Robert M. Shaffer.

This information came from the following: History of Montgomery County, Kansas. By Its Own People.Published by L. Wallace Duncan. Iola, Kansas. Press of Iola Register. 1903.
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Entered Service at 18, years.

 Robert M. Shaffer Among the prominent and representative citizens of Elk City, is R. M. Shaffer, grain and coal dealer. His connection with the busiuess interests of the town dates back to l892, and prior to that he had been one of the leading farmers of the county for thirteen years. Three decades of circumspect living in a community gives a man a most powerful influence in shaping its moral and civic life, and thus the biographer found Mr. Shaffer a most proper subject for a volume devoted to the history of the men who have made Montgomery what she is today-among the best counties in the state.

Athens county, Ohio, was the place of the birth of Mr. Shaffer and July 11, 1846, the date. He had not yet finished his school days when the roll of the drum fired his young and couiageous heart to volunteer for the defense of Old Glory, and right valiantly did he carry himself during the four long years of that sanguinary conflict. He enlisted three different times and served in all. three years and three months. His first enlistment was in Co. "H," 87th O. V. I., May 25, 1862. This regiment became a part of the Army of the Potomac, and was stationed at Harper's Ferry. It had .scarcely got its bearings when the Confederates appeared in force and captured the whole post. The munitions of war seemed the only part of their capture they cared to keep, and the regiment was paroded en masse on the 17th of September. Resolved to see more of the war, our subject, in October, once more enlisted, this time in Co. "A," 129th O. V. I., a regiment which was part of Burnsides corps and whose first engagement was at Cumberland Gap, Tenn.

His term of service expiring March I8, 1864. Mr. Shaffer again enlisted, Co., "A,"' of the 38th O. V. I., enrolling him as a private soldier. He served in the snpply department of Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign until the fall of that city, and then joining ilie victorious legions of that general, made the march to the sea, and up to the scene of the final surrender. With his battle-scarred companions. he participated in that Grand Review which has never ceased to he the subject of pen and story, and then took part in that other sublime spectacle which has heen the wonder of the ages--the peaceful disintegration of a victorious army and its quiet return to civic life.

A farmer for three years, a section foreman on a railroad for four, a husbandman on his own land for seven more, all in Ohio, brought our subject to 1879. the date of his coming to Montgomery county. He bought land near Elk City and engaged in farming until 1892, when he removed to town and entered upon the business he now conducts. During his residence in the county, Mr. Shaffer has been zealous in forwarding its interests, serving in different offices of trust in his school district, and since his residence in town has been continuously a meumber of the common council. He and his family are active workers in the Christian church, of which he is an Elder. Fraternally he attiliates with the Masonic order, and is a prominent member of the G. A. R., of the local post of which organization he has been Commander continuously for nine years. Politically, he supports the policies of the Republican party.

Noting family history briefly. Mr. Shaffer is a son of William H., and Ann McNeal Shaffer, natives of the Keystone State. After their marriage they moved to Ohio, settling in Athens county, where the father passed the renuiinder of his life. He was a farmer and occupied a leading position in the community. He died August 7, 1866. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church; the wife is a member of the Christian church and now resides in Elk City, a much venerated and loved woman, at the advanced age of eigbtv vears.
The family is as follows: Our subject," R. M.; David W., of Salem, Ohio: .Martha J., Mrs. William P. Herrv, of Lamj.asas. Texas; John H.,of Elk Cilv; Asbnrv H.. of Marseilles. HI.; Pox (Vlenda. of Elk Citv; Ami C. of Chauncey. O. ; Andrew M.. of Oakland, Ill.; Ceorge W., of Brushy Fork, Ill.

On the 20th of May, 1866, Mr. Shaffer was joined in marriage with Miss Mary L., a daughter of Wm. H. and Elizabeth (Roach) Powell, of Morgan county, Ohio. Mrs. Shaffer's father was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, the mother dying in 1856. There were two children besides R. M.: Riley E., of Chauncey, Ohio, and Maxwell G., of Burton, Ks. To the marriage of our subject have been born: Azra W., a minister and singing evangelist of the Christian church; Charles B., deceased; Flora M., deceased; Lizzie, deceased; Ollie I., Mrs. Ora Fitzgerald, of Elk City; Mamie M., Mrs. C. D. Close, of Neal Kan.; Nannie, deceased, and Elza R., of Elk Citv.

Colonel James Gillpatrick Blunt.

Normally this would go on my Civil War site but as he is part of Kansas history I thought it should be here. I know I have done some reports on this site and the other site by him but I can't see where I did a full page on him. If I have done a write up on him I don't believe I had any pictures of him, this time there will be.

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James Gillprick Blunt.

Birth: Jul. 21, 1826, Trenton, Maine.

Death: Jul. 27, 1881, Washington, District Of Columbia.

Burial: Mount Muncie Cemetery, Lansing, Leavenworth County, Kansas.

James G. Blunt, is recorded as being in the 3rd., Kansas, Infantry, but as the 3rd. and the 4th., infantry didn't have enough men to make two regiment the two were consolidated and they became the 10th Infantry.  So for those laymen researchers Blunt's war record starts for the most part with the 10th.,Infantry.  The roster of the 10th. Infantry states that he was a Lieutenant Colonel and his residence was at Mount Gilead.  He was mustered July 24, 1861, and Promoted to Brigadier General of the United States Volunteers on April 8, 1862.  Then on November 29, 1862, he was Promoted to Major General.  He was honorably muster out on July 29, 1865, with the rank of Major General.

I could fill this page with all kinds of information on him but I won't instead I will post a couple reports by him or about him.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., July 3, 1863.

Brigadier General W. R. BOGGS:

Brigadier-General Steele reports, July 1, that [James G.] Blunt is marching from Kansas with 2,000 men and four pieces of artillery, to re-enforce Fort Gibson. Cabell is ordered back from Northwestern Arkansas, to unite with Stand Watie on the west side of Grand River. Steele apprehends he may not be able to withstand Blunt, and, if he has to fall back, expects to lose the Indian brigade, by dispossession, and he asks Lieutenant-General Smith to aid him with any unemployed troops he may have in Northern Texas. No news from Lieutenant-General Holmes.

W. B. BLAIR, Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, ARMY OF THE FRONTIER,

Cane Hill, Ark., December 6, 1862.

Brigadier-General HERRON

Commanding Second and Third Divisions:

SIR: The enemy's advance, represented 10,000 strong, are now within 8 miles of my headquarters. They drove in my outposts 3 miles this morning. Nothing more than picket fighting has occurred during the day, but they are steadily advancing, and will, no doubt, attack in force daybreak to-morrow morning. You will endeavor to get your command here by that time.

Respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. G. BLUNT, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE FRONTIER,
Cane Hill, Ark., December 6, 1862-7 p. m.
Major T. J. WEED, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Fort Leavenworth:

The enemy, 25,000 strong, have attempted for three days to force my position here, which I have determined to hold at all hazards until re-enforcements can arrive. They attacked yesterday, and again this morning, but were driven back to the mountains. General Herron, with the Second and Third Divisions, is making a forced march to re-enforce me. His advance will arrive to-night. You will soon hear of one of the damnedest fights or foot races that has taken place lately.

Lieutenant Johnson is doing well.

JAS. G. BLUNT, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

ELKHORN, ARK., December 6, 1862-4 a. m.

Major-General CURTIS, Saint Louis, Mo.:

Messenger just in from Blunt. The enemy is within 15 miles of him, marching on to Cane Hill. I have advised him fully of my location each day, and have advised him to fall back and meet me, should the enemy press him in force. He will make a mistake if he undertakes to fight before we get up. I will have both division in Fayetteville during the night. The entire column has marched 30 miles per day since we started. I am doing my best to reach him. To-morrow will tell the story. May the God of battles be with us.

F. J. HERRON, Brigadier-General.

Numbers 1. Report of Brigadier General James G. Blunt, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Frontier.  CANE HILL, ARK., December 6, 1862.

GENERAL: The enemy (25,000 strong) yesterday attempted to force my position, but the advance was driven back into the mountains. This morning they made an attack upon my outposts upon two roads, driving my pickets upon one of them about 3 miles, who, upon being re-enforced, again drove the enemy back. It is my opinion that the demonstrations this morning were to cover their retreat, as they were felling timber during all of that night, possibly to obstruct the road and prevent my artillery and cavalry following them. I have been holding them in check four days, determined to hold my position until re-enforcements could arrive. General Herron's advance cavalry will reach here to-night, and expect his whole command to reach me to-morrow night. Can you inform me what rebel forces there are defending Little Rock, and if any Federal forces are making a demonstration in that direction? It is important that I should have the information, to govern my future movements.

