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 84
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Few, if any of the citizens of Chandler have done more towards its development than has Mr. Fletcher, who is liberal and public-spirited. He was the first city treasurer and served on the first board of education here. Politically he favors the Republican party. A charter mem- ber of Chandler Lodge No. 10, A. F. & A. M., he has served as its treasurer since its organiza- tion. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
In Oskaloosa the marriage of Mr. Fletcher and Miss Carrie Seevers was solemnized March 30, 1876. She was born in that city, where her father, Judge W. H. Seevers, had settled as early as 1844. Born in Virginia, he became a noted statesman and lawyer, serving as a judge in the supreme court of Iowa for eight- een years, and representing his district in the state legislature in a number of its sessions. The two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher married brothers, sons of William B. and Mary A. (Willard) Hoyt, fine, enterprising young men, now residents of Chandler. The elder daughter became the wife of Edgar W. Hoyt, formerly assistant cashier of the Lincoln County Bank, and now engaged in the real estate and abstract business. Zoe is the wife of Fred Hoyt, formerly the cashier of the bank mentioned and now engaged in the cattle business. Mrs. Fletcher is identified with the Episcopal Church.
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B ENJAMIN FREMONT HARRIMAN, M. D., surgeon for the "Frisco" railroad, is one of the original settlers of Oklahoma, and for nearly twelve years has been closely as- sociated with its upbuilding. In the American Medical Association he holds membership, and at present is serving for his second year as sec- retary and treasurer of the Oklahoma Territory Medical Association. For about six years he officiated as county physician of Lincoln county, and for a like period of time, or until he re- signed, was county superintendent of health. Besides, he has been one of the city health of- ficers, and now is secretary of the board of pension examiners. A member of the first coun- cil of Chandler, and ever since the autumn of 1891 a representative citizen of this place, his name is enshrined in the hearts of the people
of this locality, and justly he may be ranked with the founders of this flourishing city.
The paternal grandfather of Dr. Harriman was Leonard Harriman, a native of New York state. At an early day he settled in Preble county, Ohio, and there was engaged in carry- ing on a farm until shortly before his death. His son, Dr. Leonard Harriman, father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in Pre- ble county, and in 1853 was graduated in Rush Medical College, in Chicago. Subsequently he practiced his profession in Alexandria and An- derson, Ind., and in 1875 removed to Sterling, Kans., where he continued to act as a phy- sician and surgeon. Loved and respected by all, he passed to the silent land when about three-score and ten years old. His widow, Mrs. Angelina Harriman, now in her seventy-fifth year, resides in Guthrie. She is a descendant of an old French-Canadian family, and is a na- tive of New Hampshire. Her father, a veteran of the war of 1812, Paul Keizer, removed from New Hampshire to South Bend, Ind., when the country was new, and devoted his life to the de- velopment of a farm. Mrs. Harriman is a faith- ful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By her first marriage she had two children, one of whom survives: Mrs. Hattie Lewis, of Guth- rie. Only two of her five children born to her second union are living. Mrs. E. B. Cogwell, the daughter, is the wife of the editor of The Kansas Farmer at Topeka, Kans.
The birth of Dr. B. F. Harriman took place August 13, 1856, in Anderson, Ind., and his education was acquired in the excellent public schools of that town. In 1875 he accompanied his parents to Sterling, Kans. With his father he commenced medical studies, and also re- ceived instruction from Dr. P. P. Truehard, of Sterling. Having assisted them in their prac- tice, more or less, for two years, he entered the Keokuk Medical College, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine in 1882. Returning to Sterling, he estab- lished himself in practice, and in 18844 went to Conway Springs, Kans., where he remained five years. On April 22, 1889, he made the race into Oklahoma, and for two and a half years resided in Guthrie. In September, 1891, he came to Chandler, where he soon built up a large and representative practice, and for some years has made a specialty of surgery. For six months . or until the troops were sent else- where, he was the contract surgeon for the body of soldiers stationed here, at or near Chand- ler, under Lieutenant Scott. As stated before. Dr. Harriman served in the first city council of Chandler, being elected by his Republican friends, and his influence and ballot always are given to the party mentioned. In the frater-
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nities he is an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pyth- ias and Modern Woodman.
