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 3

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers, (1901, Chapman publishing co., Chicago)
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing co
Number of Pages: 1110

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 3

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In Westfield, Pa., Judge Strang married Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Lyon) Strang, widow of Chap- man Strang. She was born in Steuben county, N. Y., and died in 1804 in Guthrie, leaving two children, namely: Albert B., a son by her first marriage, and Lula Strang, a graduate of Hollin's Institute in Virginia. Albert B., now a farmer in Oxford, N. Y., was reporter for the judge when

he was in the supreme court at Topeka. Judge Strang married for his second wife Mrs. Birdie C. Hall, of Little Rock, Ark. She was born in Louisiana and died in April, 1898, in Guthrie, leaving one child, Ione A. Strang, a student at All Hallows, Wichita, Kans.

H ON. DENNIS T. FLYNN. Whoever labors for the development of any com- munity, striving to promote its progress, to foster its industrial growth, to advance its educational interests and to secure the happiness and prosperity of its people, such an one is en- titled to be called a public-spirited citizen. This, in brief, is the record of Mr. Flynn since the opening of Oklahoma. Coming to the terri- tory at that time, when conditions were crude, prospects doubtful and the future most uncer- tain, he threw himself into the work of evolving a commonwealth from the heterogeneous sur- roundings in which he found himself. How well he has succeeded is a matter of history. No plan has been presented for the well-being of Oklahoma that has lacked his championship. No enterprise has been inaugurated for terri- torial expansion that has been denied his co- operation. No movement looking toward free homes and statehood has appealed in vain for his assistance. Hence, to an unusual degree, his history during the past decade or more has been the history of Oklahoma, and it would be impossible to present 'one without frequent reference to the other.

At the time of the opening, Mr. Flynn was a young man, well equipped with a knowledge of law, familiar with real-estate values, interested in public affairs, and eager to identify himself with the new territory. His prominence and activity in the Republican party led to his ap- pointment as postmaster of Guthrie, April 4. 1889. He arrived in Guthrie on the first train from the north, April 22, and on the 26th re- ceived telegraphic orders (Iris commission not having been received) to open the office at once. Securing a tent, 10x14, as a postoffice, he began his work. From ten to fifteen bushels of mail matter were deposited on the floor of the tent. Out of this miscellaneous mass he was obliged to select the mail for the long line of people who stood outside, waiting their turn to ask for letters. Numerous schemes were devised to facilitate the delivery of the enormous accumu- lation of mail matter. One was to have the people advance in line to one of the two delivery "holes" and each person was allowed to ask for mail for himself and one other, the other party usually paying from twenty-five cents to ȘI for this accommodation. Another plan was to select letters beginning with the same letter of the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

alphabet, have a clerk with strong lungs mount a dry-goods box, and announce to the waiting crowds that mail would that day be delivered to parties whose names commenced with that special letter. In this and other ways the first accumulation of correspondence was delivered, but for weeks afterward, long lines of men, numbering as high as one thousand. could be seen from morning to night, patiently waiting for their turn to reach the delivery "window." Without doubt the postmaster of Guthrie was one of the hardest-worked men in the town during those early days. After a few months a postoffice building was erected, a thorough sys- tem was adopted, the work was placed on a satis- factory basis, and the regular routine was prosecuted without interruption. In the fall of 1889 the Commercial block was completed and a room in it fitted up for a postoffice, thus in- creasing the facilities of prompt delivery.

With the organization and growth of the Republican party in Oklahoma Mr. Flynn has been closely associated. In fact, he has been one of the party leaders in the territory. In recognition of his progressive spirit and his high standing in the party, he was chosen in 1892 as the territorial delegate to congress. and has since filled that position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. To his energy is largely due the passage of the free homes bill, which has meant so much to the people of Oklahoma in their hope of ultimate prosperity and success here. Besides this bill, he has given thoughtful and constant attention to another measure of equal importance, and that is the securing of an enabling act which will render possible the admission of Oklahoma into the galaxy of states. On every hand it is conceded that Oklahoma should be admitted to the Union, and there is no doubt but that admission will be granted within a comparatively short time. In fact, steps have already been taken looking toward that end, and without doubt this pros- perous territory will be the first state admitted during the twentieth century.