JAS. G. BLUNT, Brigadier-General.

Numbers 2. Reports of Brigadier General James G. Blunt, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Frontier, with congratulations from General Curtis.

ARMY OF THE FRONTIER, In the Field, near Fayetteville, Ark., December 8, 1862.

GENERAL: This place, on yesterday, was the scene of a hard-fought and bloody field, resulting in a complete victory to the Army of the Frontier. The rebel forces, under Generals Hindman, Marmaduke, Parsons, and Frost, numbered 25,000. My whole force in the field did not exceed 8,000. I had been holding the enemy on the Boston Mountains for two days, skirmishing with their advance and holding them in check until General Herron could come up with re-enforcements.

On the 7th, they drove in my outposts; got possession of the road, by which they commenced a flank movement on my left during the night, while they made a heavy feint in front. Their object was to cut off communications between myself and General Herron, who was to be at Fayetteville at daylight. They attacked General Herron at about 10 a. m., who, by gallant and desperate fighting, held them in check for three hours, until I came up and attacked them in the rear. The fighting was desperate on both sides, and continued until it was terminated by the darkness of the night. My command bivouacked on their arms, ready to renew the conflict at daylight in the morning; but the enemy had availed themselves of the night to retreat across the Boston Mountains. The loss on both sides has been heavy. My loss in killed is small in proportion to the number of wounded.

The enemy's loss, compared with ours, is at least four to one. My artillery made terrible destruction in their ranks. They had greatly the advantage in numbers and position, yet Generals Marmaduke and Hindman acknowledged to me, in an interview under a flag of truce, that they had been well whipped. Among the enemy's killed was Colonel Steen, formerly brigadier-general of the Missouri State Guard. The Nineteenth and Twentieth Iowa, Thirty-seventh Illinois, and Twenty-sixth Indiana Regiments, of General Herron's division, suffered severely. General Herron deserves great credit for the promptness with which he re-enforced me by forced marches from near Springfield, as also for his gallantry upon the field.

JAS. G. BLUNT, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Major General SAMUEL R. CURTIS.

PRAIRIE GROVE, ARK., December 9, 1862.

The enemy did not stop in their flight until they had crossed the Boston Mountains, and are probably, ere this, across the Arkansas River I shall move my advance to-day to Cane Hill. I shall established a general at Fayetteville. Shall I not extend the telegraph to that place? The enemy's killed and wounded between 1,500 and 2,000; a large proportion of them killed. One hundred of their wounded have died since the battle, and a large proportion of others are wounded mortally, showing the terrible effect of my artillery.

My casualties will be about 200 killed and 500 wounded. Most of the wounded will recover. The enemy have left their wounded on my hands, and most of their dead uncared for. They are being buried by my command. Hindman admitted his force to be 28,000. Major Hubbard, who was a prisoner with them all day of the fight, occurred twenty regiments of infantry and twenty pieces of artillery. They had not train with them, and muffled the wheels of their artillery in making their retreat. Four caissons, filed with ammunition, were taken from the enemy. The Twentieth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, in addition to those mentioned yesterday, suffered severely in charging one of the enemy's batteries, which they took, but were unable to hold.

JAS. G. BLUNT, Brigadier-General

Strawn Kansas.

Strawn City Kansas.
Date unknown.

Strawn City is situated in Pleasant Township, on the south bank of the Neosho River, and is a point on the Neosho division of the Missouri Pacific Railway. The town site was surveyed in 1871. The first settlers were Enos Strawn, Hiram Hoover, J. Chesnut, J. Jacobs, W. Jacobs, T. L. Harrell and E. Benedict. It contains two stores (a dry goods and grocery by Mr. Wingard, and a grocery by Mr. Fletcher), a shoe shop by Mr. Prather, one blacksmith shop, a hotel kept by R. Smith, and the postoffice by F. Newkirk. On the west side of the town, on an eminence overlooking the country, stands a fine large frame schoolhouse, 26x40, with a bell. An iron bridge costing $15,000 spans the river, near town. Valuable limestone and sandstone quarries are on the town site. Population about one hundred and fifty.

Strawn's Post office open September 21, 1871 and ran to January 18, 1963.

The following Families used Strawn as their P. O., address although they maay not live in the same Township.

DR. WILLIAM A. DUMBAULD, P. O. Strawn, was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1846, and lived there thirty-one years, and came to Kansas in 1879, and located in Coffey County, and engaged in the practice of medicine in Strawn. He was educated in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery and graduated from that institution in the class of 1874, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession since in Ohio and Kansas. He was married in Licking County, Ohio, in 1867, to Miss Jennie Walker, a native of Ohio. They have three children -- Lida, Della and Bun. Dr. Dumbauld is a member of the Masonic Order and the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He studied medicine with Dr. B. Coleman, of Homer, Ohio, for three years.

F. M. NEWKIRK, railroad agent, Strawn, was born in Kentucky in 1842, and in 1872 came to Kansas, and went into business as a merchant at Strawn until 1875. In 1873 he was appointed station agent of the M. K. &T. R. R., and is engaged in handling grain. He was married in Kentucky in 1870 to Miss Lillie A. Wingard. They have four children -- Arthur, Samuel, Minnie, and Mary. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES JACOBS, farmer, P. O. Strawn, was born in Allen County, Ohio, in 1833; lived there twenty-two years, and came to Kansas in 1855, and located in Coffey County, Le Roy Township, and moved to where he now lives, in Pleasant Township in 1857. Has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is a large dealer and shipper of livestock. Mr. Jacobs was married in Allen County, Kan., in 1863, to Miss Nancy S. Hall, a native of Georgia. They have four children -- Mary Lizzie, Anna May, Charlie Clinton, and Florence Alta. Mr. Jacobs has been Township Treasurer, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the G. A. R. He enlisted in 1862 in Company F, Twelfth Kansas Volunteer Infantry and served three years.

JAMES M. PIERATT, farmer, section 36, P. O. Strawn, was born in Kentucky in 1844, and lived there ten years. He came to Kansas in 1854, and located in Douglas County, and lived there until 1867, when he came to Coffey County and located on a farm in Pleasant Township. He was married in Douglas County, Kan., in 1864, to Miss Margaret J. Kennedy, a native of Ohio. They have four children -- Marian R., William I., James M., and Martha. His wife died September 29, 1882, aged thirty-five years, two months and twenty-five days. Mr. Pieratt is a large farmer and stock-raiser, and is engaged in shipping cattle.

CONLEY F. SMITH, merchant, Strawn, was born in Virginia in 1852, and lived there sixteen years. In 1869 he came to Kansas and located at Strawn, and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1882 he engaged in merchandising. He was married in Strawn in 1876 to Miss Susie A. Daylong, a native of Indiana. They have one child -- Eliza E. Mr. Smith's father, Emanuel Smith, was born in Virginia in 1818, and lived in his native State about fifty years, and came to Kansas and located at Strawn, Coffey County. He was married in Virginia in 1838, to Miss Eliza Mann, a native of Virginia. They have eleven children -- Lydia, Catharine, Emeline, William, Caroline, James, Conley, Archimadis, Thomas, L. H., and Eliza. Mr Smith is Postmaster at Strawn.

ENOS STRAWN, farmer, Section 33, P. O. Strawn, was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1812, and lived there twenty-five years; then moved to Delaware County, Ind., and remained there until 1855, when he came to Coffey County, Kan., and located in Pleasant Township, where he is now engaged in farming and stock- raising. He was first married in Delaware County, Ind., to Miss Mehethelan Dodd. They had six children -- Rebecca, James, Joshua, Martha, Phineas and Jane. Mr. Strawn was married to his second wife in 1860, Miss Sarah Farrell, of Trumbull County, Ohio. They have two children -- Kate and Sarah. Mr. Strawn has been Probate Judge of Coffey County one term, and one of the commissioners appointed to locate the county seat. He has been a Justice of the Peace for forty-one years.

