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.
John B. Dinsmore, born on April 10, 1850, in Daviess County’s Jackson Township, was educated locally. He ventured to Kansas in 1870, working in railroading before returning to Daviess County in 1872, where he served as township constable and collector. After shifting to farming and stock-raising, he later transitioned into butchering and stock-trading in Jamesport. Dinsmore married M. M. Travis on March 9, 1876, and is regarded as a capable businessman within his community.
Otis Patterson, born on September 4, 1858, in Danville, Indiana, is a prominent figure in the Inland Empire as the editor of the Heppner Gazette in Oregon. After receiving a solid education, he moved to Kansas in 1876 to work in education before continuing to California and Oregon. Patterson became the principal of Heppner Public School in 1885 and later established a successful hardware business. In 1888, he purchased the Heppner Gazette, turning it into a reputable newspaper. He married Mary Gregg in 1884 and enjoys a fulfilling family life.
Frank P. MacLennan, born in 1855 in Ohio and raised in Kansas, exemplifies the industrious spirit of American journalism. After completing his studies at the University of Kansas, he became deeply involved in the newspaper business, transforming the struggling Topeka State Journal into a respected publication. Known for his courageous editorial stance and commitment to community interests, MacLennan also ventured into banking to advocate for fair interest rates. A dedicated farmer and family man, he remains a prominent figure in Kansas’s media landscape, driven by his love for journalism and public service.
Preston B. Plumb, born in Ohio in 1837, emerged as a pivotal figure in Kansas’ early settlement and politics. Following his enlistment in the Union army, he became a respected senator, playing an instrumental role in environmental conservation and land legislation. Plumb’s tireless advocacy led to significant laws, including the creation of the National Forest Reserve. His dedication to public service persisted until his untimely death in 1891, which brought profound sorrow to Kansas, a testament to his remarkable commitment to both state and nation.
Amos Hinsdale Plumb, born on January 31, 1869, in Emporia, Kansas, was the son of Senator Preston B. Plumb. Educated in local public schools and at Kansas State University, he built a career in real estate and mining. He founded and presided over the Mutual Building and Loan Association of Emporia and led the Kansas Bankers Association’s building and loan section from 1915 to 1917. Married to Elva Lawrence Gibson since 1897, they have one daughter, Roxanna Plumb.
George Marshall Crawford, born on July 10, 1872, in Emporia, Kansas, is the son of Governor Crawford and a notable figure in Topeka’s newspaper industry. His education included public schooling in Topeka and a degree from Yale University in 1894. He began his career as a reporter before becoming manager and partner at the Mail Printing House in 1897. A committed Republican and active in various fraternal organizations, he married Hortense Kelly in 1895, and they have two children, George Jr. and Isabel.
Samuel J. Crawford, born in Indiana in 1835, was a pivotal figure in early Kansas history. He practiced law in Garnett before becoming a founding member of the Kansas legislature and a leader in the state’s Republican Party. During the Civil War, he rose to the rank of brigadier-general, participating in numerous battles. As Kansas’ third governor (1865-1869), he oversaw the establishment of several key institutions. Afterward, he organized a cavalry regiment and later practiced law in Washington, D.C. He passed away in 1913.
Rev. Cyrus R. Rice, born on August 27, 1833, in Tennessee, emerged as a significant figure in the Methodist Church in Kansas. After joining the St. Louis Conference in 1853, he began his ministry in Kansas, where he organized congregations along the Neosho River and served various charges, including presiding elder in Lyon County and later at the Sixth Street Methodist Church in Leavenworth. His dedication spanned over five decades, concluding with his retirement in 1904, followed by a celebration of his 50th wedding anniversary in 1906.
Edward Shellenbaum, born on November 25, 1875, in Riley County, Kansas, is a notable figure in local history, serving as co-editor and owner of the Manhattan Nationalist. The son of pioneer Henry Shellenbaum, Edward grew up in the Fancy Creek Valley, deeply influenced by his family’s legacy of hard work and perseverance. After a successful career as postmaster, he transitioned to journalism in 1914. Edward’s life reflects the values of Kansas pioneers, and he remains a respected community member alongside his wife, Anna, and their three children.