In Montezuma, Iowa, the doctor married Miss Maude Rice, one of the popular native-born daughters of the place. She is a lady of liberal education and social attainments, and now is an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two sons and a little daughter bless the home of this estimable couple, namely: Cliffe, Edgar and Ruth. The doctor built an attractive modern residence on Eighth street, and has surrounded his loved ones with many of the attributes of a cultured taste.
G I AYLE E. PENN, a successful builder and contractor of Chandler, comes from the same family as did William Penn, the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania. His grand- father, George Penn, was a native of Scotland, and at an early period in the history of this republic, became a resident of Tennessee. He owned and carried on a farm near Lexington, and when the war of 1812 came on, enlisted and fought for the land of his adoption.
The parents of our subject, Capt. George H. G. and Maggie (White) Penn, were natives of Tennessee, the latter being a daughter of William White, a planter, whose property was situated near Decaturville. For a number of years Captain Penn was engaged in the prac- tice of law in Humboldt, Tenn., thence remov- ing to Jonesboro, Craighead county. Ark., where he became the editor of the city "News." Before he left his native state the Civil war was waged, and his title was won during his service in the cavalry force commanded by General For- rest. He was a brother of Major W. E. Penn, of Jefferson, Tex.
The only child of his parents, Gayle E. Penn was born January 6, 1861, and was bereft of his mother when he was eighteen months old. He obtained a good education in the public schools of his native place, and intended to take up his father's profession, but it was found that his health demanded a more active and out-of-doors life. Therefore he turned his attention to his present line of business, becoming a practical carpenter and mason. Going to Republic, Mo., he engaged in taking and executing contracts for brick masonry, and at the end of two years left the place, after which he took large con- tracts for work in various towns in Missouri. He also left good specimens of his skill in Clarksville, Morrelltown, Searcy, Newport and Van Buren, Ark.
September 16, 1893, Mr. Penn made the race into the strip from Arkansas City, and, at first, located in Kildore. Later he went to Shaw- nee, where he remained for two years, in the
meantime building several substantial brick stores and often taking contracts at Wewaukee, I. T., and in that locality. For the past two years he has been a citizen of Chandler, where he has erected many large, fine brick buildings. Among them may be mentioned the cotton-oil mill, the Hoffman-Charles & Company's bank, the Clapp building, the Hein & Wright and the Schlegel blocks. Besides, he has built a num- ber of attractive residences, three of them orig- inally intended for his own family, and situated in the eastern part of Chandler. Being a judge of fine clay for brick, Mr. Penn discovered some ex- cellent material in this vicinity, succeeded in or- ganizing a new pressed brick company, and is a one-third owner in the enterprise, which is des- tined to become one of the chief local indus- tries. The modern brick plant, which he has constructed, has a capacity of thirty-five thous- and dry-pressed brick every ten hours, and is well equipped with machinery and appliances. The clay is pronounced by experts as a fine shale clay, the best known thus far in the southwest. An excellent quality of paving brick and tiling is being manufactured from it, and every depart- ment of the work is prospering.
In all local matters Mr. Penn is deeply con- cerned, striving to promote the general welfare .: He chose for a wife one of Shawnee's popular young ladies, Miss Gertrude Morris, a native of Kentucky. She possesses an excellent educa- tion and is an active worker in the Methodist Church. Mr. Penn is a Knight of Pythias and in politics is a stalwart Democrat.
J. W. FEUQUAY, ex-treasurer of Chandler, and for nine years accounted one of the most enterprising citizens of this flourish- ing place, is a veteran of the Civil war. in which he rendered effective service for the Union. Upright and just in all of his dealings, he possesses the esteem of the public, and is en- titled to be termed one of the founders of Chan- dler.
In tracing the history of the Feuquay family, it is learned that William, grandfather of J. W. Feuquay, was a native of France, and was of the sturdy old Huguenot stock. At an early period of this country's history he sought "free- dom to worship God, according to the dictates of his own conscience." Settling in South Caro- lina, and later removing to Jackson county, Tenn., and then to the wilds of Parke county, Ind .. he performed his full share towards the upbuilding of these different states. The chills and fever which were so prevalent in the Hoo- sier state at an early period led to his return- ing to Tennessee, where he passed his last years.
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His family was a large one, comprising twelve daughters and eight sons.
