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 53
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J. H. Wedemeyer was reared in Racine, Wis .. and received a good practical business and high- school education, graduating from the Racine high school. From a boy of seven he clerked at intervals in his father's store and at the age of eighteen years entered upon his business career, clerking in various stores until 1884. He then went to Bloomer, Chippewa county, Wis .. and started a general merchandise store in the lumber regions. In August, 1885, he was ap- pointed postmaster at Bloomer, and served in that capacity until the inauguration of Harrison as president, March 4, 1889, when he resigned. Coming to Oklahoma, May 15, 1889, he settled in Oklahoma City. His brother-in-law, Mr. Elterman, had located there at the opening and selected a lot, upon which he built a store. Our subject formed a partnership with him, and hav- ing arrived with his stock, they carried on a gen- eral merchandise store under the firm name of J. H. Wedemeyer & Co. Mir. Clay subsequently became a partner, and the firm name was changed to Wedemeyer, Clay & Co.
In 1800 the Will, Wedemeyer & Clay Mer- cantile Company was incorporated, with Henry Will as president, Samuel Clay vice-president. and Mr. Wedemeyer secretary and treasurer. In November, 1800. the store was moved to its present location on the corner of Main and Rob inson streets. In the fall of 1880 a branch store was opened in El Reno. The firm there estab-
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lished a large business, receiving contracts for supplying provisions to railroad contractors. They continued the branch store until 1892, when they sold out and established a store at Tecum- seh, Pottawatomie county, when it was first opened. They bought lots, hauled the lumber there and built a good store building. In 1896 this branch store was sold to Mr. Clay, who re- tired from the old firm. Afterward, under the title of the Will & Wedemeyer Mercantile Com- pany, the business was conducted until April, 1898, when Mr. Will sold his interest to L. Fries and C. M. Kespohl. The firm has since been the Lion Mercantile Company, the officers being: Mr. Wedemeyer. president, treasurer and manager; L. Fries, vice-president; and C. M. Kespohl, secretary. Our subject now owns a half-interest in the establishment. The store consists of two floors, 50x140 feet, and is well- stocked with dry goods, clothing, carpets, etc. The company carries a line of goods which can- not but please the most exacting customer, and their efforts to gratify the slightest wish of a patron have brought their store into universal favor among the citizens of the community.
At Hartford, Wis., Mr. Wedemeyer was united in marriage with Flora K. Wagner, who was born there and is a daughter of Peter Wag- ner, whose business was that of an architect and builder. They are parents of two children: Henry F., a student at Robins' Commercial Col- lege at Wichita, Kans .; and Matie M., who is a student in St. Catherine's Academy. Racine, Wis. Mr. Wedemeyer is a charter member of the Commercial Club, and is a Democrat in pol- itics.
H ON. O. A. MITSCHER, senior member of the well-known mercantile firm of Mit- scher Brothers, has probably done as much toward the development of Oklahoma City as any other man. He has been closely identified with many of the public enterprises, and his two years' administration as mayor of the city was in many respects an ideal one.
Mr. Mitscher was born in Hillsboro, Vernon county, Wis., June 7, 1861, and is a son of An- drew and Constantine (Mohn) Mitscher. His father was born in Germany, and was a trexler or wood-turner by trade. As a young man he came to New York City and made models for the Ericsson and Monitor. Later he moved to Wisconsin, settling at Hillsboro, where hc en- gaged in the fur business until he retired, since which time he has made his residence in Chi- cago. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He married Constantine Mohn, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and died in Wisconsin. They reared four children: Mrs. Dr. Moffat, of
Chicago; Henry a grate manufacturer of Stock- ton, Cal .; O. A .; and Arthur, who is a partner to our subject.
Reared in Hillsboro. O. A. Mitscher was a member of the first graduating class of the high school of that place, receiving his diploma in 1879. He began clerking in the general mer- chandise store of T. J. Shear, and, giving evi- dence of unusual business ability, he was taken into the firm, the title becoming Shear and Mitscher, in 1882. He continued in that busi- ness and also served as city clerk for several years. In September, 1889, he came to Okla- homa City, and opened a dry-goods and general merchandise store, which enjoyed a liberal pat- ronage from the very beginning. The firm name was Mitscher & Co. until 1897, and in June. 1899, it became Mitscher Brothers, a younger brother, Arthur, becoming a partner in the business. At 109 East Main street the firm carry a comprehensive stock of dry goods, car- pets, etc., in fact, everything in that line for which there is a demand, catering to a high class of trade, and being patronized by the lead- ing citizens of the community.
