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 43
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On returning to Indiana from the army, Cap- tain Hegler, then but twenty-one years of age, became editor and proprietor of the Attica Led- ger, Fountain county, Ind., which he edited for ten years, making it one of the leading Repub- lican journals of the time. He became very prominent in municipal, county, and state affairs, having been actively engaged in every political campaign in the state, either as writer or worker, from the time of taking up newspaper work until his removal to Oklahoma. For eight years he was postmaster of Attica, Ind., which he also served as mayor, and was city attorney four terms, resigning in 1891, when he came to Okla- homa. Here the captain began the practice of law, but was soon appointed clerk of the United States court. second district, under Hon. John H. Burford, now chief justice, and served the term of four years. Resuming his profession, he continued in practice until 1898, when he received his appointment as clerk of the su- preme court of Oklahoma, a position which he is now filling.
March 24. 1864, Captain Hegler married Ar- thena .A. Milford, of Attica. Ind., who died in May, 1879. Two sons were born of their union. namely: Frank Marshall, who was accidentally killed when but fourteen years old: and Edmund Milford, the special subject of this sketch. In 1880 the captain married Barbara J. Campbell, of Fountain county, Ind .. and they have two. sons, Benjamin F., Jr., and Leon Burns, the former now at Kansas University, the latter in the Guthrie high school. Captain Hegler is prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic. having been commander of the first post organ-
ized in Attica, Ind., and in 1898 was inspector general for Oklahoma. He is also a member of the Territorial Bar Association.
Edmund M. Hegler was a pupil in the public schools of Attica until entering Wabashi Col- lege, at Crawfordsville, Ind., where he remained three years. He subsequently spent six months in Talladega, Ala., engaged in newspaper work as reporter on the News-Reporter, then returned to Attica, where he remained as one of the staff of the Attica Ledger, of which his father was proprietor, until, in 1892, he joined his father in El Reno, of which he has since been a resident. and was appointed deputy clerk of the United States court, second district, under Captain Heg- ler, and when Judge J. C. Tarsney succeeded Judge John H. Burford, Mr. Hegler was ap- pointed deputy clerk of the same court. This position he retained until after the resignation of J. H. Warren, clerk, September 11, 1898, when he was appointed clerk, an office that he has since ably filled, devoting his entire time and attention to its duties, which are many and va- ried, this district being the largest in area of any in the territory. Mr. Hegler has been active in city affairs, having at two successive times been elected city clerk of El Reno, the first time serv- ing the full term of two years, but being obliged to resign at the expiration of a year and a half during his last term, on account of his appoint- ment as clerk of the district court. He is now clerk of the second district, having been reap- pointed to that office by Judge C. F. Irwin, the successor to Judge J. C. Tarsney.
On February 7, 1893, in Turon, Kans., Mr. Hegler married Miss Lillie Seltzer, who was born in Richmond, Ind. Politically, Mr. Hegler is a warm advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party, and fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias and a Knight of Honor.
R EUBEN GANT. Since locating on his claim on the northwest quarter of section 25, Cooper township, Kingfisher county. Mr. Gant has shown a great deal of commendable energy and has made the best of the opportuni- ties in the territory. He came here April 18. 1892. at the opening of the Cheyenne and Arap- ahoe reservation, accompanied by his son, E. B. Gant, and father and son were successful in filing on adjoining claims. The family joined him the following week, and for three years they lived in a dugout. Excellent improvements have since been made on the place, and one hundred acres are under cultivation. To comply with the de- mands for more room Mr. Gant has been obliged to rent other land, much of which is given over to the cultivation of wheat. In 1895 he built a commodious house, which is considered one of
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the best in the county. It is fitted with all mod- wmn appliances and furnished throughout in a comfortable and substantial way.
Mr. Gant was born in Franklin county, Ind .. laly 10, 1838, and is a son of Giles and Nancy "smith) Gant. the former a native of South carolina, who came into Indiana with his father, Britton Gant, about 1808. Britton Gant bought government land at $1.25 an acre, and became the possessor of several hundred acres, which he farmed and upon which he reared a large tamily. This enterprising and industrious man died in 1835. Giles Gant grew to manhood in I'ranklin county, and in fact spent the remainder of his life there. He owned a large farm, and, though a self-educated man, rose to prominence along lines usually associated with greater edu- cational advantages. He was an observant man and a keen student of human nature, qualities which came into ready play when in later years lie became associate judge of Franklin county. lle was further honored by being elected state senator from his county, a position which he held for one term. He studied law by himself, and was admitted to the bar of the justice court and successfully practiced for a number of years. He was held in high esteem by his contemporaries and respected by all who knew him. He died at the age of seventy-nine years. Nancy Gant was the mother of seventeen children, and died at the age of sixty-two.