The parents of J. W. Feuquay were Russell and Sarah A. (Watt) Feuquay, the former born in Tennessee, and the latter in Butler county, Ohio, within eighteen miles of Cincinnati. When a lad of fourteen, the father ran away from home, and made a trip down the Missis- sippi on a flat-boat. Thence he proceeded to Indiana, where he learned the carpenter's trade and engaged in contracting. No difficulty in procuring business was experienced by him, as he frequently had half a dozen contracts waiting. It was not until he had passed the half-century mark that he settled down upon his farm near Rosedale, where he died in the Centennial year. His wife died December 26, 1900. Four of their eight children survive. She is of Scotch-Irish descent, and her grandfather, James Watt, was a Revolutionary patriot. He was a hero of the battles of Trenton and Princeton and suffered through that dreadful long winter at Valley Forge. After witnessing the evacuation of Phil- adelphia and the triumphing of the devoted patriots, he resumed his usual pursuits, thence- forth living in Dauphin county, Pa. His son, Alexander, father of Mrs. Feuquay, was a na- tive of the county mentioned, and as early as 1824 he settled in Parke county, Ind., there car- rying on a farm until his death. He made many a trip on foot to his old Pennsylvania home, and experienced the vicissitudes of a frontiersman. His wife was a Miss Kirkpatrick, of Lexing- ton, Ky.
The birth of J. W. Feuquay occurred on the old Parke county homestead, July 10, 1842, and his education was acquired in the schools of Rosedale. August II, 1862, he volunteered in the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was mustered in as a member of Company G, at Indianapolis, Ind. In the battle of Richmond, Ky., his regi- ment met with heavy losses, and after taking part in the engagement at Muldrose Hill, De- cember 29, 1862, he and his comrades were sta- tioned near Knoxville, where they were in the siege and campaign of the vicinity. Then, join- ' ing Sherman's army, the regiment went on the Atlanta campaign, and had the honor of being the first to plant the colors on Lost Mountain. Mr. Feuquay was active throughout that series of battles, including Buzzards' Roost, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face, Dalton, Lost Mountain, Chat- tahoochee, Peach Tree Creek, and the capture of Atlanta. Then. under command of General Thomas, he took part in the battle of Nash- ville, and was honorably discharged and mus- tered out in June. 1865.
Returning to Indiana, Mr. Feuquay engaged in mercantile pursuits for five years, then com- ing to the West. For several years. he was a
citizen of Lawrence, Neosha Falls and Neode- sha, Kans., after which he was numbered among the citizens of South Bend, Cowley county, for eleven years, during which time he served as township treasurer. He was manager of the South Bend Grange store for eleven years at Hackney, Kans. In February, 1892, he came to Chandler, where he built a substantial store, and in partnership with R. B. Holland, his wife's brother, embarked in general merchandising. The cyclone injured the store building to some extent, destroyed his residence and contents, also killed hogs and horses, destroyed barn, buggy, etc. In 1900 the partnership of Feuquay & Holland was dissolved, and our subject bought out the firm of. Deacon & Ulam, since which time he has built up a very large and paying business. He is now erecting a two- story and basement building of pressed brick, 50x100 feet, corner of Ninth. street and Man- vil avenue, to cost, when finished, $9,000.
Few citizens of Chandler have been more op- timistic in regard to its future than has Mr. Feuquay, who has proved his faith by his works. Many an industry and local enterprise has re- ceived material assistance from him, and few are more liberal. As a member of the com- mittee which so gallantly labored to secure the Frisco Railroad, and finally triumphed, it may be mentioned that he not only used his influence, which is not slight, but backed his arguments with upwards of five hundred dollars. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the home post. Politi- cally he was an adherent of the Greenback party until of late years, when he identified himself with the Populists, and now is a member of the county central committee.
The lady who so graciously presides over the hospitalities of Mr. Feuquay's attractive home, bore the maiden name of Jence C. Holland. She is a native of North Carolina, and was reared in Kansas, where her marriage occurred. This worthy couple have one son, Courtland. They are highly esteemed in the leading local social circles, and have hosts of sincere friends here and elsewhere.
D AVID ROBERT OWENS. Chandler. al- ready one of the foremost cities of Okla- homa, and steadily reaching out in every progressive movement, is a typical western county seat, especially indebted to its fine class of business men for its high standing. Promi- nent in the number is David Robert Owens, who has taken an active part in the development of Lincoln county since the day of its opening to general settlement. Though he has met with severe losses in his undertakings, through the
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agency of the elements, his is the spirit which brooks no defeat, and in the end scores success.
