Wyandotte County KS

Biography of Leonard V. McKee

Leonard V. McKee, a prominent figure in Marshall County’s development, was born on August 18, 1845, in Ohio and passed away in Frankfort, Kansas, on December 22, 1916. He founded the Frankfort State Bank, transitioning from farming to banking, and significantly contributed to local institutions, including Baker University and Bethany Hospital. A veteran of the Civil War, McKee was also active in local politics and philanthropy. He married twice, fathering six children, and was regarded as a caring community leader and devoted family man.

Biography of Frank J. Hauber

Frank J. Hauber, born in Ontario, Canada, in 1856, has been a significant figure in Kansas since 1878, becoming the president of the Hauber Cooperage Company in Kansas City. His business experienced numerous hardships, including floods and fires, yet each time, he demonstrated remarkable resilience, rebuilding to create one of the largest cooperage plants in the Middle West. A devoted family man and community member, Hauber, married to Barbara Ellen Knuehl, has raised thirteen children while maintaining a steadfast commitment to his faith and civic responsibilities.

Biography of Louis Henry Rose

Louis Henry Rose, a key figure in Rosedale’s development, demonstrated exceptional citizenship through his extensive involvement in the community. Born in 1860 in Wisconsin, he moved to Kansas with his family at age eleven. Over thirty years in real estate, he significantly contributed to Rosedale’s growth into a city of 10,000, advocating for public improvements and the consolidation with Kansas City, Kansas. Rose’s civic engagement included serving as postmaster and participating in various associations, reflecting his commitment to the region’s welfare and progress.

Biography of Eldred Lloyd Eaton

Eldred Lloyd Eaton, born on November 23, 1876, in Hillsboro, Iowa, is a prominent lawyer based in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. With a diverse background in teaching and business, he entered the legal profession after graduating from law school in 1911. He gained experience in Kansas City before settling in Chase County in 1917, where he established himself as a leading attorney. A Republican, Eaton is married to Lillian Bankin, and they have one daughter, Edith. His family’s agricultural roots and his expansive legal library reflect his dedication to his profession.

Biography of John J. Jenness

John J. Jenness, born January 2, 1839, in Maine, was a significant pioneer in Ottawa County, Kansas. He moved to Illinois at 16 and later ventured west for gold, settling in Kansas in 1861. A veteran of the Civil War, Jenness engaged in various occupations, including stage driving and brick manufacturing. He cultivated a successful farm and became a prominent stock dealer. Politically active, he shifted from Democrat to Republican and held several local offices. He married Mary Carr and had nine children, earning respect as a public-spirited community member.

Biography of Martin L. Foltz

Martin L. Foltz, born in 1841 in Pennsylvania, was a pivotal figure in Kansas during its formative years and the Civil War. In 1857, he traveled with his brothers to Kansas, aiming to promote it as a free state. Foltz served in the Union army, participating in key battles and earning the rank of orderly sergeant. Post-war, he settled in Shawnee County, where he prospered in farming and stock raising. Married to Rebecca Heberling, they had three children, marking a life devoted to both family and community.

Biography of Roy Pitts

Roy Pitts, chief of the Independence Fire Department since 1914, has significantly modernized the fire service by introducing advanced firefighting equipment. Under his leadership, the department replaced outdated apparatus with three motor vehicles, including a powerful pump and hose car designed by Pitts himself. His innovations have improved response times, preventing major fires in the city. Born on May 16, 1888, in Cherryvale, Kansas, Pitts comes from a farming background and has held various roles in community organizations, reflecting his commitment to public service.

Biographical Sketch of Patrick McInerney, Rev.

Rev. Patrick McInerney, born on March 6, 1876, in Ireland, has dedicated eighteen years to the Catholic ministry in Kansas. After studying in Ireland and Belgium, he was ordained in Canada and began his American service at Leavenworth Cathedral in 1898. He served various parishes, including Olathe, Kansas City, and St. Thomas, before becoming the pastor of Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka in 1914. Renowned for his commitment, he leads a team that includes an assistant clergyman and ten teachers for the parish schools.

Biography of Edward C. Kassebaum

Edward C. Kassebaum, born in 1872 in Shawnee County, Kansas, is a noted farmer best recognized for his watermelon cultivation. Raised in a family deeply rooted in agriculture, he inherited his father’s dedication to farming. He married Chettie James in 1897, acquiring land to enhance his farming endeavors. Beyond general farming, Kassebaum made significant contributions to his community, serving on the school board and actively participating in local organizations such as the Masons and the Rossville Presbyterian Church. His farm showcases modern agricultural practices and facilities.

