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. 2 > Part 17
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 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
The birth of W. T. Hales took place Decem- ber 8, 1867, on the parental homestead near Neosho, Mo., and from his boyhood he has been interested in the live-stock business. He con- tinued to give his services to his father until he was twenty years of age, when he went to the zinc and lead mines of his own county, and met with success in his employment there. Hav- ing secured some capital, he decided to try his fortunes in the new territory of Oklahoma, and in March, 1890, came to Oklahoma City. He engaged in farming near this place for about a year, and gradually drifted into the stock busi- ness. At first he handled a few cattle, but more . horses and mules, and now he is one of the larg- est dealers in the territory. At first he shipped them into this region from Missouri, Illinois and -Kansas, but of late the tide has turned the other way, and he now ships from the territory to the markets of Kansas City and St. Louis and points in the south. He owns two fine farms, one in this county and one in Pottawatomie county, be- sides which he has valuable city property.
Mr. Hales was. united in marriage with Miss Oneta Burnsides, of an old and respected south- ern family, in this city. She was born in the Chickasaw Nation, I. T., and has spent her life in this portion of the Union. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hales a little daughter, Viva Oneta, has been born.
In the Commercial Club, the leading club of this city, Mr. Hales is a popular member, and he also belongs to the, order of Red Men and the Masonic fraternity. In his political convic- tions he is an ardent Republican. Mrs. Hales is a member of the Christian Church, and is as popular with her friends and associates as her husband is with his own circle.
D. SCARBOROUGH. As a representative J. of the highest and most reliable type. of American business men who have forged their way to the front by their own unaided efforts, and the exercise of their natural intelli- gence, good sense and ability, may be mentioned the name of J. D. Scarborough. Though prac- ยท tically a young man, he holds a position of trust and responsibility as president of the Bank of
Waukomis, usually associated with those - of mature years and vast experience.
In the spring of 1893, at the opening of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe reservations, Mr. Scar- borough cast his lot with the early dwellers of Hennessey, and at the time there were but five hundred people there. His first venture in the new country was in the mercantile business, which he conducted for one year, or until 1895, after which he spent a year in Enid. In Jan- uary of 1899 he came to Waukomis, and bought out the banking business of L. P. King, and in- corporated for $5,000. He assumed the presi- dency, and took for a partner R. H. Drennan, of Hennessey, but, January 6, 1900, he bought out Mr. Drennan and became sole owner. He carries on a general banking business, with ex- change on Union National Bank, of Kansas City, and the Fourth National Bank, at Wichita, Kans.
The years preceding Mr. Scarborough's resi- dence in Waukomis were spent in various sec- tions of the country. He was born near Columbus, Ga., and is a son of Frank Scar- borough, also a native of Georgia, and who settled in Texas before the war. With the call to arms he enlisted in the Nineteenth Texas Regiment, and for valor on the field was given the commission of lieutenant. The .childhood of his .son, J. D., was a lonely one, for at the age of ten he lost both parents, and was thus early called to face a future devoid of the care and devotion of those who loved him best. He went to live with his grandparents in Georgia, with whom he lived until his eight- eenth year, at which time he returned to Texas, and worked on a farm for several years. In this way he saved enough money to supplement his education in the public schools by further in- struction at Little Rock, Ark., where he took a course at Bales Commercial College, graduating in 1884. Returning to Texas, he farmed until 1886 on rented wild land, and spent the follow- ing five years in Columbus, Ga., Texas, and the Panhandle country, in clerical work and farm- ing. He also engaged to some extent in spec- ulation and the mercantile business, terminating his efforts here in 1893, at which time he sought, with the vast army of others, to better his con- dition in Oklahoma.
Mr. Scarborough has contributed his quota towards the upbuilding of the community, and is connected with the different enterprises for the development of its boundless resources. In 1899 he built the building now occupied by the bank for conducting its large interests. Re- cently he embarked in the hog-raising industry. and expects at no distant day to have the finest hog ranch in the territory. Fraternally, he is associated with the Knights of Pythias and the
1
734
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Hennes- sey. In the social life of Waukomis he is con- spicuously prominent, and his appreciation of the enjoyment of life is evinced in numerous refined ways, partially through the medium of a span of fine horses, which are often seen upon the streets of the town.