The Owens family, of course, is of Welsh ex- traction, but several generations of this par- ticular branch have dwelt in the United States. James, the father, and Joseph, the grandfather of David R. Owens, were natives of Kentucky, and at an early period they became settlers in Lawrence county, Ind. There the grandfather departed this life, and there occurred the birth of the subject of this sketch. James P. Owens, who was a carriage manufacturer in the Hoosier state, removed to Cherokee county, Kans., thirty-two years ago, and is still living upon a farm in that region, of which he is an early pioneer. His wife, mother of David R., bears the Christian name of Martha, and was born in Ten- nessee. Her father, Michael Kisner, was num- bered among the pioneers of the Hoosier state.
Born September 22, 1855, David R. Owens is one of nine children, six of whom were sons. Until he was fourteen years of age he lived in Lawrence county, Ind., his birthplace, and then came to Kansas. Remaining at home until he was twenty-three years of age, he thoroughly mastered the details of farming. Later he em- barked in business at Galena, Kans., and at the end of two years went to Cherryvale, same state, where he was similarly occupied. Then for four years he conducted a flourishing con- tracting and building business at Wichita.
In the fall of 1890, Mr. Owens settled in Ok- lahoma county, on the western boundary of the Iowa Reservation, and, building a saw-mill, ran it until September 22, 1891. On that day, his thirty-sixth anniversary, he located a claim five and a half miles northwest of Chandler, and still owns the place, now finely improved by his industry and well applied efforts. The land was proved specially adapted for the raising of cot- ton, and one hundred and forty acres are now devoted to that staple. Another farm of one hundred and sixty acres, eight miles north of Chandler, is owned by him, and thirty acres of the place is planted with cotton.
When the town site of Chandler had been ar- ranged, Mr. Owens located lots in the place and moved his saw-mill here. Since he has carried on a prosperous trade in lumber, the large capa- city of his plant being taxed to the utmost much of the time. In 1894 he built a corn-meal mill and a cotton gin, but ere the close of the year fire destroyed the plants. Ere long, however, other structures replaced them, and all of the owner's enterprises prospered until the disas- trous cyclone of 1897, when seven of his build- ings were destroyed, including his own house. The store in which he had carried on general merchandising was little injured, and soon he set about the task of building a new cotton
gin, mill and warehouse. Twenty-six hundred bales of cotton and seed that season had to be hauled in wagons to Shawnee, twenty-eight miles away. In 1898 Mr. Owens' large cotton gin plant, on the railroad line, was built at a cost of over $8,000. Its capacity is large, as forty bales can be turned out in a day of ten hours, and between September and April three thousand two hundred bales were handled. In 1899 the Oklahoma Round Bale Cotton Com- pany was formed and the machinery changed for the purpose of turning out round bales. Mr. Owens became a director and stockholder in the company, which owns seven plants in Okla- homa and the Indian Territory. He is the man- ager of the Chandler plant, and in 1899 three thousand eight hundred and nineteen round bales were turned out here. In order to ac- commodate local trade in another direction, he built the Owens' Custom Cotton Gin in 1900, and in addition to this one at Chandler owns a similar plant at a point nine miles southeast of this place. Both have a capacity of twenty-five bales per day, and are well equipped with ma- chinery. Among his other enterprises of the present time are his saw-mill and custom corn- meal mill, with a capacity of over five hundred bushels per day. Besides, he is a stockholder in the Chandler Cotton-oil Company, and owns several residences and good business property.
One of the most active workers in the in- terests of Chandler when the railroad was about to be built, he contributed liberally toward the ; enterprise. For one term he represented the first ward in the city council. Politically he is a Populist, and fraternally is a Knight of Pythias and is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he is a trustee and steward.
The pleasant modern residence occupied by Mr. Owens and family was built under his super- vision. He was married in. Cherokee county, Kans., to Miss Alice Makinney, a native of Ohio. Their two children are named respect- ively: Lillie B. and Carl David.
E DGAR FUNK. This enterprising citizen of Chandler was born September 23, 1848, on a farm in Tazewell county, Ill .. and comes of the true hardy pioneer stock. His paternal grandfather, Capt. Jacob Funk, was an carly settler in Ohio and in Illinois, doing his full share towards the development of those now flourishing states. During the war of 1812 he enlisted and fought in the defense of his country, and when the Blackhawk war came on in the northern central states, he officiated as the cap- tain of a company. Jesse, father of our sub- ject, is a native of Miami county, Ohio, and was
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CAPT. C. A. MORRIS. Perry.
