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 4
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D ELBERT LA SALLE LARSH. This es- teemed ex-mayor of Norman is recognized as one of the founders of Cleveland county, and, in fact, his residence was the first one built after the opening of this locality to settlement. The claim which he secured on that April 22, 1889, is now included within the corporate limits of Norman, and eighty acres of the land was laid out in town lots by him, the strip being called Larsh's Addition. In almost innumerable ways he has contributed to the material prosperity of Norman, and when a new industry or im- provement is contemplated here he is one of the first appealed to, and rarely in vain. As is generally known, he stands high in business, po- litical and fraternal circles, as he justly deserves, for he is a man worthy of the public's tributes of esteem.
Early in the annals of America, the great- grandfather of D. L. Larsh, on the paternal side, came to these shores from France, his native land. The next in the line of descent, the grand- father of our subject, was a pioneer farmer of Preble county, Ohio, and on the old homestead near Eaton the birth of L. M., father of D. L. Larsh, occurred. He went to the neighborhood of Edinburg, Ill., at an early period in that state's history, and remained there, engaged in farming, until February 17, 1889, when he be- came an agriculturist of Larned, Pawnee county, Kans. For two terms he served there as county treasurer, and always has taken a very influential part in Republican politics. His wife, formerly Miss Nancy May, was born in Eaton, Ohio, and comes from a pioneer family of that state. Eight sons were born to this estimable couple, and six of the number are identified with Oklahoma's interests. The eldest, William Van Rensselaer, is a contractor of Columbus, Ohio; Sherman Porter, ex-assistant cashier of the Bank of Te- cumseh, Okla., is a merchant of that place: Wal- ter Emmett is local agent of the Waters Pierce Oil Company, in Perry, Okla .; Ernest Carlyle operates the old Kansas homestead; Homer
Parker is county clerk of Noble county, living in Perry; Almon Chester, of El Reno, is em- ployed as a clerk; and Harry Lee is employed in the postoffice at Perry.
D. L. Larsh was born near Edinburg, Ill., March 21, 1863, and received his education in the public schools of that state and of Kansas. In the spring of 1879 he accompanied the family to Larned, Kans., and there completed the high school course. Later he mastered telegraphy at Pawnee Rock, Kans., on the Santa Fe, and then served as an operator at that point. After- wards he held a similar position at Great Bend, and when transferred to Dodge City was assist- ant cashier of the freight office for four years. The following year he served as agent at Abbey- ville and Rush Center, Kans., and in July, 1887, was placed in charge of the Santa Fe's branch lines at Purcell, I. T., being the first agent there, and as such he continued until the opening of Oklahoma, when he resigned.
April 22, 1889, D. L. Larsh cast in his destiny with this territory, and on the ensuing day com- menced the erection of his house on the claim which he had made in section 31. From Purcell he had brought the material, much of it already put together, and thus it is believed to have been the first house completed in this county. Im- mediately upon "proving up" his property, four- teen months after settling thereon, he com- menced laying out the "addition" previously mentioned. In the spring of 1889 he opened the first furniture store in Norman, and put up a large two-story building for the purpose. This was destroyed in a severe wind-storm, and the owner then constructed a more substantial build- ing, 50x60 feet in dimensions, and for two years carried on a furniture and undertaking business. In 1890 he assisted in organizing the Citizens' Bank, and for some time acted as cashier of the institution, resigning in the fall of 1891, in order to accept an appointment as secretary and dis- bursing officer of Town Site Board No. 4, under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Inte- rior. This board "proved up" and issued town sites to Norman, Lexington, Noble, Moore and El Reno, completing the work in 1894.
During that year Mr. Larsh purchased an interest in the Norman Mill & Elevator Com- pany, and for two years served as secretary and manager, after which he operated a cotton-gin for about a year. In 1807 he was the assistant cashier of the Citizens' Bank, and for the past two years has given his attention chiefly to the milling business. He had disposed of his stock. but bought an interest in the reorganized Nor- man Milling & Grain Company, of which he has since been secretary and manager. The mill. built eight years ago, has been greatly enlarged. and now has a capacity of two hundred barrels
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of flour a day, the favorite brands being "Nor- man's Best" and "Snowflake." The elevator, situated on the Santa Fe, has a capacity of fifty thousand bushels, and the great quantities of corn and wheat which are handled are shipped to points on the Pacific and Gulf coasts. In 1900 the company erected an elevator, holding twelve thousand bushels, at Moore, and stations at Noble and Edmond also are operated. In 1894 Mr. Larsh purchased the cotton-gin here, and in 1899 made a large addition to the original structure. The plant has a capacity of sixty bales a day, part of the product being passed through the double-cylinder, square-bale press, and the remainder through the new Lowry round-bale press. In the Oklahoma & Indian Territorial Millers' Association he is now serving as treas- urer, and he also belongs to the Oklahoma Grain Dealers' Association. Largely interested in city real estate as yet, and connected with many minor enterprises, he is thoroughly identified with the affairs of this community.
