Cowley County Heritage Book

Pages

- 316 - 317 - 318 - 319 - 320 -


Cowley County Heritage Book Page 316


(continued from page 315) age of twenty-four, when on 8-24-1861, he enlisted in Company G., 1st Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry. During three years and four months of service, he was in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. After the war was over, he returned home where he remained until he journeyed to Cowley County, Kansas.

Fatima Elizabeth Teter, born 2-15-1845 in Garrard County, Kentucky, was the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Teter. Stephen Teter was a soldier in the Mexican War. While returning home, he died in Texas of smallpox.

My grandfather and grandmother Wall were parents of the following children: Robert Rice, who married Alice Bennefield by whom he had sons, Hilbert and Earl; George Ward, James Ira, and Leota, all single and lived at home; William Stephen who married Amanda Esther Ann Johnson, 4-12-1903. They had three daughters, Leota Candace, Opal Jaunita, and Eldred May.

James B. paid one dollar to a squatter for a log cabin he had started to build on the land. He also paid ten dollars for the land on which he cut and cleared timber, and immediately started to continue building the log cabin. He added improvements each year until his farm was one of the best in the vicinity. The house, designed after homes in the Southern states, was built in 1884, costing seven hundred dollars.

In the winter of 1869 and 1870, I.B. cleared timber from the land, and planted five acres of corn in the spring of 1870. Through the years he raised corn, oats, wheat, cattle, hogs, and Kentucky bred horses. The horse lot was fenced like they did in Kentucky, with buffalo grass growing instead of Kentucky bluegrass. The yard was planted to bluegrass and shaded from the heat of the Kansas sun by beautiful trees left in correct places, as timber was cut to make the building site.

J.B. was independent in politics and served on the school board and other committees in the community. Religiously, his family favored the Christian Church, but they attended the Walnut Valley Presbyterian Church near Akron, Kansas.

During the year of 1876, a professional furniture maker, traveling in a covered wagon with a covered trailer carrying tools, stopped by my Grandfather's farm. He was interested in the waterfall on the creek just above where it emptied into the Walnut River near the family log cabin.He set up camp and made furniture in that location for several months.My grandfather had cut cured walnut wood from a special a special tree he discovered in the winter of 1870,while cutting timber to clear land for planting the five acres of corn. Many pieces of furniture were made from that walnut wood. A beautiful walnut drop leaf table, with hardware patent dating 1774,wash stands,shelves, comb cases, foot stools and many small pieces .

Grandfather died 12-21-1909 and Grandmother died 7-15-1913.

Written and Submitted by Leota Candace Wall Elder
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William S & Amanda E. Ann Wall

The William Wall family of Cowley County, Rock, Kansas, are descendents of James B. and Fatima E. (Teter) Wall, and William E. and Mary Johnson.

William Stephen Wall, born 7-23-1884, and Amanda Esther Ann Johnson, born 1-10-1884, were married 4-121903 in the Methodist parsonage by the Reverend R.A. Sawyer. They had three daughters: Leota Candace, Opal Jaunita, and Eldred May.

William was a farmer and an engineer for stationary thrashing machines in his early years. For many years he worked for Trees Oil Company in the Winfield area. William died 9-25-1975 at age ninety- four.

Amanda was a special lady. She loved her family and friends dearly. Both she and William encouraged their daughters to do their best in life's work. All three attained college educations and became teachers. Amanda was an excellent cook. Her pies were delicious. She kept her ability and enthusiasm until her death on October 27, 1980, at age ninety-six.

Eldred was born 7-29-1912. She received a degree in Elementary Education from Kansas University in 1935, and taught in Butler County and in Winfield City schools. On 6-221940 she married Dr. Vernon P. Brickey. Dr. Brickey received a degree from Pittsburg Teachers College, taught several years, then graduated with a Medical Degree from Kansas University in 1940. He was a doctor in Long Beach, California from 1946-1982. Vernon and Eldred's children were: Sharyn Eldred, and Vernon P. Brickey. Eldred died 3-2-1983. Vernon died August 1988.

Opal was born 1-24-1908. She received a degree in Public School music from Kansas University in 1930, and a Masters degree from North Western University, Evanston, Illinois in 1956. She was Music Supervisor of Baxter Springs, Kansas, public schools and taught in Chicago public schools until her retirement.