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a pioneer of Illinois when it was considered on the western frontier. He cultivated and owned farms in Tazewell and Stark counties, Ill., and for some years has been a resident of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He has reached the venerable age of eighty-five, and his wife, also well along in years, shares his joys and sorrows, as for many decades in the past.' She was Cynthia Haines, daughter of Jacob Haines, of Wheeling, W. Va., and accompanied him to Pekin, Ill., in 1832.
In a family of eight children, three of whom survive, E. Funk was the fourth in order of birth. When he was in his seventh year he be- came a resident of Stark county, Ill., there grow- ing to maturity. He received a public school education, and during the Civil war was so anx- ious to enter the army and defend the Union that he enlisted three times. Once he was re- jected on account of his youth, and twice his father took the disappointed patriot home, re- fusing to give his consent. Until the Centen- nial year, he continued to carry on farming en- terprises in Illinois, after which he was simi- larly occupied in the vicinity of Eddyville, Iowa, for two years. Returning to Stark county, Ill., he resumed his agricultural labors there, and in 1880 located on a homestead near Neosho. Mo. At the end of a year, however, he returned to his native state, which ever seemed to have the power to draw him home again, but eventu- ally he went back to Neosho, and embarked in the livery business. Later he was similarly engaged at Joplin, and in 1887 he opened a liv- ery at Dodge City, Kans. Subsequently he con- ducted liveries at Belleville and again at Joplin, but since June 25, 1892, has carried on a livery, feed and sale stable at Chandler, Okla. Here he has built up a large local business, as he keeps a good grade of horses and vehicles, and strives to meet the demands of his customers. Cour- teous and fair in his treatment of all, he enjoys the patronage and esteem of his fellow citizens.
In everything pertaining to the welfare of Chandler, Mr. Funk takes an interested part. He is liberal to useful industries and public im- provements, casting his influence on the side of progress. Possessing a very independent nature, he carefully weighs all matters coming before his notice, and acts according to his judgment, taking no one else as his authority in vital affairs. Acting on this principle, he carries it into effect in political and religious matters. Fraternally he is a member of the Royal Tribe of Joseph.
On the day when he arrived at his majority, Mr. Funk wedded Miss Jennie Sharer, in Toulon, Ill. Her father, Samuel' Sharer, like herself, is a native of Pennsylvania. By trade he was a tailor, and during the early part of his residence in Illinois he served for three years in
one of its regiments in the Civil war. The six children born to our subject and wife are: Jesse, a barber of this city; Jerusha, a teacher in our public schools; Mrs. Madge Sparks, of Chand- ler; Mrs. Queen Somers, of this county, and Jennie and Edna C., who are at home.
C OL. CHARLES A. MORRIS. This prom- inent citizen of Perry has an interesting military and political record, and, in addi- tion to this, stands high in the legal profession and in Masonic circles. His acquaintances and friends in these widely differing fields of human activity are very numerous, and ever since the close of the Civil war he has dwelt in the West, contributing liberally of his talents to the devel- opment of its rapidly increasing civilization.
Our subject comes of a long-lived race, his pa- ternal grandfather, Stephen Morris, attaining his ninety-second year; his father, William A. Morris, being in his eighty-third year at the time of his death, and his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Quay) Morris, being in her seventy-fourth year when she was summoned to her reward. Stephen Morris was born in New Jersey and thence re- moved to New York, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. William A. Morris was born near Fishkill, N. Y., and in his early manhood carried on a farm in Clinton county, Pa. Later he lived at Bolivar, N. Y .. and in 1868 came to Kansas, where he died nine- teen years subsequently. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Eighty-fifth New York Infan- try, serving in Company I for over a year and a half, when he was honorably discharged on ac- count of physical disability. His wife, a native of Clinton county, Pa., was the daughter of John Quay, a farmer, whose ancestry were English people, related to the McClures and Bonds. Only four of the ten children of William A. and Elizabeth Morris survive, though only two died young. The family always has been noted for patriotism, as may be seen from the fact that the father and four of his sons enlisted and served in the defense of their country during the Civil war. Josiah S., who resides in Ceres, Pa .; James William, who died in 1895, at Grand Junc- tion, Colo .; and Harvey, who died in Lincoln county, N. M., were all members of an Illinois regiment.
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