Washington Kansas

Biographical Sketch of David E. Ballard

David E. Ballard, born in Franklin County, Vermont, on March 20, 1837, is a noted farmer and prominent figure in Washington. He moved to Ohio as a youth and later settled in Kansas, where he played a significant role in organizing Washington County and served as its first county clerk. A veteran of the Civil War, he attained the rank of first lieutenant in the Second Kansas Infantry. Ballard was later involved in legislative roles and continues to oversee extensive farming operations in the area.

Biography of William James Phillips M. D.

Dr. William James Phillips, M.D., is celebrated as the pioneering physician of Beaumont, Kansas, having dedicated many years to his community’s health. Born in 1856 in Iowa, he graduated from the State University with a medical degree in 1885. After practicing in Lacrosse, he settled in Beaumont, where he became the only physician, also serving as an emergency surgeon and local examiner for insurance companies. Married to Maggie Z. Redman, the couple raised eleven children, exemplifying a life committed to both medicine and family in the heart of Kansas.

Biography of Robert Algie, M. D.

Dr. Robert Algie, born in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 22, 1874, was a distinguished physician and surgeon in Linn, Kansas, for fourteen years. After his family emigrated to America in 1884, he pursued education at Friends Academy and graduated from Barnes Medical College in 1899. Algie actively participated in local governance, serving as mayor and on the school board, and was a committed Mason. He married Lulu Hackney in 1900, and after her passing in 1914, he raised their two children, William and Robert.

Biography of A. W. Matthews

A. W. Matthews, a prominent figure in Washington, Kansas, was born on November 23, 1874, in Cloud County. He built a successful real estate and loan business after starting his career in the retail meat industry. Active in local government as register of deeds, Matthews was known for his integrity and business acumen. He owned multiple farms and was deeply involved in community organizations, including the Methodist Episcopal Church and several fraternal societies. Married to Margaret Mull, they had two children, Neil and Margaret.

Biography of James Blair Lower

James Blair Lower, born July 30, 1860, in Illinois, is a prominent banker and president of the First National Bank of Washington, Kansas. Raised in a financially adept family, he moved to Kansas at ten, eventually teaching school before embarking on a banking career that spans over thirty years. His positions included cashier of various banks before assuming the presidency at the First National Bank in 1916. A Republican politician, Lower served two terms in the Kansas State Senate, contributing to several key committees. He married Minnie Potter in 1888 and has three children.

Biography of August Soller

August Soller, born in Switzerland in 1857, overcame early adversity as an orphan and limited education to forge a successful career in America. Arriving in New York in 1880, he settled in Kansas, worked various jobs, and learned English while attending school. His political and banking career flourished as he held positions from deputy county clerk to the president of the Washington National Bank, which he acquired in 1909. A respected figure, Soller was also active in community organizations and raised a family of accomplished children in Washington, Kansas.