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 73
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In 1882 Mr. Corkins became a night operator at Scranton, Iowa, on the line of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and at the expiration of ten months was transferred to Alton, same state, where he was stationed for eighteen months. He next went to Chadron, which then was the terminus of the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley, and there he was employed in the capacity of a train despatcher until 1887. During the construction of the line between Atchison and Leavenworth he was the resident engineer's chief clerk for six months, after which lie was located at Springvale as an agent of the railroad. In 1888 he went to Wellington, Kans., where he was the chief clerk in the freight de- partment, and in June, 1889, he took a similar position under L. R. Delaney, in Guthrie, on the Santa Fe line, and occupied that place until 1896, when he succeeded Mr. Delaney, who was transferred to Wichita. Since that time he has had charge of the passenger and freight depart- ments at this place, and thus has a very responsi- ble position. He has given entire satisfaction to all concerned, and is equally popular with his superiors and those under his supervision.
While a resident of Alton, Iowa, Mr. Corkins married Miss Susie Gleysteen, whose birthplace was in Pella, Iowa. The young couple have one child, Lionel A., the light of their happy home. Mr. Corkins is past master of Guthrie Lodge No. 2. A. F. & A. M .; past secretary of the Guthrie Chapter; and past secretary and junior warden of Guthrie Commandery No. I, K. T. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. the Guthrie Club and other social organizations. in all of which he is a favorite. Politically, he is affiliated with the Democratic party.
B ENJAMIN FRANKLIN CLAMPITT. Born within the walls of the old block fort in the wilds of Indiana, known as Fort Wayne, it appears like an omen of his life, for the greater part of his career has been enacted on the western frontiers, and he is thoroughly familiar with the hardships and dangers of the pioneer. His paternal grandfather, Moses Clampitt, was a native of England and a member of the Society of Friends. Seeking a new home under a more liberal government, he brought his family to America, and settled in South Caro- lina, where he carried on a plantation. His son, John, father of our subject. also was an Eng-
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lishman, and was reared on the old southern plantation mentioned. At twenty-two years of „re he went to Fort Wayne, and for several years was employed as a blacksmith on the Wabash & Erie Canal, then in process of con- struction, between that point and Fort Defiance, Ohio. Subsequently he became a pioneer of Williams county, Ohio, continuing to work at his trade until his death, which event occurred in 1856. He had married Mary Beeson, a na- tive of South Carolina, and also a member of the Society of Friends. Her father, Isaac Beeson, was likewise born in the state mentioned, and owned a plantation there prior to his removal to Kniglitstown, Ind., in early days of its history.
B. F. Clampitt, whose birth occurred August 10, 1836, is one of eleven brothers and sisters who grew to maturity, but only three now sur- vive. Edward and J. B. served in an Ohio regi- ment during the war of the Rebellion, and the whole family was intensely patriotic. For some time our subject pursued his studies in the schools of Pulaski, Ohio, but the spirit of ad- venture and enterprise gradually mastered him, and in 1856 he started for the gold fields of the Pacific slope. Making his long trip by way of Central America, he arrived at length in Cali- fornia, and at once engaged in mining. He was located at different places on the South Middle and Northern Yuba rivers, and later went to Oregon. Altogether, he spent fifteen years in the far west, chiefly in California, and, as a whole, met with fair success. Returning to Ohio, he visited among his relatives and friends for six weeks, and then set out towards the set- ting sun. For two or three years he carried on a livery business and engaged in farming at El- dorado, Kans., and in 1873 went to Jacksboro, Tex., where he also was the proprietor of a liv- ery stable. Next we find him at the head of a hotel and livery business in Fort Griffin, Tex .. and later similarly occupied in the town of Fort Elliott, same state. He then tried his fortunes at Fort Clark, on the Rio Grande, and at San Juan Sabinas, Mexico, whence he returned to Fort Elliott, always interested in the manage- ment of liveries.
Making all preparations possible, Mr. Clamp- itt was ready to enter the strip September 16. 1893, and was at the line near Hennessey at the hour. His race became thoroughly exciting, for he had a span of fast running horses, attached to a light cart, and strapped himself into the vehicle for fear of accidents. The race was lit- erally a runaway, and the ground could scarcely have been traversed in less time, for the sixteen miles was covered in less than forty minutes. When Mr. Clampitt arrived at the property which he desired, the quarter-section just north of Enid (now known as Jonesville), he was re-
joiced to find that he was the first comer. Un- fortunately, a "sooner" had already filed a claim to the property, and for four years the case was in the courts. The government decided that the land was part of the town site, and all that was left to our subject was a corner lot, which, how- ever, he sold for $5,000. Since that time he has improved some lots on Maple and Second streets, building six small residences. He is the proprietor of the Enid City water-works, and supplies the fire department and runs the street sprinklers.
