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 64
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L OUIS FRANKLIN LEE. Success is de- termined by one's ability to recognize op- portunity, and to pursue this with a reso- lute and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor, and the man who thus accom- plishes his purpose usually becomes an impor- tant factor in the business circles of the com- munity with which he is connected. Mr. Lee, through such means, has attained a leading place among the representative men of Oklahoma City, and has met with most excellent success as a contractor and builder.
He was born in Galena, Ill .. May 5. 1862, and is the youngest in a family of eight children, of whom four sons and two daughters are now liv- ing. His parents, Christian and Mary (Liddy) Lee, were both natives of Berne, Switzerland, and came to this country in early life. The father, who engaged in the manufacture of wagons, died in Galena in 1862. The mother now resides in Oklahoma City.
Our subject is indebted to the public and high schools of his native city for his educational advantages. On leaving school, at the age of fourteen years, he began to work on a farm and was thus employed four years, at the end of which time he commenced to learn the carpen- ter's trade at MeGregor. Clayton county, Iowa. Ile followed that occupation along the western
division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paui railroad for eight years, being foreman of the work the latter part of the time. He next en- gaged in contracting and building in Oklahoma City, coming here at the opening of the terri- tory in 1889, when he spent three months here. Returning to Iowa, he closed out his business there, and located permanently in Oklahoma City in February, 1890, since which time he has successfully engaged in contracting and building at this place, his present office being at No. 10 West Fourth street. As one of the leading con- tractors of the city, he has erected many of its most important buildings. During the busy season he has in his employ from forty to fifty men.
At Monona, Iowa, Mr. Lee was united in marriage with Miss Mary Love, a native of that place, and to thiem have been born six children, namely: Irvie, Richard, Helen, Frederick. Gra - ham and Margaret. Mr. Lee can relate many interesting and laughable incidents which oc- curred at the opening of the territory, and he de- rived considerable enjoyment from the events that occurred, but he did not locate a lot. Dur. ing the first four months spent here hne erected several buildings, and has always been promi- nently identified with the development and pros- perity of the city. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and so . cially is a prominent member of the City Club, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Woodmen of the World. in both of which fra- ternities he has held office. As a Presbyterian. he takes quite an active part in church work. has served as trustee of the First Presbyterian Church and superintendent of the Sunday school, and is now a ruling elder.
H ILRY WHITLOW, who is still in the prime of life, has had a varied experience in the world, but by a course of honesty and uprightness has won for himself many friends wherever he is known. His home is located on the northeastern quarter of section 23, township 17, range 1, Logan county, and comprises a well- cultivated tract of land with the necessary out- buildings and other conveniences for comfortable living and fair profits.
Mr. Whitlow was born November 11, 1836. in the parish of Natchitoches, La., in slavery, and continued in servitude until May, 1865. He then began working his master's farm on shares, and was to receive half the profits. Obtaining noth- ing for his services, however, he took his family and went to work for another man, Dr. Dailey. He was more successful this time, making some- thing more than expenses. He continued to farm on shares a number of years, and having
Louis 7. LEE
JUDGE E. G. SPILMAN. Kingfisher
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.
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accumulated enough money to purchase land of bis own, in due time he became the proprietor of about one hundred and fifty-seven acres, well tilled and fertile. Buying that property in 1875, and living there until coming to Oklahoma, in 1892, he bought a house and lot in Guthrie, which he later traded for his present home. The price of this place was $1,700.00, and the many improvements he has made have added much to its value.
In 1896 Mr. Whitlow became a member of the organization known as the Cimarron Gin Com- pany. Mr. Whitlow and another man bought out the other partners, and they put up a cotton gin, which can put out twenty bales a day. Be- sides the cotton gin, they also run a sawmill in connection with it.
Miss Alice Ross became the wife of our sub- ject in 1891, in Lamar county, Tex., and of this union there have been born two children-Scott E. and Mosetta. Mr. Whitlow votes the Repub- lican ticket, but cares little for the honors and emoluments of office.
JUDGE EDWARD GUTHRIE SPILMAN. Prominent in political and professional cir- cles in Oklahoma, Judge E. G. Spilman needs no introduction to the public. His labors . on behalf of this territory are duly appreciated. and on more than one occasion he has been properly deemed our best representative in con- ventions assembled for the promotion of the local welfare.
