Friday, May 28, 2010

Gen. David Stewart Elliott.


Gen. David Stewart Elliott.

Birth: Dec. 23, 1842, Chalybeate, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
Death: Feb. 28, 1899, Caloocan City, Philippines.

Note. This page and photo was provided by: Gregory Speciale

Civil War Union Army Officer. David Stewart Elliott was born near the Chalybeate Springs, in Bedford township, on the 23d day of December, 1843. His early educational opportunities were exceedingly limited, being confined to a short attendance in the common schools; but a love of learning led to valiant and earnest efforts to overcome this deficiency by self-culture. At the age of thirteen the subject of this biography entered a store in Bedford as errand boy; but in less than a year his employer closed his business and young Elliott returned to farming, his former occupation. In September, 1858, he entered the office of the Bedford Gazette to learn the printer’s trade. Here he remained until April, 1861, when he enlisted for a term of three months in Capt. John H. Filler’s company (G) of the 13th regt. Penn. Vols.

At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted for three years in Co. E, 76th regt. Penn. Vols., in which he served until near the close of the war. After his discharge from the service, Mr. Elliott accepted a position as compositor on the Bedford Inquirer, and during evenings and spare time applied himself closely to general reading and the study of the law. In September, 1868, he became part owner of the Bedford County Press, removed to Everett and assumed editorial charge of the paper. February 9, 1869, he was admitted to the bar of Bedford county. He continued as editor of the Press until 1873, when he resigned this position and devoted his time wholly to law business, soon establishing a large practice.

On the 1st of January, 1881, at the urgent request of the owners of the paper, he became the editor and chief manager of the Everett Press, which then changed its name from the Bedford County Press to the Everett Press. The paper under his able management has proved prosperous and popular, and has had an important influence in advancing the interests of the thriving town of Everett. Mr. Elliott began to take an active part in politics in 1868, and since that time has been prominent in the counsels of the republican party in Bedford county. Besides performing effective service as a stump speaker, he has acted as chairman of the republican county committee, and has been selected several times as a delegate to state conventions. In 1880 he was alternate delegate-at-large to the national convention at Chicago.

In 1874, and again in 1878, he was the almost unanimous choice of the republicans of Bedford county for state senator, but failed to receive the vote of the district conference, owing to local questions. Gen. Elliott has been prominently identified with military affairs. He was commissioned captain of Russell Zouaves, 16th division Penn. Militia, February 16, 1870; commissioned major-general 16th division, National Guard of Pennsylvania, January 16, 1873; commissioned lieutenant-colonel and division inspector, staff of Maj. Gen. James A. Beaver, September 9, 1875. Gen. Elliott has been prominently identified with various secret organizations, having been the commander of the first Grand Army Post established in Bedford county, besides holding almost every grade of office among the Odd-Fellows, in which order he is at present the grand marshal of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

He is also a Knight Templar Mason. He takes a deep interest in local affairs, particularly in schools, and is constantly called upon to accept positions of trust and responsibility. As a public speaker, editor and lawyer he has won a well-deserved and honorable reputation, while, as a citizen, his influence is felt in every work that tends to advance the best interests of the community. Gen. Elliott was married February 2, 1870, to Miss Rebecca A. Harris, eldest daughter of Josiah Harris, Esq., of Everett. She died in April, 1871. On the 28d day of December, 1874, he was again joined in marriage, the bride being Miss Clara J. Barndollar, daughter of Jacob Barndollar, Esq., of Everett. Four children have been born of this union: John Barndollar Elliott, Leila Cushwa Elliott, Clara Irene Elliott and James Russell Elliott. CAPT. DAVID STEWART ELLIOTT.

For more than half a century the name Elliott has been one of important associations with Kansas history. The quality of public service has distinguished the family in all generations. The first of the name in Kansas was a Pennsylvania soldier, also named David Stewart Elliott, who was killed by Quantrell's band of raiders during the Civil war. The late Capt. David Stewart Elliott of Coffeyville, long known as a lawyer, editor, fraternal organizer, and soldier, also gave up his life as a sacrifice to the country during the Philippine war. Several of the children of the late Captain Elliott are filling worthy places in their respective spheres, including his daughter, Miss Leila C. Elliott, who is now city treasurer of Coffeyville.

David Stewart Elliott, father of the late Captain Elliott, was born at Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was reared and educated and married in that state, and was an editor by profession. He served as a soldier in the Mexican war; and though quite an old man at the time he enlisted in 1861 in a Pennsylvania regiment of infantry. He was in the service in Kansas, and his company was on its way to Fort Smith to assist in repelling the Price invasion of Missouri and Kansas when he was killed by Quantrell's men at Baxter Springs. This was in 1864. He and others of the command were captured by the Quantrell raiders, were lined up against the wall and all shot.

