E. Chamberlin was born on November 18, 1821, in Windham County, Vermont, and later moved to Bureau County, Illinois, where he was raised on a farm. He became involved in the grocery business and was a pioneer settler in Northern Illinois. In 1867, he settled in Daviess County, becoming a prominent farmer. He married Elizabeth Boyd on September 29, 1842, and they raised six children together, contributing to the community’s development.
T. W. Swigart, born on July 3, 1831, in Maryland, was a prominent harness dealer and businessman in Newman and Douglas County. He honed his skills as a harness maker in Ohio before relocating to various states, ultimately settling in Newman in 1873. A well-respected figure, Swigart served as president of the town board and held various community positions. Known for his straightforwardness and integrity, he significantly contributed to the local economy while building a successful business and gaining the respect of the community.
Charles F. Little, M.D., a distinguished figure in Kansas medicine, began his practice in Manhattan in 1866 after training prior to the Civil War and serving as an assistant surgeon. He contributed significantly to the community, engaging in politics and business. Little, descended from a notable New England family, was a pioneer in early medical practices and a founding member of local institutions, including the First National Bank of Manhattan. His legacy continues through his daughter, Dr. B. Belle Little, a prominent physician and founder of a local hospital.
John R. Mulvane, a prominent figure in Kansas since 1868, served for nearly forty years as president of the Bank of Topeka and played a crucial role in the state’s financial and industrial sectors. Born in Ohio in 1835, Mulvane worked in various trades before moving to Topeka, where he became a key player in several enterprises, including the Topeka Water Company and the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company. A committed civic leader, he contributed to the American Bankers Association and local philanthropic efforts, while also nurturing his family’s legacy through adoption.
Thomas Mercer, born on March 11, 1813, in Ohio, became a prominent figure in Seattle, Washington. After moving to Illinois, he journeyed to Oregon in 1852, where he faced personal tragedy upon his wife’s death. Settling in Seattle in 1853, he transformed land into urban lots and was influential in naming local lakes. Mercer served as King County probate judge for a decade and was among its first commissioners. He married Hester Ward in 1859 and thrived in his prosperous later life in Seattle.
De Witt C. Tyler, M.D., born in Roscoe, Illinois, in 1850, is recognized as Clifton’s oldest physician after thirty-six years of dedicated service in Clay and Washington counties. Educated largely through self-effort, he graduated from Rush Medical College in 1881 and began his practice in Clifton later that year. Aside from his medical career, he was an active community member and held various properties. In 1885, he married Mary E. Edwards, and they had one son, Frank E., who pursued a successful legal career.
Robert E. Lawrence, born on December 17, 1847, in Canaan, Connecticut, was a key figure in the development of Wichita, Kansas. After moving west in 1869 with limited means, he pre-empted land and established himself as a successful farmer and cattle breeder. His ventures included importing Polled Angus cattle and operating a real estate business. Lawrence was politically active, serving in the State Legislature and local offices, while also contributing to educational institutions like Garfield University. He died on January 28, 1911, leaving a lasting legacy in Wichita.
John Warfield Ellis was born on August 28, 1877, in Princeton, Illinois. He pursued his education at Northwestern University and later married Mildred L. Furness in Cleveland on October 18, 1909. They had one son, born in 1911. Ellis became a prominent manufacturing chemist, serving as president and manager of Prescott Chemical Company and general manager of Chemical Supply Company. He was actively involved in various organizations, including Beta Theta Pi and several local clubs in Cleveland.
Joab Mulvane, born on November 19, 1837, in Ohio, emerged as a prominent figure in Kansas after relocating in 1876. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to various successful ventures, including railroads, streetcars, and telecommunications. A dedicated public servant, he served in the Kansas State Legislature and was pivotal in railroad development. Mulvane played key roles in several companies, including the Kansas Salt Company and the Edison Electric Light Company. His contributions to education and community welfare, along with his Republican political engagement, cemented his legacy in Kansas.
