Wright, Beverly & Co.

Wright, Beverly & Co., dealers in a general stock of merchandise and men’s outfitting goods, opened business in 1877. They employ eight clerks and carry a general stock of $40,000. Individual names of the firm are R. M. Wright and H. M. Beverly. H. M. Beverly came to Kansas in 1870 and engaged in the cattle business at Abilene, afterward at Ellsworth, Great Bend, and finally Dodge City. He has followed the Texas cattle trade for a number of years. He was born in King George County, Va., in 1826, and was raised in Henderson, Ky. He enlisted with Texas … Read more

Oliver March & Co.,

Oliver March & Co., proprietors of the Dodge City Steam Flouring Mills. These mills were erected in the fall of 1879. Size 60×90 feet, three stories and basement, built of wood at a cost of $20,000. Capacity is 15,000 pounds of flour in twenty-four hours. They employ four men. Oliver Marsh and son became proprietors in 1882. Mr. Marsh first came to Central City, Anderson Co., Kan., with his family in 1857, built a hotel and opened a general store. In 1859 he became a licensed Indian Trader with J. A. Coffey, at Humboldt, Kan., and remained until 1864, when … Read more

Gaede, Baker & Co.

Gaede, Baker & Co., dealers in a general line of fancy dry goods, clothing and gents furnishing goods and livestock. They opened trade January 1, 1882, and carry a stock of $6,000 and employ one clerk in the business. The individual names of the firm are Richard Gaede, H. C. Baker and S. H. Fields. H. C. Baker first came to Dodge City January 1, 1882. He was born at Logansport, Cass Co., Ind., September 16, 1849. The family moved to Nemaha County, Neb., in 1856, where he was raised in a small village. He first began business in life … Read more

Biography of Frost, D.M.

D. M. Frost, editor and proprietor of Ford County Globe, published at Dodge City, Kansas, established December 25, 1887. The paper is largely devoted to the livestock interests of the West, and the official organ of the Western Kansas Stock-Growers’ Association. Circulates largely among stockmen, and has a circulation of 700 copies per week. Mr. Frost first located in the State in 1868, at Sheridan, then the terminus of the Kansas Pacific Railway, where he held a clerkship in a general mercantile establishment, but only for a brief period, and early in the spring of 1879 he emigrated to New … Read more

Biographies of Ford County Kansas

The following 22 biographies were extracted from the History of the State of Kansas, 1883 and pertain specifically to Ford County. To view the entire history of Ford County, Kansas visit Ford County, Kansas History and Genealogy Ford County is the southwestern most organized county of Kansas, embracing Townships 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 of Ranges 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, being thirty miles from north to south and thirty-six miles from east to west, possessing an area of 1,080 square miles. The country is comparatively level, 20 per cent of the land, being bottom-land, which along … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Zimmerman, F.C.

F. C. Zimmerman, dealer in a general line of hardware, guns, ammunition, crockery and glassware, stoves, pumps, lumber and building material, agricultural implements and wagons. He opened business in 1872, being one of the first traders in Dodge City. He first carried a stock of $3,000 in firearms and ammunition only. He now carries a stock of $15,000 and employs three men. He has a fine residence one mile west of Dodge, with 240 acres of land. He was born in Prussia, Saxony, Germany, 1883. When he was only twenty-six years old, he was foreman for Gastrine Renett, gunsmith, Paris, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Wenie, Frederick T.M.

Frederick T. M. Wenie, of the firm of Sutton & Wenie, attorneys-at-law. He is also engaged in the insurance, real estate and collection business. He first came to Dodge City, Kansas, in 1879, and clerked in the Quartermaster’s store at Fort Dodge until April 1, 1880, when he came to Dodge City and entered the law office of M. W. Sutton as a law student, and was admitted to the bar of practice at the June term of court in 1882. He was appointed City Attorney of Dodge City in April 1883. He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sutton, M.W.

M. W. Sutton, attorney at law, of the firm of Sutton & Wenie. Mr. Sutton first came to Wellington, Sumner Co., Kan., in May, 1872, and practiced law until December of same year, when he went to Medicine Lodge, Barber County, and continued his profession until June 1,1876, thence located permanently in Dodge City, where he has since practiced law. He was County Attorney for Barber County two years and resigned; County Attorney for Ford County from November 1, 1876 until March 1882. He was born in Orange County, N. Y., 1848, and was raised in Tompkins County, living there … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sturm, Henry

Henry Sturm, wholesale and retail dealer in all kinds of liquors. He also has a soda factory, where he manufactures all kinds of soda and mineral water and Champagne cider. The building cost $2000 and is 20×30 feet. He employs four men. He has a warehouse 20×75 foot, where he keeps a stock of Joseph Schlitz Milwaukee Lager Beer. His stock of liquors invoice at $3,000. He also keeps a billiard and saloon parlor. He has two icehouses, respectively 20×30 feet and 30×50 feet, and has 400 tons of ice stored to supply the city. He first came to Junction … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Spencer, W.J.

W. J. Spencer, clerk in dry goods house of Wright, Beverly & Co. He serves as shipping and receiving clerk. He came to Kansas in 1863 as a private of Company G, Second Colorado Cavalry and assisted to establish Fort Dodge. He enlisted in July, 1862, in Company I, Second Colorado Cavalry, and served one year in Colorado. He participated in the battle against Rebel Gen. Price, and did much service on the frontier. Was mustered out in June 1865. He then engaged in freighting for the government, and clerked at Fort Larned, Kan, until 1870. He then clerked in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sitler, H.L.

