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 92
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95
Receiving an excellent literary education, George H. Laing was graduated in the Edin- burgh Academy, at the age of seventeen. In 1878 it was his privilege to attend the Paris Exposition, and for six months he traveled on the continent. In 1879 he came to New York City, where he remained for two years, em- ployed as a shipping-clerk with the firm of Arnold & Constable, wholesale dry-goods mer- chants. Nineteen years ago he came to the west, and for seven years conducted a fine ranch located forty-seven miles north of Sidney, Neb .. on the Platte river. There he engaged in breed- ing black Polled-Angus cattle, and introduced the thoroughbred stock in western Nebraska and Wyoming.
On that spring day which initiated Oklahoma territory's history, Mr. Laing located a claim about a mile south of Kingfisher and built a comfortable residence thereon. In June, 1880, he was appointed the first contest clerk in the United States land office at Kingfisher stage station, a position which he held for fifteen months, then being appointed deputy district clerk under Judge Clark, of Oklahoma City. In the fall of 1802 he resigned that office, and, re- turning to Kingfisher, served for a short time as a special clerk in the United States land office here. Meanwhile, he had been admitted to the bar in Oklahoma City, and in January, 1803.
596
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
opened an office in Kingfisher, under the firm name of Whiting & Laing. In the following September the firm established an office at Enid, where a large practice was built up, and it was not until 1897 that the gentlemen resumed their old practice in this city. Soon afterwards Mr. Laing was appointed deputy district clerk, by Judge McAtee, and later was reappointed by Judge C. F. Irwin. A fine penman and accurate accountant, he is just the man for the position, and is valued by those acquainted with its re- quirements. Ile continues to carry on his law practice, standing high in his profession, and is now connected with the Kingfisher County Bar Association, being secretary thercof.
Always sincerely interested in educational mat- ters, Mr. Laing exercises his influence on behalf of good schools and teachers. He was a candi- date for the school board from the second ward of Kingfisher, and was elected by the largest majority of any one on the ticket. He has al- ways been an ardent Republican since becoming a voter, and was influential in the organization of this county. He served as the first secretary of the Republican county central committee, is the present chairman thereof, and has attended every territorial convention. In the fraternities he belongs to the Masonic order. the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Order of Red Men, the Caledonian Club and the St. Andrews Society of New York City. Re- ligiously, he is an Episcopalian, and one of the active members of the Kingfisher Church.
On the 22nd of August. 1894, Mr. Laing mar- ried Miss Mina A: Menzies, who was born in Peterboro, Ontario, Canada. Two children bless the marriage of this worthy couple, namely: Ron- ald B. and Christine I. Mrs. Laing is one of the seven children of Thomas and Isabelle (MeIn- tyre) Menzies, natives of Perthshire, Scotland. The former's father, James, and his grandfather, John Menzies, were natives of the same locality. John Menzies served with Sir Ralph Abercrom- bie, as captain of the Seventy-ninth Highlanders at the famous battle of the Nile in Egypt, where the British army defeated Napoleon Bonaparte. Mrs. Isabelle (MeIntyre) Menzies' father, Don- ald McIntyre, participated in the battle of Wa- terloo, being the major of a Scotch regiment known as the Gray cavalry.
J OIIN HENRY MCFARLAND. The home- stead of John Henry McFarland in Mustang township, Oklahoma county has now passe:l into other hands, but was for some time operated with admirable ability by his widow, aided by her energetic, business-like sons. They were much esteemed citizens of this community, where they resided for nearly twelve years, quietly, yet carn-
estly, striving to develop a model homestead out of a wild tract of land, and at the same time to fulfill every obligation of citizenship.
Mrs. Freda J. McFarland, who succeeded well in meeting thie severe responsibilities which fell to her share in life, especially of late years, is a na- tive of Germany, and doubtless inherited many of the stable qualities for which her countrymen are noted. She was only five years old when she came to America with her parents, Joachim A. and Henrietta Peters. The father was a miller by trade, and was engaged in the manufacture of flour in Germany, but after coming to the United States devoted his attention to the cultivation of the soil. For some time the family lived in Ohio, but in 1870 a move was made to Sumner county, Kans. There the father was a pioneer farmer, and for almost a quarter of a century continued to operate his homestead in that local- ity, being called to his reward in 1894.
