Platte County MO

Biography of Maurice McAuliffe

Maurice McAuliffe, born December 24, 1853, in County Limerick, Ireland, emigrated to Kansas in 1871. A prominent farmer and stockman in Saline County, he became a leader in agricultural reform, notably as president of the Farmers Union of Kansas, an organization central to farmers’ advocacy similar to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Besides his agricultural pursuits, McAuliffe contributed to public life and was the editor of the Farmers Union publication. He was a devoted family man and active in the Catholic Church until his wife’s passing in 1917.

Biography of Earl A. Nossaman

Earl A. Nossaman, born on February 18, 1879, in Harrison County, Missouri, dedicated his early career to education before transitioning to the drug business. He joined Monarch Cement Company during its reorganization, where he played a crucial role in its sales department. With deep roots in the community, his family lineage includes a Civil War veteran and progressive local leaders. Nossaman was active in local politics and the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he married Amanda L. England, with whom he had three children.

Biography of James Wallingford Waggener

James Wallingford Waggener, born August 11, 1853, in Platte City, Missouri, has played a significant role in the public utilities sector as the general superintendent of the Atchison Railway, Light and Power Company. Educated in law and initially practicing as an attorney, his career shifted to contracting and public service. A Democrat, he served on Atchison’s City Council and is active in various fraternal organizations. Waggener was first married to Susie Collins, with whom he had a daughter, and later married Hattie Bayley.

Biography of David C. Stahlman

Dr. David C. Stahlman, born on January 10, 1867, in Indiana, has been a dedicated physician in Potwin, Kansas, since 1900, apart from a brief period in New Mexico. His journey to medicine began after overcoming financial hardships, where he worked various jobs to attend medical school. He has established a successful practice and is well-respected in his community, serving as the sole physician in Potwin. Active in local organizations and the Methodist Episcopal Church, he is also a family man, married with four children.

Biography of Edgar Ernest Brooks, M. D.

Edgar Ernest Brooks, M.D., born on August 1, 1884, in Burden, Kansas, is a prominent physician and surgeon in Cowley County. The eighth of eleven children, Dr. Brooks comes from a family with deep roots in the area, including his Civil War veteran grandfather. Educated in local schools and trained at the University Medical College in Kansas City, he established a successful medical practice after a brief stint in Moline. Active in community and medical organizations, he married Dulcie Hatfield in 1912 and has two children.

Biography of Alvis Clayton Zimmerman, M.D.

Dr. Alvis Clayton Zimmerman, born on April 9, 1874, in Kansas, is recognized as the pioneering physician and surgeon of Perry, Kansas, establishing his practice two decades ago. He comes from a long line of early settlers, with roots tracing back to Holland and Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University Medical College in Kansas City, he has built a successful medical career while actively participating in local civic engagements. Dr. Zimmerman has been married twice, and he and his second wife, Faye, have two children.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Arethusa E. Smith

Mrs. Arethusa E. Smith, born June 12, 1834, in Benton County, Missouri, was the daughter of Daniel Lynn. After various relocations, her family moved to Texas before settling in Oregon following her father’s death from cholera in 1850. In 1852, she married Thomas Smith in the Umpqua Valley, where they raised twelve children. Known for her nurturing nature, Mrs. Smith created a comfortable and refined home over nearly four decades, embodying the spirit of dedication and family life in the region.

Biography of Green B. Smith

Green B. Smith, born September 10, 1820, in West Virginia, became a prominent pioneer of Western Oregon. He journeyed across the plains in 1845 with a wagon train to settle in the Willamette Valley after facing significant challenges, including a lost route and severe scarcity of resources. A successful farmer and stock-raiser in Benton County, Smith was known for his intelligence, public spirit, and generous support of local initiatives. He died on May 7, 1886, leaving a lasting legacy as a model citizen and pioneer.

Biography of K. Ellis Sherrill M. D.

K. Ellis Sherrill, M.D., a skilled physician and surgeon, established his practice in Formoso, Kansas, after working in Missouri and Arkansas. Born in 1873 in Bismarck, Missouri, Sherrill earned his M.D. in 1911 from Barnes University. His diverse medical career included roles as a school teacher, house surgeon for the Missouri-Pacific Railway, and lumber camp physician. Active in numerous fraternal organizations and the medical community, he married twice and had eleven children. Sherrill has made significant contributions to his profession and community.

Biography of August Bondi

August Bondi, born in Vienna on July 21, 1833, emerged as a significant figure in Kansas history, celebrated as a soldier and ally of John Brown. After emigrating to the U.S. in 1848, he became an ardent anti-slavery advocate upon arriving in Kansas in 1855. Bondi participated in various notable engagements during the border conflicts and served honorably in the Civil War. Active in public life, he held several official positions in Salina, Kansas, and dedicated his later years to historical scholarship before passing away on September 30, 1907.