In 1891 Mr. Mitscher was nominated for mayor on the Republican ticket, and was elected by a majority of cighty-one, overcoming a pre- vious Democratic majority of two hundred and fifty votes. He served for a term of two years, during which time many and great improve- ments were effected, the streets were put in ex- cellent shape, electric light and gas plants built and sanitary sewer put in. He was untiring in his efforts to advance the interests of the city, and all that he did met with hearty approval of the citizens, regardless of political affiliation. In 1896 he was a delegate to the national Re- publican convention at St. Louis, and was one of the six delegates from the territory who were original Mckinley supporters, and pledged to vote for him. He served on the credentials committee. He has served on the county and city committees, and was secretary of the com- mittee for organizing Republican forces in Okla- homa. For some years he was president of the first commercial club, and is now a member of the Oklahoma City Club. In 1897 he went to Cook's Inlet District and remained there for ten months, and still retains some mining in- terests in that locality.
In Wisconsin Mr. Mitscher was united in mar- riage with Myrta Shear, who was born there, and is a daughter of his former partner, T. J. Shear. The latter was born in New York. but came west to Wisconsin, serving in the Forty- seventh Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil war. Three children bless this union: Zoe A., Mark and Tom. Mr. Mitscher was one of the promoters and incorporators of the St. Louis &
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E. R. FORD, Cleveland County.
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Oklahoma City Railroad, and served as a di- rector until he resigned. He joined the order of Odd Fellows at Hillsboro, Wis., becoming a member of Lodge No. 253, and is now noble grand of Oklahoma Lodge No. 2; also past offi- cer of the Encampment. Religiously he is a Unitarian. He stands as a leader in the social circles of the city, and is exceedingly popular.
April 30, 1900, Mr. Mitscher was commis- sioned by President Mckinley as agent for the Indians of the Osage agency in Oklahoma, and now has his headquarters at Pawhuska.
E. R. FORD. An imposing monument, which, at best, soon crumbles away, is the least enduring memorial of a good man, for in the hearts of his family and friends, his neighbors and associates, and in records pre- served for future generations, are enshrined memories more sweet and lasting. E. R. Ford, who was called to his reward October 22, 1899, 'was a highly esteemed citizen of Cleveland county. By his intrinsic worth and natural abil- ity he rose to a position of respect and compara- tive affluence, and, literally, was a self-made and self-educated man. From the history of this honorable, unostentatious citizen many valuable lessons may be gleaned. His children have rea- son to be proud of him, for he left an untarnished name and a record on which rests no stain.
Born in the eastern part of Tennessee, Febru- ary 6, 1855, Mr. Ford was in the prime of man- hood when he was called upon to lay aside his earthly cares. Until he was about eighteen years of age he lived in his native state, in the meantime receiving a fair education. Then, going to Fannin county, Tex., he assiduously de- voted his time and attention to agriculturai pur- suits there for nineteen years. In December, 1892, he came to Oklahoma, and within three years became the owner of a good homestead situated ten miles from Lexington, Cleveland county. In 1899 the family removed to the southwest quarter of section 28, township 9, range 3. This property, which is a very desirable place, was bought at a cost of $4,000, and has been further improved. Thus a portion of what has been accomplished by Mr. Ford, a few years ago a poor man, may be seen, and the more credit is his due owing to the fact that his health was poor for several years prior to his death.
In his political creed Mr. Ford was a Demo- crat until his last years, when he espoused the doctrines promulgated by the Populists. He was a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge. He was in no sense an office-seeker, nor did he care for publicity in any walk of life. In the quiet round of his duties he found his chief pleasure,
and the domestic circle compensated him for all of the hardships of his career.
In his joys and sorrows, Mr. Ford had a truc helpmate in his wife, with whom he became ac- quainted in Fannin county, Tex. Miss Mattie Rhodes, for such was her name, is a daughter of Isham and Cynthia (Palmer) Rhodes. Born in Arkansas, she went with the family to Texas when young, and there grew to womanhood. With marked ability she is carrying on the home- stead, and is carefully executing the many plans which Mr. Ford had formulated for the improve- ment of the place. Their four young children are being reared to manhood by the mother, who strives to guide them toward the goal of success and noble purpose, and soon they will be her mainstay, as to-day she is theirs. Her eldest son, Roy, was born December 23, 1888; Bertie was born October 8, 1890. Hiley and Page were born in Cleveland county, the former April 23, 1893, and the latter May 13, 1895. Roy and Bertie are natives of Fannin county, Tex.
