Daniel Read Anthony.

Daniel Read Anthony.



Birth: Aug. 22, 1824.
Death: Nov. 12, 1904.
Burial: Mount Muncie Cemetery , Lansing, Leavenworth County, Kansas.
Wife was Anne E Osborn Anthony (1844 - 1930.


Daniel R. was educated in the public schools of Battenville, N. Y., until he was thirteen years old, when he attended the academy at Union village for six months. After leaving school he worked in his father's cotton mill and subsequently in a flour mill until he was twenty-three, when he went west to Rochester, N. Y., and taught school for two years, at the end of which time he engaged in the insurance business. In 1854 he came to Kansas with the first colony sent out by the New England Emigrant Aid Society of Massachusetts and helped found the city of Leavenworth. At the outbreak of the Civil war he entered the Union army as lieutenant-colonel of the First Kansas cavalry, which later became well known as the Seventh Kansas volunteers.

He distinguished himself at the battle of the Little Blue in November, 1861, when he won a victory over a force of guerrillas four times his number. During the year 1862 he was on duty in Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama. While in command of Mitchell's brigade at Camp Etheridge, Tenn., in June, 1862, he issued the famous "Order No. 26" which prohibited southern men passing through the Union lines to search for fugitive slaves. Gen. Mitchell requested him to countermand this order and when Colonel Anthony refused, the general placed him under arrest. The matter was taken up by the United States senate and after an investigation General Halleck issued an order restoring Colonel Anthony to duty. After resigning his commission in the army he returned to Leavenworth and resumed his duties as postmaster, to which office he had been appointed by President Lincoln in 1861. In 1863 Colonel Aithony was elected mayor of Leavenworth by a large majority and immediately inaugurated a vigorous policy.

On the outskirts of the town there were some houses that sheltered some southern sympathizers and he determined to clear the city of them. He called upon some of the best citizens of Leavenworth and they burned the buildings to the ground. This was a severe remedy but he proceeded on the theory that the end justified the means. After this, Gen. Thomas Ewing, who commanded the District of the Border, placed the city under martial law. At one time Colonel Anthony was arrested because it was claimed he was interfering with the soldiers. His reasons for his course in this instance were that he claimed his police force was sufficient to maintain law and order within the city limits.

After an investigation he was released. He was removed as postmaster of Leavenworth in 1866 because he would not support President Johnson's policy of reconstruction. In 1868 he was elected presiding officer of the Republican state convention and was a presidential elector the same year. He was a member of nearly every Republican state convention held in Kansas. In 1870 he was elected to the city council from the First ward by a vote of four to one and the following year was reëlected. All his life Colonel Anthony took an active part in politics. On May 10, 1875, he was shot by one of his political opponents, the bullet passing through his shoulder and for a long time it was doubtful whether he would recover. In 1878 he was again appointed postmaster of Leavenworth and filled many other important offices of city, county and state. He was one of the founders and a life member of the Kansas State Historical Society, and was one of the pioneer newspaper men of the state, having established the Leavenworth Conservative in 1861.

Three years later he purchased the Bulletin; in 1871 he bought the Leavenworth Times, and in 1876 he became the owner of the Commercial, which gave him the monopoly of the newspapers of the city. He consolidated the morning papers under one management and published the Leavenworth Times. Colonel Anthony owned a fine farm a few miles from Leavenworth, which he managed himself as a recreation from newspaper work. His life was distinguished by an unusual activity in business, politics and journalism. He was a man of great energy and untiring industry which enabled him to accomplish a marvelous amount of work. On Jan. 21, 1864, Colonel Anthony married Annie E. Osborn, daughter of one of the leading merchants of Edgartown, Mass. Two children were born to them, Maude, wife of Maj. L. M. Koehier, U. S. A., and Daniel R., Congressman from the First district. Colonel Anthony died from heart trouble on Nov. 12, 1904.

The Hardware Store.

The Hardware store of today is noting like those of yesterday. The hardware store of today are cold and uninviting. Yes there big and their aisles ways are full of prepackaged nails, bolt and nuts, and tools line the shelf’s. But if one needed help or to find something that was something else. In the end you may find the department your looking for, but no one to help you and nine times out of tens, if you happen to find a clerk his answer to your question is, “This is not my department” or “I just stock the shelf’s.” The Hardware store of today has this attitude of take it or leave it.

I remember when my dad need a tool or part fast he and I would head for the community Hardware store. Most small towns across America has some kind of hardware store. Although our community is now part of Topeka, Kansas, it was once a city of it’s own, it was called Oakland City Kansas. Fifty-five years ago some of the businesses were still doing business, and one was the hardware store. I always had a fascination with the store for as you stepped through the doors you were transported into another time.

The first thing you noticed was the smell, it was a old smell. It wasn’t a musky smell just old. The second thing you would notice was that the store was so full of merchandise you had to snake in and around the items to look around. There was always a friendly clerk behind a long counter, and would call you by name if you came to the store enough. The store sold every thing from fishing hooks too the old washing boards. Then there was that sound as you walked across the floor it was a hollow sound it give you the feeling of walking in a old barn, they were unfinished and showed the ware of many years of being walked on. After leaving the store you get the feeling you had just left another time.

As I have stated there are still the small hardware stores in small communities across the United States, and most are stuck in time, but that makes them more intriguing and one should step out of time once and a while. The photo to the left is of the Oakland Hardware Store as it once looked.

Note. All photos can be enlarged by pushing on them.

