Leavenworth County KS

Biography of Fred A. Sowers

Fred A. Sowers, a notable figure in Wichita’s history, was born in Ohio in 1839. A distinguished member of the Kansas bar and pioneer newspaper man, he actively participated in the Civil War and later moved to Leavenworth to practice law. Sowers founded the Wichita Beacon, the city’s first daily newspaper, and became a respected figure in real estate and civic affairs, including serving on the city council and board of education. He had two wives, with his second marriage producing three children, two of whom are successful professionals.

Biographical Sketch of Albert G. Patrick

Albert G. Patrick, born in Salem, Indiana, in 1824, became a prominent free-state leader in Kansas. After settling in Leavenworth in 1856, he documented electoral corruption, which galvanized local resistance. Captured in 1856, he narrowly escaped execution, revealing his resilience. He participated in significant conflicts, was elected clerk of the Supreme Court in 1857, and served in the legislature from 1867. Moving to Jefferson County in 1868, he later edited the Valley Falls New Era. Patrick passed away in Oskaloosa on February 10, 1903.

Slave Narrative of Harriet Ann Daves

Harriet Ann Daves, born June 6, 1856, in Virginia, reflects on her life as the daughter of a white slaveholder, Milton Waddell, and a white enslaved mother, Mary Collins. After the Civil War, her grandfather affirmed her freedom. Despite her family’s complexities, including her Indian heritage, she recalls being treated kindly. Harriet was educated post-war and later married twice, facing personal losses throughout her life. She expresses her opinions on prominent figures like Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, illustrating her experiences and perspectives on freedom and family.

Biography of A. P. Fonda

A. P. Fonda was born on March 30, 1878, in Leavenworth, Kansas. A dedicated citizen, he excelled as a farmer and lawyer, focusing on land and real estate following his admission to the bar in 1903. Fonda was actively involved during World War I, capturing a German spy and leading a successful Liberty loan drive. He served as food commissioner for Jackson County, where he advocated for the public against exploitation. Married in 1910, he is committed to community welfare, youth development, and his faith.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel D. Lecompte

Samuel D. Lecompte, born on December 13, 1814, in Dorchester County, Maryland, was the first chief justice of the Territory of Kansas, serving from 1854 to 1859. A graduate of Jefferson College, he practiced law in Maryland before relocating to Baltimore. His political career included a term in the Maryland Legislature. After the Civil War, he shifted from the Democratic to the Republican Party, served as probate judge in Leavenworth County, and represented the county in the State Legislature. Lecompte died in Kansas City on April 24, 1888.

Biography of Leonard R. Manley

Leonard R. Manley, born in 1873 in Nortonville, Kansas, rose from humble beginnings to become the president and manager of the Topeka Pure Milk Company, the largest milk business in Kansas. He mastered his trade in the creamery business, starting as a buttermaker and eventually leading the company that grew significantly under his management. A dedicated community member and civic leader, Manley is involved in various organizations and charitable efforts. He married Cora B. Neibarger in 1899, and they have two children, both engaged in their education.

Biography of Matthew Weightman, Jr.

Matthew Weightman, Jr. served as the treasurer of Shawnee County for two terms, contributing significantly to public service in Topeka, where he resided for over forty years. Born in Leavenworth in 1868, he was a lifelong resident of Kansas and a successful pharmacist for twenty-four years. A dedicated Republican, he was active in local politics and various community organizations. He was married twice and had three children from his first marriage, along with a stepson from his second.

Biography of George Plumb, Hon.

Hon. George Plumb, born December 15, 1843, in Ohio, arrived in Kansas in 1857 and played a vital role in its early development. He enlisted in the Union army at 18, serving with distinction during the Civil War. Afterward, he engaged in stock raising and became a notable cattle feeder. Plumb held various political offices, including finance commissioner of Emporia, and contributed to significant legislation in Kansas. He was married to Ella Cowles and had seven children, continuing a legacy of public service and family ties in Emporia.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Moonlight, Col.

Colonel Thomas Moonlight, a soldier who served against the Mormons, was honorably discharged in 1858. He transitioned to farming in Kansas before raising a light artillery battery at the onset of the Civil War, ultimately becoming colonel of the Eleventh Kansas cavalry. His post-war career included roles as a presidential elector, collector of internal revenue, and secretary of state. Initially a Republican, he switched to the Democratic Party, serving as an elector in 1884 and as minister to Bolivia from 1893 to 1897. Moonlight passed away on February 7, 1899.

Biographical Sketch of Marcus J. Parrott

Marcus J. Parrott, born on October 27, 1828, in South Carolina, emerged as a prominent figure in Kansas Territory, serving as its second delegate to Congress. After receiving a classical and legal education, he practiced law in Ohio before moving to Leavenworth in 1855. Parrott played key roles in the Territorial Supreme Court and the Topeka Constitutional Convention. Elected to Congress in 1857, he served until 1861. Despite subsequent electoral defeats, he later managed a farm near Leavenworth until his death in Dayton, Ohio, on October 4, 1879.

