LaSalle County IL
Biography of Walter C. Palmer, M. D.
Walter C. Palmer, M.D., was born on August 26, 1876, in Streator, Illinois. After years of practice in Kansas City, he moved to Hiawatha, Kansas, where he dedicated himself to surgery. His surgical expertise was enriched by his experience in war hospitals in France during 1916. Educated in Kansas City, he graduated from Kansas City Medical College in 1900 and gained post-graduate training in Chicago. A prominent surgeon, he operated a hospital in Hiawatha and was actively involved in various medical associations, as well as local fraternal organizations. He married Lida McCuan in 1904, and they have one daughter, Florence.
Biography of Henry M. Thatcher
Judge Henry M. Thatcher, born on October 17, 1833, in Pennsylvania, was a significant pioneer in the development of the Pacific region. After a challenging westward journey in 1850, he engaged in mining and ranching in California and later in Oregon and Idaho. Thatcher’s entrepreneurial efforts led to successful ranching and a substantial property portfolio. Married to Lou L. Hart, he had two sons and was active in the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies. Elected a justice of the peace, he served with dedication and integrity.
Biography of Edwin W. Shearburn, M. D.
Edwin W. Shearburn, M.D., has been a prominent physician and surgeon in Haddam, Kansas, since 1902. Born into an English family, he graduated from Chicago Homeopathic College in 1902 and became renowned for his surgical expertise, notably performing the first successful Caesarian operation in his area. A member of various medical societies, Shearburn has a distinguished professional reputation, alongside success in business ventures, including oil investments. He married Vesta Longley in 1905 and has one son, Edwin Webster, Jr.
Biography of Edson Baxter
Edson Baxter, born in 1842 in Illinois, migrated to Kansas with his family during the territorial era. Settling in Morris County, he played a significant role in early local developments, becoming an influential figure in Marion County. A veteran of the Civil War, he held various governmental positions, including clerk of the District Court, where he earned a reputation for diligence and integrity. Married to Rebecca A. Shreve, a pioneer educator, they raised eight children and contributed to the region’s history through their pioneering efforts and leadership.
Biography of James Wood
James Wood, a pioneer of Kansas, was born in England in 1844 and moved to America at six, eventually settling in Riley County in 1857. He helped his father on the farm while also engaging in the freighting business, facing perilous encounters with Native Americans during the Civil War period. Transitioning to farming and stockraising, he became a successful landowner. Married in 1880 to Amelia Elizabeth Wood, they had several children. A modest, influential citizen, Wood was known for his support of capable leaders and community involvement.
Biography of Frank A. Bardwell
Frank A. Bardwell, born August 11, 1870, in Ottawa, Illinois, emerged as a notable figure in Kansas’s oil industry despite initially starting in banking and livestock. Educated in local schools and Baker University, he shifted to oil production in the late 1900s after gaining experience in stock dealing and Oklahoma fields. Settling in Chanute, he became a respected oil producer, known for his integrity. Bardwell, a Republican and member of the Presbyterian Church, married Ida Farrell in 1896, with whom he has one son, Charles A.
Biography of Charles Manville Sawyer
Charles Manville Sawyer, a prominent figure in Kansas banking, was born on a farm in Illinois. He became chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City after a distinguished career, which started in 1887 as cashier at the First National Bank of Norton. Sawyer served as a national bank examiner and later became the bank’s president. Active in politics as a Democrat, he also held significant roles in banking associations. Married to May Holmes, they had four children. Sawyer was deeply involved in various fraternal organizations and community services.
Biography of Edward F. Green
Edward F. Green, a prominent figure in Kansas agriculture, settled in Arkansas City in 1869 after a varied early life, including a brief stint as a lawyer. Born in Illinois in 1842, he was educated at Oberlin College and engaged in diverse experiences across the West. A successful farmer and stock raiser, he was also politically active, becoming a key player in the populist movement in Kansas, serving two terms in the legislature, and advocating for innovative reforms, including anti-corruption legislation and state-run liquor distribution.
Biography of A. H. Skidmore
A. H. Skidmore, born in Virginia on February 14, 1856, rose from humble beginnings to prominence as a respected judge and lawyer in Kansas. His early life on a farm, influenced by hardworking parents, instilled in him a strong work ethic. Admitted to the bar in 1876, he established a law practice in Columbus, Kansas, and was elected to the Eleventh Judicial District bench in 1903. Known for fair rulings and a focus on minimizing court expenses, Skidmore later returned to private practice, thriving in both law and banking.
Biography of Moody C. Little
Moody C. Little, treasurer of the Mutual Building and Loan Association of Emporia, had a distinguished career as a merchant and banker in Illinois before relocating to Emporia in 1884. Born in New Hampshire in 1822, he was raised in LaSalle County, Illinois, where he established a dry goods business and the Tonica Bank. Married in 1871 to Evelyn Anderson, they had two daughters. A Democrat and a trustee at the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Little dedicated the last fifteen years to the loan business in Emporia.
Boers, Daisy Ellen Hewitt – Obituary
Mrs. Ole J. Boers, who died in Sturgis on January 12, 1960, was honored with funeral services led by Rev. H. A. Grote. Born on January 13, 1876, in Illinois, she married Ole J. Boers in 1902 and moved to South Dakota in 1911. A dedicated pioneer, she was known for her kindness and support of neighbors. Predeceased by her husband and several family members, she is survived by two daughters, one son, three grandchildren, and two sisters. Interment took place at Bear Butte Cemetery.
Olmstead, Phil – Obituary
Philip S. Olmstead, a 73-year-old pioneer of Kittitas Valley for nearly 62 years, passed away from a heart attack on March 23, 1938. Born in Ottawa, Illinois, he moved to the valley as a child with his family, who were among the early settlers. Olmstead had a distinguished lineage, including Revolutionary War figures. He was a respected freighter and prominent member of the community, serving on the board of the Ellensburg Water Company and as president of the Kittitas Valley Pioneers Association.
Biographical Sketch of Richard Avey
Richard Avey, born August 19, 1837, in Suffolk County, England, migrated to the United States in 1857, first settling in LaSalle County, Illinois, before moving to Coles County. He married Celia Oakland in 1858, and they had eight children, with seven surviving. A hardworking farmer and stock-dealer, Avey has served in various local government roles, including Commissioner of Highways and School Director. He owns 125 acres, a testament to his labor, and is a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church.