Leslie V. Johnson, born on October 8, 1872, in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, rose to prominence as a banker, serving as cashier of the State Bank of Randolph for many years. He began his banking career in Oldsburg and joined the State Bank in 1898. Under his management, the bank grew significantly, reflecting Johnson’s strong business acumen. Coming from a pioneering family, his father, Anders V. Johnson, settled in Kansas in 1858, achieving success through hard work. Leslie married Nora Ipsen in 1902, and they have one son, Eiston.
Llewellyn Kiene, born March 2, 1868, in Illinois, moved to Kansas at fifteen and has since embraced the state’s spirit as a prominent figure. He served four successful years as sheriff of Shawnee County, gaining recognition as one of its most capable leaders. Prior to his sheriff tenure, Kiene had a distinguished 20-year career in journalism, including roles as city and managing editor for local newspapers. He was actively involved in community affairs, including the Masonic Order and the Topeka School Board, and married Martha Jaqueith in 1901, with whom he had five children.
Walt Mason, born April 4, 1862, in Columbus, Ontario, found his voice in Emporia, Kansas, where he began crafting prose poetry for the Emporia Gazette alongside William Allen White. His accessible rhymes resonated with the public, earning him a vast daily readership across over 200 newspapers. Despite a humble and challenging upbringing, Mason’s unique style brought him considerable success, and he became a beloved figure in American literature. His optimistic verses reflect his belief in the power of simplicity and connection to humanity.
Richard Allen, born December 7, 1864, in Logan County, Illinois, was a notable educator and historian in Southern Kansas. He spent over fifteen years as a professor of history at Montgomery County High School, following a diverse teaching career across multiple counties. Allen, whose lineage traces back to England, was the son of B. F. Allen, a Kansas pioneer. A graduate of the State Normal School at Emporia, he earned advanced degrees from Greeley, Colorado. He was politically active and a member of the Methodist Church and several fraternal organizations.
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.
Jacob Ramer Blackshere, born September 2, 1834, in West Virginia, played a pivotal role in Kansas agriculture, particularly in introducing alfalfa to the state in 1875. He established Clover Cliff Ranch in Chase County, growing it to 4,635 acres, where he also pioneered black Galloway cattle and forage crops like kaffir corn. A dedicated farmer and rancher, Blackshere resisted political ambitions, focusing instead on agricultural innovation. He passed away on November 10, 1894, leaving behind a legacy celebrated in Kansas’s agricultural history.
Albert E. Mayhew, born on March 17, 1866, in St. Marys, Canada, moved to Kansas at four. He built a prominent hardware business in Effingham and serves as a banker and State Legislature representative. Educated in Centralia, he previously taught for three years before venturing into business. Mayhew’s father was a pioneer from England who settled in Kansas. Active in local politics, he has contributed significantly to educational legislation and community affairs. He is married to Annie J. Tinker, with whom he has a son, Carl H.
Andrew Garfield Marple, born on November 16, 1881, in Yates Center, Kansas, is a distinguished educator and the current superintendent of White Cloud City Schools. He pursued his education at Emporia College, graduating in 1908. His career spans various roles, including assistant principal in Osage City and principal in Dodge City and Raton, New Mexico. A progressive Republican and active Methodist, Marple is married to Harriet Chesbro, and they have one son, Max, born in 1914. His family has deep roots in both Kansas and Virginia.
Harris W. Manning, M.D., was born on September 20, 1868, near Emporia, Kansas, to early settlers Patrick and Laura Manning. He graduated from the Kansas State Normal and later earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in 1897. After developing a successful practice in Eureka, Kansas, he specialized in internal medicine and skin diseases. Manning was active in medical associations and served as county health officer. He married Marian Anspach in 1906 and was a devoted member of various Masonic organizations.
Jesse S. Wilson, born in Illinois in 1861, was a noted stockman who moved to Kansas in 1912, establishing a significant ranch near Hamilton. With a background rooted in a pioneer family, he succeeded in cattle and horse breeding, becoming a key figure in local agriculture. Politically engaged, he served as mayor of both Mackinaw, Illinois, and Hamilton, Kansas, facilitating municipal improvements. He married Sophia Hittle in 1888, and they had two children, actively contributing to their success in farming and ranching.