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After living in Three Sands, Oklahoma, and McPherson, Kansas, we moved to Winfield when I was four years old. We lived a couple of miles northeast of town, and my Dad was employed by the Gulf Oil Company.
Trips to town usually included a stop at Aunt Maggie Reneau's. I played with my cousins while the folks visited with great-grandma Adaline (Ford) Collins, who had also come from Glens Fork, Kentucky.
I started first grade at Science Valley #1, a one-room country school. I have many fond memories of that school-spelling bees, map tests, also plays and socials.
When I was in the eighth grade, we moved to another Gulf lease ten miles southwest of Winfield near the Arkansas River. I finished country school at Tannehill. I rode the Rainbow Bend school bus to Winfield High School until my senior year, when we moved a block south of Stewart gymnasium. After twenty-six years working for Gulf Oil Company, my Dad went to work for Fairchild Planes. He died August 16, 1947 when he was only fourty-eight years old.
Mama cooked several years at the Southwestern student union where her homemade cinnamon rolls were favorites of the students. She worked on the switchboard in the Southwestern office until she retired at age sixty-seven. After a few years of retirement, she was a foster grandmother at the state training school for seven years. She passed away May 7, 1982 after a short illness.
I met my husband, James Aaron Orton, at Southwestern College. We were married August 28, 1949 at the First Baptist Church in Winfield. Jim was farm editor of the Coffeyville Journal and I transferred to the Southwestern Bell telephone office, after being an operator in Winfield. We lived in Topeka twentytwo years. Jim was editor of the "Kansas Stockman" magazine and I was bookkeeper for the Kansas Baptist Convention. In 1973 he was named editor of the "Aberdeen Angus Journal" and we moved to Webster City, Iowa.
Jim became editor of the "Oklahoma Cowman" in 1980. 1 am employed by Kerr-McGee Corporation in Oklahoma City in the Production Division. We have four children, Linda Bowie, missionary in Cajamarca, Peru; Robert Orton of Emporia; Kathleen Armstrong, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Jamie Achrazoglou, Iowa City, Iowa; and six grandchildren.
Submitted by June Powell Orton
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 266.
Charlotte was widowed at 33 while living in Orlando, Oklahoma. Alma took extra work in the eighth grade, as Elisha Benton Ogle was very ill. After he died, the family moved to Guthrie for Alma to attend high school. Alma taught school in Midland, Oklahoma, now Billings, before coming to college. Alma graduated in 1922 and married Jesse Williamson in June and left Winfield.
JW. (Bill) graduated from Winfield High in 1923. He attended Southwestern, graduating in 1927. He taught school in Cullison, Kansas.
He married Lucile May Green August 14, 1928. Charlotte continued to live in Winfield until her death in 1933. She is buried in the Belle Plaine Cemetery.
Tithing was an important part of her life with very limited means. Her will directed that her pledge be paid first before disbursement of the funds.
JW. Powers and Alma Powers Williamson continued to own the home until June 1944 when Bill bought his half from Alma when Lucile and Bill Powers moved to Winfield with their two children Marilyn Lucile and Louis William.
Bill was with the Internal Revenue Service for almost three years then bought the Yoder-Newland Insurance Company on June 1, 1947. He added the real estate to it so it was JW. Powers Insurance and Real Estate Company.
Lucile taught at Bryant in the Winfield Public Schools receiving less salary because she was married. For several years she was considered a temporary teacher. She was not encouraged to join the Kansas Teachers' Retirement Plan.
Submitted by Marilyn McNeish
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 266.
Jesse was born Feb. 11, 1869. He made the run into the "Strip" in 1893. He married Addie Compton Sept. 30, 1891, who was born in Edinburg, IN Dec. 9,1866. She came to Kansas with her parents Moses and Sarah Compton in 1885.
Jesse and Addie lived west of Newkirk, OK until 1903, returning to the family homestead, north of Arkansas City, to help his father with the farming. They had three daughters: Grace Pauline, born Sept. 14, 1895; Hazel born Sept. 3, 1899, both born on Oklahoma farm; Anna Vera Born Feb. 28, 1903 in Denver, CO, where her parents lived a short time before moving to homestead. The daughters late married and are known as Mrs. Paul (Pauline) Bossi, Mrs. Carl (Hazel) Pratt, and Mrs. Walter (Anna) Hunt.
Hazel attended Martha Washington School through the grades, graduating from Winfield High School in May 1919. Our family attended the Methodist Church northwest of our home, which was later moved two miles east, and was known as Evangelical United Brethren Church until struck by lightning and burned in 1963.
