Allen County KS

Allen County was established in 1855 and organized in 1864 in southeastern Kansas, with its county seat at Iola; early Euro-American settlement followed the opening of Kansas Territory amid conflicts of the Bleeding Kansas period, while the area had previously been inhabited by Native American tribes including the Osage. Genealogical records begin with territorial and county organization, including land claims, deeds, probate, and court records from the 1850s and 1860s, with vital records more systematically recorded after Kansas statehood in 1861 and later statewide registration. The county lies within the Neosho River valley, with the river and its tributaries influencing settlement, agriculture, and transportation, and early routes included military roads and stage lines, followed by railroads that connected Iola and surrounding towns to regional markets. Important repositories include the county courthouse in Iola, along with local churches and cemeteries established in the mid-19th century that preserve baptismal, marriage, and burial records valuable for genealogical research.

Genealogy of Alexander Brown of Polk County, Missouri

The Eaves Family of Polk County, Missouri

Numerous applications to the Eastern Cherokee Tribe claimed descent from Alexander Brown, who was born circa 1770 in Bedford County, Virginia, and died on September 17, 1837, in Brighton, Missouri. His marriage to Violet Barton produced several children, many of whom lived in Missouri. Despite over 150 claims linked to him, none were verified as he was distinct from the Alexander Brown listed in the 1835 Henderson Roll. This post will document the genealogy of his descendants as further applications are processed.

Kansas Registrations of Enemy Aliens, 1917 – 1921

The series contains original affidavits of registration that record personal information about each registrant, their photograph affixed to the majority of documents, and the registrants fingerprints. All of these are specific to Kansas, and most have the actual documents attached.

Biography of Rev. William E. Means

Rev. William E. Means, born June 28, 1850, in Paris, Illinois, graduated from Northwestern University’s theological department in 1879. He served as a pastor in various churches across Minnesota and Kansas, contributing significantly to church building and revival efforts. In 1891, he became pastor in Sidney, Illinois, later taking on the Atwood charge. Due to health issues, he retired in 1893 but remained active in ministry. In 1895, he acquired the Atwood Herald, a politically independent newspaper. He was married to Ella M. Chesnut, and they had one son, Cyril.

Biographical Sketch of John Francis

John Francis, born in Norfolk, England, on April 24, 1837, emerged as a significant figure in Allen County, Kansas. Advocating for free statehood, he settled in Osawatomie in 1858 and became a follower of John Brown. After enlisting in the Fifth Kansas Regiment during the Civil War, he transitioned into public service, holding various local offices, including clerk, treasurer, and district court clerk. Later, he served as state treasurer and was elected to the State House of Representatives, showcasing his commitment to public service and governance.

Biography of John Monroe Farnsworth

John Monroe Farnsworth, born on January 4, 1876, in West Virginia, emerged as a notable oil well contractor and producer in Kansas after moving there in 1902. With a rich background in the oil industry, his career began in West Virginia and included key roles with several companies before establishing himself independently. He has successfully operated numerous drilling outfits and holds valuable oil leases near Humboldt. Farnsworth is married to Elma Jimison, and they have three children, showcasing his commitment to family and community.

Biography of Charles F. Scott, Hon.

Hon. Charles F. Scott, born September 7, 1860, in Allen County, Kansas, is a prominent figure in Kansas journalism and politics. He edited the Iola Register and served in Congress for a decade, becoming a significant Republican leader and chairing the Committee on Agriculture. Notably involved in international missions, he aided Belgian relief efforts during WWI. A well-traveled man, he participated in diplomatic missions and educational boards, and has contributed significantly to the Kansas State Historical Society. Scott married May Brevard Ewing and has four children.

Biography of John C. Carpenter, Col.

Colonel John C. Carpenter was a prominent figure in Neosho County, Kansas, known for his integrity and dedication to public service. Born in Pennsylvania in 1838, he served in the Civil War, rising to the rank of colonel. After the war, he established a law practice in Kansas, contributing to the development of Chanute, where he helped lay out the town’s site. A successful attorney and politician, Carpenter held various offices, including state senator and internal revenue collector. His legacy reflects a life committed to honorable service and community growth.

Biography of Charles I. Martin, Gen.

General Charles I. Martin, born in Illinois in 1871 and raised in Kansas, transformed military preparedness in the state as adjutant-general since 1909. Starting as a private in the Kansas National Guard while teaching school, he rose to captain and later major during the Spanish-American War, seeing notable action in the Philippines. Beyond his military career, he served as district clerk and state senator, advocating for significant reforms. Martin, an accomplished lawyer, remains influential in national military associations, contributing substantially to Kansas’s readiness in times of conflict.

Biographical Sketch of Edward H. Funston

Edward H. Funston, born September 16, 1836, in Ohio, was a prominent political figure in Kansas. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War before settling in Allen County in 1867. Funston held multiple positions in the Kansas Legislature, including speaker of the House and president pro tempore of the Senate. Elected to the U.S. Congress in 1884, he served several terms until losing his seat in 1892. Funston died on September 10, 1911, and was the father of General Frederick Funston.

