Ada Bertha Dobkins, born on August 6, 1879, in Chetopa, Kansas, married Benona H. Durall on August 25, 1897. They had five children: Harold Robert, Hugh Allen, George Marvin, Ada Leah, and Charles Ivan. Harold served in the navy during World War I. A member of the Methodist Church and various orders, Mrs. Durall’s husband engaged in the insurance and loan business in Welch. Their family reflects a rich heritage of service and community involvement.
Dr. Allan Arthur Gilbert, born on May 26, 1890, in Burrton, Kansas, is a prominent internist based in St. Louis. He graduated from Washington University in 1914 and served in World War I as a captain in Base Hospital No. 21. Post-war, he specialized in internal medicine and has been actively involved in various medical societies and community service, including Red Cross work. Married in 1920, Dr. Gilbert is also a musician and supports Boy Scouts, reflecting his commitment to public welfare and education.
John P. Slaughter, born August 31, 1865, in Illinois, significantly shaped Kansas’s financial landscape as president of the Farm Mortgage Company, a leading firm specializing in farm mortgages. His career began at sixteen in his uncle’s office, eventually leading him to various banking positions before establishing the Farm Mortgage Company in Topeka. A Republican and Methodist, Slaughter was deeply involved in his community and family life, marrying Cora E. Flowers and raising three children. His father’s legacy as an influential farmer and Civil War veteran also marked Slaughter’s upbringing.
Colonel Lewis C. True, a notable soldier and lawyer, settled in Kansas after the Civil War, where he faced significant challenges as a farmer before turning to law. Admitted to practice in 1871, he became the county attorney of Labette County, staunchly enforcing Kansas’s prohibition laws despite backlash, including the burning of his home. A respected attorney in Kansas City, he served in various legal capacities until his retirement. Born in Illinois in 1842 and an active Republican, True championed prohibition and maintained his commitment to public service throughout his life.
William Paxton Hazen, a prominent Kansas banker and public figure, passed away on April 16, 1909, in Chetopa. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1858, he moved to Kansas in 1880, where he held key banking positions and served as assistant bank commissioner, overseeing 108 banks. A man of strong principles, Hazen was involved in political reform and community service. He was married to Addie Glass, a noted philanthropist, and they raised three accomplished children, each pursuing meaningful careers.
James M. Cavaness, a prominent figure in Kansas’s newspaper industry, traces his heritage to Ireland, with his family settling in North Carolina before moving to Indiana and then Kansas. Born in 1842, he was a pioneer in journalism, managing the Chanute Tribune after a lengthy tenure at the Chetopa Advance. An educator and postmaster, he also contributed to Kansas literature with several poetry collections. Cavaness’s legacy continues through his active involvement in journalism and literary pursuits, notably with his sons in the newspaper business.
Wilfrid Cavaness, born on November 24, 1875, in Chetopa, Kansas, had a notable career in journalism spanning over twenty years. He began working at the Chetopa Advance and later the Columbus Courier before becoming treasurer and manager of the Chanute Tribune in 1901. Under his management, the Tribune thrived as a significant Republican publication. Cavaness was actively involved in local organizations and also held interests in the oil industry. He married Wynona L. Stewart in 1908.
Lawrence Henry Molitor Jr., known as Hank, passed away on December 5 at the age of 72. Born on January 5, 1934, in Chetopa, Kansas, he later moved to Idaho, marrying Irene Humphreys in 1951. The couple raised their family in Oakridge and La Grande. Mr. Molitor retired from Eddie Bread Company in 1989 and enjoyed yodeling and karaoke. He is survived by his children, eight grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center.
Dr. Elmer E. Liggett (b. 1861, Marysville, Ohio) was a prominent physician and surgeon in Labette County, Kansas, where he practiced for over thirty years. Born into a family of Scottish descent, Liggett moved to Kansas as a child and pursued his medical education at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa, graduating in 1884. He further specialized in surgery at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and the New York Post-Graduate School. Dr. Liggett was highly regarded for his medical expertise and community involvement in Oswego, Kansas. He married Mary Parsons Maynard in 1887, with whom he had one daughter, Ruth Ellsworth.