This Pennsylvania soldier whose record deserves special mention in any history of Kansas had only one child, the late Capt. David Stewart Elliott. The mother of Captain Elliott was born at Everett, Pennsylvania, in 1822 and died at Coffeyville in 1892. At Everett, Pennsylvania, Capt. David Stewart Elliott was born December 23, 1843. When about fifteen years of age he entered a newspaper office to learn the printing trade and in April, 1861, enlisted in Company G of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. That was a three months' regiment, and at the end of his term he re-enlisted in Company E of the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was with that command for more than three years. In 1868 he became editor of the Bedford County Press at Everett, Pennsylvania, and continued in that capacity until 1873.

On February 9, 1869, he was admitted to the bar of Bedford County, but after practicing a few years resumed his work as editor and was editor of the Everett Press from 1881 to 1885. In May, 1885, Captain Elliott became a member of the Montgomery County Bar, locating at Coffeyville, but soon answered the call to his old profession as a newspaper man and from June 5, 1885, to September 1, 1897, edited the Coffeyville Weekly Journal. Early in 1892 he established the Daily Journal, and was also its editor until 1897. In May, 1898, the Twentieth Kansas Regiment was enlisted for the Spanish-American war, and Company G was recruited at Independence, consisting for the most part of Montgomery County boys. The officers of the company were: D. Stewart Elliott, captain; H. A. Scott of Sycamore, first lieutenant; and William A. McTaggart, son of Senator McTaggart, second lieutenant. As every Kansan knows, the Twentieth Kansas made its record of achievement in the Philippines. Captain Elliott, whose qualifications as a military leader were enhanced by his previous service in the Civil war, went with the regiment to the Philippines early in 1899, and while in line of duty at Calocan, just north of Manila, on February 28, 1899, was shot by a Filipino sharpshooter and died a few hours later.

His remains were brought home and on April 14, 1899, were laid to rest at Coffeyville with military honors. He had entered the Civil war at the age of seventeen, and he was in his fifty-sixth year when death came to him in the Far East. Something of Captain Elliott's talents and characteristics can be learned by a brief quotation from an old history of Montgomery County: "After locating in the county Captain Elliott devoted only a portion of his time to the practice of law. His tastes led to the formation of his fellow men into associations, political parties and other organizations, and the promulgation and advocacy of their principles, rather than to the irksome and methodical work demanded in the practice of law. For this work of his choice he was by nature admirably equipped.

He was a fluent and pleasant speaker and at once took a leading part in meetings to effect such organizations, or to advocate their tenets. As a writer he was terse, graceful and effective, and as a soldier enthusiastic and courageous. During his residence in Coffeyville Captain Elliott was its attorney for one or more terms and a member one term of the lower house of the Kansas Legislature, where he was at once a conspicuous member. At his death he was a member of sixteen lodges." Captain Elliott was a republican, and was filling the office of city clerk at Coffeyville at the time he resigned to enlist for service in the Spanish-American war. As an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church he served as president of the Epworth League and superintendent of the Sunday school, and held all the lay offices in the church.

Among the fraternities of which he was an influential member were the following: Keystone Lodge No. 102, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Coffeyville Chapter No. 89, Royal Arch Masons; St. Bernard's Commandery No. 10, Knight Templars, at Independence; with the Scottish Rite bodies of Masonry; Coffeyville Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Camp No. 665, Modern Woodmen of America; Woodmen of the World; Select Friends; Knights and Ladies of Security; Knights of Pythias; Lodge No. 279, Ancient Order of United Workmen; Post No. 90, Grand Army of the Republic; also the organization of Sons of Veterans.

Captain Elliott married Miss Clara Barndollar, who is still living at Coffeyville with her children. She was born at Everett, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1846, and represents an old American family. One of her ancestors was John Williams, who served as a private under Capt. David Hendershot in the First Battalion of Bedford County during the Revolutionary war. Another of her revolutionary ancestors was Capt. Richard Dunlap, who was captain of the Bedford Company in the First Battalion of Militia commanded by Col. William Parker, Captain Dunlap was killed while fighting at Frankstown, Pennsylvania, on June 3, 1781. Another ancestral connection of interest was Capt. James Martin. He married Sarah Thomas, the great-grandmother of Mrs. Captain Elliott, and they were married at the home of Benjamin Franklin on October 19, 1759.

Captain Martin was a first lieutenant and afterwards promoted to captain of a company from Pennsylvania in the Revolution. A brief record of the children of the late Capt. David S. Elliott and wife is as follows: John B., who was a member of his father's company and who is now superintendent of the Pullman Company at Kansas City, Missouri; Miss Leila C.; Irene, who lives at Coffeyville with her mother; James Russell, who enlisted in his father's company at the age of fifteen, and was the youngest soldier in the American army during the Spanish-American war; Grace, at home with her mother; and David S., Jr., who was educated at Baker University and is the republican nominee for county clerk of Montgomery County. Miss Leila C. Elliott, now city treasurer of Coffeyville, was born at Everett, Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated at Coffeyville. She possesses unusual business ability and efficiency in the routine and detail management of public offices, and for a time was deputy city clerk and afterwards was elected and served as city clerk for three years. In 1913 she became city treasurer, and is giving a most excellent administration of that important office. Miss Elliott is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is active in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

William Eugene Stanley.