Reuben Gant was married in 1861 in Indiana to Clarisa Ann Bake, who became the mother of right children: Martha, who is the wife of Fred Woodruff; Oliver P., who is living in Chapman, Nans .: Cavellow W., of Kansas: Florinda C., Mrs. James E. Crosson: Edgar B., who has a daim near his father: Elmine E., Mrs. B. J. Halsey; Gertrude O., wife of George M. Shaner: and Arthur L. In politics Mr. Gant is independ- (nt. Ile has been a member of the school board for two years. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order, having joined that organiza- tion in Indiana, and is a member of the Westport lodge No. 52.
W ILLIAM T. HAVARD. Among the pio- neers of Oklahoma William T. Havard takes a prominent place. For more than quarter of a century he has dwelt on the fron- ter. As might be expected, his experiences in Die early days of his residence in the west were v .. ried and filled with danger. Possessing the qualities which insure success, he made the best vi his opportunities for advancement and had the wisdom to remain on friendly terms with mon of his neighbors and acquaintances, who otherwise might have been extremely trouble- offte. On the whole, he has been very popular
with all classes of men, as his friendliness and good heart have been manifested on innumerable occasions.
Our subject's father, William T. Havard, Sr., a native of England, came to America in 1837 and entered Congress land in Illinois. He ini- proved a farm in the vicinity of Homer, Vermil- ion county, Ill., and was extensively interested in the raising of live stock. He departed this life when about sixty years of age. His wife likewise was a native of Liverpool, and in her youth she bore the name of Mary A. Humphrey. She attained the venerable age of eighty-five years and died at Eureka, Ill., in 1893. Of her six children all but two lived to maturity, but the only survivor is the subject of this article.
William T. Havard, of this sketch, was born on the old homestead near Homer, Ill., Decem- ber 27, 1849. He completed his education in the high school at Homer, and remained on the old farm until 1872, becoming quite successful as an agriculturist and stock-raiser. In 1874 he went to Colorado, and for about a year remained in the vicinity of Pueblo, engaged in the cattle business. He then went to Larned and for two years con- ducted a ranch situated on Pawnee Creek. From 1876 until 1881 he was engaged in the cattle business on a ranch located at the head of Tur- key Creek, Pratt county. Then, selling the ranch, he moved his cattle to the neighborhood of Fort Reno, being allowed to do so by permit - from Henry M. Teller, then secretary of the interior, and by the same authority he occupied a cattle ranch at the head of the Cottonwood. southeast of the Kingfisher stage ranch. His property was situated on the old Chisholm trail. and he continued there for two years, until Cleveland's proclamation ordering the removal of all cattle necessitated his leaving the territory. The sudden move was disastrous to him, as he suffered heavy losses in live stock and was only able to save a small proportion of his large herd. Later he settled in the Cherokee strip, on the old Johnson ranch, where he fed a part of his herd for the market and grazed the balance. In 1888 he disposed of the last of his live stock. and April 22 following he located in Reno City. When the town of Hennessey was fairly started, in Angust. 1880. he decided to become a citizen of the place, and here he erected what has long been known as the Red Barn livery stable. Until 1897 he conducted a thriving iivery. feed and sale stable, but in the meantime had become so thoroughly interested in the grain business that he at length sold out the livery. For two years he bought grain extensively for the firm of Richmond & Swartzel, and then be- gan buying grain on his own account. In 18go he built an elevator at Waukomis, having a capacity of fifteen thousand bushels, and also
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constructed one at Okarche accommodating ten thousand bushels. While he has his headquar- ters in Hennessey, he maintains branch stations at North Enid, Garber, Waukomis and Okarche. Gradually he has built up a large and lucrative business and has become well and favorably known among the grain producers of this local- ity. He is a charter member of the Grain Deal- ers Association of Oklahoma and Indian Ter- ritories.