In Republican circles Mr. Larsh is a leader, and as secretary of the Cleveland county central committee he has rendered effective service. In 1896 he was the secretary of the territorial con- vention, in which Congressman Flynn was nom- inated. According to the Odd Fellow records, he was the first candidate for membership in the fraternity initiated in this territory, the cere- mony being performed November 23, 1889. He has occupied all of the offices in Norman Lodge No. I, and was one of the original members of the grand lodge of Oklahoma, became grand herald, and was grand master in 1895-96, the youngest holding that exalted position in the history of the order in the United States, up to that time. He also is a member of the En- campment of Oklahoma City.
In 1889, in Purcell, I. T., the marriage of Mr. Larsh and Mrs. Nellie Singleton was solemnized. She is a native of Edinburg, Ind., and is a daugh- ter of Charles Hays, now engaged in farming in Iowa, a lady of good education and social attainments, she is popular in Norman and is a valued member of the Baptist Church.
J JAMES McDANIEL, whose home is on the northwest quarter of section I, township 8, range 3 west, Cleveland county, has contrib- uted his full share towards the development of this locality, and is justly ranked with the pro- gressive agriculturists of Oklahoma.
Though he is a native of Virginia, as was his father before him, he has been noted for many characteristics commonly attributed to the peo- ple of the north. His father, Asa McDaniel, born in Washington county, Va., January 28, 1827, was a Whig, casting his first presidential
ballot for William H. Harrison, and since the organization of the Republican party has been affiliated with it. His life has been devoted to farming in Virginia, and it was not until 1896 that he removed from there. His wife, whose girlhood name was Margaret De Busk, departed this life at their old home several years ago. His father, long numbered among the thriving farmers of Washington county, was born and reared in Maryland, and after his marriage dwelt in the Old Dominion until claimed by death.
Born November 16, 1853, James McDaniel was reared at the old home farm in Washington county, and when twenty years of age married Miss Sarah Cress, in Lee county, Va. Ten children were born to them, seven now living, namely: Mitchell and Clinton, who are married, and are residents of Cleveland county; Job, Wil- liam, Harrison, Jennie and George W. The faithful wife and mother was summoned to the silent land in December, 1897. The lady who now bears the name of our subject became his wife in March, 1900. She formerly was Miss Harriet Taylor, Carroll county, Mo., being her birthplace.
In the autumn of 1896 Mr. McDaniel came to Oklahoma, and for a year rented land, after which he purchased the quarter-section which he now cultivates, and has greatly improved. Like his father, he uses his right of franchise in favor of Republican nominees, and his first presidential vote was given to Garfield a score of years ago. Religiously, he is an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in whose creed he was reared in youth.
A 1 RTHUR FLITNER, who is doing an en- couraging and successful business in the line of hardware, lumber, grain and cotton, at Noble, Cleveland county, was born at Brigh- ton, Iowa, May 26, 1864. His parents, S. C. and S. S. (Jackson) Flitner, were farmers during the years of their activity, and were industrious, worthy people.
Until after his twenty-first year Mr. Flitner remained on the home farm, and his life was not unlike that experienced by the average country- reared lad. He received a common-school edu- cation, and, upon starting out in the world for himself, was well equipped for the responsibili- ties before him. His first effort at independence was at Verdon, S. D., where he began to work in an elevator, and so highly were his services appreciated that he was later given entire charge of an elevator in North Dakota, and bought grain for the Northern Pacific Elevator Com- pany. In I891 he returned to Verdon and en- tered the employ of G. W. Van Dusen, with whom he remained for two years.