Opal married John B. Opperman 9-5-1937. John received his degree in Electrical Engineering from Kansas University in 1924. He was Superintendent of Utilities in Hoisington, Kansas, and inspector of electrical equipment for Factory Mutual Insurance out of Chicago, Illinois. Opal and John have a daughter, Jeannette Beatrice. She received degrees in Art, History, and English Literature from Kansas University and a Masters Degree in English Literature from Duke University. Jeannette married Samuel Richard Mellinger 12-28-1969. Richard received a degree in Law from Kansas University after serving two years in Vietnam. Richard and Jeannette have tow children: Amanda Bronwyn and Samuel John Mellinger.

I (Leota) was born 2-7-1906. I received a Norman Training Certificate from Winfield High School after graduating in 1925. Teaching every winter and attending summer school at Pittsburg Teachers College, I received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education i 1939. I taught six years in Cowley County schools and forty years in Winfield public schools.

On 6-1-1941, I married Neal J. Elder. Neal was born 11-24-1905 at Mount Hope, Kansas. In 1914 he and his family moved to a farm nine miles northwest of Winfield. Neal graduated from Winfield High School in 1925, attedned Pittsburg Teachers College, then returned home to become a farmer. He enjoyed farming and raising and feeding livestock. He was interested i preserving the land. He was a member of the first Soil Conservation Board in Cowley County. He was active and interested in many community events. Heal died on 6-14-1980.

Written and Submitted by Leota Candace Wall Elder
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Errett LeRoy Ward

Errett LeRoy Ward, born 9-23-1905, in stone house of his grandparents south of Timber Creek, attended Grand Center School, graduated from eighth grade, then attended Atlanta High School and graduated in 1924. He met Hazel B. Duncan in high school, she was born 11-4-1906, both members of Atlanta Christian Church, and both attended Wichita Business College and married 6-24-1926. They did office work there for many years. When retired traveled a few years and settled on infield, Kansas. He passed away 12-2-1974 and is buried in Mt Vernon Cemetery southeast of Atlanta.

Submitted by Hazel B. Duncan Ward
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George Albert Ward Family

George Albert Ward, born 11-16-1884 in stone house south of Timber Creek. Son of Robert Lewis and Lucy Albany Anglin Ward, attended Grand Center School and graduated eighth grade. Married Shirley Evelyn Crow 7-27-1904, (born 9-171888). Both members of Atlanta Christian Church. Bought the east eighty acres from his parents and built their home there. Had two children, Errett LeRoy Ward, born 9-23-1905, and Clarice Edna Ward, born 2-13-1909. He was a farmer and cattle man all his life, on Mt. Vernon Cemetery Board as long as he was able. He passed away 4-21-1973 and Shirley passed away 2-16-1977, both buried in Mt. Vernon cemetery southeast of Atlanta. They spent their lives close to where they were born.

Clarice Edna attended Grand Center School adm graduated from eighth grade and then thru Atlanta High School and graduated in 1925. (continued on page 317)

Submitted by Hazel B. Duncan Ward
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 317


(continued from page 316) Then graduated from nursing school in Wichita and was a Registered Nurse. Married Ray E. Duncan 3-1-1934. Passed away 1-14-1937. Buried in Union Cemetery, Winfield, Kansas.

Submitted by Hazel B. Duncan Ward
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Robert Lewis Ward Family

Robert Lewis Ward and Robert S. Strother were boyhood friends, went to school together. At President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, they enlisted together, served in Company "H", 22nd Kentucky Voluntary Infantry and although it was thrown in with other units in different battles it was kept intact, served entire war together and were mustered out together, served from October 22, 1861 until January 20, 1865, they were given three years and 10 days war service credit on their homesteads. Endured lots of suffering all through it, but neither was injured, although Robert L. Ward had a bullet burn between his ear and head. They came to Kansas and homesteaded 160 acres together, three miles east of Atlanta in Cowley County on Timber Creek, December 1870. They were separated by a homestead of Jonas Messenger, (Shirley Ward's Grandparents), who also was a soldier who served in an Illinois Infantry unit. All three took up their claims in 1870 due to a war service allotment. Patents issued in 1873 and signed by President U.S. Grant.