Biography of Wallace H. Johnson

Wallace H. Johnson, born in Ohio in 1838, moved to Kansas in 1856 and devoted his life to journalism. As the editor and owner of the Salina Sun since 1884, he significantly shaped public opinion through his editorial work. Johnson founded seventeen newspapers in Kansas and served in the Civil War with the Second Kansas Cavalry. He remains active in veterans’ organizations. His family life in Salina is enriched by his five daughters, one of whom is involved in journalism.

Biography of George McKinley

George McKinley, born December 8, 1861, in Fairfield County, Ohio, is a distinguished veteran of the Santa Fe Railway, starting his career in 1885. He served as the station agent at Humboldt for over twenty-five years, playing a crucial role in enhancing the railway’s reputation in Kansas. A successful businessman, he owns valuable oil and gas properties. McKinley has a rich family background with Irish roots and has been politically active as a Republican and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has been married twice and has three children.

Biography of Earl A. Nossaman

Earl A. Nossaman, born on February 18, 1879, in Harrison County, Missouri, dedicated his early career to education before transitioning to the drug business. He joined Monarch Cement Company during its reorganization, where he played a crucial role in its sales department. With deep roots in the community, his family lineage includes a Civil War veteran and progressive local leaders. Nossaman was active in local politics and the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he married Amanda L. England, with whom he had three children.

Biography of Ed J. Dunfee

Ed J. Dunfee, born in Fredonia, Kansas, in 1874, has become a prominent figure as the sheriff of Allen County, serving two terms with exceptional public support. A lifelong Kansas resident, he began his career in law enforcement in 1911 after a background as a barber. Dunfee, notable for his courage, diplomatic skills, and commitment to community service, has garnered respect and admiration, leading to unopposed re-elections. He is also actively involved in various fraternal organizations and the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is married with one son.

Biographical Sketch of Wesley Virgil Griffitts

Wesley Virgil Griffitts, born on April 13, 1879, in Gentry County, Missouri, is a prominent figure in Lovewell, where he runs a successful general mercantile business. His entrepreneurial journey began on his father’s farm before exploring various occupations, including construction in the oil fields. A dedicated community member, Griffitts is affiliated with several Masonic organizations and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Married to Anna C. W. Samp, they have one son, Escot Merle, born in 1905.

Biography of Ward Salisbury

Ward Salisbury, born February 20, 1877, in Norway, New York, has deep roots in American history, tracing his lineage back to colonial times. He succeeded his father as the owner of a prominent grain elevator in Hiawatha, Kansas, where the family has been established for over thirty years. Educated locally, he learned the grain business under his father’s guidance. A Republican and active in the Presbyterian Church, he also engaged in Masonic organizations. He married Mame Adams in 1915 and they have a daughter, Rebekah Ann.

Biography of Samuel Price, Rev.

Rev. Samuel Price, a prominent figure in Kansas, was born in Ohio in 1827 and became a renowned Methodist minister. After relocating to Humboldt in 1878, he served various pastorates in Southern Kansas, including a notable tenure in Wellington. Price was respected not just for his preaching simplicity but also for his strong moral character and community involvement. He passed away on July 30, 1916, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and strong family ties, including ten children, some of whom achieved prominence in their fields.

Biography of Tillman E. Dale

Tillman E. Dale, born March 1, 1862, in Buchanan County, Iowa, is a prominent oil contractor and driller in the Mid-Continent fields, particularly recognized in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. A pioneer of Neosho County, he began working at thirteen, eventually drilling hundreds of wells after transitioning from a stationary engineer. Settling in Chanute in 1898, he made significant contributions to local oil production. Married to Laura Hellinghausen, they have a son, Edwin. Dale remains an active community member and valuable resource in the oil and gas industry.

Biography of Peter J. Ringler

Peter J. Ringler, born December 14, 1868, in Illinois, is a prominent figure in the bottling industry, managing the Parsons Bottling Works. His grandfather immigrated from Germany, and his father also worked in farming and business in the U.S. Peter left school at fourteen to become a machinist and shifted to the bottling sector in 1916. Active in the Lutheran Church and local politics, he married Caroline Christoffer and has four children, all of whom attend the Parsons public schools.

Biography of William Wesley Robb

William Wesley Robb, born in Wisconsin in 1872 and of Scotch descent, began his career as a locomotive fireman before transitioning to various managerial roles in machinery and plant operations across Kansas. His father, Rev. J. W. Robb, was a pioneering Presbyterian minister who contributed to early Kansas communities. After an extensive career, Robb became the superintendent of the Chanute electric light plant in 1910. He married Ollie Hedges in 1902, and they had one son, James William. Robb is actively involved in local Masonic organizations and is a Republican.

Biography of Frank A. Bardwell

Frank A. Bardwell, born August 11, 1870, in Ottawa, Illinois, emerged as a notable figure in Kansas’s oil industry despite initially starting in banking and livestock. Educated in local schools and Baker University, he shifted to oil production in the late 1900s after gaining experience in stock dealing and Oklahoma fields. Settling in Chanute, he became a respected oil producer, known for his integrity. Bardwell, a Republican and member of the Presbyterian Church, married Ida Farrell in 1896, with whom he has one son, Charles A.