As a young man I worked on our families farms and there were many times there was a need to go to the hardware store. When working on the farm near Overbrook Kansas, if we needed a part or something for the house we would go to the hardware store in Overbrook. When at the farm near Scranton Kansas, we would go to the store in Scranton. If the part we needed wasn’t there we would go too one of the many others hardware stores in towns close by like those at Carbondale, Burlingame, Lyndon or Osage City. All these store may look different on the outside but inside they were all the same. They all had that old smell and unfinished floors and it was hard to move because of all the merchandise. To give some idea on what one of these stores looked like in the early nineteen hundreds here is the interior of the Harry Stubbs Hardware Store in Hartford Kansas.

Located in Hartford KS. The time of the photo is not known but it is marked on the back as "David Reeds Store in early days". A little research has shown that R.L. Mahaffey and Frank O. Smith purchased the store in Jan. 1912 from the D.G. Reed estate. In Oct. 1896 J.W. McGregor purchased the entire stock of McGregor and Reed Hardware Store, Image Source: Sue Stubbs.

If you happen to be driving through a small town stop by the local hardware store, you may be surprise on what treasure you may find.

Kansans in the Mexican War.

I started out to do a page on Kansans that were in the Mexican War, but I soon found that it wouldn’t be that easy. “Oh” there were a lot of Kansas men associated with the war, however after reading the information I found it was their father or grandfather that was in the war. I also found that these fathers and grandfathers were not living in Kansas at the time and most never made it to Kansas. My search started with the key word (Mexican War), , now this got me a lot of hits on Kansas men, but as I read their history I found it was their father or grandfather that was in the war and not them self’s, and this is not what I wanted.

I had a small list of men and I was about to delete the page, but I got to thanking that there may be some who would be interested in it. I also thought that there would be some interested in some of those Kansas families that had member in the Mexican War, so I have provided you with a link so you can search for them. The Key word is ( Mexican war.) http://www.skyways.org/ Use the search at the top of the page.
-----------------------------

Kingman County Kansas, Mexican War Veterans.

Elijah C. Pulliam.
Birth : Nov. 1, 1823, Anderson County, Kentucky.
Death: Jun. 5, 1896, Kingman County, Kansas.
Burial: Rago Cemetery, Rago, Kingman County Kansas.
Wife: Harriett M. Pulliam.

Civil War: Company H., 32nd Regiment Illinois Infantry.
Mexican War Veteran.

John C. Settle, was unable to find any info.

Merill W. Wheeler.
Birth: Nov., 1827.
Death: Jun. 15, 1903
Burial: Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman, Kingman County, Kansas.

Mexican War: Company A, Marmon's IA Vol.
------------------------

Louis William Wilson, a prominent citizen of Topeka, was born on a farm near Marengo, Iowa county, Iowa, June 9, 1852, a son of Col. Bartholemew W. Wilson, a farmer by occupation and a native of Orange county, Indiana, where he was born, June 17, 1827. He was a soldier in both the Mexican and Civil wars, serving as a member of Gen. John C. Fremont's mounted riflemen in the Mexican war and as colonel of the Twenty-eighth Iowa regiment in the Civil war.

Col. Bartholemew W. Wilson, father of Louis W., served in Company G of Col. John C. Fremont's famous regiment of mounted riflemen in the Mexican war, enlisting July 22, 1846, and being discharged Aug. 22, 1848. He took part in the siege of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, San Antonio, Mexico, Contreras, Churubusco, and at Chapultepec, where he was wounded in the forehead. He also served three years in the Civil war and made a fine record as colonel of the Twenty-eighth Iowa, which did service at Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, Black River, Vicksburg and Jackson, in the State of Mississippi; at Alexandria and Mansfield, La.; and at Winchester, Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill, in Virginia. He was wounded in the left leg at Cedar Creek. He was commisisoned[sic] captain of his company, Oct. 10, 1862; lieutenant-colonel of his regiment, April 7, 1863; and colonel of his regiment on June 17, 1865.
-------------------------

Jesse Weatherby was a soldier in the Mexican war and served under General Scott. And one of the first incidents that made a lasting impression on the youthful mind of Joseph Weatherby was the Mexican war. After returning from the Mexican war, Jesse Weatherby remained in Ohio until 1858, when he went to Illinois, settling in McLean county, near Bloomington, where he resided until about the close of the Civil war, when he went to Iowa. In 1875, he came to Kansas and located in Barton county, and later went to Indian Territory and made his home with his son, Robert, until his death in 1896.
--------------------------

Index of Names, Miami Co. Veterans 1954.

Day, John D.
Birth: Mar. 11, 1829.
Death: Mar. 31, 1892.
Burial: Stanton Cemetery, Stanton, Miami County, Kansa.
Wife: Lorana Day (1833 - 1892)
Children: Elmira Day (1858 - 1866), Alice Day (1860 - 1861), Cora Day (1868 - 1871), John Day (1869 - 1870).

Deem, Benjamin.
Birth: 1812.
Death: 1896.
Burial: Louisburg Cemetery, Louisburg, Miami County, Kansas.

McNalley, James, was unable to find any info.

Meinold, Theodore.
Birth: Unknown.
Death: Aug. 3, 1879.
Burial: Paola Cemetery, Paola, Miami County, Kansas.

Reed, Jesse, was unable to find any info.

Kansas Ferries.

One of the problems that confronted the early settlers of Kansas was to provide some means of crossing the streams. Roads had not yet been opened, and bridges were therefore out of the question. The first territorial legislature passed more than a score of acts granting to individuals the privilege of operating ferries. Twelve of these acts related to ferries across the Missouri river at Leavenworth, Atchison, Delaware, Doniphan, Kickapoo, Boston, Iowa Point, Palermo, Iatan, Whitehead, opposite St. Joseph, and at Thompson's ferry. Four ferries were authorized across the Kansas—at Lecompton, Douglas, Tecumseh and the mouth of the river—and one across the Big Blue on the road leading from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Kearney. Doubtless the tide of emigration westward justified the establishment of more ferries across the Missouri than the other streams, but when it is remembered that the first legislature was composed chiefly of Missourians who were interested in making Kansas slave territory, it is obvious that numerous ferries over the boundary stream would enable the pro-slavery forces of Missouri to find easy crossings into the territory in order to control the early elections.
***********************************



Ferry across the Kaw at Lecompton Kansas. 338 miles west of St. Louis Mo., 1867.