In March, 1874, his daughter. Freda J., was married in the parental home in Sumner county to J. H. McFarland, a native of Indiana, a son of J. H. and Sarah McFarland, who were early settlers of the Hoosier state. They also were numbered among the first white inhabitants of Elk county. Kans. In embarking in independ- ent life. John H. MeFarland went to Sumner county, same state, where he took up a claim. and there he and his wife commenced house- keeping. Success soon crowned their efforts to acquire a competence, and when Oklahoma was opened to civilization they wisely determined to try their fortunes in this beautiful country. In July, 1889, the husband bought out a claimant to the property in Mustang township, on which he settled with his family. The land is very fer- tile and good harvests were garnered here from the first. The new owner instituted numerous improvements, set out a large orchard, built a comfortable farm-house and barn, and contin- tally expended time, energy and means on the place, which now is considered one of the most desirable farms in the township. In the midst of his useful career Mr. McFarland was stricken down with disease, death resulting from com- plications of pneumonia and measles, February 24. 1809.
The heavy responsibilities which thus de- volved upon the wife and mother she bravely took up, and certainly is entitled to great credit. Iler sons, James Lewis and Willard, were of mtich assistance to her in her actual care of the farm, for they endeavored to carry out to the letter the plans which their father had made. James L., the elder, has already attained promi- nence among the young farmers of this terri- tory, and. judging by what he already has ac- complished. his future is one of promise. He has raised some exceptionally fine crops of wheat,
597
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and was awarded a premium on the same in 1899 by the Oklahoma Street Fair Association. This prize, of which he has reason to be proud, is a fine-toned organ, which graces the cozy little parlor of the family residence. He now resides in the eastern part of this county.
July 18, 1900, Mrs. McFarland married her neighbor, John O'Shea, who settled on the same section (4) about the time that the McFarland family located here. He is a native of Canada. His only child (by a former marriage), Thomas, is now a lad of six years.
G EORGE LOCKWOOD. Under the reign of the progressive agriculturists of Okla- homa, this fertile region has become a gar- den spot within the comparatively short period of a decade, and few, if any, regions of the great west take precedence of this fair and highly pro- ductive strip of territory. One reason of its rapid rise in wealth and beauty undoubtedly is that an exceptionally intelligent and energetic class of citizens settled here at the time of its opening to civilization. In Crutcho township, Oklahoma county, George Lockwood ranks with its best agriculturists, and, as he was one of the founders of its present prosperity, he is well entitled to representation in its history.
He comes from a sterling old New England family, his father, Dr. Maurice Lockwood, being a native of the Green Mountain state. He sailed on the high seas for a number of years in his early manhood, and then removed to Butler county, Mo., where he turned his attention to farming. He also studied medicine and for years was successfully engaged in practice in Missouri. In 1870 he located in Barber county, Kans., and thence went to Washington territory, where, as formerly. he was interested in agricul- ture. A short time prior to his death he returned to his old Missouri home, where he passed away at the ripe age of seventy-three years. He was actively connected with the affairs of his com- munity and gave his earnest aid to the Repub- lican party. To himself and wife, Sarah Jane (Doolan) Lockwood, seven children were born. Two are deceased; Elijah and the widowed mother reside in Washington; Lincoln is in Oregon; Sarah is the wife of J. N. Burdon, of Idaho, and Lewis resides in Washington.
George Lockwood was born in Kansas City, Mo., August 23, 1854, and passed his boyhood upon the parental homestead in Butler county, Mo., and in Randolph county, Ark. When he was a youth of twenty, he left home and went to Cowley county, Kans., where he was em- ployed by William Kays for five and one-half years, in the meanwhile carefully husbanding his earnings, in order to make a good start in in-
dependent business for himself when the proper time arrived. In 1874 he settled in Cowley county, Kans., and there he diligently carried on agricultural labors for eighteen years, rising to a position of prominence among his neigh- bors. On the day that Oklahoma was opened to white settlers he came to Oklahoma City. and a few days later, April 26, bought out the claimant to his present farm, on section 9. Crutcho township. He at once commenced its improvement, and to-day has one hundred acres under cultivation, while eighteen acres are planted with apple, peach and pear trees, and smali fruits, in addition to which there is a large and thrifty vineyard on the place. Mr. Lock- wood has personally attended to all of these im- provements, and has neglected no means of beautifying and improving his fine homestead. He raises large crops of corn and cotton, and is making a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs.