As is commonly known, W. T. Havard was the first president of the village of Hennessey and did effective work for its improvement as a member of the first board of city aldermen. While a resident of Kansas he served for two terms as one of the commissioners of Pratt county and part of the time acted as chairman of that honorable body. In 1890 he was ap- . pointed by Governor Steele as census manager for the district of northern Kingfisher county. Politically he is a true-blue Republican and fra- ternally is connected with the Knights of Py- thias.
G EORGE W. HAWK. The Hawk family is of Dutch extraction, and the first members to come to the United States settled in Pennsylvania. George W. was born in Craw- ford county, Ohio, in 1849. and is a son of Ben- jamin, who was born in Pennsylvania, but settled in Ohio, where he cleared a small farm for him- self and varied his occupation with work at the shoemaker's trade. After the war he moved to Indiana, where he died at the age of ninety years. The mother of George W. was formerly Cather- ine Young. Of her ten children, seven are liv- ing. Two are in Oklahoma, George, and Ed- ward, who is a farmer in Skeleton township.
Mr. Hawk was reared in Henry county, Ohio, and engaged in farming and railroad work until 1874, when he removed to Pawnee county, Kans., where he lived for three years on a farm. In 1879 he changed his field of effort to Newaygo county, Mich., and bought forty acres of tim- ber land, which he cleared and upon which he engaged in general farming until the opening of Oklahoma. April 22, 1889. he made the run from Big Camp, Buffalo Springs, and May 27. filed the claim on his present farm. After put- ting in a few acres of corn and building a dugout. he went back for his family and household goods, returning July 26.
Mr. Hawk has worked incessantly to improve his condition in the territory, and has thereby been able to realize many of his expectations. On his original claim are eighty improved acres, the balance being given over to pasturage. This . claim was but the nucleus of his possessions, for in 1807 he bought the northeast quarter of see-
tion 13, Sherman township, which adjoins the original claim on the west. Of the three liun- dred and twenty acres, about one hundred are devoted to wheat, and some corn is raised.
In Pawnee county, Kans., in 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hawk and Maggie Fry- berger. To this couple have been born four chil- dren, namely: Carrie, the wife of August Wheel- ing: Jesse LeRoy, Annie Bell, and Mary. Mr. Hawk has evinced his public-spiritedness in nu- merons ways, especially in the matter of educa- tion, in which he is much interested. He helped to build the first schoolhouse in his township and is otherwise interested in all that pertains to its upbuilding.
G RANVILLE HOLLENBECK. The an- cestry of the Hollenbeck family is German, and the first representatives in America took up their residence in Pennsylvania before the Revolutionary war. They were industrious people, and impressed their attainments upon the communities in which they lived. This later de- scendant, Granville Hollenbeck, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., and is a son of Ash- ley Hollenbeck, who was born and reared there, and who came west to Delaware county, Iowa, in 1859, engaging in farm pursuits. In 19co he moved to Oklahoma and settled on the north- west quarter of section 21, adjoining the claim of his son. Here he conducts a model farm, and is living a prosperous life. The farm in Iowa which was the object of his care for so many years sold for $9,000.
The mother of Granville Hollenbeck was Elizabeth (Clark) Hollenbeck, of New York, and she became the mother of seven children, six of whom are living, Granville being the oldest. The others are: Mrs. Jennie Farwell; Delsie. who is married to Earl Derby, and lives in Okla- homa: William, in Iowa; Eddie, who is with his father, and Blanche, wife of Joseph Ryan. The grandfather. Daniel Hollenbeck, was born and reared in New York state, and settled in Chautauqua county when it was a dense timber forest. His determination recognized no obsta- cles, and he succeeded in clearing several hun- dred acres and in developing a fine farm on the clearance. He died while still in middle life. and with umimpaired faculties.
Granville Hollenbeck passed about the same kind of life that is known to most country-reared boys. His opportunities included a fair educa- tion at the district schools. In 1877 he started out for himself, and in Ottawa county, Kans .. bought school land, which he improved. and upon which he lived, engaging in general farm- ing all stock-raising. In the fall of 1895 he sought to better his condition in the unimproved
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ountry in Oklahoma, and therefore bought the tarım in Sherman township, Kingfisher county, upon which he has since lived. and which at the time of purchase had but nine acres broken. 1. a result of his immediate enterprise. there was a good crop of wheat the first year, and there has been a corresponding general increase ever since. At the present time one hundred .. nd ten acres are under cultivation, and the bal- .nce is used for pasturing a herd of fifty cattle vi excellent breed. Interested also in raising horses, Mr. Hollenbeck makes a specialty of standard-bred Hambletonians and other equally good breeds. The farm has an excellent orchard withabout a hundred apple trees and other kinds of fruit: also small fruits are grown in abun- dance. The houses and barns are of good con- struction, and the place is made attractive by numerous shade trees. An important item, also, is the excellent water facilities. Up to 1899 the iarın had yielded thirteen thousand eight hun- dred bushels of wheat, Mr. Hollenbeck's assist- ants being six horses and a boy.