N. S. WILKINSON, merchant, Strawn, was born in Indiana, in 1843, and lived there until 1865. He then came to Kansas, and located in Coffey County, where he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is now a merchant. He was married in Coffey County, in 1868, to Miss Adelia Price, of Indiana. They have five children -- Ada, Clara, Anna, Nathan and Charles. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

D. L. WINGARD, merchants born in South Carolina, in 1825, and lived there twenty-five years, when he moved to Georgia, and lived there fourteen years. He moved to Indiana in 1864, and to Kentucky in 1867, and came to Kansas in 1872, locating at Strawn, Coffey County, as a merchant. He was married in South Carolina in 1848. He lost his first wife, and was again married in Georgia, in 1852, to Miss Lorena Shaw. They have three children -- Lillie E., Sallie E., and Eda L. He was again married in 1868, in Kentucky, to Miss Maggie A. Newkirk. They have four children -- Gracie, Frankie L., Lennie E., Agnes S. Mr. Wingard has been a Notary for five years, and agent of Adams Express Company, and is a member of the Christian Church.

Civil War.

One of the early citizans of Strawn was Albert Cummins, he served in the Ohio 96th, Infantry, his service is: Enlisted August 4, 1862, Age 20. Battles: Chiclasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Sabine Cross Roads, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler. Mustered out with company July 7, 1865.

The town of Strawn is in the Township of Pleasant; Township 20 South, Range 13 & 14 East. To see a full size map of the Township take this link.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/223986/page/33

Businessman of Strawn 1878.

Enos Strawn, Section 33, Farmer, Stock Raiser and J. P., from Perry County Ohio, caame to county 1855.

James Smith, Section 33, Farmer, Blacksmith, from Washington County Virginia, came to county 1870.

D. L. Wingard, Section 33, Merchant and Notary Public, from Lexington Dist. S. P., came to county 1872.

Arthur Veach, Section 35, Farmer, Stock Raiser and Minister, from Harrison County, West Virginia, came to county 1857.

George Hamman, Section 29, Farmer, Stock Raiser, from Pike County, Ohio, came to county 1870.

T. L. Horrell, Section 28, Farmer, Stock Raiser and Dealer, from Madison County Ohio, came to county 1857.

C. S. Perkins, Section 27, Farmer, Stock Raiser and Feeder, from Hartford Conn., came to county 1871.

James Jacobs, Section 33, Stock Raiser and Feeder, from Allen County, Ohio, came to county 1855.

J. E. King, Section 8, Farmer, Stock Raiser and Dealer, from Cattaraugus County, New York, came to county 1871.

Sidney Updegraft, Section 20, Farmer, Stock Raiser, from Allen County Indiana, came to county 1866.

Samuel Hodges, Section 16, Farmer, Stock Raiser and T. Trustee, from Herkimer County, New York, came to county 1872.

P. Sowders, Section 21, Farmer, Stock Raiser and Dealer, from Dearborn County, Indiana, came to county 1871.

Alfred Jones, Section 11, Farmer, Stock Raiser and Dealer, from Randolph County, N. C., came to county 1859.

L. C. Knight, Section 30, Farmer, Stock Raiser and T'p Trustee, from Sangamon County, Illinois, came to county 1862.

George L. Hoover, Section 22, Farmer, Stocker Raiser and J. P., from Boone County, Indiana, came to county 1858.

W. M. Wilcox, Section 8, Farmer Stock Raiser and Dairyman, from Onondaga County, New York, came to county 1869.

If you wish to learn more about the people of Strawn City, and a lot more take this link.
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~idahosim/strawn,_kansas.htm

Kansas Men Of The 96th, Ohio Infantry.

John Hess, Age 32, date of commission as Assistant Surgeon August 14, 1862; detail with the 13th., I. U. S. A., from December 1862, until April 1, 1863, when returned to regiment; Promoted to Surgeon and commission date April 2, 1863, and Mustered September 29, 1863.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson,  Grand Coteau, Sabine Cross Roads, where captured and on duty with Union wounded in Rebel Hospital ten weeks, at Mansfield, Louisiana; exchanged and returned to regiment June 19, 1864; Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler.  Mustered out with company July 7. 1865.  Great Bend, Kansas.

Emery M. Eastman, Captain, Age 26; date of commission as Second Lieutenant, Company G., July 28, 1862; Promoted to First Lieutenant, December 2, 1862, and to Captain, Company F., March 19, 1863, and transferred to Company A., November, 1864, on consolidation.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Siege of Vicksburg and  Jackson Mississippi, Grand Coteau and Sabine Cross Roads, La., where wounded in right hand; Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler.  Mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  Wellsford, Kansas.

Spencer D. Lincoln, Sergeant, Age 23; enlisted August 2, 1862.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson where injured by shell; Sabine Cross Roads, Cane River, Forts Gaines and Morgan.  Mustered out with company July 7, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio, by order of War Department.  Also served from April 20, 1861 to August 21, 1861, in Company B., 4th., regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Garden City, Kansas.

Albert Cummins, Private, Age 20; enlisted August 4, 1862.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackaon, Sabine Cross Roads, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistles.  Mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  Strawn, Kansas.

Albert Emmens, Age 30; enlisted August 9, 1862.  Battles: Siege of Vicksburg, Grand Coteau, Sabine Cross Roads and Spanish Fort.  Mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  North Topeka, Kansas.

John H. Craven, Private, Age 27; enlisted August 11, 186.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson ( sent home October 3, 1863, on sick furlough for sixty days, and returned December 14, 1863 ), Sabine Cross Roads, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler.  Transferred to company C., November 18, 1864, and mustered out out with company July 7, 1865.  Elyria, Kansas.

Marquis D'L. Redding, Private, Age 24; enlisted August 13, 1862.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Grand Coteau, Sabine Cross Roads, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler.  Transferred to Company C., November 18, 1864; Mustered out with company and regiment July 7, 1865.  Kansas City, Missouri.

Nathan W. Minard, Private, Age 26; enlisted August 11, 1862.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Vicksburg, Grand Cateau ( where taken prisoner and exchanged May 9, 1864 ), Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan ( transferred to company E., November 18, 1864 ), Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler.  Mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  Richland, Kansas.

Clifton M. Wood, Corporal, Age 25; enlisted August 7, 1862; transferred to 68th., company, 2nd.,Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps, December 10, 1863; died at Winfield, Kansas, July 6, 1890, Malinda J. Wood, widow, Winfield, Kansas.

Peter Battey, Private, Age 19; enlisted August 9, 1862; November 13, 1862, left sick at Nicholasville, Kentucky; returned to company March 1862.  Battles: Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler.  Mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  Little River, Kansas.

William Faris, Private, Age 34; enlisted July 24, 1862.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Siege of Vicksburg and Jackson; wounded in the line of duty in leg by explosion of shell on Steamer City of Madison, at Vicksburg, August19, 1863.  Discharged for said wound June 9, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio.  Died in 1881, Ellsworth, Kansas; His widow died; children at Ellsworth, Kansas.  Also served in company I., 3rd., regiment Ohio Volunteers Infantry from April 28-August 22, 1861.

Andrew Hart, Private, Age 22; enlisted August 8, 1862; Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Grand Coteau where taken prisoner and exchanged December 25, 1863; Sabine Cross Roads, Cane River, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Fort Blakely, Mobile and Whistler.  Transferred to company B., November 18, 1864; Mustered out with company and regiment July 7, 1865.  Perry, Kansas.

Chauncey Lewis, Private, Age 18; enlisted August 4, 1862; Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Vicksburg, Jackson, Grand Coteau, ( where captured and exchanged May 1, 1864 ), Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Mobile, Fort Blakely and Whistler.  Transferred to company B., November 18, 1864, and mustered out with company July 7. 1865.  Killed in a well near Ottawa, Kansas, in 1875.

Barclay F. Irwin, First Sergeant, Age 19; enlisted August 14, 1862; appointed Corporal August 20, 1862, and Promoted to Sergeant February  28, 1863, and to First Sergeant February 28, 1864.  Battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, where visor of his cap was shot off; Siege of Vicksburg, Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan.  Mustered out to date November 18, 1864, at Columbus Ohio, as supernumerary, by reason of consolidation.  Americus, Kansas.

Abraham B. McGowan, Sergeant, Age 22; enlisted July 29, 1862; appointed Corporal and Promoted to Sergeant August 20, 1863.  Battles: Same as those above.  Transferred to company B., November 18, 1864, and mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  Wellsville, Kansas.

John W. Coe, Corporal, Age 22; enlisted August 9, 1862; Promoted from Private to Corporal, January 1, 1863.  Battles: The Same as those above.  Transferred to company B., November 18, 1864.  Mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  Glenn, Kansas.

