W. L. Watson was born on December 22, 1837, in Vermilion County, Illinois. The son of itinerant preacher William D. Watson and Mary Low, he grew up primarily in Douglas County. After his father’s death in 1858, W. L. managed the family farm until enlisting in the Fifth Missouri Cavalry in 1862. He later re-enlisted in the Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry, serving until January 1866. Post-war, he returned to farming on the homestead, continuing the family legacy.
Stephen Redden, born on April 14, 1818, in Bracken County, Kentucky, migrated west with his family at age four. They settled in Indiana and later moved to Illinois, where he grew up working the land. Redden, who had no formal education, was married twice, first to Vashti Winkler, with whom he had no children, and later to Mary A. Tinkle. Known for his honesty, Redden died on April 17, 1897, at the age of seventy-nine, leaving a legacy of hard work and resilience.
James L. Reat, M. D., born on January 26, 1824, in Ohio, became a notable physician and surgeon in Illinois. His lineage traces back to Scottish ancestors who settled in America during the Revolutionary War. After his family relocated to Illinois, Dr. Reat received a collegiate education and graduated from Medical College in Cincinnati and Rush Medical College in Chicago. He served as a surgeon during the Civil War and later practiced in Tuscola, where he was active in community and educational initiatives. He married Sallie C. Callaway and had three children.
W. W. Pepper was born on May 24, 1866, on a farm near Newman, Illinois, as the eldest of seven children. He received his early education in Oakland and pursued higher studies at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, graduating in law in 1893. After moving to Newman in 1894, he quickly gained popularity, serving as city attorney amid a flourishing legal practice. Known for his determination and hard work, Pepper built a successful career based on his deep understanding of the law.
John M. Madison, a respected merchant and prominent citizen of Tuscola, passed away on July 13, 1896, at the age of 74. Born on May 6, 1823, in Kentucky, he married Jennie Rankin in 1851, with whom he had three children: Harry, Robert, and Fannie. After moving to Tuscola in 1860, he established a successful general store, known for his integrity and strong community ties. In his later years, he was cared for by his daughter, Mrs. Fannie Loose, ensuring his comfort.
Malden Jones, born in 1818 in Virginia, became a vital figure in Douglas County’s growth over sixty years. After relocating west in 1840, he began farming and later opened a general store, significantly contributing to the local economy. His political career included serving as sheriff and state senator. With humble beginnings, he amassed substantial land and a notable residence. Jones, married in 1880 and a father of eleven, was respected for his integrity and influence, remaining active in community affairs throughout his life.
Harrison Gill, born in June 1808, was a prominent early settler in what is now Douglas County, Illinois. His grandfather emigrated from Ireland to Virginia, and his father, Samuel, later settled in Kentucky, where he built Gills mills. After turning twenty-one, Gill traveled to Illinois to acquire land, marking the first formal entry in Douglas County in March 1830. A Union supporter during the Civil War, he served as sheriff of Bath County and was instrumental in recruiting the Twenty-fourth Kentucky Regiment.
Richard and Daniel Brown, natives of Kentucky, were born in the 1820s and have dedicated their lives to farming. They moved to Illinois in 1854, initially settling south of Charleston before relocating to Douglas County in 1856. Richard briefly served as Assessor and was married twice, raising five children. Daniel, married to Mary Morrison, has seven children. Both brothers own over 200 acres of land and are involved in farming, stock raising, and road grading, contributing to their community in Humboldt, Illinois.
Joseph Lewis Gibbs was born on April 29, 1864, in Mattoon, Illinois. He married Eliza Gourd on August 20, 1891, and they had two sons, Charles A. and Joseph Scott. Gibbs owned a notable curio store in the Southwest, specializing in American-made goods, coins, and Navajo blankets. Eliza was the daughter of John R. and Artemissa Gourd, with roots tracing back through prominent Cherokee lineage. Their son Charles A. married Augusta Griswold on April 22, 1920.
