USA > Oklahoma > Portrait and biographical record of Oklahoma; commemorating the achievements of citizens who have contributed to the progress of Oklahoma and the development of its resources, V. 1 > Part 27
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Born in Indiana county, Pa., October 16, 1860. E. P. Douthitt was reared in his native state until 1870, and then went with his father to Jack- son, Miss., where he attended the public schools and learned the brickmason's trade from his father. He early displayed a progressive and independent spirit, and when fourteen years of age made up his mind to start out in the world for himself, and as a result of this determination went alone to Illinois, working his way thither. Five years later found him in Kansas, to which state he had worked his way, but in 1880 he re- turned to Beaver county, Pa., and identified him- self with his father in the bricklayer's business. continuing the same for two years. In 1882 Mr. Douthitt settled in Pittsburg. Kans., and worked at his trade until 1885. removing then to Kiowa, Kans., where he remained until the opening of the Oklahoma strip.
April 22, 1889. Mr. Douthitt located on his claim, five miles southwest of Hennessey, on Turkey Creek, on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 3. township 18, range 7. The family arrived the same day, and Mr. Douthitt at once began to improve his claim, and in order to build a house. hauled lumber from Kansas. The incident of his marriage will here be found of interest. be- cause of the truly enterprising part taken by Mrs. Douthitt during the first years of their resi- dence in Oklahoma. She was formerly Ella Her-
. man, of Kansas, and a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Vincent) Herman. Andrew Herman was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1829, and came to America when quite young. He was a
Upon his return to the vicinity of Hennessey, Mr. Douthitt engaged in brickmaking on his farm, and contracted in the vicinity and in Hen- nessey. At the present writing his headquarters are in Hennessey, and he devotes the majority of his time to contract brick work. Among the many evidences of his skill may be mentioned the Smith building. the J. H. Bash, Sylvester, Cox Brothers, and Edward Gould buildings. In 1898 he erected the Douthitt building on Main street.
In politics Mr. Douthitt is a believer in the principles advocated by Bryan, and is a Populist of the broadest and most common-sense kind. To him, as to all who aid in the building of towns, is due large credit for his able and neces- sary assistance.
EORGE HUGHES CRUMLEY, a well- G I known farmer residing on the northeast quarter of section 26, township 14, range 7 west. Canadian county, was born near Elizabeth- town, Carter county, Tenn .. April 4. 1861. a son of John A. and Elizabeth (Hughes) Crumley. He was reared on a farm and received a fair com- mon-school education, which has fitted him for life's responsible duties. On leaving home in 1877, he went to Grayson county. Tex., where he worked as a farm hand for some time, and after the removal of his parents to that state in 1879. he spent one year with them, the father renting land the first year and then buying a farm.
After a year spent at home, Mr. Crumley began work at the carpenter's trade, being very handy with tools, though never serving a regular apprenticeship. He spent nearly a year in Ar-
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kansas, working at his trade and in the mines, and then returned to Texas, but shortly after- ward went to New Mexico, where he worked in silver mines for nearly a year. On his return to Texas, he followed the carpenter's trade and clerked in a confectionery store. He was mar- ried, October 19, 1884, near Howe, to Miss Me- lissa Stroud, of Grayson county, who was born in Cooke county, that state, a daughter of Fletcher Stroud. By this union were born five children, two sons, Clarence and Otis, and three daughters, Vera, Ena and Willie. Clarence, V'era and Ena were born in Texas, the two others in Oklahoma.
After his marriage Mr. Crumley bought a farm of eighty acres in Grayson county, Tex., which he operated about four years, and then moved to Denison, that county, where he worked in car shops and yards, and was made car inspector, holding that position until he came to Oklahoma in 1890. On the ist of May, that year, he filed a claim to the southwest quarter of section 18, township 14, range 6 west, and constructed a dugout and sod house, but the family never lived in these, Mr. Crumley utilizing them while erect- ing a frame house for the family.
In 1896 Mr. Crumley purchased his present farm, upon which some improvements had al- ready been made, and a three-acre orchard set out, and here he located in 1898. After the opening of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe coun- try, he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, and assisted in the erection of the first building in Okarche after the depot and section house had been built. This was a business house built upon railroad land before the country was open for settlement, and it is now used as a resi- dence. Mr. Crumley has helped to erect a num- ber of buildings in Okarche, including a hotel. While not an office-seeker, he has always taken an active interest in political affairs and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland in 1884, but for the past few years has affiliated with the Populist party. His wife is an active member of the United Brethren Church, and he contributed $25 and fifteen days' work toward building Lib- erty Chapel in their neighborhood.