In 1920, when employed as bookkeeper in Kirkpatrick Furniture store, Arkansas City, I met Carl Pratt, also an employee. He was born Nov. 11, 1889 in Anamosa, IA. In 1893 he came to Kansas with his parents Herbert and Gertrude Pratt, natives of Vermont. Carl served 23 months overseas in World War I as a service mechanic and was in France when the Armistice was signed.
Carl and I were married Oct. 26, 1927. In 1930 we moved to my childhood home in Beaver Township where Carl farmed and raised dairy cattle. When Strother Field was built in early forties, he was employed as aircraft mechanic.
I was a member of Creswell Busy Beavers Home Demonstration Unit. I was interested in helping supervise the upkeep of Pleasant Valley Cemetery, organized in 1861 by pioneer ladies of the Hackney Community, named "Women's Mutual Improvement Society." In those days it was unlady like to belong to a club, therefore called "society." This cemetery is where my grandparents, parents and loved ones rest today.
In 1950, Carl and I bought a home at 302 South 4th in Arkansas City. He worked at furniture store repairing and upholstering furniture. In 1952 1 went to work at the Arkansas City Daily Traveler, retiring in 1965. We were members of the First Baptist Church where Carl had become a member when a young man. Carl died on his 70th birthday, Nov. 11, 1968.
I now live in an apartment at 311 South B, enjoy my church activities and family. Thanks to our forefathers, who paved the way, for our generations to enjoy a comfortable and modern day living.
Submitted by Hazel M. Pratt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 266.
Doris Jeanette (Hunt) Priest was born October 1, 1925 at the farm home of her parents, Claude and Abbie (Chapin) Hunt, in Beaver Township, Doris has two sisters, Mrs. Carroll (Wilda) Wiseley and Mrs. Cecil (Frances) Eastman, both of rural Winfield; two brothers, Clyde and Kenneth Hunt are deceased.
Doris is a descendant of three pioneer families who settled in Cowley County in the 1870's' the Chapin, Hunt and Tannehill families. (continued on page 267)
Submitted by Doris J. (Hunt) Priest
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 266.
Lester C. Priest married Barbara Jean McCorgary (born October 23, 1949) on May 23, 1970, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Arkansas City. They live on a farm formerly owned by his Hunt grandparents, in Beaver Township. They have four children: Julie Diane Priest, born March 12, 1972; Brian Edward Priest, born January 2, 1974; Katherine Marie Priest, born December 29, 1975; Bradley Wayne Priest, born January 28, 1981.
The active farm family raises wheat, milo and silage crops; have a cow-calf operation; also grow strawberries and pumpkins.
Katherine N. Priest married Elbert J. Mawdsley (born January 23, 195 1) on June 23, 1970, at the Hackney Community Baptist Church of rural Winfield where Katherine served as church pianist. Katherine and Elbert lived the first six months of their marriage in Colorado and then returned to Winfield. They were both deceased March 27, 1971 as the result of an auto accident near Sedan.
Vollie and Doris (Hunt) Priest are members of the Hackney Community Baptist Church at Hackney, Rt. 3, Winfield. Doris serves as church organist and president of the American Baptist Women's Group. Vollie has served on various boards of the church.
Submitted by Doris J. (Hunt) Priest
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 266 & 267.
He married Edith Katherine Vaughn (1898-1984) in 1924. She was the daughter of William and Anna Wahlenmaier Vaugh and was born 2 1/2 miles east of Arkansas City. Ray was a farmer- veteran of World War 1; a talented musician; worked at Strother Field,- with security at Dixie Portland Flour Mills from which he retired in 1961. They owned their farm northwest of Riverview Cemetery for 45 years. Edith attended Parker and Rose Valley Schools and went to school to her auntie, Gracie Vaughn on West Madison Ave.; then graduated from Ark City High in 1917 and attended Ark City JC and Emporia State Teachers College in 1918. She taught Queen Village east of Wilmot; South Bend across the Walnut River, north of The Dunkard Mill; Lone Star NW of Ark City, and three years in Geuda Springs grade school.
Their children are: Mary Katherine, born 1923, Wellington, married Maurice W. Maxwell 1948. She attended Ark City Junior College and Southwestern College, She worked 42 years at Dixie Portland Flour Mills, retired 1990. Their son Ray Quinn Maxwell, born 1950, graduated from Arkansas City High School 1968, married in 1972 to Sandra Kay Franklin, born 1949, Atchison; graduated from Cowley Community College 1970; from Pittsburg State College 1973, joined the navy 1974; became a navy helicopter pilot, served in many ports around the world; now a lieutenant commander Navy Reserves. In 1987 received his Masters Degree from the University of Indiana at Bloomington, is now a Safety Specialist at Norfolk, Va. Naval Safety Center. Their daughter Courtney Kay Maxwell was born 1977, in California.
