Northampton County PA

Narrative of Marie Le Roy and Barbara Leininger

The Narrative of Mary le Roy and Barbara Leininger. Who for four and a half years were captive among the Indians, and on the 6th May 1759 arrived happy in this city. From her own lips never written and promoted to the Press. This manuscript gives an account of the captivity and escape of these two girls, whose families lived on Penn’s Creek, in the present Union County, Pennsylvania. It also provides a lengthy list of names of other prisoners met by the two ladies in their captivity.

Biographical Sketch of Darius E. Ward

Darius Edwin Ward, born on November 23, 1854, in Delaware District, was educated in Pennsylvania and married Sarah Caroline Ritter in 1875. They had eight children, including Minnie Esther and Jay Herbert. After Sarah’s death in 1896, Darius remarried Mary Murphy in 1897, with whom he had Martha Ann. A skilled cabinet maker and community leader, Ward served as Secretary of the Old Settlers Commissioner and as County Commissioner of Cherokee County from 1910 to 1912. His Cherokee name was Keetoo-wha-gi.

Biography of George Woolsey Crane

George Woolsey Crane, a prominent publisher in the Midwest, passed away in Topeka on January 30, 1913. He founded the Crane Company, known for its fair practices and dedication to Kansas, publishing more books about the state than anyone else. Despite facing multiple setbacks, including devastating fires that wiped out his business, Crane’s resilience led to the establishment of one of the largest publishing houses west of the Mississippi. His legacy includes a significant impact on education and a deep commitment to the community, reflecting both personal and familial values.

Biography of Col. William F. Prosser

Col. William F. Prosser, born on March 16, 1834, in Pennsylvania, had a diverse career influenced by his Welsh heritage. He engaged in mining, military service during the Civil War, and political endeavors in Tennessee, where he served in the legislature and Congress. Prosser was recognized for his contributions to education and infrastructure. After the war, he moved to Washington Territory, becoming a successful land office agent and founder of Prosser, a significant agricultural town. His life exemplified dedication to public service and development.

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 Alford Jonathan Harwi

Alford Jonathan Harwi, born in Pennsylvania in 1847, became a prominent Kansas merchant after moving to Atchison in 1875. He founded the A. J. Harwi Hardware Company, which grew into a leading wholesale business in the Missouri Valley, driven by his vision and diligent character. Despite suffering from illness in later years, he remained devoted to his business and community, contributing to various charitable causes and serving a term as state senator. Harwi passed away in 1910, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurship and civic responsibility.

Biography of Henry Chase Bradbury

Henry Chase Bradbury, born in 1844, is a prominent figure in Kansas’s Presbyterian Church, serving for over forty years as a missionary. His lineage, rooted in early colonial America, reflects a legacy of education and ministry. His father, Elbridge Bradbury, a noted scholar and minister, influenced Henry’s path. Despite the hardships of his mission work, Henry remains active at seventy-three, overseeing multiple churches and community efforts. Known for his generosity, he has garnered admiration, celebrated annually on “Bradbury Day.” He married Elma Boblett and has six children, continuing his family’s commitment to service.

Biography of David O. Crane

David O. Crane, born in 1842 in Easton, Pennsylvania, has served as superintendent of the Topeka Cemetery since 1884, demonstrating exceptional dedication and service. A Civil War veteran, he initially enlisted as a musician in the Second Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infantry, participating in key battles. After the war, he served in various civic roles, including city clerk in Osage City, before managing the cemetery following his father’s death. A family man and community figure, Crane is also involved in numerous fraternal organizations and the Republican Party.

Biographical Sketch of Walter A. Bellchambers

Walter A. Bellchambers, born January 18, 1874, in New York City, was the son of Robert F. and Ellen Shugg Bellchambers. He received his education in the public schools of New York and spent two years at a military school in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. After moving to Cleveland in 1892, he purchased an established hairdressing business in 1893. He married Maud L. Weaver on June 21, 1894, and they had one son, F. Walter Bellchambers. He was also a Mason affiliated with Brooklyn No. 454 and Hellman Chapter No. 166.

Biographical Sketch of Aaron Kerr Hannen

Aaron Kerr Hannen was born in 1854 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Henry and Amanda Kerr Hannen and received his education at Lafayette College. In 1882, he married Annie Piper DeArent and had one son, Harry A. Hannen, who resides in Los Angeles, California. Hannen dedicated thirty years to Berkshire Life Insurance Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was an active member of all Masonic bodies in Western Pennsylvania, as well as the Colonial Club.

Biographical Sketch of Paul D. Jones

Paul D. Jones, born on April 30, 1876, in East Bangor, Pennsylvania, was the son of William D. and Linda A. Weidman Jones. He received his education in Cleveland public schools. On June 28, 1900, he married Georgia A. Hauxhurst, with whom he had one child. Jones served as treasurer of The Guarantee Title Trust Company and participated in local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Keswick Golf Club.

Biography of John McEwen Ames

John McEwen Ames, born in New York City on February 12, 1867, is a prominent figure in Caney, Kansas, primarily known for his role as president of the Kan-o-Tex Refining Company. His extensive background includes work with major corporations in the East before moving to Caney in 1915. Educated at Shattuck School and Johns Hopkins University, Ames began his career as a draughtsman and mechanical engineer. He holds several patents and is involved in various engineering organizations and companies, reflecting his significant contributions to the industry and community.

Biographical Sketch of Edwin D. Rider

Edwin D. Rider, born November 2, 1884, in Navarre, Ohio, was the son of Daniel W. and Isabelle Exline Rider. A graduate of the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Military School, he served as a second sergeant before marrying Carrie M. Williams in 1907, with whom he had two daughters. Rider worked in Cleveland’s dairy industry for twelve years, including four years with The Flood-Pratt Dairy Co., and has owned The Model Dairy for eight years. He is also a stockholder in The Doan Savings Loan Co. and a member of Mayflower Lodge No. 679, I.O.O.F.

Biography of Davison L. Youmans

Davison L. Youmans, born on October 30, 1866, in Pennsylvania, has dedicated much of his life to public service in Muskogee and Kansas. He began his career in the ice trade, founding the Crystal Ice Company in Muskogee in 1903 and later the City Ice Cold Storage Company. Youmans has been actively involved in local government, serving on various boards and as assistant city manager since 1920. Married to Ella Bray in 1893, he is also engaged in Masonic and civic organizations, advocating for community development and public welfare.

Biographical Sketch of Bush Bros.

The Bush brothers, David, John, and Nelson, have roots in Pennsylvania and Ohio before settling in Illinois. David, born in 1832, married Elinor Stiff in 1864 and raised four children after moving from Pennsylvania to Coles County. John, born in 1837, served in the 123rd Illinois Infantry and married Polly Ann Jarvis in 1874, having one child. Nelson, born in 1846, lived with his siblings and parents, Jonathan and Eliza Lee Bush, until their deaths in the mid-1800s.

Biographical Sketch of J. I. Ayer

J. I. Ayer, born on February 3, 1854, in Medford, Massachusetts, moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, at age 12. After a military education in civil engineering, he helped manage a family book and stationery business. In 1870, he relocated to Mattoon, Illinois, where he worked on local railroads for three years. Ayer later became a bookkeeper before buying a book and music store in 1877. He married Mary L. Cleveland in 1876 and has one daughter. He is related to the notable Dr. J. C. Ayer.