Kansas

Biography of William Thomas Davidson

William Thomas Davidson, an old soldier, a pioneer in Western Kansas, and an expert abstractor at Abilene, was born in a log house on a farm in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1842. Several years ago he celebrated the birthday which made him three score and ten years of age. His had been a long and active lifetime, and his experiences for more than forty-six years identify him with Abilene. On January 1, 1860, Mr. Davidson started to keep a diary, and it illustrates the persistence of his character that he had never missed a day in itemizing some fact … Read more

Biography of George W. Hurd

George W. Hurd. In 1869, a few years after the close of the war in which he had fought for the Union with an Illinois regiment, George W. Hurd pioneered into Dickinson County, Kansas, and established himself on a homestead. However, during his long residence in the county and at the City of Abilene, he had been best known and distinguished as a lawyer. He was one of the pioneer members of the bar, and had long held a place of leadership in the profession and in public affairs. Born at Lafayette, Illinois, June 20, 1846, he had recently passed … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. Bowlus

Thomas H. Bowlus is president of the Allen County State Bank at Iola. He practically grew up in the atmosphere of that bank, which was founded by his father, and the name Bowlus had been prominently identified with the history of Allen County and Iola since pioneer times. He was born at Iola January 3, 1874. His father was the late George A. Bowlus, and his grandfather was George Bowlus. The family were originally settled in Maryland. George A. Bowlus was born at Middletown, Maryland, in 1841, and grew up there. In 1869 he came out to Kansas, locating in … Read more

Biography of Eric Sundgren

Eric Sundgren. One of the best educated of the early settlers in Falun Township of Saline County was Eric Sundgren. In his native Sweden he had received the benefits of a liberal college training. For six years he had taught school. However, the horizon of his opportunities did not seem to widen in the old country and in 1868 he set out for America. Mr. Sundgren located a tract of Government land in Falun Township, and he applied his energies to the stubborn task of breaking the virgin sod and growing crops. With many adversities and with many experiences of … Read more

Biography of John Peter Drevets

John Peter Drevets. One of Saline County’s most useful and honored citizens passed away in the death of John Peter Drevets at his home farm three miles northwest of Smolan on March 23, 1914. Mr. Drevets was still comparatively young when death called him. His life’s achievements are not to be measured by length of years, but by the quality of the enterprise and the public spirit which characterized his relations among his fellow citizens in Saline County for about thirty-three years. Whether as a farmer, as a private citizen, as an official, as head of a family or member … Read more

Biography of Winfield W. Watson

Winfield W. Watson. It is quite possible that Winfield W. Watson, now at the head and the moving spirit of large business enterprises which contribute to the prosperity of many sections and afford employment to scores of men, would have made an excellent farmer had he, in youth, followed the family calling and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. Possessing as he does the energy, the good judgment and the broad vision that have made him prominent in commercial life, the same qualities, if brought into play, would probably have made him a forward-going man in any line of activity. Fortunately … Read more

Biography of Francis Johnson

Francis Johnson. What the Kansas pioneers went through in their efforts to establish homes and build up a commonwealth of material greatness and high ideals is a subject of knowledge known to Francis Johnson not from books or what other people have told him, but is part of his individual experience and recollection. He was one of the first settlers from Sweden who established homes in McPherson County in the years following the Civil war, and had always been one of the strong men of that community. His strength of body enabled him to conquer the forces of the wilderness … Read more

Biography of Robert Alfred Thompson

Robert Alfred Thompson. Marquette in McPherson County is one of the thriving towns of Kansas whose population is largely composed of Swedish people, and the community in its industrial and moral aspect had been materially influenced by the substantial character of these people. One of the most prominent men of the town for the past thirty years had been Robert Alfred Thompson, who, successful in business, had studiously sought every opportunity to upbuild and promote the substantial welfare of the town. Mr. Thompson is a native of Sweden, having been born at Landskrona, near Copenhagen, January 10, 1855. His parents … Read more

Biography of Frank L. Travis Hon.

Hon. Frank L. Travis. A resident of Kansas since early boyhood, Frank L. Travis had been a farmer, public official and insurance man at Iola, but his name is most familiarly known over the state at large through his active leadership in the Legislature of Kansas. During the recent session of the Lower House he was the accepted leader of his party, and some of the most beneficial legislation enacted in recent years had been largely shaped and influenced by Mr. Travis of Iola. The ancestry of the Travis family goes back to Ireland. There were men of the name … Read more

Biography of Bror G. Grondal

Bror G. Grondal. At the very head of the profession of photography in Kansas stands Bror G. Grondal, who for thirty consecutive years had conducted the leading studio at Lindsborg. Mr. Grondal both in his profession and in other lines of activity is a man of widely diversified experience. His career is an interesting one since he came to America in childhood years and had fought continuously a brave and unremitting struggle until he placed himself in a position where he is master of a congenial profession. Mr. Grondal is a former president of the Kansas State Photographers Association. He … Read more

