Jasper County MO

Biography of John Thomas Sims

John Thomas Sims, who many years ago secured prestige as one of the most forcible lawyers of the Kansas City, Kansas, bar and is now serving as judge of the Probate Court of Wyandotte County has had his share of the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. His early life was one of hard and continuous work, often ill repaid, and again and again overtaken with calamity or disaster. He tried farming in the early days of Kansas, and various other occupations, and again and again when prosperity seemed to smile upon him he was put back at the beginning … Read more

Biography of Samuel Aaron Kenoyer

Samuel Aaron Kenoyer, a prominent real estate operator of Miami, has won a substantial, measure of success through the capable management of his business affairs and has also aided materially in improving and developing his city, being recognized as a most progressive and public-spirited citizen. He was born in Kentland, Newton county, Indiana, September 30, 1873, of the marriage of James and Nancy Jane Kenoyer, the former also born in that county, while the latter was likewise a native of the Hoosier state. For a time the father engaged in farming and he afterward turned his attention to the carpenter’s … Read more

Biography of Frank William Davis

Frank William Davis. One of the best known among the real estate and insurance men of Fort Scott, is Frank William Davis, who, still a young man, has already gained an enviable position in business circles. A peculiar and particular genius is necessary to the man who would acquire success in the real estate and insurance field. The business is identical with no other, and many men who have risen to prominence in other lines have scored naught but failures when they have entered this field. Mr. Davis, however, possesses the qualities of acumen, a pleasing personality and a knowledge … Read more

Biography of R. F. Buller

In modern ages, and to a large extent in the past, banks have constituted a vital part of organized society, and governments, both monarchical and popular, have depended upon them for material aid in times of depression and trouble. Their influence has extended over the entire world and their prosperity has been the barometer which was unfalteringly indicated the financial status of all nations. Of this important branch of business R. F. Buller is a worthy representative. In April 1892, he came to Hailey, and is now president of the First National Bank, which has become one of the leading … Read more

Cloud, Carl Wesley – Obituary

Carl Wesley Cloud, a longtime resident and businessman of Baker City, passed away Feb. 12, 1992 at St. Elizabeth health Care Center. He was born February 22, 1900 in Carterville, Missouri. As a teenager, he moved with his parents William Lee and Myrtle E. Cloud to Pine Valley and Baker City where he received his schooling. He learned the barbering trade at Portland Barber College, in Portland, Oregon. Upon his return to Eastern Oregon, he worked at his trade in Sumpter, Haines, and Baker. He owned and operated the first barber shop in the Baker Hotel when it was completed … Read more

Biography of Clark Nichols

Clark Nichols, attorney at law in Eufaula and a member of the State senate from McIntosh, Muskogee and Haskell counties, was born in Elk County, Kansas, on the 16th of November, 1880, a son of John A. and Mary C. (Conover) Nichols, both natives of Illinois. The father removed to Kansas at an early age and acquiring land in Elk County, farmed there until 1889, in which year he, removed to Joplin, Missouri. There he engaged in mining but in 1911 he disposed of his interests and came to Hanna, Oklahoma. He bought land near here, which he still operates. … Read more

Biography of Alfred H. Purdy

ALFRED H. PURDY. Among the enterprising and successful produce merchants of Billings, Missouri, Alfred H. Purdy holds a prominent position. He has been in business in this city since 1880, has developed a permanent patronage, and his house is one of the creditable monuments to the business circles of this place. He came originally from south Illinois, born December 28, 1857, to the union of Henry I. and Mary (Varnum) Purdy. Our subject passed his boyhood and youth in his native county, and in addition to a common-school education attended college at Carbondale, where he was thoroughly educated. For a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Rogers

(See Grant and Downing)-Thomas Lewis, son of Thomas Lewis and Nancy C. (Martin) Rogers, was born near Pawhuska, September 2, 1885. He was educated in that city. He married in 1917 at Joplin, Missouri, Bessie Barrett. He is the father of Thomas Lewis, born July 28, 1911; and Nancy Rogers, born April 24, 1914. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Christian church, and a merchant at Pawhuska.

Biography of J. O. Crane

Among the popular and efficient public officials of Washington county is numbered J. O. Crane, who since 1914 has capably filled the office of county surveyor of Washington county. He is a native of Kansas, his birth having occurred in a log cabin in Labette county. His paternal grandfather, William Crane, successfully followed agricultural pursuits in Illinois, becoming the owner of large property holdings in that state. His son, J. H. Crane, was a native of Illinois and followed the trades of painting and wagon making in that state. In 1854 he left Decatur, Illinois, and journeyed across the plains … Read more

Biography of Charles A. Looney

Charles A. Looney, editor and general manager of the Muskogee Times-Democrat, with which he has been identified for more than two decades, is a well known and influential factor in journalistic circles of northeastern Oklahoma. His birth occurred in Shelbyville, Missouri, on the 27th of April, 1877, his parents being William Thomas and Annie B. Looney. After acquiring his preliminary education he pursued a course of study in the high school at Eldorado Springs, Missouri, and subsequently entered the University of Missouri, thus being well qualified by liberal educational training for life’s practical and responsible duties. When his textbooks were … Read more

