Nancy Bradford’s Eastern Cherokee application was rejected after officials concluded she could not prove descent from a Cherokee ancestor living in the required 1835 or 1851 rolls. The file includes her claims, attorney correspondence, census research, and analysis of her family, slavery status, and possible links to the Samuel family of Missouri and the James family history.
George Washington Schaffer, born on July 4, 1847, in St. Louis, Missouri, had a diverse career in the butcher business, working in various cities including Galesburg, Kansas City, and Chicago. He faced challenges, including a serious injury while handling cattle. Eventually, Schaffer settled in Jamesport, Missouri, where he established himself as a respected businessman in the meat market and confectionery industries. His strong reputation earned him the trust of the local community, aligning with his patriotic name reflecting American independence.
John W. Clark was born on September 4, 1853, in Chillicothe, Missouri. He was educated in Livingston County and began his career on the North Missouri Railway before apprenticing as a watchmaker under August Wetteroth in St. Joseph. In 1876, he settled in Jamesport, where his diligent work ethic helped him establish a successful jewelry business. Clark married Lizzie Wilburn in 1877, and they had one child, Ora Ernest, born in 1878. His achievements are attributed to his dedication and commitment to his trade.
Benjamin Harding, born in November 1815 in Otsego County, New York, became a prominent free-soil figure in Doniphan County, Kansas. After relocating to Missouri in 1840 and engaging in the Indian trade, he moved to Wathena in 1852. Harding faced pro-slavery opposition while serving as an election judge and was involved in various political activities, including the Big Springs convention and the Territorial Council. He served as the Doniphan County register of deeds from 1862 to 1866 and lived a quieter life until his death in 1904.
Mrs. Mary C. Wuester stands out as a pioneering figure among Kansas women, particularly in the realms of education and business. Born in Marshall County, she established the Wuester School of Pharmacy in Wichita in 1909, becoming an influential force in pharmacy education. After extensive training, she began teaching pharmacy in Kansas, ultimately creating the state’s only independent institution of its kind. Under her leadership, the school attracts students from various states, ensuring they are well-equipped for professional practice. Her contributions reflect remarkable energy and commitment to her field.
Daniel W. Wilder was a distinguished figure in Kansas, primarily known for his contributions to journalism and literature rather than politics. After graduating from Harvard, he moved to Kansas in 1857, where he became an influential editor for various newspapers, including the anti-slavery Leavenworth Conservative. Wilder played a crucial role in establishing the Republican Party in Kansas and contributed to the Kansas Historical Society. He also held several political offices, including state auditor and insurance superintendent, before founding the Hiawatha World. He authored notable works such as the Annals of Kansas and was involved in compiling Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations. Wilder passed away on July 15, 1911.
George Edgar McIninch, born on March 3, 1867, in St. Joseph, Missouri, has significantly contributed to the state’s commercial and industrial development through his roles in business and public service. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Missouri state highway board, overseeing substantial funding for road improvements. McIninch began his career in general merchandising, later transitioning to wholesale queensware, and then to the printing industry with Combe Printing Company. He is also involved in various local organizations and was married to Angie R. Kirk, with whom he has one daughter.
Dr. John Ross Newman, a prominent surgeon in Fort Scott, Kansas, has distinguished himself through specialization in surgery, unlike many of his contemporaries in smaller cities. Born in Dade County, Missouri, in 1881, he graduated from Central Medical College in 1905 and initially practiced general medicine. However, he pursued surgical training in major hospitals across the U.S. before returning to Fort Scott in 1910. Known for his exceptional surgical skills and approachable demeanor, he has become a respected figure in the medical community. Dr. Newman is also a devoted family man and active community member.
Henry P. Tietsort, born on October 14, 1829, in Cass County, Michigan, exemplified the spirit of the western pioneers. After a challenging youth, he journeyed across the plains to California in 1859, engaging in freighting and mining before settling near Nyssa in 1892. Tietsort contributed to local agriculture by developing his 43-acre farm and participated in the Pitt River and Selay Indian Wars. He married Lydia Carman in 1880, raising several children. Tietsort’s life reflects resilience and dedication to the frontier.