----------------------------

Marshall County, Kansas.

In 1852, Francis J. Marshall, a Missouri freighter and hotel owner, came out to establish a ferry. On a knoll a short distance from the present-day Trails Park, Marshall built a log trading post, a few cabins, a blacksmith shop, stables and corrals. At times hundreds of wagons with thousands of pioneers were camped in this area, waiting for their turn to cross. Pioneer death from illness was common, and diaries tell of many graves near the crossing. Marshall charged up to $5.00 per wagon and 25 cents per head of livestock to use the ferry. The ferry operated until 1864 when the first bridge at Marysville was built.
-------------------------

In 1854 Mr. Morrow arrived in Kansas and purchased six hundred and forty acres of land on the Kansas side of the river. He arrived in the state two months before it was opened for settlement and began working for George M. Million, operating a ferry. There was only one man living on the town site of Atchison at the time. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Morrow began operating a ferry by horse power and in the fall of the same year he operated a side wheel steam ferry, which had been brought here from Brownsville, Pennsylvania. In 1857 he became captain of the steam ferry Ida, later running the steam ferry Pomeroy, after which he went to Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where he built the transfer boat William Osborne, remaining there eight months while the work was in progress.
--------------------------

In 1844, John B. Wells established the historic "Rialto Ferry," which operated between old Rialto, on the Platte County side of the river, to a point above Fort Leavenworth, from where it connected with the great emigration road. From that time to 1865, it was one of the main outlets on the Missouri river for the great tide of emigration to the west. John B. Wells was a Kentuckian, who became one of the sturdy and prominent pioneers of the Platte Purchase. He was born in 1800, settled at Weston in 1837, and died near there in 1890.
---------------------------

Solomon Ryan, started a ferry in 1867 and continued to operate it for a number of years, greatly to the convenience of the public. Old letters and local histories have mention of this ferry as it became a general stopping place for travelers, many families camping near by for a rest before penetrating farther into the Indian country.
----------------------------

The Fort Leavenworth-Fort Scott-Fort Gibson military road crossed the Kansas river at what was variously known as Delaware Crossing, Grinter's Ferry, Military Ferry, Secondine, etc. Moses Grinter, a well known member of the Wyandotte Indian tribe, operated a ferry there are early as 1831. It was a prominent place in the early days. Several trading posts were operated there; also the government blacksmith shop, which was an important industry in those days. A post office was established there in 1849.
-----------------------------

Cowley County, Kansas, 1878.

In 1878, Messrs. W. H. Speer and Amos Walton, two leading public spirited citizens of the county, equipped a "ferry flat" with a 10 horse-power threshing machine engine, and by several trips up and down the river for a distance of 60 miles from Arkansas City, demonstrated beyond a doubt that a steamer could be successfully propelled on the Arkansas river at any season of the year. The flat was fifty feet long, sixty feet wide, and drew ten inches of water, this novel little craft visited Grouse creek, the Walnut river, Salt City, the Kaw Indian Agency, Oxford and other points along the river, and attracted crowds of people wherever it went. At Oxford a public reception was tendered its officers and crew. These experimental trips were all made while the river was at its lowest stage, and prior to the annual "June rise."
----------------------------------

Shawnee County, Kansas, 1878.

SOLDIER TOWNSHIP.--- The first white settlement was made in 1840 by three brothers, Frenchmen, named Joseph, Ahean and Louis Papan; though French, they were natives of St. Louis. Theirs was the first white settlement made in the county. The Papan Brothers started the first ferry across the Kansas river in 1842, but the great flood of 1844 washed away all their houses and boats, and they went back to Kansas City, soon returning, however, and in 1846 were again at their settlement.

MISSION TOWNSHIP.

Sidney W. Smith moved into the township in March, 1852, and established a ferry across the Kansas river, which he ran for eight years.

SILVER LAKE TOWNSHIP.--- The first rope ferry ever established across the river above Wyandotte, was in 1852, by Sidney W. Smith. Hiram Wells and John Ogee established the first and only deck ferry boat ever on the Kaw river; they commenced running it in 1853. Joseph and Louis Ogee also established a ferry the same year, which was continued until 1869. These three ferries were maintained within a quarter of a mile of each other.
---------------------------------------

Cloud County, Kansas


DENNIS BYRNE.

Mr. Byrne, in connection with John Dowell, bought the first ferry that ran across the Republican river at Clyde, called the Clyde Ferry Company. It was established in 1871.
There was a great deal of travel at that time and it proved a lucrative transaction. About three years ago Mr. Byrne went into the watermelon raising business. The ground thus planted averaged per acre from twenty to twenty-five dollars.
----------------------------

MONTANA CITY, Kansas.

Abner Furgeson was granted a ferry license on July 11, 1867, and at once he, in connection with Jonah Wilcox, commenced the operation of a ferry across the Neosho near where it is spanned by the iron bridge.
-----------------------------

Pottawatomie County, Kansas.

