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.
Frank S. Porter, born on July 6, 1866, in Rushsylvania, Ohio, moved to Kansas with his family in 1886. He established himself in the retail drug business, becoming a leading figure in Wichita with a well-equipped drug store on East Douglas Avenue. After several years in other drug stores and partnerships, he opened his own store in 1914. Married to Elizabeth O. Campbell, they are active in their community and have two children, Amy and Baird.
James S. Emery, born on July 3, 1826, in Franklin County, Maine, emerged as a key figure in the free-state movement in Kansas. After graduating from Waterville College and being admitted to the bar, he moved to Lawrence in 1854 as a free-state immigrant. An influential speaker and member of several constitutional conventions, Emery actively opposed slavery and advocated for Kansas’ statehood. He served as United States district attorney under President Lincoln and was involved in local governance, ultimately becoming president of the State Historical Society before his death in 1899.
David Franklin Shirk, born July 10, 1859, in Illinois, dedicated thirty years to education in Kansas after moving to Abilene in 1886. A pivotal figure in child welfare, he organized the first county high school in Kansas and the world’s inaugural high school Y.M.C.A. Shirk served various superintendencies and was appointed superintendent of the Kansas State Children’s Home Society in Topeka. His esteemed lineage includes numerous ministers and educators. He married Frances Estelle Rugh, and their children, Helen and Harold, exemplify the family’s commitment to education and service.
Henry W. Weber, born on March 31, 1883, in Russell County, Kansas, has deep roots in farming and banking, shaped by his father Nicholas Weber’s entrepreneurial spirit. After gaining early experience on the family farm and in local businesses, he became cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Wilson in 1906. The bank, established in 1904, thrives under his leadership alongside his father and siblings. Henry, married to Anna Klepper, is a devoted community member, active in the Catholic Church, and raises four children in Wilson.
Jacob Shafer, born in 1844 in Indiana, became an esteemed resident of Kansas, living on a farm near Topeka for a decade. He served in the Civil War with the 70th and later the 135th Illinois Infantry, participating in significant battles in the Mississippi Valley. Post-war, he farmed in Iowa and Kansas, ultimately settling in Shawnee County in 1906. A devoted family man, Shafer had two wives and six children, embodying the spirit of hard work and community engagement instilled by his father.
William R. Murrow, born on May 16, 1878, in Ellinwood, Kansas, emerged as a prominent figure in the region’s business landscape, serving as the general manager of the Kansas Gas Electric Company. The son of William D. D. and Ploma Elizabeth Murrow, he experienced significant loss at an early age. His career commenced at the World’s Columbian Exposition, leading to various roles in electrical construction. Murrow played a pivotal role in establishing significant electric power facilities in Kansas, demonstrating commitment to both business and civic life in Independence. He married Tillie N. Barzen and had two children.
Rev. Augustine P. Heimann, born on February 15, 1866, in Lafayette, Indiana, has served as the dedicated priest and rector of St. Martins Catholic Church in Piqua, Kansas, since 1912. Ordained in 1889, he initially engaged in missionary work across several counties, later managing various parishes, including notable tenures in Beloit, Odin, and Garden City. Under his leadership, St. Martins Parish has grown significantly and initiated extensive building projects. Heimann is affiliated with several Catholic organizations, underscoring his commitment to parish development and community service.
Walter Charles Isern, born on October 18, 1887, in Ellinwood, Kansas, is a prominent businessman and manager of Alden’s leading mercantile enterprise. Hailing from German ancestry, he gained practical experience in retail from a young age, emerging from business college in 1904 to work in the family store. By 1914, he had become the manager of Alden’s only department store, which serves a twelve-mile radius. Isern is politically active as a Democrat and plays a significant role in the Methodist Episcopal Church, while raising a family with his wife, Phoebe Scannell.
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.
Jonas Lane Morin, the infant son of Jason and Heather Morin, passed away on April 12, 2006. Born on March 28, he was mourned deeply by his family, who held a funeral at the First Christian Church in Pawnee Rock, Kansas. He is survived by his parents, three brothers, extended family, and grandparents, while being preceded in death by two sisters and great-grandparents. His family remembers him as a cherished presence in their lives.