Labette County KS

Biography of Walter A. Woods

Walter A. Woods was elected sheriff of Greenwood County in 1914. That his record during the first term was thoroughly appreciated by his fellow citizens is amply vouched for in the fact that on November 7, 1916, he was re-elected for another term by the significant majority of 1,826. Mr. Woods is as capable in public office as he had been in his private business affairs, and is one of the most thoroughly trusted and popular citizens of the county. Though most of his life had been spent in Kansas Mr. Woods was born in Barton County, Missouri, July 3, … Read more

Biography of Baxter D. McClain, Hon.

Hon. Baxter D. McClain. One of the new members to take their seats in the State Senate in 1917 is Baxter D. McClain, of Iola. Senator McClain was elected November 7, 1916, on the republican ticket by the Fourteenth District, comprising Allen and Woodson counties. Much may be expected of Senator McClain since he had for many years been an able lawyer at Iola, and his professional attainments and wide experience in affairs constitute unusual qualifications for legislative work. Senator McClain is a native of Kansas, having been born at Oswego, December 9, 1871. Much of his early life was … Read more

Stanley, Lee C. – Obituary

Former Co. Assessor Passes Monday Eve. Death Monday evening at Cedar Manor nursing home claimed Lee C. Stanley, 79, a resident of this valley more than 60 years and a Baker county assessor at one time. Coming to Haines from Kansas at the age of 16 he worked for Ed Coles, later was employed at the Highland mine on Rock Creek, the Western Union mine, Maxwell and Chloride Mines, and the Stanley place in Rock Creek town was the way station for the Highland Mine haul, both for supplies up and ore down. He ranched in the Rock Creek community … Read more

Biography of Wilfrid Cavaness

Wilfrid Cavaness, who had been a Kansas newspaper man for over twenty years, was born at Chetopa November 24, 1875. He attended the public schools there, graduating from high school in 1892, and for two years was a student in Baker University. In 1895 he became connected with the Chetopa Advance under his father, and remained there until 1899. For the following two years he was with the Columbus Courier, and in 1901 came to Chanute and is now treasurer and manager of the Chanute Tribune. The Chanute Tribune was established April 8, 1892, by George M. Dewey. It had … Read more

Biography of George W. Gabriel, M. D.

George W. Gabriel, M. D., of Parsons had his first medical experience as a hospital steward and soldier during the Civil war. He is now the oldest active medical man in the state, having practiced continuously for over forty-five years. Doctor Gabriel is one of the pioneer physicians of Parsons, and has identified himself with that community not only in a professional capacity but also as a public spirited man of affairs. He is a former state senator. He was born in that old center of education and culture of the Ohio Valley, Athens, Ohio, on November 17, 1841. The … Read more

Biography of J. Bruce Dick

J. Bruce Dick is a banker by profession, but during his career of thirty-two years had made a record of creditable performance in several lines of work, farming as well as commercial endeavors. He is now cashier of the Labette State Bank at Labette. He is of Irish ancestry. His grandfather was born near Belfast, Ireland, was married in his native country and then brought his family to America, following his trade as mechanic in Philadelphia, and from there moving to Hanover, Illinois, where he spent the rest of his days as a farmer. His children were: Robert, a retired … Read more

Biography of Louis R. Roter

Louis R. Roter. One of the very able business men of Parsons was the late Louis R. Roter, who was president of the Parsons Cold Storage and Crystal Ice Company and had followed merchandising and various lines of business in Kansas and other states for many years. He died in his fifty-fourth year at Parsons February 3, 1907. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 2, 1853, a son of Henry Roter, who was born in Germany and died at Dillsboro, Indiana. Henry Roter came to this country a young man, lived in Cincinnati many years, and then moved to … Read more

Biography of A. H. Skidmore

A. H. Skidmore. The general instances in the early life of men who “do things” are peculiarly similar. Differing in detail, the general outline is the short and simple story of the rise and progress to eminence from poverty to prosperity. Assiduous toil, the common school advantages, and the struggle for supremacy generates reliance on self, the natural, rather than art is their guide; individual talents are developed and each shows through the originality thereby becoming and recognized as self-made men. Judge Skidmore was born in Virginia February 14, 1856, was reared to manhood on a farm by parents possessing … Read more

Biography of Warner E. Williams

Warner E. Williams. While now one of the great trunk railway systems of the country, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad was largely developed as a Kansas corporation. The main offices of the company at Kansas are at Parsons, where 2,200 of its employes reside. The different lines of the road converge and diverge from that point in six directions: To Hannibal and St. Louis, Missouri; to Kansas City, Missouri; to Junction City, Kansas; to Joplin, Missouri, to Denison, Texas; and to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For several years the general manager of the system with headquarters at Parsons was Warner … Read more

Biography of Byron Williams

Byron Williams. The mention of the name of Byron Williams calls up associations as one of the foremost livestock men of the State of Kansas. Mr. Williams is comparatively young, only forty years of age, but in the years since he started out on his own responsibility has shown a remarkable ability in all branches of the live stock industry. He has operated extensively as a rancher and raiser of horses and cattle, his dealings have made him a familiar figure in all the leading markets of the Middle West, and he is undoubtedly one of the best known men … Read more

Biography of Charles Samuel Bendure, M. D.