F. R. Brook
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In 1894 Mr. Flitner came to the town of Noble, Cleveland county, and engaged in the lumber business. His enterprise was attended with such success that he was warranted in branching out and supplying the more general demands of the community. Accordingly, after a year had passed, he put in a complete line of hardware, and later added grain, and still later bought an interest in a small cotton gin, with W. J. Reid. This latter enterprise was consid- ered too small by far, and a new structure was put in place of the old one. The new gin has a capacity of thirty-five bales for twenty-four hours. Recently Mr. Flitner embarked in the grain elevator business, in partnership with his brother and W. J. Reid.
August 17, 1898, Mr. Flitner was united in marriage with Anna Reilly, a native of Leaven- worth, Kans. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Flitner had been engaged in educational work in Noble, and was teaching school when Mr. Flit- ner met her. Their marriage occurred at Colo- rado Springs.
Mr. Flitner is independent in politics, and has exceedingly broad ideas regarding the politics of the administration. Fraternally he is associated with the Woodmen of the World and the Frater- nal Union of America. He is regarded as one of the most enterprising of the citizens of Noble and has displayed commendable interest in all that pertains to the upbuilding and growth of his town and locality. He is ably assisted in his business by his sister, Miss Carrie Flitner, who became his partner when he first entered the hardware business.
R T .- REV. FRANCIS KEY BROOKE. For a quarter of a century the Rt .- Rev. Francis Key Brooke has been actively engaged in ministerial work, and his earnest labors in the Master's vineyard have been abundantly blessed with success. A gentleman of superior talents and ripe erudition, he has placed his powers of mind and soul upon the altar of religion and never has spared himself in the great and noble tasks which he has been devoted to during his entire maturity.
The great-great grandfather of the subject of this article was a native of England. He came to the western shore of Maryland in 1650 and became a prominent citizen of Maryland. The great-grandfather and grandfather of our sub- ject were born in Maryland, and the latter was a cousin of Chief-Justice Taney. Grand- father Brooke was a Roman Catholic in re- ligious preferment. The Rev. John Thomson Brooke, father of our subject, was born in Fred- erick, Md., and when he arrived at manhood he commenced the study of law in the office of
Judge Taney, and, after being admitted to the bar, engaged in practice in his home city. When he was twenty-three years of age he joined the Episcopal Church, and later his example was followed by his three brothers and sister. He devoted much attention to the subject of religion and finally pursued a thorough course of theo- logical studies. He was graduated in Alexan- dria (Va.) Seminary in 1825, and that year was ordained to the ministry. He became a very influential factor in his denomination, and was noted for his superior attributes of mind and spirit. He held charges at Martinsburg. W. Va .. Georgetown, D. C., and Cincinnati, Ohio. He also acted as professor of English literature in Kenyon College, at Gambier, Ohio, which insti- tution conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. While a resident of Georgetown, D. C., he became warmly attached to Francis Key, who was a vestryman in his congregation. Born in 1800, he was sixty-one years old when he was called to his reward. His wife, whose maiden name was Louisa R. Hunter, was born in Martinsburg, Va., a daughter of David Hunter, also a native of that locality and a pros- perous planter. She was of Scotch descent. She died at Piqua, Ohio, in 1883, and of her nine children six have entered the silent land. Hun- ter, who was an attorney in Washington, D. C., died in 1885; Leighton, who was engaged in railroading, died at West Point, Va., in 1896: and Pendleton, who was an Episcopal minister at Clinton, Mo., died there in 1897. Eleanor re- sides in Atchison, Kans., and William, a railroad man, lives in Allendorf, Iowa.
The birth of Francis Key Brooke took place in Gambier, Ohio, November 2, 1852. He re- ceived fine educational advantages, and after completing his preparatory course at Rev. Mr. Robbins' private school in Springfield, Ohio, he matriculated in Kenyon College in 1870, and four years later was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1881 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. In 1874 he took up theological studies, and November 23. 1875, he was ordained deacon in Cincinnati, Ohio, and placed in charge of Grace Church at College Hill, Ohio. On the 6th of May, 1877, he was ordained priest at Springfield. Ohio. From September. 1877, to September. 1880, he was rector of Christ Church at Ports- mouth, Ohio, after which he was rector of St. James' Church, of Piqua, Ohio, until March, 1884. From that time until September, 1886, he was rec- tor of.Grace Church in Sandusky, Ohio, and then had charge of St. Peter's in St. Louis, Mo., until October, 1888, and Trinity Church, Atchison. Kans., up to the close of 1892. While at Atch- ison he was dean of the Northeastern Convoca- tion of Kansas, from 1890 to 1893, and since
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1889 he has been a trustee of the College of the Sisters of Bethany, in Topeka, Kans. In 1801 he became professor of ethics and apologetics in the Kansas Theological School, and in -1892 he was sent to the General Convention as a dep- uty from' Kansas. In January, 1893, he was honored by the appointment as Bishop of the missionary district of Oklahoma and Indian ter- ritory. He removed to Guthrie, where he has been influential in securing better grounds and an appropriate church.