C HARLES POND is proprietor of the Guthrie Steam Laundry and enjoys an extensive patronage throughout the two territories. He is located in a new building on East Harrison street and has the largest laundry in Guthrie.
Mr. Pond was born near Leavenworth. in Leavenworth county, Kans., July IT, 1863, and is a son of Jefferson and Louanna (Lee) Pond. lle comes of Scotch ancestry, three brothers having come to this country, one of whom
located in Connecticut, another went south and a third came west. His grandfather was a tan- ner in Indiana for many years, but at the time of his death was located in Iowa. Jefferson Pond was born in Indiana and at an early day moved to Iowa, locating near Drakeville. In 1860 he settled on a farm in Bourbon county, but after a short time he moved to a farm in Leavenworth county, Kans. He served in the Kansas militia during the Civil war, but was discharged on account of sickness. In 1871 he moved to Cow- ley county, Kans., and followed farming there until his death in 1874. He married Louanna Lee, who was born in Indiana and was a daugh- ter of Willis Lee. The latter was a farmer and blacksmith of Drakeville, Iowa, but in 1869 located at Leavenworth, Kans., and later in Cowley county, that state. He died near Min- neapolis, Colo., at the age of seventy-eight years. He had several sons who served in the Civil war. Mrs. Pond now resides in Alva, Okla. Six children were born to her and her husband, four of whom are living as follows: Frank B., who is in Sacramento, Cal .; James W., who is in Kansas: Mrs. Nettie Lee, who lives in Oklahoma; and Charles.
Charles Pond was reared on a farm in Cowley county, Kans., and attended the public schools. His father dying in 1874, he was obliged to shift for himself .. He conducted the home farm until he was eighteen years of age, then went to Mul- vane, Kans., where he clerked in a store and went to school. In 1884 he went to Sharon, Kans., where he engaged in merchandising, becoming a member of the firm of Ross & Pond. One year later he went to Shockeyville, Hamil- ton county, Kans., where he proved up a claim. Going to Minneapolis, in the southeast corner of Colorado, in 1886, he located a claim and engaged in the merchandise business with a brother, the firm name being Pond Brothers. After a period of one and one-half years he settled at Trinidad and there remained until April 22, 1889, when he located at Kingfisher at the opening of Oklahoma. Later he engaged in the real estate business at Oklahoma City and then at Guthrie. Returning to Kansas, from there he went to Towa, where he remained for seven years. He followed the laundry business at Mason City for six years, establishing the Mason City Steam Laundry. In 1896 he sold out and located in Guthrie, where he started a new laundry plant. He has been exceedingly successful, and his patronage was such as to warrant the erection of his new laundry in 1890. It is 25x140 feet, consists of two floors, and is located on East Harrison street. The plant is equipped with a sixteen horse-power engine. a thirty horse-power boiler, and has its own gas and water equipments. He manufactures his
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own soap and the business is modern in all its details. Agencies have been established all over Oklahoma and the Indian Territory. The laun- dry, which is taxed to its utmost, has a capacity for $1,000 worth of work per week.
Mr. Pond was united in marriage in Iowa with Hattie M. Booth, who was born in Canada and is a daughter of Jacob Booth of Iowa. Fra- ternally he is a member of Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of Guthrie Com- mercial club. Formerly he held office as treas- urer of the Iowa State Laundry Association. Politically he is a Republican.
D R. JAMES PERRY DOUTHITT. The early life of James Perry Douthitt was spent on the frontier, and many and varied were the experiences of himself and family in the troublous ante-bellum period and during the Civil war. They possessed the true pioneer spirit and had the courage of their convictions, steadily pursuing the pathway of right and justice, and ultimately won the respect of all who knew them.
On the paternal side, the doctor is of Celtic origin, the Douthitts having originated in the northern part of Ireland or Scotland. His father, H. B., and grandfather, Abraham Douthitt, were natives of North Carolina, and at an early day settled in Newton county, Mo., where they be- came wealthy farmers, according to the standards of that time and community. When the dis- quietude of the approaching war and the actual warfare began, the family suffered materially in fortune, for their property was in the thickest of the fray part of the time. and the bushwhackers were a terrorizing power in that region. The battle of Newtonia was fought only five miles from the old homestead owned by H. B. Douth- itt, and during the war he was a soldier in the Federal army, belonging to a Missouri regiment. He retired from his agricultural labors a few years prior to his death, making his home in the town of Richey. His wife. Angeline (Clark) Douthitt, was born in Tennessee, and, with her father, Ephraim Paul Clark, she came to Newton county, Mo., when she was young. All but one of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Douthitt lived to maturity, and seven are yet living.
