Wichita Kansas

Biographical Sketch of Napoleon Bonaparte Blanton

Napoleon Bonaparte Blanton, born in Missouri around 1830, had a name inspired by both familial connections and his father’s admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte. After settling in Wakarusa in 1854, he became involved in local politics and served as a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War. Blanton was a state legislator, facilitating the relocation of the land office to Humboldt. He spent his later years in Sulphur, Oklahoma, before dying in Wichita, Kansas, from an automobile accident in 1913.

Biography of Marshall M. Murdock

Marshall M. Murdock, born in 1837 in West Virginia, became a significant journalist and founder of the Wichita Eagle. His family moved to Kansas due to their opposition to slavery. Murdock initially sought gold in the Pikes Peak region, where he discovered silver at Leadville. During the Civil War, he returned to Kansas to support his family and eventually served as a lieutenant-colonel. He established the Eagle, advocating for Wichita’s growth and becoming a respected editor and influential community figure until his death in 1908.

Biography of James R. Mead

James R. Mead, born on May 3, 1836, in Vermont, was a prominent pioneer in Kansas and one of Wichita’s founders. He ventured to the Great American Desert in 1859, trading with Indian tribes and establishing trading posts along the Salina River and later Towanda. He played a crucial role during the Civil War and served in both the Kansas House and Senate. Mead was instrumental in constructing the Wichita Southwestern Railroad and remained active in local trade and historical societies until his death on March 31, 1910.

Biographical Sketch of Edmond H. Madison

Edmond H. Madison, a notable figure from Wichita, was born on December 18, 1865, in Illinois. After beginning his career as a teacher at eighteen, he pursued law in Wichita and was admitted to the bar in 1888. Madison served as Ford County’s attorney and later as a judge before entering Congress, representing Kansas’s Seventh District. Known for his support of President Roosevelt, he died unexpectedly on September 18, 1911, during his third congressional term, leaving behind a legacy of public service and advocacy.

Biography of Fred W. Martin

Fred W. Martin, a prominent figure in Wichita’s manufacturing scene, began his career learning the tinners trade and working in a hardware store. Born on October 19, 1874, in Butler County, Kansas, he came from a pioneering family. After gaining experience in various roles, he established the Martin Metal Manufacturing Company in 1907, which prospered into a significant industry. Under his leadership, the company produced metal products and expanded its operations, showcasing a commitment to innovation and quality. Martin’s family also played a vital role in his personal life, with three children contributing to the business.

Biography of Frank S. Porter

Frank S. Porter, born on July 6, 1866, in Rushsylvania, Ohio, moved to Kansas with his family in 1886. He established himself in the retail drug business, becoming a leading figure in Wichita with a well-equipped drug store on East Douglas Avenue. After several years in other drug stores and partnerships, he opened his own store in 1914. Married to Elizabeth O. Campbell, they are active in their community and have two children, Amy and Baird.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Mary C. Wuester

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.

Biography of Fred A. Sowers

Fred A. Sowers, a notable figure in Wichita’s history, was born in Ohio in 1839. A distinguished member of the Kansas bar and pioneer newspaper man, he actively participated in the Civil War and later moved to Leavenworth to practice law. Sowers founded the Wichita Beacon, the city’s first daily newspaper, and became a respected figure in real estate and civic affairs, including serving on the city council and board of education. He had two wives, with his second marriage producing three children, two of whom are successful professionals.

Biography of James Harvey Stewart

James Harvey Stewart, born on October 9, 1854, in Ohio, became a prominent figure in Wichita, Kansas, after moving from Iowa. A lawyer by profession, he served as a state senator and held influential roles in local businesses and civic organizations, including vice president of the National Bank of Commerce. Stewart’s extensive public service included positions with the Chamber of Commerce and the Wichita Board of Education. He married Kate Martin in 1885 and had three children. His career reflects a blend of legal expertise and community commitment.

Biography of Thomas Azro Noftzger

Thomas Azro Noftzger, born on November 15, 1861, in Indiana, established himself as a prominent attorney in Kansas, currently serving as a senior partner at Noftzger Gardner in Wichita. After earning a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University of Michigan, he began his legal career in Indiana before moving to Kansas in 1884. Throughout his career, Noftzger held various public positions, including city attorney and state senator, and is known for his strong convictions and dedication to his community. He married Lelia K. Kidd and has two children.

Biographical Sketch of J.C. O.Morse

J.C.O. Morse, born January 15, 1857, in Illinois, moved to Kansas at age thirteen and began his career as a farmer. He served as Sumner County sheriff before becoming the first superintendent of the State Reformatory at Hutchinson in 1895. His notable public service included roles on the Board of Railroad Commissioners and in the management of various companies, showcasing his business acumen. Morse is a prominent Mason and has been president of the Kansas Casualty and Surety Company since 1912. He married Rachel E. Chenowith and has two daughters.