The first wife of Mr. Lockwood, Mrs. Maggie (Meyers) Lockwood, whom he married in Win- field, Kans., died in 1896, leaving three children, who are named, respectively: Peter M., Donald and May. After coming to Oklahoma, Mr. Lockwood married Mrs. Villa (Ball) Kay, and their marriage has been blessed with one child, George Dewey.
Mr. Lockwood is independent in political mat- ters, but uses his ballot for the nominee and principle which he deems best fitted to benefit the country and community. He is a member of the Christian Church, as are his wife and elder children, and in the Sunday-school and all de- partments of religious endeavor he is deeply interested.
M ASON SHERMAN MANWELL, an es- teemed agriculturist of Council Grove township, Oklahoma county, has been the architect of his own fortunes, and the lessons which the young may gather from his history are obvious. A native of Vermont, he possesses the strength of character and pluck for which the New Englanders are noted, and, added to this. the enterprising spirit which always has anima- ted the true frontiersman. Undaunted by hard- ships and privations, which only the pioneer ex- periences, he has steadily pursued the pathway which he marked out for himself, and at the same time exerted his influence for good in every community where he has dwelt.
A son of Stephen and Dulcina (Vincent) Man- well, upright farmers of the Green Mountain state, M. S. Manwell was born March 4. 1826, and was reared on the old homestead in Rich- mond, Chittenden county. In 1871 he removed with his family to Elk county, Kans., where he
598
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was numbered among the first permanent set- tlers. With well-applied energy he proceeded to develop the resources of his farm, and, be- sides raising a general line of crops, kept live stock on an extensive scale. For several years he owned and carried on a cheese factory, and when he finally sold his farm he possessed one hundred and fifty head of cattle and two thou- sand sheep. Indeed, he was one of the most prosperous farmers in the county, and had no superiors as a financier and business man in his locality.
When Oklahoma territory was about to be opened to the public, Mr. Manwell determined to become. one of the inhabitants of this fertile land, and, though he had been afflicted with blindness for five years, he had the hardihood to venture into this new country at a time when rivalry was at its height, and men much younger and more able to fight for their rights were in the field. The success which he deserved perched upon his banners, and after he had settled upon his present homestead, one of the best in the neighborhood, kindly fortune returned to hin the priceless blessing of sight. He is doing well in the business of raising grain and live stock, and his farm has been greatly improved by the judicious expenditure of means and labor. Dur- ing most of his life Mr. Manwell has been a Democrat in political principle, and now calls himself a Populist. In religious faith he ad- heres to the teachings of his parents, who held that all would ultimately be made holy and happy.
The faithful helpmate of Mr. Manwell bore the maiden name of Electa Whitcombe, her parents being Thomas and Anna (Stephens) Whitcombe, of Vermont. They were natives of Connecticut, but at an early period became set- tlers in the Green Mountain state, and there Mrs. Manwell's birth occurred. Of the nine children born to our subject and wife two are deceased. namely, Stephen F. and Anna L., wife of J. C. Allendorph. Silas W .. the eldest, resides in Oklahoma: Carrie S. is the wife of O. S. Denice, employed as an agent in this territory by the Choctaw. Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad Company; Jennie M., Mrs. M. S. Ticer, resides in this ter- ritory: Edward H. lives with his parents: Maud G., wife of Dr. William Mason, resides in Elko county, Kans .; Nina, wife of H. H. Barrow, re- sides in St. Louis, and West M. is employed as a mail clerk on the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad. Edward H. Manwell, one of the first to locate in this section after the territory was opened to the white race. is one of the most pro- gressive and successful farmers in this region. In 1899 he raised about five thousand bushels of grain, and in 1900 produced seven thousand bushels on two hundred and twenty-five aeres.
He is adding to his landed possessions from time to time, and is amassing a competence by the exercise of his native talents.
