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.
Mamie Tucker, born on March 8, 1868, in Johnson County, Kansas, married David B. Matney on May 1, 1887. They had two sons: Albert J., who passed away in 1915, and Lewis Franklin, born in 1889. Lewis married Bessie Roberts in 1919 and served in World War I. The Matney family lived in Vinita, Oklahoma, where David worked as a farmer. The couple’s lineage continued through their grandchildren, Albert Eugene and Geneva Matney.
Alexander P. Riddle, born on August 16, 1846, in Pennsylvania, became a notable figure in Ottawa County as a newspaper editor and political leader. He began his career as a printer before moving to Kansas in 1869. Riddle owned the Minneapolis Messenger and was involved in local and state politics, serving as journal clerk of the State Senate, a legislator, and lieutenant governor. He was active in fraternal organizations, notably the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows, where he held significant leadership positions.
Colonel John T. Burris, born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1828, grew up in Kentucky before moving to Iowa in 1847. He served in the Mexican War, became a farmer, and opened a hotel in Fredonia. After studying law and gaining admission to the bar, he was elected judge and played a key role in the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention. Burris served as a lieutenant colonel in the Civil War, later returning to Olathe to practice law and engage in public service, including roles in the Kansas Legislature and judiciary.
Lucy Daugherty Smith, born in Johnson County, Kansas, on August 27, 1859, married W. F. Smith on February 22, 1876. They had five children: Hattie Jane, Lucy F., William L., Louis E., who served in the military, and David C. The Smith family is engaged in farming near Adair, contributing to their community.
Maj. James B. Abbott, born December 3, 1818, in Connecticut, was a significant figure in the early days of Lawrence and a prominent leader in the free state movement. Arriving in Lawrence in 1854, he established a key meeting place for free state supporters and played a vital role in procuring arms for their cause. Abbott fought in several critical battles, served in the first Kansas Legislature, and was appointed as the Shawnee Indian agent. He died on March 2, 1879, leaving a legacy as a dedicated public servant and historical figure.
Joel K. Goodin, born in Ohio in 1824, emerged as a prominent lawyer and free-state advocate after relocating to Kansas in 1854. He participated in key events such as the Big Springs convention and served in various legislative roles, notably as clerk and secretary in the early free-state government. Goodin practiced law in Douglas County before moving to Ottawa, where he later represented Franklin County in the Legislature. He played a significant role in establishing the State School for the Deaf before his death in 1894.
George W. Cawlfield, born on October 21, 1870, in Kansas, is a notable figure in Harney County’s stock business. The son of David A. and Abigil Cawlfield, he moved with his family to Colorado and later to Oregon, where they engaged in cattle raising. George married Hattie Bunyard in 1897 and has two daughters. He established a homestead north of the Narrows and has built a successful partnership with his father in cattle raising, overcoming modest beginnings to achieve prosperity through hard work and sound management.
David M. James, born in 1833 in Henry County, Kentucky, is a prominent figure in West Plains, Missouri, known for his well-regarded livery stable. He was raised in Jeffersonville and had a diverse career, including work in store clerkship, confectionery, and mining across various states. After marrying Mariah J. Morris in 1868, he farmed in Clay County until relocating to West Plains in 1881, where he established his livery business. A respected and active community member, he is associated with the K. of P. lodge.
Dr. David C. Stahlman, born on January 10, 1867, in Indiana, has been a dedicated physician in Potwin, Kansas, since 1900, apart from a brief period in New Mexico. His journey to medicine began after overcoming financial hardships, where he worked various jobs to attend medical school. He has established a successful practice and is well-respected in his community, serving as the sole physician in Potwin. Active in local organizations and the Methodist Episcopal Church, he is also a family man, married with four children.
Jesse B. Horn, a native Kansan, currently serves as the superintendent of Oneida city schools in Nemaha County. Born on March 4, 1880, he graduated from Olathe High School in 1898 and gained extensive experience in various teaching roles, including principal positions in Johnson County. Horn, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Literature and is actively involved in community organizations, married Nell K. Riley in 1910. Together they have three children: Donald R., Anna Lois, and William. His family’s roots trace back to Germany, with notable pioneers in Kansas.