Biographical Sketch of Elmer Ellsworth Enoch

Elmer Ellsworth Enoch, born on February 10, 1864, in Ohio, established his law practice in Wichita, Kansas, in 1888. He was known for his thoroughness and dedication, gaining a strong reputation in the legal community. Over the years, he held various official positions, including clerk of the Probate Court and probate judge of Sedgwick County. Enoch married Ella Douglas West, and they had five children, one of whom is pursuing law at the University of Chicago. He remains active in the Wichita Board of Education.

Biography of William Potter Campbell

Judge William Potter Campbell, born in 1843 in Kentucky, was a distinguished figure in Kansas history, serving as a Union soldier during the Civil War before pursuing a legal career. After starting as a sawmill operator, he became a licensed attorney in 1866 and moved to Kansas, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Wichita’s legal framework. Appointed to the District Court in 1872, his tenure was marked by integrity and influential decisions. Campbell also championed prohibition and remained active in civic affairs until his later years.

Biography of Peter G. Kroeker

Peter G. Kroeker, born in 1866 in Cherson City, Russia, immigrated to the U.S. in 1878 with his family, settling in McPherson County, Kansas. He trained as a watchmaker and served as postmaster of Inman for eight years. In 1905, he founded the Cheney Mill and Power Company in Wichita, which became a vital local industry. A Mason and community leader, Kroeker married Katie Remple, with whom he had four children, contributing to the thriving Mennonite community in Kansas established by his father-in-law.

Biography of Hans E. Mayer

Hans E. Mayer, a prominent figure in the life insurance sector, currently manages the Missouri State Life Insurance Company for Kansas from his base in Wichita. Born in Coblentz, Germany, he immigrated to the U.S. at sixteen, furthering his education in Topeka. Mayer’s career in life insurance began in 1898, leading to his managerial role in Kansas after multiple successful positions. He significantly expanded the company’s operations in the state and is also actively involved in various civic and fraternal organizations alongside his family.

Biography of W. S. Mourning

W. S. Mourning, born in Quincy, Illinois, on May 22, 1883, excelled in brick contracting in Wichita, Kansas, showcasing qualities of integrity and sound business judgment. Learning the brick industry from his father, he built a successful career specializing in heavy construction and brick work since 1910. Mourning’s noteworthy projects include the Domestic Laundry and several residences. He married Gertrude Ellen Abbott in 1911, and they had two daughters before her untimely passing in 1915. Additionally, he was an accomplished musician with a background in vocal performance.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel L. Nolan

Samuel L. Nolan, born March 7, 1862, in Lafayette, Indiana, moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 1877. Over nearly forty years in Sedgwick County, he established himself as a prominent businessman, engaging in merchandising, banking, and manufacturing. Notably, he founded the Goddard State Bank and organized the Perfection Broom Corn Harvester Company. Elected as Sedgwick County treasurer in 1913, he has served multiple terms. Nolan’s personal life included marriage to Daisy Belle White in 1886, with whom he had a son, Charles.

Biography of Martin S. Rochelle

Martin S. Rochelle, born in Ohio on November 25, 1842, dedicated his life to service and community. A Civil War veteran, he fought with the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and took part in Sherman’s march to the sea. After the war, he moved to Kansas, where he became a prominent businessman in Wichita, engaging in real estate and establishing a cancer sanitarium that gained a commendable reputation. Married to Margaret J. Hanson, he was a devoted community member until his death on February 25, 1908.

Biography of Clyde Magill, Dr.

Dr. Clyde Magill, born on December 6, 1887, near Wichita, Kansas, has established himself as a prominent physician in Clearwater after starting his practice in 1913. The son of a respected local farmer, he pursued his education at Fairmount College and graduated from the Kansas State University’s medical department in 1912. Following an internship at Kansas City’s General Hospital, he returned to Clearwater, where he quickly gained recognition for his skills. Married to Erma Keister, they have two children, Russell and Jean.

Biography of Chester Adelbert Latham

Chester Adelbert Latham, born in Michigan in 1861, moved to Kansas in childhood and has roots in an early Kansas family. A patent attorney in Wichita, he began as a wooden pump manufacturer before studying law. Admitted to the bar in 1889, he briefly practiced in Oklahoma and later served as a city mail carrier. Latham’s career included time as private secretary to Congressman Victor Murdock, leading to his establishment as a patent attorney in 1915. He is a past master of the local Masonic lodge and has three children with his wife, Eva M. Penn.