Hon. David Winfield Mulvane, born in Illinois in 1863, has significantly shaped Kansas and national Republican politics from his base in Topeka. A Yale graduate and prominent lawyer, Mulvane has been a key figure in the state’s legal and banking sectors, serving as senior partner at Mulvane and Gault. His political involvement spans decades, including long-standing roles on the Republican State Central and National Committees. Beyond politics, he is active in various associations and clubs, reflecting his deep community ties. Mulvane married Helen M. Drexel in 1906.
Frank E. Bodley, born on April 24, 1859, in Princeton, Illinois, emerged as a prominent banker in Chanute, Kansas. After starting his banking career at the Farmers State Bank in Quenemo, he became vice president of the Bank of Commerce in Chanute before leading the Peoples-Home State Bank as president. Established in 1906, the bank currently boasts significant capital and deposits. Bodley is recognized for his conservative financial policies and integrity, and he is also a family man, married to Laura Copple, with a son, Harold C., involved in banking.
Walter George Gibbons, born October 1, 1868, in Tiskilwa, Illinois, has been instrumental in the success of the Chestnut-Gibbons Grocery Company since 1908, emphasizing efficiency and strong trade connections. After moving to the Indian Territory in 1895, he established the wholesale business in 1902, later relocating to Muskogee. Gibbons has also been active in public service as a city council member and has contributed to various community organizations, including the Red Cross during World War I. He is well-regarded in his community for his dedication and service.
Thomas J. White, an esteemed lawyer in Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri, was born in England in 1842. He migrated to America in 1867, enduring hardships as a homesteader in Kansas. His career spanned from railway service and political secretary for Senator Ingalls to a successful legal practice focusing on real estate and tax law. A dedicated community member, he served on various boards and actively participated in church and Masonic activities. White’s lifelong interest in Kansas history was evidenced by his donation of a significant historical relic. He and his wife had four children and marked over fifty years of marriage.
Jasper Newton Wilkinson, born in Vinton County, Ohio, was a prominent Rotarian and dedicated advocate for youth as the state councilor of the Order of DeMolay for Boys. He established a successful career as a lumber dealer and banker, notably founding The Wilkinson Company and purchasing the Citizens Bank of Pryor, Oklahoma. An influential educator, he served as president of several Kansas State Normal Schools and the Kansas State Teachers Association. Wilkinson, married to Nellie Reynolds, is active in the Presbyterian Church and Masonic organizations.
Otis T. Dyer, born in 1844 in New York, played a pivotal role in Riverside’s development before 1890. After serving in the Civil War, he established a successful banking career in Illinois. In 1880, he moved to Riverside, founding Dyer Bros. Bank. His banking acumen led to the formation of the Riverside Banking Company, and he was crucial in the city’s incorporation and water supply management. A prominent community figure, Dyer was also involved in various enterprises and held strong ties to local fraternal organizations and churches. He resided in a beautifully landscaped home with his wife, Mary Weed, and their four children.
Charles McHugh, born on September 3, 1863, in Syracuse, New York, rose from humble beginnings to become a prominent figure in Rock Island’s business and social circles. After moving west with his family, he began his career as a bell-boy at the Harper House hotel, eventually becoming manager and co-owner. His business acumen led to successful expansions, including the acquisition of several hotels. Beyond hospitality, McHugh owns a ranch and farm, is involved in local banking, and supports community advancements, demonstrating his commitment to Rock Island’s progress. He is married with one daughter.
Stephen Henry Velie, born April 21, 1830, in New York, significantly contributed to Moline’s industrial prominence through his leadership in manufacturing, especially as secretary and treasurer of the Deere Company from its inception. His diverse business ventures included lumber, stone quarries, and railroads. A devoted family man, he married Emma C. Deere and had five children. Politically active as a Republican, Velie also supported the Congregational Church and various fraternal organizations. He was known for his fair treatment of labor and a congenial nature that endeared him to many.