Joseph Caraway, born on October 18, 1811, in Greenbrier County, Virginia, moved to Illinois in 1837 and settled in his current county in 1839. He became a successful farmer and married Mary Kipers in 1840, with whom he had eight children; she passed away in 1864. Caraway remarried Rebecca McNeel in 1866, and they had two children together. He has lived in the same location since his arrival, only upgrading from his original log cabin to a new home.
Hon. William H. Thomas, born June 15, 1840, in Fayette County, Indiana, is a prominent figure in Douglas County, Missouri. He served as a soldier in the Civil War and participated in numerous significant battles, later returning to agriculture. A respected political figure associated with the Peoples party, he was instrumental in advancing educational legislation during his tenure in the Thirty-sixth General Assembly. Thomas is a family man, with three children from his first marriage and eight from his second, and is active in his community and the Methodist Episcopal Church.
D. R. Blankinship, born in 1844 in Illinois, exemplifies the quintessential pioneer spirit. Arriving in Butler County with minimal resources, he diligently cultivated a prosperous life over 47 years, amassing 4,300 acres of land. His early endeavors included farming and stock raising, overcoming numerous hardships along the way. Involved in community affairs, he served on local boards and assisted fellow settlers during tough times. Blankinship, married in 1864, raised a family and contributed to his community’s progress through both personal achievement and public service.
William Barnett, born on July 8, 1824, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, moved to Vermillion County, Illinois, before settling in Jewell County, Kansas, in 1871, where he homesteaded 320 acres. He served as School Treasurer for nine years and was married twice, first to A.J. Walston and then to Nancy Barnett. He fathered four children: Susan J., Robert, Martha E., and Lolie. Recognized as a respected citizen, Barnett contributed significantly to the development of Jewell County.
Charles B. Skidmore, a prominent Kansas attorney born in 1871, has spent over twenty-five years in law practice, primarily in Columbus. He is the son of James Skidmore, a Union army veteran and farmer. Educated locally, Charles began his career as a teacher while studying law, gaining admission to the Kansas bar in 1892. His extensive legal experience earned him recognition across various courts. Married to Ada Chittenden, they have two sons, and he remains an active member of both the legal profession and local community organizations.
Forrest M. Hartley, born on July 26, 1874, in Illinois, became a prominent figure in journalism and commerce in Kansas. An active student at Baker University, he later edited college newspapers and graduated in 1895. After a decade in newspaper management, he shifted to banking, founding the Winona State Bank. Relocating to Baldwin City, he engaged in the lumber business and served in local government, including three years as mayor. A family man, he married Mary S. Ives, and they had two children.
John C. Hardman, a prominent pharmacist, acquired the City Pharmacy of Riverside in 1886, expanding its stock and solidifying its reputation as the city’s leading drug store. Born in Ohio in 1852 and raised in Illinois, Hardman began his career as a drugstore clerk before gaining experience in various locations, including Texas. Renowned for his expertise and customer service, he built a large clientele in Riverside, where he is well-respected in both business and social circles. He married Ardilla O. Vance in 1887.