Jacob L. Klein, First Sergeant, Age 22; enlisted July 31, 1862, appointed Sergeant from Private April 1, 1863 and Promoted to First Sergeant March 1, 1864.  Battles: The same as those above.  Reduced to Sergeant by consolidation, and transferred to company A., November 18, 1864.  Mustered out with company A., July 7, 1865.  826 S. Street, Kansas City, Kansas.

Silas T. Ward, Private, Age 25; enlisted August 7, 1862.  Battles; The same as those above.  Transferred to company A., November 18, 1864.  Discharged February 25, 1865, for disability of eyes and hernia, at Columbus Ohio.  4115 E. 6th., Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

Ezra D. Sherman, Private, Age 21; enlisted July 30, 1862.  Battles: Siege of Vicksburg, Grand Coteau, Sabine Cross Roads, Cane River, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan and Spanish Fort.  Transferred to company D., November 18, 1864, and mustered out with company July 7, 1865.  Millerton, Kansas.   

       

Oly F. Johnson.

Oly F. JOHNSON, Sheriff, was born in Norway. Came to America in 1850, and located in Wisconsin. Removed to Minnesota. Enlisted in the Union army, October 4, 1861, in Company K, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; discharged February 14, 1866, when he returned to Freeport, Ill. Came to Jewell County, Kan., in 1870, and took a homestead in Vicksburg Township. Held office of Justice of the Peace in said township, being the first Justice of the Peace elected in the same; also held the office of Trustee for two terms. Was elected Sheriff of Jewell County in 1881, and now holds this office. Is a member of the K. of P. Mr. Johnson took out the first marriage license in Jewell County after its organization; was married in Vicksburg Township on the 17th day of June, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Zimmer. They have one child - Harry A., born October 12, 1879.

On some of the rosters his name was spelled Oley F. Johnson.  He was promoted Sergeant, at the age of 22, years.  At the age of 24 years he was promoted 2nd., Lieutenant.  At the age of 25 years was promoted to Captain.  His Height was 7 feet 7 inches, Hair was Auburn, and eyes Blue, his complexion was Fair.

The following came from the Regimental History of the 46th., Illinois Infantry.

Oly F. Johnson, enlisted at Caledonia, Minn., October 4, 1861, in September 1861, Captain Johnson in company with about twenty others, left Minnesoia and reported at St. Louis, expecting to join the 16th., Mo.  There not being enough men to complete the 16th., Mo., these men were sent to Springfield, Illinois, under Beverly Whitney, of the 15th.,Illinois.  They were ossigned to company K., 46th., Illinois.  O. F. Johnson was appointed Sergeant of the company.  Promoted to 2nd., Lieutenant October 11, 1862, and to Captain December 28, 1864.  He participated in all battles and marches with the regiment.

On his return from the army he located in Stephenson County, Illinois, and was engaged in different pursuits for a number years.  In an early day he with others, of his comrades, went to Kansas, and located at Jewell City, Jewell County, where he and wife entered on a homestead.  Some time after he was eleted Sheriff of the county and served acceptably for a term of years.  He died at Jewell City, about 1890.

Captain Johnson was Norwegian nationality, and about 25, years old at the time of his enlistment.  He was brave and couragous, a man of many good qualities, loved and respected by his comrades and had the full confidence of his superior officers.

Matthew McClurkin & Family.



Push to Enlarge.

 Matthew McClurkin.

Born: 10 MARCH 1842, Belfast, Antrim, Ireland.

Death: 25 APRIL 1921, Garden City, Finney, Kansas.

Burial: Valley View Cemetery, Garden City, Finney County, Kansas.

Wife: Nancy Craig-McClurkin.
Married: 27 JANUARY 1867, Sparta, Randolph, Illinois.

Children:

Robert James McClurkin, Born, 31 OCTOBER 1867, Coulterville, Randolph, Illinois. Death: 18 DECEMBER 1954, Wife: Gertrude Whinnie. Marriage: 03 SEPTEMBER 1902.

William McClurkin, 13 AUGUST 1869, Coulterville, Randolph, Illinois. Death: 15 FEBRUARY 1945.



Push to Enlarge.



Frances McClurkin, Birth: 17 SEPTEMBER 1874, Coulterville, Randolph, Illinois. Death: 01 AUGUST 1900.

Della M. McClurkin, Birth: 05 AUGUST 1877, Coulterville, Randolph, Illinois. Death: 11 NOVEMBER 1911.

Edith J. McClurkin, Birth: 19 SEPTEMBER 1879, Coulterville, Randolph, Illinois. Death: 11 NOVEMBER 1918.

Valentine Samuel McClurkin, Birth: 21 OCTOBER 1881, Coulterville, Randolph, Illinois. Death: 09 SEPTEMBER 1947.

John Craig McClurkin, Birth: 01 JULY 1884, Garden City, Finney, Kansas.

Ora Florence McClurkin, Birth: 14 OCTOBER 1888, Garden City, Finney, Kansas. Death: 05 APRIL 1945. Wife: Henry Boget. Marriage: MARCH 1906.

There were three other children but no information was peovided.

Talmage Kansas.

Talmage Kansas, Dickinson County.
Date is unknown.

Talmage, a little town in Dickinson county, is located in Willow Dale township on Mud creek and on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. 7 miles northwest of Abilene, the county seat. It has a bank, a number of stores, telegraph and express offices, and a money order postoffice with one rural route. The population in 1910 was 200.

Talmage opened it's Post Office on December 22, 1887.

1900, Census for Willowdale Township.

http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/dickinso/census_records/1900_census/text_files/willowdale_township.txt

Willowsale township map, shows all the land owners, Talmage is in section 12.

http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/209377/page/8

1901, Farmers who used Talmage as their P. O. address.

R. W. Edwards, Farmer, Township Flora, P. O. Talmage, came to county 1880.

John Fulton, Farmer, Township Cheever, P. O. Talmade, came to county 1877.

John Killen, Farmer, Township Willowdale, P. O. Talmage, came to county 1885.

Homer Martin, Farmer, Township Flora, P. O. Talmage, came to county 1873.

T. C. Stewart, Framer, Township Willowdale, came to county 1880.

Stuttgart Kansas.

Date is unknown.

Stuttgart is an unincorporated community in Phillips County, Kansas, United States, founded on February 6, 1888. It lies in the north of Kansas at U.S. Route 36 between Prairie View and Phillipsburg, not far from the border with Nebraska. Its beginning can be traced back to the early 1870s, when the first settlers arrived in the area. From its beginnings as shelters and small block houses, Stuttgart grew to have two Lutheran churches, a public school, hotel, cafe, bank, cinema, hairdresser, post office, wood yard, grocer's shop, railway depot, grain silo, repairshop, blacksmith, dairy, and more.

Today it is a calmer settlement. There is yet another Lutheran church, a grain silo, a garage and a gas station with service, as well as a photo studio.

The original name of Stuttgart, was Wagnerville, and was establisned 1876, it's Post Office open on Jume 14, 1882 and ran through July 31, 1888.  After the name change the new Post Office open on February 6, 1888 and ran through to June 1, 1986.  There was a community Post Office that open in 1986, and ran through to 2000, when it too closed.

To learn more about Stuttgart History and it's people take this link.
http://www.phillipscountyreview.com/stuttgart/stuttgart_history.html

Business Men of Stuttgart Kansas, 1900.

Although Some of these Business men lived in other townships they used Stuttgart P. O. as their address.  At the end of each name I will give the township they lived in.

1. G. W. Beckman, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Belmont.

2. James Hopper, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Dayton.

3. Mathias Muller, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Dayton.

4. J. W. Randolph, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Dayton.

5. E. A. Rhoads, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Dayton.

6. J. C. Steele, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Dayton.

The town of Stuttgart is in Mound Township.

7. H. Bohl, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

8. A. H. Dusin, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

9. John Finch, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

10. L. Gackstatter, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

11. C. Hacker, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

12. Charles M. Merklein, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

13. H. D. Rogers,Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

14. Traugott Schulz, Pastor German Lutheran Church--Mound.

15. L. W. Slinker, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

16. L. Stepper, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

17. M. Weinmann, Farmer and Stock Raiser--Mound.

102nd. Illinois Infantry & Kansas.

The men on this list fought in the 102nd, Illinois Infantry, and after the war came to Kansas to live.

Company A.

1. Solomon Brittingham ( Brittenham ), Private, Residence N. Henderson, Enlisted August 10, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Discharged for disability, March 12, 1863.  Now lives in Linn County Ks.