The doctor was born in Neosho, Mo .. August 6. 1856, and at an early age became familiar with all of the practical details of farming. He at- tended the log schoolhouse of the district, and later was a student in the Lebanon Normal, where he was graduated in 1874. He then went to the Cherokee Nation and engaged in the live- stock business for three years or more. He then went to Chicago, where he took a thorough course in a veterinary college, and received the
degree of veterinary surgeon in 1881. Return- ing to the west, he established his home in Vin- ita, Cherokee Nation, and thus was one of the first white settlers there. For thirteen years he was one of the busiest men of that region, carry- ing on his regular vocation, and engaging in the business of breeding horses and cattle, besides making a specialty of raising high-grade South- down and Cotswold sheep on a sheep ranch which he owned. In 1894 he disposed of his varied interests and came to Guthrie, where he has attended solely to regular veterinary prac- tice. When in Chicago he was connected with the Veterinary Association, and now he belongs to the Gentlemen's Driving Club of Guthrie. Fraternally, lie is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World, and in political matters is a strong Republican.
The wife of Dr. Douthitt's youth was Miss Lovina Strayer prior to her marriage. She was born in Pennsylvania and resided in Newton county at the time of the wedding. Death claimed her while she was a resident of Vinita, and three children survive to mourn her loss. Ruth, the eldest, is Mrs. Ward, of Vinita, and May.' Mrs. Mecham, lives in Silver City, N. M. The only son, Arthur J., a graduate of the Guthrie high school, is a graduate of the Northwestern Veterinary College, class of 1900. In the spring of 1900 he was tendered the position of live- stock inspector by Governor Barnes and now fills that position. The lady who now bears the doctor's name and presides with womanly dig- nity over his attractive residence at No. 524 North Broad street, Guthrie, was Miss Bessie McGoldrie in her girlhood, and Ireland is the place of her nativity. One child, Nellie, graces this union. Mrs. Douthitt is connected with the Catholic Church, and is very popular in the best city society.
W A. ELSTON. In his chosen line of work, that of carpentering, Mr. Elston lias reaped the success due so painstak- ing and conscientious a mechanic. He was born in Stark county, Ill .. November 6, 1862, his father, Elisha Elston, being a coal miner during the years of his activity, and terminating his busy career when his son, W. A., was but two years old. He had married Minnie Rickey, who was born in Stark county, being a daughter of John Rickey, who came from Ohio at an early day and settled in Stark county, but died in Fulton county, Ill. After her husband's death, Mrs. Elston married David Kinkade, who was a coal miner until 1883, but at that time removed to Hutchinson, Kans., and engaged in agricultural pursuits. By her first marriage Mrs. Elston was
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the mother of two children, W. A. and Frank, who are carpenters in Hennessey, Okla.
W. A. Elston was reared in Illinois, and re- ceived his education in public schools. In 1876 he went with his mother to Butler, Mo., where he continued to study at the public schools. When sixteen years old he began to prepare for the future by learning the carpenter's trade in Adrian, Bates county, Mo., and in 1883 removed to Hutchinson, Kans., where he worked at his trade, and continued the same in Wichita. Soon after he returned to Hutchinson and assisted in building the sugar mill at Medicine Lodge, Kans. In August, 1890, he settled in Kingfisher county, Okla., on a claim fifteen miles from Hen- nessey, where he remained until the title was proved, at the same time working at his trade as opportunity offered. This was followed by a vear of work on the officers' quarters at Fort Reno, and in 1893 he moved to Hennessey, where he has since conducted a large business, and catered to a growing demand. He manufac- tures brackets, scroll work of all kinds, turning, and mouldings, stock and irrigating tanks, and makes a specialty of screen doors and window screens.
In Wichita, Mr. Elston married Mary Blanch- ard, who is a native of New York. In politics Mr. Elston is a believer in the principles of the Republican party, but has never been an office- seeker. Fraternally, he is associated with the Knights of Pythias. As one of the first to recog- nize the possibilities of the town of Hennessey, and as one of the most ambitious and enterpris- ing in developing the various lines of occupation which contribute to her upbuilding, he has won the esteem and respect of all who know him.
