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.
Lewis T. Hussey, born in 1866 in Ohio, moved to Kansas as a child and became a prominent figure in the insurance industry. He served as a deputy register of deeds and later established the Metropolitan Accident Association, which evolved into the Continental Casualty Company. His leadership as mayor of Lyndon led to significant public infrastructure improvements. Appointed state fire marshal in 1915, Hussey has dedicated himself to fire safety and community welfare, while also engaging in various civic and fraternal organizations. He is married with two sons.
Jerry Hussey, a notable figure in Kansas history, was born in Vermont in 1845 and became an orphan at a young age. He enlisted in the Civil War at just 16 and endured captivity in Libby Prison. After the war, he moved to Kansas in 1868, transforming a wilderness into a thriving farm. A respected community member, he served as Osage County’s register of deeds and was active in local organizations. Hussey had three marriages and two children, living a life marked by resilience and dedication to his community.
Marshall M. Murdock, born in 1837 in West Virginia, became a significant journalist and founder of the Wichita Eagle. His family moved to Kansas due to their opposition to slavery. Murdock initially sought gold in the Pikes Peak region, where he discovered silver at Leadville. During the Civil War, he returned to Kansas to support his family and eventually served as a lieutenant-colonel. He established the Eagle, advocating for Wichita’s growth and becoming a respected editor and influential community figure until his death in 1908.
Thomas M. Lillard, born July 29, 1881, in Bloomington, Illinois, practiced law in Topeka for nine years. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University and studying law in Denver, he began his legal career in Burlingame in 1905. He later joined the firm of Blair, Magaw & Lillard, serving as assistant general attorney for Union Pacific Railway in Missouri and Kansas. A Democrat, Lillard was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity and local clubs. He married Elsie Hooper in 1908; they had three daughters.
Dr. Joseph Cook Bunten, born January 27, 1891, in Scranton, Kansas, has served the Douglass community as a skilled physician and surgeon since 1915. A product of a Scottish lineage, he pursued medical studies at Northwestern University, graduating in 1914. After a formative year as an intern in Kansas City, he began his practice in Osage City before establishing himself in Douglass. Married to Gladys Kirchner, Bunten is an active member of various medical societies and local organizations, demonstrating notable commitment to his profession and community.
William Wallace Reed, M.D., has been a prominent physician and surgeon in Blue Rapids, Kansas, since 1906, specializing in surgery. A third-generation medical professional, he follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, a pioneer physician in Wisconsin, and his father, a surgeon who passed away in 1885. Educated at Washburn College, Dr. Reed has built a successful practice and is active in various medical societies. He also serves as the city health officer and is president of the Blue Rapids School Board, reflecting his commitment to both health and education.
Judge Robert C. Heizer served on the district bench in Osage City for fourteen years, earning respect for his steadfast commitment to self-help and his ability to overcome early hardships in Kansas. Born in Illinois in 1856, he moved to Kansas as a child and worked his way through education, eventually becoming a successful attorney. Appointed judge by Governor Stanley, Heizer was re-elected four times, known for his impartiality and dedication to local development. He had a supportive family, including four children, fostering their education and success.
John P. Slaughter, born August 31, 1865, in Illinois, significantly shaped Kansas’s financial landscape as president of the Farm Mortgage Company, a leading firm specializing in farm mortgages. His career began at sixteen in his uncle’s office, eventually leading him to various banking positions before establishing the Farm Mortgage Company in Topeka. A Republican and Methodist, Slaughter was deeply involved in his community and family life, marrying Cora E. Flowers and raising three children. His father’s legacy as an influential farmer and Civil War veteran also marked Slaughter’s upbringing.
