Vermont

Biography of Lucetta S. Carter, Mrs.

Lucetta S. Carter, born on July 11, 1828, in Vermont, rose to prominence as a philanthropist in Wichita. With no inherited wealth, she built her fortune through a successful magazine agency, demonstrating remarkable business acumen. Mrs. Carter significantly contributed to local institutions, including the Children’s Home and Fairmount College, while also supporting the First Unitarian Church. Her family lineage includes Revolutionary War participants, reflecting a lasting legacy of determination and service. She exemplified tireless dedication to improving the lives of others through her charitable efforts.

Biography of Matthew H. Williams

Matthew H. Williams, an Idaho pioneer born on September 20, 1840, in Vermont, settled in Bellevue in 1863. The youngest of twelve children, he pursued various occupations before engaging in fur trading and mining. He experienced significant hardships due to Indian hostilities, including a near-fatal encounter. Williams became a successful miner, realizing substantial profits from several claims. He married Luella Reed in 1882 and had five children. Active in local governance and community affairs, he is recognized as a significant figure in Bellevue’s pioneering history.

Biographical Sketch of S. H. Harrison

S. H. Harrison, born on January 17, 1837, in Rutland County, Vermont, moved to Wisconsin in 1855 and later to Minnesota in 1859. He served in the U.S. Army from 1862 to 1866 and was commissioned as a first lieutenant. After relocating to Harrison County, Missouri, he moved to Jewell County, Kansas, in 1875. Harrison established a law practice and held the position of Justice of the Peace. A landowner with significant agricultural holdings, he married Albina M. Godding in 1858, and they had five children.

Biography of Roswell L. Cofran

Roswell L. Cofran, born on February 3, 1842, in Vermont, is a distinguished Topeka businessman and former mayor known for his significant contributions to the city’s development. A Civil War veteran, he transitioned from soldier to successful proprietor of the Western Foundry and Machine Works, which he has operated for over forty years. Cofran served multiple terms as mayor, advocating for municipal improvements, including replacing wooden sidewalks with brick. Married to Caroline Fritsche, he has three children and is involved in various fraternal organizations and his local church.

Biographical Sketch of William J. Cashman

William J. Cashman, born on October 14, 1872, in Montpelier, Vermont, was a distinguished lawyer. He received his A.B. from St. Mary’s College in 1893 and attained both LL.B. and LL.M. degrees from the Catholic University of America. Cashman was admitted to the bar in Boston in 1898 and in Cleveland in 1901. He worked in the legal department of The Grasselli Chemical Company and held various memberships in professional and civic organizations. He married Aloise Grasselli and had four children. His pastime included golf.

Biographical Sketch of William R. Creer

William R. Creer, born on January 17, 1861, in the Isle of Man, was the son of Robert and Eleanor Craine Creer. After marrying Anna Frances Burnham in Vermont, he began his career as a clerk due to financial necessity. He moved to Cleveland in 1893, later founding The Cleveland Savings Loan Co. and serving as its president. Creer held various leadership roles in the Cleveland Advertising Club, Crest Real Estate Co., and other organizations, contributing to the community and local commerce.

Biography of William Perry Horton

William Perry Horton, born October 23, 1832, in Pittsfield, Vermont, was a prominent dentist and civic leader in Cleveland. After attending Oberlin College and training in dentistry in Milwaukee, he opened his practice in 1852. Horton was instrumental in the dental profession, serving as dean, president of multiple dental societies, and secretary for the State Board of Dental Examiners. A member of the City Council for several years, he was actively involved in various civic organizations and the Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed hunting and contributed to the community throughout his life.

Biographical Sketch of Chester Wheeler

Chester Wheeler, originally from Vermont, established his home in Warren County, Missouri, around 1810-1812. He married Joanna Bryan and together they raised a large family, including influential son Samuel H. Wheeler, now Treasurer of Montgomery County. Samuel and his wife, Margaret Fulkerson, had numerous children. Notably, William Wheeler moved to St. Charles in 1827, later practicing law in Lincoln County and serving as County Judge, while his brother James wed Nancy Booker and expanded their branch of the family.

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.

Biographical Sketch of Franklin B. Richards

Franklin B. Richards, born on November 12, 1862, in North Andover, Massachusetts, was an accomplished iron merchant and chemist who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1884. After marrying Caroline A. Dimick in 1886, he held various positions in the iron and steel industry, including superintendent and manager roles at several companies. An active member of numerous professional and social clubs, Richards was also involved with several industry organizations. He had two daughters and enjoyed pursuits such as golf and yachting.

