Biography of Henry A. Smith, M.D.

Dr. Henry A. Smith, born on September 16, 1857, in Indiana, is a St. Louis physician and surgeon, also serving as president and medical director of the Peoples Life Accident Insurance Company. After an early career in the drug business and the Wabash Railroad, he entered the ministry before pursuing medicine, graduating in 1905. Active in the local Methodist church, he is recognized for his contributions to the medical field and community, balancing his professional life with family and civic duties.

Biography of B. C. Burgess

B. C. Burgess, born on June 8, 1833, in North Carolina, is a prominent miller at the historic Watkin Mill in Missouri. After moving to Indiana and then Springfield, Missouri, he transitioned from carpentry to milling in 1891. His mill, equipped with modern machinery, produces high-quality flour and has a capacity of twenty barrels per day. A Republican and Mason, Burgess is married to M. C. Macon and has three children. He is known for his integrity and has successfully built a significant trade in Greene County.

Biography of George W. Akers

George W. Akers, born March 20, 1839, in Indiana, moved to Kansas in 1863, establishing a dual career in medicine and ministry. After graduating in medicine, he practiced in Paola before becoming a Methodist minister, serving various congregations until health issues led him back to medicine. He was also involved in journalism and served as postmaster of Stafford. A political figure, he actively supported the Republican Party. Married to Margaret Steele, they had four children, including Earl Akers, who became state treasurer of Kansas.

Biography of Jacob Kissel

Jacob Kissel, born in 1854 in St. Louis, Missouri, faced adversity early in life, becoming an orphan at nine. His industrious nature and German heritage propelled him into various clerking roles across multiple cities. Eventually, he settled in south Missouri, where he partnered with John F. Church to establish a successful business. A self-made man, Kissel exemplifies the potential for achievement through hard work and integrity. He married Adelia Dent in 1889, with whom he has two daughters, Clara and Alma.

Biography of Charles G. Royer

Charles G. Royer, born June 4, 1866, in Indianapolis, became the cashier of the Citizens State Bank in Winchester, Kansas, in 1907, a role he has upheld since the bank’s inception. The bank serves as a vital resource for the local farming community. Royer, descended from German immigrants, worked as a carpenter before his banking career. He is active in local organizations and is a family man, married to Alice Tolan, with four children. His father, J.B. Royer, was a notable figure in Winchester’s early development.

Biography of William F. Kettenbach

William F. Kettenbach, born in 1849, was a prominent businessman in Lewiston and the president of the Lewiston National Bank until his death in 1891. After moving to Lewiston in 1878, he established the first general insurance business and played a crucial role in the bank’s success, promoting various enterprises, including the city’s first water and lighting system. A member of the Knights of Pythias, Kettenbach was known for his integrity and significant contributions to the town’s prosperity, leaving a lasting legacy through his son, William F. Kettenbach Jr.

Biography of Norman M. Ruick

Norman M. Ruick, born on October 4, 1854, in Granby, Connecticut, is a prominent Idaho attorney known for his dedication to law and public service. After initially working as a machinist, he pursued a legal career, being admitted to the bar in Indiana in 1877. Ruick practiced law in Idaho, serving as assistant district attorney and later as a state senator. He was instrumental in the Populist-Democratic coalition in 1896. Residing in Boise, he is celebrated for his criminal law expertise and has made significant contributions to Idaho’s legal and political landscape.

Biography of John R. Tercy

John R. Tercy, born on September 19, 1858, in Indianapolis, Indiana, serves as the probate judge of Ellsworth County, Kansas. With a background as a Presbyterian minister, Tercy has a rich history in public service, including his prior role as county treasurer. He graduated from Hanover College and the Union Theological Seminary. Tercy has been actively involved in various community organizations, including the Masonic Lodge and the Odd Fellows. He married Laura C. Andrews in 1907 and is the father of five children.

Biography of Judge Edgar C. Steele

Edgar Clarence Steele, born on November 15, 1857, in Indiana, has gained a reputation as a distinguished lawyer and competent judge in Idaho. A graduate of the Indiana Law School, he practiced law in Indiana before moving to Idaho in 1893, where he partnered with Hon. Willis Sweet. Elected to the bench in 1898, Judge Steele is recognized for his fairness and impartiality. A staunch Republican, he is also active in the Masonic community and is well-respected among Moscow’s citizens and legal professionals.

Biography of Isaac C. Hattabaugh

Isaac C. Hattabaugh, born December 24, 1851, in Indiana, emerged as a significant figure in Latah County’s political and business spheres. After relocating to Idaho in 1878, he engaged in various ventures, including contracting and banking. He served as auditor and deputy court clerk, later presiding over the Commercial Bank until its bankruptcy during the 1895 financial crisis. A staunch Democrat, he also contributed to education as a school board member and university regent. Hattabaugh was deeply involved in Masonic organizations, earning respect for his leadership and community service.

