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 95
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August Keil was married in Germany in 1866. In 1874 he came to America and settled near Atchison, Kans., where he remained for nine years, and engaged in agriculture. Later he farmed in Saline county for eight years. In 1892 he came to Oklahoma, and settled on the north- west quarter of section II, township 17, range 4, Logan county. For a long time he had been in poor health, which he had hoped to overcome in the new territory. Failing to do so, he was persuaded to go to Colorado, but the expecta- tions of family and friends were doomed to disappointment, for he died there in March, 1896.
Bereft of a loving husband and father, Mrs. Keil and her children were thrown on their own resources, dependent upon whatever they could obtain from the land left them. The chil- dren were ready and capable, and had the truly German devotion to their mother, and loyalty among themselves. Mrs. Keil was an excellent manager and shrewd business woman, and the mutual co-operation of mother and children ac- complished wonders in the way of developing their property, and reducing it 'to a state of utility and resource. At the present time ninety acres of timber land have been cleared and im- proved, and the farm is now one of the best in the county.
Mrs. Keil is justly proud of her strong, healthy and capable sons and daughters. August, the eldest, was born in Germany, August 15. 1867, married Clara Shogren, has four children, and lives on the home farm. Rosie, now Mrs. Pyeatt, was born in Germany, March 19, 1869, and her husband is a merchant in Crescent City, Okla .; they have two children. Ida, Mrs. Bar- ney, of Colorado, was born in Germany, Febrtt- ary 19, 1872. Anna L. was born in Atchison county, Kans., July 4, 1874, and spends most of her time in Victor, Colo. Frederick was born in Kansas, October 16, 1876, is living at home, and assists in the farm work; Charles was born in Kansas, April 4, 1879, and lives in Colorado; Ernest, twin brother of Charles, died in infancy. Otto was born April 14, 18SI, in Atchison county, Kans., and is living at home; Oscar, twin brother of Otto, is also living at home; Lizzie was born September 27, 1883, and is at home;
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Emma was born November 26, 1886, in Kansas, and is at home.
J. W. KLINGLESMITH, a highly esteemed citizen of Cleveland county, was the choice of his party in 1893 for representative in the legislature, and, though he was not elected, the race was so close that the election was con- tested. In the autumn of 1900 he was again the nominee of the Populists, who gave him a flat- tering vote. Formerly he was identified with the Democratic party, but now prefers the plat- form and methods of the Populists, in whose ranks he is an active worker.
This gentleman, who erected and owned the first store building in Noble, and who has been intimately associated with the development of this locality, is a native of Hardin county, Ky., his birth having occurred September 25, 1852. His parents, L. P. and Elizabeth (French) Klinglesmith were agriculturists, and he was reared as a farmer's boy, receiving practical les- sons in the calling to which he was destined to devote the greater share of his life. As he was ambitious to obtain a good education he studied hard, and at nineteen entered college, where he pursued the higher branches of knowledge for two and a half years. Tliroughout his course he was self-supporting, and was obliged to borrow some of the fund necessary. For that reason he did not finish his collegiate course, as he greatly desired. Soon after his return to his home dis- trict, he was elected constable. As such he served acceptably for three years, and then com- menced traveling as a salesman. For a number of years he was thus occupied, a portion of the time representing prominent dealers in fruit trees. In the line of his business he visited Ken- tucky, Indiana. Missouri, Kansas, the Indian Territory and Texas, and for five years was in the employ of a Dayton (Ohio) firm.
June 30, 1885, Mr. Klinglesmith and Miss Sarah Smith were married at Vine Creek, Kans. She is a lady of liberal education and completed her studies in the Agricultural College of Kan- sas. A native of Brighton, Iowa, she is a daugh- ter of Capt. Joseph and Nancy (Compton) Smith. The mother died in Iowa City, to which place they had removed after the Civil war. At Keota, same state, the father built a mill, and for a number of years resided in the town, then locat- ing in Ottawa county, Kans. He now owns a farm in this county, but makes his home with his daughter. He is a native of Clark county, Ohio, born January 9, 1835. Well educated for his day, he was a successful teacher for years. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Thirtieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was made first lieuten- ant of Company E. Many of the notable cam-
paigns of the war were participated in by the young officer, who was promoted for bravery at the siege of Vicksburg. Under the leader- ship of General Sherman, he went on the march to the sea, and at Cherokee Station, Ala., a minie ball lodged in his hip, and was not removed until March 1, 1866. At the charge on the brick house at Atlanta, he was shot in the left arm, but re- mained in the army until June 5, 1865, when he was mustered out, after being present in the grand review at Washington.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Klinglesmith, namely: Joseph E., May 2, 1886, in Rooks county, Kans .; James W., Jr., born in Norton -county, same state, September 9, 1888; and Ruth E., born in this county, September II, 1893.