The family to which the Judge belongs is an old and honored one in Virginia, dating back to early colonial days. The name is of Celtic ori- gin, and tradition traces it back to Sir Henry Spelman, the famous English antiquarian, who was of Welch extraction. Our subject's great- grandfather. John Spilman, familiarly known as "Governor" Spilman, was a hero of the Revolu- tion, in which he participated in an official capac- ity. He owned a large plantation in the Lit- tle Fork, in Virginia, and for his day was esteemed very wealthy. He was a descendant of Capt. Harry Spilman, who came to America when a mere lad with Capt. John Smith, who paid the young man the following tribute in his history: "Capt. Harry Spilman was one of the most useful and deserving men in the colony. and had been the least rewarded by the Crown until he was given a large grant of land." In his youth Harry Spilman learned the Indian lan- guage, and indeed was a captive for several years. Finally he was rescued by the English, and on account of his knowledge of the tribal langnage rendered great service to his own peo- ple. Upon his large plantation. where he employed many "apprentices," as they were
called in those days, once occurred one of the dreadful Indian massacres which drenched American soil with the life-blood of our heroic forefathers.
Our subject's grandfather, Conway Spilman, was born in Culpeper county, and passed his entire life upon a plantation in that immediate locality. He married Lucy Fishiback, of Ger- man descent, and of an old Virginia family. Her ancestors were among the first settlers at Ger- mania Ford, on the Rappahannock and her father, Col. Frederick Fishback, held a commis- sion as colonel of a regiment in the war of the Revolution. Judge E. M. Spilman, father of our subject, was born on the old plantation in Cul- peper county. Early in life he entered the legal profession, in which he rose to distinction, and for twenty years he served as a judge. Though now eighty years of age he is active in body and mind, and has only been retired from the foren- sic arena about two years. He is an active worker in the Episcopal Church, and fraternally, stands high in Masonry. His wife, Eliza C., was a daughter of Baldwin Day, of English descent. The father was born in Fauquier county, Va., and for years was a leading merchant of Warren- ton. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and married Lucretia Guthrie, whose father held a commission as a captain in the war of the Revo- lution. A native of Scotland, with his two broth- ers, James and John, the captain emigrated to Georgetown. Md., prior to the Revolution. For many years he owned several vessels which were engaged in the merchant trade on the Atlantic, and in his time he was well known in George- town and Alexandria, Va., in both of which places he dwelt for a period. He married a Miss Hoskinson. of New Jersey, and their daughter Lucretia was born in Alexandria. The family of Hoskinson resided near Trenton at the time of the Revolution and on the morning of the great battle at that point Washington and his staff were their guests. The founder of this family in the United States was Rev. Mr. Ilos- kinson, an Episcopal clergyman, who. upon his arrival from England, took up his residence on the Delaware river, in New Jersey.
Of the twelve children born to Judge E. M. and Eliza C. Spilman four sons and seven daugh- ters survive. Col. Baldwin Day Spilman was graduated at West Point and for twelve years served in the Seventh United States Cavalry (General Custer's old regiment), a portion of the time being a second lieutenant. Subsequently he held the rank of brigadier-general of the West Virginia National Guard, and in the Span- ish-American war was colonel of a West Virginia regiment. At present he is engaged in mant- facturing and mining enterprises in the state mentioned, and his brother, Henry E., is sim-
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ilarly employed, being a mining engineer and superintendent of mines. Another brother, Rob- ert S., a graduate of the Bellevne Hospital Med- ical College of New York, is engaged in the practice of his profession at Norfolk, Va.
Judge E. G. Spilman was born January 5, 1855, in Fauquier county, Va., and in his boy- hood he became familiar with the sights and sounds of war, as his father's plantation often served as a battle field or camping ground for the forces. Completing his education in Jeffer- sonton Academy, he then took up the study of law under the able tutelage of his father. Being admitted to the bar at Warrenton, Va., in June, 1877, he at once embarked in practice in that city, but soon determined to try his fortunes in the west.