This is the last in a series of Kansas Governor’s. This is in keeping with my format at my other site ( Civil War Days & Those Surnames.), where I state I only work in the years of 1776 to 1875. However I will go up to 1900, and a little beyond but not by much. I hope you will enjoyed this series, now it’s time to see what other people and interesting place of Kansas I can find.
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WILLIAM EUGENE STANLEY.

WILLIAM E. STANLEY, the fifteenth governor of Kansas, was born in Knox County, Ohio on December 28, 1844. His education was attained in the Ohio public school system and at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he left before graduating. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1868, and established a legal career in Jefferson County, Kansas. Stanley entered public service in 1871, serving as Jefferson County attorney, an office he held until 1872. He also served as Sedgwick County attorney from 1874 to 1880, and was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, serving from 1881 to 1883. Stanley declined an appointment by Governor Morrill, to serve as judge in the court of appeals. In 1898, he won the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was sworn into the governor's office on January 9, 1899. He was reelected to a second term in 1900. During his tenure, a traveling library commission was authorized, the elimination of unproductive state offices was recommended, a U.S. prison revolt at Fort Leavenworth and a 1901 convict penitentiary strike were dealt with, the supreme court was increased to seven justices, and funds were appropriated to finish construction on the state house. After leaving office on January 12, 1903, Stanley returned to his law practice. From 1903 to 1904, he served on the Dawes Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes. Governor William E. Stanley died on October 13, 1910, and was buried at the Highland Cemetery in Wichita, Kansas.


Emma L. Hills Stanley.

Emma holds the distinction of being the first mistress of the first official governor’s residence in Kansas. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonel Dames, Twentieth Century Club, and many other organizations, and entertained often in the governor’s mansion at 801 Buchanan. She entertained in such proportions that it was necessary, on occasion, to turn the top floor of the executive residence into a dormitory for guests. Emma was an active sportswomen and was the champion women archer of Wichita while her husband was the state archery champion.
Miss Emma L. Hills, of Wichita, Kansas, married William Eugene Stanley in 1876, and from this union four children were born.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

John Whitnah Leedy.




John Whitnah Leedy.

Birth: Mar. 8, 1849, Bellville, Richland County, Ohio.

Death: Mar. 24, 1935, Edmonton, Alberta.

Kansas Governor. He received little education due to the early death of his father. He performed menial labor on a farm and in a store. At fourteen he ignored his mother's protest and military rejection and joined a Civil War troop that he served until the end of the war. In 1872 he switched from the Republican party to the Democratic party and switched again when the Populist, or People's, party was formed in 1890. He threw his hat into the political arena in 1892 and was elected to the Kansas State Senate. When the Democrats and the Populists merged he was elected as Kansas governor and sworn in on January 11, 1897. He lost his reelection bid and dropped out of politics for a while. He moved to Valdez, Alaska and served two years as mayor. He became a naturalized citizen of Canada and died there almost penniless. The Kansas Legislature donated $1000 to mark his grave and pay his funeral expenses

Sarah Boyd Leedy.

Little is known about Sarah’s interest during her husband’s term. After John Leedy served his state as governor, he and Sarah left the comparative civilization of Kansas for the Alaskan frontier. This venture was short lived and they established their home on a farm near Edmonton, Alberta Canada, where they lived the rest of their lives.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Edmund Needham Morrill.



Edmund Needham Morrill.

Edmund Needham Morrill (February 12, 1834–March 14, 1909) was a U.S. Congressman from Kansas and the 13th Governor of Kansas.

Edmund Needham Morrill was born in Westbrook, Maine to Rufus and Mary (Webb) Morrill. He attended the common schools at Westbrook Academy and learned the trade of tanning from his father. At the age of 23, he moved to Kansas. In 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 7th Kansas Cavalry. Within a year he was promoted to captain, and by 1865 he was promoted to major.

After the war, he entered the banking business and remained in that business for the rest of his life. Edmund married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth A. Brettum whom he married 27 November 1862. Elizabeth died November 1868 at Hiawatha, Kansas. Morrill's second wife was Caroline Jenkins Nash whom he married 25 December 1869. Together they had three children all born at Hiawatha.

A year after the war, he was elected clerk of the district court. In 1872 he was elected to the Kansas Senate. In 1882 he was elected to the U.S. Congress, serving four two-year terms before declining another, announcing instead his retirement from politics. Nevetheless at the urging of his friends, he accepted the nomination for Governor of Kansas in 1894 and served one term, being defeated for a second term in 1896.

Caroline Nash Morrill.

Caroline thought society was cold and heartless and would participate in social events only when it was absolutely necessary. Her daughter, however, enjoyed the social whirl and relished the activities inherent in her father’s position. Caroline Morrill disliked polities, and ardently whished her husband had not become involved. Paradoxically, she believed that women should have a voice in moral problems and joined a suffragist movement in her home town of Hiawatha.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Lorenzo D. Lewelling.




Lorenzo D. Lewelling.

Lorenzo Dow Lewelling (December 21, 1846 – September 3, 1900) was the 12th Governor of Kansas.