Biography of George W. McClintick

George W. McClintick. Kansas ought to remember the late George W. McClintick as a pioneer editor and newspaper man, and one of those who gave dignity to journalism and contributed not a little to Kansas’ place in literature. During much of his active life he lived at McPherson, where he died and where his widow, Mrs. Hester A. McClintick, still resided. George W. McClintick was born on a farm in Hancock County, Ohio, December 31, 1852, and died at McPherson, Kansas, August 21, 1903. His parents were Rev. William and Mary (Robbins) McClintick, of Scotch and English descent, the former … Read more

Biography of Robert Harmon Hazlett

Robert Harmon Hazlett. Kansas is rapidly becoming a creditor state. It produces more than it consumes. It is flourishing, opulent and as progressive in material interests as in the field of legislation, social ideas and politics. Kansas farmers, Kansas business men, Kansas bankers are getting as securely established as factors in national affairs as Kansas politicians and social and civic leaders did in earlier years. One of these successful men whose achievements in some fields at least are well known beyond the borders of the state is Robert H. Hazlett, lawyer, banker, Hereford cattle breeder, and business man of El … Read more

Kansas Frontier Forts Prior to 1902

Alert, Camp, Kansas – Name changed to Fort Larned. Atkinson, Fort, Kansas – On Arkansas River, in Ford County. Aubrey, Fort, Kansas – On Arkansas River. Bateman Camp, Kansas – Near Fort Leavenworth. Beecher Camp, Kansas – Near mouth of Little Arkansas River, established as Camp Davidsons. Blair Fort, Kansas – At Baxter Springs. Bull Creek Camp Kansas – Near Paola, Miami County. Butterfield Camp, Kansas – Name changed to Camp Beecher. Davidson Camp, Kansas – Near mouth of Little River; name changed to Camp Beecher. Dodge Fort, Kansas – Ford County; now town of that name. Downers Station, Kansas … Read more

Biography of William Schwartz

William Schwartz was one of the pioneers of Eastern Kansas. Many of his activities identified him with Miami County and the City of Paola, though in later years his interests were widely extended. Throughout his career the traits of industry and enterprise are strongly pronounced. He was born in Nassau, Germany, May 4, 1838, and there obtained his early education. He was one of a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters. When he was eighteen years of age, in 1856, William Schwartz set out for the land of promise, crossed the ocean and landed in Philadelphia. He … Read more

Biography of Thomas Anderson

Thomas Anderson. The honors and responsibilities of public life come with singular appropriateness to Thomas Anderson, of Salina, where he was among the first group of pioneer settlers and where his home and activities have been centered for the past fifty-five years. He retired from business a number of years ago, and the greater part of his time since his retirement had been spent in the office of county commissioner of Saline County. This old time citizen of Salina is a Scotchman by birth. He was born March 24, 1838, at Fenwick, Scotland, a son of Archibald and Margaret (Young) … Read more

Biography of Elnathan Sweet

ELNATHAN SWEET IN THE profession of a surveyor and civil engineer, a name known far and near is that of Elnathan Sweet – a man who for the past fourteen years has claimed the city of Albany as his residence. He was born in Cheshire, Mass., on the 20th of November, 1837. He comes from a New England ancestry, noted for their enterprise, solidity and high character, and for the active part they took in pioneer work in this section of the country, and in the dissemination of moral and religious principles in their communities. His father, Rev. Elnathan Sweet, … Read more

Kansas African American Genealogy

African American Genealogy online research is much more difficult due to the scant nature of record keeping for African American’s prior to the Civil War. This is the reason for creating a separate section for African Americans much like we have for Native Americans who’s research can also be hampered by the available records. The links below provide an accurate reflection of what is available to be searched for African American genealogy. Conducting successful African American genealogical research can be a challenging adventure. In recent years, the challenge has been lessened and the adventure heightened by the growing body of … Read more

Indian Villages, Towns and Settlements of Kansas

These pages will provide an alphabetical listing for all the villages, towns, and settlements in what was the state of Kansas at the time the Handbook of American Indian of North America was written. Bahekhube Cheghulin to Cona Gakhulin to Gakhulinulinbe Igamansabe to Ishtunga Inchi  

I- Kansas Indian Villages, Towns and Settlements

A complete listing of all the Indian villages, towns and settlements as listed in Handbook of Americans North of Mexico. Igamansabe (fgamansábě, ‘black paint’, Kansa name for Big Blue r. , Kans.) . One of the villages occupied by the Kansa, probably before 1820. Dorsey, MS. Kansas vocab., B. A. E., 1882. Ishtakhechiduba (Icta′qe tci dúba, four white men s houses ). One of the later villages occupied by the Kansa in their migration up Kansas r. Dorsey, Kansa MS. vocab., B, A. E., 1883. Ishtunga (right side). The name applied to those divisions of the Kansa that camped on … Read more

G- Kansas Indian Villages, Towns and Settlements

A complete listing of all the Indian villages, towns and settlements as listed in Handbook of Americans North of Mexico. Gakhulin (village on a stream). One of the 4 Kansa villages in 1820. Gakhulinulinbe. A former Kansas village near the head of a s. tributary of Kansas r., on which a trading post was established. Guaes. A people of whom Coronado learned in 1542. They evidently lived E. of Quivira, the Wichita country of E. central Kansas, of whose people they were enemies. The name bears a resemblance to Kaw, but as this is the French traders contraction of Kansa, … Read more