In 1879 Mr. Spilman went to the Black Hills, Dak., and for five years was engaged in prac- tice at Deadwood .. In 1884 he removed to Rapid City, Dak., where he was engaged in pro- fessional work until April, 1888. At that time he was appointed register of the United States land office at Devil's Lake. N. D., and for three years faithfully administered the duties of his responsi- ble position. In the spring of 1891 he resigned in order to return to West Virginia, and for about two years and a half carried on a law prac- tice in Huntington. In September, 1893, having been appointed register of the United States land office at Kingfisher, he came to this terri- tory and assumed his new duties. During the four years of his service here he won the com- mendation of the public, and to many it was a source of regret when, in October. 1897, he retired from the office. Since that time he has devoted his attention to the law, and has suc- ceeded in building up a large and representative practice.
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Judge Spilman is now acting as a committee- man for Oklahoma to the national Democratic congressional committee, this being his second term in the office. He also is a member of the territorial Democratic central committee, repre- senting Kingfisher county, and in the spring of 1900 he attended the Democratic National Com- mittee . Assembly at Washington as Oklahoma's Democratic agent, using his influence for Kan- sas City as a place for the national convention. In fact he was one of the five persons who cast the first votes in favor of Kansas City. Also, owing to his indefatigable efforts Oklahoma was benefited in this way, six instead of tour national delegates being allowed to the territory. No one has been more interested than he in the subject of free homes, and one of the first arti- cles appearing on this great question. published in the Kingfisher Times, was written by him. He was active in securing the passage of bene- ficial land legislation notably in urging that the
citizens of Oklahoma, who have commuted their homesteads, be allowed to make second entry as is the case elsewhere in public lands. Fraternally lie is a member of Kingfisher Lodge No. 8, 1. F. & A. M., of this city.
The marriage of Judge Spilman and Mrs. C. S. (Sloan) Tracy was solemnized in St. Louis, Mo., in 1884. She is a native of St. Louis and is a daughter of Edwin C. Sloan, who is one of the prominent commission merchants of that city.
W INFIELD SCOTT KESSLER, a rail- road man and successful farmer, residing on the northwestern quarter of section 9. township 16, range 3, Logan county, also has a claim on the northeastern quarter section 8. township 16, range 3, Logan county. He was born in York county, Pa., July 20, 1861, and is a son. of John and Elizabeth (Snyder) Kessler, also natives of York county. When his son Winfield was ten years old, the father took up a homestead on Smokey river, near Bunker Hill, Kans., where he lived for about twenty years, subsequently going to Leavenworth, Kans., which is still his home.
W. S. Kessler lived at home on bis fa.ker's farm, and learned the many things pertaining to this kind of work which proved of much practical benefit to him in later years. In addi- tion, he received a fair common-school educa- tion, and later developed into an interested reader of current literature, keeping at all times well abreast of the happenings of the day.
In 1892 Mr. Kessler began to feel the limita- tions of a continued residence in the country. and looked around for some kind of occupation more in accord with the promptings of his ambi- tious nature. He accordingly made application for a position with the Santa Fe Railroad Com- pany, which position was soon forthcoming, and he started in at his work as a fireman. In 18So he made the run to Oklahoma on horseback, and secured his present homestead.
Upon taking up his claim in Oklahoma, Mr. Kessler built himself a box house, IOx12 feet in dimensions, which served as a home for his family during the first year, while he was still connected with the railroad. There has been added to the house since an 8x12 feet addition, which is used for a kitchen. After five years the house was moved from its original position be- side the creek to its present location. It was at one time considerably damaged by a passing cyclone, but was rebuilt in a more solid and substantial manner. A large, commodious barn was built in the fall of 1900. In 1897 Mr. Kess- ler bought one hundred and sixty acres, which he owns in addition to his other property. In politics our subject is independent. He has no
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;litical aspirations and has never voted for a president.
Mr. Kessler was married in Kansas, January 1. 1886, to Rhoda Lewis, born in Columbiana ounty, Ohio, and a daughter of Stephen and Mary (Stumpf) Lewis. Her father was a per- sonal acquaintance of President McKinley. and greatly aided in bringing about his first election to congress.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kessler: May, born in Raton, N. M., September 21. 1886, and Isla, born on the home farm, July 5. 1898.