July 26, 1900, Mr. Scarborough married Miss Bettie Duke, of Grayson county, Tex.
J OHN HENRY HUDELSON is one of the most successful farmers in Mustang town- ship, Oklahoma county: His association with the territory began in April of 1889, but he was not fortunate in securing a claim at the opening. June 7 of the same year he filed a claim to the northeast quarter of section 29. to which he moved his family in the fall, and which has since been his home. He at once began the improvement of his land, and put into practice the varied store of experience that he had acquired by practical application .. He is engaged in general farming and in the raising of cattle, horses, swine and mules. His farm is fitted with all modern improvements and labor- saving devices, and there is an excellent or- chard, wherein are raised many kinds of fruit.
A native of Missouri, born near Columbia, Mr. Hudelson is a son of Samuel H. and Jane F. (Phillips) Hudelson, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The father was a farmer and carpenter, and one of the early pio- neers of Boone county, Mo. The early life of John H. Hudelson was saddened by the loss of both parents at a very early age, and thus he was much alone in the world. but found kind friends in his mother's people, who gave him a home and trained him to be a good farmer.
July 4, 1855, Mr. Hudelson's lot in life was brightened by his marriage with Virginia M. Armstead, a daughter of Frank and Martha (Faulkner) Armstead. of Cumberland county, Va. The Armstead family is of English descent on the paternal side, and the mother's family came originally from Germany, and were early settlers in Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Hudelson have been born five children: William A. is a contractor in Oklahoma City: Elza M. is a stock merchant, and in the general merchandise busi- ness in the Choctaw Nation: James A. is de- ceased; John H. is living at home: and Samuel F., a carpenter by trade, is now residing with his father.
In 1859 Mr. Hudelson removed to Texas and bought a farm near Dallas, upon which he con- ducted general farming until the breaking out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K. Nineteenth Texas Cavalry, and served all through the war. He had a leg broken by acci-
dent. After the cessation of hostilities he re- turned to his home in Texas, and continued the peaceful occupation of farming until the opening of Oklahoma. In 1872 he changed his location to Eastland, where he was engaged in raising stock, and was four years county surveyor. From the first of his residence here Mr. Hudel- son has displayed a commendable interest in all that pertains to the general upbuilding of the community, and as an enterprising and up-to- date farmer and citizen has won the respect and good-will of all who appreciate his many good qualities. He is greatly interested in the cause of education, and was president of the first school board organized in Mustang township. In politics a Democrat, he is active in all of the undertakings of his party, but has never had political aspirations. With the religious affairs of the community he has ever been prominent, and contributes generously towards the main- tenance of the Christian Church.
A ZUR JEFFERSON HENTHORN. This sterling citizen of Oklahoma county has achieved more than a local reputation as a practical agriculturist and stock-raiser. Coming to this territory a few years ago, he has been closely associated with its upbuilding, and keenly watches its progress, with pride and with unswerving faith in the brilliant future before our people. As the proprietor and editor of the "Home, Field and Forum," which, without ques- tion, is the leading journal devoted to the inter- ests of farmers published in this territory, he is constantly adding to his laurels, and winning hosts of new friends. Though the paper was formerly published in Guthrie, the plant was removed to Oklahoma City by its present owner, and during the short period of three years that it has been in his possession, the circulation has been increased over eighteen thousand, a re- markable showing.
On the paternal side, Mr. Henthorn is of Scotch descent, his grandfather, Robert Hen- thorn, having been a native of the land of the thistle and heather. The parents of our subject were Amos and Elizabeth (Sharp) Henthorn, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Pennsylvania. At a very early day Robert Hen- thorn went to the Hoosier state, where he was numbered among its founders. In IS.44, when Iowa was an infant in civilization and develop ment, Amos Henthorn cast in his lot with her few inhabitants and improved a homestead. When he had reared his five sons and a daugh- ter to maturity, he concluded to join the tide of immigration setting towards the great west, and in 1872 became a settler in Kansas. Though the great grasshopper plague was at its worst
735
PORTRAIT AND . BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in that state during the early years of the fam- ily's residence there, they were not easily dis- couraged, and, so to speak, "weathered the gale," and ultimately reached a secure haven of suc- cess.