In his political affiliations Mr. Clampitt is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow and belongs to the Encampment. He holds membership in the Enid Baptist Church, and loyally contributes to its support, as well as to many benevolent enterprises. In Augusta, Kans., he married Miss Julia Pope, whose birth also occurred in Indiana. They are the parents of three sons and a daughter, namely: William E., a resident of Wilson county, Tex .; Harry C., who is a inerchant of Woods county, Okla .; Ben, who also resides in that county; and Lulu, who is at home.
W ILLIAM H. CLUTTER, M. D., one of the well and favorably known pioneers of Oklahoma, comes of English-German an- cestry, and possesses the best traits of those two noble, progressive races. His paternal fore- fathers were numbered among the carly col- onists who left England to found homes in Vir- ginia and Maryland, and later penetrated the wilds of Kentucky. The doctor's grandfather, William Clutter, was born in the Blue Grass state, and became a well-to-do farmer of Scott county. When the war of 1812 came on he en- listed in the defense of his native land, and at the battle of Malden received injuries which caused his death.
W. J .. father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in Scott county, in November. 1798, and at an early day removed to Indianapo- lis, and thence to Newton, Ill., where he was living at the time of his death, in his seventy- seventh year. Religiously he was a Presbyte- rian. . For a wife he had chosen Catherine. daugliter of Jacob Horine, who had migrated from his native Hagerstown, Md., to Nicholas- ville, Ky., in 1780, and there engaged in agricul- ture. His brother Henry, who continued to carry on a foundry business in Maryland, be- came a wealthy man. Their ancestors were from one of the Rhine provinces, in Germany. Mrs. Clutter, who was born in Kentucky, died in Illi- nois when in her fifty-fifth year. Three of her elder sons served in the Federal army during the Civil war, James M., Oliver F. and Thomas be-
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ing in Indiana regiments. The former was eap- Yared at Union City, Ky., but was soon ex- hanged. Later he and his youngest brother, Jesse, were engaged in the eooperage business in Terre Haute, Ind., and he died there in June. 1000. Another brother, Oliver Franklin, still lives at Terre Haute. Jesse died some years ago. Thomas was killed at Silver City, N. M., by In- dians who were on the warpath. Lycurgus L. resides on the old homestead in Jasper county, 111., and Alexander J., who was a physician, died at Noble, Ill.
The birth of Dr. W. H. Clutter oceurred April 25, 1832, in Bourbon county, Ky., where he lived upon a plantation until he was eighteen years old. He obtained a good education in the publie schools, and attended the university at Green- castle, Ind., for two years. He there took up the study of medieine under the tutelage of Drs. Cowgill and Talbott, and was engaged in prac- tice with one of them until the Civil war, when Governor Yates appointed him as assistant sur- geon, with the rank of captain, in the Sixty- fourth Illinois (known as Yates' Sharpshooters). He served in the Army of the Tennessee. and subsequent to the New Madrid campaign was placed on detached duty with the Eighty-first Illi- nois and Thirty-third Wisconsin regiments. He was at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Iuka. Corinth, Tupelo (Miss.), battle of the Blue river and in numerous minor engagements of those eam- paigns, next went to re-enforce General Thomas at Nashville, and took part in the great battle at that point, and later was sent to New Orleans. He remained in that loeality until the close of the war, and at length his health failed, and at the end of July, 1865, he received word that his resignation from the service was accepted.
