Russell County KS

Biographies of Russell County Kansas

The following 31 biographies were extracted from the History of the State of Kansas, 1883 and pertain specifically to Russell County. To view the entire history of Russell County visit Russell County, Kansas History and Genealogy Russell County is one of the central counties of Kansas, it being two hundred and forty-four miles from the Missouri River to the east line of the county, and one hundred and ninty-two (sic) miles from the east line of the county to the west line of the State. A line drawn through the center of the State, from east to west, would pass … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Yoxall, Albert

Yoxall, Albert farmer. His parents came with the Northwestern Colony from Oshkosh, Wis. to Russell in the spring of 1871. His father opened a lumberyard in Russell and continued until 1876. Then engaged in farming, locating on Section 32. Has 160 acres of fine land, 140 of which are cultivated. His father, John Yoxall, died in October 1880. He was a native of England, born in 1815, came to America in 1869, and settled in Oshkosh, Wisconsin where he engaged in lumbering, until he came to Kansas. Albert Yoxall, his son, was born in England, January 1, 1856, married in … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Franklin McGath

Benjamin Franklin McGath is one of the old-timers in Champaign County, and has witnessed its growth and development since 1861, the same year that he went out to do service as a Union soldier. He made a creditable record in the army and his entire life has been a record of patriotic devotion and duties worthily and successfully performed. His birth occurred in Vermilion County, Indiana, March 15, 1841. He is the only survivor of a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, born to William and Nancy (Fannon) McGath. He was the eighth in order of birth. … Read more

Wyckoff, Chris – Obituary

Wallowa, Wallowa County, Oregon Chris Wyckoff, age 84 of Rt. 1 Wallowa, died Tuesday June 27th at the Wallowa Memorial Hospital in Enterprise. Mr. Wyckoff was born on April 8, 1894 at Luray, Kansas, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Dye) Wyckoff. He served with the U.S. Army during World War I and on July 14, 1918 was married to Frances Naomi Bratton at Lucas, Kansas. They moved to Baker County on February 23, 1937. Mrs. Wyckoff preceded her husband in death on October 31, 1947. On December 28, 1949 he was married to the former Cora Ellena Bratton at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Chadbourne, J. S.

Chadbourne, J. S. Clerk of the District Court, first came here in 1872. He engaged in farming a few years, and was telegraph operator for three years. Was elected to his present position in the fall of 1878, and has since held the office by re-election. Is now Deputy County Clerk, and Deputy County Superintendent of Schools. He was born in Harrison, Me., in 1843; lived in his native State until 1856, when he went to Ripon, Wis., and after a number of years learned telegraphy, and became operator there for two years. He then engaged in lumbering until he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George W. Smyser

Smyser, George W. of the firm of J. A. T. Dixon & Co., located on a homestead near Dorrance, in 1871 and farmed three years. He then served as County Treasurer four years, then into general hardware trade at Russell two years, then farmed two years south of the latter village, then went into business at Bunker Hill. Born in York County, Pa., in 1832, where he was raised and educated. Married in 1854 to Mary Hunes of the same place. They have three children: Leila J. Emma E. and Martin B. He is a member of the A. O. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dixon, James J. A. T.

Dixon, James J. A. T. dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc., opened business in February 1882 and carry a stock of $3,500. Mr. Dixon first came to Bunker Hill October 5, 1872 for his health, and after eighteen months he began agricultural pursuits and became pastor of the Congregational Church, since which time he has followed preaching irregularly. In the fall of 1875 he was elected to represent Russell County in Kansas State Legislature. Re-elected to same position in the fall of 1876. He was appointed to fill vacancy of Probate Judge in 1878, elected to the office the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Banks, W. E.

Banks, W. E. dealer in a general line of drugs, medicines, books, stationery and druggists’ sundries. He opened the business in 1877, and carries a stock of $5,000. He first came to Russell in 1877, and opened the above business. Born in Putnam County, Ind., in 1855, Parents moved to Appanoose County, Iowa, in 1864. He began business in life as clerk in a drug store in 1874. Lived in Iowa until he came to Kansas. Married in 1878, to Miss Emma Crist, of Indiana. They have two sons – Emmett E. and Eugene O. He is the present Mayor … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Bradbury, J. M.

Bradbury, J. M. dealer in grain, farm implements, and general merchandise. Began the grain trade in 1873, coming to Bunker Hill in February 1871. He bought the first grain and erected the first elevator in the village in 1878. The elevator is 24×36 feet, 28 feet high with a capacity of 10,000 bushels. He carries a general stock in merchandise of $8,000. He has officiated as Probate Judge and Clerk of the Court, each one term. Born in Ross County, Ohio in 1841. Was raised and educated in his native state. He began business in life as a clerk then … Read more

Ulrey, Glenn – Obituary

Glenn Ulrey, 86, a Baker Valley resident, died Jan. 11, 2005, at Serenity Farms foster care home near Haines. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Coles Funeral Home. The Baker City AMVETS, Post No. 1874, will accord military rites. Private interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitations will be from noon to 5 p.m. Friday. Mr. Ulrey was born on April 28, 1918, at Lucas, Kan., a son of John Harrison and Ada Bille Standley Ulrey. He received his education in Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and remained … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Moore, O. S.