M RS. CORA GRISSELL. Nine years ago Mrs. Grissell became a resident of Guthrie,
and since then has been quite a power in the upbuilding and progress of this now flour- ishing city. She is a lady of superior education and attainments, and ever exercises her un- doubted influence in ways accruing to the well- being of her brother-men. Her popularity may be judged by the fact that she has often been called to responsible positions, and at present is serving as president of the Trinity Club and of the Glee Club (a ladies' musical organization) and is the treasurer of the Episcopal Church Guild. No one has been more active than she in the work of that religious body here, and largely to her efforts are due many of the privi- leges now enjoyed by the congregation, among others the fine music given by the surpliced choir. She also belongs to the Acorn Club and to the City Federation, and loyally supports pub- lic improvements and local reforms.
Born in Haskins, Wood county, Ohio, Mrs. Grissell is the youngest child of Jonathan and Amanda (Thornton) Ames, both of English de- scent. The Ames family settled in New England soon after the landing of the passengers of the Mayflower, and for several generations the de- scendants resided in Massachusetts and Con- necticut. Mrs. Grissell's great-grandfather Ames participated in the war of the Revolution, and her grandfather, Martin Ames, was born and reared in Connecticut, where he carried on a farm until his removal to Sandusky county. Ohio, in its pioncer days. His wife, Eliza, was born near New London, Conn., and her father, Joel Loomis, a soldier of the Revolution, was
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of English descent. One of his brothers, Hub- bell Loomis, founded Shurtliff College, at Alton, Ill., and one of his sons, Elias Loomis, a cele- brated mathematician, published an algebra and arithmetic.
Jonathan Ames was born in New London, Conn., March 30, 1827, and the same year was taken by his parents to a new home which they had decided upon, in the wilds of Michigan, not far from Pontiac. After living there for eight years, they located on a farm near the present town of Clyde, Sandusky county, Ohio, and in later life Jonathan Ames was engaged in mercantile enterprises in that place for many years. When the Republican party was about to be organized, in 1856, he attended the noted meeting at Columbus, Ohio, in the character of a delegate from his region. Subsequently he was engaged in farming upon a large scale in Has- kins, Wood county, same state, and, indeed, owned the land and laid out the town mentioned. After the railroad was constructed through that section, he devoted his attention more exclu- sively to dealing in grain, though continuing his pursuit as a merchant. In 1873 he removed to Worthington, Noble county, Minn., where he conducted agricultural operations upon an ex- tensive scale, and made a specialty of raising fine merino sheep, averaging from three to four thou- sand head annually. In 1880 he went to Car- thage, Mo., where he laid out an addition to the city. For some years he owned and carried on a fruit farm in that vicinity, and now divides his time, living in Carthage and with his daugh- ter, our subject, as he, too, has property interests in Guthrie. His wife, Amanda, was born in Delaware county, N. Y., and her father, Ezra Thornton, was a native of Connecticut. From New York state he went to Sandusky county, Ohio, where he managed a farm. His grand- father Thornton died as he was returning from service in the war of 1812, and his father died when making a visit in Pennsylvania. The mother bore the maiden name of Charity Runyan and her father was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.
Mrs. Grissell's only sister, Ivadelle, is the wife of L. E. Kimball, of Guthrie, and her only brother, George, is deceased. Much of her edu- cation was acquired in Toledo, Ohio, and for some time she pursued her studies in Carleton College, at Northfield, Minn., making a specialty of music. In Carthage, Mo., she was united in marriage with A. E. Grissell. in 1881. Two sons and two daughters blessed their union, namely: Edith, Philip, Fav and Cecil.