A firm believer in the future of Oklahoma. Mr. Flynn finds that by comparison with other portions of the United States, this territory stands unusually high. In intelligence, the four hundred and fifty thousand comprising the pop- ulation rank high. They are also law-abiding. While Arizona has one convict to every four hundred and twenty-five persons, in Oklahoma there is one to each two thousand one hundred and fifty. The bonded debt in Arizona is SII per capita, in New Mexico $4 and in Oklahoma seventy-five cents. There are five states with not half the population of Oklahoma, and six with only two-thirds as many people; while in Massachusetts, the center of culture and learn-

ing, there are twice as many illiterates as in Oklahoma. In other points this territory ranks equally high. Its proportion of fertile soil is remarkably large. In climate it has many points of superiority. Taken altogether, when it comes into the Union, there will be few states that will surpass it, in the intelligence of the population; the character of the soil and the boundless pros- . pects for future wealth.

H ON. WILLIAM M. JENKINS, a gentle- man who has attained high distinction in

public affairs, is now serving in the ca- pacity of secretary of Oklahoma. For many years he has been a member of the legal profession. He is well-versed in the law, and has met with success in his practice.

Mr. Jenkins was born in Alliance, Ohio, April 25, 1856, and is a son of William Jenkins. His paternal grandfather was a farmer and came of good old Quaker stock. William Jenkins was born in North Berwick, Me., and at an early day located in eastern Pennsylvania. He was married at Brownsville, Fayette county, and later moved to Alliance, Ohio, where he followed farming and engaged in the shoe business. In 1886 or 1887 he removed to California and died at El Modena at the age of seventy years. He was a member of the Society of Friends. A strong abolitionist, he was identified with the underground railroads.

Lydia, wife of William Jenkins, was born at Brownsville, Pa., being a daughter of William Miller, who was a farmer and operated woolen mills at Brownsville, also owned farms and coal lands at the head of the Monongahela river. Long before petroleum was utilized for com- mercial purposes it was used in his woolen mills in its crude form to clean cards. At one time. when drilling for salt, he accidentally discov- ered petroleum. A colored boy had been badly burned, and, having no remedy handy, stuck his hand in a pail of crude oil, which proved very efficacious. Mr. Miller conceived the idea of sell- ing it for its healing qualities, placing it on the market as Mecca oil. the first commercial use to which it was put. His oldest son, William, suc- ceeded to the estate. He also belonged to the Society of Friends. Mrs. Jenkins now resides in California. Seven children blessed this union, six of them attained maturity, as follows: Joseph, a farmer of Newkirk, Okla .: Elizabeth, wife of David Bartley, of California; Esther, wife of George Blount. of Long Beach, Cal .; William M .: John K., who was formerly a teacher, but is now a real-estate man of Alliance, Ohio; and Mary, who is married and lives in Whittier, Cal.

William M. Jenkins was reared in Alliance. Ohio, and received his early education in the

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public schools there. He attended Mount Union College, at Alliance, and was graduated in the business course, but also took a very active part in literary societies. He taught school for two years in the meantime and was then married. Later he engaged in farming and brick manu- facturing until 1881, when he removed to Shelby county, Iowa, and there engaged in farming. In Ohio he had studied law to a certain extent,. and in Iowa he continued his readings in the office of Hon. Platt Wicks, of Harlan. He was admitted to the bar in March of 1882. at Har- lan, and immediately thereafter engaged in prac- tice at Defiance, where he remained until No- vember,. 1884. Removing thence to Arkansas City, Kans., he practiced law and took an active part in the workings of the Republican party, being elected delegate from the third district to the Republican national convention at Chi- cago, which nominated Harrison. He went there a Mckinley man, and succeeded in work- ing up some interest, so much so that Mr. Mc- Kinley received seventeen ballots and was grow- ing on each ballot, when he was approached by McKinley, who protested and asked Mr. Jenkins to throw his support to Sherman. But Mr. Jen- kins replied that, with all due respect to his wishes, he would continue to vote for him until he became president.

In 1891 Mr. Jenkins was appointed special al- lotting attorney by President Harrison, allotting land to Indians in Siletz Indian Reservation in Oregon, and straightening the matter out in less than a year. He then completed the Pawnee allotments in Oklahoma in a most satisfactory manner. In September, 1893, at the opening of the strip, he located a claim two miles east of Newkirk, which he improved and converted into a valuable estate. On that farm he resided until he was appointed secretary of the territory. He attended the inauguration of President McKin- ley, who, in June, 1897, appointed him secretary of the territory. His office is one of great re- sponsibility. Among his duties may be men- tioned those of disbursing officer of Oklahoma, providing for the meeting of the legislature, securing quarters for them and paying their sal- aries, also the salaries of some of the other fed- eral officers. During the absence of Governor Barnes, he also served in the capacity of acting governor.