Edward Payson Allen, a prominent figure in Southern Kansas, passed away on November 27, 1915. A Civil War veteran and pioneer of Montgomery County, he held various public offices and managed one of the state’s largest banks. Born in 1843 in Kentucky, he moved to Kansas in 1870, where he embarked on a successful career in finance after early hardships as a farmer. Allen was known for his civic involvement, business acumen, and strong moral character, leaving a lasting impact on his community.
Jeremiah J. Wood, born in Martin County, Indiana, in 1837, is a prominent farmer and stockraiser recognized for his modern agricultural practices. He grew up in a large family and began his farming career at age twenty-three. Wood served in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, where he was slightly wounded. Married to Almeda Giffin, he had eleven children. After moving to Iowa and then to Missouri, he has improved several farms, maintaining his Republican beliefs and Christian faith.
Hon. Daniel A. McAlister is a highly regarded figure in the Grande Ronde valley and neighboring counties, known for his integrity and public service. Born on February 6, 1842, in Illinois, he migrated to the Pacific Coast and settled in the Grande Ronde valley, where he became a successful farmer and stock raiser. A prominent Democrat, McAlister served multiple terms in the state senate, consistently earning the support of his constituents. He married Nancy J. Moe, and they had ten children, six of whom are living.
George B. Balch, born in Bedford County, Tennessee, on November 1, 1828, was a farmer who also served as the Postmaster and agent for the G. M. R. R. in Larna. His parents, Alfred and Elizabeth Balch, settled in Pleasant Grove Township in 1830, where they lived until their deaths. George married Margaret S. Walker in 1851, and they had eleven children. He established the Larna post office, aiming to develop the area into a town, demonstrating his commitment to community growth.
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.
Ellsworth L. Burton, born April 30, 1868, in Mattoon, Illinois, was a prominent attorney and member of the Kansas Legislature in 1915-16. A descendant of early settlers, he moved to Kansas in 1870 with his father, George, a Union veteran. Educated locally, Burton became an attorney in 1890 and practiced law in various Kansas towns before settling in Parsons. Actively involved in local government and the Kansas State Bar Association, he was a Republican representative known for his work on several legislative committees. He married Abbie R. Thomas and had five children.
William Henry Craddock, born December 25, 1851, near Louisville, Kentucky, served as mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, from 1901 until his death on March 4, 1903. His passing, shortly after completing two years in office, was mourned by the entire city, highlighting his influence and dedication. A successful businessman and community leader, he founded the Craddock Mercantile Company and later the Western Realty Company. His political involvement included a candidacy for governor, and he was active in local Masonic and religious organizations, leaving a lasting legacy.
Elmer E. Glenn, born on November 11, 1874, in Mattoon, Illinois, learned blacksmithing at a young age before establishing a prosperous machine shop in Sedan, Kansas, specializing in oil well tool repairs. His family, of Scotch-Irish descent, moved to Kansas in 1886. Glenn’s father, J. R. Glenn, served in the Civil War and was an active community member. Elmer married Laura Wickham in 1893 and they had four children, contributing significantly to both their family and local community through various endeavors and support for public welfare initiatives.
Thomas Gray, born on March 9, 1854, in Crows Hill, New York, became a prominent stock raiser in Osage County, Kansas. The son of English immigrants, he built his success from modest beginnings through hard work and judicious decisions. After marrying Olive J. Lamond in 1881, he expanded his farmland to 400 acres, specializing in Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle. A Republican, he supported education, community development, and was active in local politics, while also contributing to church building and road improvements.
D. A. Bowman was born on December 5, 1845, in Perry County, Ohio. He married Sarah McCravy in 1867 and together they had three children. After moving to Illinois in his youth, he apprenticed as a blacksmith, served as a Regimental Fifer in the Civil War, and gained extensive experience through various positions in the trade. In 1869, he opened his own shop in Arcola, later moving to Humbolt, where he specialized in blacksmithing and wagon making, continuing to adapt his skills over his long career.