Born in Ipswich, England, Mr. Grissell was the son of Thomas D. Grissell, who was the pro- prietor of large estates in the vicinity of the town mentioned, Mr. Grissell's father was a promi-
nent member of the house of parliament at one time, and his life came to a close at his residence in Surrey, England. A. E. Grissell left his native land upon reaching his majority, and became wealthy and influential in the United States. He owned a large ranch near Worthington, Minn., dealt extensively in live stock, and carried on a mercantile establishment in the town, which he materially assisted to develop, as he built busi- ness blocks there. Later he was engaged in busi- ness in Montana, in San Antonio, Tex .; and in Laredo, Tex., in the last-named place being pay- master of the corps engaged in the construction of the Mexican National Railway. Afterwards he was employed as the agent of the Adams Ex- press Company, at Carthage, Mo., thence went to St. Louis, and thence to Springfield, Ill .. where he was route agent. In 1891 he came to Guthrie, and, investing in real estate here, en- gaged in the buying and selling of property, as a member of the firm of Humphrey & Grissell. Seeing the advantageous features of the north- eastern part of the city, Mr. Grissell and wife bought a block of land there, laid it out, and were influential in the upbuilding of what is now considered the most desirable residence part of the place. December 6, 1893, Mr. Grissell, who was a valued member of the Masonic fraternity" and of the Episcopal Church, was summoned to the silent land.
In 1894 Mrs. Grissell built a handsome mod- ern residence in the attractive portion of Guth- rie above alluded to, and here she is living quietly, surrounded with the attributes of culture and good taste. She is administering her large business affairs in a creditable manner, and among her possessions here perhaps the most important is the Williamson, Halsell & Frazier Company's block, which she has had enlarged and improved, until now it is the largest building of the kind in the city.
L AUREN HAYNES BUXTON, M. D., ter- ritorial superintendent of public health, is an influential citizen of Oklahoma City, where he is engaged in practice as a specialist of dis- eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.
Dr. Buxton was born in Londonderry, Vt .. July 15. 1859, and comes of prominent New England ancestry. The family is of English extraction and was established in this country as early as 1642, being located first in Massacht . setts and later in Rhode Island. The great- great-grandfather of our subject, Capt. James Buxton, of Rhode Island, served as captain of ? Worcester. Mass., company, "Lee's Legion." during the Revolutionary war. Being of Quaker stock, his wife and mother strongly objected to his going to war and he went to Massachusetts,
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where he enlisted and served with honor. After- ward he returned to Smithfield, R. I., where he remained until his death, being an extensive farmer of that section.
Jonathan Buxton, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Smithfield, R. I., but moved to Londonderry, Vt. He was the father of Nathan Buxton. the next in line of descent, who was born in Rhode Island and was but two years of age when taken to Vermont by his par- ents. There he became a tanner and conducted a harness shop, owning large hemlock forests, and being a very prominent man. He attained the age of ninety-nine years. Stephen A. Bux- ton, the father of our subject, was born in Ver- mont. His three brothers went to the front during the Civil war. Charles was major of the Third Vermont Infantry and was killed at the battle of Winchester on the morning of Sheri- dan's famous ride. Albert, captain of the First Vermont Sharpshooters, was shot in the battle of the Wilderness, and Horace, a corporal of the Third Vermont, was wounded near Washington. and died in the Washington hospital. Early in life Stephen A. Buxton gained a knowledge of the leather business and followed it until middle life, after which he engaged in farming until he retired. In 1891 he settled in Guthrie, Okla., and died in 1896, aged sixty-nine years, at the home of our subject. He married Laura Haynes; who was born in Westford, Vt., and was a daugh- ter of Dr. Thomas Haynes. For generations back the Haynes family have shown a preference for the medical profession. Her grandfather, Dr. Samuel Haynes, was born at Grand Island, and practiced there all his life. Dr. Thomas Haynes was born in Westford, Vt., and was graduated from the Castleton (Vt.) Medical College. He practiced at Westford, Vt., and was there united in marriage with Mary Woods, a member of a distinguished family. Her brother was the famous Colonel Woods, a graduate of West Point, who took Fort Niagara in the war of 1812, and was killed while leading the charge. A monument was erected to his memory at West Point. Mrs. Buxton was reared in Plattsburg, N. Y., and was living at the home of our subject at the time of her death in 1899. She had two children who grew to maturity and are now liv- ing: L. Haynes; and Albert, formerly president of Add-Ran University at Waco, Tex., and a graduate of Brown and Harvard Universities.
L. Haynes Buxton, M. D., received his pri- mary education in the public schools and then attended Leland and Gray Seminary, a prepara- tory college. After taking up the study of medicine, he spent one year in the University of the City of New York, then entered the Univer- sity of Vermont at Burlington, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D., in 1884.