Lewelling was born to William Lewelling, an abolitionist who died soon after making an empassioned speech in Indiana. Lewelling was raised by his widowed mother and struggled to gain an education.

Following the Civil War, Lewelling became a teacher at Whittier College in Salem, Iowa. He was known to be an excellent lecturer and frequently gave public recitals of poetry.

Lewelling was superintendent of the girls department of the state reform school in Iowa before moving to Wichita, Kansas.

Lewelling was swept into office as a third-party candidate in the election of 1892.

Lewelling presided over a state that was largely in the control of the Populists. However, the Legislature was divided into two sections, one claimed by the Populists and one claimed by the Republicans. Lewelling, of course, only recognized the Populist-controlled House. Despite the fact that both groups met in the same chamber at different times, conflict was certain to occur. This led to the *"Legislative War", until the Kansas Supreme Court decided in favor of the Republican-controlled House.

*When the "Legislative War", also know as “Lewelling war,” started the Governor called out the Kansas Guards, and one of the companies called up was from the community of Oakland City, just out side of Topeka. They were called, Oakland Kansas National Guard Company C., and were in the command of Captain Franklin Shafter. If you would like to look over their roster take the following link.
http://oaklandkansas.blogspot.com/2008/08/oakland-in-news-1886-beyond-chapter-9.html
Ida Bishop Lewelling.

Ida B. Lewelling was an ardent reformer and worked diligently with her husband in his campaigns. She remained at the family home in Wichita during her husband’s term but the governor’s daughter, Jessie, moved to Topeka with her father and served as his official hostess. During their stay in Topeka, the governor and his daughter lived and entertained at the Chesterfield Hotel which was located at 113 Kansas Ave.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Lyman Underwood Humphrey.



Lyman Underwood Humphrey.

Lyman Underwood Humphrey (July 25, 1844 – September 12, 1915) was the 11th Governor of Kansas.

Humphrey was born in New Baltimore, Ohio to Lyman and Elizabeth (Everhart) Humphrey, one of two sons born to the couple. His father was born in Connecticut, but relocated to Deerfield, Ohio, where he purchased a tannery formerly owned by Jesse Grant (father of Ulysses S. Grant). Humphrey's father gave up the tannery business after several years and began to practice law. His father died in 1853 and through the influence of his mother, Humphrey received a common school education first in New Baltimore and then high school in Massillon, Ohio. He left school in 1861 to join the 76th Ohio Infantry.

The 76th Ohio was part of the Army of Tennessee. Humphrey rose quickly through the ranks and was promoted to first lieutenant. He participated in twenty-seven battles and skirmishes including Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, Resaca, and Atlanta. The regiment participated in the march to the sea and through the Carolinas to the battle of Bentonville. At Ringgold Gap on November 27, 1863, Humphrey was wounded but missed no duty due to the wound. He was mustered out with the regiment at Louisville, Kentucky on July 19, 1865.

Humphrey married Martha Leonard on December 25, 1872, in Beardstown, Illinois. They had two sons.

Following the Civil War, Humphrey attended Mount Union College for one year followed by a year in the law department of the University of Michigan. Short on funds, Humphrey left school, but was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1868. He moved to Shelby County, Missouri where he became a teacher and newspaper editor of the Shelby County Herald. Humphrey was admitted to the Missouri bar in 1870.

The following year, Humphrey moved to Independence, Kansas where he practiced law and started the South Kansas Tribune newspaper. He gave up the newspaper a year later and settled into the practice of law full time, until December 1872 when he helped found the Commercial Bank of Independence. Humphrey became the bank's president and helped reorganize the bank in 1891 as the Commercial National Bank. He continued with the bank until he was elected governor.

Humphrey was a devoted Republican and was active in party politics in every state in which he lived. In 1872 he unsuccessfully ran for the Kansas state legislature because he opposed the issue of railroad bonds. Four years later he was overwhelmingly elected to represent Montgomery County in the Kansas legislature. Before his term expired, Humphrey was appointed lieutenant governor to fill the vacancy left by Melville J. Salter. During the regular election of 1878, he was elected to the same position by a margin of 40,000 votes. Humphrey completed his term as lieutenant governor and was elected to the Kansas Senate in 1884.

Humphrey ran for governor in 1888 and won the position by the largest plurality to that time in Kansas; he won the majority vote in all but two counties. He defeated his Republican predecessor John A. Martin, who was tremendously popular. Humphrey was reelected to a second term in 1890.

Following his term as governor, Humphrey returned to the practice of law. In 1892, he ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Congress. Humphrey died at Independence on September 12, 1915 and is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Martha Leonard Humphrey.

Mrs. Humphrey moved to Topeka with the Governor, but Mrs. Humphrey, activities were limited to her church.

Monday, May 17, 2010

John Alexander Martin.



John Alexander Martin.

John Alexander Martin (March 10, 1839 – October 2, 1889) was the tenth Governor of Kansas.

Martin was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, a son of James and Jane Montgomery (Crawford) Martin. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother a native of Pennsylvania. He was of Scots-Irish extraction, and the family was related to General Richard Montgomery. His maternal grandfather, Thomas Brown, was the founder of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Martin was educated in the public schools and, at the age of fifteen, began learning the printer's trade.