Wilma Jeanne (Billie), second daughter was born in 1924 in Geuda Springs; graduated 1944 Ark City High School. She married Vernon R. Plass, 1943. He is the son of James Brian and Edith McKenzie Plass. They are the parents of four children, Judith Katherine Plass born in 1944 in Winfield. Judy married Sherman Crandall in 1963; they have two sons, David James born 1964, Eric Ray born 1968; Linda Rae Plass born 1947, and married Paul Rolfe Wittke in 1968, they have two daughters, Lisa Katherine born 1969, Traci Jeanine born 197 1; Stephen Roderick Plass born 1950 in California, married Gail Ann Sahr 1971. They have three children; Darci Kristine, born 1977; Wayne Rodrick born 1980; Stefani Ann born 1983; Gary Wayne Plass born 1953, California and married April Stranex 1981. His adopted daughter Maurine born 1973.
Wayne Vaughn born in 1928 graduated Arkansas City High School in 1946, served U.S. Navy, worked as an oiler for Dixie Portland Flour Mills, Ark City; was killed in an airplane crash in 1949 northwest of Ark City.
Submitted by Mary K. Quinn Maxwell
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 267.
Lahoma was a two mile walk, one way, to school. Upon graduation from Lahoma High School in 1938, the family moved to a farm 10 miles NE of Coffeyville, KS. Her older brother, Earl, left to find work and her younger brothers, Irwin, Elmer, Ray and sister Irene, stayed on the farm. After a year of college, Selma moved to town (Coffeyville) in 1941. She worked in the office of S.W. Ice Co. which closed in 1954. She accepted a transfer to the Winfield office of S.W. Ice. After it closed, she held various secretary jobs at CPA Boatright's (Wellington), Stephenson CPA, Winfield, Kerrs, Winfield, St. John's business office for Professor Ruben Dumler, Binney & Smith Inc. office and credit union.
Selma was active in church affairs at Trinity Lutheran Church at 9th & Mound Street. She was league secretary 16 years at the Winfield Bowling Alley. She was in three bowling leagues at the same time. Her travel league partners included Doris Barnes, Roberta Hetherington, and Shirley Maidt. She lacked only one year of getting her 30 year pin at the state bowling tournament.
In 1985 Selma retired and took a trip to Europe. On the eve of her 8th wedding anniversary, she suffered a stroke. She recovered and in six weeks returned home from the hospital. The same night she suffered a second stroke from which she has not recovered. Following a year in a nursing home she returned to the family home at 1516 Millington. She is paralyzed in the right arm and leg, cannot speak extensively, and lives in a wheel chair. We sit on the front porch every opportunity we can find. To help her move her wheelchair, we have wall paneling taped to the carpet. She can operate the remote controls and enjoys watching TV. Home health aides come from the hospital three times a week to assist us in her care.
Written by L.L. Liermann
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 266.
James grew to manhood in Cowley County, and early took upon his own shoulders the burden of self support. While as a small lad he worked for Mr. Dover in the Dexter area. For thirteen years he worked out for three men - Mr. BuUington, Henry and Link Branson. The first year he received $7.50 a month.
Mr. Radcliff was married 3-14-1882 in El Dorado, Kansas to Clara L. Elliott, who was born in Lyon County, Kansas 9-7-1863. She was the daughter of Alfred B. and Amanda (Rinker) Elliott. Her family, who had ten children, came to Cowley County in about 1880. For a number of years the Radcliffs made their home at places where he worked, also rented land and farmed some too.
Mr. Radcliff was considered one of the best ox-team drivers in the West, and was an expert with the cattle whip. It is said that he could easily handle eight yoke of oxen at once.
In 1889, there were six in the party that made the "RUN" into Oklahoma, namely: his brother John, William and Phillip Beynolds, Ed Saunders, William Greenwell and James W. Radcliff. Mr. Radcliff and Mr. GreenweH secured adjoining claims in Marshall Township, LDgan County, Oklahoma. Mr. Radcliff lived there with his family, proved up his claim and then exchanged it for a large farm on Plum Creek northeast of Dexter. Here Mr. Radcliff was quite seccessful-especiary in the cattle business. Mr. Radcliff and his brother, John, lived on adjoining farms north of Dexter. They handled nearly a thousand head of stock yearly.