A MOS A. EWING. One of the important local factors in the councils of the Repub- lican party is Amos A. Ewing, who has re- sided in Kingfisher for several years and has been connected with numerous organizations which have had a direct bearing upon the com- inercial upbuilding of Oklahoma. His service to the public as an official has been entirely satis- factory to all concerned, and no one is more alert than he in regard to the general welfare. In tracing the ancestry of Mr. Ewing, we find that liis paternal grandfather, Samuel Ewing, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and came to the United States about the time of the war of 1812, in which he took part. Several of his brothers came to these shores in that decade and settled in New York, whence they later went to Pennsylvania. In that state Samuel Ewing set- tled and engaged in farming as long as he lived. llis son, Thomas, born in Beaver county, Pa., and father of Amos A. Ewing, was a cousin of
Gen. Thomas Ewing, a leader in the Whig party in Ohio at one time. Becoming a pioneer of Holmes county, Ohio, in 1847 or 1848, he car- ried on a farm, and for forty-five years was ex- tensively interested in the grain business, his residence being in Holinesville. During the Civil war he served as a revenue collector, under appointment of President Lincoln. He is now four-score years old, and his devoted wife is only two years liis junior. Her maiden name was Rachel Dawson, and her birthplace Ohio. Her father, Benjamin Dawson, was one of the first settlers of Holmes county, and his ancestors originally came to this country from Scotland. For forty-five years Thomas and Rachel Ewing have been members of the Christian Church, and have been looked up to and admired by a large circle of acquaintances.
Born February 7, 1862, A. A. Ewing is next to the youngest of six surviving brothers, and he also has three sisters living. David F. and John D. are engaged in the practice of the law at Mount Vernon, Ohio; Samuel is a farmer of Knox county, same state; N. E. and Benjamin F. are farmers of Holmes county.
The early years of Mr. Ewing's life were quietly spent on his father's farm, and until he reached his majority he continued to assist his senior in his various enterprises. In 1885 he came to Kansas and proved up a claim in Kiowa county, in the Indian reservation. He also re- sided for a period in Kniseley, Kans., and be- came a deputy under Sheriff Billings. April 22, 1889, he came to Kingfisher and embarked in the real estate, loan and insurance business. From 1894 to 1896, in company with Mr. McLoud, an able lawyer, he was in the employ of the Choc- taw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad, and secured the right of way from Oklahoma City to South Mc- Allister. Incidentally, they laid out several towns along the line, and thus cleared over $100,- 000, over and above all costs. In partnership with Mr. Brandon, he organized the Kingfisher Hotel Company, and contributed liberally to- ward the building, but this enterprise is only one of many here which he has assisted.
Since the formation of the territorial branchi of the Republican party, Mr. Ewing has been active in the ranks. As chairman of the special committee having in charge the local Republican campaign in 1890, he rendered notable service. and was associated in the work with Captain Ad- mire, Judge Roberts and other prominent citi- zens. Later he was honored by being made sergeant-at-arms and caucus nominee, but when C. G. Jones and Mr. Trosper openly dissented from the proceedings of the caucus, and, hoping to centralize the capital at Oklahoma City, joined the Democrats, and proffered him the chief clerkship in their organization, he refused. At
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the close of the session he was appointed by Governor Steele to the board of regents of the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Still- water. He served as treasurer of that board, and two years later was reappointed to the posi- tion by Governor Seay, and again chosen to act as treasurer. When the Cheyenne and Arapahoe lands were opened to settlement, in 1892, he was appointed county judge of Blaine county, and in that important place, as in all others, he ac- quitted himself with credit. As early as 1895 he espoused Mc Kinley's cause, and for five years has been a devoted friend to the great leader. Since June 22, 1897, he lias acted in the capacity of inspector of oils for the territory, having ac- cepted the appointment tendered him by Gov. C. M. Barnes, and he now gives all of his time to the discharging of the duties devolving upon him. .
