Marysville Kansas

Biographical Sketch of Edwin C. Manning

Edwin C. Manning, born on November 7, 1838, in Redford, New York, was a pivotal figure in Kansas history. He taught school, learned the printing trade, and journeyed to the Pikes Peak region seeking gold. Disillusioned, he turned to journalism, publishing Democratic and later Republican platforms. Manning served in the Civil War and transitioned to government contracting before founding Winfield in 1869. He was active in state politics, serving in the Legislature and holding key positions, such as Secretary of the upper house.

Biography of Fred W. Reed

Fred W. Reed, born October 6, 1884, in Liberty, Nebraska, is the publisher of the Beattie Eagle, a notable independent newspaper in Marshall County. He began his journalism career apprenticing in printing, eventually acquiring the Eagle in 1913. His family history traces back to Holland, with his father, John H. Reed, influencing local politics. A Democrat and member of several fraternal organizations, Reed married Emma L. Heinke in 1908, and they have one son, Harold.

Biography of John J. Fowles

John J. Fowles, born January 3, 1884, in Eldora, Iowa, has been a dedicated educator in Kansas since 1908, currently serving as superintendent of Summerfield schools. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell College after initially working as a high school principal in various towns. Coming from a Colonial American family with deep roots in Iowa, Fowles is a member of several educational and community organizations and is married with two children. His family background reflects a legacy of farming and community involvement.

Biography of Edgar Ross Fulton

Edgar Ross Fulton, born on February 10, 1856, in Pennsylvania, transitioned from a promising legal career in Western Kansas to banking, becoming president of the First National Bank of Marysville in 1915. He began as a pioneer attorney in Hodgeman County before shifting focus to finance, helping to establish the bank, which flourished under his leadership. Beyond banking, he served in the State Senate and was active in local education and Masonic organizations. Fulton’s personal life included two marriages and three children from his first wife, who died in 1891.

Biography of Mathias M. Schmidt

Mathias M. Schmidt, born July 8, 1876, in Wisconsin, spent his life in Marshall County, Kansas. Of German descent, he had a diverse career as a teacher, banker, and civic leader, transitioning to the loan and insurance business in 1913. A graduate of Northwestern University, his contributions included legislative service where he notably advocated for educational reforms and the passage of the Blue Sky law. A dedicated scholar with a keen interest in history and geology, he was also a family man, married with three children.

Biography of William H. Smith

William H. Smith, born December 3, 1841, in Pennsylvania, had an impactful life in Kansas after relocating in 1865. A Civil War veteran, he was wounded at Malvern Hill and continued to serve in various support roles. Over decades, Smith became a prominent figure in Marysville as a farmer, merchant, and public official, including serving as postmaster for 14 years. He was instrumental in establishing local banks and legislation. Active in community service, he also contributed to the Kansas State Historical Society. Smith married Mary E. Allen in 1871, and they had one child who died young.

Biography of George T. Smith

George T. Smith, born June 13, 1853, in Pennsylvania, is a prominent Kansas newspaper editor and owner of the Marshall County News, established in 1869. After arriving in Kansas in 1874, he served as deputy county treasurer and clerk before taking over the News in 1881. Smith has been a significant figure in local journalism for over thirty-five years, maintaining the paper’s Republican stance. He and his wife, Katy L. Allen, have five children, contributing to both the community and the legacy of the Smith family in Kansas.

Biography of Theodore H. Polace

Theodore H. Polace, born on March 12, 1860, in Illinois, has been a prominent lawyer in Marysville for over thirty-five years. Initially a teacher, he transitioned to law after studying at the University of Michigan. His father, Rev. Gustav W. Polack, was a dedicated Lutheran minister who immigrated from Germany. Married in 1887 to Florence McKee, Theodore and Florence had five children, contributing to both education and agriculture in their community. He remains active in legal practice, with a strong connection to his Lutheran roots.

Biography of Roley S. Pauley

Roley S. Pauley, born on June 23, 1849, in Bloomington, Indiana, made significant contributions to agriculture in Marshall County, Kansas, where he managed a substantial farming operation for nearly four decades. A respected leader, he served in the State Senate and was involved in banking and local governance. Coming from a lineage of farmers and pioneers, Pauley’s dedication to the land remains evident in his expansive holdings. Married in 1882, he raised six children while maintaining a strong commitment to community and public service.

Biographical Sketch of Robert S. Shope

Robert S. Shope, born on January 29, 1891, in Hennessey, Oklahoma, is the superintendent of Bigelow’s city schools in Kansas. Though originally from Oklahoma, he grew up on a farm in Marshall County. A graduate of Frankfort High School, he began teaching in 1910 and later attended the University of Kansas. In 1915, he became the Bigelow superintendent. He is active in the Marshall County Teachers Association and the Odd Fellows. Robert married Lyla Wager, and they have two sons, Robert and Oliver.