For several years our subject was engaged in the dry-goods business in Kansas and met with fair success in the enterprise. In 1889 he made the race into this territory and located a farm on the northeast quarter of section 26, township 8, range 2 west. This place is now managed by his father, who has lived there for several years. For himself, he decided to em- bark in business, and, building a store in Noble, he conducted a good trade until his possessions were destroyed by fire, in April, 1893. His losses were almost total, and his next venture was as a farmer and stock-raiser. He owns two hundred and twenty-five acres of good land here, and makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Jersey cattle, his herds being as fine as can be seen anywhere in the West. The only fra- ternal organization with which he is connected is that of the Woodmen of the World. He is a charter member of the lodge at Noble, and at present is holding the chair of consul com- mander.
G EORGE W. GRAHAM. For six years Mr. Graham was identified with the busi- ness men of Enid, which is centrally lo- cated in Garfield county. For two years he was engaged in the loan and insurance business, rep- resenting several important companies, among others the Underwriters of New York, the Com- mercial Union, the Hamburg-Bremen, and the Orient. He made a specialty of loaning money to farmers, with whom his business dealings were transacted without friction or unpleasant- ness in nearly every instance.
Mr. Graham's ancestors were of the old Scotch Presbyterian stock. His grandfather, George Graham, was born in the northern part of Ire- land, and was brought to the United States when he was young, the family becoming pioneers of White county, Ill. In his youth he learned the cooper's trade and on his own farm carried on
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an extensive manufactory for a number of years. On the old homestead near Carmi, Ill., our sub- ject's father, George Graham, was born, and in his early manhood he also learned the coop- er's trade. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served in the ranks for three years. Later he removed to Missouri, where he ยท engaged in the milling business, and for a dec- ade or more conducted a mill on the Grand river at Gallatin.
At length the mills were burned down, Mr. Graham thus losing the bulk of his possessions. In 1875 he settled on a farm in Barton county, Kans., and four years later removed to Mc- Pherson, Kans., where he started a marble works. He continued this enterprise until shortly before his death, which event occurred in the fall of 1891. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, and in religion was a Baptist. His wife, Mary J., daughter of John Hickeson, was born in White county, Ill., and died in Kansas in February, 1886. Her father was a farmer in Illinois for many years, and originally came from Kentucky. Of the nine children born to George and Mary Graham, six grew to maturity and four survive.
George W. Graham was born July 15, 1864, near Carmi, Ill. His boyhood was spent in his native state and in Missouri and Kansas, and his education was completed in the high school at McPherson, Kans. Afterwards he assisted his father in the marble and granite business, which was the largest concern of the kind in that por- tion of the state.
In 1893 Mr. Graham disposed of his financial interests, in order to cast in his lot with the peo- ple of Oklahoma. Becoming a citizen of Enid that autumn he located a lot and built a resi- dence. For a year he carried on a real-estate and loan business, and in 1894 took an active part in organizing the Enid State Bank, of which he became cashier and manager. At the end of two years he sold out and engaged in the live-stock business, buying, selling and shipping cattle extensively until 1898. Afterward he gave his attention to the insurance business and loaned money on farms and chattels.
For one term Mr. Graham served acceptably as city treasurer of Enid, being elected by the Republicans, with which party he has been affili- ated since youth. He was initiated into Masonry in Enid Lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M., and has taken the Royal Arch degree. He is a past offi- cer in the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World and the Odd Fellows order.