Moore, O. S. proprietor of the Golden Rule steam flouring-mills. These mills were erected in 1880, size of which are 32×52 feet and 45 feet high, built of stone, capacity is 100 barrels in twenty-four hours, cost is $22,000. They do an exchange business only in custom work. They employ six men besides their own help. Mr. O. S. Moore first came to Bunker Hill in August 1878. He was born in Brown County, Ohio in 1848; was raised and educated in Rush County, Ind.; family moving there in 1854. Married in 1879 to Miss Carrie S. Edwards, of Binghamton, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Oliver, J. W.

Oliver, J. W. dealer in general line of dry goods, notions, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and groceries. He opened the trade June 6, 1879, under the firm name of Oliver & Michaelis, and changed to the present style in January 1882. He occupies rooms 22×72 feet, first floor and basement; carries an average stock of $18,000. He came to Russell in May 1877, and engaged in the hotel business until March 1879. He was born in Wabash County, Ind., in 1840; lived on a farm until twenty-one years old; he then enlisted in Company H, Seventy-fifth Illinois … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eastland, W. G.

Eastland, W. G. of the firm of Eastland & Pierce, attorneys-at-law, came to Russell in the summer of 1872, and engaged in the practice of law. He served as County Attorney two terms, and was Representative to the Kansas Legislature for the years 1879-1880. He is a native of Mississippi; his parents moved from that State to Richland County, Wis., in 1853, where he was raised and educated. He was a member of the Wisconsin State University for a short time. Began the study of law in 1867, entering the law office of Eastland & Eastland, his uncles, and was … Read more

Biography of Henry W. Weber

Henry W. Weber, cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Wilson, had worked and had lived in close touch with business and banking affairs since he was a young boy. Part of his early experience was as a farmer, and he is individually owner of a farm and had that invaluable asset of the country banker, a close knowledge and sympathy and understanding with farming interests and farmers. Mr. Weber was born near Dubuque in Russell County, Kansas, March 31, 1883. His father, Nicholas Weber, who still lives in that community, had long been a prominent man of affairs in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Walker, Joseph H.

Walker, Joseph H. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Fairport, Russell County, located in Saline Township, Ellis County, August 5, 1882, on Section 20. He has a homestead and timber claim, and railroad land, consisting of Section 20, 640 acres of land, sixty acres of which he has under plow. He has 360 head of cattle, amongst which can be found some fine Durham stock. He first landed in Kansas in April 1881, and prospected until he located as above named. He was born in West Townsend, Mass., in 1857, and removed to Cambridge, Mass., in 1865. Lived in his native … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sutter, Edward

Sutter, Edward a native of France, born February 6, 1858. Went to Locle, Switzerland, with his brother Emile, and learned the same trade, but Edward came to America in 1876 and located in Wooster, Ohio, remaining there a year. Then he came to Kirwin, Kan., where he engaged in the jewelry business, and thence he came to Russell. He is unmarried. Members of the Russell Lodge, A. O. U. W.

Biographical Sketch of Hart, Q. A.

Hart, Q. A. dealer in general merchandise, opened business October 2, 1872. He now has the oldest established store in Russell. He erected the first store building in the village in the summer of 1874, size of which is 22×60 feet at a cost of $1,800, since built an addition 12×40 feet at a cost of $500. He now carries a stock of $10,000. He owns 320 acres of land nearly all cultivated. Has been Township Treasurer and City Councilman four terms. Born April 2, 1825, in Upper Canada. Was raised on a farm, moved to Neenah, Wis., in 1856. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David L. Stagg

David L. Stagg. There are many fine farms and prosperous farmers in Riley County and quite a number of them may be found in Ogden Township. One of these is David L. Stagg, who was born in Russell County, Kansas, April 17, 1880, but has spent almost all his life in Riley County. His parents were James and Anna E. (Haynes) Stagg. James Stagg was born in New Jersey, June 25, 1841, and died in Riley County, Kansas, October 8, 1910. In Illinois he was married to Anna E. Haynes, who was born in Ohio, September 23, 1843, and died … Read more

Biography of Kinney, Asa, Hon.

Kinney, Asa Hon. The parents of Mr. Kinney were Abel and Freelove Kinney, of Cortland County, N Y.; their place of nativity being New London, Conn. They were among the early settlers of Cortland County, N. Y., and the father was a man of influence and prominence. His grandparents were of revolutionary stock, having served their country in the struggle for liberty. Asa Kinney was the fourth son of the family, and was born at Homer, Cortland County, N. Y., May 21, 1810. He received a common school education; was also noted as a debater when a young man. He … Read more

Biography of Samuel R. Dillinger

Samuel R. Dillinger. One of the well known families of Clay County is that of Dillinger, which for many years had been active in the grain elevator business, and it had a worthy representative in Samuel R. Dillinger, who is manager of the Farmers Elevator Company at Bennington, Kansas. Mr. Dillinger was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, July 15, 1855, and is the elder of two sons born to his parents, who were Daniel and Nancy (Davis) Dillinger. His younger brother, Daniel Dillinger, came to Kansas in 1886 and is a prosperous farmer in Sherman County. In tracing his … Read more