Mr. Radcliff was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge at Dexter where he had filled all the chairs. Mrs. Radcliff was a member of the Eastern Star.
Mr. and Mrs. Radcliff had eight children. They were: Charley E. born 5-30-1883, married Lou Searle, children Earl and Mfldred; John F. born 7-28-1886, married Florence Williams, children Virgie and Finis; Robert W. born 5-5-1891, married Lula Smith children Smith, Thelma, and Ray; Amanda E. born 12-13-1892, married Joe Henderson, children Bill and Betty; Alma M. born 5-5-1895, married Lawrence Fry, children Lawrence Henry; L. Blance 3-7-1899, married Harold Richardson, children Bob and Harold; Alfred J. born 2-5-1901, married Bessie Love, children Wilma; H. Elliott born 4-14-1904, Lorene Reynolds, children Larry; The oldest six children and their spouses are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Radcliff moved into Dexter to retire and to make their home. Mr. Radcliff passed away 8-16-1939. Mrs. Radcliff passed away on 10-31-1946.
Alfred, known as "HI" Radcliff and his wife, Bessie, are well known in Cowley, County. They farmed all of their life in the Dexter area. A few years ago they moved from their farm south of Dexter to 1825 East 13th in Winfield, where they presently are living. Elliott and Lorene Radcliff live in Grove, Oklahoma.
Written and Submitted by William 0. Henderson
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 267.
The two brothers, known as Bill & John, owned adjoining ranches northeast of Dexter, retired and moved to Dexter with (continued on page 268)
Submitted by Lucile Radcliff Guthrie
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 267.
John B. married Mary Elizabeth Reynolds (she was known as Betty) in 1884 at the home of the bride's parents, north of Dexter. Betty was born in 1868, Paradise, Ill. Betty moved to the home north of Dexter, when she was 10 years old. Her parents, John and Rhoda (Gannaway) Reynolds, after the Civil War, sold their farm in Ill. and moved to Ks. with their two children, Miles and Betty. Miles married Molly Daniles. He passed away at the age of 25. John and Betty Radcliff lived on the home place and raised their family. To this union was born 9 children, 8 boys and one girl. William Miles (Billie), John Harrison (Harry), Franklin Burley (Frank), Neva Jane, Eslie Aaron, Byron McKinly, Arthur (Art), Ralph Randal (Rusty) and Warren Reynolds. Neva Jane Radcliff Shrader is the only member of the family living. She will be 98 in Nov. 1990.
John and Betty and their family were active in the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star. Betty was a charter member of the Dexter Chapter #6. They retired and moved to Dexter living there the rest of their lives.
Their oldest son, William, lived on the home place until they retired and moved to Dexter. William Miles and Anna Grace (Cochran) were married at the home of her parents, Alfred P. and Minnie C, (Caster) Cochran, Grace had 7 brothers. Billie and Grace, as they were known, saw the change of horse and buggy to cars, tractors and airplanes. A lot of changes in their life time. They had two daughters, Helen Elizabeth and Lucile M. Helen married Clarence T. Brazle, the son of W.P. and Delvy Brazle. Clarence and Helen live on their form north of Dexter where they raised their family of 6 children. Mildred Lucile Brazle Snyder, Elbert Wayne, deceased, Gary Max, John William, Reba Sue Brazle White, Frank Keith.
Lucile M. Radcliff married John J. Guthrie, son of William Henderson and Minnie Mary (Lemaster) Guthrie. We have lived in Sumner County for over forty years.
The Radcliff home has remained in the Radcliff name and presently the owner is Byron Kent, the son of Byron K. and Beratice (Hennan) Radcliff.
Submitted by Lucile Radcliff Guthrie
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 267 & 268.
When peace was declared, Arthur returned home to meet his two-year-old son, Robert, for the first time. The family moved from rural Arkansas City to a farm six miles northwest of Winfield in 1945. They lived on the "old Conner place" on the Walnut River bottom, farming about 500 acres of alfalfa, soya beans, wheat and maise.
In addition to Robert, three more children were born: Larry A. in 1946, Phillip B. in 1947, and Judith J. in 1949. The whole family were active members of First Christian Church of Winfield, the Walnut Valley 4-H Club and South Vernon School. Arthur served for years on the district Water Conservation Board.
Imogene, who had taught school prior to her marriage, completed her college requirements and then taught First Grade at Udall, Ks. for five years. Upon completing graduate study, she became a Social Worker for S.R.S., first in Coffeyville, KS. and then in Cowley County. She retired in 1985 and has been involved in volunteer church and community projects since that time.