In the fall of 1888 Mr. Graham was married, in McPherson, Kans., to Miss Etta N. Wise. a native of Kokomo, Ind. By their union they
have three sons, namely: George W., Jr., Roy WV. and James E. Mr. Graham and wife are members of the Christian Church and are gen- erous contributors to religious and benevolent enterprises.
In July, 1900, Mr. Graham removed to Ren- frow and organized the first bank there, being cashier of the same at the present time.
V IRGIL A. WOOD, M. D., has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of his adopted locality in Oklahoma, and on his well-conducted claim, located on the northeast quarter of section 22, township 22, range 5, Garfield county, he has wielded a considerable and extended influence upon the agricultural growth of the community.
Born in Georgia, August 12, 1849, Dr. Wood is a son of James and Mary (Turner) Wood. When quite young he was taken by his parents to Arkansas, where he received an excellent home training on his father's farm, and equally good advantages in an educational way at Wal- laceburg Academy, where he was prepared for college. At the age of twenty-three he entered St. John's College, and at the expiration of a year began to teach school, and was chosen su- perintendent of public instruction, serving for one year. While teaching school he was also studying medicine, and in due time was grad- uated from the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville. The first years of practice were undertaken `in his former home in Arkansas. where he continued to minister to the physical woes of the community until the opening of Oklahoma in 1889. He made the run to the territory, April 22, and located in Oklahoma City, going, after a time, to Norman. At the opening of the strip, he again made the run and located upon the claim which has since been the scene of his earnest efforts in more than one line of occupation. His farm is well im- proved, and, in order to carry out his large in- terests, he has been obliged to lease school land.
Dr. Wood keeps in touch with the progress made in his profession in all parts of the world. and his researches have been conducted on broad and progressive lines. He is a member of the Garfield County Medical Association and the District Medical Association, and presided over the former for one year. His progressive ideas are propagated by means of papers read before associations and through their publica- tion in the medical journals. He has made an exhaustive study of the diagnosis and treatment of typhoid fever.
In 1874 occurred the marriage of Dr. Wood and Sarah C. Robins, of Wallaceburg, Ark .. a daughter of S. H. and Sarah (Turner) Robins.
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Though born in Georgia, Dr. Wood is a believer in the principles of the Republican party, and has been conspicuously identified with its under- takings. He served for four years as a member of the pension board, and was county physician for one year. On various occasions he has acted as delegate to conventions, and in 1898 was elected to the legislature. While holding this position the doctor evinced in many ways his interest in the well-being of his locality, and was the author of pharmacy and military bills, and also a bill providing for the necessities of medical students, who, through the absence of legitimate means, are wont to resort to violation of the law in order to secure subjects for dis- section. In religious work Dr. Wood has ever evinced a commendable interest, and was instru- mental in starting the Baptist Church in his lo- cality, of which he is a member and deacon. Fraternally he is associated with the Ebenezer Lodge No. 139, at Wallaceburg, Ark., and of which he has filled all the chairs, except Wor- shipful Master. He has now transferred his membership to the lodge at Norman.
A. J. WOLCOTT, M. D., who has been en- , gaged in the practice of medicine at Chan- dler since 1893, was born in Barry county, Mich., September 17, 1843, and is a son of Par- menio and Alzina L. (Turner) Wolcott. His grandfather, Parmenio Wolcott, Sr., a native of Connecticut, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died near Elyria, Ohio. The family is of Holland-Dutch descent. Parmenio Wolcott, Jr., also a native of Connecticut, was married in New York, and became a planter in Florida, remaining there until 1863, when he came to the north, his Abolition principles making the south an undesirable place of residence at the time. Settling in Michigan he engaged in government contracting, buying and furnishing horses for the government for some years. Later he was appointed agent for a remnant of the Huron Indians still living in Michigan. From Barry county, Mich., he came to Illinois in 1869 and settled in McHenry county, where he en- gaged in farm pursuits. His next move was to Fielding, Dekalb county, Ill., where he died. His wife was born thirteen miles from St. Augustine, Fla., and her father, Cyrus Turner, was a native of the same locality, while her mother was a member of the well-known French Creole family of Eatons. She died in Illinois.