In Dublin, Ind., Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage with Delphena White, who was born in North Carolina, and is a daughter of Josiah T. White, a farmer and miller of Dublin, Ind. He was a member of the Society of Friends. Six children blessed this union: Delbert, who was educated in the University of Oklahoma, and is now a clerk in his father's office: William, who is in attendance at the university; Mary, Hugh,

Jessie and Ray. Reared in the Society of Friends, as there are no churches of that faith in his locality, Mr. Jenkins attends the Presby- terian Church.

H ON. FRANK M. THOMPSON. The im- portant position that Mr. Thompson holds asterritorial treasurer is a strong attestation of his recognized financial ability in Oklahoma. He was born near Linn, Osage county, Mo., June 24, 1843, and is a son of James Thompson, of sturdy English ancestry. His father was born and reared in Illinois. He served in the Mex- ican war, at its close settling in Missouri. For a time he made his home in St. Francois county, then in Osage county, whence he removed, in 1849, to Arkansas, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, in Hempstead county, until his death, in 1878. He married Esther Estes, who was born in St. Francois county, Mo., of English ancestors, and died in Hempstead county, Ark .. in 1863. Of their union there were four chil- dren, as follows: James O., who died before the Civil war; William H., who served in the Con- federate army, as a member of a Texas regiment. and died in Mississippi; George W., who died prior to the war; and Frank M., the special sub- ject of this sketch.

Frank M. Thompson, the only survivor of the parental household, was but six years old when the family removed to Arkansas, where he at- tended private and subscription schools until the breaking out of the Civil war. He was then but little more than a boy, and as his older brother' and his companions were joining the Confederate regiments formed in that section. he naturally became very enthusiastic, and, fol- lowing the lead of his comrades. enlisted, in June, 1861, in the Third Arkansas State Troops. in which he took part in the battle of Wilson's creek. At the expiration of three months the state troops were disbanded. and he enlisted in Company G, Nineteenth Arkansas Infantry, as corporal, and soon after was promoted to be second lieutenant. At the battle of Arkansas Post his regiment was captured. and he, with the other officers, was taken to Camp Chase. and at the end of three months was removed to Fort Delaware. A month later he was ex- changed, but during his term of confinement the vast strength and resources of the north liad been impressed upon him, and he plainly fore- saw the hoplessness of the southern cause. On rejoining his regiment. at Petersburg. he was sent to reinforce Bragg's division, and fought at Chickamanga, Missionary Ridge and Fort Ring- gold, Ga., where his health failed, and he was put on staff duty. In 1864 he was made captain

DAVID ROSS BOYD, A. M., PH. D., Norman.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

of his company, in which rank he served until the close of the war.

Resuming the duties of a private citizen, Mr. Thompson settled in business as a merchant in Magnolia, Columbia county, Ark., where he bravely assisted in enforcing the Federal laws during the trying period of reconstruction, when it required men of nerve and daring courage to stand by the stars and stripes on the frontier lines. His heroism and that of many other loyal men of his time have been well rewarded by a united north and south that fought as one in the Spanish-American conflict. In 1868 he cast his first presidential vote, giving it to the Repub- lican candidate, General Grant. In 1876 he re- moved to Hope, Hempstead county, Ark., and there continued in the mercantile business until 1884, when he embarked in the brokerage busi- ness, which he carried on successfully for five years. In 1889 President Harrison appointed him superintendent of the Hot Springs Reserva- tion, in Arkansas, and he had charge of it until 1893, when he was appointed a member of Town Site Board No. 13, and assigned to the Pawnee town site, going there at its opening. Fifteen months later he was assigned to Blackburn, where he remained until the board was dissolved. In the meantime he had organized the first bank in Pawnee, the Pawnee State Bank, of which he was president until he sold it, a year after its formation. Establishing then the Arkansas Val- ley Bank, he served as its cashier and manager until appointed territorial treasurer, in June, 1897. by Governor C. M. Barnes. Resigning the cashiership, July 9, 1897, he took the oath of office as treasurer of the territory. However, lie is still one of the bank directors. On becom- ing treasurer, he removed with his family tem- porarily to Guthrie, where he has been an es- teemed and honored resident.