R OBERT G. PEEBLEY. Within the decade just completed the subject of this article lias miade a comfortable fortune in Hartzell township, Oklahoma county, and his example as an agriculturist and financier is worthy of emu- lation. He comes from the middle south, his birth having occurred in Clay county, Mo., De- cember 7, 1847, while his parents, Thomas and Annie (Cameron) Peebley, were natives of Ten- nessec. They were numbered among the carly settlers of Missouri, and resided in that state until they received the summons to leave their labors, the father dying in his sixty-sixth year and the mother when she was fifty-five. Six of their twelve children have passed into the silent land, and three of the sons reside in Oklahoma.
Robert Gilmer Peebley was bereft of his parents when he was less than ten years of age, and, after continuing to live with his brothers and sisters on the old homestead four years, he started out in the world to make his own liveli- lood. He had early learned farming in its prac- tical details, and going to Atchison county, Mo., lie finally became a land-owner, and for a score of years cultivated one hundred and sixty acres. In 1880 he removed to Jewell county, Kans .. where he purchased a quarter section of almost raw land, and for the ensuing ten years devoted himself energetically to its development. As in his previous experience, he achieved wonders with his farin and left it greatly changed for the better.
In the spring of 1890 Mr. Peebley came to Oklahoma and filed papers for his present home- stead March 19, after having bought out the original owner, who had made almost no im- provements. At once he began the development of the place, and now has one hundred and sixty-five acres under the plow, wheat being his chief crop. His property is fertile and well- adapted to its present use, as it is situated along the North Canadian river bottom. A large or- chard adds much to the desirability of the farm, and the owner is constantly setting out more trees and small fruits. A fine well affords plenty of water, and a substantial house, fourteen by thirty-two feet in dimensions, and a story and a half high, are among the improvements made by our subject. He raises, cattle, horses, mules and logs, and is making a success of this under- taking.
That "man lives not to himself alone" has been exemplified in Mr. Peebley's career. He has ever sought to do his full duty toward his family. his neighbors and his country. In 1863, when he
1
.. **
شكراأحد
A. M. Stown
-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
jh 601
was only sixteen years of age, he volunteered his services to the Union, and for eighteen months was a member of the Ninth Missouri Cavalry. actively engaged in duty on the borders, where numerous encounters with bushwhackers were had. He was honorably discharged and mus- tered out of the army at the close of the war, in St. Louis. Since becoming a voter he has given his allegiance to the Democratic party.
In 1868 Mr. Peebley married Eliza, daughter of Joseph Haffner, and three daughters bless their union. Effie, the eldest, is the wife of Miles Judkins, and Ranna married Milton Judkins, while Della is yet at home with her parents. Mr. Peebley, whose own home is situated on the northwest quarter of section 25, purchased the northeast quarter and the southwest quarter of this same section and gave the two farms to his married daughters, thus providing well for their future.
H ARVEY M. HOWE, postmaster of Or- lando, and numbered among the most reliable citizens and business men of this place, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, Febru- ary 17, 1838, and is the son of Dr. Wm. Miller and Jane (Trimble) Howe, well and favorably known in that part of the Buckeye state. He was less than one year old when the family mi- grated to Illinois and settled in Bureau county in its pioneer days. They located on a farm, and in connection with agriculture the father followed the practice of his profession for many years, then removed to Stephenson county, where Dr. Howe became the owner of a saw- mill, but still followed his practice. Thence they went to the county seat of Greene county, Wis., where the doctor invested in a hotel and oper- ated this until the spring of 1850. He then was seized with the gold fever and set out for Cal- ifornia, where he spent the balance of his days, dying in 1871. The mother had died before he left for California, and the children had gone to live with the paternal grandparents-the father expecting to return when he had made his for- tune-but, like many others, he never realized his ambition. He died while performing the duties of his profession.
The subject of our sketch attended the district school, improved his opportunities for study. and in 1857 entered the Christian University at Canton, Mo., where he pursued his studies. In 1858 he returned to Stephenson county, Ill., and commenced teaching, at Mount Pleasant, that state. Ile continued as a teacher there and in Greene county, Wis., until after the outbreak of the war. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany E. Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he was at once promoted to be orderly
sergeant and served in that capacity as long as he was in the regiment. He was in the cam- paign against the Sioux Indians and at one time nearly drowned in the Minnesota river, but was rescued by a soldier, Sidney Cottrell, and resuscitated. The war record reported him drowned. He received his honorable discharge on account of disability, August 16, 1864, having been detained two months at Fort Ridgley wait- ing for his papers.
