Ford County KS

Biographical Sketch of Leidhigh, J. M.

J. M. Leidigh, co-founder of T. F. Leidigh & Co., began his general merchandise business in Spear Ville in April 1878, initially with a stock of $1,800, which grew to an average of $10,000 by the time of the store’s establishment in 1881. Born on December 14, 1842, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, he served in the Civil War and was wounded twice. He moved to Kansas in 1870, initially working in lumber before focusing on stock raising. Leidigh was married in 1865 and had four children.

Biography of Frost, D.M.

D. M. Frost, born in Pennsylvania in 1846, is known as the editor and proprietor of the Ford County Globe, established in Dodge City, Kansas, in 1887. The newspaper focuses on livestock interests and serves as the official organ for the Western Kansas Stock-Growers Association. Frost’s diverse career includes roles in mercantile business, education, and law, as well as serving as a postmaster and a state representative. He married Alma H. Hagaman and has two children.

Gaede, Baker & Co.

Gaede, Baker & Co. is a general dealer in fancy dry goods, clothing, and livestock, established on January 1, 1882, with a stock valued at $6,000 and one clerk. The firm comprises Richard Gaede, H. C. Baker, and S. H. Fields. H. C. Baker, who moved to Dodge City the same year, has a background in mercantile work, having previously been involved in businesses in Nebraska and Missouri. He is married to Bertha Renner and has two daughters, Nellie and Zora.

Biographical Sketch of Galland, S., Dr.

Dr. S. Galland, born May 11, 1822, in Posen, Prussia, graduated from Berlin’s medical school in 1847. After practicing in Germany and various U.S. cities, he settled in Dodge City, Kansas, in 1870, where he continued his medical practice until 1878. Galland also ran a hotel for six years and served in local government roles. He married Bertha Leon in 1858 and was involved in the Masonic order. He retired from active practice after a distinguished career in medicine.

Biographical Sketch of Jarrett, G.B., Dr.

Dr. G. B. Jarrett, born in 1846 in Pittsburg, Pa., began his medical career after graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1870. He practiced in St. Louis for a year before spending seven years in California. In 1882, he settled in Dodge City, Kan. Jarrett married Almina C. Kimball in 1877, and they have one daughter, Grace. Known for his practical approach, he garnered respect in the community, encouraging residents to seek his medical services.

Biographical Sketch of Jones, B.A.

B. A. Jones, born in 1842 in Clark County, Ohio, became a significant figure in Kansas after moving there in 1878. He served in the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, where he was wounded. After the war, he transitioned to clerking in various roles, eventually working for F. C. Zimmerman. Elected Register of Deeds in 1881, he is also a devoted Masonic member. Jones married Mary E. Nye in 1868, and they have two children, Harold N. and Clara M.

Biographical Sketch of Klaine, N.B.

N.B. Klaine, born February 5, 1839, in Bordentown, New Jersey, became editor and proprietor of the Dodge City Times in 1877, shortly after arriving in Dodge City. He served in the Civil War as a Second Lieutenant and later published the Warrensburg Standard in Missouri. His civic roles included City Clerk, State Legislator, and various positions in Dodge City and Ford County, Kansas. He also managed the Dodge City post office from 1883 and was married to Julia Kinkaid.

Biographical Sketch of McCarty, T.L., Dr.

Dr. T. L. McCarty, a physician and surgeon, established his practice in Dodge City, Kansas, in 1872 and entered the drug trade in 1877 with a stock valued at $3,000. Born in 1848 in Tuscola, Illinois, he graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1870. Previously practicing in St. Louis, he is married to S. L. Artt and has one son. An active community member, he has served as County Physician, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and railroad surgeon.

Oliver March & Co.,

Oliver March & Co. operates the Dodge City Steam Flouring Mills, established in 1879 at a cost of $20,000. The wooden structure spans three stories and produces 15,000 pounds of flour per day, employing four men. Oliver Marsh and his son took ownership in 1882. Marsh’s journey began in 1857 with a hotel in Kansas and included roles as an Indian trader and in wholesale grocery before settling in Dodge City. He was born in Ohio in 1826 and married Clarissa A. Smiley in 1852, with whom he had four children.