Arthur's health began failing badly in 1980. The son, Phillip and family, returned to the rural community, built a house and a sawmill, but had to give up farming due to losses in the flood years. He is now employed as an agricultural scientist in Memphis, Tennessee.
Arthur and Imogene sold their farm in 1987, moving to 1014 Thompson in Winfield. In 1988 Arthur became a resident at the Good Samaritan Home and is doing well.
Submitted by Jean Rahn
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 268.
Born in Washington County in 1889, he married Lucy Jane Klinginsmith, who was born in Greenwood County in 1895. They farmed at Florence where their four oldest children, Neil F., Arthur D., Ruth J., and Dorothy 0. were born.
George purchased the farm near Cameron, on Grouse Creek east of Arkansas City in 1921. He moved the family there in 1923, where Iris M. and Georgia A. were born. George's brother, Jesse, owned an adjoining farm to the north.
George constructed his farm buildings at the fact of a hill on US-166 with stone quarried on the farm. He completed the barn in 1927 with the help of a brother, Orval, of Florence. Hay could be dropped into the two-story mows, and grain dumped into a large center bin from a drive into the third floor from the hill. An interior spring was walled up on the ground floor and utilized for stock water.
The stone chicken house also used the hill for one wall.
Stone for the house was shaped at the farm by Ben Goatley, a Silverdale stone mason. Completed in 1930, it was one of the most modern homes in the area. Running water was provided by gravity from a windmill that pumped it into a hilltop storage tank. Electricity was provided by a Delco power plant in the basement. Cement was mixed by hand, with the interior walls solid concrete to the third floor. The drive-in basement held two cars, as well as a furnace, a food storage cellar and a built-in cistern for rainwater. A fireplace and a sunken bathtub were on the main floor. Another brother, Glenn, of Dexter, helped with the interior carpentry.
The machinery shed was the last large structure built. It had an upstairs room for cleaning and storing seed, a ground floor shop and attached blacksmith shop. Hog sheds were also stone, and three large concrete stock tanks were plumbed for running water. Underground structures were built to drain the seepy hillside.
The family worked hard on the farm, and Lucy regularly roomed and boarded several hired men to help with the farming. She also tended a large garden each summer, a chicken flock, milked cows, and helped in the field when necessary.
Neil and Arthur joined the Army in 1941, serving in the South Pacific and European areas respectively during World War II. They were discharged in 1945. During those years, Ruth married, and Iris and Georgia helped their father with the farming. Dorothy worked in an airplane factory in Kansas City.
In the early 1940's oil was discovered on George and Jesse's farms. George became active in oil leasing in Cowley County, a profession he followed until his death in 1956. He and Lucy moved into Arkansas City in 1951. Lucy died in 1969.
Neil lived on and farmed the home place with his wife, Joyce Runyon, until his death in 1986. Arthur and his wife, Imogene Haslett, farmed northwest of Winfield. Ruth and her husband, Bill Hardy, Jr. farmed two miles north of the home place, and Dorothy and her husband, Clarence Taraba, lived and worked in Kansas City. Iris and her husband, Walter David, farmed at Dexter, and Georgia and her husband, Robert Marrs, farmed east of Arkansas City.
Submitted by Iris M. Rahn David
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 268.
Johann Kemper was the first Kemper in the agriculture business. He arrived in the United States in 1714, from Mussen, Germany. He was a supporter of establishing the American Colony, Germania, in Virginia.
Louise Kemper Rahn, one of the second generation, her daughter Joan W. Warren, of the third generation, grandchildren Christopher Jay Warren and Dru Elizabeth Warren are of the fourth generation. All living in Cowley County at the present time.
Other immediate family members consist of: Mr. & Mrs. David Essex (daughter Gail), children William Thomas Brown II, Melanie Bliss Brown and Hilary Megan Essex, Dr. & Mrs. Robert Boyd (daughter Lynn), children Billy Boyd, Larissa Ann Sellars and Christina Renee Sellars, all above living in Midland, Texas. Mr. & Mrs. Amjad H. Oberoi (daugher Kay), children Sameer H. and Saadia H. Oberoi, living in Lahore, Pakistan.
Louise attended Cowley schools and a graduate of Cowley County Community College. She is currently a substitute teacher and a student of Southwestern College. She belongs to two honor societies. Phi Theta Kappa, a national alumni association and Phi Gamma Mu, an international Honor Society in Social Science.
