child-Bud. Like most good business men, the subject of this sketch is largely interested in advancing in every possible way the religious and educational interests of the city.
Lyman Miles Culver, dealer in stocks, bonds, commercial paper, also county, city and school district warrants, at 333 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kas., is a native of Pennsylvania, his ancestors having settled in Luzerne County, that State, in 1790 from New Jersey. Some of the Culver family are still living on lands acquired at that early
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HISTORY OF KANSAS.
date. In 1846 David O. and Clarissa (Simons) Culver, the parents of L. M., came west, settling near Chicago, Ill., where the subject of this sketch was principally raised. In 1860 he married Miss Margaret McArdle, of Watertown, Wis., and soon after came to Kansas, where during the war, he was principally engaged in freighting for the Govern- ment. At the close of the war and for many years after he was in the hide, tallow, fur, pelts and wool trade, also for some years running a soap factory, at Atchison. Selling out there in 1879, after traveling extensively, he became strongly convinced that the great city of the central Southwest was to be at the mouth of the Kaw River in Kan- sas, and stretching across the State line in Missouri. He settled on the Kansas side, and has lived to see his predictions come true, and to realize a snug fortune from the rise of real estate, in which he invested quite extensively, engaging first in the grocery and real estate trade. His business is now in stocks, bonds, commercial paper, county, city and school district warrants, and is large, extending as far west as Colorado and Utah. His son, Abram Lyman Culver, a young man of sound business habits, is still in the grocery trade at his father's old stand.
H. Clay Cundiff. As the contest for wealth and position grows more and more pronounced, a man must possess both natural ability and great energy to gain for himself a position in the commercial world, and one of the men who, realizing that " life is real," has en- deavored always to advance the interests of the community in which he resided, and win for himself money and friends, is the subject of this sketch. His birth took place in Davis County, Ky., on Novem- ber 14, 1860, being the son of Bryant Y. and Fannie P. (McCormick) Cundiff. The parents were also natives of the Blue-Grass State, the father being born January 9, 1822, and following the occupation of a farmer and school teacher after his marriage, until late years, when he devoted his time and attention to preaching in the Baptist Church. Mr. Cundiff grew to manhood's estate in Kentucky, receiving there a first-class common-school education, and learning the carpenter's trade. In 1882, growing weary of the monotony of his home life, he jour- neyed forth to seek a new place of residence, and coming to Kansas City, entered the employ of the Armour Packing House in this city, taking a position in the lamp-supply department. At the present writing he is foreman of this department, having about 20,000 lights to look after. He has been with the same firm for a period of eight years, during which time he has won the esteem and good will of
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WYANDOTTE COUNTY.
his fellow-workers, and made many warm personal friends in the city. Mr. Cundiff married Miss Emma B. Trunnell, daughter of Josiah Trunnell, in 1886. Her birth occurred in Kentucky, as did her parents'. This union has been blessed with two children, named re- spectively, Ouida and Zola Lee. Mr. Cundiff is in sympathy with the Democratic party. He belongs to the Wide-Awake Lodge No. 153, K. of P., and National Union No. 382.
Capt. A. W. Cunningham, grocer, Armourdale, Kas. Among the most important industries of any community are those which deal in the necessaries of life, and next to bread and meat nothing is more necessary than groceries. Armourdale has many first-class establish- ments doing business in this line, prominent among the number being that conducted by Capt. A. M. Cunningham. This gentleman is a na- tive of Washington County, Md., born August 1, 1842, and is the son of John D. H. and Margaret (Holbert) Cunningham, natives of Mary- land, and of English-Scotch descent. The ancestors on both sides were early emigrants to the United States and located in Maryland. The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Knoxville, Tenn. John D. H. Cunningham, father of our subject, was a tailor by trade, and spent his entire life in Hancock, Md. The mother is still living on the homestead. They were the parents of nine children, three now living: Laura C., and Charles A. H. (who is a resident of Massachusetts). Capt. Cunningham received a fair educa- tion in his native county, in Maryland, and when but a mere boy was steerman on a canal boat for seven years. In 1861 he was employed on the Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and was in the militia for some time. In 1864 he enlisted in the regular service, and was in active duty until the close of the war. After the war he returned to the em- ploy of the Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and remained with the same until 1867, when he went on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, in whose employ he remained for nine years. After this he went to Oil City, worked there for some time, and in 1879 came to Kansas City, where he was employed on the Chicago & Alton, and afterward on the Union Pacific Railroad, most of his railroad life being spent as a conductor. He was a city salesman for William C. Glass' wholesale liquor house for some time, and since then he has been in the grocery business, being quite successful in this venture. In the last election he ran for Representative, but was beaten by seventeen votes. He was married, first in 1867, to Miss Anna Crull, who died in 1877, leav- ing five children : William R., Maggie, Anna, Grace and Blanche. His
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HISTORY OF KANSAS.
second marriage was in 1878, to Miss Laura Duncan. He was for some time deputy United States marshal. Socially he is a member of the K. of P.