Orphred H. Brooks, Jr. was born on March 7, 1875, in Montgomery City, Missouri. He began his career in his father’s real estate business and later ventured into various fields including education and life insurance. In 1903, he shifted focus to real estate, co-founding the O. H. Brooks Realty Company in 1911, where he successfully developed numerous residences in St. Louis. A progressive businessman, he actively contributed to the community and was involved in civic organizations, including the West End Business Men’s Association and the Knights of Columbus.
Romulus E. Culver, born on January 12, 1865, in Plattsburg, Missouri, is a distinguished attorney in St. Joseph. He graduated from Central College in 1885 and earned his LL.B. from Vanderbilt University in 1887. Over his more than 35 years in law, he served as prosecuting attorney, circuit court judge, and city counselor. A lifelong Democrat, Culver was also active during World War I as chairman of the legal advisory board in Buchanan County. He married Sara Judson and had three children.
Lawrence McDaniel, born January 31, 1884, in Savannah, Missouri, is a prominent figure in the legal profession and academia, serving as a professor of law at Benton College. He earned his LL.B. from the University of Missouri and practiced law extensively, including a term as circuit attorney for St. Louis. McDaniel, a dedicated Democrat, has also held various civic roles and is active in multiple fraternal organizations. He has been married twice and has three children, embodying a life committed to public service and community engagement.
Edward P. Pitts, M.D., born on October 13, 1880, in Virginia, has established himself as a prominent specialist in eye, ear, nose, and throat medicine in Atchison, Kansas, where he has practiced since 1902. He descended from a distinguished family with roots in colonial Maryland and Virginia, including a notable grandfather who served as a Circuit Court judge. Educated in Norfolk and at Ensworth Medical College, Dr. Pitts also enhanced his credentials at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is active in various medical and community organizations and married Beulah Judah, with whom he has one son.
W. S. Ferguson, born on January 16, 1861, in Alton, Illinois, has dedicated over thirty years to the manufacturing sector in Kansas, currently serving as the secretary and treasurer of The Locomotive Finished Material Company of Atchison. His career began at the Alton Agricultural Works, later joining The John Seaton Foundry, which merged into his current company in 1912. A member of a distinguished family, he has been involved in local politics and community organizations, reflecting a commitment to both business and civic life.
William R. Martin, born on April 12, 1861, in Doniphan County, has had a varied career spanning agriculture and management. After early years on his family’s farm, he worked at the Cudahy Packing Company and later engaged in fruit growing while serving as postmaster of Wathena since 1914. He hails from a rich ancestry of Missouri pioneers, including his grandfather, William Martin, a significant figure in early Methodist congregations. Active in local governance and community organizations, he married Eliza Leichti in 1889, with whom he had three children.
Joseph O. Ward, M.D., is a prominent physician and surgeon in Horton, Kansas, with nearly twenty years of practice. Born in Larkin in 1864, he initially pursued a teaching career before transitioning to medicine, earning his medical degree in 1899. Dr. Ward has remained committed to his profession, furthering his education through post-graduate studies. He has held various community roles, including health officer and first president of the Citizens State Bank. He married Grace L. Stoddard, and they have one daughter, Marjorie, who studies music.
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.
Louis P. Johnson, born on January 16, 1870, in Doniphan County, has had a multifaceted career as a farmer, businessman, and public official. He currently operates the only hardware store in Bendena and serves as the town’s postmaster since 1913. Growing up on his father Claus Johnson’s farm, Louis pursued education at Highland College and Ritners Commercial College. He transitioned from newspaper publishing to farming before establishing his hardware business. A devoted Democrat and community leader, he is married to Marie Anderson, with whom he has twin sons, Robert and Raymond.
Samuel S. Gross, M.D., a physician and surgeon with over twenty years of experience, has built a significant practice in Denton, Kansas, where he has lived for a decade. Born in 1874 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, he pursued his medical education at various institutions, earning multiple degrees. Gross has been involved in local business and community affairs, serving as a director of the Denton Mutual Telephone Company and participating in several medical associations. His family’s history includes pioneering roots in Tennessee and contributions to public life in Missouri.
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.