Mrs. Hollenbeck was formerly Annie Blanch- ard, and her marriage to Mr. Hollenbeck oc- curred in 1875. There are no children of this union. The family are members of the Methi- ·list Episcopal Church, and contribute gener- ously towards its support. In politics Mr. Hol- lenbeck is identified with the Republican party. Hle is a broad-minded, progressive man, and a credit to the community in which his lot is cast.
G I EORGE F. INGLE. During the many years of his activity, Mr. Ingle attained prominence in the various avenues of his endeavor. and at all times won the esteem of all who were permitted to associate with him. whether in a business or friendly capacity.
Ilis entrance to the territory in 1889 was under rather pleasant circumstances, for there is much 'n kinship when we are embarking upon untried experiences, and he was accompanied by three brothers, also in search of improved conditions. The brothers. succeeded in locating adjoining claims, and the work of improvement was conducted jointly, thereby facilitating matters greatly. After staking his claim. G. F. Ingle returned to Kansas, from which place he came .. Kingfisher county, Okla., and brought hither His family and worldly possessions, and, pending le erection of more commodious quarters, lived in a tent. Twenty acres of his land in Union : wnship were planted with an orchard, which contained one thousand apple trees, six hundred each, and other fruits in proportion. To the ising of fruit Mr. Ingle devoted almost his wane time and attention, and from his efforts n the line derived the most satisfactory results.
The vineyard contains about five hundred vines. and everything about the place is of an up-to- date kind, and all fenced in.
Mr. Ingle was born in Edgar county, Ill., in 1831, and was reared on his father's farm. As one might suppose, the educational advantages of the time and place were indeed limited, and confined to a few months' study during the win- ter at the district schools. He was united in marriage, in 1851, with Sarah Harrison, who died in Kansas in 1888. In 1854 he removed to Jasper county, Iowa, and for ten years was en- gaged in all kinds of general labor, after which he bought a farm and devoted his energies to general farming, and was also interested in a circular sawmill. For twenty-six years he lived in Jasper county, and for four years in Calhoun county. In 1884 the scene of his efforts was shifted to Sumner county, Kans., in the vicinity of Caldwell, where he soon after bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and conducted large farming and stock interests, until his de- parture for Oklahoma in 1889.
In 1862 Mr. Ingle enlisted in Company G. Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and was unan- imously chosen second lieutenant by the mem- bers of the company, which commission he retained for nine months, but resigned owing to illness contracted while in the service. He served in the southwest division of the army. depart- ment of Missouri, under General Curtis, and was stationed at Iron Mountain, Mo.
The Ingle family is of English descent, and the paternal grandfather, Nathan Ingle, was born and died in Virginia. During the Revolutionary war he fought with courage and distinction. Ilis son, Nealey Ingle, the father of George F .. was born in Virginia, and came to Illinois in 1831. where he was among the very early settlers of Edgar county. From there, in 1857, he removed to southeast Kansas, and in 1861 changed from Geary county to Iowa, where he died at the age of sixty. Ile was a prosperous and industrious man, and prominent in political and other affairs of his locality. A Democrat. he was vitally inter- ested in the cause of education, and contributed time and money to an improvement of the school system. He also served for several years as justice of the peace. As a member and ardent worker in the Universalist Church, he exerted an extended influence for good, and was always ready to defend its creed and uphold its methods. His wife, Susan L. Hanson, was born in Kentucky and was the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom are living. William T. is living in Cald- well county. Kans .: G F. is in Kingfisher county, Okla .: James is living on the home place: Thomas is in southern California: Barnett is a fruit grower in Union township: Marcus 1. is also a fruit grower in Union township, and has
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an orchard of thirty-five acres; Barbara is the wife of Andrew Cashatt of Caldwell, Kans .; Re- becca is the widow of Willis Jones; Susan is married to Benjamin Prenty, and lives in Iowa: and Sarah is the widow of Daniel Camory. Mrs. Ingle died in lowa at the age of sixty-four.