The marriage of Bishop Brooke and Miss Mil- dred Ruth Baldwin was solemnized January 5, 1881, in Bolivar, Tenn. She is a native of Sidney, Ohio, and is a daughter of Prof. Milton Baldwin, a gentleman of fine educational attainments. Her grandfather, John Baldwin, a success- ful business man of Berea, Ohio, founded Baldwin University at that place, and also contributed liberally toward the founding of Baker University at Baldwin, Kans., which place was named in his honor. Her mother, Ruth Sheldon, a daughter of Rev. Henry O. Sheldon, was a remarkable woman, of rare edu- cational attainments, and experience as a teacher, being for ten years principal of Bethany College, Topeka, Kans. Mrs. Brooke received excellent educational privileges in Bethany College, To- peka, Kans., and inherited much of the talents with which her parents were endowed. Of the five children born to our subject and wife, Ruth Sheldon and Louisa Rebekah are students at Bethany College; John Thomson is attending Kenyon Military Academy, at Gambier, Ohio; Mary Baldwin and Elizabeth Hunter Brooke are at home.
G EORGE WOOD LEVERICH. In re- viewing the history of George Wood Lev- erich, one is reminded of the wise saying of a celebrated New York financier to the effect that "in the man, and not in time, place or cir- cumstances, lies success." In other words, some men are sure to prosper in spite of adversity, for they possess the energy and spirit that can- not brook defeat, and with bravery and perse- verance press forward to the goal set before them-the goal of success.
Born in Gentry county, Mo., George. Wood Leverich is a son of Stephen B. and Mary (Ames) Leverich. His birth took place March 23, 1844, and when he was seven years old his father died. Two years later the mother re- moved to a farm in Madison county, Iowa, and there, at a point about twenty-five miles south of Des Moines, the lad spent his youth. He was a delicate child, and during his entire life he at- tended school only some nine months.
At nineteen Mr. Leverich became a clerk in
a general store at St. Charles, Iowa, and at the end of four months he concluded to embark in a little enterprise of his own. True, he had saved but $20, but with this he equipped a small peanut and lemonade stand, which he managed for some five years, during which time he saved about $1,000. Going to Adair county, Iowa, in 1874, he invested in real estate, and within six years realized over $3,500 in cash on his sales of property. During the following six years he lived in Pocahontas county, same state, con- ducting a general store, and though his losses amounted to $4,000, he saved an amount nearly equal to that. In December, 1889, he came to Moore and opened the second store in the place, continuing in this enterprise for some time. He now owns a valuable farm on the southwest quarter of section 14, township 10, range 3, eighty acres of the same being well improved. Besides this, he has twenty-three acres of land near the University of Oklahoma, at Norman. In 1899 he again embarked in business at Moore, and carries a full line of dry goods and general merchandise. He merits and receives a large share of the local patronage, and enjoys the respect of all with whom he has dealings.
In 1868 Mr. Leverich voted for Seymour, and, with the exception of 1884, when he gave his presidential ballot to Blaine, he has supported the nominees of the Democratic party. Though never desirous of holding public office, he now is acting as township clerk, in compliance with his friends' wishes. Fraternally, he is a demitted member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Sioux Rapids, Iowa.
May 16, 1893, witnessed the marriage of George W. Leverich and Miss Amanda M. Sie- belts, in St. Louis, Mo. She is a native of that city, and was reared there, receiving a liberal public-school education. Her parents are Henry and Augusta (Nonnenkamp) Sicbelts. Two sons were born to our subject and wife, namely: Gil- bert P. and Tyre George.
J JOHN L. LONG. Orphaned at an early age, the subject of this sketch became dependent upon his native energy, and by the hardest effort has worked his way to a position of inde- pendence. By integrity and honorable business methods, he won the esteem of his acquaintances and in all his dealings has had due regard for the rights of others.
A son of James B. and Mary A. (Henslee) Long, John L. Long was born in Saline county, Ark., November 5. 1851. Deprived of the loving care of his mother when he was but five years old. and six years later having his father taken from him, the lad was thrown upon his own re- sources at the most formative period of his life.
