Jewell County KS

Biographical Sketch of Fred Beeler

Fred Beeler stock dealer and farmer, P. O. Ionia, was born in Linn County, Iowa, January 15, 1844. He came to Jewell County, Kan., in April, 1870, and pre-empted and took a homestead sixteen miles southwest of Mankato. He is now the owner of 800 acres of land, and keeps 500 head of cattle, 725 hogs and 20 head of horses. He is also Director of the First National Bank of Cawker City, in Mitchell County. When Mr. Beeler settled in Jewell County it was necessary to watch as well as pray, as the settlers had to contend with the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Louis P. Vance

Louis P. Vance, of Mankato, Jewell County, Kan., was born at Goshen, Elkhart County, Ind., December 9, 1837; removed at four and a half years of age to Jefferson County, Iowa, with his parents; was a farmer till his twenty-second year; spent two years prior to the war of the Rebellion in the Colorado mining regions. Enlisted in the service of the United States in March, 1862, as a member of Company B, Thirty-fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry; was promoted from the ranks through the grades of non-commissioned and two of the commissioned offices of the line; was mustered out in … Read more

Biography of Joseph B. Blades, M. D.

Joseph B. Blades, M. D. For a period of twelve years the health and sanitation of Randall, Jewell County, had been safeguarded by the zeal and skill of Dr. Joseph Brewer Blades, whose entire professional career had been passed in this community. He is one of the men who have brought to their honored calling high scholarship, thorough training and equipment and a full realization of the importance and responsibility of their profession, and his professional associates and the public generally have been prompt to testify to his ability and to the value of his services in their midst. Joseph … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Wesley Virgil Griffitts

Wesley Virgil Griffitts is proprietor of the leading general mercantile business at Lovewell. His business experience began early in life, and the resources at his command have been the energy of his own character and such capital as he had acquired by thrifty management and hard work. Mr. Griffitts was born in Gentry County, Missouri, near Albany, April 13, 1879, and still had the promise of the best years of his life ahead of him. He is of Welsh and English descent and his family were early settlers in Kentucky. His father, Aaron Griffitts, was born in Hancock County, Illinois, … Read more

Biography of William H. Beam, Hon.

Hon. William H. Beam. The chief executive of the thriving little City of Esbon, in the western part of Jewell County, Hon. William H. Beam, is now serving his third term in the office of mayor. Prior to his first election he had demonstrated to the citizens of this community his ability and resource as a business man, and he was chosen to lead the city government with the trust that he would place the city upon a sound financial standing. This faith had been vindicated in every way and during his three administrations Esbon had benefited materially by improvements … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Reede

George W. Reede was born in Madison County, N. Y., and January 28, 1857. Received an academic education and graduated at the Albany (N. Y.) law school. Practiced his profession for a short time in his native State, removing to Salem, Kansas, in 1880, and in 1882 joined Mr. Moore in the publication of the Chronicle.

Biography of Robert Wilson Turner, Hon.

Hon. Robert W. Turner. One of the most distinguished citizens of Kansas, Hon. Robert Wilson Turner had been a prominent practitioner of the Mankato and Jewell county bar for more than a quarter of a century, and during this time, as well as prior thereto, a leading figure in public life. His public service had been of great practical value not alone to his community, but to the state and the country, and while his fearless independence, both of speech and politieal action, had at times brought him into conflict with other state and national leaders, it had decidedly raised … Read more

Biography of Edward Grauerholz

Edward Grauerholz. On the official record of citizens who have served the community of Esbon in public capacities involving the discharge of duties of responsibility and trust the name of Edward Grauerholz frequently appears. He had been a member of the city council for several years and had also served in the position of city clerk, and since January, 1916, had had charge of the mail service of this locality, having been appointed at that time postmaster of Esbon. He had been a resident of this locality for a decade, and prior to giving the greator part of his time … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles S. Vaughn

Charles S. Vaughn, editor, was born in Medina, Ohio, September 18, 1815. He received an academic education in his native town. In the spring of 1863 he joined Battery F, Fourteenth New York Artillery. Was in the army of the Potomac under Burnside. He was captured at the battle of Weldon Railroad, and confined as a prisoner of war for four months at Pemberton, Libby and Belleville prisons. He was recaptured at Fort Steadman, but was held only six days. After the war he engaged in the stock business in Wisconsin. In 1873 came West and homesteaded in Jewell County, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. S. Chapman

W. S. Chapman, of the firm of W. S. Chapman & Co, merchants, was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, October 17, 1847; enlisted in Company F, Sixteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and remained until the close of the war. He came to Belleville, Republic County, Kan., in 1872, and engaged in merchandising; and in 1874 started a branch store in Mankato, Jewell County. Mr. Chapman came to Mankato and erected a business building 23×60 feet, with a wareroom 16×60 foot, and now carries a stock of from $10,000 to $12,000. The firm own 960 acres of land in Jewell County, 500 … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Green

