Biography of Park E. Salter

Park E. Salter. The name Salter had had a very vital and intimate relationship with Butler County for forty years, particularly with the development of its livestock interests and also, in later years, with the oil and gas industry. The founder of the family in Butler County was the late Thomas B. Salter, a figure of unusual prominence in that section of the state. He was born in Centerville, Iowa, in 1849 and came to Kansas in 1876. In Butler County he took a claim of 160 acres, and after improving that he continued increasing his holdings until before his … Read more

Biography of Frank A. Bardwell

Frank A. Bardwell. A large majority of the men who are engaged in working the oil fields of Kansas have been devoting their energies to this line of work all of their lives, whether as employes, employers, contractors, drillers or producers. They have had the experience from early youth and it is but natural that they should meet with success in their undertakings granted that opportunities are the same. But there is another class among the men who are making this one of the great industries, this being formed of the men who had their training in other fields of … Read more

Varney, Roy

Enterprise, Oregon Roy Varney, a prominent farmer of Prairie Creek, died Sunday, August 25, 1935, at Hot Lake after having been taken there for treatment following a two weeks illness. He had been in poor health for some time as a result of a serious heart disease but had carried on his usual farm work until his condition became serious two weeks before his death. It is thought that an injury he received while building a barn might have hastened his death. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church with Rev. G.R. Archer in charge and interment … Read more

Biography of John D. Burton

John D. Burton. Like many of his contemporaries in the field of journalism in Southeastern Kansas, John D. Burton, proprietor and editor of the Potwin Ledger, began his career at the case. His entire life had been devoted to newspaper work, as compositor, editor and owner of publications in various parts of the country, but principally in Kansas, where he had resided and labored since the fall of 1878. While his present publication was founded only recently, it had already gained a wide circulation and promises to become an organ of influence in public matters under Mr. Burton’s wise and experienced direction. John D. … Read more

Biography of L. S. Hall, M. D.

One of the first physicians to locate at the Town of Augusta in Butler County was Dr. L. S. Hall. That was nearly forty years ago. For a number of years Doctor Hall lived outside of Kansas, but the greater part of his professional career had been identified with a town that had since developed into a thriving city, the center of one of the greatest oil districts in Southern Kansas. Doctor Hall had done a great deal of good through his profession, and had lived a well rounded and complete life. His is an excellent ancestry. Doctor Hall was … Read more

Biography of Neil Wilbur Rogers

Neil Wilbur Rogers, superintendent of the city schools of Augusta, Kansas, is a native of the state, is a graduate of Washburn College, and since leaving college had become increasingly successful in the field of education. His family have lived for many years in the vicinity of Oberlin, Kansas. Neil Wilbur Rogers was born on his father’s farm there February 24, 1888. His grandfather, John Rogers, was descended from Scotch-Irish people who have lived in the United States since Colonial days. John Rogers was born in 1820, was an early settler in Iowa, and followed farming near Laurel in that … Read more

Biography of Ed C. Varner

Ed C. Varner. A substantial Kansas farmer who is making a good living and proving himself a factor in the citizenship of Butler County, Ed C. Varner had in the course of two years become one of the well known oil men of the entire country. Fortune sometimes plays strange froaks and showers its benefits upon those apparently untieserving. However, as a rule the rewards of fortune are wisely bestowed. Ed C. Varner did much to merit all the prosperity that had come to him in the rich oil districts of Augusta. It was largely his foresight and wisdom that … Read more