Since early manhood Mr. Thompson has been prominent in public affairs, having been elected to the state legislature of Arkansas in 1870, serv- ing one term; was mayor of Hope four years; in 1882 was elected county judge of Hempstead county, and held the office two years; in 1886 was elected state senator for Arkansas, and served four years. When the town of Magnolia was organized, he was quite active. He served in two different sessions of the state senate, re- signing to accept the superintendency at Hot Springs. After coming to Oklahoma, in addi- tion to organizing banks in Pawnee, he organ- ized the Lexington State Bank, at Lexington, Cleveland county, of which he is still a director. A true-blue Republican in politics, he belongs to the Arkansas . Republican Club, being one of its executive committee, and was chairman of the Pawnee county Republican committee from 1896 until 1898. He is one of the board of

regents of the Alva State Normal School and also of the Washington University at Langston. He was made a Mason at Nashville, Ark., and is a charter member of Pawnee Eastern Star Lodge, to which Mrs. Thompson also belongs; was made a Royal Arch Mason at Magnolia, Ark., and is now a member of Hope Chapter. Ark .; and has served one term as Grand Chan- cellor of the Knights of Pythias of Arkansas. He belongs to the Territorial Bankers' Associa- tion.

August 15, 1865, at Magnolia, Ark., Mr. Thompson married Elmina C. Hicks, a daughter of Thomas J. Hicks, a native of Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two sons, namely: Frank M., Jr., of Salem, Mass .; and Floyd, for- merly a successful merchant of Hope, Ark., and postmaster of that place, but now a wholesale grocer of Texarkana, Ark.

D AVID ROSS BOYD, A. M., PH. D. No phase of the development of Oklahoma is more important than the growth and progress of its educational interests. From the first there have not been wanting public-spir- ited citizens who have given their time and in- fluence to institutions of learning, and the result of their labors is shown in the high grade of the schools of the present day. Naturally, in- terest centers in the University of Oklahoma. The legislature of 1891 passed a bill providing for its establishment and its location in Norman. also appropriating a small revenue, adding a further appropriation in 1893. Plans for the building were at once made. A contract was let for the main building, which was completed in the summer of 1893, and opened in the fall of the same year. Prior to this, the students had met in a rented building in Norman. The first class graduated was from the School of Pharmacy in 1896, with the degree of Pharma- ceutical Chemist. Two years later the first class, with degree of A. B., was graduated. A new building has been planned for the near future, to accommodate the increased attendance at the university. Five additional instructors have been added by the board of regents, the corps now comprising seventeen able teachers. In addition to the preparatory school, there are departments of pharmacy, arts and sciences, school of music, and pre-medical course. The grounds surround- ing the main building have been laid out under the personal supervision of President Boyd, who planted a grove of forty acres in choice varieties of trees and has made the whole "a thing of beauty," which will be "a joy forever" to the people of Oklahoma.

In Coshocton county, Ohio, David Ross Boyd was born July 31, 1853. He is a member of a

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

family noted for literary ability. His grand- father's uncle, Robert Boyd, was educated for the Presbyterian ministry in Ireland, but came to America and entered upon the work of an educator. He was the first man of classical education who established a college west of the mountains, in the Northwestern territory. In religion hie always adhered to Presbyterian doc- trines. Robert Boyd, grandfather of Dr. Boyd, was born in Antrim, Ireland, and settled in southwestern Pennsylvania, but soon removed (about 1822) to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he engaged in carding and fulling, having on Mill creek a mill that was operated by water power. In that county his death occurred. His son, James Boyd, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, just across the line from Antietam, Md., bought the old homestead and engaged in farming until coal was discovered on the place, after which he turned his attention to coal operating. The Ohio canal ran beside his farm, thus furnishing transportation for the coal. His coal interests were extensive and valuable, but the panic of 1873 left him without resources. Removing to Indiana, he settled on a farm near Portland, where he engaged in farming until his death in 1882. Like his father, he was a man of Christian belief and the most upright char- acter, and served faithfully for years as an elder in the United Presbyterian Church.