Biography of Jacob E. Maus

Jacob E. Maus, born June 11, 1844, in Carroll County, Maryland, was an early Shawnee County settler, prosperous farmer, and Civil War veteran. After serving in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry under General Sherman, he returned to Maryland before moving to Kansas in 1869. There, he cultivated his land and contributed to local development. Married to Emma E. Clark in 1868, they had eight children. A Republican and devoted community member, Maus supported local improvements and was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biographical Sketch of Frank M. Drew

Frank M. Drew, born in New York City on June 30, 1852, was a prominent theater manager and businessman. Educated in Philadelphia, he initially pursued acting before shifting to the circus and museum industries for sixteen years. Drew constructed the Cleveland Theater in 1883 and partnered with Mr. Campbell on various playhouses. A member of the Elks and Masonic bodies, he married Blanche C. Collard in 1885 and had six children, maintaining a summer residence in Girard, Pennsylvania.

Biographical Sketch of John Blechschmid

John Blechschmid, born in Germany on June 7, 1870, was a notable florist in the United States. He was educated in Germany and Newport, Kentucky, before marrying Marie Sterk in Cleveland in 1906. Blechschmid gained experience working with various florists in Kentucky and Cincinnati, and served as head gardener at the Cincinnati Zoo for two years. In 1904, he established his own floral business in Cleveland and became vice president of The Florist Club, contributing significantly to the horticultural community.

Biographical Sketch of Will P. Blair

Will P. Blair, born on June 28, 1849, in Plainfield, Indiana, was a notable figure in the brick manufacturing industry. He held leadership roles as president of the National Paving Brick Manufacturers Association and contributed significantly to engineering literature on brick pavement construction. An Earlham College alumnus, he married Viola V. Sanders and had one daughter. Blair’s involvement in various engineering societies and committees highlights his commitment to improving municipal construction practices throughout his career.

Biography of Floyd B. McBride, M. D.

Floyd B. McBride, M. D., born July 22, 1882, in Sullivan, Indiana, has established a successful medical and surgical practice in Liberty, Kansas, over just seven years. A graduate of Indiana University’s medical school in 1906, he honed his skills through internships and service at the National Military Home in Marion, Indiana. Since relocating to Liberty in 1909, he has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, gaining a reputation for his compassionate care. McBride is actively involved in various medical societies and maintains a commitment to continual learning while balancing a private life with his wife, Iva Witham.

Biography of Harry S. Brown

Harry S. Brown, born September 16, 1870, in Wanamaker, Indiana, has dedicated twenty years to law, primarily in Coffeyville, where he has built a respected practice. Coming from a lineage with roots in colonial America and Scottish ancestry, his family has a rich history. Educated at Butler University and the Indiana School of Law, he served as city attorney and was active in community organizations. A devoted family man, he married Juanita N. Matthews in 1902, and they have five children together.

Biographical Sketch of William E. Wall

William E. Wall, born on August 23, 1868, in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, moved to Cleveland in 1890 and has spent 24 years in the oil business, primarily with the Fred G. Clark Co. He served as president of the National Petroleum Association in 1903 and held leadership roles in several refining companies. Wall was also active in various clubs and associations, including the Cleveland Petroleum Association and several regional clubs in Pennsylvania.

Biography of James Cuthbert

James Cuthbert, born July 14, 1849, in Nairnshire, Scotland, has been a prominent general contractor in Topeka for over thirty-five years. After starting his career in Canada and working in various cities like Cincinnati and Indianapolis, he settled in Topeka in 1879. Cuthbert co-founded a contracting firm that became well-known across Kansas, completing numerous public buildings. A dedicated community member, he has served in various civic roles and has eleven children, several of whom are involved in the family business.

Biographical Sketch of Richard Perry Tolle

Richard Perry Tolle was born on October 20, 1883, in Maysville, Kentucky, to William A. and Sarah Frances Fowler Tolle. He was educated in the public schools of Maysville and married Annabel Day in Indianapolis on May 19, 1904, with whom he had three children. Tolle managed the S. S. Kresge Company in Cleveland and was a 32nd degree Mason, affiliated with the A.A.O.N.M. Shrine and a member of the Country Club. His hobbies included baseball and automobiling.

Biographical Sketch of Worth M. Tippy

Worth M. Tippy, a clergyman born on November 8, 1867, in Larwill, Indiana, was educated at DePauw University and Cornell University. He married Zella Birda Ward in 1895 and had two daughters. Tippy held various pastorates in Indiana and New York, served as a university preacher, and was active in social service and church finance committees. He authored “The Socialized Church” in 1909 and participated in numerous organizations, reflecting his commitment to both church and community.