Immediately thereafter he practiced one year in Plymouth, Vt., then moved to Iowa. While engaging in his profession at Fulton, Jackson county, Iowa, he served as physician to the Jack- . son County Asylum. In 1887 he located at Woodbine, Harrison county, Towa, where he commanded a large practice and served as county physician until the fall of 1891.
Opening an office in Guthrie, Okla., at that time, for some years he conducted a general practice, but in January, 1898, he became a spe- cialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. For this work his previous studies had thoroughly prepared him. In his early days he studied under his uncle, Dr. Sam- tel Haynes, a prominent oculist of Saranac, N. Y., and in 1897 he took a post-graduate course in that branch at Chicago, Ill. In March, 1899, he came to Oklahoma City, where he has since given his attention to professional duties. In August, 1897, he was appointed by the governor as superintendent of public health of the terri- tory, and was re-appointed in 1899. He was a member of the city council of Guthrie, and chair- man of the finance committee for one term. For five years he served as county physician of Logan county and for one term was a member of the school board. He served two terms as secretary of the Oklahoma Territorial Medical Society, and is a member of the American Public Health Association and the American Medical Associa- tion.
At Plattsburg, N. Y., Dr. Buxton was united in marriage with Miss Ella G. Hoey, a daughter of William Hoey, a farmer by occupation. She was born at Redford, and was graduated from the Plattsburg high school. They are parents of six children: Clarence, who is a member of the class of 1903 in William Jewell College: Grant, Gertrude, Elaine, Thomas and Louise. Formerly Dr. Buxton was a member of numer- ous secret orders, but now belongs only to Guth- rie Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M., having joined that order while in Vermont. In religion he is a member of the First Baptist Church, has been Sunday-school superintendent for many years, and served for one term as president of the Ter- ritorial Sunday-school Union. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and a member of the Commercial Club.
J JUDGE FRANK P. CEASE. It is a matter of pride in the United States that a large proportion of her best citizens and men prominent in all of the different walks of life have risen to distinction through their own of- forts, unaided by wealth, influential family or circumstances over which they have no control. Another instance is found in the case of Judge
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Frank P. Cease, a popular citizen of Lexington, for he has risen by his own intrinsic worth and hard, earnest labor.
He is a native of Mason county, Ill., born al- most half a century ago, and, as the country was new, schools poor and few, and the advan- tages which the present generation enjoy were but dreams of the future, he early began the struggle for a livelihood. His father, Henry Cease, of Pennsylvania, experienced the same difficulties, and, after living through the hard- ships of pioneer years, became wealthy and in- fluential. He founded the First National Bank of Mason City, Ill., in 1870, and at one time owned over two thousand acres of fine land. In 1874, owing to a "corner" in the corn market, he lost everything, and had to begin his strug- gles anew.
In reviewing the career of Frank P. Cease it is certain that he made no mistake when he cast in his lot with the people of Oklahoma, for thereby he rapidly rose to affluence and rank in all circles. In the Centennial year he settled upon a farm in Allen county, Kans., where he remained until the spring of 1889. Arriving in Guthrie on the second train, April 22, he was elected to the office of police judge within twenty days, and held that position until its abolishment by the constitutional convention, in the following autumn. Soon afterwards he came to Cleveland county, and at Noble established the "Courier," one of the first newspapers pub- lished in this future great state. In the spring of 1890 he went to Norman, county seat of Cleveland county, and within a few months was honored by election to the office of judge of the probate court, in which capacity he served 'acceptably for two years. In the meantime he devoted his leisure to the study of law, and in September, 1892, was admitted to the bar at Nor- man.
In the autumn of 1895 Judge Cease com- menced the practice of law in Lexington, and, though for some time he gave some attention to the real-estate business and to other local en- terprises, he now finds his time fully occupied in regular professional work. He is meeting with well-merited success, and stands high in his profession. He has been very active in the in- terests of the Democratic party, attending all of the county and territorial conventions, and making speeches throughout this portion of Oklahoma during seasons just before elections. In July, 1900, he was a delegate to the national Democratic convention at Kansas City, where he strongly advocated the nomination of W. J. Bryan for the presidency. In short, he is gen- erally looked upon as one of the leaders in the party, and in the autumn of 1900 he was a candi- date for the office of probate judge, Fraternally
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