The birth of A. J. Henthorn occurred January 25, 1858, near Trenton, Iowa. His cariy years were spent at his birthplace in Iowa, whence, when in his sixteenth year, he removed to Kan- sas. About that time Wichita was one of the frontier towns, but was so unpromising a place that Mr. Henthorn declined an offer of a quar- ter-section of land (situated a mile and a half from the center of the village) in exchange for a team of mules, little dreaming that that very land would later sell for more than a million of dol- lars. About twenty-two years ago he pre-empted a farm in Cowley county, Kans., and for the next five years devoted himself assiduously to its improvement. The prospects of the state were then extremely flattering, and, seeing a good opportunity for amassing a fortune more speed- ily, he went to the town of Burden, Kans., and embarked in the real-estate business. Contin- ually making investments and buying and selling land extensively, he finally was worth between forty and fifty thousand dollars, but, like the breaking of a bubble, this wealth vanished by a sudden depreciation in property values and the subsequent panic in financial circles.
The brave spirit of his ancestors is not want- ing in Mr. Henthorn, and, after carefully con- sidering the situation, he resolved to locate in Oklahoma. Thoroughly investigating the coun- try, he decided to settle in the vicinity of Okla- homa City, and this time fortune favored him, for though the claim which he chose, four miles west of the city, is very valuable valley land, no one contested his rights. He possessed small means with which to make needed improve- ments, but he diligently struggled along, doing as well as possible, and was ultimately rewarded with success. He made a specialty of breeding thoroughbred Poland-China swine, and disposed of them to the enterprising farmers of this re- gion. The $3,000 which he thus made, in the last year of his occupancy of that farm, he in- vested in four hundred acres of rich valley land. and, after making suitable improvements, has increased its value to its present rating of about $10,000. He also has loaned $10,000 at a fair interest, and recently sold part of his original homestead for $6.500. Desiring to be nearer Oklahoma City, in order that his sons might have better educational advantages, and because of his business interests, he then bought a home- stead near the city limits, and is making a mode! farm of the place. He is dealing largely in thoroughbred swine and Hereford cattle, and through his efforts the standard of the live stock
being raised in the territory has been elevated. The marriage of Mr. Henthorn and Miss D. C. Hennagir, daughter of Lorenzo Hennagir, a native of Canada, was celebrated in Iowa in 1878. Seven children were born to this sterling couple, namely: Miles J., James G., Samuel, Caton, Robert, Charles and Dewey. They are all at home, and are receiving excellent educa- tions, thus being qualified for the duties of citi- zenship.
G E. LEHMAN. The substantial and pro- , gressive business world of Shawnee is ably represented by Mr. Lehman, who, as manager of the Lehman Hardware & Imple- ment Company, has built a name and reputa- tion for himself by reason of honest and up-to- date business methods and firm adherence to the best interests of the people.
The ancestry of the Lehman family is Ger- man, and they are first- heard of in America as residing in Pennsylvania. The paternal grand- father, Daniel, was born in Pennsylvania, and in later life removed to Ohio, where he conducted farming interests, and where he subsequently died. The father of G. E. Lehman, Samuel Leh- man, was born in Ohio, near Orrville, and as a future means of livelihood early learned the trade of tinner. In 1869 he went to Topeka, Kans., where he had a brother-in-law, who was also a tinner, and with whom he went into business. In 1870 he changed his location to Newton, Kans., which was then but a small town, and opened a tin-shop and hardware store. The prospects seemed bright, and he was soon joined by E. Wilcox.
Their business affairs were conducted under the firm name of Wilcox & Lehman, and they did a large business in the tin manufacturing line, and in the sale of stoves and general hard- ware. With commendable enterprise, they also continued tlicir Topeka store, which, in 1872, they removed to Hutchinson, Kans., and also started another store at Great Bend. In 1872 the partners in these various concerns dissoived their association and divided up the profits, Mr. Lehman retaining the Newton store. His busi- ness grew apace, and to the original stock hie added agricultural implements, and catered to a continually increasing trade. In time he was the largest dealer of the kind in the west, and did over a quarter of a million dollars worth of busi- ness in a year. From 1876 until 1882 the busi- ness was incorporated as the Lehman Hardware Company, with Mr. Lehman as president, and to meet the demands for stock and storage the Lehman block, 1440x75 feet, was erected in the center of Newton. For the accommodation of buyers in different parts of the state they started
736
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
stores in Halstead, Kans .; Mound Ridge, Kans .; and in Hennessey, Okla., which have since been sold out.
