Transcribed from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka. [Revised ed.] Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1919, c1918. 5 v. (xlviii, 2530 p., [155] leaves of plates): ill., maps (some fold.), ports.; 27 cm.

Edward Elsworth Colglazier

EDWARD ELSWORTH COLGLAZIER, M. D. The community of Rush Center has had the benefit of the capable medical services of Doctor Colglazier for the past fourteen years. Doctor Colglazier actually lives in his work and his profession. It is to him not so much a means of livelihood as an opportunity for service. Since choosing this as a career he has endeavored to live up to the most exacting ideals of his calling, and he desires nothing so much as to be known as a quiet and capable physician and surgeon.

Doctor Colglazier is a native of Indiana but has lived in Kansas since 1872. He was born January 17, 1866, and in the paternal line is of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, the Colglaziers having come originally from Holland. On his mother's side he is Scotch-Irish. His grandfather, Adam Colglazier, was born at Salem in Washington County, Indiana, where the family had settled from Pennsylvania in the previous generation. Adam Colglazier was a farmer, spoke English with difficulty, and he died in Washington County, Indiana. His children were Peter, William, George, James and two daughters named Pop and Tine. Of the sons Peter was a soldier in the Mexican war, and both he and his brother William were Union soldiers in the Civil war.

George Colglazier, father of the Doctor, was born in Indiana in 1843. He had only ordinary educational advantages, and as a young man learned the carpenter's trade. He worked at it in Salem, Indiana, for twenty years. During that time he put up some of the largest barns and best residences in the county. Some of these structures still stand to testify to his sturdy workmanship. He did carpenter work before the days of mill wrought lumber. He made doors and window casings by hand and on his own bench fashioned the trimmings and finishings. After he gave up carpentry he became a farmer, and continued in that work the rest of his fife. George W. Colglazier came to Kansas in 1872, locating in Lyon County and entering land seven miles south of Emporia. He never belonged to any church and in politics he began voting as a democrat but subsequently became a populist and died while that party was still in existence. He married Margaret McKimmey. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war and was killed in service. Mrs. George Colglazier is still living, her home being at Neosho Rapids, Kansas. She has a sister, Mrs. Mary Sullivan, of Washington, Indiana, and her brother, John McKimmey, died near Osawatomie, Kansas, leaving descendants. George Colglazier and wife had the following children: Dr. Edward E.; Belle, wife of Joseph Foley, of Portland, Oregon; Otis, a blacksmith at Portland, Oregon; James, a farmer at Neosho Rapids, Kansas; Albert, who is employed by the large steel works at Pueblo, Colorado; and Minnie, Mrs. E. J. Bybee, of Pueblo.

Doctor Colglazier was six years of age when his parents came to Kansas. He grew up on the old homestead in Lyon County, and he knew farming as a practical vocation until past his majority. His education came from the rural schools, supplemented by a business college course, and as a young man he went to Kansas City, Kansas, and found a position in the offices of the Badger Lumber Company. He remained with that firm a number of years. He felt that his calling was not for a commercial life, and while with the lumber company he took up the study of medicine in the Eclectic Medical University at Kansas City, Missouri. He finished his course and graduated in June, 1902, practiced about a year in Kansas City, and then on account of his daughter's health he went to Colorado and was in practice at Turrett until he removed to Rush Center. Doctor Colglazier located at Rush Center August 2, 1903, and has been the only physician in that locality. As already noted, he has sought no other connections with the community beyond his profession, and is more than satisfied to do his duty well by his patients. He has taken post-graduate courses and clinical work in Kansas City.

In June, 1890, at Kansas City, Missouri, Doctor Colglazier married Miss Fannie Zink. Her parents were Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Collier) Zink. Her father was born in Washington County, Indiana, and his ancestors were also from Pennsylvania. Mr. Zink was a farmer, served in the Union army from Indiana, and is now living at Post Falls, Idaho. His children are: Henry, a physician at Tulsa, Oklahoma; Mrs. Fannie Colglazier; and Robert, a salesman at Pueblo, Colorado.

Doctor and Mrs. Colglazier have three children: Grace, wife of Frank Kershner, of Rush Center; Bernard, who is pursuing his medical studies in the Eclectic Medical University of Kansas City, Missouri; and Helen, wife of Benjamin Compton, of Joplin, Missouri. Doctor Colglazier has always endeavored to practice the principle of the Golden Rule. He is not a church member and fraternally is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.


Pages 2367-2368.