Daughter Joan Warren, is Cooperative Education/Work Coordinator at Cowley County Community College. She received her bachelor's in Distributive Education from San Angelo University, San Angelo, Texas and her masters degree in Education and Business from Emporia State College, Emporia. Daughter Gail, received her bachelor's in Geology from the University of Texas of Arlington, Arlington, Texas. Daughter Kay, received her bachelor's in Distributive Education from San Angelo University, San Angelo, Texas. Daughter Lynn, received her bachelor's in Accounting from the University of Texas of Odessa, Odessa, Texas.
Gordon Martin, editor and manager of The Traveler, won second prize in the feature division of the first annual photo contest conducted by Kansas Members of the Associated Press. Martin's entry was a picture of Louise Kemper, northeast of the city, with some shocks of wheat. It was first published on the front page of The Traveler in a harvest edition. It since has been printed in many other newspapers and other publications. It was also made into postcards denoting Kansas "The Wheatfield of America".
Submitted by Louise K Rahn
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 268.
Virginia Ralls Foster
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 268.
Upon completing medical school and internship in Baltimore, Maryland, he came to Winfield to go into medical practice with Dr. T.B. Tandy, in July 1905. His first night in Win field he spent at the old Brettun Hotel. Each anniversary of that first night in Winfield he would walk to the Brettun, gaze up at the window of the room he had occupied, and reminisce on coming to Winfield.
The first Sunday he was in Winfield he met his future wife, Blanche Carter. Someone warned him he should have nothing to do with her as she like to dance and plays cards! He and Blanche Carter were married the following summer, June 14, 1906.
Blanche Carter was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, Dec. 16, 188 1. She came to Winfield in the summer of 1902 to join her parents, David L. and Lura Virginia Threlkeld Carter. Mr. & Mrs. Carter had come to Kansas in late 1899 or early 1900, to join their son Floyd who had been sent "west" in the hope of curing his tuberculosis. Floyd died in March 1902 and Blanche, who was completing her senior year of college in Kentucky, was not able to come to Kansas because of the many days train trip in those years. Another son of David and Lura Carter's was Hawkins, who was killed in France in World War 1. Both Mr. & Mrs. Carter and their two sons are buried at Union Cemetery in Winfield.
The first home of Dr. & Mrs. Ralls was on Fuller Street. About a year later they built a house at 801 East Eleventh. In 1910 Dr. Ralls realized he could not keep up physically with the night work required of general practice. Dr. F.A. Kelley took over this practice, while Dr. Ralls and his wife and children went to New Orleans and Chicago where he again entered medical schools to practice eye, ear, nose, & throat. Thinking he would not return to Winfield, he had sold his home on Eleventh. He bought the family's present home at 922 Mansfield.
Dr. Ralls retired from practice in early 1965. The next months were spend driving around the back roads in this part of the county. He loved pointing out who had lived at this or that place, that he had attended a birth at this or that place, and had slept on the kitchen floor awaiting the birth. The standard obstetrical fee was (hopefully) $10. Often it was paid with chickens, vegetables, eggs, or most anything else available.
Traveling to these rural areas was done by horse and buggy, if the roads were reasonably dry. If not, the trip might be made to the Tisdale area by hand car on the tracks, a farmer perhaps meeting him with a horse.
Dr. & Mrs. Ralls were the parents of four children; Amanda, Carter, Virginia, and Natalee.
Clayton Thomas Ralls died June 12, 1966. His wife Blanche Carter Ralls, died Dec. 12, 1975. Both are buried in Highland Cemetery in Winfield.
Virginia Ralls Foster
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 269.
Frank drove for Armstrong Trucking Company, a route over the mountains for seven years. Berneise Manufacturing Co., makers of farm Equipment hired Frank as Shop Foreman. He worked 41 years for Allis Chalmers Tractor Company as xpenmental engineer.
In California, Frank met and married Eleanor Louise Dyer July 11, 1939 on her parents 25th wedding anniversary, in a formal church ceremony in Ventura, California, decorated wit ornegrown dahlias and garden flowers from the private home garden of Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Schwantes, originally of Winfield.
Eleanor's parents were Guy Carlton Dyer & Sophia Dickerson Dyer. Guy was originally from Coffeyville, KS son of Edgar Horace Dyer & Bertha Dyer of Missouri and Kansas. Sophia Dickerson Dyer was daughter of Thomas & Hattie Fretwell Dickerson of Ventura, California.