Charles Samuel Bendure, M. D. One of the best known families in Southeastern Kansas is the Bendures. Many of the name have gained honorable distinction in their several vocations, and among them is Charles Samuel Bendure, one of the widely known physicians of Labette County, who has practiced for a quarter of a century at Bartlett. He traces his descent along the Bendure line to France originally, but the family has been represented in America since colonial times and were among the pioneers of the Green Mountain state. His grandfather, Stephen Weeks Bendure, was born in Vermont in 1803. He … Read more

Biography of Elmer E. Liggett, M. D.

Dr. Elmer E. Liggett (b. 1861, Marysville, Ohio) was a prominent physician and surgeon in Labette County, Kansas, where he practiced for over thirty years. Born into a family of Scottish descent, Liggett moved to Kansas as a child and pursued his medical education at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa, graduating in 1884. He further specialized in surgery at Bellevue Hospital Medical College and the New York Post-Graduate School. Dr. Liggett was highly regarded for his medical expertise and community involvement in Oswego, Kansas. He married Mary Parsons Maynard in 1887, with whom he had one daughter, Ruth Ellsworth.

Biography of William H. Bell

Since 1918 William H. Bell has been holding the office of post-master of Pryor and he is carrying out to the best of his ability the duties devolving upon him as the incumbent in that office. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on the 2d of January, 1894, a son of William B. and Walburga (Muschawick) Bell, both of whom are living. The father is engaged in farming near Salina, Oklahoma, and the mother is residing in Waynoka, that state. Two sons and one daughter have been born to their union, William H. being the second in order of … Read more

Biography of John Child Maxson, M. D.

John Child Maxson, M. D. For over twenty-four years Doctor Maxson had practiced his profession in Kansas and is now located at Corning, where as a physician and surgeon of thorough attainments he had an extensive practice. His family were early settlers in Sonthern and Southeastern Kansas. Doctor Maxson is in the tenth generation from the immigrant of the family from England to the American colonies. The founder of the Maxson family in this country was Richard Maxson. Doctor Maxson’s grandfather, James Maxson, spent his life as a farmer in Alleghany County, New York. James S. Maxson, father of Doctor … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Louise H. Horrell

Horrell, Mrs. Louise H. (See England)—Louisa H. daughter of William and Mary Jane (England) Habish, born June 23, 1878. Educated in the Cherokee Public Schools and Worchester Academy, Vinita. Married at Oswego, Kansas March 8, 1905, George T., son of Benjamin and Mary Frances Horrel. They are the parents of: Mary Thelma, born February 9, 1906 and Allen C. Horrel, born October 31, 1908. Mr. Horrell is a stillman with the St. Clair Refining Company.

Biography of Robert A. Watt

Robert A. Watt has been closely identified with the business life of Edna for a number of years and is now serving as postmaster of the town. He is widely known throughout Labette County, and had lived there about forty-five years. He is of Scotch descent and his grandfather, Thomas Watt, was probably the immigrant ancestor. Thomas Watt became a farmer in Belmont County, Ohio, where he died. It was in Belmont County, Ohio, that Robert A. Watt was born August 7, 1866. His father, John T. Watt was born in the State of Ohio March 10, 1844. Reared in … Read more

Biography of Robert Orin Deming

Robert Orin Deming, president of The Deming Investment Company at Oswego, is at the head of one of the largest financial institutions in the Southwest. The Deming Investment Company, which has been built up on a basis of fair dealing continued through a period of more than thirty years, now has branch offices in nearly a dozen of the larger cities of the Middle West, and at the present time has over $15,000,000 of farm loans in force, out of some $35,000,000 loaned in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. The company has been a bulwark of security for … Read more

Biography of John P. Slaughter

John P. Slaughter. One of the largest and best known financial houses in Kansas is the Farm Mortgage Company, which to a large degree represents the personality and the financial judgment of John P. Slaughter, who is its president. The Farm Mortgage Company, which deals almost entirely in farm mortgages, is an institution occupying a large building of its own at Topeka, and its business also extends to Oklahoma and elsewhere, there being a branch office at Hobart, Oklahoma. The company is capitalized at $100,000 and its chief officers are: J. P. Slaughter, president; W. A. Smith, vice president and … Read more