In 1857, at the age of 18, he came to Kansas, bought the newspaper known as the Squatter Sovereign, published at Atchison, and changed the name to Freedom's Champion. He continued to publish this paper until his death. He was a firm free-state man and soon became actively identified with the political affairs of the territory. In 1858 he was nominated for the territorial legislature, but declined because he was not yet of legal age. In 1859 he was a delegate to the Osawatomie convention which organized the Republican party in Kansas, and for the remainder of his life he was an unswerving supporter of the principles and policies of that organization. His intelligent activity in political affairs led to his being honored by election or appointment to various positions of trust and responsibility. On July 5, 1859, he was elected secretary of the Wyandotte constitutional convention; was secretary of the railroad convention at Topeka in October, 1860; was a delegate to the Republican national convention of that year, and was elected to the state senate in 1861.

Before the expiration of his term as senator the Civil war broke out, and in October 1861, he was mustered into the United States volunteer service as lieutenant colonel of the 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry. Early in 1862 he was appointed provost-marshal of Leavenworth and held the position until his regiment was ordered to Corinth, Mississippi, in March. There the 8th Kansas became a part of General Buell's army, and it remained in the Army of the Cumberland until the close of the war. On November 1, 1862, Martin was promoted to colonel, and a few weeks later was assigned to duty as provost-marshal of Nashville, Tennessee, which position he filled until the following June. With his command he took part in the battles of Perryville and Battle of Lancaster, Kentucky; the various engagements of the Tullahoma Campaign; the battle of Chickamauga, where on the second day he was assigned to the command of the Third Brigade, First Division, XX Corps; and in November was present at the siege of Chattanooga and the storming of Missionary Ridge. With Gen. Sherman's army he marched to Atlanta in the memorable campaign of 1864, the line of march being marked by engagements at Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Kingston, Kennesaw Mountain and various other points. After the fall of Atlanta, Martin's regiment joined in the pursuit of Gen. Hood as he marched northward into Tennessee, where it closed its service. During the closing scenes of his military career Martin commanded the First Brigade, Third Division, IV Corps, until he was mustered out at Pulaski, Tennessee on November 17, 1864, receiving at that time the rank of brevet brigadier general "for gallant and meritorious services."

Returning to Kansas he resumed the editorial management of his paper, and again he became a factor in political affairs. In 1865 he was elected Mayor of Atchison, of which city he had served as the third postmaster, holding the office for twelve years. For twenty-five consecutive years he was chairman of the Atchison county Republican central committee; was a member of the Republican national committee from 1868 to 1884, and secretary of the committee during the last four years of that period; served as delegate to the national convention of his party in 1868, 1872 and 1880; was a member of one of the vice-presidents of the United States Centennial commission; was one of the incorporators of the Kansas State Historical Society, of which he was president in 1878; was president the same year of the Editors' and Publishers' Association; and from 1878 to the time of his death was one of the board of managers of the Leavenworth branch of the National Soldiers' Home. During all the years following the Civil war he manifested a keen interest in the work and welfare of the Grand Army of the Republic, and when the Department of Kansas was organized, he was honored by being elected its first commander.

For years before his election to the office of Governor, Martin had an ambition to be the chief executive of his adopted state, but knew he had to wait and prepare himself for the duties of the office in case he should be called to fill it. The call came in 1884, when he was nominated and elected. His first administration commended him to the people, and in 1886 he was reelected. His years of experience as a journalist and political leader gave him a ripe judgment which enabled him to discharge his gubernatorial duties with marked ability, and it is probable that no governor of Kansas ever retired from the office with a larger number of friends.

On June 7, 1871, Governor Martin married Ida Challiss, and together they had seven children.
Governor Martin died from pneumonia on October 2, 1889 in Atchison, Kansas at the age of 50.

Ida Challiss Martin.

Ida was not very active socially but preferred to concentrate on being a wife and mother. Ida had seven children.

Friday, May 14, 2010

George Washington Glick



George Washington Glick (July 4, 1827– April 13, 1911) was the ninth Governor of Kansas.

George Washington Glick was raised on his father's farm near Greencastle, Ohio. He enlisted for service in the Mexican–American War, but saw no action. At age 21 he entered the law offices of Buckland and Hayes (later President Rutherford B. Hayes); he was admitted to the bar two years later and established a moderate law practice, earning a reputation as a hard-working lawyer. Glick moved to Atchison, Kansas, in 1859 and formed a partnership with Alfred P. Otis. He served as a Union soldier in the 2nd Kansas Infantry during the Civil War. Elected to the Kansas State Legislature in 1862, he served for 14 of the next 18 years and was Speaker pro tempore in 1876. He served in both houses of the state legislature. Glick was well respected and considered "just and expert" by his colleagues.

He was elected Governor in 1882 and served until 1885. Legislation enacted during his tenure included the creation of a railroad commission, a "good roads" law, reassessment of tax laws, and the establishment of a livestock sanitary commission. He was later appointed pension agent in Topeka by President Grover Cleveland.