Biography of Wylie White Cook

Wylie White Cook, born in Indiana in 1859, has served Kansas for over thirty years in various public offices, earning the respect and confidence of the community. A resident since 1881, he began his career as a county clerk and later held roles such as assistant state auditor and state treasurer. Despite his notable positions, he rarely sought office, highlighting his commendable character. Cook’s heritage traces back to Scottish origins, and he is actively involved in Masonic and religious organizations, contributing to his community’s welfare.

Biographical Sketch of Harry A. Lawrence

Born in Wichita on December 5, 1884, Harry A. Lawrence became a prominent figure in the region’s business landscape. After graduating from Hanover College in 1906, he worked as an auditor for Davidson Case Lumber Company. In 1913, he and his brother purchased and restructured the Orient Lumber Company into the King-Lawrence Lumber Company, which has grown to seven yards across Kansas and Oklahoma. Lawrence is also involved with the Farmers Bankers Life Insurance Company and the Citizens Building Loan Association. He married Bertha Hartwell in 1913, and they have a daughter, Margaret.

Biography of Dudley Emerson Cornell, General

General Dudley Emerson Cornell, born in 1837 in New York, had a diverse and impactful career marked by military service, public office, and business acumen. A civil engineer by training, he served in the Civil War, eventually becoming a major-general in the Kansas State Militia. After relocating to Kansas in 1866, he excelled in the railroad industry and held various civic roles, including mayor of Kansas City. A dedicated family man, he married Annic M. Speck and had six children, leaving a legacy of service and community involvement.

Biography of Albert Mebus

Albert Mebus, born on July 27, 1876, in Aubrey, Kansas, emerged as a prominent figure in the insurance industry after founding his own business in 1909, ultimately becoming the second largest insurance dealer in Kansas City. His early career included serving in the Kansas City fire department and working in real estate. A progressive citizen, Mebus championed the good roads movement, participated in various civic organizations, and aimed to provide for his family’s education. He was a dedicated Mason and an active member of the local Elks lodge.

Biography of James McGrew, Hon.

Hon. James McGrew, a significant figure in Kansas history, was instrumental as a free state proponent and served as the state’s lieutenant governor. Born in Pennsylvania in 1822, he migrated to Iowa and later to Kansas, where he became a prominent merchant and helped establish the packing industry in Kansas City. McGrew held various political positions, including mayor of Wyandotte and senator, and played a key role in shaping local affairs. He married twice and fathered five children, passing away in 1911 at his home, McGrews Grove.

Biographical Sketch of Henry McGrew

Henry McGrew, born on April 18, 1857, in Iowa, was raised in Wyandotte, Kansas. A prominent lawyer, he served as city and county attorney in Wyandotte before transitioning to real estate and business ventures. Since 1904, he has been largely retired from law, focusing on developing Kansas City’s residential and commercial sectors. Politically a standpat Republican, McGrew is involved in local banking and cement manufacturing. He married Julia Townsend in 1881, and they had three sons, continuing the family’s legacy in the region.

Biography of Lewis Corbin True, Col.

Colonel Lewis C. True, a notable soldier and lawyer, settled in Kansas after the Civil War, where he faced significant challenges as a farmer before turning to law. Admitted to practice in 1871, he became the county attorney of Labette County, staunchly enforcing Kansas’s prohibition laws despite backlash, including the burning of his home. A respected attorney in Kansas City, he served in various legal capacities until his retirement. Born in Illinois in 1842 and an active Republican, True championed prohibition and maintained his commitment to public service throughout his life.

Biography of Edward Alexander Enright, Hon.

Edward Alexander Enright, born September 17, 1858, in Vermont, is a prominent Kansas City statesman and attorney. His career spans nearly 25 years, marked by significant contributions to law and public service. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Enright founded a law practice in Kansas City after relocating due to family circumstances. He held various public offices and championed progressive legislation on labor rights, municipal ownership, and insurance protections. Enright, a Republican, also engaged actively in fraternal organizations and was married to Myra Belle Brewer, with whom he had a daughter.

Biography of William Elliott Barnhart

William Elliott Barnhart, born December 8, 1857, in Ohio, has significantly impacted Kansas City, Kansas, since 1887, particularly in transportation and public service. His career began in law before transitioning to a postal clerk and ultimately various roles in railway companies, including the Kansas City Southern and the Kansas City, Mexico Orient Railway. Active in local governance, he served on the Board of Education and led the Wyandotte County Republican Central Committee. Barnhart married Mattie Lake Johnston, and they had four children.

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 James H. De Coursey

James H. De Coursey, a prominent figure in Kansas City’s business landscape, founded a successful ice cream and butter manufacturing plant, becoming a significant contributor to the local economy. Born on July 29, 1883, in Alma, Colorado, he was the son of Edwin E. De Coursey, who was involved in various enterprises. James’s entrepreneurial journey began during law school, where he experimented with ice cream production. Aside from his business ventures, he actively participates in community and banking affairs, while maintaining a strong connection to his family’s legacy in Kansas.