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.
This post presents 22 biographies from the 1883 “History of the State of Kansas,” focusing on prominent figures associated with Ford County. Located in the southwestern corner of Kansas, Ford County encompasses approximately 1,080 square miles. Its landscape consists of mostly level land, with substantial bottom-land along the Arkansas River. The area is notable for its limited timber and quality building stone. The county honors Col. James H. Ford of the Second Colorado Cavalry, reflecting its historical significance.
Chalkley M. Beeson, born in Ohio in 1848, embodies the transition from the Wild West to a settled Kansas. Having interacted with legendary figures such as Generals Custer and Sheridan, he eventually established himself as a successful farmer and legislator in Dodge City. Notably, he guided the Grand Duke Alexis on a famous buffalo hunt in 1872, showcasing his skills amid the excitement of the hunt. A talented violinist, Beeson also founded the renowned Cowboy Band of Dodge City, contributing to the cultural fabric of the West.
Charles Jeffreys Buckingham, born in Ohio in 1837, moved to Kansas in 1868, where he became a prominent farmer and stockraiser, eventually owning around 1,000 acres. Active in public life, he served as Leavenworth County treasurer. Buckingham married three times, with his second wife, Mahala Hughes Gatch, and his third, Melcena Odell. He retired to Topeka in 1912, leaving behind a legacy of agricultural success and public service, while his family roots trace back to early Southern Ohio pioneers.
William Edward Davis, born on July 14, 1875, in West Virginia, became the youngest state auditor in Kansas at the age of 35, elected in November 1910. Known for his efficient and economical administration, he significantly improved public expenditure scrutiny and resolved issues related to school land sales. Having moved to Kansas in 1896, he held various roles, including a traveling salesman and owner of the Globe-Republican newspaper. A member of the Elks and United Commercial Travelers, he married Ellen Mary Wiley in 1899 and has one son, William Edward Jr.
Samuel V. Mallory, a dedicated educator and current superintendent of the Morrill city schools, has a rich history in education across Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Born in Springfield, Illinois, in 1856, he graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1883. His career includes roles as principal and superintendent in various Kansas cities and significant contributions to Oklahoma’s educational system. Active in community and church affairs, Mallory is recognized for his efforts in improving Morrill’s school standards and for promoting it as an ideal place for child-rearing.
Herman Genthe, born in 1857 in Saxony, Germany, established the oldest continuously operated bakery in Topeka in 1887. A master baker, his skills were inherited from a lineage of millers. After migrating to America at age 24, he worked across various towns before settling in Topeka. Genthe is renowned for his high-quality rye bread, which gained a loyal customer base beyond the city. He married Barbara Rost and raised four children, with two actively involved in the family bakery and music.
James Wood, a pioneer of Kansas, was born in England in 1844 and moved to America at six, eventually settling in Riley County in 1857. He helped his father on the farm while also engaging in the freighting business, facing perilous encounters with Native Americans during the Civil War period. Transitioning to farming and stockraising, he became a successful landowner. Married in 1880 to Amelia Elizabeth Wood, they had several children. A modest, influential citizen, Wood was known for his support of capable leaders and community involvement.
William Granville Lee, born on November 29, 1859, in La Prairie, Illinois, was a prominent labor leader. He received his education in public schools and married Mary R. Rice in 1901. Lee’s early career included roles as a brakeman and conductor for several railways from 1879 to 1884, followed by service as deputy recorder of deeds in Kansas. He later became a conductor for the U.P. R.R. and served as president of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen from 1909, contributing significantly to labor movements.
Elmer Eugene Kelley, born September 13, 1861, in Warren County, Indiana, had a multifaceted career as an educator, farmer, and newspaper publisher in Kansas. He served as principal at several schools and was the county superintendent of instruction before becoming the head of the Toronto Republican in 1909. Kelley comes from a line of distinguished ancestors, including Revolutionary War veteran James Kelley. He married Lillie Sutton in 1882 and had six children, one of whom, Elmer Eugene Kelley Jr., followed in his footsteps in the newspaper business.
William Edward Talbott, aged 90, of La Grande, passed away on December 2. A funeral service is scheduled for December 8 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, with burial at Hillcrest East Cemetery. Born in Dodge City, Kansas, on December 17, 1915, he moved to La Grande as a child. Talbott worked as an electrician at Eastern Oregon University and was active in his community, sharing historical stories with children. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and several relatives.
Thomas W. Dryden, 95, passed away on January 2, 2003, in Baker City, Oregon. Born February 16, 1907, in Dodge City, Kansas, he lived in multiple states throughout his life before settling in Escondido, California. He worked on Matzen Ranches until his retirement. Dryden was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping and fishing. He is survived by his wife Doris, their daughter Mickie, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his daughter Betty Jo Willman and siblings. No funeral services were held per his wishes.
T. J. V. Clark, born on August 27, 1847, in Maryland, is a prominent figure in Yakima County, known for his contributions to the local economy through innovative agricultural practices and improved machinery. A Civil War veteran, he transitioned from military service to various entrepreneurial ventures, including ranching and railroad contracting. Clark’s influence extended into local politics, serving as mayor and representative in the territorial legislature. He is dedicated to fostering community growth and prosperity, while also being a family man with seven children.
M. R. Draper, born on February 23, 1850, in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been the manager of the Dodge City branch of the York, Parker Draper Mercantile Company since its establishment in 1881. The company, which has a surplus of $150,000 and employs twenty-five men, specializes in general merchandise and livestock. Draper moved to Kansas in 1865 and held various positions before managing the Dodge City location. He married Cora E. Collins in 1877, but she passed away in 1881.
Wright, Beverly & Co. began operations in 1877, specializing in men’s outfitting and general merchandise with an inventory valued at $40,000. The firm is led by R. M. Wright and H. M. Beverly. Beverly, originally from Virginia, entered the Kansas cattle trade in 1870 and served as a Second Lieutenant in the Confederate Army. He married Fannie C. Skiles in 1850, and they have seven surviving children. Beverly’s early career included work in Abilene, Ellsworth, Great Bend, and Dodge City.
George S. Emerson, born in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 18, 1844, settled in Kansas in 1869, engaging in the stock business and later in buffalo bone shipping. He opened a general merchandise store in Dodge City in 1880, starting with a $6,000 stock, which has since grown to $14,000, employing six clerks. He served two years on the City Council and married Annie Coffey in 1881, with whom he has one son, Waldo S. Emerson previously established a ranch in Clark County before leaving the stock business.
F. C. Zimmerman, a pioneer hardware dealer in Dodge City since 1872, expanded his initial stock of $3,000 in firearms to $15,000, employing three men in his business. Born in Prussia in 1833, he trained as a gunsmith in France before immigrating to the U.S. in 1863. Married to Matilda Messenger, he has two living children. A prominent community member, Zimmerman served on the county board and as County Treasurer, and is currently a County Commissioner. He resides on 240 acres west of Dodge City.
Herman J. Fringer, born in 1845 in Pennsylvania and raised in Ohio, arrived in Fort Dodge in 1867. Initially serving as a Quartermaster’s clerk, he opened a drug store in 1872 with a stock valued at $4,000. He held various public roles, including postmaster, County Clerk, and Probate Judge, with multiple terms in the latter position. Fringer was also a Notary Public and a member of the Knights Templar Lodge. His career reflects a commitment to both commerce and public service in Dodge City.