2. George W. Miller, Corporal, Residence Kelley, Enlisted August 6, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862, Mustered out aas Sergeant, June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Broughton, Ks.

3. George R. Hill, Private, Residence Rivola, Enlisted August 13, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865, as Corporal.  Now lives in Cherry Vale., Ks.

4. Albert B. Thompson, Private, Residence N. Henderson, Enlisted August 1, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out; Absent, wounded; M. O. of regiment.  Now lives in Cherry Vale., Ks.

Compamy B.

1. Dwight Coring, Private, Residence Kelly, Enlisted August 22, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865, as Corporal.  Now lives in Girard, Ks.

2. Ezra D. Bugbee, Private, Residence Cold Brook, Enlisted August 9, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out as corporal, June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Mindden, Ks.

3. William H. Rees, Private, Residence Spring Grove, Enlisted August 7, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Pleasanton, Ks.

4. Albert Smith, Recruit, Residence Chicago, Enlisted June 1, 1864, Mustered October 16, 1864, Mustered out June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Halton, Ks.

Company C.

1. Henry G. Cooper, Private, Residence Perryton, Enlisted August 11, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Discharged October 7, 1864; Disability.

2. James Gorman, Recruit, Residence Perryton, Enlisted August 8, 1862, Mustered September 23, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865.

Company D.

1. Frank L. Barnhisel, Private, Residence Cold Brook, Enlisted August 7, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out as Corporal, June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Newton, Ks.

Company E.

1. George W. Herbert, Private, Residence N. Henderson, Enlisted August 14, 1862, Mustered 2, 1862.  Discharged January 31, 1863; Disability.  Now living at 225 N. BSt., Kansas City, Ks.

2. Matthew C. Boggs, Recruit, Residence N. Henderson, Enlisted September 27, 1864, Mustered September 29, 1864.  Mustered out July 18, 1865.  Never reported.  Now lives in Coolidge, Ks.

Company F.

1. Ery ( Eri ), Bennett, Private, Residence Henderson, Enlisted August 20, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865.  Nw lives in Ohontanka Springs, Ks.

2. William Westerdale, Private, Residence Henderson, Enlisted August 6, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862,  Mustered out June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Wallie, Ks.

3. James H. Murphy, Recruit, Enlisted August 20, 1862, Mustered September 23, 1862, Mustered out June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Phillipsburg, Ks.

4, George Dew, Recruit, Enlisted August 20, 1862.  Mustered out June 6., 1865.  Now lives in Stafforg, Ks.

5. John H. Champion, Private, Residence Henderson, Enlisted August 5, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865, as Corporal.

Company G.

1. William F. Cochran, Private, Residence  Millersburg, Enlisted August 14, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865; Prisoner of war.  Now lives in Osborne City, Ks.

2. Elisha J. Grandstaff, Corporal, Residence Mercer, Enlisted August 11, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865, as a Segeant.  Now lives in Waverly, Ks.

3. John O. Miner, Private, Residence Ohio Grove, Enlisted August 15, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Discharge January 15, 1863.  Now lives in Argentine, Ks.

4. William H. Wilson, Private, Residence Keithsburg, Enlisted August 15, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865.  Now lives in Peabody, Ks.

5. Wesley Hunt, Corporal, Residence Millersburg, Enlisted August 14, 1864, Mustered September 2, 1862, Mustered out June 6, 1865, as a Private.  Now lives in Argentine, Ks.

Company H.

1. John W. Hogue, Private, Residence Elba, Enlisted August 6, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.
Mustered out June 6, 1865, as a Corporal.  Now lives in Parsons, Ks.

2. Allen Miller ( Millan ), Private, Residence Truro, Enlisted August 13, 1862, Mustered September 2, 1862.  Mustered out June 6, 1865, as a Corporal.  Now lives in Republic, Ks.

Company I.
Note.  Although the following men were recorded as being in this company, they were not found on it's roster.

1. Rodney M. Willis, Columbus, Ks.

2. John Doyle, Kansas City, Ks.

3. Myrenus Loomis, Granden Plains, Ks.

4. James McConchie, Frankford, Ks.

Company K.
Note. Although the following men were recorded as being in this company, they were not found on it's roster.

1. Walter Smethers, Severy, Kansas.

2. Harry M. Smithers, Elmdale, Kansas.

Sons Of Dartmouth Collage & Kansas.

The men on this list were classmen of Dartmouth Collage.  These men played a part of Kansas military history.  In some cases there was more information on them, but I only put down what part they palyed in Kansas History.   However if you would like the rest of the information let me know and I well see that you receive it.
--------------------------

Jonas Colby, class of 1831, Located at Defiance, Ohio, in 1832, afterwards went to Kansas, where he remained several years, serving as Physician, Surgeon and associate Justice of Williams County.  Died May 28, 1876.

Rufus Gilpatrick, class of 1834, went to Kansas in 1854, and was one of the foremost actors in the stirring events that attended the organiztion of that State.  He was an intimate friend of Captain John Brown, with whom he was identified in the "Underground" Railway operations so called, and whom he acted in the great struggle.  He was president of the first state congressional convention, presidential elector in 1860.  He was killed in the war on April 14, 1863.

Oliver Chamberlain, class of 1837, was appointed Surgeon United States Volunteers.  In the fall of 1861, from Illinois; was assigned to duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in charge of a reccruiting camp; in tthe latter part of the following winter was placed in charge of the Hospital at Leavenworth, was attached to the Eighth, Kansas Infantry, and sent south to the Army of the Cumberland.

David Sands Vittum, class of 1845, was commissioned Captain of the Third regiment Wisconsin Cavalry, in January 26, 1862,.  The regiment left the state for St. Louis, March 26, 1862.  On May 11, it reported for duty at Fort Leavenworth.  Colonel Barstow of the regiment was appointed Provost marshal-General of Kansas.  The regiment was distributed through out Kansas.  One Battalion in wich was Captain Vittum's company F., was station at Fort Scott, Kansas, which was then the extreme outpost of the Union forces.
He was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.  He would die on April 10, 1880.  

John Stevenson Hidden, class of 1847, was commissioned surgeon in the Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry, February 3, 1864, but was probably not mustered into the United Ststes service as no record of such service appears in the Kansas records.

Albert Newman, class of 1851, was commissioned surgeon of the Third regiment Kansas, July 29, 1861.  Served with this regiment at Fort Scott, Kansas, and vicinity until April 19, 1862when the Third and Fourth regiments consolidated and named the Tenth.  Newman was then assigned to duty at the post hospital, at Leavenworth, Kansas, and shortly afterwards was detailed as acting surgeon of the First regiment Kansas Volunteers.

Lucius Stearns Shaw, class of 1857, was apponited Second Lieutenant of the Second Kansas Infantry, ( Three month's troops ) June 20, 1861; was in General Nathaniel Lyon's command at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo.  While the regiment was returning to Kansa, he was fatally injured by the falling of the Katte River Bridge, Mo.  (Fird by the enemy, September 2, 1861), he was taken to St. Joseph, where he diedSeptember 5.  Wrapped in the American colors, his remains were sent with a flag of truce across the river, thence to Lawrence Kansas, and buried with military honors.

Horace Meeker Dnke, class of 1858, Enlisted May 16, 1861, at Lawrence Kansas, in company D., Second regiment Kansas Volunteers; Mustered in June 20, 1861; died October 6, 1861, from wounds received in the battle at Wilson's Creek, Mo., August 10, 1861.

 

Soldiers & Business Men Of Olivet Ks.




Olivet Kansas.
Date not Stated.

Normally I would give all kinds of information on this town but this page will be different.  This time it's about the men of Olivet, and who came to live there after the war.  Olivet is like most Kansas towns of this time.  Dusty roads and after a rain it turn into nothing but mud.  There was little or no trees and the towns for the most part were built on a hill.  If you were to look at old pictures of Kansas towns they all seem to be going up or down a hill. Those who say Kansas is a flat State have never drove through it, Oh! they passed through it on the Interstate, but they haven't really drove through it.  But no matter what you say about Kansas towns these men pick Olivet, to live in.

LORENZO D. LAFFERTY, farmer, Section 8, P. O. Olivet, was born in Orange County, N. C., December 29, 1829; son of James and Sarah (Cockelrare) Lafferty. When a child his parents took him to Indiana, and there he was brought up on a farm; was educated in the common school. Enlisted February, 1862, in Company K, Fifth-third Regiment Indiana Infantry, was a Serigeant and participated in the engagement at Corinth, Jackson, Pittsburg Landing, Vicksburg and Atlanta, where he was wounded, and was discharged in February 1865.