A. W. HURLEY. Prominent among the many who have contributed, along special lines, to the development and well-being of their adopted territory, may be mentione i the name of A. W. Hurley, who, as the popular chief clerk of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe ageney at Darlington, has ably filled a position requiring special aptitude and tactful manage- mient.
When but a small boy, Mr. Hurley left his na- tive town of Dallas, Tex., where he was born September 25, 1865, and went to Arkansas. The greater part of his education was acquired at the Cumberland Presbyterian College. after which he prepared for future independence by serving for three years as a printer's apprentice. With the idea of broadening his prospects, he sought the far west, and in San Diego, Cal., se- cured the position of telegraphic editor of the Newspaper Union. AAfter three years of expe- rience in this line, he returned to Arkansas, and utilized knowledge gained as editor of the Ben- ton County Democrat. The paper was con- ducted under Mr. Hurley's able management from 1887 until 1893, at which time he retired irom editorial work. to identify himself with the Indian service, as chief clerk of the agency at Ponca. In 1898 he was transferred to the " levenne and Arapahoe agency, which he has since continued to manage from the headquar- ters at Darlington.
The father of Mr. Hurley. Dr. Thomas W. Ilurley, is a native of Mississippi, and at the present time a prominent physician and surgeon at Bentonville. Ark. For more than thirty years Dr. Hurley has stood at the head of his profes- sion in his adopted town, his skill in diagnosis and his successful treatment of complicated and apparently hopeless cases having won for him the confidence and patronage of a large portion of the community. He is possessed of a more than local celebrity, and was at one time presi- dent of the Arkansas State Medical Society. This position of trust brought into bold relief the erudition and practical research of Dr. Hur-
ley, who was thus enabled to exert an extended influence in securing the highest results for the profession. A further evidence of the appre- ciation of his fellow-practitioners was his ap- pointment to membership in the American Medical Society. During the years of his special devotion to politics, Dr. Hurley was for some time editor of the Benton County Democrat. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason. His' wife, formerly Maria L. Neal, became the mother of nine children, five of whom are living. A. W. being second oldest. Mary L. is the wife of E. L. Richards, of San Diego, Cal .; A. W. is living at Darlington; C. E. is a physician of Bentonville, Ark .; Emma D. is the wife of J. S. Stephenson, proprietor of the Benton County Democrat, and Eva E. is the widow of Edgar V. Hottel, manager of the Carthage (Mo.) Ban- ner.
In 1887 Mr. A. W. Hurley was united in mar- riage with Lucy D. Robinson, a daughter of Dr. C. M. Robinson, a prominent druggist of Ben- tonville, Ark. To Mr. and Mrs. Hurley have been born five children, viz .: Harold M., Dreux T .. Katherine L., Augustus H. and Madge N.
Mr. Hurley has rendered conspicuous service to the cause of the Democratic party, and has served as delegate to various national conven- tions. His name was mentioned for secretary of the state of Arkansas in 1892. In his capacity of editor he was appointed delegate to the Edi- torial Convention at Detroit in 1889. With the fraternal associations Mr. Hurley is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, at Bentonville, and is past representative to the state grand lodge, also past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Bentonville. Ark. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a' member of Wichita Consistory No. 2. Scottish Rite Masons, of Wichita, Kans., and a member of India Temple. N. M. S., of Oklahoma City. Okla. Recently he has become a member of Pawnee Tribe of Red Men and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen Lodge at El Reno, Okla.
H ENRY HOWARD WATKINS. Men who possess the reliable and substantial characteristics shown by Mr. Watkins dur- ing his residence in Enid have ever been re- garded as the backbone of the communities in which their lot has been cast. This is especially true of promising and undeveloped localities. which are so dependent upon the intellectual and moral attributes of their early settlers, and. when applied to the commercial world, to their application of the highest and soundest business principles. In his capacity as cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Enid. Mr. Watkins has won
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the unswerving confidence of the public, and as a friend and citizen his popularity is due to his many sterling qualities of heart and mind.