Louis Vieux, a Pottawatomie Indian, once operated the first ferry along the Oregon Trail to help travelers across the Vermillion River near Wamego.
------------------------------

Lincoln County Beacon --- - Thursday, March 10, 1881

Masters Walter WOOD and Clifton BACON manage a skiff ferry on the river a short distance above the mill. They are enterprising lads and we hope they will make piles of money.
-----------------------------

MURDEN - TYLER Winfield Scott MURDEN born Oct 8, 1852 married Priscilla TYLER born Jan 10, 1857. They married August 1, 1874. Murden was a judge in Caney, Kansas. He was also a blacksmith and had a ferry across the Caney River.
-------------------------------

1857 - Alex and John Smith came and operated the ferry across the river at Whiskey point (south of the present hospital and golf course at Ft. Riley). They also took a claim on Lyons Creek ( a mile north of the Lyona Church).
---------------------------------

Baldwin Ledger, August 27, 1897.

The Lecompton ferry is one of the oldest means of transportation in the state,
having been established in 1855 by W. K. Simmons, Wesley Garrett and Evan Todhunter.

Kansas Saloon Owners & Keepers.

This page is to help those families that know their ancestor was a Saloon Owner or a Saloon Keeper and lived some where in Kansas, but have no idea where or how to look for them. I hope this page will be a help to some.
----------------------------

T. J. Lyons Jr.

In 1892 he decided to launch out into business on his own account and in that year opened a retail meat market and grocery store, his place of business having been located on Summit street in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1893, however, he disposed of that business and opened a saloon in the same city, later conducting a saloon in Kansas City, Kansas. He never grew very enthusiastic about the saloon business, however, and eventually disposing of his establishment he turned his attention to real estate operations, in which line of enterprise he has since been engaged and in which he has achieved unusual success.
--------------------------

Leavenworth City, 1865.

1. John Maduska, saloon.
2. G. Schmidt, saloon
--------------------------

BARTON COUNTY, KANSAS.

Chris Gilson's saloon.
-----------------------

1877 Wichita City Directory.

1. Brown, J. W. bowling alley and saloon, 76 Douglas av res 87 and 91 Main st.
2. Ditmann, Lewis W. saloon, Douglas av 3rd door w of Main.
3. Farrow & Parker, star of the west saloon, Main 4 doors w of Douglas av.
4. Fowler & Parker, saloon, Main st, nr cor Douglas av.
5. Fred’s saloon, F. Ille, propr, beer, wines, liquors and cigars, 76 Douglas av.
6. Ille, F. propr Fred’s saloon, 76 Douglas av, w of Chicago lumber yard.
7. Ritter, Jacob, city hall saloon, 67 Main st., res 77 and 79 Lawrence av.
8. Smith, O. H. saloon, n s Douglas av e of depot, res same.
9. Sullard & Barnett, gem saloon, Douglas av n s of the railroad.
--------------------------------

HOLLENBERG, Kansas.

C. A. Fuller, Saloon.
---------------------

Washington city, Kansas, 1876.

Sid Bradway’s saloon, and pool hall.
---------------------

Chase County, Kansas, 1853-1899.

1861, APRIL 2--John W. S. Loy asks for a license to sell intoxicating liquors, and "a bond being executed a license is granted for a liquor saloon and grocery."

1871, Chas. Myers will convert his saloon into a bakery.

1872, A Christmas tree and dance is announced for Cedar Point.
Lewis Mack, dressed as a German prince, having just received a keg of beer, rides about the Falls on Christmas day, inviting all "to free beer at Ny's saloon between 10 and 12 o'clock. (The Falls for many years was the rendevous of a crowd of roisterers--and sometimes worse than that--whose actions were flagrant, and whose influence upon many lives was disastrous.)
---------------------------------
Delphos Carrier, Dec 14, 1883.

DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS LOADED.

Last Saturday evening, Beloit was thrown into a fever of excitement by the announcement that James Davis, saloon keeper on the corner of Mill and South St. had shot and killed Pete Dolan. Davis was immediately arrested and a jury of inquest was called and held over the body of the deceased. Upon investigation it was found that Dolan had been drinking during the afternoon, was in possession of a self-cocking revolver which he was offering to trade to Davis for a watch, Davis examined the revolver and declined to trade. At the time of the interview the revolver was not loaded; Dolan lingered about the saloon till supper time when Davis went to his supper, upon his return after supper Dolan was still in the saloon, but during Davis' absence had put two cartridges in the revolver, the conversation was again renewed in regard to the trade. Dolan handed the revolver to Davis without informing him that it was loaded; just at the moment Davis was in the act of pressing his finger upon the trigger, Dolan stepped in front of the revolver, receiving the charge in the right side of the chest killing him instantly. The jury rendered a verdict of accidental killing.
-----------------------------------

Leavenworth City.
1860, census.

1. Leibbrand Julius, age 33, Saloon Keeper, born Wurtenburg.
2. Trocon August, age 45, Saloon Keeper, born France.
3. Daniel Michael, age 29, Saloon Keeper, born Ireland.
-------------------------------------

Caldwell Township.
1875 census.

1. H. Zuber, age 28, Saloon Keeper, born Ohio.
2. S. Zuber, (F) age 22, Saloon Keeper, born Ohio.
--------------------------------

Wellington Township.
1875 census.

1. John S. Walters, age 38, Saloon Keeper, born New York.
2. Wm. M. Prior, age 30, Saloon Keeper, born Missouri.
3. A. G. Vinson, age 34, Saloon Keeper, born Kentucky.
4. Penn Yetter, age 27, Saloon Keeper, born Delaware.
--------------------------------

Paola Village in the County of Lykins State Territory of Kansas.
1860 Census.

1. Abraham Smith, age 41, Saloon Keeper, born Virginia.
2. Jas W. Ellis, age 31, Saloon Keeper, born Kentucky.
3. Jno F. Townsend, age 28, Saloon Keeper, born Virginia.
4. Geo D Tomlinson, age 28, Saloon Keeper, born Indiana.
-------------------------------

Ossawattomie in the County of Lykens State Territory of Kansas
1860 census.