Eleanor worked for J.C. Penney's ready to wear department while their children were in school. She finished college to teach kindergarten and first grade until retirement. Two children were born to this union. Frank Milton Ramsey, born April 27, 1943 married Ruth Marie Leatherman August 19, 1966 in College Baptist Church in San Diego. They have one child, Diane, born August 4, 1971. Frank teaches Junior High history and math and is counselor.
David Lee Ramsey born June 15, 1946 married Tara Sever born Aug. 13, 1977 in Christian Church in Santa Barbara. Children are Amanda, born October 1, 1980; Nathan born Feb. 23, 1982; Ryan born May 23, 1986.
Another daughter-in-law of Frank & Eleanor's is Suzan Elaine Elliott Ramsey born March 28, 1949 and a close friend of the family.
Frank, Eleanor and boys enjoyed fishing and camping trips to Yosemite National Park and other scenic areas as well as RV trips to Kansas to visit friends and relatives. The family was involved in church activities in California. Frank was Sunday School superintendent and deacon many years, He was one of five to organize the interdenominational Bible Fellowship Church in Ventura where he belonged until his death, May 29, 1984. Frank is buried in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura California as is Mr. & Mrs. Dyer.
Eleanor resides 4388 East Central Ave., Camarillo, California.
As told to Janis Ramsey Reinhardt by Eleanor Dyer Ramsey
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 269.
(Picture Caption)
Ramsey Family. 1. to r., Ida, Frank, Mamie, Alice (sitting), Anna, Susie. Wayne (on lap), Ethel, Jii (sitting), Will, Edna.
They lived on a farm Northeast of Winfield, for about one year, in October of 1882 they located on an eighty-acre farm five and one-half miles west of Winfield or one mile south of Kellogg, where their son, Wayne presently lives. jim's two younger brothers, Jonathan and Samuel also settled in Northern Cowley County. (continued on page 270)
Submitted by Janis Ramsey Reinhardt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 269.
Alice was a devoted mother, wife and homemaker. She churned many pounds of butter, produced by the Jersey herd, to be sold with cream in Winfield to support the family. She canned many foods from a huge garden and orchard that stood east of the present home. She passed on to her daughters the skills of maintaining a home in this manner.
The children were educated in the Mt. Zion and Winfield Schools. Transportation to high school in Winfield, for the older children, was to board the train at Kellogg and stay the week with a family in Winfield then return via train for the weekend. Later, the younger children were able to use the horse and buggy, for the trip to highschool daily.
The family attended church at Mt. Zion Baptist which was one-half mile east and one mile south of the family farmstead. Sunday evening "Christian Endeavor" was the youth group meeting and was faithfully attended by the Ramsey youth.
Kellogg Hall held many community events which were well attended and several Ramsey youth participated in the programs and plays. As the family grew to have children of their own, a family tradition was developed of having a family gathering on Sunday afternoon for discussions of politics, government, war and newstories of the day and baseball in the pasture. In later years, family dinners and reunion picnics developed,
Jim died Nov. 7, 1928 in his home and Alice died July 21, 1931. They are buried in the family plot in the Mt. Zion Cemetery alongside some of their children.
The recorded children from this union are listed in the Bornsey-Zimmerman Children story.
Janis Ramsey Reinhardt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 269.
Gladys Elizabeth Pitman was born May 30, 1904 to James Ivan and Mary Ann Tindal Pitman, on the Pitman Ranch east of Minneola, Kansas. Refer to Jim and Mel Pitman story.
Gladys was educated in Minneola Grade and High Schools and graduated from Southwestern College in 1930. She worked to put herself and her two sisters through college. She taught Junior High classes of History in Dodge City Schools three years.
Gladys was hired to teach one through eighth grades in a one-room school at Mt. Zion school in Vernon Township, where she taught six years. She remembers going out by train to Kellogg from Winfield and being met by Horace Murray family with who she stayed. "Room and Board" was $1 a day, teachers wages were $50 a month.
In the community she met a young farmer, Wayne Ramsey. They were married in the ranch home of her parents at Minneola, Kansas July 27, 1932. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary July 1982.
After raising their children, Gladys returned to teaching grade school at Akron two years and Pleasant Valley School ten years until retirement. She was a devoted and successful teacher, being well respected by her students.
The children born to this union were educated at Mt. Zion and Winfield schools. Janis Yvonne, born Jan. 11, 1937 attended Kansas State University at Manhattan and married Loy D. Reinhardt and currently resides at Rt. I Box 119, Erie, Kansas. They raised three children in that area. Refer to Loy & Janis Reinhardt story. Dwight Wayne born March 20, 1940 graduated from Southwestern and attended Washburn University and currently resides on Bt. 2, Winfield, he is an artist of canvas paintings. Lois Ann, born Nov. 7, 1944 graduated from Southwestern and earned a Masters Degree from Colorado State. She taught grade school in Fort Morgan, Colorado then married Gene Somer, from Nebraska. They reside in Sterling, Nebraska with son Christian Eugene, born Aug. 9, 1978, where Lois teaches fifth grade. Refer to Gene & Lois Somer Story.