Returning home, the doctor resumed his med- ical work as soon as his health permitted, and in 1867 he was granted the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the Cincinnati Medical College. For two years he praeticed in Noble, Ill .. aiter which, in the hope of benefiting his health, he removed to Kansas. He was one of the first settlers in Frankfort, Marshall eounty, and after that town was laid out he built the third house that was erected on the site of the village. He also earried on and owned a drug-store there, and was actively occupied in attending to his professional duties there until he came to this territory. Here he settled upon a claim in April. 1889. and later opened an office and commenced practicing in Oklahoma City. He has improved his homestead, which is situated seven miles cast of the city, in Crutcho township, and since the iall of 1898 he has made his home in Seventh street, where he built a modern residence. IIe makes a specialty of diseases of the nervous sys- tem, and has met with gratifying success in his
general praetiee. Not only has he belonged to the state medieal societies of Kansas and Illi- nois, but is ex-president of the Oklahoma Medi- eal Association, and formerly oceupied a similar office on the eity board of health, and for one term served as eoroner of Oklahoma eounty.
Fraternally the doctor has been identified with the Grand Army of the Republie, the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He has manifested his interest in education by acting as a member of school boards and in va- rious practical ways. His first presidential vote was cast at the time when "Freedom, Free Speech and Fremont" were the watehwords of his party, and from that day until the present he has been unwavering in his allegianee to the Republiean platform.
In Frankfort, Kans., the doetor and Hannah M. Strong were united in marriage. She was born in Iowa, and was reared to womanhood in Bellaire, Ohio. Two sons, William A. and Lar- kin N., blessed the union of the doctor and wife. William A. lived to be a promising young man in his nineteenth year, when he was claimed by death. Mrs. Clutter is an aetive member of the ladies' Grand Army of the Republic Society, and has served as its seeretary, and is at present its treasurer. A devoted Presbyterian, she is a valued worker in the ehureh and for the better- ment of society in general.
O. P. COOPER, chairman of the board of county commissioners of Logan county, has served in this eapacity since January, 1897, in a most capable manner, and has been instrumental in making many improvements in Guthrie and the county in general. In addition to this, he is engaged in the retail meat business, being a member of the firm of O. P. Cooper & Son, and conducting the oldest and largest es- tablishment in Guthrie.
Mr. Cooper was born in Clinton county, Ind., August 31, IS40, and is a son of Dr. James W. and Lucy (Gregg) Cooper. The family is of English origin, and carly settled in Virginia .. His grandfather, Milton Cooper, was born in the Old Dominion, and removed thence to Ken- tueky, but later settled in Clinton eounty, Ind .. where he improved a farm and resided until his death. James W. Cooper was born in Ken- tucky, and became a practicing physician in Clinton county, Ind., later carrying on a general practice at Russiaville, Howard county, the same state. In 1884 he settled upon a farm in Clark county, Kans., where he resided until his re- tirement from active cares at the age of eighty years. In March, 1900, he moved to Grant county, Okla., where he has sinee made his home. ITis wife was born near Covington, Ky.,
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and was a daughter of John Gregg, who was of English descent, and served in the war of 1812. Mrs. Cooper died in Indiana. In her family were the following children: O. P., our subject; John M., who lives in Grant City, Okla .: James W., an attorney at Russiaville, Ind .; William, of Woodson county, Kans .: Oliver G., of Pawnee Rock, Kans .; Stanley, of Grant county, Okla .; Mrs. Charlotta Lyon, of New Iola, Kans .; Mrs. Ella Waddell, of Carroll county, Ind .; and Mrs. Mary Frances Graham, who died in Indiana.
O. P. Cooper was reared in Russiaville, Ind., and there attended the public schools. Howard county was then on the main Indian reserve, and he well remembers when the Indians were forced west into the new country. When twenty years old he began working in a steam flouring- mill and operated a large mill there until 1871. He then sold out and engaged in merchandising and the real-estate business at Russiaville until 1884, when he located in Toronto, Woodson county, Kans. A short time after he moved to Ashland, Clark county, Kans., where he engaged in the meat and the real-estate business. In the spring of 1891 he removed to Guthrie and opened a meat market on Oklahoma avenue, but sold out in 1893, and, with his family, at- tended the World's Fair in Chicago. In the spring of 1894 he started in business again, buy- ing at No. 122 East Oklahoma avenue. a build- ing, 25x80 feet in dimensions, two stories high and with a large basement. He put in a large re- frigerator and other equipments, and has since engaged in the retail meat business. Since 1891 the market has been conducted under the firm name of O. P. Cooper & Son.