After 15 years of civic service, George Glick was forced to abandon his political career because of a throat infection that nearly destroyed his ability to speak. He continued, however, as an attorney for various railroads. He also managed his farm and served as a charter member and first vice president of the Kansas Historical Society.
Glick died in 1911 in Atchison, Kansas.

Elizabeth Ryder Glick

Elizabeth set a new standard for the social position of the first ladies and instituted many changes in the entertaining of officials. She enjoyed being first lady and was a sparkling hostess. A well-educated, cultured person, she spoke several languages, belonged to literary societies and was extremely well-read.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

John Pierce St. John.



John Pierce St. John.


John Pierce St. John (February 25, 1833 – August 31, 1916) was the eighth Governor of Kansas and a candidate for President of the United States.

Born in Brookville, Indiana, St. John served as lieutenant colonel of the 143rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Union Army during the American Civil War. From 1873 he sat in the Kansas Senate, and was the Republican Governor of Kansas from 1879 to 1883. Active in the temperance movement, he successfully promoted a prohibition amendment to that state's constitution. St. John also helped create the Kansas Freedmen's Relief Association during the Great Exodus of African-Americans to Kansas in 1879.

He was the Prohibition Party candidate for President of the United States in the 1884 election. On October 2, 1884 he was nearly shot, with the bullet hitting the window next to him. He received 147,482 votes (about 1.5%) on a ticket with William Daniel. The election was won by Grover Cleveland of the Democratic Party. St. John was also surpassed by two other unsuccessful candidates:

St. John died after suffering heat exhaustion in 1916 in Olathe, Kansas.

Susan Parker St. John.

A close relative of Quanah Parker, the noted Comanche chief, Susan St. John shared exciting times with her husband, John. It was during his administration that the prohibition amendment was passed and the governor was so prominently associated with the movement that he was nominated for the presidency on the prohibition ticket in 1884. Mrs. St. John served as a regent of Kansas State Collage from 1889 to 1901 and helped establish a home for elderly women in Topeka. She also organized what was reported to be the first women’s cultural club in Kansas.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

George Tobey Anthony.



George Tobey Anthony.

George Tobey Anthony (June 9, 1824 – August 5, 1896) was seventh Governor of Kansas.

Anthony was born to Quakers on a farm outside the town of Mayfield, New York. His father died when he was five, and Anthony had to work to support himself, his mother, and his siblings. Anthony ran a hardware store, was married, and served as a county loan commissioner before serving in the American Civil War as a captain (brevetted major) of the 17th New York Independent Battery. At the end of the war in 1865, Anthony moved to Leavenworth, Kansas where he became the editor of several newspapers. He then held a few positions in internal revenue and was placed on the state board of agriculture.
Anthony was elected governor of Kansas in 1876. As governor, Anthony was known for penny-penching, and favored programs that did not cost the state much money. During Anthony's term, the state's first telephone was installed and the Last Indian Raid in the state occurred near Fort Dodge. He was not re-elected in 1879. In retirement the former governor farmed and invested. He died in 1896 and became one of four governors buried in Topeka Cemetery, and is interred not far from his predecessor Thomas A. Osborn.

Governor Anthony was a 2nd cousin of famous suffragette Susan B. Anthony.

Rosa Lyon Anthony.

Little is know about Rosa only that she did go to Topeka and fulfilled her roll as first lady.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Thomas Andrew Osborn



Thomas Andrew Osborn (October 26, 1836 – February 4, 1898) was the sixth Governor of Kansas.

Osborn was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania. As a young man, he was apprenticed as a printer, from which he supported himself through Allegheny College. In 1856 he began to study law under a Meadville judge and was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1857. In November of the same year, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas where he became a compositor for the Herald of Freedom. The following year, Osborn was practicing law in Elwood, Kansas and was known to be a Republican and Free-State supporter.

Osborn's wife died in 1892. In 1898 he was engaged to Marguerite Fowler Richmond of Meadville, Pennsylvania. While awaiting their wedding, Osborn died and his body was returned to Kansas. He is buried in Topeka Cemetery.

Julia Delahay Osborn, wife of Thomas Andrew Osborn.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

James Madison Harvey.



James Madison Harvey.

James Madison Harvey (September 21, 1833 – April 15, 1894) was a United States Senator from Kansas and fifth Governor of Kansas.

Born near Salt Sulphur Springs, Virginia (now West Virginia), Harvey attended common schools in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. He became a civil engineer and headed west as a prospector to Pike's Peak in 1859 as a Fifty-Niner. After meeting several discouraged miners along the way, Harvey decided to settle instead in Kansas Territory, so he acquired a plot of land in Riley County near Fort Riley and engaged in agricultural pursuits. From 1861 to 1864, he served with the Union Army during the Civil War, advancing to the rank of captain in the 4th Kansas Infantry, which failed to complete organization and was consolidated with other recruits to form the 10th Kansas Infantry.