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That he possessed the right kind of metal, how- ever, was abundantly proved, for, with a spirit far beyond his years, he settled down to the hard- ships and responsibilities thus devolving upon ยท him.
When twenty years of age, Mr. Long went to Dallas county, Tex., where he worked for stockmen and farmers for several years. In the Centennial year he rented a farm in the county mentioned, and subsequently bought some land, which he continued to cultivate with good re- sults until 1890, when he came to Oklahoma. Here he soon selected his present farm, paying therefor about $1,000. Few improvements had been made on the property, which is located on section 25, township 9, range 3, and, under his jurisdiction, things soon were changed for the better. The old dugout, which had served as a house, was supplanted by a two-storied frame building, 24x24 feet in dimensions. An orchard and good cistern, granary and barns, are among the improvements he has placed here, and every department of farm work is in a flour- ishing condition. In March, 1900, he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Wash- ita county, Okla., and thus, altogether, he owns nearly five hundred acres.
April 5, 1876, Mr. Long married Miss Alice Furbee, in Dallas cotinty, Tex. Born in Marion county, W. Va., she is a daughter of Henry B. and Cordelia Gibson (Davis) Furbee. William, eldest child of our subject and wife, was born in Denton county. Tex., May 1, 1877, and now is carrying on a farm in Washita county, Okla. Bert H., born in Dallas county, Tex., June 10, 1879, lives at home. Cordelia, born in the same locality, is the wife of Charles Lee, of Washita county, and has two children. John L., Jr., was born in Dallas county, October 6, 1888.
For two years our subject has been treasurer of Liberty township, and in 1898 was a candi- date for sheriff, but in the convention of his party was not the favored one. He is active in the Democratic party, and has been a delegate to a number of conventions. Fraternally, he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. For some time he has been one of the elders in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Nor- man, and contributes liberally towards the grand work of elevating humanity.
E DWARD P. INGLE. The entire growth of Norman has been witnessed by this worthy pioneer of Cleveland county, and his own house was one of the first completed in this lo- cality. Besides, the well-known newspaper which he published here was one of the first journals of the territory, and in many of the infant enter- prises of this flourishing region he bore a part,
thus contributing to the advancement of our future state.
Though he was born in Birmingham, Eng- land, September 7, 1859, Edward P. Ingle is practically an American, for he has spent all but six years of his life in the United States. His parents, George and Emma (Teece) Ingle, crossed the Atlantic with their children in 1865. and for two years dwelt in Tioga county, Pa. Later they lived in Peoria, Ill., and in Marshall county, same state, the father buying a farm, which he cultivated until 1886. Then, going to Cowley county, Kans., he resided there for a period, after which he went to Logan county, Ark., and was living in that locality at the time of his death, when, March 3, 1893, he fell by the hand of an assassin.
Edward P. Ingle spent his youth upon farms, and thoroughly mastered the business. Upon attaining his twenty-first year he married Miss Effie L. Dorrance, who was born and brought up in Stark county, Ill. The marriage of the young couple took place February 8, 1880, at the home of the bride's parents, Henry B. and Mary E. (Powell) Dorrance. Their first-born. Roy, is a promising young man of about eight- een years. Pearl and Edna, the daughters, are at home and attending school. Roy was born in Marshall county, Pearl in Stark county, and Edna in this county.
For two or more years after his marriage, Mr. Ingle operated farms in Stark and Marshall counties, Ill., and in 1886 bought a farm in Cowley county, Kans., and improved eighty acres. In the following year he removed to Purcell, I. T .. and for three years published the well-known Purcell "Register." April 22, 1880. he came to Oklahoma and was fortunate in se- curing his homestead, on the southwest quarter of section 9, township 9, range 2 west. He has lived on this property ever since, and his house. a structure 14x14 feet, with a shingled roof, was the first one finished in this neighborhood, as it was completed on the Saturday after the open- ing of the territory. In company with Mr. Larsh and Messrs. Waggoner and Helvie, he shipped the first lumber into Norman, and saw the first board nailed up in the town. Improving his farm rapidly, he now has a valuable place. From July, 1889, until October, 1899, he was the pro- prietor and publisher of the Norman "Trans- cript," one of the representative newspapers of the territory. As before stated, he also con- ducted the Purcell "Register" for a portion of this period, making a success of both.
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