The only child of his parents, A. J. Wolcott was given excellent advantages when a boy, spending his winters in Florida and his sum- mers in the north. For a time he made his home with a crippled uncle, Dr. Horace C. Turner,
for whom he cared, and through whose influence he became interested in medicine. His studies were carried on in Albion College, after which, in 1866, he took up the study of medicine under Dr. Uriah Upjohn, of Kalamazoo, later taking a course in Rush Medical College for a year. His next study was in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Atlanta, Ga., from which he graduated in 1870, with the degree .of M. D. His first practice was in Poplar Grove, Boone county, Ill., where he remained for a year, after- ward practicing in Fielding, Ill., later traveling in Texas, and then starting west with the inten- tion of settling in Leadville, Colo. On his arrival at Atchison, Kans., be found that the railroad had been extended west, and he secured an ap- pointment as surgeon for roads on the front, until the completion of the same. On resigning as surgeon, he opened an office in Long Island, Phillips county, Kans., where he both practiced medicine and, conducted a pharmacy, also inter- ested himself in ranching. For two years after- ward he traveled in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Montana, thus gaining a very thor- ough knowledge of the great west.
April 1, 1893, found Dr. Wolcott in Chandler, where he has since practiced medicine and surgery. Under the administration of President Cleveland, he served as a member of the pen- sion board and acted as secretary of the same. In addition to his practice, he has other impor- tant interests. He is especially fond of horses and owns a number that have reputations throughout Oklahoma and the west. Among these is the thoroughbred dam, Squaw, sired by Hickory, and an animal that has a remarka- ble record, having defeated Lamplighter and Miner Girl in hotly contested races.
Politically Dr. Wolcott is a Democrat. He was made a Mason in Huntley, Ill., and has re- ceived the Royal Arch degree. His marriage took place in Woodstock, Ill., and united him with Miss Anna K. Knapp, who was born in Westchester county, N. Y., and accompanied her father, Jared Knapp, to Illinois. Two daughters comprise the family of Dr. and Mrs. Wolcott. The elder, Jo, was educated in the Kansas State Normal School at Emporia, and is now teaching in Chandler. The younger, Constance, is attending the University of Okla- homa, where she is taking a course in phar- macy.
JOHN R. MILLER, one of the pioneer black- smiths and carriage manufacturers of Okla- homa, and a founder of Chandler, is a de- scendant of old Pennsylvania families, his ancestors having been among the founders of York and Perry counties. His grandfather
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Miller devoted his life to the clearing and culti- vating of a farm in York county, and his grand- father, George Rouse, of German descent, was a farmer of Perry county until his death, when over four-score years old
The parents of our subject were Edward and Susan Miller, natives of York and . Perry coun- ties, respectively. In his early manhood the father learned the weaver's trade, but, remov- ing to Roseburgh, Pa., he carried on a farm for some time, later settling in Lloydville, same county, where he built and managed a tannery. The peculiar quality of "rock" oaks in the vicin- ity was such that the finest sole-leather produced in the country was manufactured there. Mr. Miller continued in the business until well along in years, when he retired. His age at death was eighty-eight years, and his devoted wife sur- vived him but three days. One of their seven children died when young, and one has since passed away.
Born January 8, 1852, in Roseburgh, Pa., our subject was reared in Perry county, and ob- . tained an excellent education in the grammar and high schools, subsequently being graduated in the Bloomfield Academy. His brothers also won honors in their classes, and Edward is a leading worker in the educational fields of St. Louis to-day. Milton is practicing law in Wich- ita, Kans., and Andrew is a merchant of Win- dom, Ill. The only living sister, Mrs. Maggie Swarts, lives in Beaver, Til.
In his youth our subject learned his father's trade, but afterwards commenced serving a three years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, at Lloydville. After completing his term of serv- ice, he worked as a journeyman for a year at Bridgeport, Pa., and then, returning to Lloyd- ville, embarked in business on his own account, also manufacturing carriages. In the spring of 1884 he sold out and settled in Brainerd, Kans., where he established large shops and conducted a flourishing business until Oklahoma was opened to _settlement.