In politics Mr. Cooper is a Republican. For many years he served on the school board. With George Gray, he constituted the committee that located the Central high school, Capital school, Lincoln school and Banner school. He was active in educational work and served as director until he resigned on being elected to the council from the third ward. During his service in the council he was chairman of the waterworks and ordinance committees and a member of the finance and other committees. In 1806 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for county commissioner from Guthrie and Guthrie town- ship, and was elected by a majority of five hun- dred, carrying every voting precinct. He took the oath of office in January, 1897. At the ex- piration of his term, in 1808, he was re-elected by a large majority. In both cam- paigns he made no personal canvass. In 1809 he was made chairman of the board. His second term expiring, he was again elected in Novem- ber. 1900. Ilis administration has been marked by the greatest activity. In INOS there were more substantial bridges erected than ever be-
fore. In 1899 twenty-eight more steel structures were put in than had been since the organization of the county. He lias also aided in putting Logan county on a solid financial basis. When he was elected thie warrants were at a very low value, but by 1899 they had raised to par. Roads have been greatly improved throughout the county.
At Russiaville, Ind., Mr. Cooper was united in marriage with Mary Shilling, a native of Dres- den, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas Shilling, who settled in Howard county, Ind., in 1860, and there followed merchandising. Six children have blessed this union, as follows: Eva, wife of W. R. Payne, of Chicago; Carrie, wife of T. F. Millikin, of Guthrie; Mary, wife of F. J. Dol- cater, of Guthrie; James O., a graduate of Ash- land high school, who is associated in business with his father and is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Order of United Work- men; Viola and Thomas, who live at home. Our subject was made a Mason at Russiaville, Ind., in 1863, and now belongs to Guthrie Lodge No. 2. He was formerly connected with the Order of Odd Fellows, and is now a member of the Guthrie Commercial Club.
E LIAS LYCURGUS DAGLEY, M. D. Prominent in the medical profession of Oklahoma stands Dr. Dagley, who for the past five and a half years has been actively en- gaged in practice in the city of that name. Born in Louisville, Ky., May 4, 1845, he is a son of Dr. James A. and Martha (Barker) Dagley, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and the latter of Ireland. The mother accompanied her father to Kentucky at an early day, and there she dwelt near Lexington until her marriage to Dr. Dagley, who was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and of Miami Medical College, of Cincinnati. Later he was successfully engaged in practice in Gasport and Scotland. Ind .. until his death in his sixty-sev- enth year. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was an honored and es- teemed citizen of his community.
Dr. E. L. Dagley is one of eight children, all but one of whom lived to maturity. When he was about twelve years old he returned to Louis- ville, his birthplace, and there entered the em- ploy of MeCosson & Robinson, manufacturing druggists, and remained with that firm, being promoted from one department to another until he thoroughly mastered the business. In the fall of 1862 lie volunteered his services to the Union canse, and was enrolled in Company K. Seventeenth Indiana Infantry. About two months afterward he was detailed as an orderly. and was sent with despatches to General Sher-
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With that gallant officer he continued through the Chattanooga campaign and the march through Georgia. He was faithful and dauntless, performing innumerable feats that re- quired special courage and keenness of mind and powers of execution. His career was ex- tremely hazardous, and, besides receiving a abre wound, he was shot nine different times. but triumphantly rode through the thickest of danger and never was captured. His long and brilliant service was terminated in Washington in July, 1865, where he participated in the Grand Review.
Returning to Indiana. Dr. Dagley soon made plans to enter his father's profession, and, going to St. Louis, he earned the means for pursuing his studies by working in the wholesale homeo- pathic laboratory for over four years. Having made a start toward his goal he attended the Indianapolis College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1873, also graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of Louisville, Ky., and two years later was graduated in the Miami Med- ical College at Cincinnati. During the next three years he practiced his profession in Wash- ington, Ind., after which period he removed to St. Louis, where he was actively occupied in his chosen field of labor until October. 1889. That autumn he located in Hastings. Neb., where he became specially known as one who devoted his chief attention to the treatment of chronic dis- cases. In November, 1804. he came to Okla- homa City, where he has built up an exceedingly representative practice. His office, at No. S. Broadway, is well equipped with every appliance and surgical instruments, and is a model one in every respect.
Socially the doctor is very popular. as he takes a sincere interest in the welfare of the public and the community with which his own lot is associated. Formerly he gave his ballot to the nominees of the Republican party. but of late Years he has cast his vote and influence on the idle of the Democrats. He is thoroughly pub -. lic-spirited and is well read and posted upon all oi the important issues of the day.