At the present time Mr. Lehman is the princi- pal owner in the hardware company, and is one of the most prominent men in his locality. His interests are of the varied and responsible nature usually courted by men of marked business abil- ity and capacity for the discharge of responsi- bility, and he represents the highest type of the successful western business man. Mr. Lehman is president of the First National Bank of New- ton, and among his other possessions are several farms, upon which he conducts large stock-rais- ing interests. He makes a specialty of standard- bred horses, and has some of the finest in the west. In February of 1898 he started a hard- ware store in Shawnee, which has from the first been successfully managed by his son, G. E. Lehman. Mrs. Samuel Lehman was formerly Louise Glendenning, also born in Ohio. She is the mother of two children, of whom G. E. is the older, Neva E. being still at home.
G. E. Lehman was born in Newton, Kans., August 5, 1874, and was educated in the pub- lic schools and Kemper Military Academy, at Boonville, Mo. During his two years of train- ing at this institution he was captain of a com- pany. His first business venture was under- taken in 1893, when he went to Hennessey at the opening, as a clerk in his father's store in that place. After ten months at Hennessey he took a course in the commercial college, from which he was graduated in 1895. He then re- turned to Newton and for one year remained in his father's store at that place. and then served as bookkeeper of the First National Bank at Newton until 1898. February 3, 1898, he came to Shawnee, as manager of his father's store here. He purchased a business block, to which he has later added until at the present time it is 40XI40 feet in dimensions, and con- sists of two stores. He has also erected an iron. warehouse, 50x95 feet. The stock includes a full line of the Deering Harvester Company's harvesters, the John Deere implements, the Rushford wagons, and the Anchor and Lion buggies. In his chosen field of effort Mr. Leh- man has bright prospects, for he is fortunately engaged in a line of trade for which there is an imperative and continually increasing demand He is a stockholder in the business.
The marriage of Mr. Lehman and Lulu Clark occurred in Denver, Colo., July 20, 1898, and of this union there is one son, Samuel. Mrs. Lehman was born near Highland, Ill. Her father, Jabe Clark, also born in Illinois, where he was for many years a successful farmer, at one time crossed the plains to Idaho and spent three or four years in the mining districts of
that state. After his return to Illinois, in 1879, he removed to Newton, Kans., where he be- came a large railroad contractor for the Santa Fe road, and in company with Jack Covert built the western division of the Santa Fe. In 1880 he settled in Denver, where he is living at the present time, engaged in his former occupation of contracting. His wife, Sallie (Mudge) Clark, was born in Illinois, and is of English and French descent, tracing her ancestry back to Mayflower fame, and her father, Solomon, was proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel in St. Louis. and later of the new St. Charles in New Or- leans. His death occurred at his country home in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born six children: Nellie died in Denver; Susan is now Mrs. John D. Havens, of Denver; Lulu is the wife of Mr. Lehman; Hartley is in Alaska; Harry, in Denver, Colo .; and Blanche, at home. Mrs. Lehman was educated in Newton and Den- ver, and is a graduate of the Denver high school. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and is one of the charter members of the Commercial Club.
W ILLIAM M. JONES, one of the ener- getic and successful business men of Oklahoma City, has resided here for the past six years, and has won an enviable reputa- tion as a citizen. He is a native of Van Buren county, Iowa, and his birth occurred May 29, 1848. He is a son of Alexander Jones, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and he, in turn, was a son of Oliver Jones, of Wales. The latter was an early settler and farmer in Wayne county, and when the Mexican war came on he enlisted and served until the close of that cam- paign. He returned to his old Ohio homestead, where he continued to dwell until his death.