He was married in Orange County, Ind., December 4, 1851, to Miss Ona O., daughter of William Felkin and Prudence McDanell. They have six children, viz., Sarah C., born April 22, 1853; Martha E., born May 6, 1854; James C., born December 27, 1855; Lydia A., born December 29, 1859, Mary J., born January 25, 1865, and Charles A., born May 21, 1870. Mr. Lafferty came to Kansas in 1870, and settled in Olivet Township; owns 230 acres, which he has under cultivation from the raw prairie, and good house, barn, etc. Mr. Lafferty is a member of Arvonia Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F.

ALBERT M. McCAULEY, farmer, Section 8, P. O. Olivet, was born in Orange County, Ind., May 5, 1839; son of James and Sarah Lafferty McCauley, who were children of Joseph McCauley and Vance Lafferty. Mr. McCauley was brought up on a farm, and received a common school and education. Enlisted August, 1862, in Company F, Eighty-First Regiment Indiana Infantry, served in the band, and was discharged for disability in December, 1862. Came to Kansas in 1871, and settled in Olivet Township; owns 125 acres, which he improved.

He was united in marriage in Orange County, Ind., May 10, 1860, to Miss Lucretia A., daughter of James Greggs, Esq. They have two children - Laura E., born August 5, 1861, and James B., born December 16, 1862. Mr. McCauley is a member of Olivet Lodge, No. 22, A., F. & A. M. and postmaster at Olivet. Laura E. is now the wife of William Soddeistum.

In 1869, Olivet was incorporated as a city of the third class. William Haslam opened a general merchandise and drug store, and later H. J. Davis opened a hotel, Bartels & Munger started a saw-mill. Wagon and blacksmith shops, etc., were started.

In 1870, Dr. William C. Sweezey opened a store. T. B. Haslam opened a broker's and exchange office, and some other business enterprises were stated.

At the time of the first settlement, the nearest post-office was at Burlingame, twenty miles distant, and William Haslam would have the mail for the neighbors brought over to his store whenever an opportunity occurred. In 1870, he was appointed postmaster, and Olivet made a postoffice on a new mail route.

Dr. William C. Sweezey or Sweesey, Enlisted September 15, 1864, at Bennington Indiana, Age 32, Rank Private-Surgeon, Company B., 140th., Indiana Infantry, Discharged November 12, 1864, to accept a commission as primary surgeon, Field & Staff.

Miltonvale Kansas.



Miltonvale Kansas.
No Date Given.



The city of Miltonvale, situated in the southeast corner of the county, in Starr township, section 20, town 8, range 2, was founded by Milton Tootle of St. Joseph, Missouri, who owned the townsite and in whose honor the place was named. Tootletown was first suggested, and Tootleville, but Miltonvale seemed more pleasing and was subsequently adopted. Mr. Tootle gave every other lot to the railroad. The original plat was eighty acres, followed shortly afterward by another eighty, and there have been some additions since. The population of the town is about four hundred and fifty inhabitants. The city owes its origin to the railroad bonds issued by the township to the amount of ten thousand dollars, for securing the narrow guage railroad, then called the Kansas Central and which ran from Leavenworth, Miltonvale being the terminus. About thirteen years ago the road was changed to a standard gauge and is now under the control of the Union Pacific.

C. E. McDaniel and J. W. Mathews were the first to erect buildings and opened stocks of general merchandising and groceries, respectively. The township voted $13,000 and the city $7,000 in railroad bonds in 1889. and secured a line of the Santa Fe. The town was made a city of the third class in 1883 and C. E. McDonald was its first mayor. Miltonvale was at one time a city of eight hundred and forty-five population. The Santa Fe gave it better shipping facilities, but the building up of other towns in close proximity has been a detriment to the growth of Miltonvale. It has also been retarded by disastrous fires. A flourishing mill was once operated there. It burned to the ground in 1886. There was no fire company and the people were compelled to stand with folded arms and witness the destruction of one of their best properties.



Miltonvale Kansas.
Date Not Given.



Prior to the birth of Miltonvale, Wilson Mathews was postmaster at Star Center. The office was in the building with his stock of goods at that point, which constituted about all there was of Star Center. When the new town sprung up Mr. Mathews moved his store into Miltonvale and became the first postmaster there. He resigned the following summer and C. M. Phelps was appointed, but when a change of administration took place H. P. Flora was placed in charge and served through Ex-President Cleveland's first term. I. E. Dawes succeeded Mr. Flora when President McKinley was elected. L. O. S. Clary was commissioned to serve under Cleveland's second: administration but resigned before his term expired and the post office was removed to the store of B. E. Hubbell and remained under his supervision until the second election of President McKinley, when Dr. James Hall received the appointment. The office was conducted by James Hall, Jr., and Miss Charlotte Hall to the entire satisfaction of the public for four years. Another son, Bruce Hall has succeeded to Miss Hall's place and the popularity of the office continues under the efficient management of these young men.

Zahnville Post Office open on April 14, 1873, then moved to Miltonvale and open it's doors on April 6, 1882.

Miltonvale newspapers have had a varied and checkered career, as will be seen in the resume of Cloud county newspapers on page 172. The Miltonvale Record, until recently edited by J. V. Honey, has been purchased by A. B. Swift. His daughter, Miss Zella Swift, is local editor, while Ed Hill, formerly of Concordia, is manager of the mechanical department.

Miltonvale ships more cattle than any point in the county and the pasture land in this locality brings better returns for grazing purposes than farming. Miltonvale not only has a good school building but employs an efficient corps of teachers.

The churches, as shown in the accompanying engraving, are a credit to the people of the town. All lines of business are represented and all the secret and social orders are found there. The city draws trade from a wide area of country, west to Meredith, north to St. Joseph, and east and south for several miles beyond the limits of Cloud County into Clay and Ottawa counties.

Business Men of Miltonvale, 1885.

Abraham Filion, Section 30, Blacksmith, from Germany, came to county 1870.

M. B. Horn, Section 35, Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Iowa, came to county 1874.

John Horn, Section 34, Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Iowa, came to county 1882.

John Kircher, Section 35, Farmer ans Stock Raiser, from Wisconsin, came to county 1872.

Ira Angelo, Section 20, Farmer and Stock Dealer, from Illinois, came to county 1872.

George Austill, Section 17, Farmer and Stock Dealer, from Ohio, came to county 1873.

A. J. Blackwood, Section 20, Attorney-at-law, from Ohio, came to county 1883.

A. Covey, Section 11, Farmer and Stock Raiser ans Surghum Manf., from Maryland, came to county 1873.

N. H. Eaves, Section 20, Prop. Commercial House, Illinois, came to county 1865.

A. B. Fry, Section 34, Farmer and Stock Raiser, from Ohio, came to county 1873.

S. V. Fairchild, Section 20, Physician and Surgeon, from New York, came to county 1880.

G. Kuhnle, Section 20, Dealer in General Merchandise, from Germany, came to county 1883.

S. C. Lanoue, Section 20, Prop. Livery, Feed & Sale Stable, from Illinois, came to county 1869.

John M. Miller, Section 20, Clerk, from Illinois, came to county 1873.

H. G. McDonald, Section 20, Land, Loan and Insurance, from Illinois, came to county 1876

A. H. Neal, Section 20, Dealer in General Merachandise, from Tenn., came to county 1880.

R. S. Phelps, Section 30, Farmer and Carpenter, from Penn., came to county 1874.

Charles Proctor, Section 20, Druggist, from Illinois, came to county 1876.

C. M. Phelps, Section 20, Post Master, from Ohio, came to county 1882.

Judson Remington, Section 20, Prop. Livery, Feed & Sale Stable, from Penn., came to county 1883.

Dempster Scott, Section 20, Druggist, from Michigan, came to county 1870.

A. A. Stowe, Section 20, Banker, from Penn., came to county 1881.

Charles Stock, Section 20., Land, Loan and Insurance, from Germany, came to county

1867.

E. D. Smith, Section 20,  Land, Loan and Insurance, from Canada, came to county 1884.

S. G. Winters, Section 24, Farmer and Fruit Grower, from New York, came to county 1871.

Phil. Young, Section 2o, Furniture Deales, from Germany, came to county 1884.

If you would like to see the map of this Township take this link.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/223984/page/34

McCracken Kansas.