George W. Cunningham is the chief engineer of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company in Kansas City, and has held his present posi- tion since the month of November, 1888. His birth occurred in Madison County, Ind., July 28, 1859, and in 1862 was taken to Indianpolis by his parents, and in 1863 to Olney, Ill., where he grew to mature years, and received common school advantages. At the age of thirteen years he began working in an engine-room, and at the age of fourteen be- came a regular engineer for the La Fayette Iron Company, at Ben- wood, Ind., and afterward became accountant for the Vandalia Rail- road Company, at Brazil, Ind., but only remained with them a short time, when he entered school at Claremont, Ill., and graduated from the public schools. He next began working for a milling com- pany in Olney, as second engineer, and also acted as solicitor for the same for some time. He afterward took charge of a Government snag- boat on White River, being there from July till October, then went to Vincennes, Ind., and was chief engineer for Riverside Lumber Com- pany for twelve months, after which he took a like position in the Broadway Milling Company, remaining in this capacity for five years. The following three months he was in the employ of M. L. Watson & Co., of Terre Haute, then became connected as erecting engineer with the Deane Steam Pump Company, of Holyoke, Mass., with which he remained for fourteen weeks, then became engineer for Bienville Water Supply Company, of Mobile, Ala., continuing eight weeks, after which he worked from May until October for the Hamilton Corliss Engine Com- pany. He was next connected with the Queen City Light Company, at Dallas, Tex., but resigned at the end of thirty-two days to accept his present position. He was married in Olney, Ill., to Miss Hannah E. Shepherd, who was born in Richland County, Ill., in 1861, and the children born to them are Walter and Henry. Mr. Cunningham learned his trade of his father, William Cunningham, who is now a machinist for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, at Wash- ington, Ind. He was born in Baltimore, Md. His father was a wheelwright and millwright, and was born and spent his life in Mary- land. His wife's mother was a Miss St. Clair, of French nativity, and her father was a Scottish lord, and a very wealthy man. He came to America with Lord Baltimore, and became a very extensive land owner. The mother's people came from the south of England, and the great-
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grandfather was a soldier under Gen. Washington, in the Revolu- tionary War. Some of Mr. Cunningham's ancestors have participated in every war in which the United States has been engaged, and Will- iam Cunningham was a soldier under Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War. Mrs. Cunningham's maternal grandfather was a Perry, a de- scendant of Commodore Perry.
John A. Dahlgren, a short sketch of whose life now claims atten- tion, was born in Sweden in the month of January, 1844, being the son of John and Johana Dahlgren, natives of Sweden. In his native country Mr. Dahlgren learned the mason's trade, and there received a liberal education. In 1870 he came to the United States, landing in New York City, and going from that point to New Jersey, where for a period of seven years, he continued to work at his chosen trade. At the expiration of that time he moved to Kansas City, Kas. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Miss Louise Ledman, a native of Sweden, and their marriage was consummated in the year 1874. They have been blessed with five children, of whom John is dead, and Ida, Oscar, Edna and Jennie are living at the present writing. Mr. Dahlgren has met with great and almost unbroken success since com- mencing his business career, and has, by means of his energy, undis- putable talent, and promptness, built up a very large trade in this city, having contracted for and built many of the handsomest buildings that are found within the limits of this prosperous place, such as the county jail, the sheriff's residence, First National Bank Building, Moss Block, Simpson Block, Exchange Bank, and numerous buildings of equal size and expense. While he is an expert in all the different branches of his trade, he makes a specialty of brick and stone work, and is numbered among the prominent business men of Kansas City. Mr. Dahlgren is a member of the Republican party. He belongs to Tauromee Lodge No. 30, A. O. U. W., also a Swedish order. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren are faithful members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and interested in religious, and educational matters. This is only one of the numerous instances that daily come before the public where men make for themselves good reputations and comfort- able fortunes.
Charles Dauzenroth, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, Argen- tine, Kas. The establishment of which Mr. Dauzenroth is the es- teemed proprietor is in this line a thoroughly representative one, for he was the first merchant and resident of Argentine. He was born in Germany on April 8, 1842, and is the second of four children
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HISTORY OF KANSAS.
born to the marriage of John and Mary Catherine Dauzenroth, natives- also of Germany. The parents both died in the old country, the mother in 1852 and the father in 1875. In the year 1855 Charles Dauzenroth emigrated to the United States, in company with his un- cle and guardian, Antoine Nahrgang, and located in New York City. Later they moved to Detroit, Mich., thence to Chicago and finally to Davenport, Iowa, where our subject was reared to manhood. He assisted his relatives on the farm until 1857, when he left them and started out to fight life's battles for himself when but fifteen years of age. He began first by working in a brick-yard, where he remained until 1859, and then went to Mulligan's Bend, where he chopped wood one winter. He then made a visit to his relatives, and in 1864 went to St. Louis, where he assisted in the care of calvary horses. He worked at brick-making and other jobs until 1869, when he came to Kansas City, and went into the country to chop railroad ties. In 1870 he returned to Kansas City and went to work at the cooperage busi- ness in a building now known as Perfection Mills. Here he soon began to make barrels on his own accord, selling to the trade, and was very suc- cessful until 1873, when the panic struck Kansas City, he lost his start, and selling out the balance of his stock he went to St. Louis. There he worked alternately at brick-making and coopering until 1875, when he went to work at the smelter and there remained for six years. He then made a contract as foreman of the Argentine Smelter, which he worked for one year, after which (in 1882), he opened his store, which he still continues. When the town was incorporated in August, 1882, he was elected treasurer, which office he held one year. After this he was made city clerk and retained this position until 1889. In 1866 he was married to Miss Kate Brake, a native of Germany, who died a year after her marriage, and in 1876 he chose for his second wife Miss Mary Mullen, a native of Canada, born July 7, 1839, and the daughter of James Mullen, who was born in Ireland. To the first union one child was born, a daughter named Mary, who is the wife of Frank Cigrand, a blacksmith in Argentine. Mr. and Mrs. Cigrand are the parents of one child, Carl. Mr. Dauzenroth is a Democrat in poli- tics, and held the office of treasurer and city clerk for five years. He is a member of the K. of L., of which he was treasurer and recording secretary. He is charitable as a supporter of all enter- prises for the public good, and is an enterprising, progressive, and capable business man, who thoroughly understands the wants of the public.
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