Bowers, John T. – Obituary

Bridgeport, Baker County, Oregon Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Christian Church for John T. Bowers of Bidgeport, who died Monday evening in St. Elizabeth hospital after an extended illness. A native of Jasper County, Missouri, Bowers was the son of Samuel and Anna Bowers. He came to Eastern Oregon between 1905 and 1910 and moved to Baker County in 1930 where he had lived the rest of his life. Bowers was a machinist by trade and worked on the railroads for a time. He worked on locomotives for the Union Pacific Railroad and was an … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Hardin Weathers

One of the men who have wrought for the welfare of Wallowa county, as well as doing worthy enterprise for his advancement in the world of industry, is named at the head of this article, and we wish to mention that he is held in the esteem and confidence of his fellows, which his abilities and excellent moral qualities have given him both a prestige and standing that are enviable. William H. was born in Jasper County, Missouri, on August 15, 1849, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Selinger) Weathers. When he was five years of age he was … Read more

Biography of Washington Grayson

Washington Grayson, prominently identified with the tribal government of the Creek Nation and closely associated with many public interests of importance to community and state, makes his home in Eufaula, where he is held in high respect and honor by all who know him. Mr. Grayson was born at Eufaula, Oklahoma, on the 15th of May, 1882, and is a son of George W. and Annie (Stidham) Grayson, both of whom are half-blood Creeks. The former was reared in and near Eufaula and was closely associated with public events in that section of Oklahoma then a part of the Indian … Read more

Slave Narrative of Aunt Adeline

“I was born a slave about 1848, in Hickmon County, Tennessee,” said Aunt Adeline who lives as care taker in a house at 101 Rock Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas, which is owned by the Blakely-Hudgens estate. Aunt Adeline has been a slave and a servant in five generations of the Parks family. Her mother, Liza, with a group of five Negroes, was sold into slavery to John P.A. Parks, in Tennessee, about 1840. “When my mother’s master come to Arkansas about 1849, looking for a country residence, he bought what was known as the old Kidd place on the Old Wire … Read more

Biography of Oscar Maxel Yount

Oscar Maxel Yount. The person of this sketch, Oscar Maxel Yount, is perhaps the most wonderful example, everything being taken into consideration, of what a determined will-power can accomplish that the Sunflower State had ever produced. He had been a lawyer and engaged in the active practice of his profession since June 22, 1905. He is a native son of Kansas, and the work he had done in his profession and in civic affairs had brought him a place of special esteem throughout the state and especially in his home community of Galena. He was not born with a “silver … Read more

Biography of Samuel W. Dunlavy, M. D.

Samuel W. Dunlavy, M. D. Of the sons of the Hawkeye State who have gained professional eminence and success in Kansas, Dr. Samuel W. Dunlavy, of Cherryvale, is a representative of the medical fraternity. Coming to this city in 1908, he had built up an important and extensive practice, and through the display of a constantly-increasing ability had won the confidence of the public and the esteem of his fellow practitioners. Doctor Dunlavy is a worthy son of a distinguished father and was born at Stiles, Iowa, August 31, 1873, his parents being Dr. James and Letitia (Von Natison) Dunlavy. … Read more

Biography of Charles South

Charles South. The oil industry in the Mid-Continent field of Kansas had an able representative in the person of Charles South, of Chanute, who had been producing in this field since 1903. Like many of the men interested in the business here, Mr. South had his introduction to oil production in the Pennsylvania fields, and when he arrived in Kansas had a number of years of experience back of him to assist him in his enterprises. Mr. South was born near the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1864, and is a son of John and Vilinda (Everly) South. He … Read more

Biography of Julius Weiss

Julius Weiss. Recently the Topeka Daily Capital had an illustration on one of its pages showing a banquet table surrounded by a group of some of the best known and most prominent veteran business men of Topeka. Underneath was a text explaining the occasion. A part of this reads as follows: “Fifty years at the old stand, forty-seven years at the same number and still an active business man. That is something of a distinction. March 1, 1866, Julius Weiss, a young captain of calvary who had served all through the Civil war in an Illinois regiment, opened a grocery … Read more

Biography of Oliver W. Sparks

Oliver W. Sparks. In a greater degree than is true of most towns the City of Galena is the result of the enterprise of a comparatively small group of men. Oliver W. Sparks came along and discovered zinc and lead on the Schermerhorn farm. That marked the opening chapter in the industrial history of one of the most progressive mining towns of Southeastern Kansas. After his first strike Mr. Sparks opened up other mineral deposits on the Maston land, later on the Bunco farm, and now for many years he had been continuously operating in that vicinity. Today he is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Ray N. Skinner

(See Downing and Duncan)-Jemima Winnie Davis, daughter of Robert Ray and Cynthia Jane (Horn) Taylor was born Tuesday, February 12, 1898. Educated at Willie Halsell College and Sacred Heart Institute, Vinita. Married at Carthage, Missouri, August 25, 1913, Ray Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel and Nannie (Kell) Skinner, born September 28, 1884, in Vinita. They are the parents of Gay Nell Skinner, born March 1, 1914 in Phoenix, Arizona. Nannie, daughter of Lewis Ross and Sarah (Chambers) Kell was born January 28, 1861. Married in March 1879 Nathanial Skinner, born April 8, 1851 in Harrison County, Kentucky. She died January 28, … Read more