Winfield Kansas

Biographical Sketch of Charles L. McMasters

Charles L. McMasters, born on March 26, 1867, near Tuscola, Illinois, became a successful grain, coal, and seed dealer. After his father’s death in 1870 and his mother’s in 1877, he moved to Tuscola to live with his uncle. In 1886, he began working in the grain business, eventually becoming the sole proprietor by 1891. McMasters is a prominent figure in his community, serving as city treasurer multiple times and being active in local fraternal organizations, gaining popularity in both business and social realms.

Biographical Sketch of Edwin C. Manning

Edwin C. Manning, born on November 7, 1838, in Redford, New York, was a pivotal figure in Kansas history. He taught school, learned the printing trade, and journeyed to the Pikes Peak region seeking gold. Disillusioned, he turned to journalism, publishing Democratic and later Republican platforms. Manning served in the Civil War and transitioned to government contracting before founding Winfield in 1869. He was active in state politics, serving in the Legislature and holding key positions, such as Secretary of the upper house.

Biography of Edward C. Gates

Edward C. Gates, born in Dixon, Illinois on September 1, 1861, established a notable legal career after being admitted to the Kansas bar in 1887. After practicing in Fulton, he moved to Fort Scott, where he became renowned within the Kansas bar and worked alongside A.M. Keene until 1913. Gates valued law as a profession, earning respect through dedication and hard work. He was also active in local politics and church, and married Sadie J. Wright in 1886, with whom he had two sons.

Biography of Charles Sumner Newlon, M.D.

Dr. Charles Sumner Newlon, born in 1858 in Iowa, practiced medicine and surgery for fifteen years in Kansas City, following earlier service in Kansas. A graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he contributed significantly to healthcare, including his role as superintendent of the state school for the feeble-minded in Kansas. An active public servant, he held various political roles and engaged in community improvement projects. Dr. Newlon, married to Lizzie Sullivan, has two children and is involved in several fraternal organizations.

Biography of Edgar Ernest Brooks, M. D.

Edgar Ernest Brooks, M.D., born on August 1, 1884, in Burden, Kansas, is a prominent physician and surgeon in Cowley County. The eighth of eleven children, Dr. Brooks comes from a family with deep roots in the area, including his Civil War veteran grandfather. Educated in local schools and trained at the University Medical College in Kansas City, he established a successful medical practice after a brief stint in Moline. Active in community and medical organizations, he married Dulcie Hatfield in 1912 and has two children.

Biography of Edward P. Ray

Edward P. Ray, born in Coldwater, Michigan in 1875, came from a family with deep roots in the produce business. After a brief education, he joined his father in the trade before moving to Kansas, where he managed several produce companies, including the A. S. Kininmonth Company in Arkansas City. Ray’s business acumen contributed to the company’s significant operations, valued at around $1 million annually. He engaged with local politics and fraternal organizations, and he was married with two children before his passing in 1917.

Biography of John Wallace Howe

John Wallace Howe, born in Indiana in 1848, is a notable figure from Independence, Kansas. A young veteran of the Union army, he fought in significant battles during the Civil War and was honorably discharged in 1866. Over his extensive career, Howe worked as a carpenter, merchant, and eventually became a prominent insurance and real estate businessman in Independence. He also served as county treasurer and was active in community organizations. Howe’s personal life includes marriage to Lillian Watts and the couple had two children.

Biography of Peter Calvin Croco

Peter Calvin Croco, born May 17, 1853, in Ohio, moved to Kansas in 1876, where he became an influential agricultural figure known for his modern farming practices on his 155-acre property in Tecumseh Township. His family’s lineage includes a great-grandfather who served in various armies, eventually siding with American patriots during the Revolutionary War. Croco’s father was a notable anti-slavery advocate involved in the Underground Railroad and faced violent opposition. Peter Calvin Croco, well-educated and community-oriented, engaged in local politics and supported charitable causes throughout his life.

Biography of Austin H. Jennings

Austin H. Jennings, born in Ohio in 1850, established a notable business presence in Kansas City as president of the Crystal Springs Ice, Fuel & Grain Company. With a pioneering spirit, he overcame modest beginnings and limited education, later ensuring his children’s academic success. Jennings moved to Kansas in the 1880s, where he engaged in agriculture and real estate, ultimately contributing to local education and banking. A respected community member, he played a pivotal role in founding the Southwestern University of Winfield and supports various charitable and educational initiatives.

Biography of Allen Dale Hileman

Allen Dale Hileman, born June 3, 1875, in Missouri, exemplifies the industrious spirit of Kansas’s modern business landscape. He runs a prominent real estate and insurance business in Cherryvale while also being involved with the Montgomery County National Bank. A descendant of a family with a strong military and civic legacy, he served in the Spanish-American War and became a respected member of the local community. Active in politics and civic duties, he is also a leader of the Cherryvale Band and committed to the Presbyterian Church. Hileman married Eve Fair, with whom he has two children.