McCracken Kansas.
Date taken is unknown.

McCracken is located at the western edge of Rush County, McCracken was established in December, 1886 along the soon to be completed Missouri-Pacific Railroad. It was named for J. K. McCracken, one of the first trustees. Immediately, lots began to be sold and within a month, the fledgling town was assigned a post office on January 31, 1887. That first year, the flourishing settlement also gained a bank, two grocery stores, a newspaper called the McCracken Enterprise, drug store, theater, and numerous other businesses. The Evangelical United Brethren Church of McCracken was also established in 1887.

McCracken, 1909.

Before the town was even developed, area Catholic parishioners had constructed a St. Mary's Church building in 1886 southwest of McCracken, which would later be replaced with an stone building in 1906.

In 1901, the post rock City Jail was built, which now serves as a museum. The following year, the Bank of McCracken was established and constructed of native stone. This building also continues to stand, appearing to be a residence today.

The early part of the 20th century was difficult for McCracken as fire swept through its business district, the first time in 1905, when the east side of Main Street was burned. Four years later, in January, 1909, another fire destroyed most of the buildings and businesses on the west side of Main Street.

However, the town rebuilt and persevered and by 1910, the city of some 371 people sported about 100 businesses, including a flour mill, grain elevators, several more churches, and a telegraph and express office.

McCracken Businessmen of 1901.

W. S. Brownell, Physician and Surgeon.

J. W. Coughenour, Notary Public, Real Estate, Insurance and Collecting Agent.

Clarence P. Dutton, Prop. "The McCracken Republican."

H. A. Kettner, Prop. Livery, Freed and Sale Stable.

A. Robertson, Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Stationery, Musicial Instruments.

F. P. Starrett, Dealer in General Merchandies and live stock.

J. P. Warden, Dealer in Hardware, Cutlery, Stoves and Tinware, Farm Implements and Vehicles.

There was also a Bank, but no names were given.

There was a Lumber Co. , ran by a Mr. Ryan, who deales in lumber, Grain and Coal, Building Material of all kinds, Cement and Paints &c.

The Snodgrasss Brothers, Owners of the "The Enterprise."  Also Dealers of Crain, Coal, Flour aand Feed.



Lehigh Kansas.




Lehigh Kansas.
Taken 1908.

Lehigh Alden Speare, of Boston, filed a plat of this burg, August 23, 1881. It is located on the northeast quarter of Section 27, Town 19, Range 1. It is six miles west of Hillsboro. L. Monninger is Postmaster and merchant here.

It should be noted that this statement was made in 1883.

Lehigh, open the Post Office doors on April 23, 1880.

There seems to be some confusion by researchers as they have the Post Office opening it's doors before the town was even laid out.

Lehigh still has an elevator and a nice little park with millstones and an old bell on Main. Unfortunately, the tracks look abandoned and the 1920 High School building is in ruins.

Date of this statement is unknown.

Lehigh, one of the incorporated town of Marion county, is located in Lehigh township on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. 16 miles west of Marion, the county seat. It is the trading point for a large and wealthy agricultural and stock raising district. It has a bank and a newspaper printed in German called "Das Echo." All lines of mercantile enterprises are represented. There are telegraph and express offices and a money order postoffice with one rural route. The town was incorporated in 1901. The population in 1910, according to the government census, was 385. Lehigh was platted in 1881 by Alden Speare of Boston. L. Monniger was the first merchant and postmaster.

Businessmen of Lehigh, 1885.

Peter Arnbrecht, Farmer and stock raiser, Section 21, from Russia, came to county June 187.

A. Ehrlech, Grain, Groceries, Hardware, Agr. Imp., Section 27, from Russia, came to county August 1876.

C. C Funk, Farmer, Section 14, from Russia, came to county July 31, 1875.

Henry Hiebert, Prop. Lehigh Livery stable, Section 27, from Russia, came to county October 1883.

P. Harmp, Farmer, Section 13, From Russia, came to county 1874.

A. L. Hannaford, Postmaster and clerk in bank, Section 27, from Butler, county Ohio, came to county October 1876.

Jacob Enber Kal, Framer, Section (?), from Russia, came to county 1875.

John Persinger, Farmer and Stock raiser, Section 30, from Roanoke county Va.

Cornelius Weded, Farmer and Stock ratser, Section 17, from Russia, came to county September 1874.

If you would like to see where these names lived in the county or where one of you ancestos may have. Take this link to see a full screen of the county. http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/224032/page/15

If you would like to put up a family story about Lehigh here drop me a line, I will be glad to have it.



Simpson Kansas

Simpson Kansas date Unknown.

Here is a picture of Simpson the date it was taken is unknown.  I believe it was between the late 1880's or 90's it may be in the early 1900's, it's hard to tell as many rural Kansas towns were slow coming into the modern age.  Many Kansas towns fought and kicked  all the way, while others just faded away.  

The following names were farmes and used Simpson as their P. O. address, the year 1884.

1. William E. Vernon.

2. J. M. Vernon.

3. L. F. White.

4. C. D. White.

5. W. H. Abling.

6. John Atinson.

7. William Critchfield.

8. Nathaniel Critchfield.

9. W. S. Critchfield.

Simpson is in Logan county Logan township 8-south range 6, section 1.

If you would like to see a full screen of Logan county, which will have most of the names listed here on it, take this link. http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/224024/page/21

Simpson was built on the site of Brittsville, which opened it's post office on June 22, 1871, and ran to April 3, 1882.  When Brittsville changed it's name to Simpson the post office open on April 3, 1882, and ran to ?

How Simpson got started.

Simpson, which was previously known as Brittsville, also Britain and Simpsonville, originated in 1871 when G. Beaver, who at that time owned a mill at Delphos, came up the Solomon River to sight a spot for a mill.

With financial aid from Thomas Shanks and Alfred Simpson, a mill was erected at the site where Brittsville started. By 1879 Brittsville was a thriving little village with a store, drug store, blacksmith shop, post office and stage stand. With the coming of railroads, between 1879 and 1880, Brittsville was moved a mile to the present townsite of Simpson. In 1882, after Alfred Simpson deeded a portion of land upon which the town was built to the city, the name was changed to Simpson, in his honor. The land on which the city was situated was first owned by T. E. Thackery, who on December 29, 1875, registered a receivers receipt for the property. Tom Shanks and Simpson started the first store in the new locality: and the first house belonged to George Leinen, Sr.

Here are some of the names of Simpson Kansas.

J. J. BRITT, attorney, P. O. Simpsonville, was born in Maryland, May 22, 1838. Removed to Indiana in 1857, thence to Minnesota, thence to Northern Missouri, thence to Montana Territory, and to Mitchell County, Kan., in 1868. Attended law school at Chicago, Ill., and graduated in 1871. Laid out the town of Britain in Mitchell County. Was elected Probate Judge in Mitchell County in 1873, and held the office for two years. Married at Asherville, Mitchell County, Kan., on the 22d day of January, 1872, to Miss Isadora Rice, and has three children - Julia, Hulas and Alta.

ISAAC N. DALRYMPLE, farmer, P. O. Dalrymple, was born in Clark County, Ohio, March 22, 1836. Removed to Indiana in 1842. Enlisted in the United States army, August 12, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Twelfth Volunteer Infantry. Was taken prisoner September 18, 1863. Was held as prisoner in Belle Island, Libby, Andersonville and Milan. Exchanged November 21, 1864; discharged May 31, 1865. Returned to Stark County, Ill., where he remained teaching until June, 1866, when he came to Cloud County, Kan., and settled in the southwest corner in Solomon Township. Afterwards moved into Logan Township, Mitchell County, and is the owner of 600 acres of land. Was elected to the State Legislature in the fall of 1868. Was Captain in the Second Battalion of the Kansas Volunteer Militia in the spring of 1869, and served five months and twenty days. He was married September 13, 1870, in Dickenson(sic) County, Kan., to Miss A. Kilgore, and is the father of six children - Walter, May, Burton, Wood, Arthur and Lucy. Mr. Dalrymple states that on the 13th and 14th days of August, 1867, the Indians murdered twenty-one settlers, and on October 13, 1868, killed nine more, and in 1869, killed seven, all in the Solomon Valley.

W. G. FRIDAY, druggist, P. O. Simpsonville, was born in Illinois, August 8, 1860. Removed to Butler County, Neb., in 1870. Came to Mitchell County, Kan., in December, 1880. In 1881, he settled in the young town of Simpson, where he engaged in the drug business and was appointed Postmaster in April, 1881.