Harvey was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, 1865–1866, and then elected to the Kansas Senate in 1867-1868. He was Governor of Kansas for two terms, serving from 1868 to 1872, and then elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alexander Caldwell, where he served from February 2, 1874, to March 3, 1877.
After his Senate term, Harvey worked as a government surveyor in New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and Oklahoma, before returning to Kansas in 1890 to resume agricultural pursuits. He died near Junction City, Kansas in 1894. Interment was in Highland Cemetery, Junction City.

Charlotte Cutter Harvey.

Charlotte C. Harvey, preferred to remain on the farm instead of moving to Topeka with her husband. James Harvey was the first farmer to be elected governor.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Governor Nehemiah Green



Nehemiah Green.

Nehemiah Green (March 8, 1837 – January 12, 1890) was the fourth Governor of Kansas, serving in that position on an interim basis from November 1868 to January 1869. He subsequently served as Speaker pro Tempore of the Kansas House of Representatives.

Green was born in Hardin County, Ohio. In 1855, he moved to Kansas Territory with two of his brothers, where he practiced law. After two years in Kansas, Green returned to Ohio to complete his education at Ohio Wesleyan University. Following graduation in 1859 he served as minister at Methodist churches in Aberdeen, Ohio and Williamsburg, Ohio.

During the Civil War, Green served with the Union Army in the 153rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry from 1862 to 1864, when a serious illness in his lungs forced him to leave the service with the rank of Sergeant Major. Following the war Green moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where he served as minister.

In 1866, Green was elected Lieutenant Governor under Samuel Crawford. He ascended to the Governorship when Crawford resigned to join the military a little more than two months before the inauguration of governor-elect James M. Harvey.

After leaving office, Green returned to the ministry in Manhattan. He also served as a regent of, and taught military drill tactics at, Kansas State Agricultural College. After several years outside politics, Green was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1880 and served as Speaker pro-tem until 1882. He died in 1890 from lingering complications from his Civil War illness, and is buried in Manhattan's Sunset Cemetery.

Ida Leffingwell Green, wife of Nehemiah Green .

Ida liked to bake for her husband, Nehemiah and his election as governor did not change this.

Governor Thomas Carney.



Thomas Carney.

Birth: Aug. 20, 1824.
Death: Jul. 28, 1888.

Governor: 1863-1865.

Thomas Carney, was the second Governor of Kansas. Carney was born in Delaware County, Ohio to James and Sarah Carney. James died in 1828, and Thomas remained at home farming with his mother until age 19. He was educated in Berkshire, Ohio where he lived with an uncle. Thomas Carney, followed Governor Charles Robinson, and inherited a state that was torn by the bloody sectional conflicts during the Civil War. Served from 1863 to 1865. Also served as a member of the Kansas State House of Representatives in 1861, and as Mayor of Leavenworth, Kansas in 1865.

Thomas Carney died in Leavenworth, Kansas from apoplexy and is buried there in Mount Muncie Cemetery.


Rebecca Canaday Carney.

Birth: Unknown
Death: Unknown

Rebecca Carney, was a social leader in Leavenworth and active in supporting the Kansas Orphan Asylum when her husband Thomas, was elected governor. She was a good hostess and entertained lavishly for her husband. After Governor Carney’s term of office, the family moved back to Leavenworth where Carney served as mayor.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Governor Charles Lawrence Robinson



Charles Lawrence Robinson and wife Sarah Lawrence Robinson.

Charles Lawrence Robinson (July 21, 1818 – August 17, 1894) was the first Governor of Kansas. He was also the first Governor of a U.S. state to be impeached, although he was not convicted or removed from office. To date he is the only Governor of Kansas to be impeached. He was educated at Hadley and Amherst Academies, at Amherst College, and at the Berkshire Medical School, earning his medical degree from the latter in 1843.

Robinson represented California's 12th State Assembly district from 1851 to 1852.

During the Bleeding Kansas tragedy, Robinson angered many with his passionate support for the Free-Staters, who were promoting a fight against pro-slavery advocates. He was illegally elected Territorial Governor of Kansas under the Topeka Constitution in January 1856. From the spring of 1856 until September, Robinson and several other Free-State leaders, including the son of abolitionist John Brown, were held in custody in Camp Sackett. This United States military camp (named for Delos B. Sackett) was located about 3.5 miles southwest of Lecompton, Kansas.

In 1861, he took office as Governor of the newly-admitted State of Kansas. His impeachment was due to a political rivalry with James H. Lane.

Joseph Robinson.


Joseph Robinson.

Birth: Oct. 12, 1847.
Death: Dec. 18, 1917.

Photo provided by Leon Basile.

Indian Wars Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Ireland, he served as a First Sergeant in Company D, 3rd U.S. Cavalry. At Rosebud River, Montana, June 17, 1876, First Sergeant Robinson's detachment was attacked by a group of hostile Indians. While in charge of his troopers on the line under heavy fire, with proper judgment and great coolness, he brought up the lead horses at a critical moment. For gallantry in action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 23, 1880.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010


George Lovell Banks

Birth; Oct. 13, 1839.
Death: Aug. 20, 1924.

