Bradford County PA
Biography of Thomas Ryan
Thomas Ryan, born in Oxford, New York, on November 25, 1837, grew up in Pennsylvania before moving to Topeka, Kansas, in 1865. A lawyer by profession, he served as a captain in the Civil War and was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness. Ryan held various legal and political roles, including county attorney and U.S. congressman, where he was instrumental in opening Oklahoma for settlement. Appointed minister to Mexico and later assistant secretary of the interior, he played a significant role in enhancing U.S.-Mexico relations and supporting western development.
Biography of Abram Morgan Frumberg
Abram Morgan Frumberg, born on March 30, 1876, in Pennsylvania, is a notable attorney associated with Frumberg Russell in St. Louis. He descends from Isaac Frumberg, the family’s German patriarch, and has a rich ancestry linked to various Jewish organizations. Educated in law at Columbia and the New York Law School, he began his career in New York before relocating to St. Louis in 1900. Frumberg also actively served during World War I and is involved in numerous civic and political activities, promoting social progress and community welfare.
Biography of Rollin Buell
Rollin Buell, born on September 15, 1883, in Macoupin County, Illinois, has dedicated himself to banking since completing his education. Currently serving as cashier of the Farmers State Bank in Potter, Kansas, he began his banking career as a bookkeeper in 1910. His father, Charles Buell, a pioneer farmer, moved westward to Kansas in the late 19th century. Rollin’s educational journey included various institutions in Kansas, and he is actively involved in the Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge, married with one daughter.
Biography of Charles A. Thatcher
Charles Albert Thatcher, born in 1826 in Pennsylvania, was a significant figure in the development of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. After studying briefly at Oberlin College, he traversed the Oregon Trail in 1852, becoming Washington’s first school superintendent the following year. Thatcher laid the groundwork for the state’s educational system over nine years. He later served as postmaster in Lewiston and engaged in various business ventures. A devoted family man and esteemed community member, he passed away on September 18, 1897, leaving a lasting legacy.
Biographical Sketch of William Eldred Kelly
William Eldred Kelly, born on May 11, 1861, in Emporium, Pennsylvania, was a prominent manufacturer with a diverse career in various companies, including The Kelly Reamer Co. and The Safety Handle-Bar Co. He was educated at Towanda College and married Alice T. Brown in 1882, with whom he had three children. A member of the Masonic order and St. Marks Episcopal Church, Kelly also contributed to the field as a mechanic and inventor of several devices.
Biographical Sketch of William B. Ferguson
William B. Ferguson, born December 8, 1828, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, moved to Coles County, Illinois, in 1839. A farmer by trade, he owns 601 acres valued at $18,000. He married Fanny M. Hart on March 8, 1854, and they had eight children, although one, Mellissa, is deceased. Ferguson’s parents, William and Nancy, both lived until 1877. He has also served his community, holding various local office positions, including Supervisor and School Trustee.
Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Diantha F. Benefiel
Mrs. Diantha F. Benefiel, born April 22, 1823, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, is a prominent farmer in Coles County, having moved there in 1843. After marrying William N. Smith in 1844, she had six children, though George W. passed away in 1871. Following her first husband’s death in 1861, she married George W. Benefiel in 1868. A successful landowner, she possesses 320 acres and various properties valued around $30,000. Her first in-laws, Jerrad and Clarinda Smith, are both deceased.
Biography of Henry A. Westbrook
Henry A. Westbrook, born on June 20, 1848, in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, was a prominent early settler of Riverside. Initially a carpenter and builder, he worked in various locations, including Iowa and Chicago, before moving to California in 1876. In Riverside, he found success in both construction and horticulture, particularly with his extensive orange grove and vineyard. A progressive community member and Republican, he also contributed to local enterprises like the Riverside Water Company. Westbrook married Jane E. McDowell, with whom he had two daughters.
Saponi Tribe
The Saponi were an eastern Siouan tribe originally from North Carolina and Virginia, now extinct. Historically linked with the Tutelo, their language and culture showed strong similarities. The tribe faced conflicts with Virginia settlers and moved frequently to escape enemies, ultimately settling near Roanoke and later in North Carolina. By the mid-18th century, they allied with the Cayuga and were documented living in Pennsylvania and New York. The last historical mentions suggest a remnant existed with the Cayuga, after which their fate remains unknown.