Biography of Vernon H. Branch

Vernon H. Branch, born on February 3, 1863, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, moved to Kansas at a young age and established a notable banking career spanning over thirty-five years. Starting as a bookkeeper at the Cloud County Bank, he progressed to various influential banking roles across Kansas. Settling in Wichita in 1903, he became a vice president of the National Bank of Wichita and later focused on investment banking. Branch was married to Luella Brown, who was actively involved in community philanthropy, and they had a highly educated daughter, Hazel E.

Biographical Sketch of Henry Reynolds Hatch

Henry Reynolds Hatch, born in Grand Isle, Vermont, on October 3, 1831, was a prominent figure in Cleveland’s mercantile and banking sectors. After moving to Cleveland in 1853, he joined E. I. Baldwin & Co. and later became a partner. Following the death of Mr. Baldwin, Hatch led the firm and played a significant role in reestablishing the Lake View Cemetery Association. He was also active in community service, including founding a home for waifs. Hatch married twice and had eight children.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Thomas Wellman

Samuel Thomas Wellman (1847-1930) was a prominent mechanical engineer born in Wareham, Massachusetts. Educated at Norwich University, he served as a corporal in the American Civil War. Wellman significantly contributed to the steel industry by building the first commercial open hearth furnace in the U.S. He founded the Wellman, Seaver Engineering Co. and held leadership roles in various engineering societies and companies, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His inventions revolutionized steel production and he remained active in professional organizations throughout his life.

Biographical Sketch of John Danforth Nutting

John Danforth Nutting, born March 8, 1854, in Randolph, Vermont, was a prominent clergyman and educator. He received his A.B. from Wheaton College in 1878 and an A.M. in 1881, followed by his theological training at Oberlin Seminary, graduating in 1885. Nutting held several pastorates, including in Wauseon, Ohio, and St. Louis, before serving in Salt Lake City from 1892 to 1898. He has been recognized for his work with the Mormon community and as a writer and lecturer on related topics since 1898.

Biography of Morillo Abial Spalding

Morillo Abial Spalding, born in Vermont in 1856, has significantly contributed to the community of Dearing, Kansas, through his successful general mercantile business. After gaining experience in various trades, including a notable tenure in the drug business, he established a pharmacy in Dearing that he operated for eight years before transitioning to retail. A steadfast Republican and active community member, Spalding is also a past noble grand of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He has been married twice and has two daughters, emphasizing family values alongside his professional achievements.

Biography of George K. Reid

George K. Reid, born in Vermont in 1863, has been a prominent figure in Howard, Kansas, for over thirty-five years, establishing a significant business in abstracts, loans, and insurance. Raised in a modest household, he overcame early challenges, becoming deputy county clerk and later a trusted banker. Since 1894, he has thrived in real estate and financial services. Actively involved in the community, Reid serves on the school board and is engaged in local governance and the Presbyterian Church. He married Mary Lees in 1881 and raised a successful family.

Biography of Ezra Brainerd, Jr.

Ezra Brainerd, Jr., born on August 26, 1878, in Middlebury, Vermont, has been a prominent lawyer in Muskogee for seventeen years. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1904, he began his legal career in Muskogee, establishing a successful practice. Brainerd has also been involved in commercial ventures as president of the Muskogee Crystal Ice Company. He married Edith Hubbard and has five daughters. Active in community organizations, he is a member of several fraternal societies, including the Knights Templar and Elks.

Biographical Sketch of Robert Ellsworth Lewis

Robert Ellsworth Lewis, born on September 28, 1869, in Berkshire, Vermont, was a prominent figure in the Y.M.C.A. movement. A University of Vermont graduate, he served in the Vermont National Guard and participated in the 1900 Peking relief expedition. Lewis held various leadership roles within the Y.M.C.A., including positions in China and Ohio, where he constructed significant facilities. He contributed to educational literature and participated in numerous professional organizations, addressing vocational guidance and international education, notably in the Far East. Lewis was married with eight children.

Biography of Elmore W. Snyder

Elmore W. Snyder, born in New York in 1850, became a prominent figure in Kansas banking after moving there in 1878. He founded the Manufacturers National Bank in Leavenworth, where he served as president for over 28 years, playing a crucial role in its growth into a leading financial institution. His family has deep roots in American history, with his father serving in the Civil War. Snyder’s contributions extended beyond banking, including involvement in building a bridge over the Missouri River and participation in local political and fraternal organizations.

Biography of Edwin Ruthven Heath

Edwin Ruthven Heath, born in 1839 in Wisconsin, became a notable physician in Kansas City, Kansas, after a remarkable life shaped by adventure and exploration. He experienced the California Gold Rush as a child, later practicing medicine in South America, where he contributed to railway construction and explored remote rivers. A specialist in diabetes and urinalysis, he actively practiced until late in life despite physical challenges. Heath was an esteemed member of various geographical societies and served in several consular roles while maintaining a commitment to public service and community involvement.