ENOS HALBERT, P. O. Coursen's Grove, was born September 19, 1824, in Orange County, Ind. He followed farming until 1874. Moved to Mitchell County, Kan., farming to date. Particular attention being paid to thorough-bred horses. He had 170 acres of broom-corn this year; yield, one ton to five acres. Married, January 15, 1848, to Miss Susan Shirely. They have six children - Mary, Harriet, Emma, Maggie, Seth and Lucy A. He enlisted in the United States service, August 1, 1861, as private in Company I, Thirty-third Indiana. Promoted to Second Lieutenant, 1864; to Captain, 1864. Discharged August 1, 1865, at the close of the war. He is a member of I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternity.



A. N. NOELL, station agent, P. O. Simpsonville, was born in Virginia May 18, 1846. Removed to Caldwell County, Mo., in 1855. Enlisted in the United States army, June 1, 1864, in Company D, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, Discharged September 20, 1865. Returned to Leavenworth, Kan., where he was discharged; then went to Caldwell County, Mo. Went to Keokuk, Iowa, and attended commercial college and learned telegraphing. Came to Mitchell County, Kan., in 1875, and was appointed ticket agent and telegraph operator at Simpson, and the station of Brittsville, on the Union Pacific Railroad, June, 1881. Is a married man and the father of one child - James K., born November 10, 1870.

ALFRED SIMPSON, grain dealer, Simpsonville, was born in South Carolina, July 26, 1833. Removed to Tennessee in 1838, thence to Missouri in 1858. Again moved, this time to Doniphan County, Kan., in 1870; came to within one mile of the present town of Simpson, and erected a mill 28x36 feet, two and a half stories high. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Simpson caused the town of Simpson to be laid out, and the citizens have since named the town after its founder. The population of the town is about 100. The subject of our sketch has done much toward the upbuilding of the place, as he now owns a grain-house, dry goods store and hardware. Other business interests are there also, as the town is supplied with another general stock of goods, drug store, harness shop, etc. He was married in Jackson County, Mo., on October 22, 1865, to Miss Rebecca L. Rhoads, and has six children - Josephine, Thomas J., Margaret E., Benjamin, Mabel A. and Catherine.



O. D. THOMPSON, merchant, Simpsonville, was born in Wisconsin, March 1, 1854. Removed to Idaho territory in 1874, thence back to Wisconsin in 1879. Attended the Whitewater Normal School in Wisconsin; also attended the commercial school in Denver, Col. Came to Mitchell County, Kan., in the fall of 1879, and in 1881 engaged in business in the town of Simpson, under the firm name of Foot & Thompson. The firm handle a general stock. He was married November 28, 1878, at Spring Prairie, Wis., to Miss Carrie Funk, and has two children - Kate, born December 4, 1879; David, born October 17, 1881.

New February 9, 2012.
by Eileen Wilson.

Sylvester McKee was my husband's great-grandfather. Seth McKee was a brother to Sylvester. While Seth stayed in Simpson and died there on the farm leaving many descendants in the area, Sylvester left Kansas and moved to Alberta where his wife, Lucy, passed away before moving on to California where he died in 1928.

1880, Census of Logan Township, Mitchell County.

I will only list the head of the family and his wife or what ever the case may be.

1. Enos Halbert, Susan.

2. Sylvester McKee, Lucy N.

3. Henry Stackhouse, Mary.

4. William Childs.

5. William Critchfield, Margaret.

6. William H. McKim, Malinda.

7. Jno. Dimahowski, Esther.

8. George Stackhouse, Ida A.

9. Charles M. Grecian, Sophia.

10. Timothy Babcock, Cathrine.

11. Elza Louthan.

12. Nathan Critchfield, Myranda.

13. James Murrhy, Bridget.

14. James Rhodes, Holda J.

15. John A. Person, Elcy A.

16. Isaac M. Park, Catharine.

17. Andrew Pearson, Carrie.

18. George Bogen, Christine.

19. Ethilbert Knapp, Marilla

20. Jered S. Lyon, Armina.

21. Alvin Critchfield.

22. Reuben Enzor, Mary.

23. Thomas L. Bennett, Ann M.

24. George W. Littlejohn, Marie.

25. Elwood Thackary, Mary.

26. Albert Edwards, Charlotte.

27. Jesse Elliott, Malinda A.

28. Alfred Noel, Mary A.

29. George Freemyers, Lydia.

30. Joseph Castlin, Ruth F.

31. James Reeves, Harriet F.

32. Grafton C. Couch.

33. Willis H. Ivers, Ella E.

34. Frank P. Hawkins, Mary E.

35. Elliot M. Hawkins, Mary.

36. Henry W. Drolte, Sarah.

37. Samuel Conkin, Cathrine.

38. James Ruinn, Mary.

39. Anthony W. Martin, Christa Ann.

40. James Olivet.

41. Moor McConaghy, Nancy.

42. Nelson Witherel, Juliaett E.

43. Charles H. Whitherel, Ida Adella.

44. William Hedden.

45. Freeman J. Starkey, Lydia.

46. Henry Jones, Melissa C.

47. Dozies Morgan, Sarah D.

48. George Slack, Hattie.

49. John Patten, Sarah.

50. Hercules Jones, Eilzabeth.

51. Benjamin F. Williams, Mildred J.

52. Thomas W. Wroe, Elizabeth.

53. Emory D. McKeeby, Emily.

54. Joseph Wigfield, Leonora.

55. William F. Lockard, Elizabeth.

56. John Conklin, Emeline A.

57. Marten Smith, E. Alice.

58. Nard Maulding, Mary C.

59. Franklin Hall, Josina.

60. William H. McCane, Adline.

61. Thomas Basham, Rachel L.

62. William P. Thompson.

63. Jefferson McBride, Ann M.

64. Jacob Heck, Mary A.

65. Edward Tanner, Cordelia.

66. Jeremiah McDonald, Betty J.

67. Zachary Huffman, Rebecca J.

68. James W. Huffman, Cynthiana.

69. Martin B. Plymire, Mary M.

70. Charles Whitmore, Mary E.

71. John Wallace, Jane.

72. Preston Scott, Margaret.

73. James S. Speakman, Flora J.

74. Thomas H. Lockwood, Mary J.

75. Mimiller S. Speakman, Mary J.

76. George McBride, Lillian.

77. Warren G. Kerns, Sarah.

78. Peter Johnson.

79. Nelse P. Nelson, Matelda.

80. William Abling, Sophony.

81. William Chambers, Martha E.

82. Samuel Pearson , Emma.

82. John Johnson, Christina.

83. Jacob Funk, Lottie.

84. Alfred W. Rogers, Lida.

85. William Lawrence, Martha E.

86. William W. Layton, Mary I.

87. John Gill, Ann E.

88. John Overman.

89. Elias Engliss, Anne C.

90. Felix E. Jones, Margaret.

91. Henry Gentry, Clarissa J.

92. Samuel Engle.

93. Joshua Engle, Sarah.

94. George M. Giles, Emma.

95. David Edmund, Sarah A.

96. Josiah Watson.

97. George R. Rhodes, Melissa E.

98. Thomas J. Rhodes, Matilda.

99. Henderson Garner, Emma E.

100. Dezter Conklin, Maria.

101. Francis Reece, Sophrona.

102. Samuel Sprague, Elizabeth.

103. Merrit C. Bassford, Emma Retta.

104. Mahlon White, Nancy A.

105. Benjamin H. Billings, Eliza W.

106. Hugh Stackhouse, Sarah L.

107. Robert O. Martin, Maria.

108. Silas W. Fisher, Hattie.

109. Isaac Dalrymple, Adalaide K.

110. John Atkinson, Isabelle.

111. Jasper A. Dailey, Maria L.

112. Caleb A. Duvall, Nellie.

113. Joseph R. McBride, Ruth A.

114. Stephen McKinney, Mary E.

115. Frederick W. Doewer, Lee Ann.

116. Moses Ag. Rhodes, Mary S.

117. SAmuel Shire, Jane.

118. Sarah Selah.

119. Madison H. Dooly, Ella.

120. Eli Dovall, Ruth.

121. Oliver Starkey, Nancy E.

122. George Dawes, Jennie.

123. Charles Peterson, Charlotte.

124. Francis I. White, Elizabeth.

125. Burdette Stevens, Lean E.

126. William D. Raines, Lucinda A.