Charles Lovelace

CHARLES LOVELACE, a pioneer in Kansas City, is both well known and universally respected in the county. A man who has lived here for half a century and done as much good as has Mr. Lovelace is deserving of our deepest thanks. He has given of his time, his money and himself to promote the welfare of the county. He has directed his energies toward the training of the young men and women that they might go forth into the world and make it better for their lives. He is one of those men who stand at the door of life dispensing plenty. He offers food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, comfort to the sad, courage to the cowardly and peace to the restless. He is one of those men who manufacture optimism.

Charles Lovelace was born in Tennessee in 1831. His father was Charles Lovelace, a native of South Carolina, where he farmed. When he was a young man he went to Tennessee and farmed. He met Rachael Peters, a young Tennessee girl, and won her for his wife.

Charles Lovelace, their son, was educated at the country schools in Tennessee. He lived on his father's farm until he moved with them to Missouri. In 1887 he decided to come to Kansas. There he engaged in the saw mill business at first. Then he became a contractor and has been in many deals which have advanced the interests of Wyandotte county. He has laid out two additions in lots near Turner, named after him, Lovelace.

In 1855, two years before, he came to Kansas, Mr. Lovelace married Louise Hewitt. She died in 1891. They had nine children, four of whom are living now (1911): Frank, Alfred, Roxie and Linnie. In 1894 he married again, wedding Mrs. Barber, who had come to Kansas with her husband in 1859. He died in 1889. After she married Mr. Lovelace he went to live with her on her farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the place where she had lived ever since her arrival in Wyandotte county, at Turner, Kansas.

Mr. Lovelace is a Republican and a great believer in party spirit. Both he and his wife are Baptists and are very prominent in church affairs. Mr. Lovelace advanced the first money toward the building of the Kansas City Baptist Theological Seminary, which was started in 1901. There are now about fifty students enrolled. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace are very enthusiastic about this seminary and they intend to do more for it at their death. There is nothing half hearted about Mr. Lovelace, whatever he does he does with all his might. He has always been a booster. He is most hospitable and he and his wife are always glad to welcome their numerous friends to their home.