His social and commercial relations are pop- ular, while politically he has won the displeasure of a number of local political leaders, but always found loyal to his friends. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In his domestic circle he finds his chief compensation for the cares and troubles that come to him. as to all. In 1893 he was united in marriage with Eugenia M. Thorne, who was born in Franklin, Ohio, and in 1891 came to Hennessey, Okla., with her father, Alex- ander Thorne, a successful farmer. The Thornes were early settlers of Pennsylvania, and origin- ated in the north of Ireland. Mrs. Ewing's pa- ternal grandfather married a Miss Campbell, and both were Presbyterians. Her mother, whose maiden name was Martha Throckmorton, was of Holland-Dutch descent, and was a native of War- ren county, Ohio, where her father. James Throck- morton, was an early settler, he having been a native of New Jer. ey. Mrs. Ewing was one of ten children, one of whom is deceased, and eight of whom reside in Oklahoma. By her marriage she is the mother of two children, namely: Jef- ferson Seay and Anna Brandon. She is a lady of liberal educational attainments and is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church.
H ON. A. O. FARQUHARSON, proprietor of the New York Clothing House, the old- est clothing establishment in Guthrie, was formerly mayor of the city, and his administra- tion is generally conceded to be the equal of any the city has yet had. Mr. Farquharson was born in Toronto, Canada, December 18, 1855, and is descended from the old Farquhar and MacIn- tosh families, whose lineage is traced directly back of MacDuff of A. D. 1000. His father. James Farquharson, was born in AAberdeenshire.
and was a young man when he crossed the ocean, settling in Toronto, Canada, where he was a shoe merchant. In 1866 he removed to Illinois, set- tling near Milford, and there engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. In 1869 he removed to Vandalia, Mo., and engaged in farming until 1872, when he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in Sumner county, Kans. This property he greatly improved and farmed until he retired, then moved to Kay county, where he now resides at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He married Mary Puterbaugh, who was born in Canada, and is a daughter of John Puterbaugh, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but became a farmer near Toronto. She died in Kansas at the age of sixty-eight years. Five sons and three daughters blessed this union, namely: John W., of whom all trace is lost; A. O., our subject: J. A., a farmer of Logan county; W. L., a grain dealer of El Reno; Charles A., who accidentally shot himself while a resident of Arizona; Mrs. Jennie C. Phillips, of Guthrie; Mrs. Mary Ech- ternach, of Kay county; and Mrs. Lena Fitzger- ald, also of Kay county.
At the time the family came to the States, A. O. Farquharson was ten years of age. He re- ceived his education in the public schools and Fort Scott Normal School, where he was gradu- ated in a business course. He engaged in the livery business at Wichita and then farmed for a time in Sumner county, Kans. In April, 1889. he came to Guthrie, and in the fall of 1891 bought Mundy's hardware store, in partnership with Mr. Morris, the firm name becoming Far- quharson & Morris. After six years in the hardware business he sold out. In 1897 he pur- chased the clothing store of H. L. Cohn, which was established in the spring of 1889. and he has since continued in this business, with great suc- cess. In 1898 he started a branch store in New- kirk, of which he is sole proprietor and manager. and which has a liberal patronage. His business in Guthrie is located at No. 214 Oklahoma ave- nue, and he lives in a handsome residence at No. 319 Harrison avenue.
In Oxford, Kans., Mr. Farquharson married Cassie V. Froggatte, a native of Jackson, Mich. They are parents of two children: Hayden Gran- ville, a graduate of Guthrie Commercial College. who now attends Culver Military Academy at Culver, Ind .: and Orville, who graduated with the class of 1900 in Guthrie high school, and is now a student in the Kansas University, at Law- rence. Our subject is a strong supporter of the Republican party, and has held many offices of public trust. He was trustee of a township in Kansas, and upon coming here became a mem- ber of the council from the third ward, serving two terms as chairman of the finance committee. In 1895 he was elected mayor without opposition
A. M. SPRAGUE, M. D. Kingfisher.
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from any party, an unprecedented occurrence, which illustrates his popularity. For his excel- lent work in straightening out the finances of Guthrie he has been highly commended. The warrants of the city had been selling for sixty- five cents on the dollar, but he bonded the city and assessed taxes in order to have the necessary money to run the city, and the price gradually rose to par. He was made a Mason in Oxford, Kans., and is now a member of Guthrie Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M .; Guthrie Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., of which he has been high priest; Guthrie Commandery No. 1; and the Consis- tory, thirty-second degree. He is also a member of India Temple, N. M. S., of Oklahoma City. He has been an active member of the Consistory; having charge of the ninth degree. His devotion to the noble order is one of the noticeable attri- butes of his character.
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