Johnson County KS Genealogy – Access Genealogy

Biography of Justus Otho Hall

Justus Otho Hall is superintendent of schools at Hutchinson. By his work and influence there and elsewhere he is one of the leading educators of Kansas today. Mr. Hall had been active in school work almost twenty years. Born near Warner, Ohio, February 27, 1870, he came with his parents to Kansas at the age of fifteen. He received his early training in the country schools near Warner, Ohio, and at Morse, Kansas. After spending some time at work on his father’s farm and after three years spent in the United States Railway Mail Service he entered the high school … Read more

Biography of Jacob Rumbaugh

Jacob Rumbaugh was for twenty-eight years one of the most widely known citizens of Fort Scott. He had come to that section of Kansas and established a home on lands just across the state line in Missouri in 1870. He endured all the trials and vicissitudes that beset the average farmer of his day. But he was not himself an average man. He had a resourcefulness, a faculty for hard work, that often made him prosper while others were blaming fate for hard times and misfortunes. He was optimistic. As long as he lived he was sustained by hope. It … Read more

Biography of Davison L. Youmans

Occupying public office ins Muskogee and previously in Kansas through a number of years, Davison L. Youmans has ever been found loyal to the trust reposed in him and has labored earnestly and effectively to advance public welfare and municipal progress. While born in the east the greater part of his life has been spent west of the Mississippi and he has ever been imbued with the spirit of western enterprise and progress which has been a dominant factor in the up building of this section of the country. A native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurred in Freemansburg, that state, … Read more

Biography of Christopher Beal Beeks

Christopher Beal Beeks was a Kansas pioneer whose memory should be kept green in coming generations. He was a man of quiet forcefulness intent in his devotion to those things that he believed right, and he made his career count for much in his chosen community because of a faithful performance of those duties that lay nearest at hand. He was a Kansas pioneer of the territorial period. He came here in 1859. Though a native of Virginia he was reared on a farm in Ohio, and his people being comparatively poor and his early youth being spent in a … Read more

Biography of James R. Gristy

James R. Gristy, of Emporia, is one of the real old timers of Kansas. Half a century ago he was engaged in farming and stock raising on a large scale in Johnson County. For many years he had been a successful real estate operator, and had enjoyed prominence in a business and civic way not only in Kansas but in Oklahoma and in other western states. Born in Brown County, Illinois, August 31, 1841, he grew up in that section, gained a public school education, graduating from the high school at Rushville, Illinois, in 1863. His first experiences led him … Read more

Biography of Bernard Stephen Kelly, Father

Father Bernard Stephen Kelly. A man honored and beloved, an ecclesiastic revered and respected by all sections of the community, liberal natured, broad minded, generous, kindly and free, full of understanding of special circumstances and conditions, and with a heart open in sympathy to every necessity, Father Bernard Stephen Kelly, rector of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, is an individual who exerts a powerful influence for morality and Christianity in the City of Leavenworth. Father Kelly is a son of William E. and Katherine (Dowd) Kelly, natives of Ireland, from which country they were brought by their respective parents in … Read more

Kansas Registrations of Enemy Aliens, 1917 – 1921

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.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. D. B. Matney

Mamie, daughter of Barney and Susie Tucker was born March 8, 1868, in Johnson County, Kansas, educated in that county. Married in Kansas City, Kansas, May 1, 1887, David B., son of John R. and Missouri Matney, born October 8, 1862 in Jackson County, Missouri. They are the parents of Albert J., born March 4, 1888, married Jennie Connel, had two children, Albert Eugene, born November 1, 1911 amid Geneva Matney, born December 14, 1913. Albert J. died at Roswell, New Mexico, January 21, 1915 and Lewis Franklin Matney, born August 27, 1889 Mr. Matney is a farmer near Vinita. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. W. F. Smith

Lucy, daughter of Louis and Harriette (Thorpe) Daugherty, born in Johnson County, Kansas August 27, 1859. Married February 22, 1876 W. F. son of J. J. and Jane Smith. They are the parents of: Hattie Jane, born July 23, 1877; Lucy F., born December 23, 1882; William L., born July 8, 1887; Louis E., born December 1, 1895. He was a private in Co. K, 56th Infantry from July 19, 1918 to July 4, 1919. Discharged at Camp Pike July 9, 1919 and David C, born February 25, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are farmers, near Adair.

Biographical Sketch of John T. Burris, Col.

Col. John T. Burris, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, in December, 1828, spent his boyhood and youth in Kentucky. He went to Iowa in 1847, served in the Mexican war from that state, cultivated a farm for several years which he obtained on a soldier’s land warrant, and in 1852 sold his land and opened a hotel at Fredonia on the Iowa River. Soon afterward he commenced the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1853, two years later was elected judge of the County Court and in 1858 settled at Olathe, Kansas. Colonel Burris was … Read more

Biography of Alphius Lamont Hamilton

Alphius Lamont Hamilton. Forty-five years of continuous work and association with the law, public office, politics and civic affairs in El Dorado and, Butler County have naturally made Alphius Lamont Hamilton one of the noteworthy figures in that section of Kansas. That he takes first rank in the Kansas bar is a distinction that will be readily acknowledged by lawyers all over the state. He is also the dean of the profession in his home county. No one could be more thoroughly American than Judge Hamilton. His ancestors have been connected with every great war in which our nation engaged … Read more

Biography of George H. Hodges, Hon.