April 22, 1889, he arrived in Guthrie on the second train, and, having located some lots in the business section of the city, proceeded in- dustriously to work. He had taken apart his Kansas building and shipped it to Guthrie, to- gether with needed tools and equipments for his plant. Putting the shop up at the corner of Cleveland and Division streets, he engaged in business there, and met with success. A favor- able opportunity presenting itself. he sold out. September 22, 1891, he came to Chandler, where he located some lots on Twelfth street. Here he built substantial shops, 25x65 feet, and manufac- tures wagons and carriages, besides carrying on a blacksmith department, where he makes a specialty of doing fine horseshoeing. He owns
a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, two miles from the city, and has improved it with a good house and other buildings. For some time he lived upon the farm, but now is domiciled in the city, as his increasing trade demands.
In all of his enterprises, joys and sorrows, Mr. Miller has found a faithful coadjutor in his wife, formerly Miss Mary Jane Jacobs. She also is a native of Pennsylvania, in which state she lived at the time of her marriage. This worthy couple are members of the Baptist Church of Chandler, and are active in many good works of benevolence. Fraternally Mr. Miller belongs to the Royal Tribe of Joseph, and is identified with Chandler Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F. Politically he uses his ballot in favor of the Democratic platform and nominees.
O LIVER L. JEWETT, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser residing on the southeast quarter of section 30, township 18, range I east, Payne county, was born in Ogle county, Ill., May 2, 1862. His parents, James and Jane (Batty) Jewett, are natives, respectively, of Ohio and England: At an early day the father set- tled in Illinois and took up government land in Ogle county, which land is still in the posses- sion of himself and wife. After their long and active life, they are now retired from active par- ticipation in business or farming affairs, and are living in the town of Fairdale.
Upon the farm which had been the scene of his father's carly efforts, Oliver Jewett was born and reared to manhood. While being trained to agricultural pursuits, he studied diligently at the district schools, and eventually took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. in Chicago. When twenty-one years of age, he decided to start out in the world for himself, and engaged in the hardware business in Cowley county, Kans. After a season of comparative success, he sold his hardware interests, and for two years interested himself in buying grain. At the end of this time he located on the claim in Payne county which has since been the scene of his successful ventures.
December 21, 1886, Mr. Jewett was united in marriage with Emma Pittman, a daughter of George and Esther Pittman. Of this union there are five children, of whom Edith is the only one born in Kansas, Mabel. Ruby, Fay and Ralph having been born in Oklahoma.
The special line of work on the farm to which Mr. Jewett devotes most of his time is the rais- ing of Poland-China hogs, in which he has been most successful, and for which there is a market in many of the middle and western states. His fine line of blue-bloods has just been added to by the purchase of an especially fine animal from
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Ed. Kleaver, the well-known hog-raiser. The industry has proved remunerative to Mr. Jew- ett, for he receives good prices for his hogs. He is also interested in the cultivation of Polled- Angus stock, and expects to derive considerable revenue from that source in the near future. . opera-house, which he erected, and which has His place is known as the Woodland Stock a seating capacity of one thousand and two hun- .dred, being by far the largest and finest in the territory. Farm, and is admirably suited to the needs of its owner. Finely cultivated, and fitted with all modern devices, good house, buildings, and all- around improvements, it is a credit to the locality in which it is situated, and a matter of pride to the owner.
In politics Mr. Jewett is affiliated with the Democratic party, and firmly believes in its prin- ciples and issues. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is a charter member of the lodge at Still- water. Mrs. Jewett is a member of the Christian Church.
RI ICHARD E. P. MESSALL. The Messall family came from Germany and was first represented in America by Gottlieb Mes- sall, a miller in Posen, Germany, who set- tled in Waukesha, Wis., but after a year removed to Marysville, Kans. In the latter town for eleven years he had charge of mills owned by Perry Hutchinson. Owing to arduous and in- creasing responsibilities connected with his em- ployment, he was finally obliged to resign his position. Later he embarked in the manufac- ture of soda water. In 1897 he came to Enid, where he has since lived. He married Emily Stettnish, whose father was a land-owner and prominent man in his part of Germany, but came to America and settled in Marysville, Kans., where he died. Two children were born to Gottlieb and Emily Messall, of whom Rich- ard is the elder. The younger, Frank, lives in Enid and is manager of his father's soda-water business.
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