E DWIN L. DUNN. a prominent real-estate dealer of Oklahoma City. is identified with Ed. L. Dunn & Co., and has his office at No. 107 Broadway. A man of integrity and business ability, he is one of those energetic and enterprising citizens whose work has so mate- tially aided in the development of the city.
Mr. Dunn was born in Humboldt, Allen county, Kans., and is a son of Dr. A. L. and Namey (Parnell) Dunn. His grandfather. Squire Dunn, was born in Ireland and was an early set- ter in New Jersey, but later moved to New York
state, where he engaged in farming in Allegany county. He and his brother William were pio- neers of Dunn county, Wis., which was nanied in their honor, and later he located in Albert Lea, Freeborn county, Minn., where he died, aged ninety-seven years, in 1889. His wife, who was of Scotch descent and a daughter of Con- stance Lenox, died in 1892, aged ninety-five years.
Born in Allegany county, N. Y., and reared in Wisconsin, A. L. Dunn in youth began the study of inedicine. He was graduated from the Mil -. waukee Medical College, with a degree of M. D., and, after a short time spent in Minnesota, opened an office in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he practiced until 1857. His next location was in Humboldt, Kans., where he was a candidate for the first territorial legislature, but was de- feated at the election. In 1859, at the time of the Pike's Peak excitement, he crossed the plains with ox-teams to Colorado and settled in Cen- tral City, where he practiced and was interested in mining until 1866. After his return to Mar- shalltown, Iowa, he practiced medicine there for two years, and then moved to Mount Moriah, Mo., where he engaged in professional work for twenty years. April 22, 1889, he removed to Oklahoma City, where he has since lived in re- tirement. He owns considerable valuable prop- erty here, which he rents. His life has been characterized by stirring activity, and now, at the age of seventy-six years, he enjoys the com- forts his industry has rendered possible. He married Nancy Parnell, who was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., and was a daughter of Wil- liam Parnell. The latter was born in Kentucky, and became a farmer of Indiana, locating in St. Joseph county in 1845, thence moving to Mar- shall county, Iowa, and residing there until 1895; he then came to Oklahoma City, where he died January 1, 1900, aged ninety years. His wife died in Oklahoma City May 5, 1900, at the age of eighty-seven years. Her maiden name was Polly Hooton, and she came of Kentucky and Vir- ginia parents, but was born in Indiana. Dr. and Mrs. Dunn were parents of four children, as fol- lows: Minnie, wife of W. W. Stone; Edwin L., of Oklahoma City: Mrs. Lettie Aufricht, of Okla- homa City; and Hattie, wife of F. M. Butts, a lumberman of Arkansas.
Edwin L. Dunn was born October 12, 1858. and was reared in Colorado until he reached his eighth year, then in Iowa and Missouri. He at- tended the public schools of the latter state and Bristow College at Princeton, Mo., later took a course of study in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, from which he was graduated. He had begun clerking at the age of thirteen at Mount Moriah, and continued at intervals until his graduation. Entering into partnership with his
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former employer, William Chambers, at Mount Moriah, under the firm name of William Cham- bers & Co., he conducted a general merchandise store there for two years, when he sold out and moved to Bethany, Mo., where he conducted a grocery store for three years. He left that busi- ness to engage in the abstract business, which he continued until 1885. He then became mail clerk on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and ran between Des Moines and St. Joseph, Mo., for three years. He was next trans- ferred to the general superintendent's office in Washington, D. C., as clerk, and served until Harrison's administration, when he was removed because of his partisanship.
In December, 1890, Mr. Dunn came to Okla- homa City, but engaged in the real-estate and abstract business at El Reno, in partnership with T. F. Hensley. In the fall of 1894 he again lo- cated in Oklahoma City, and purchased a set of abstract books, which he still owns and keeps up. He also engaged in the real-estate business with F. H. Shelley, under the name of Dunn & Shelley, until October, 1896, when he was ap- pointed clerk of the United States district court by Judge Keaton, holding the position during the latter's incumbency of that office. He was removed April 4, 1898. In the meantime he had continued his real-estate and abstract business. He owns and laid out Suburban Heights addi- tion, comprising twenty acres on a hill in the northwestern part of the city. In 1899 he organ- ized and became a partner in the Oklahoma Real-Estate & Loan Company, which has been succeeded by Ed. L. Dunn & Co .. and which does an immense business in the community. He is a charter member of the Commercial Club.
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