The first wife of James Boyd was Mary A., daughter of Randall Ross, and a native of Holmes county, Ohio. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Ohio, crossing the mountains on foot, while beside him, on a horse, rode his wife, carrying their baby. Not long after he settled in his new home, he died from injuries received while fighting a forest fire. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Boone, died at the age of ninety-three years. She was a woman of noble character and great strength of mind. After her husband's death, she was left with nine children, some of whom were quite small. These she reared to be good citizens, fitted for lives of usefulness. Mrs. Mary A. Boyd died in Ohio in 1865. Her five children (all sons) are still living, namely: D. Ross, of this sketch; Walter M., who graduated from the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, and is now practicing his profession in Los Angeles, Cal .; Barzillai, who is deputy auditor of Jay county, Ind., residing at Port- land; Robert Randall, who is in the United States Railroad mail service at Omaha, Neb .; and James H., who graduated from Princeton College with the degree of A. B., and from Gottingen (Germany) University, with the de- gree of Ph. D., and is now a professor of mathie- matics in the University of Chicago.

After the death of liis first wife, James Boyd

was again married, and by the second union had three sons and two daughters, all living. Of the sons, John is engaged in the insurance business at Portland, Ind .; Truman O. is auditor of Jay county, Ind., and one of the leading poli- ticians of Portland; and Daniel is a graduate of Wooster University, class of 1900.

Perhaps if there is one attribute more con- spicuous in the Boyd family than any other, it is their love of learning. With scarcely an ex- ception, for generations the members have been men and women of wide learning and not a little literary ability. Nor is this characteristic less noticeable in the life of D. Ross Boyd than in the other members of the family. On the other hand, it is one of the dominant traits of his . character. He has ever been a student. In the acquisition of knowledge many of his happiest hours have been passed. Not only is he able to acquire knowledge readily, but he also possesses the gift of being able to impart facts to others in an interesting and logical manner. This qualifies him for successful work as an educator.

When fifteen years of age, Dr. Boyd was given a certificate to teach school in a district near his father's home, and he taught there for five consecutive winters, devoting the summer months to farm work. With the money thus earned, and with $35 given him by his father, he worked his way through college. After one year in the preparatory department at Wooster University, in 1874, he entered the freshman class of that institution, from which he gradu- ated in 1878, with the degree of A. B. He was assistant professor in the preparatory depart- ment of his alma mater during the last two years of his college course. In 1881 he re- ceived the degree of A. M. from the university, and in 1900 the same institution conferred upon him the degree of Ph. D.

After graduating, Dr. Boyd was principal of the high school at Bellevue, Ohio, for a year. The next year, 1879, he was principal of the high school at Van Wert, Ohio. In 18So he was elected superintendent of the Van Wert schools, which position he held until 1888. the schools being meantime largely increased in importance and attendance. In 1888 he accepted a position as superintendent of the schools of Arkansas City, Ark., and during the four years of his service he reorganized the schools, established a graduating class in the high school. took charge of the improvements in school buildings, amounting to $160,000, and superintended the building of what was one of the finest high schools in Kansas. As superintendent there. he was remarkably successful and attracted at- tention from educators throughout the state. While there, he was a director of the Winfield Chautauqua Assembly. He was a member of a

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

committee from the Kansas Teachers' Associa- tion, appointed to propose some plan to secure uniformity in the high school courses through- ont the state. In the work of the association he was very prominent, and one of his important works was the preparation of an exhibit at the World's Fair in 1893, typical of the schools of Kansas and their work. In Cowley county, Kans., he was a member of the board of school examiners. He remained in Kansas until his selection as president of the newly established University of Oklahoma, since which time he has made his home in Norman. The Territorial Board of Education has numbered him among its members since 1892, and he has the distinc- tion of being the only member who has served for so many years. For two terms he was president of the Territorial Teachers' Associa- tion and has been a prominent member of its executive committee and an active worker in its behalf. . For three years he was a member of the board of education at Norman, during which time the West Side school was erected. As a inember of the Territorial Board of Education le has assisted in formulating the present school laws of Oklahoma, in devising systems for terri- torial institutes, and in grading the rural schools of the territory. He is connected with the teachers' reading circle of different counties and lias been interested in the preparation of a course of study for them. For years he has been a director of the National Educational Associa- tion, of whose committee on nomination he has been a member for many years, and whose meetings he has attended regularly, taking a warm interest in the proceedings of the same.

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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 3

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers, (1901, Chapman publishing co., Chicago) Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing co Number of Pages: 1110

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers, (1901, Chapman publishing co., Chicago)
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing co
Number of Pages: 1110