Alphius Lamont Hamilton, born on March 4, 1850, in Pennsylvania, has dedicated 45 years to law, public office, and civic engagement in El Dorado, Kansas. A prominent figure in the Kansas bar, he established a successful legal practice after studying under notable figures. His ancestry includes members who served in key American conflicts, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to public service. Hamilton has also been active in the Republican Party, serving as Butler County attorney and briefly as a district judge, prioritizing his career as a lawyer.
Henry H. Daniels, born December 19, 1874, on a farm near Olathe, Kansas, rose from humble beginnings to become president of the Armourdale State Bank in Kansas City, a position he has held since 1913. A descendant of Irish immigrants, Daniels was educated locally and began his career as a bookkeeper. Over his tenure at the bank, he significantly increased its capital and deposits. Actively engaged in community service, he is known for his contributions to local organizations and remains devoted to his Catholic faith and family.
Horatio W. Gates, a prominent undertaker and embalmer in Kansas, is noted for founding the Kansas Funeral Directors Association and having the first embalmer’s license in the state. Born in Ohio in 1849, he moved to Kansas in 1870, where he established a successful business in Rosedale. His wife, a pioneer in her own right, was the first woman licensed in Kansas and Missouri. Their professional and personal lives were marked by community service, political engagement, and family ties, reflecting their commitment to both their profession and local values.
Peter Calvin Croco, born May 17, 1853, in Ohio, moved to Kansas in 1876, where he became an influential agricultural figure known for his modern farming practices on his 155-acre property in Tecumseh Township. His family’s lineage includes a great-grandfather who served in various armies, eventually siding with American patriots during the Revolutionary War. Croco’s father was a notable anti-slavery advocate involved in the Underground Railroad and faced violent opposition. Peter Calvin Croco, well-educated and community-oriented, engaged in local politics and supported charitable causes throughout his life.
Francis Joseph Scherman, born on November 6, 1872, in Johnson County, Kansas, is a prominent figure in Shawnee County’s agricultural community and a member of the Kansas bar. Following a successful career in agriculture and stock raising near Topeka, he became known for breeding renowned horses, including Auron McGregor. Scherman has been actively involved in public affairs and is a candidate for the Kansas State Legislature. He married Lois Brady Wolfe in 1905, and they have three children: Francis, Paul, and Isabel.
Leslie A. Breed, born December 11, 1855, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, relocated to various counties before settling in Jewell County, Kansas, in 1873, where he acquired 320 acres of land. He and his father manage a farm with 60 cattle and 120 hogs. Leslie served as Township Clerk for four years and married Elizabeth Morgan on December 4, 1879, in Jewell County, with whom he has one child, Otto.
Rev. Patrick McInerney, born on March 6, 1876, in Ireland, has dedicated eighteen years to the Catholic ministry in Kansas. After studying in Ireland and Belgium, he was ordained in Canada and began his American service at Leavenworth Cathedral in 1898. He served various parishes, including Olathe, Kansas City, and St. Thomas, before becoming the pastor of Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka in 1914. Renowned for his commitment, he leads a team that includes an assistant clergyman and ten teachers for the parish schools.
Joseph Larrick, a pioneer settler in Johnson County, Kansas, arrived in 1858 from Virginia and lived there for over fifty years. He established the area’s first grinding and sawmill, essential to local pioneers during the Civil War. Despite the tensions of the border ruffian era and threats like the Quantrill raid, Larrick’s mill provided vital resources to the community. Born on February 15, 1817, he married Rebecca Thompson and had eleven children, witnessing significant historical developments like the arrival of the first railroad in Johnson County. Larrick passed away in 1909.
Albert Mebus, born on July 27, 1876, in Aubrey, Kansas, emerged as a prominent figure in the insurance industry after founding his own business in 1909, ultimately becoming the second largest insurance dealer in Kansas City. His early career included serving in the Kansas City fire department and working in real estate. A progressive citizen, Mebus championed the good roads movement, participated in various civic organizations, and aimed to provide for his family’s education. He was a dedicated Mason and an active member of the local Elks lodge.