Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Wilmington Kansas.

Wabaunsee County.
Wilmington Township, Map, 1885.
 
On the county map Wilmington can be found in Township 15-south and Range 13-east.  On the Township map Wilmington can be found in section 15.
 
Wilmington Post Office.
 
Wilmington Post Office open May 21, 1857 and ran to October 31, 1906.  First PostMaster was Ogelvie H Sheldon. In 1874, John S. Buchanan was appointed Post Master.
 
A Business man of Wilmington, 1883. 
 
WM. E. RICHEY, farmer, P. O. Wilmington, was born in Lee Township, Athens Co., Ohio, June 1, 1841. Educated at Muskingum College at New Concord, Ohio; enlisted as a private in August, 1861, in Company A, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served until December 27, 1865, when he was mustered out as second sergeant of his company. While in the army he was correspondent of several newspapers. He participated in all the engagements of his command, over 100 in number, and never was wounded. In June, 1868, he located at Manhattan, Kan. In August of the same year, he removed to a farm which he purchased in Osage County, located four miles north of Burlingame; resided there until 1872, then located on his present farm on the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 15, Range 13. In 1875, he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Wabaunsee County, and was re-elected in 1876, both times receiving the entire support of both political parties. Mr. Richie was married at Norwich, Muskingum Co., Ohio, May 8, 1868, to Margaret J. Miller, a native of that place. They have two children - Mary and Annie. Mr. Richey is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and Presbyterian Church; his wife is also a member of the same religious society. He takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his county and his State.
 
Wilmington Kansas, 1901.
 
Historic old town. A few years ago it was our opinion that the old stone buildings would insure the old landmark a permanent reminder of the old Santa Fe trail. But the stone buildings were concrete and most of them have fallen to decay. But the old town is a relic of the past, nevertheless. O. H. Sheldon was the first postmaster and H. D. Shepard, the first storekeeper. In 1870, besides Mr. Shepaid, there were two other stores, kept by Penfleld & Son, and by James Cripps & Co., Dr. Wilkerson had built a drug store and Dr. Easter was talking of building another, Henry Burns ran a blacksmith shop and J. and H. McPherson, builders, had all they could do. Then came John Buchanan with his store and shoe shop. and. soon after, the hotel. Then there were Rice Lewis and Jack Turner two bachelors who, later on, quit the business. Then, there was John Easter, the surveyor, and Mr. Dyer, both of whom have gone from among us. But Sam Bright still holds the fort and Mr. *Prothrow, who has written J. P. after his name all his life and he is still at it a worthy citizen and one of the old-timers. Wilmington, as a reminder of the old Santa Fe trail is still there a memory of the long ago.
 
Wilmington Kansas, 1912.

Wilmington, a hamlet in Wabaunsee county, is located 25 miles south-east of Alma, the county seat, and 6 miles west of Burlingame, Osage county, the postoffice from which it receives mail. The population in 1910 was 69. This is an old station on the Santa Fe trail and is one of the historic spots in Wabaunsee county.

Wilmington Picture Gallery.

Push on pictures to enlarge. 

 
 
 
 
*See Wilmington 1901

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

my sister lives right on the road by the old church, I walk the field around there all the time, it is so cool to see pictures of what it used to look like!

Anonymous said...

love this site! my sister lives right down the road from the church and school! It's so cool to learn about old Wilmington!