H. L. Sitler, came to Dodge City, Kans., in 1868, and engaged in freighting for the United States government, and contracting, until 1876. He then engaged in the stock business, and continued until 1882. He is one of the stockholders of the Dodge City Bank. He has since the spring of 1882, retired from business. He was born in Crawford County, Pa., August 24, 1827, and lived in that county until 1865. He enlisted in the fall of 1861, to Company I, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, and participated in all the battles of his command, and was made a prisoner at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of McCarty, T.L., Dr.

Dr. T. L. McCarty, physician and surgeon (allopathic school) and dealer in a general stock of drugs and medicines, carries a stock of $3,000. He came to Dodge City, Kan., in November 1872, and opened a medical office. He opened the drug trade in 1877. He was born in Tuscola, Ill., 1848, and educated in his native State. He graduated from the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pa., in the class of 1870. Began the practice of his profession at St. Louis, MO., where he continued until he came to Kansas. Was married in 1871, to Miss S. L. Artt, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Leidhigh, J. M.

J. M. Leidhigh, of the firm of T. F. Leidigh & Co., dealers in general merchandise. They opened trade in Spear Ville in April 1878, with a stock of $1,800. They now carry an average stock of $10,000. Their store building was erected of stone in 1881 at a cost of $2,000. Size is 25×80 feet. They employ three men in the business. Mr. J. M. Leidigh is also extensively engaged in raising stock. He first came to Kansas in 1870, locating at St. Mary’s, and engaged in the lumber trade, and in 1872 moved to Hutchinson, Kan., where he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Klaine, N.B.

N. B. Klaine, editor of the Dodge City Times. The paper was established May 20, 1876. He became editor and proprietor in November 1877. The above newspaper now has a circulation of 600, and is Republican in politics. Mr. Klaine first came to Dodge City in November, 1877, and engaged as a Journalist. He took charge of the Dodge City post office by appointment January 23, 1883. He was born in Bordentown, N. J., and February 5, 1839. He came with his parents to Rock Island, Ill., in 1851, where he lived until 1859; thence to St. Louis, Mo. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jones, B.A.

B. A. Jones, Register of Deeds and clerk in hardware house of F. C. Zimmerman. He came to Kansas in 1878 and prospected for some time, after which he began clerking for the above house. Born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1842, and was raised in that county. Enlisted in July 1861, in Company I, Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participating in all the battles of his command, and was wounded in a skirmish at Cumberland Ford, Ky. in May 1863. Was mustered out of service in August 1865. He soon afterward began clerking in general merchandising. Was married in 1868, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jarrett, G.B., Dr.

Dr. G. B. Jarrett, physician and surgeon, first came to Dodge City, Kan., in October, 1882, and opened the practice of medicine. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1846. Educated at Jefferson Philadelphia, Medical College, graduating in medicine March 12, 1870. He began the practice of medicine in St. Louis, Mo., in August 1870, continuing there a year he went to Alameda County, Cal., and practiced his profession seven years. He then returned to his native place, and soon afterward came to Dodge City. Was married in 1877, to Miss Almina C. Kimball, of Rochester, Minn. They have one … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Galland, S., Dr.

Dr. S. Galland, physician and surgeon, came to North Topeka, Kan. In 1870, and practiced medicine a year; thence to Kansas City, Mo., and practiced his profession two years, when he moved to Dodge City, Kan., and permanently located, where he has been engaged in the practice of medicine until 1878, since which time he has retired from active business. He was born in Posen, Prussia, Germany, May 11, 1822, and was educated in his native country. He graduated from the old school of medicine at Berlin, in the class of 1847. Practiced in Germany two years, when, in 1849, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Fringer, Herman J.

Herman J. Fringer, Probate Judge and Assistant Cashier Bank of Dodge City. He also deals in a general stock of drugs and medicines. Opened drug trade in 1872, and carries a general stock of $4,000. He first came to Fort Dodge as Quartermaster’s clerk in 1867, and after some time clerked in a sutler store, until he opened the drug business. He took charge of the Dodge City post office by appointment in 1872, and was postmaster until June 1882, and resigned. He was appointed County Clerk to assist in organizing Ford County, in 1873, and was Clerk of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Emerson, George S.

George S. Emerson, dealer in general merchandise, opened trade in Dodge City in the spring of 1880, and carried on the start a stock of $6,000. He now carries a stock of $14,000 and employs six clerks. He engaged in the stock business in 1876, establishing a ranch in Clark County; has since sold his stock interests. He first settled on the Saline River, Saline County, Kansas, in 1869, where for a number of years he engaged in the stock business. Then went into the business of shipping buffalo bones in a large way, which he continued in connection with … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Draper, M.R.

M. R. Draper, manager of the Dodge City branch of the York, Parker & Draper Mercantile Company. The company was incorporated under the laws of Missouri in 1881, with a paid-up capital of $150,000. Now have a surplus of $150,000. They deal in general merchandise and livestock, and carry a general average stock of merchandise of $25,000 in Dodge City, Kansas, and opened trade in the latter city in 1881. They also have a branch house at Caldwell, Sumner County, Kansas. Their rooms are 25 feet wide by 110 feet deep, and a warehouse 25 x 75 feet. They have … Read more