In his young manhood Alexander Jones re- moved to Van Buren county, and in 1850 he lo- cated in Monroe county, Iowa. Six years later he went to Mills county, and in 1865 he took up his abode in Omaha, where he was employed in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1872 he engaged in stock business in Red Willow county, Neb. Subsequently he went into the livery business at Chadron, Neb., and still later he was engaged in the livery business at Custer, Wyo., at which place he died in 1892, aged sixty-six. During the progress of the Civil war he offered himself to his country, but his services were not then called into requisition. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary J. McCammon, was born in Illinois . Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Hughes) MeCammon. natives of Scotland and Wales, respectively John McCammon settled in Illinois at an early
WILLIAM SCHWEDES. Pond Creek.
01 739
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
clay, and made his home there until his death. He was a Whig in early days, and later was a stalwart Republican. Fraternally, he was con- nected with the Odd Fellows order. His widow. who died in Glenwood, Iowa; was, like himself, a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Mary J. Jones was called to the silent land while she was sojourning in Califor- nia, whither she had gone in the hopes of benefit- ing her health. Of her children, three are daughters, and a son, Perry J., lives in Medford, Okla.
In his youth our subject attended the public schools and on the home farm received thorough instruction in agriculture. In 1877 he went to the vicinity of Mankato, Jewell county, Kans., where he bought a quarter-section of land on the Rock Island railroad. In company with his uncle, John McCammon, he laid out the town of Otego on the railroad line, about seven miles west of Mankato, and subsequently he embarked in the livery business. He continued to devote his attention to that line, in connection with farming, until 1887, when he sold out, and, going to Chadron, Neb., bought a livery busi- ness there, and for three years conducted the same. In 1890 he located in McCook, Neb., where he was similarly employed for four years, when he came to Oklahoma City. Here he has been the proprietor of a fine livery at Nos. 15 and 17 Grand avenue. The barns, 50x140 feet in dimensions, are well equipped in every re- spect, and he commands the major portion of the local trade in his line.
Mr. Jones has been a very active member of the Republican party. In 1899 he was nomi- nated to the city council from the fifth ward, and was elected by a majority of fifty-eight votes, the largest majority polled in the city. He is chairman of the committee on sanitary measures and belongs also to committees having in charge claims and public property. He is an ex-member of the county Republican commit- tee, and is influential in all local political affairs. Fraternally, he is identified with Oklahoma Lodge No. 30, A. F. & A. M.
W ILLIAM SCHWEDES. Since coming to Pond Creek in 1895. Mr. Schwedes has demonstrated many of the thrifty and substantial traits for which his countrymen are famous the world over. Born in Germany in 1851, he is a son of John and Annie Schwedes, who were born in Germany and passed their years of usefulness within the borders of the Fatherland. Their son, William. received an excellent home training, and in 1872 was united in marriage with Eliza Elenburger. Being of an ambitious and far-seeing nature, and having
faith in the boundless possibilities of the land across the seas, he decided to try his fortunes in America. Upon arriving in the United States, in 1881, Mr. Schwedes located first in Baltimore, Md., and engaged in various occupations for four months. At the end of that time he de- cided to go farther west, and removed to Smith county, Kans., where he bought a farm, and for fourteen years engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
In 1895 Mr. Schwedes, still in search of per- manently satisfactory conditions, came to Pond Creek, which has since been the scene of his suc- cessful enterprises. His first business venture was a bakery and restaurant, which he success- fully conducted for four years, when he bought out the barn and livery which at the present time he is managing. That he has been more than ordinarily successful is apparent from the accu- mulation of this world's goods as represented by houses and lands. He is the possessor of the Hotel Royal and a residence just south of the same, built upon the northeast quarter of the block, and of a barn erected upon the southeast corner of the same block. He also owns a drug store on Main street, which he rents, as well as the offices above the store. In addition, he is the owner of seven unimproved lots. On the first day of March, 1901, he will take entire charge of the Hotel Royal. While this has al- ways been a first-class house, after Mr. Schwedes assumes management the traveling public will have metropolitan accommodations.
In politics Mr. Schwedes is independent and has no political aspirations. With his family he is a member of the Congregational Church, and interested in all of its undertakings. To Mr. and Mrs. Schwedes have been born three children, viz .: John, who was born in Germany, and who is twenty years of age; Henry, born in Kansas; and Annie, who was born in Kansas, and is liv- ing at home.
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.