Biography of John Conover, Col.

Colonel John Conover, a significant figure in Kansas history, arrived in Leavenworth in 1857 as a pioneer merchant. Serving with distinction in the Union army during the Civil War, he later co-founded the Richards Conover Hardware Company, which became a leading wholesale business in the region. Born on November 27, 1835, in New Jersey, his journey exemplified the American spirit of determination and hard work. Conover’s legacy is marked by his contributions to both commerce and community, remembered fondly until his death in 1914.

Biography of Charles R. Jennison, Dr.

Dr. Charles R. Jennison, born in New York in 1834, was a significant figure during the Civil War as a brigadier general. His medical studies began at nineteen, leading to a medical practice in Wisconsin before he settled in Kansas in 1857. A staunch ally of John Brown, he commanded the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, known as Jennison’s Jayhawkers, focusing on clearing guerrillas from the border. Post-war, he served in local governance and the state legislature. Jennison passed away in Leavenworth in 1884.

Biography of Capt. Oliver E. Hindes

Capt. Oliver E. Hindes, born on November 11, 1836, in Louisville, Kentucky, is known for his extensive knowledge of the mineral wealth and agricultural potential around Lead Hill, Arkansas. His early life included exploration in the Lake Superior region and time spent with Kit Carson in the Northwest. Hindes engaged in various trades, including livery and saddlery, before moving to Arkansas, where his practical experience led to successful land and mineral ventures. He served in the Confederate Army and has been a prominent resident of Boone County for eight years.

Biography of A. Beauchamp

A. Beauchamp began his career with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway over thirty years ago and currently serves as the local agent in Atchison. Born on September 15, 1856, in Doniphan County, Kansas, to pioneer Edward A. Beauchamp, he has deep roots in the state. Educated in local schools, A. Beauchamp worked various jobs before joining the railway in 1885. He married Nellie Edgerton in 1882, and they had four children. A dedicated Republican, he is also active in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biography of John Adams Jones

John Adams Jones, born October 29, 1874, in Edinburg, Indiana, spent much of his life in Kansas, contributing significantly to education as the superintendent of Highland’s city schools for fourteen years. He also gained recognition as a skilled pitcher in the Western League, playing for notable teams such as St. Joseph and Lincoln. Active in local business and politics, he co-owned the Ward-Jones Lumber Company and served on the City Council. Married in 1905, he and his wife Minnie had five children, further establishing their family roots in the community.

Biography of August Bondi

August Bondi, born in Vienna on July 21, 1833, emerged as a significant figure in Kansas history, celebrated as a soldier and ally of John Brown. After emigrating to the U.S. in 1848, he became an ardent anti-slavery advocate upon arriving in Kansas in 1855. Bondi participated in various notable engagements during the border conflicts and served honorably in the Civil War. Active in public life, he held several official positions in Salina, Kansas, and dedicated his later years to historical scholarship before passing away on September 30, 1907.

Biography of John Wilson Lauk, M. D.

John Wilson Lauck, M.D., born on October 28, 1875, in Atchison, Kansas, became a prominent physician and surgeon in Olsburg from 1903. A graduate of Kansas Medical College, he enriched his education with studies at Rush Medical College and Harvard. Lauck served as an assistant surgeon during the Spanish-American War and established a large practice while also operating the town’s sole drug store. Involved in community affairs, he held roles in local government and various organizations. He married Helen Goddard, and they had three children.

Biography of John Thomas Bartley

John Thomas Bartley, born in Kentucky in 1865, has had a significant impact on ranching and agriculture in Kansas. After moving to Missouri as a child, he later became a pioneer rancher in Kansas and Texas. Bartley managed a large ranch in Pottawatomie County before establishing his own farm. He is active in local governance and Masonic organizations and married Addie Stauffer in 1898. Their son, John Thomas Jr., is currently enrolled in Fostoria schools, continuing the family legacy in the region.

Biography of William Stout

William Stout, born in Lincoln, England, in 1836, immigrated to the United States in 1871 and became a successful farmer before establishing the Bank of McLouth in Kansas. Active in banking since 1888, he served as president from 1916 onward. Stout was a Republican and engaged in his community, holding a treasurer role in the local church. He married twice, first to Sarah A. Stout, and later to Alice M. Steeper, with whom he had a daughter, Alberta. His legacy intertwines with both agricultural and banking history.

Biography of Frederick M. Thompson

Frederick M. Thompson, born in Springdale, Kansas, on September 5, 1882, is an accomplished educator currently serving as the superintendent of Horton’s city schools. His father, Samuel C. Thompson, a pioneer in Leavenworth since 1856, instilled strong local roots in Frederick’s family, which traces back to colonial Virginia. Frederick’s educational journey led him through various teaching roles and culminated in an A.B. degree from the State Normal School in Emporia. Since 1915, he has skillfully supervised Horton’s school system, alongside engaging in business and community activities.