1.Geo C Forrey, age 22, Saloon Keeper, born Massachusetts.
---------------------------------

Wichita, Kansas, 1870 census.

1. BUNY Christian, age 43, Saloon keeper, born Switzerland.
2. THOMPSON John E., age 45, Saloon keeper, born Pennsylvania.
3. VANDERVOORT Jesse, age 57, Saloon keeper, born New York.
--------------------------------

Gove County Kansas.
1880 Census.

1. Jas. C. Peer?, age 25, Saloon Keeper, born Kansas.
---------------------------------

Osawatomie City, Miami County.
1900 census.

1. Plummer, William, born Feb., 1862, age 38, Saloon keeper, born Ohio.
Wife: Plummer, Nettie born April 1872, age 28, born Missouri.
Son: Plummer, Laud E., October 1891, age 8, born Kansas.
------------------------------------

Paola City in the County of Miami , State Kansas.
1870 census.

1. Hughs James, age 34, Saloon Keeper, born Pennsylvania.
2. Spencer Thos B., age 29, Saloon Keeper, born Ohio.
-----------------------------------

Douglas County Marriages.

1. Feil, George, Saloon Keeper Kellerman, Antony, Eudora, KS 9 May 1865.
------------------------------

Grand River Township, Kansas.
1880 census.

1. GADER Frank, age 25, Saloon Keeper, born Belgium.
--------------------------------

Saloon keepers of Parsons, Kansas.
Year not stated.

John Austin, Wm. Dana, Z. T. Swigert, Chas. Hazard.
------------------------------------

Douglas County Marriage.

1. Kellerman, Antony, Eudora, KS-- Feil, George, Saloon Keeper 09 May 1865.

Kansas Blacksmiths.

The Kansas blacksmiths were a hardy group of men, they worked many long hours for little pay, but without then many farmers couldn’t work their fields if they couldn’t get their machinery running. Some farmers would have a blacksmith shop on the farm and did their own blacksmithing. I know my family farm had their blacksmith shop. The farmers who needed something fix and were to far from town would go to a neighbor who had a shop.

It was the professional blacksmith of a town that help keep it in running order. They worked on about anything metal, from pots and pans to horseshoeing. It was dirty hard work and not without it’s dangers. There was the danger of a fire, being kicked by a horse. There were many dangers to this job, sometimes it would be deadly as you will read.

I did this page to help those families who know their ancestor was a blacksmith and lived in Kansas but had no idea were or how to find them. This page maybe a help to them.
-------------------------------------

Henry Parnham.

Henry Parnham of Hooser, KS. He was a blacksmith and was killed while shoeing a horse in the late 1800's or early 1900's. The horse knocked him over onto a tool box that had a file protruding from it. The file penetrated him causing fatal injuries.

Blacksmith’s of Leavenworth, Kansas.

Census 1860.

1. Nicholas Delane, age 24, born France.
2. Peter Parish, age 20, born Illinois.
3. Michael Gauer, age 18, born Ohio.
4. John S. Davis, age, born Maine.
5. Asa E. Hempstead, age 25, born New York.
6. William F. Fulcher or Fletcher, age 37, born Virginia.
7. Thomas McGlin, age 25, born Ireland.
8. John McGlin, age, 62, Ireland.
9. William McGlin, age, 31, born Ireland.
10. John Donovan, age 24, born Ireland.
--------------------------

Fort Riley.


If one wants to be come a Blacksmith he will have to learn the art of horseshoeing, here is a photo of a class of horseshoers at fort Riley, of 1905.

Note. this photo can be enlarged by pushing on it.


------------------------------

JAMES SHONE.

JAMES SHONE, blacksmith, foreman on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, residing at Parsons, Kansas, was born in Manchester, England, in December, 1847, and has lived in many parts of the United States. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Chisnall) Shone, the former of Welsh, and the latter of Scotch descent.

Samuel Shone was a blacksmith by trade. He came to the United States about 1850, landing at Galveston, Texas, where he followed his trade for a year or two. While there, the family suffered an attack of the yellow fever, and James was one of the victims; no case, however, proved fatal. The prevalence of this dread disease in the South caused the family to remove further north. They traveled by steamboat to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence went to Springfield, Massachusetts, where the elder Shone worked in the Springfield Armory. They next went to Meriden, Connecticut, where they remained a short time. From that place, they moved to Hamilton, Canada, where the father was employed, about a year and a half, in a wrench and vise factory. In the late "fifties," he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he followed his trade successfully for many years. His death took place in that city, in 1870, when he had passed his forty-ninth birthday. His widow survived him until 1888, when she died at the home of her son, James, at the age of sixty-four years. One of her sisters, Mrs. Margaret Howarth, of Manchester, England, is still living, and is eighty-six years old.

Mr. Shone is the eldest of five children. The others are: Samuel, George, John, and Maggie Elizabeth. Samuel was born in England, and is a blacksmith foreman on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, at Denison, Texas. George was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and is a competent master mechanic on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, residing at Alamosa, Colorado. John was also born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and is roundhouse foreman at Parsons, Kansas. Maggie Elizabeth, the only sister, resides at Nevada, Missouri; she is the wife of Engineer Jennings, who is also employed on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, having a run on the branch leading to Eldorado Springs. The mechanical ability of the father was transmitted to the sons, all of whom are good mechanics and railroad employes.

