Arkansas City Kansas

Biography of Edward P. Ray

Edward P. Ray, born in Coldwater, Michigan in 1875, came from a family with deep roots in the produce business. After a brief education, he joined his father in the trade before moving to Kansas, where he managed several produce companies, including the A. S. Kininmonth Company in Arkansas City. Ray’s business acumen contributed to the company’s significant operations, valued at around $1 million annually. He engaged with local politics and fraternal organizations, and he was married with two children before his passing in 1917.

Biography of William Clinton Bardo

William Clinton Bardo was a notable figure in Arkansas City’s banking sector, serving as vice president of the Security National Bank. A descendant of a pioneering Pennsylvania family, he began his career in education before moving west during the Cherokee Strip land rush, where he homesteaded for twelve years. Following his success as a farmer, he transitioned to business and became integral to local civic and church activities. Bardo’s life reflects the spirit of exploration and community service, aligning with the progressive development of Kansas.

Biography of C. B. Goodrich

C. B. Goodrich, a dedicated and unassuming individual, passed away in 1910 at sixty-six. Born in Sarnia, Canada, he was raised in Kankakee, Illinois, and served as a private in the Civil War with the 159th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In 1879, he moved to Kansas, where he thrived as a farmer before settling in Topeka and later Lawrence. Goodrich, known for his loyalty and intelligence, preferred a life away from public spotlight, yet left behind a legacy of admirable achievements.

Biographical Sketch of Charles A. Baker

Charles A. Baker, born on June 30, 1870, in Rio, Wisconsin, moved to Arkansas City, Kansas, shortly after his birth. After completing his education in Wichita, he apprenticed in plumbing and established a successful business in Wichita in 1902. A thirty-second degree Mason and regimental quarter-master, he serves as captain in the Second Kansas Infantry. Married to Lillie E. Bennett, they have a daughter, Marcia Helen. Baker’s father, Thomas, was a pioneer Kansan and veteran of the Civil War, contributing to the family’s legacy in the state.

Biography of George W. Robinson

George W. Robinson, born in Ohio in 1855, has significantly influenced Kansas banking since moving to the state in 1876. Initially an educator in Winfield, he transitioned to banking, partnering with his family in various financial institutions. His notable achievement includes successfully reopening the First National Bank of Arkansas City as its receiver in 1894. Robinson went on to establish multiple banks in Wichita, including the National Bank of Wichita and the Security State Bank, where he served as president. He married Ella E. Holmes and has one daughter, Edith.

Biography of Owen M. Thomas

Owen M. Thomas, born on February 4, 1883, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, rose to prominence as the vice president of the Citizens State Bank of Bronson, Kansas, an institution that has prospered since its founding in 1907. With a decade of banking experience in Oklahoma and Kansas, Thomas’s swift accomplishments reflect his dedication and skill. He also engaged in various business ventures, including oil interests and farming. A family man, he married Florence Ford in 1909 and has one son, Owen Ford. Active in local politics and Masonic organizations, he is well-regarded in his community.

Biography of Oscar Maxel Yount

Oscar Maxel Yount, born in 1883 in Cowley County, Kansas, overcame significant obstacles, including severe near-sightedness, to become a prominent lawyer and civic leader in Galena. After self-educating in law, he was admitted to the bar in 1906 and practiced in several Kansas towns before settling in Galena. Known for his unwavering determination and a photographic memory, Yount served as city attorney and vice president of the Board of Education. He was married to Pearl Reba Berry, with whom he had two children, and was actively involved in his community and church.

Biography of L. L. Warner

L. L. Warner, born on March 17, 1867, in Pennsylvania, moved with his family to Illinois shortly after his birth. He spent his early years in Iowa before pursuing agriculture in Nebraska and Kansas, before settling in Oklahoma. After years in farming and running a grocery store, Warner began his successful dairy business in 1920, starting with just two cows. Recognized as a prominent citizen in Bartlesville, he has been married twice and has five children.

Biography of Edward F. Green

Edward F. Green, a prominent figure in Kansas agriculture, settled in Arkansas City in 1869 after a varied early life, including a brief stint as a lawyer. Born in Illinois in 1842, he was educated at Oberlin College and engaged in diverse experiences across the West. A successful farmer and stock raiser, he was also politically active, becoming a key player in the populist movement in Kansas, serving two terms in the legislature, and advocating for innovative reforms, including anti-corruption legislation and state-run liquor distribution.

Biography of Clarence E. Beck

Clarence E. Beck began his career at sixteen, working in retail grocery stores before joining the Ranney-Davis Mercantile Company in 1894. He advanced through various roles, eventually serving as secretary and treasurer. Born on December 11, 1876, in Pennsylvania, he moved to Kansas with his family in 1884. An influential business leader by the age of forty, Beck was involved in local organizations, and had two marriages, with a daughter from his first wife, Gertie, and later marrying Jocie May Miller.

Biography of Edna L. Johnson, Miss

Edna L. Johnson has been a prominent figure in Kansas education since her election as county superintendent in 1914. She oversees 137 schools and 166 teachers, influencing the education of approximately 3,350 students. Born near Danville, Illinois, she was raised in Kansas, where her family’s pioneering roots run deep. A dedicated educator, she taught in Cowley County before taking office, reflecting her commitment to education and community. Johnson is affiliated with the Republican Party and actively participates in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biography of Forrest M. Hartley

Forrest M. Hartley, born on July 26, 1874, in Illinois, became a prominent figure in journalism and commerce in Kansas. An active student at Baker University, he later edited college newspapers and graduated in 1895. After a decade in newspaper management, he shifted to banking, founding the Winona State Bank. Relocating to Baldwin City, he engaged in the lumber business and served in local government, including three years as mayor. A family man, he married Mary S. Ives, and they had two children.

Biography of William C. Suttle

William C. Suttle, born on July 27, 1870, in Johnson County, Kansas, has been an integral part of Fredonia’s water works since 1905, becoming superintendent in 1913. With a background in machinist work, he advanced through dedication and skill, overseeing one of the best water systems in Southeastern Kansas. A Methodist and Republican, Suttle is also active in local Masonic lodges and holds investments in a furniture factory. He married Josie Baldwin in 1888, and the couple has no children.