J. W. Green, furniture dealer, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, November 21, 1844. Moved to Iowa in 1868; came to Jewell County, Kan., in the fall of 1873, and took a homestead five miles northwest of Burr Oak, and is now the owner of 280 acres of land. He went into the furniture business in Burr Oak in 1881, under the firm name of Green & Carpenter. He held the office of school clerk and trustee of Burr Oak Township for three years. Took United States census for the one hundred and twenty-third sub-district of third district of Kansas … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. J. Godfrey

A. J. Godfrey, druggist and grocer, was born in Kent County Mich., April 15, 1840. Removed with his parents to Indiana in 1841. Enlisted in the United States Army in Company B, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, May 28, 1861, and was discharged August 12, 1865, when he returned to Noble County, Ind., and was married to Miss Sarah Gilbert, January 18, 1866. Removed to Iowa in 1868. Came to Jewell County, Kan., in August 1870, and took a homestead, a part of which is the town site of Burr Oak. In the fall of 1872 Mr. Godfrey caused the said … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. G. S. Christ

Dr. G. S. Christ, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., October 31, 1839; removed to Illinois, thence to Jewell County, Kan., October 1, 1870, and engaged in the practice of his profession; also took a homestead, and now owns the same. Attended the Medical department of the State University of Pennsylvania, located at Philadelphia. And graduated in 1866. Is a member of the Odd Fellows, K. of P. and P. O. S. of A. lodges. In the Odd Fellows Lodge he has held office of Past Grand, in the Masonic, Senior Warden, and in K. of P., High Worthy Chancellor. … Read more

Biography of I. A. Robertson

I. A. Robertson has been an increasing factor in mercantile affairs at Alma for a number of years, and was recently honored by the citizens of that town in election to the office of mayor. The Robertsons were pioneers in Jewell County, Kansas, where I. A. Robertson was born in Holmwood Township July 29, 1872. He is of Scotch ancestry, his forefathers having originally lived at Glasgow. They came to New York City and from there to Butler County, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Thomas Robertson, brought this branch of the family to America. He was a pattern maker by trade and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J.C. and J. E. Baggott

J. E. and J. C. Baggott, farmers, P. O. Ionia. J. E. was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1852. Came to Doniphan County, Kan., in 1869, and to Jewell County in 1873, and took a homestead ten miles southwest of Mankato, and the three Baggott brothers own 1,080 acres of land. J. C. was born in Pennsylvania, May 28, 1855. Came to Kansas at the same time his brother, J. E., came. The brothers have made most of their money by their diligent efforts, and are bound to be among the rich men of Western Kansas.

Biography of Charles M. Hendricks

Charles M. Hendricks came to Jewell County about thirty-three years ago in the role of a farm renter, and had made practically all his substantial success out of the fruits of Kansas agriculture and his capable business experience. He is now a banker and active citizen at Webber. Mr. Hendricks was born at Rochester, New York, January 8, 1861. His father, Lawrence Hendricks, was born in Ireland in 1836 and came to this country when eleven years of age. At Rochester, New York, he followed farming and railroad work, and from there went to Michigan and was engaged in farming … Read more

Biography of Henry R. Honey

Henry R. Honey. A pioneer of North Central Kansas, where be had resided for more than fifty-three years, Henry R. Honey had watched and participated in its growth and development from Indian days and had been variously identified with the movements and institutions which have brought about advanced civilization and the establishment of conditions that make this one of the most prosperous and enlightened sectione of the country. He had been connected prominently with business and finansial affairs, but more partienlarly with journalistic work, and for over two decades had been publisher and proprietor of the Western Advocate, the leading … Read more

Caton, Ruth Viola Callahan Mrs. – Obituary

La Grande, Oregon Ruth Viola Caton, 96, of La Grande, died Oct. 29, 2001, at the Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande. There will be a private family service. Mrs. Caton was born on June 11, 1905, to William and Hulda A. Stephens Callahan at Burr Oak, Kan. She married Glenn L. Caton on Nov. 21, 1948, in Montana. Mrs. Caton enjoyed traveling in her RV and spent winters in Arizona. She also spent time doing yard work and enjoyed shopping. Special times were spent with her grandchildren. She was an apartment manager at Tigard where she lived. She moved … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F. A. Baughman

F. A. Baughman, furniture, was born in Mahaska County, Iowa, February 18, 1853; removed to Cawker City, Mitchell County, Kan., in 1878, and engaged in the furniture business. Later he came to Mankato, Jewell County, and erected a building 25×50 feet, and stocked the same with furniture. Mr. Baughman is a young man, and full of energy and enterprise; he has been compelled to do for himself and make his own start in the world. He now carries a good stock of goods. Is a member of the masonic fraternity. Was married in Story County, Iowa, June 13, 1877, to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of S. C. Bowles

S. C. Bowles, Commercial Hotel, was born in Kentucky, April 15, 1842. In 1865 moved to Chicago, Ill., where he remained until 1867, when he again made a move, this time to Nebraska. Came to Jewell County, Kan., in 1870. In 1876 he built the Commercial Hotel of Mankato, a building 34×60 feet, two and a half stories high. The house is first-class in every particular, and the landlord understands how to run a hotel. Was married in Pottawatomie County, Iowa, May 3, 1868, to Miss Louisa Marshall.