A native of Warren Center, Bradford county, Pa., Mr. Watkins was born March 12, 1866, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Morris) Watkins, natives of Wales. Early in the cen- tury the paternal grandfather, Edward Wat- kins, brought his strong, sturdy national traits from his mountainous native land, and upon reaching America located in Carbondale, Pa. He was superintendent of the blocking of mines, and continued his occupation in the mines of Pennsylvania. His latter days were spent in retirement in Scranton, Pa., where he died at the age of eighty years. His son, Wil- liam, lived until grown at Carbondale, where he received a good common-school education, going, when he contemplated an independent business venture, to Bradford county, where he engaged in the commission business, and also owned a farm. When his son, Henry H., was twelve years of age, he removed to Owego, N. Y., still engaging in the commission business During the Civil war he was rejected upou ten- dering his services to the government. An ar- dent Republican, he has attained some promi- nence in local affairs, and is a member of the Congregational Church. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Morris, was a native of Cardigan -. shire, Wales, and a daughter of David Morris, who brought his family to America and located in Bradford county, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. His death at the age of nearly ninety years was due to injuries received from a runaway accident. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Henry H .. of this sketch: Edward, living in Pearl City, Ill .: Anna, wife of Prof. F. J. Beardsley, principal of schools of North Ton- awanda, N. Y .; and Mary, widow of J. C. Bowen, residing on the old homestead at War- ren Center, Pa.
Mr. Henry Watkins was educated in Bradford county until his twelfth year, and after that in the public schools of Owego, N. Y., where he graduated from the high-school in 1887. At the suggestion of his friends and medical adviser he sought the larger possibilities of the west. trusting much from a change of climate and location. He settled in Illinois, where he taught school in Carroll county for one year, going tlience to Houston. Minn., where he taught for another year. In 1889 he removed to Nebraska and engaged in the chattel loan business. under the firm name of John Paley & Co., and subse- quently became assistant cashier of the Bank of Gresham, Neb. In 1891 Mr. Watkins made an advantageous change of residence to Kingfisher, Okla., and besides being assistant cashier of the
Bank of Kingfisher conducted a loan and real- estate business. In 1894 he came to Enid, boughi an interest in the Citizens' Bank of North Enid, and became the cashier of the same, and man- ager until 1896, when the institution was removed to Enid proper, and its name changed to the Citizens' Bank of Enid. The capitaliza- tion was $14,000, with a surplus, and a general banking business is carried on, the location of the bank being central, opposite the Land Office.
Mrs. Watkins, formerly Nell Crosthwait, is a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Perry Crosth- wait, at the present time a resident of Kingfisher. To Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have been born two children, Ethel Elizabeth, and Dorothy. Mr. Watkins is a stanch Republican, and never deviated from the principles laid down by that reliable party. He is a member of the Terri- torial Bankers' Association, and has taken an active part in all of its undertakings since its organization. Fraternally, he is variously asso- ciated, and is a member of the Masonic order at Enid, having joined that organization in Nebraska. He was raised to the Royal Arch degree at Kingfisher, and is a charter member of the chapter there. Made a Knight Templar at El Reno, by the Ascension Commandery. he also is a member of India Temple, N. M. S., of Oklahoma City, and belongs to the consistory at Wichita. Mr. Watkins was instrumental in organizing the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma in 1892, and elected the first grand treasurer, has held the position ever since. With his family he is connected with the interests of the Congre- gational church, and contributes generously towards its maintenance. Mr. Watkins is immensely popular in his adopted town, his large heartedness, kindliness, and optimistic tempera- ment winning him friends among all classes of people.
D R. J. R. SMITH is one of the older resi- dents of Canadian county, having made his first appearance here in May, 1889. and coming from Jefferson county. Kans. It was an easy thing for him to win recognition of his ability as a physician and surgeon. and now also the proprietor of an extensive drug store, he is one of the leading spirits of the city.
Dr. Smith was born in Henry county, Ind .. where his father, J. M. Smith, carried on an extensive packing business for several years. He was a stock dealer all his life, and has led a busy carcer. He is now living in Jefferson county, Kans., where he owns a fine farm. Hc married Catherine Ridgeway, and nine children blessed this union. Among the number is Roh- ert, a druggist at Meriden, Kans .: J. R .: Matilda: George, a druggist at Spokane, Wash .:
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