In 1862, while living in St. Louis, Missouri, James Shone became an apprentice in the shops of the old Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, where he served for four years, mainly under Master Mechanic Charles Williams, finishing, however, under C. T. Ham and Harry Elliott. Completing his apprenticeship, he accepted a position as blacksmith on the old North Missouri Railroad at St. Charles, Missouri. A few months later, he obtained a more lucrative position on the Cairo Short Line, upon which he worked until 1877. Later, he worked on the M. 0. P. R. R. He then went west, to Parsons, Kansas, where he has remained ever since.

September 21, 1871, he was joined in wedlock with Mary A. Moore, the ceremony being performed at the home of the bride in Canton, Missouri. Mrs. Shone is of Scotch-Irish descent. She was born in St. Louis Missouri, in 1852, and is a daughter of Robert and Mary (Moore) Moore. Her parents, although having the same name, were not related to each other. Her father died in February, 1897, and her mother is still living at Canton, Missouri, aged seventy-five years. Mrs. Shone is the eldest of six children. The others are: Mrs. Lizzie Alderton, and Mrs. Nellie Marks, both of Canton, Missouri; Robert, a blacksmith, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Lydia Marks, also of Canton, Missouri; and Mrs. Mattie Meal, of Sugar Loaf, Colorado. Mrs. Shone was reared and schooled in St. Louis, Missouri, where the family lived for many years. They formerly lived upon and owned the land which is now occupied by the new union depot, of that city, but subsequently moved to Canton, Missouri.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shone has been blessed with four children, - three daughters, and one son, namely: Mamie E., Nellie, Alice, and George. Alice died in infancy, and George, who was born in 1881, was accidentally drowned when twelve years and five days old. This was a sad blow to his fond parents, whose hopes are now centered in their two eldest daughters, who still brighten the home fireside. The three ladies of the household are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. In their religious views, they favor the Baptist church.

Mr. Shone was made a Mason at Parsons,, and now affiliates with the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, of that city. He is also a member of the Fraternal Aid and of the A. 0. U. W. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and has served on the school board, and takes a decided interest in educational matters. Upon his arrival in Parsons, he engaged, at once, as a blacksmith on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, under W. T. Small. He was promoted in January, 1883, to be foreman of the blacksmith shops under Master Mechanic Joseph Haines, and has held that position up to the present time. Mr. Shone has charge of all blacksmith work, and of the locomotive department from Parsons to Hannibal, Missouri, and from Franklin Junction to St. Louis. He has charge of a force of about 25 men, ten of whom are expert blacksmiths. He succeeded D. K. McPherson, and the position was previously filled by only three or four foremen, who served short terms before McPherson's incumbency. In the successful performance of his various duties, Mr. Shone has at all times shown rare skill and judgment, and in all his dealings he is keen, accurate, and upright. His pleasant, sociable manners have made him a prime favorite on the road, and he has the esteem of all who know him. He has a comfortable home at No. 1926 Stevens avenue.
----------------------------

ALBERT TROESTER.

ALBERT TROESTER is a prominent farmer and blacksmith, residing in the southeast quarter of section 19, Liberty township, Labette county, Kansas. For many years he has been one of the most progressive citizens of the county, and gives assistance to all public enterprises which are for the good of the community. Mr. Troester was born in 1832, in Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Germany, of German parentage.

Frederick Troester, his father, was born in Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, in 1809, and died in Perry county, Illinois, in 1896. He married Elizabeth Kauhl, who was also a native of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Germany, and was born in 1806. She died in Perry county, Illinois, two years before her husband's demise. They reared the following children: Albert, the subject of this sketch; Louisa (Millhausen), of Perry county, Illinois; Fred and George, twins, - the former a resident of Crawford county, Kansas and the latter being deceased; Jane, deceased; Bennet, of Perry county, Illinois; and Louis, living in Missouri.

Albert Troester, the subject of this sketch, came to America in 1848, landing in New Orleans. The same year he went to St. Louis, where he lived for five years, and learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1853 he went to Perry county, Illinois, and a year later to St. Clair county, in that state, where he made his home for seven years. In 1861 Mr. Troester moved to Washington county, Missouri, where he enlisted in Company E, 10th Reg., Mo. Vol. Inf., and was attached to the Army of the Tennessee. In 1862, he was detailed as head blacksmith of the 6th Wisconsin Battery, and was mustered out at St. Louis, in 1864. Mr. Troester then returned to Washington county, Missouri, where he opened a blacksmith shop, and did a large business for eight years. In 1872 he located in Labette county, Kansas, settling in the southeast quarter of section 19, in Liberty township, where he has since carried on general farming, and has also done blacksmithing. He is a superior workman, and is largely patronized. He is a man of strong personality, and his friends in the county are many. He is kind and generous, and ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need or distress.

Mr. Troester was wedded to Theresa Schmidt, who was born in Prussia, in 1834. She is a daughter of Ferdinand Schmidt, who was born in Prussia in 1811, and died in that country in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Troester have had six children, namely: Wilhelmina, deceased; Frank, deceased, whose offspring were, - Ed, Albertina, Will, Mamie, Lizzie, and John, deceased; Frederick, of Joplin, Missouri, whose children are, - Ernest, Charles, Mabel, Lewis, and Bert; Albert, of Labette county, the father of two children, Earle, and Fay; Lizzie (Weber), of Ottawa, Kansas, whose children are, - Masabella and Flora; and Julia (O'Fall), of Labette, Kansas, whose children are, Franika, and Georgia.
Mr. Troester is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the G. A. R. In religious belief he and his wife are devout Catholics.
-------------------------

Partridge City Directory 1887 - 1888.
Reno County Kansas.

1. William Crotts, Blacksmith, Crotts & Crotts, shop at corner of Ave E & Briggs st.

2. S. M. Crotts, Blacksmith, Crotts & Crotts, shop at corner of Ave E & Briggs st.
-------------------------------

JOHN MANK.