On regaining his health, Mr. Howe resolved to enlist, and proceeding to Madison, Wis., was enrolled, September 22, 1864, as sergeant in Company H, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and went with his company to Washing- ton. Thence they proceeded to the Shenandoah valley under command of Sheridan in the Sixth Army Corps, General Wright commanding. In that vicinity 'they met the prisoners captured at Cedar creek. Sergeant Howe was in many skir- mishes, and in December, 1864, was transferred to City Point to the command of General Grant. He was at the battle of Hateher's Run, February 5, 6, and 7. 1865, also participated, with Company H, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in the following actions: Charge before Fort Fisher, Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865; charge before Petersburg, April 2, 1865; and followed up Lee in his retreat, including the fierce en- gagement at Rice's Station-known as the charge of Sailor Creek, when six thousand five hundred rebels (the whole of General Ew- ell's corps) were taken prisoners, three days be- fore General Lee surrendered to General Grant. He was also at the surrender of General Lee's forces at Appomattox Court-house. Later he took part in the grand review at Washington, and was discharged at Hall's Hill, Va., in June, 1865.
Upon retiring from the army, Mr. Howe went back to Grant county, Wis., and was married at Mineral Point. August 12, 1865, to Miss Har- riet S. Richards, a native of Somersetshire, England, who came to the United States in 1857. . She had obtained a fair education in England. In August, 1865, leaving Wis- consin, Mr. Howe repaired to Bureau Junc- tion, Ill., and engaged in mercantile busi- ness until 1866, when he closed out and crossed the Mississippi into Lewis county, Mo. There he resumed teaching, and followed this until 1880, in both town and country, his experi- ence extending over two hundred and forty months in Hlinois, Wisconsin and Missouri. He officiated as principal of graded school in Nov- elty. Mo., and purchased eighty acres of land near Edina, Mo., where he made his home. Mak- ing the run at the opening of Oklahoma, he lo- cated the southwest quarter of section 3. town- ship 19, range 2 west, which he still owns. He
602
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sold his farm in Missouri and put the money in improvements here. He made his home on the farm until appointed postmaster, in August, 1897.
Dr. Howe was an uncompromising Repub- lican and imbued his sons with his own unswerr- ing principles. Harvey M. Howe cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, in 1860, and the second time in 1864. He does not claim to be a politician but believes that every citizen should perform his duty at the polls.
The family of our subject includes five chil- dren: William II, who was born in Lewis county, Mo., and who is a merchant at Orlando, is married and has two children: Laura, Mrs. Parker, lives in Guthrie and is the mother of four children; Eunice, Mrs. Ogle, lives in Or- lando, and is the mother of four children: Charles F., born in Lewis county, Mo., is in partnership with his brother, W. H., in the mercantile busi- ness; Anna L. lives with her parents and assists her father in the postoffice.
Mr. Howe assisted in the organization of the First Christian Church, in which he has been made anelder. He was a large contributor to the build- ing fund of the tasteful church edifice. He has been adjutant in the Grand Army of the Repub- lic since its organization. He owns a neat resi- dence and the building in which the Farmers' Bank is located.
W ILLIAM G. OWEN. For more than eleven years, the period of Oklahoma's existence as a territory, William G. Owen has been one of her best citizens, working earn- estly to promote her welfare, and ever seeking to do his full share in the grand labor of devel- oping a state on these western prairies.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of England and was one of the soldiers of the British army which was sent to the United States to quell the rebellion against the mother country. Learning the wrongs of the colonists, and becoming one of the ardent sympathizers with this heroic people, he finally deserted the ranks of the English. and at the close of the Revolution settled in North Carolina, and later he went to Indiana in its pioneer days. His son, Paton Owen, father of our subject, was born in the south, and was reared in the Hoosier state. In his early manhood he went to Missouri, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death, in 1849. His wife. Rachel (Griffith) Owen, also a native of South Carolina, departed this life on their old homestead in Missouri. Six of their thirteen children are yet living. namely: Sanford, a pioneer of this territory: Payton, a resident of Missouri: Josiah, living in this terri- tory; W. G., of this sketch; Margaret, widow of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.