In politics G. F. Ingle was a free-silver Popu- list, and held a number of local offices within the gift of the township. in Oklahoma, and in his former town in Iowa. In the territory he was largely instrumental in securing better school accommodations, and helped to organize the first school board in the township. He secured the bonds for erecting the schools, and the bonds sold at a premium of Sio. Much attention was given by him to the securing of the best possible teachers, and to the most improved methods of teaching. Fraternally, he was associated with the Masonic order of Caldwell. Kans., and was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen for twenty years, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Iowa.
Mr. Ingle died July 1, 1900, and is mourned by a wide cirele of friends and the community at large. He was generous and kindly in disposi- tion, and ever thoughtful of the interests of those around him. In his loss the township is deprived of an able and conscientious citizen, and many individuals of a disinterested and helpful friend.
A. B. LAMB. Previous to coming to Union township, Kingfisher county. in 1889. Mr. Lamb had engaged in general farming and in railroad constructing and repairing on the Santa Fe and Missouri Pacific Railroads. He was born in Kendall county, Ill. His father. Cornelius Lamb, also a native of Illinois, moved to Missouri, where he conducted farming enter- prises, and from thence to Kansas, where he re- mained until the opening of Oklahoma. One of the first to recognize the large opportunities of the unimproved land. he joined the vast throng of other aspirants, and succeeded in locating on the northeast quarter of section 7, Union town- ship, where he is at the present time engaged in general farming and stock-raising. The grandfather, Cornelius Lamb, Sr., was a native of North Carolina.
A. B. Lamb was reared on his father's farm in Missouri, and received the average education of the public schools. Ile came to Oklahoma with his father and filed a claim on the same see- tion, May 25. 1880. after which he returned to Kansas and brought his family and household possessions, June 19, 1889. His claim was cov- ered with timber, and perseverance and patience Were required to reduce it to a condition of utility and resource The first year he erected a log honse from the timber on his land, and bought
some stock, and began the cultivation of the land by pulling out stumps. Sixty acres are ilo. in an improved state, and a good orchard ha- been planted, with six hundred trees of different fruit-bearing varieties. There is also a fine vine- vard. Mr. Lamb is engaged in general farming and cattle-raising, and keeps on an average from twenty to twenty-five head of cattle. In 1805 was erected a house, 16x24 feet in dimensions.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Lamb and Dorothea G. Munsel, a native of Missouri. and to this couple have been born the following- named children: Clara E., Paul C., Alvin B .. Ruth Irene and Mary A. Mr. Lamb and family are members of the Church of Christ in Christian Union. Mr. Lamb came to Oklahoma with little save his own ability to depend upon, and he is entitled to the credit given him by his neighbors and friends for the success attending his efforts. He is public-spirited and enthusiastic for the best good of the community, and is accounted one of its reliable and substantial citizens.
F RANK M. GUINN. The Guinn family was first represented in America by the great- grandfather of Frank M. Guinn, who emi- grated from Scotland before the Revolutionary war, and tendered his services to liis adopted country, serving in a Virginia regiment. His useful career was terminated at the advanced age of eighty years. His son, Thomas Guinn, was born in Virginia, and when eighteen years of age moved to Tennessee, and from there to Mis- souri in 1831. He was a farmer and one of the very early settlers of Platte county, where he died at the age of ninety-one years. He was a stanch Democrat and ready at all times to de- fend the principles of his party. Next in suc- cession is his son, the father of Frank M .. Jona- than Guinn, who was born in Caldwell county. Mo., in 1833, and is now living in Lincoln county. Okla., seven miles northwest of Chandler, where he secured a claim in 18gt. Twenty years of his life were spent in Cowley county. Kans .. where he was a successful farmer and enterprising citi- zen. During the war he served in the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and participated in Price's Raid and the battle of Carthage. He served for two years, and during part of the time engaged in the frontier maneuvers in Idaho, Montana, Ne- vada and Wyoming against the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians. In his earlier years he mar- ried Nancy Masner, and to this couple were born nine children: James Il., who is living in Arkan- sas City: Mrs. Penelope .A. Renold: Frank M .: Mary E., who is married to James Moover: David A., Charles E., George, John and Allie.
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