JOHN MANK. - Three decades of honest, earnest perseverance at one line of work in one place is sure to bring its reward. To John Mank, blacksmith of Rosedale, Kansas, it has brought a comfortable living, a competency laid by for a rainy day, and a respected position in the community.

John Mank is a German-American. He was born in Germany in 1859, a son of John and Elizabeth (Roeder) Mank, both natives of the same province in which he was born. His parents passed their lives and died in Germany, the father dying in 1868, the mother in 1900. They were farmers, and in their family were seven children. Of this number two died in infancy. Four of the sons came to this country: Peter, a retired cigar manufacturer of Terre Haute, Indiana; Henry, the first, who died in New York state in 1876; Henry, the second, a cabinet maker of Rosedale, Kansas; and John.

John Mank learned the trade of blacksmith in Prussia, Germany, and remained there until he was nineteen. Then he went to England, where he worked at his trade for three years and a half. In 1881 he came to this country. He traveled around for about a year, visiting various towns and cities, and in 1882 took up his residence in Rosedale, Kansas, where he at once opened a blacksmith shop, which he has since conducted. Here he soon gained a footing as a substantial and respected citizen, which he has maintained throughout the nearly thirty years of residence here. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has been honored by local official preference. He has served as city councilman and as a member of the Board of Education, at present being treasurer of the board, a position he has filled for four years. His religious training was in the Lutheran church, of which his parents were members, and to which he still adheres.

In 1885 Mr. Mank married Miss Sallie Beatty, who was born in Westport, Kansas, in 1859, a daughter of early pioneers of that place, her mother having settled there in 1830 and her father in 1842. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mank, two died in infancy. Those living are: Edith, at home; and Iva, a stenographer at Swift's Packing plant.
-----------------------------------

Fowler City, Meade County, Kansas.
1895, census.

1. Frank N. Lepel, age 40, Colo.
2. Benjamin Low, age 61, Mo.
3. G.F. Strader, age 41, Mo.
---------------------------------

Ninth Regiment Kansas Volunteers - Cavalry
New Company C.

1. Washington Farris, Farrier and Blacksmith, Home Trading Post, enlisted Oct. 23, 1863, mustered in Dec. 8, 1863; Deserted, DeVall's Bluff, Ark., June 29, 1865.

2. John C. Hollingshead, Farrier and Blacksmith, Home Leavenworth, enlisted Nov. 13, 1863, mustered in Dec. 8, 1863; Mustered out July 17, 1865, DeVall's Bluff, Ark.
----------------------------------

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, 1874.

1. Caress, E. L., town Shawnee, Blacksmith, from Ind. Year 1866.
2. Collins, A., Aubry, Blacksmith.
3. Ernshaw, Henry, town Shawnee.
4. Jacks, D., Olathe, Blacksmith & Wagon Maker.
-------------------------------------

Grainfield, Gove County, Kansas, census 1880.

1. Ira Niemyer, age 20, born Iowa.
----------------------------

Joshua Harlan of Republic County, Kansas.

Joshua Harlan enlisted August 1st, 1862, at Valpariso, Indiana, and was enrolled in Co. I, 5th Indiana Cavalry, as a blacksmith, in which capacity he served but a few months when the blacksmith tools were turned over to the regiment quartermaster. Served in the 23d army corps under General Burnside. Took part in the battle of Henderson's Mills, Tennessee, after which the regiment fell back to Wraytown, where a stand was made and another battle fought. The rebel troops engaged were Bragg's and Longstreet's commands. Was in all the campaign in East Tennessee; was partially disabled by being thrown from his horse while making a cavalry charge; also took part in the capture of John Morgan; was mustered out and honorably discharged May 28th, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.
-------------------------------------

Westmoreland, Kansas, November 2, 1899.

Josiah Comfort was one of the first men in this section to obtain a living from the public. He was a blacksmith, and for many years followed his trade at a shop on his farm.
--------------------------------

Garnett, Anderson County, Kansas.
Census 1870.

1. Miller Henry, age 32, born Europe.
2. Swallow William M., age 17, born Ohio.
3. Downer Erasmus N., age 25, born Iowa.
----------------------------------

Topeka City Directory-1874-5.

1. Arthur, Napoleon B., blacksmith. res w s Quincy bet 14th and 15th.
2. Asmussen, Andrew, blacksmith, res n w cor 4th and Quincy.
3. Bogert, John, blacksmith, res s s 3d nr Kansas ave.
4. Bosworth, Charles, blacksmith, res e s Quincy bet 14th and 15th.
5. Bowen, David, blacksmith. res w S Monroe bet 4th and 5th.
6. Burge, Edward, col'd, blacksmith, res e s Kansas ave bet 3d and 4th.
7. Doty, John, blacksmith, res e s Quincy bet 3d and 4th.
8. Ellison, C. H., blacksmith, res e s Jefferson bet 2nd and 3d.
9. Ellison, Churchell [sic!] H., blacksmith, n s Sixth ave bet Monroe and Quincy, res n w cor Jefferson and 2nd.
10. Erickson, Andrew, blacksmith, res s e cor Polk and 4th.
11. Fensky, Herman, blacksmith, w s Kansas ave, N.T., res same.
12. Ferren, John, blacksmith, res e s VanBuren bet 4th and 5th.
13. Frazier, J. A., col'd, blacksmith, res e s Jefferson bet 3d and 4th.
14. Gilbert, Wm., blacksmith, res e s Adams bet 2nd and 3d.
15. Golden, Charles, blacksmith, bds Ashbaugh House.
16. Helsing & Johnston, blacksmiths, 120 Kansas ave.
17. Hickman, Ambers H., blacksmith, res w s Kansas ave bet 9th and Tenth ave.
18. Huffman, S. R., blacksmith, s s 5th bet Kansas ave and Jackson, res cor 5th and Western ave.
19. Hunt, Jacob, blacksmith, 59 Kansas ave, res same.
20. McCann, Robert, blacksmith with K. B. Co.. res outside city limits.
21. Miller, Henry, blacksmith, res Van Buren bet 4th and 5th.
22. Miller, Ira. 0., blacksmith, bds w s Kansas ave bet 9th and Tenth ave.
23. Morgan, John H, blacksmith, res n w cor Adams and 3d.
24. Murgatroyd, Thomas, blacksmith, res 240 Kansas ave.
25. Perime & Armstrong. blacksmiths, Eighth ave bet Kansas ave and Quincy.
26. Smith, Chas. E., col'd, blacksmith, res w s Walnut, e end.
27. Snodgrass, Wm. O., blacksmith, res w s Monroe bet 13th and 14th.
28. Spendlove, Phillip C., blacksmith, e s Kansas ave bet Tenth ave and 11th, res n e cor 11th and Madison.
29. Sullivan, J. C., blacksmith, n s Eighth ave bet Monroe and Quincy.
30. Waggener & Cady, blacksmiths, w s Quincy bet 5th and Sixth ave.
31. Windsor, B., blacksmith with Topeka Rolling Mills, N. T.
32. Worland, T., blacksmith, n s 5th bet Kansas ave and Jackson.
------------------------------------

