Princeton Illinois

Biography of T. W. Swigart

T. W. Swigart, born on July 3, 1831, in Maryland, was a prominent harness dealer and businessman in Newman and Douglas County. He honed his skills as a harness maker in Ohio before relocating to various states, ultimately settling in Newman in 1873. A well-respected figure, Swigart served as president of the town board and held various community positions. Known for his straightforwardness and integrity, he significantly contributed to the local economy while building a successful business and gaining the respect of the community.

Biography of Charles F. Little, M.D.

Charles F. Little, M.D., a distinguished figure in Kansas medicine, began his practice in Manhattan in 1866 after training prior to the Civil War and serving as an assistant surgeon. He contributed significantly to the community, engaging in politics and business. Little, descended from a notable New England family, was a pioneer in early medical practices and a founding member of local institutions, including the First National Bank of Manhattan. His legacy continues through his daughter, Dr. B. Belle Little, a prominent physician and founder of a local hospital.

Biography of John R. Mulvane

John R. Mulvane, a prominent figure in Kansas since 1868, served for nearly forty years as president of the Bank of Topeka and played a crucial role in the state’s financial and industrial sectors. Born in Ohio in 1835, Mulvane worked in various trades before moving to Topeka, where he became a key player in several enterprises, including the Topeka Water Company and the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company. A committed civic leader, he contributed to the American Bankers Association and local philanthropic efforts, while also nurturing his family’s legacy through adoption.

Biography of De Witt C. Tyler, M. D.

De Witt C. Tyler, M.D., born in Roscoe, Illinois, in 1850, is recognized as Clifton’s oldest physician after thirty-six years of dedicated service in Clay and Washington counties. Educated largely through self-effort, he graduated from Rush Medical College in 1881 and began his practice in Clifton later that year. Aside from his medical career, he was an active community member and held various properties. In 1885, he married Mary E. Edwards, and they had one son, Frank E., who pursued a successful legal career.

Biographical Sketch of John Warfield Ellis

John Warfield Ellis was born on August 28, 1877, in Princeton, Illinois. He pursued his education at Northwestern University and later married Mildred L. Furness in Cleveland on October 18, 1909. They had one son, born in 1911. Ellis became a prominent manufacturing chemist, serving as president and manager of Prescott Chemical Company and general manager of Chemical Supply Company. He was actively involved in various organizations, including Beta Theta Pi and several local clubs in Cleveland.

Biography of Joab Mulvane

Joab Mulvane, born on November 19, 1837, in Ohio, emerged as a prominent figure in Kansas after relocating in 1876. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to various successful ventures, including railroads, streetcars, and telecommunications. A dedicated public servant, he served in the Kansas State Legislature and was pivotal in railroad development. Mulvane played key roles in several companies, including the Kansas Salt Company and the Edison Electric Light Company. His contributions to education and community welfare, along with his Republican political engagement, cemented his legacy in Kansas.

Biography of David Winfield Mulvane, Hon.

Hon. David Winfield Mulvane, born in Illinois in 1863, has significantly shaped Kansas and national Republican politics from his base in Topeka. A Yale graduate and prominent lawyer, Mulvane has been a key figure in the state’s legal and banking sectors, serving as senior partner at Mulvane and Gault. His political involvement spans decades, including long-standing roles on the Republican State Central and National Committees. Beyond politics, he is active in various associations and clubs, reflecting his deep community ties. Mulvane married Helen M. Drexel in 1906.

Biography of Frank E. Bodley

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.

Biography of Stephen Henry Velie

Stephen Henry Velie, born April 21, 1830, in New York, significantly contributed to Moline’s industrial prominence through his leadership in manufacturing, especially as secretary and treasurer of the Deere Company from its inception. His diverse business ventures included lumber, stone quarries, and railroads. A devoted family man, he married Emma C. Deere and had five children. Politically active as a Republican, Velie also supported the Congregational Church and various fraternal organizations. He was known for his fair treatment of labor and a congenial nature that endeared him to many.