On the 6th of June, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, Mr. Banks enlisted as a private in Company C, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which gallant command he proceeded to West Virginia and took part in the engagements at Greenbriar and Elkwater. Later he was a participant in the memorable battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. In the battle of Chattanooga he was thrice wounded but his injuries were not serious and he was incapacitated for a few weeks only. Mr. Banks was color sergeant of his regiment in the storming of Missionary Ridge, and most gallantly did he acquit himself on this historic field. The colors were shot down six times, and Mr. Banks himself was wounded on the first and last of these occasions. He was first shot in the ribs, and after regaining consciousness he was again wounded,—this time through the top of the head. His severe injuries incapacitated him from November, 1863, until January 14, 1864, and on the 25th of June of the latter year he was mustered out. Mr. Banks received and greatly prizes the Congressional medal of honor that was presented to him and that bears date of November 25, 1863.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Rev John Worley.


Rev John Worley.

Birth: Feb. 9, 1835, Putnam County, Indiana.
Death: Jun. 18, 1911, Admire,, Lyon County, Kansas.

He enlisted in the 3rd., Iowa cavalry co. E., of the Federal Army in 1862 under Col. Trumble and served for 3 years. Eight brothers served the Federal Army. Six in one regiment and two in another.

John had six brothers that served in the same regiment and company, and two others in different companies and regiments. I was unable to find them all. There is a lot more to learn about John Worley, those of you who wish to learn more about him and his family can go to the site ( Find a grave ), there you will find a lot more information on him.

Iowa 3rd., Cavalry, company E.

1. David Worley , private.
2. Felix Worley, private.
3. Jacob M. Worley, private.
4. James Worley, private.
5. Michael Worley, private.
6. Philip Worley, private.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Orpheus Saeger Woodward.


Orpheus Saeger Woodward.

Birth: May 1, 1835, Harborcreek, Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Death: Jun. 26, 1919, Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas.

Photo provided by Thomas Fisher.

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. In April of 1861, he joined the 90-day "Erie Regiment" but did not see action. When that unit was disbanded, he was commissioned a captain in the newly formed 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. As the senior officer present, he was in command of the regiment during the Maryland Campaign that included the Battle of Antietam. He fought at Chancellorsville, and again commanded the unit at Gettysburg. He was noted for heroic action there, on Little Round Top alongside the 20th Maine. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to full colonel. He led the regiment at Gaines's Mill and Malvern Hill, where he was slightly wounded in the arm.

He also led the unit at the Battle of the Wilderness in May of 1864. There, he was severly wounded in the right knee resulting in the amputation of his right leg ten days later. He saw no further action and was discharged for disability on September 20, 1864. On March 13, 1865, he received the brevet rank of Brigadier General "for gallant and meritorious services during the war." After the war, he returned to his northwestern Pennsylvania home and served two terms in the State Legislature. In 1868, he moved to Kansas and became involved with ranching, farming, and the hardware business in Neosho Falls. He also served two terms in the Kansas State Senate from 1889 to 1893.

Authors note. I would like to thank Thomas Fisher, for allowing me to reprint his information from the site of ( Find a grave.)

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Col Samuel Newitt Wood


Col. Samuel Newitt Wood.

Birth: Dec. 30, 1825, Mount Gilead (Morrow County), Morrow County, Ohio.
Death: Jun. 23, 1891, Hugoton, Stevens County Kansas.

COL. SAMUEL N. WOOD, long a resident of Lawrence and a leader of the free-state party in Kansas was prominent as one of the founders of the republican party, as a legislator in both houses, as an editor and one of the original stockholders of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. He was born at Mount Gilead, Ohio, December 30. 1825, the son of Quaker parents, from whom he imbibed his anti-slavery sentiments at an early age. In 1844, although too young to vote, he was chairman of the liberal party central committee of this county. Four years later he supported Martin Van Buren, the free-soil candidate for President, and he was conductor of one of the underground railways which passed near his house. He taught school, studied law and on June 6, 1854, two days after being admitted to the bar, he started for the Territory of Kansas.

Early in July Mr. Wood located on a claim four miles west of Lawrence, and immediately became an acknowledged leader of the free-state party. He was one of the men who rescued Jacob Branson from Sheriff Jones, an act which brought on the Wakarusa war; was delegate to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, convention which organized the republican party in 1856; to the Philadelphia convention of the same year, and to the Leavenworth constitutional convention in 1858. The following year he removed to Chase County; represented Chase, Morris and Madison counties in the Territorial Legislatures of 1860 and 186l; was a member of the first State Senate in 1861 and again in 1867; was a member of the House in 1864, 1866, 1876 and 1877, and speaker during most of the last session. In 1864 he was appointed brigadier general of the State Militia, and in 1867 judge of the Ninth Judicial District. For two years he was in Texas; was one of the original stockholders of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad; was part owner of the Kansas Tribune of Lawrence in the '50s, established the first newspaper at Cottonwood Falls and Council Grove and was afterward identified with the Kansas Greenbacker at Emporia, the Topeka State Journal, the Woodsdale Democrat and the Woodsdale Sentinel of Stevens County. He was killed as the result of a fight over the county seat in the last named, on June 23, 1891.