The following concerns Mill Creek township, Kansas.

George Cook, a blacksmith, and his wife came here about 1856 or 1857, and lived on part of John Moll's farm. His wife died about 1859, and he sold out to a man by the name of Flynn, who came here from Leavenworth. Flynn, who had a wife and a boy and girl, lived here two years, when he returned to Leavenworth. Flynn sold out to James and Cornelius Herrington, who lived here with their families two or three years, then moved to Clear fork, near Blaine.

A Frenchman, by the name of Grabeer, a blacksmith, lived on the J. W. Garrett place in the early 60's. He had quite a family, consisting of his wife and several children, two of whom were Adam and Anthony. Adam enlisted in the 11th Kansas. He had a wife and some children, and moved to the Fulton farm, near Onaga, during the war. His parents moved to Washington county about 1861. Then a man by the name of Fizzel moved to the place. He had a wife and children, Cynthia, John and others, and moved to Washington county about 1864. Martin Luther is living northwest of Elsworth, Kan., where he is running a blacksmith shop.
--------------------------------

Authors note. I could keep adding and adding but at some point one has to stop and I have reached point.

Francis William BEST

July 29, 1871, Solomon Valley Pioneer.

We regret to record the death of our townsman **Francis
William Best, proprietor of the Hotel here, who died of
pulmonary consumption on Tuesday last; with which
disease he had been afflicted for many years. Dr. Osborn
attended him, but the fatal malady had made such as
inroads on the constitution as to defy all medicinal
remedies.

Mr. Best was born in Leiligh County, Pa. Nov 27th,
1827, where his parents were also born, and are now
living in the neighboring county of Cleveland. In 1854
he married Miss Mary Huckle, daugher of Wm. & Mary
Huckle, farmers, of Sullivan County, Pa. in which
county Mr. Best subsequently took up his residence. The
issue of the marriage was five daughters and three sons.
In the spring of 1870 he came with his family to Kansas
and settled at Cawker City, but finding that the toils and
difficulties of a frontier life would be greater than his
impaired health would enable him to endure; he soon
decided on returning, having during his short stay at
Cawker City lost his eldest son who was buried there. In
September last he purchased the Hotel here from Mr.
Seymour Ayres and together with his wife and family
has conducted its business ever since.

Mrs. Best, who is a most active industrious and
estimable lady, in running the Hotel in which arduous
task she has our best wishes for her success and our
sincere condolence for her bereavement.

********************************

The Obituary stated that his mother and father were both from Leiligh County, Pa., but their names were not given. It also left out his ten brothers & sisters names. This information my not have been all that important at that time, but today as their ancestors look into their family’s past it becomes very important, so I will add them now.

John BEST.
Birth: 17 Aug 1799, Northampton Co., Pa.
Death: 17 Feb 1881 Pa.

Leah FINK
Birth: Abt. 1801 Northampton Co., Pa.
Death: 14 Jul 1882..

Brothers & Sisters.

Sarah Anna BEST, Born: 3 Jan 1825, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 12 Nov 1892

Abraham Joshua BEST, Born: 21 Jan 1836, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: Aft Apr 1879, Place: Kansas.

Mary Catherine BEST, Born: 4 Oct 1833, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 22 Aug 1922.

James Irvin BEST, Born: 6 Oct 1843, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 15 Sep 1848.

Samuel Fink BEST, Born: 6 Oct 1843, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 30 Jan 1928, Place: Bennington, Kansas.

John Franklin BEST, Born: 12 Mar 1829, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 17 Apr 1906.

Peter Emanuel BEST, Born: 27 Mar 1840, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 12 Jul 1918.

Leah Elizabeth BEST, Born: 22 May 1838, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 2 Jan 1909.

Rebecca BEST, Born: 4 Jun 1826, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 18 Dec 1916.

Stephen Henry BEST, Born: 3 Sep 1831, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 1 Apr 1919.

Francis William BEST, Born: 28 Nov 1827, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Dird: 25 Jul 1871, Place: Kansas.

You will note that Mr. Best place of birth and date differ from those in the obituary. There could be many reason way, his wife couldn’t remember, she was up set and just give the wrong information. Like I said there could be a lot of reason way, but because of the difference of this information it should be further research before being stated as fact.