Hon. George H. Hodges, the nineteenth governor of Kansas, was chief executive of the state from January, 1913, to January, 1915. Of his capable administration as governor, marked by progressive leadership throughout, a complete review is given elsewhere in this publication in the chapter devoted to the work of the governors. The following paragraphs serve to supplement that review with some of the more personal details and his place as a Kansas citizen and business man. A resident of Kansas nearly fifty years, George Hartshorn Hodges was born at Orion, in Richland County, Wisconsin, February 6, 1866, a son of … Read more

Biography of Martin J. Kelly

Martin J. Kelly. The removal of the Kelly family to Kansas nearly fifty years ago brought a remarkably virile and substantial stock of people into the state. Martin J. Kelly, who was a child at the time of the family removal, and for thirty years or more has kept himself very busily employed at farming, contracting, and banking, and is now cashier of the St. Paul State Bank at St. Paul. There were fourteen children, and as a family these children have made a mark in the world. Their father was William E. Kelly, who was born in Tuam, Ireland, … Read more

Biography of Joseph Larrick

Joseph Larrick. No county in Kansas is richer in pioneer and early territorial history than Johnson County. Some of this history is reflected in the career of such a pioneer settler as Joseph Larrick, who arrived in Kansas in 1858, and spent more than half a century in Johnson County. A native of Virginia, and a son of Jacob and Catherine (Spillman) Larrick of Frederick County, Virginia, Joseph Larrick was born February 15, 1817, and attained the remarkable age of ninety-two years, passing away at Paola March 8, 1909. He was one of a farnily of nine children. When he … Read more

Biography of William C. Suttle

William C. Suttle. Under modern conditions the water works of any thriving and prosperous community is one of the most important branches of the civic service, and its management requires abilities far beyond the ordinary. Fredonia boasts of one of the best water systems in Southeastern Kansas, and much of the credit for the present excellent conditions existing in this enterprising city is due to the capable and experienced work of the superintendent of the water works, William C. Suttle, who had been connected with this department for about eleven years and had been in his present position since 1913. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Klaine, N.B.

N. B. Klaine, editor of the Dodge City Times. The paper was established May 20, 1876. He became editor and proprietor in November 1877. The above newspaper now has a circulation of 600, and is Republican in politics. Mr. Klaine first came to Dodge City in November, 1877, and engaged as a Journalist. He took charge of the Dodge City post office by appointment January 23, 1883. He was born in Bordentown, N. J., and February 5, 1839. He came with his parents to Rock Island, Ill., in 1851, where he lived until 1859; thence to St. Louis, Mo. He … Read more

Biography of Lolo Chouteau

Lolo Chouteau, who has been successfully identified with the agricultural and stock raising interests of Nowata county for many years, is now residing on his well improved farm of two hundred and thirty acres, two and one quarter miles east of Lenapah. A native of Kansas, he was born in Johnson county on the 9th of November, 1849, a son of Frederick and Matilda Chouteau. The Chouteau family was founded in America by Rene Auguste Chouteau, who came from France in 1718 and settled in New Orleans. His son, Rene Auguste Chouteau, Jr., was one of the founders of St. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hibbard, H. C.

Hibbard, H. C. attorney-at-law, and insurance agent, first came to Russell County, Kan. in May, 1871, farmed until 1874, and came to Russell village, where he engaged in the practice of law, was born in Fulton County, Ill. Enlisted in January, 1864, in Company I, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, participated in all the battles of his command, mustered out at Benton Barracks, Mo., June 17, 1865. He came to Kansas in September of the same year, located in Johnson County. He attended the State University at Lawrence in 1870. Previous to the latter dates he also taught school, was married in … Read more

Shawnee Indians

The Shawnee Tribe, meaning “southerners,” is recognized for its significant role in the history of numerous regions across the United States, with its name reflected in places from Pennsylvania to Georgia. The Shawnee were part of the Algonquian linguistic group, closely related to tribes such as the Fox, Sauk, and Kickapoo. Known for their frequent migrations, the Shawnee had historic settlements in locations like the Cumberland River Valley and Ohio, forming five primary divisions, including Chillicothe and Piqua. Their complex history of relocation, resistance against European settlers, and leadership under figures like Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa has made them a central part of early American history. Shawnee populations were dispersed over time, eventually settling primarily in Oklahoma by the 20th century.

Biographical Sketch of Alexander P. Riddle

Alexander P. Riddle, a widely known newspaper man and public character of Ottawa County, was born at Harlansburg, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1846. He learned his trade as a printer in the office of the Franklin (Pennsylvania) Spectator, and in 1869 came to Kansas as a “jour.” He first located at Olathe; then moved to Girard, where he set type and became half owner of the Press. In 1885 he sold his interest and settled at Minneapolis, which has since been his home. There he purchased the Minneapolis Messenger, which he still publishos and edits, as well as the Kansas Workman … Read more