Biography of Alphius Lamont Hamilton

Alphius Lamont Hamilton, born on March 4, 1850, in Pennsylvania, has dedicated 45 years to law, public office, and civic engagement in El Dorado, Kansas. A prominent figure in the Kansas bar, he established a successful legal practice after studying under notable figures. His ancestry includes members who served in key American conflicts, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to public service. Hamilton has also been active in the Republican Party, serving as Butler County attorney and briefly as a district judge, prioritizing his career as a lawyer.

Biography of Anthony Wayne Fairchild, M. D.

Dr. Anthony Wayne Fairchild, born June 1, 1878, in Wentzville, Missouri, has made significant contributions to the medical field in Fall River, Kansas. A graduate of Barnes Medical College, he began his practice in 1913 and specializes in general medicine and surgery. His wife, also a physician, focuses on eye diseases. The Fairchild family has deep roots in America, tracing back to Colonial times. Dr. Fairchild’s life is marked by military service in the Spanish-American War and active participation in various medical societies and fraternal organizations.

Biography of Merle K. Scott, M. D.

Merle K. Scott, M. D., born on April 16, 1878, in Coyville, Kansas, is a notable physician and surgeon at Frontenac. Son of Rev. Robert M. and Sarah Kinnear Scott, he graduated from the University Medical College in 1901. His medical career commenced during a smallpox epidemic, showcasing his bravery. He is an active member of various medical associations and serves as the local surgeon for multiple organizations. Married to Daisy I. Smith, they have two children. Dr. Scott is involved in local politics and community services, including the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biography of Ed Heeney

Ed Heeney, born in 1852 in County Meath, Ireland, immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1853. Settling in Doniphan County, Kansas, he entered the educational field before establishing a successful hardware and furniture business in Severance in 1880. A prominent community member, he served in the State Legislature and was an active Catholic and a Knights of Columbus member. Heeney married twice, raising three children from his first marriage and continuing to influence local commerce and education until his retirement in 1917.

Biography of Walter C. Palmer, M. D.

Walter C. Palmer, M.D., was born on August 26, 1876, in Streator, Illinois. After years of practice in Kansas City, he moved to Hiawatha, Kansas, where he dedicated himself to surgery. His surgical expertise was enriched by his experience in war hospitals in France during 1916. Educated in Kansas City, he graduated from Kansas City Medical College in 1900 and gained post-graduate training in Chicago. A prominent surgeon, he operated a hospital in Hiawatha and was actively involved in various medical associations, as well as local fraternal organizations. He married Lida McCuan in 1904, and they have one daughter, Florence.

Biography of Charles H. Browne

Charles H. Browne, born in 1881 in St. Joseph, Missouri, is the proprietor and editor of the Horton Headlight-Commercial, Brown County’s sole newspaper, following the consolidation of several local journals. A veteran of the Kansas National Guard, he played an active role in military service during significant conflicts. Browne is also involved in various fraternal organizations and has served on the Horton school board. Married in 1903, he and his wife have three children and are integral members of their community.

Biography of David Johnson, M. D.

David Johnson, M. D., born in Sweden on May 4, 1848, was a renowned medical specialist who returned to Kansas after years in New England. An alumnus of Upsala University, he arrived in America in 1869, initially settling in Paola, Kansas. Johnson’s extensive career included notable practice in Boston, where he made significant medical discoveries, including cures for leprosy and diabetes. He later established a laboratory in Salina, Kansas, for the distribution of his remedies globally. Johnson’s lifelong contributions to medicine were profound, yet personal sorrow marked his life with the loss of his wife.

Biography of Charles R. Hewins

Charles R. Hewins, born on December 1, 1866, near Wathena, Kansas, has dedicated a significant portion of his life to education in Doniphan County. A member of a pioneer family, he began teaching after graduating high school in 1885 and has served for over thirty years, including as county superintendent since 1917. With a focus on community and political engagement, Hewins has actively participated in local educational associations. He has also built a modest yet successful life, owning a farm while contributing to the county’s educational development.

Biography of John Harrison Atwood

John Harrison Atwood, a prominent figure in Kansas law and politics, was born in Massachusetts in 1860. He moved to Kansas in 1885, where he quickly established himself as a skilled lawyer and orator. A member of the Kansas bar for 25 years, Atwood played a significant role in revitalizing the Democratic Party in the state. He excelled in high-profile legal cases and served as the Democratic national committeeman for Kansas. Atwood’s community influence extended into banking and civic organizations, solidifying his legacy as a distinguished Kansan.

Biography of Charles C. Finney M. D.

Dr. Charles C. Finney, born February 1, 1865, in Atchison, Kansas, emerged from a pioneering family. His medical career began with eight years in the Missouri Pacific Railway’s hospital department, leading to his graduation from Beaumont Medical College in 1894. Establishing a general practice in Atchison, he gained a reputation as a leading physician and served as the local surgeon for the railway from 1894 to 1908. An active Democrat, he was elected to the City Council and served as mayor from 1913 to 1916. He married Louise Zibold in 1904 and has one son.