Biographical Sketch of Sitler, H.L.

H.L. Sitler, born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, on August 24, 1827, moved to Dodge City, Kansas, in 1868, where he initially worked in freighting and contracting until 1876. He then entered the stock business until 1882 and became a stockholder in the Dodge City Bank. A Civil War veteran, Sitler served in the Second Pennsylvania Cavalry and endured five months as a prisoner of war. He contributed to the organization of Dodge City in 1872 and married Emma Harper in 1875. He retired from business in 1882.

Biographical Sketch of Spencer, W.J.

W. J. Spencer, born in Ireland in 1840, immigrated to Quebec in 1843 before moving to the United States in 1856. He served as a private in the Second Colorado Cavalry during the Civil War, contributing to the establishment of Fort Dodge and participating in various battles. After his military service, he engaged in freighting and held clerk positions at Fort Larned and Fort Dodge. Spencer settled in Dodge City and became involved in mercantile activities. He married C. M. Kelley in 1871 and had six children.

Biographical Sketch of Anthony, A.J.

A.J. Anthony, a stock-raiser born in Virginia in 1830, arrived in Lawrence in 1857 and worked in staging until 1863. He then served as conductor on the Southern Overland Stage Line until 1867, before operating a ranch near Dodge City. Later, he ran a sutler business until 1874, after which he focused on livestock. Married in 1872, he had five children. Anthony was instrumental in establishing Ford County and Dodge City, serving as the first County Treasurer and three terms as County Commissioner.

Biographical Sketch of Sturm, Henry

Henry Sturm, born in Germany in 1837 and immigrating to America in 1851, established himself as a prominent dealer in liquors, owning a soda factory and a billiard parlor in Junction City, Kansas. His investments include a $2,000 building, significant stock in Schlitz beer, and two icehouses with a combined storage of 400 tons of ice. Sturm, who served in government before his business ventures, married Ragena Bug in 1878 and has two children. He has held the position of Township Treasurer and is affiliated with the I.O.O.F.

Biographical Sketch of Beamer, P.W.

P. W. Beamer, born on March 12, 1846, in Jackson, Ohio, was a skilled blacksmith and wagon maker. After moving to Illinois, he enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861, serving under notable generals until his discharge as First Sergeant in 1865. Beamer later moved to Colorado for mining before returning to Illinois for plow making. He relocated to Kansas in 1879, engaging in agriculture and business. He was an active member of several fraternal organizations, including the Masonic fraternity.

Biographical Sketch of Sutton, M.W.

M. W. Sutton, an attorney with the firm Sutton & Wenie, began his law career in Wellington, Kansas, in 1872. He later practiced in Medicine Lodge before permanently settling in Dodge City. Sutton served as County Attorney for both Barber and Ford Counties and was born in Orange County, New York, in 1848. A Civil War veteran, he enlisted in 1863 and participated in key battles. He married Florence E. Clemons in 1879 and has one son, Stewart C. Sutton is also affiliated with Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges.

Biographical Sketch of Cox, George B.

George B. Cox arrived in Larned, Kansas, in 1872, where he opened a hotel before moving to Dodge City to build The Dodge House, which opened in January 1873. Born in Butts County, Georgia, in 1836, he served in the Fourth Georgia Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. After the war, he settled in Kansas and married Annie H. Bennett in 1871, with whom he had a daughter. Cox held various civic positions, including Probate Judge of Ford County and member of the City Council.

Biographical Sketch of Wenie, Frederick T.M.

Frederick T. M. Wenie, born in Oneida County, N.Y., in 1859, moved to Dodge City, Kansas, in 1879. Initially a clerk at Fort Dodge, he later studied law with M. W. Sutton and was admitted to the bar in 1882. Wenie was appointed City Attorney in 1883 and is a partner at Sutton Wenie, practicing law while also engaging in insurance, real estate, and collections. He gained early experience working as a clerk for his father, a First Lieutenant in the army.