Carl Judge, born July 10, 1878, in Osage County, Kansas, became a respected journalist as the owner and editor of the Beverly Tribune. Prior to this, he gained substantial experience in various journals throughout the Midwest. Educated in Oklahoma, he initially pursued law but found his true passion in printing. Judge was actively involved in community affairs and served as a police judge. Married to Lenora A. Woolsey, they had four children and were committed members of the Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
William Anthony, a notable dry goods merchant in Burlingame, Kansas, served in the Union army during the Civil War and later became a respected teacher before entering business. He passed away in 1892, leaving his wife Delana and four young children. In facing the challenges of widowhood, Mrs. Anthony demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness by successfully managing the store for over fifteen years, ensuring her children received a proper education. Eventually, she sold the business and moved to Topeka, where she resides today.
Junius H. Foltz, born on February 1, 1875, in Ridgeway, Kansas, is one of the sons of Martin L. Foltz, a prominent figure in Shawnee County. As a successful farmer and stock raiser, he owns a 280-acre estate and has served as a director of the Wakarusa State Bank since its inception in 1910. Foltz is actively involved in agricultural organizations, including the Grange, and has held various local offices. He married Florence L. Tillman in 1899, and they have three children together.
Matthew B. Van Petten, born in Illinois in 1854, has been a pivotal figure in Kansas’s financial landscape since 1880. Initially a farmer, he found success in the Pioneer Mortgage Company, a venture he helped establish in Topeka. His experience in banking and finance reflects his organizational talent and insight into economic trends. A family man, he contributed to local affairs and was active in the First Methodist Church. His late wife, Mary Jane, was deeply involved in church missions and community welfare.
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.
Parker W. Perry, a respected figure in Williamsport Township, Shawnee County, passed away on March 14, 1914. Born in Bristol, New Hampshire, on September 29, 1856, he moved to Kansas in 1877, initially working for the Santa Fe Railway. In 1880, he married Amy Vawter and later became a successful farmer, expanding his land from 80 to 400 acres through hard work. A man of strong values, Perry was devoted to his family, community, and public welfare, leaving behind his wife and two children.
Archibald B. Kirkwood, a prominent figure in Pittsburg and southeastern Kansas, passed away on May 16, 1916. Born on August 20, 1859, he began his coal mining career at thirteen and quickly rose to become general manager of the Wear Coal Company, overseeing numerous mines. Kirkwood also led the Standard Mercantile Company, contributing significantly to local commerce. A respected community member and philanthropist, he served as mayor of Pittsburg in 1907. He is survived by his wife, Ida, and their three children.
Edward E. Dix, born in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1860, rose through the ranks of the Frisco Railroad, starting as a messenger boy at sixteen. His dedication and ability led him to various positions, eventually becoming the general agent at Fort Scott. Dix’s career exemplifies the qualities essential for success in railroading: hard work, resilience, and commitment. Actively involved in local affairs, he contributed to Fort Scott’s development and was a prominent figure in Masonry and the Republican Party. He married Sarah Miller in 1900 and had one son.
Hiram B. Miller, born in Ohio in 1848, became a prominent figure in Kansas’s livestock industry after moving there in 1869. A teacher turned businessman, he established himself in Osage City, where he was a leader in livestock production and co-managed over 10,000 acres with his brother. Active in politics, he served as mayor and state senator, advocating for railroad legislation and was considered for the governorship. Miller was also a devoted family man and respected community member, leaving a lasting legacy upon his death in 1912.
David Crawford Thoroman, born in Ohio in 1824, was a pioneering educator and farmer in Kansas. After serving as a lieutenant in the Civil War, he settled in Osage County before moving to Coffey County. Despite health challenges from his military service, he contributed significantly to his communities as a respected teacher for nearly three decades. Thoroman’s legacy continued through his children, especially Albert M. Thoroman, who became an influential educator and editor of school texts in Kansas, reflecting the family’s commitment to education and integrity.
Frank E. Bodley, born on April 24, 1859, in Princeton, Illinois, emerged as a prominent banker in Chanute, Kansas. After starting his banking career at the Farmers State Bank in Quenemo, he became vice president of the Bank of Commerce in Chanute before leading the Peoples-Home State Bank as president. Established in 1906, the bank currently boasts significant capital and deposits. Bodley is recognized for his conservative financial policies and integrity, and he is also a family man, married to Laura Copple, with a son, Harold C., involved in banking.