Biography of Levi F. Johnson

Levi F. Johnson, born in 1837 in Ohio, was a pioneer in Cowley County, Kansas. He first visited Kansas in 1860 before serving as a Union soldier in the Civil War. After the war, he returned to Kansas, where he cultivated land and built a successful farming operation. He was instrumental in local community development, constructing the first schoolhouse and a bridge over the Arkansas River. Johnson’s long life, marked by hard work and community service, reflects the spirit of early Kansas settlers.

Biography of James McDermott, Hon.

The Honorable James McDermott, born on June 6, 1841, in New York City, rose from newsboy to leading lawyer and Kansas legislator. His early education in Kentucky led him to join the Union Army in 1861, where he served with distinction in several Civil War battles despite suffering a serious wound. After the war, he pursued law, establishing a practice in Winfield, Kansas. A staunch Republican and Baptist, McDermott’s legacy continues through his children, notably his son James A., who has succeeded him in law.

Biography of George W. Robinson

George W. Robinson, born in Ohio in 1855, has significantly influenced Kansas banking since moving to the state in 1876. Initially an educator in Winfield, he transitioned to banking, partnering with his family in various financial institutions. His notable achievement includes successfully reopening the First National Bank of Arkansas City as its receiver in 1894. Robinson went on to establish multiple banks in Wichita, including the National Bank of Wichita and the Security State Bank, where he served as president. He married Ella E. Holmes and has one daughter, Edith.

Biographical Sketch of William Dexter Halfhill

William Dexter Halfhill, a prominent lawyer with over forty-three years of experience, settled in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1904, where he has established a successful civil practice. Born in Morrow County, Ohio, he was educated in public schools and began his career as a teacher before pursuing law, being admitted to the Ohio bar in 1878. After practicing in Ohio and Kansas, he relocated to Muskogee. Halfhill has been married twice, first to Clara V. Conover and later to Bessie M. Davidson in 1908.

Biography of John Madison Dosbaugh

John Madison Dosbaugh, born in 1870 in Illinois, has shaped Cedar Vale’s financial landscape as president of the Dosbaugh National Bank for over 25 years. He succeeded his father, John Dosbaugh, who founded the bank after a successful farming career. An astute businessman, Dosbaugh also holds leadership roles in various local enterprises and public service. He was instrumental in establishing Cedar Vale’s first telephone system and actively participated in local governance, including two terms as mayor. He married Lydia A. Wright and had two sons, contributing to his family’s legacy.

Biography of Flavius Ralls Smith, M. D.

Flavius Ralls Smith, M.D., has established himself as a leading surgeon in Kansas, known for his skill and dedication. Born in Iowa in 1862, he moved to Kansas as a child and pursued medicine, earning his M.D. in 1889. He founded the Winfield Hospital, which has gained a wide reputation for excellence. An active community member, Dr. Smith served on various boards and in professional organizations, reflecting his commitment to both medicine and public service. He has also contributed to agricultural development and is involved in his local church.

Biography of E. O. Smith, M. D.

Dr. E. O. Smith, born January 19, 1869, in Iowa, has been a prominent physician and surgeon in Kansas for two decades. After graduating from Keokuk Medical College in 1895, he practiced initially in Lyons before moving to Marquette, where he became deeply involved in the community, including a decade on the city council. In 1913, he joined his brother at Winfield Hospital, which they expanded by including a third partner. Dr. Smith is a Republican, a church member, and has a family of three children with his wife Amabel.

Biography of Edna L. Johnson, Miss

Edna L. Johnson has been a prominent figure in Kansas education since her election as county superintendent in 1914. She oversees 137 schools and 166 teachers, influencing the education of approximately 3,350 students. Born near Danville, Illinois, she was raised in Kansas, where her family’s pioneering roots run deep. A dedicated educator, she taught in Cowley County before taking office, reflecting her commitment to education and community. Johnson is affiliated with the Republican Party and actively participates in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biography of Owen C. Wasson

Owen C. Wasson, born on October 23, 1877, in Shelby County, Indiana, exemplifies success achieved through diligence and civic responsibility. He transitioned from teaching to various roles, ultimately owning a hardware store in Peru. His lineage traces back to early settlers in Indiana, including his father, George W. Wasson, a farmer and postmaster. A devoted Democrat, Owen served briefly as Peru’s postmaster and engaged with several fraternal organizations. Married to Minnie J. Foltz, they had six children, reflecting his strong family values and commitment to community.