The Ramseys were active in Valley View 4-H Club where Gladys was community leader many years. They were active in the Mount Vernon Church, when it disbanded they moved their membership to the First Presbyterian Church in Winfield where they are active today.
They have been active in groups of the Vernon community and Winfield area such as, Kellogg Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, Mt. Zion school board, Merrymakers, Business and Professional Women, church, 4-H and extension groups. Gladys is a member of American Association of University Women, (AAUW).
Janis Ramsey Reinhardt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 270.
Will went to Mt. Zion and Winfield High School and U.S. Navy where he served in World War 1. He was discharged from the Navy about 1919. He worked in Kansas one year, then homesteaded and partially cleared an 80-acre tract of land northwest of Cortez, Colorado. His address was Ruin Canyon, Colorado during this two year period of 1920-1922. In the 1950's Will's brother, Wayne, purchased the farm and it remained in family ownership until 1990.
After Will was discharged from the Navy, he completed several electrical correspondence courses from Chicago. He was fascinated with and studied electric power and turbines. He loved the noiseless and sightless mystery of electricity.
While living on the Colorado farm, he worked part-time on road construction crews building the road from Delores to Telluride. He had a snapshot that showed the mules used and wagons loaded with rock that was blasted out of the mountainside and hauled away to clear the mountain roads. Following his interest in electricity he went to Ely, Nevada to work at a dam site. From there he went to Hoover Dam and worked in the construction of it, telling the stories of the crosses in the dam wall of the men that fell during the pouring of the tons of cement. Next job was construction of Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State. Later, he took a job on the Panama Canal where he became in charge of the operation of one of the locks in the Pedro Miguel Lock. This lock lowers ships 31 feet to Miraflores Lake and Locks and then into the Pacific Ocean. He loved this job and working on the locks. He kept the job and a home in Panama eighteen years. While working in Panama, he would take his vacations to a health club in New York State. There he met and married Grace Klein, Sept. 16, 1937. They had two sons, born in Panama, Wayne and Kenneth. When the boys were small Grace moved to California taking the boys with her. She raised them in the area of San Jose, California.
About 1950 Will moved to Africa where an air base was being built in northern edge of Africa. He worked for a contractor building the base. He developed a fever and died June 2, 1953. His trusted friends and partners in a business venture vanished as did all his life savings and investments.
Will is buried in Mr. Zion Cemetery, west of Winfield, Kansas in Vernon Township alongside his sister, Ida, who also had the middle name of McKinley and who was fifteen months older.
As told by Wayne Ramsey to Janis Ramsey Reinhardt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 270.
Elmer Lawrence, born August 7, 1883 and died May 10, 1884,
Edna Alice born October 11, 1884, married Benjamin Franklin McBride March 23, 1905, died December 8, 1984 after her 100th birthday, children were Opal, who fives in Great Bend, Kansas; Oscar deceased, Ruth deceased.
Mamie Elizabeth born January 14, IB86 married Everett Hadley July 12, 1912, later married Rush Seacat, no children, Mamie died April 15, 1971.
Susie Arminta born March 13, 1889 married Edgar Thomas Biddle December 23, 1908, parents of Della, deceased, and June A., living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Susie died September 5, 1980.
Elsie Ethel born January 16, 1894 married Jesse Amos Biddle February 1, 1916, parents of Mabel, living in Augusta, Leonard, Ray, Lawrence and Shirley all of Winfield, Lila of Mulvane and Ralph of Tecumseh, Oklahoma. Ethel died November 22, 1986.
Ida McKinley born September 10, 1897 single, no children, died March 23, 1976.
William McKinley born December 15, 1897 married Grace Klein, September 16, 1937, children Wayne of California and Kenneth of Nevada. Will died June 2, 1953.
Anna Mae born October 20, 1899 married John Vernon Elam, November 3, 1927 (refer to John and Anna Elam story) is presently living in Winfield.
Franklin Augustus born February 10, 1901 married Eleanor Louise Dyer July 11, 1939, parents of Frank Milton in California, and David in Oregon, Frank died May 29, 1984. (continued on page 271)
Janis Ramsey Reinhardt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 270.
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