Robert Lewis Ward was born 6-5-1840, in Carter County, Grayson, Kentucky. Family considered well-to-do, many slaves. He enlisted on the North side and his brothers on the South, and his parents disowned him. Sometimes, when near his home, he would come by and see them through the windows. A sister would slip him food. He married Lucy Albany Anglin 12-17-1867. Operated a sawmill before and after their marriage. Now, securing homesteads, sent for their wives, who came to Emporia, the end of railroad, then stage coach to Wichita, men drove wagons to meet them. Coming back near Douglass, they drove by a tree with four horse thieves hanging from a limb. He had a time keeping her from insisting that he take her right back to Wichita so she could return to Kentucky. Children born were: Mildred Lewis, Orena Louis, Viola lane, William 0., Lillie, Lucy, George Albert, and Robert Scott.

Robert was a farmer-built a stone house in 1879 south of Timber Creek, still standing. Helped plan and organize Mt. Vernon Cemetery and served on board as long as he was able. His parents never forgave him for serving on Union side during the Civil War, and years later his mother came to see him, but still called him "that Damned Yankee" - they lost all of their slaves. Said not unusual at all to look up and see buffalo grazing on top of Flint Hills. Errett LeRoy Ward remembers a story he heard many times from his grandparents, that grandfather did most of the "sod Busting" for all the neighbors for the first few years. This was because he had a large pair of oxen and a heavy "Sod Buster" plow which was a scarce item in those days. The oxen, named "Buck and Bawl" had long horns that banged together as they worked. They were driven without lines by the command of "Gee & Haw" with aid of a Bull Whip. Grandfather walked behind the plow to guide it and he carried a long stick and everytime he killed a rattlesnake he cut a notch on it with his knife. By the end of the first season he had the stick covered with notches. He also wore knee high heavy thick leather boots for protection from the snakes. Robert Lewis Ward passed away 2-20-1911 and Lucy lived until 4-16-1931, both buried in Mt. Vernon Cemetery southeast of Atlanta, Kansas.

Submitted by Hazel B. Duncan Ward
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The Warren Family

Drury Warren was born in Pulaski, Giles Co., Tenn. in 183 1. He was married three times. His first two wives were sisters. He was a widower at an early age. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in Red Springs, Ark. He was captured by the Union soldiers at Mound City, Kans. He was paroled and sent to Alton, Ill. in 1865. He was then sent to James River, VA. for exchange.

In 1866 he married Amanda Wilson. They settled on a farm south of Silverdale. They became parents of nine children. James W. Warren was the sixth child. James married Phoebe Harkleroad in 1904. Their children were Joe, Ward, Mildred and John. The farm that Drury and Amanda settled is still in the family. This farm is over 100 years old and live generations have lived there. The eldest son, Joe served in the Kansas Senate for 32 years. His wife is the former Pauline Goff. They are the parents of James and Helen. Ward ranched and had other extensive business interests. His wife is the former Mabel Baird. Their children are Jana, Jay and Jeri. They have three grandchildren, Chris, Dru and Hayley.

Mildred married Albert "Curly" Baird. He was a rancher, raising Brangus cattle. They lived in the home that James and Phoebe built in 1915. Their son William and his wife, Karen, live there with their children, Partick and Brooke. Their daughter, Barbara and husband, C.D. Shellenberger, live in Kansas City.

John, the youngest son, enlisted in the Navy, later got his law degree from Washburn University. He married Rebecca Rine and they made their home in Newkirk where he became president of Albright Title & Trust. In 1979 he moved to Ponca City where he was the senior trust officer and chairman of the board at First National Bank. Their daughter is Suzanne Brown, wife of Robert Brown. They have three children, Lisa, Trenton and Mark.

Submitted by Mildred Baird
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Watts-Browning

Emmett Henry Watts and Jessie Browning were married in Winfield ' Kansas. This photograph was taken in 1892 with children Mayme, Virgil, and baby Loren, born in Cowley County in the Tannehill-Hackney area. Doris, Laura, and June were born when the family relocated near Peckham, Oklahoma. Loren's children were Dean, Eldon, Loren Dale and Ramona Watts. Several cousins reside in Winfield. They are the children of Emmett's brothers, Curtis and Clarence Watts. Submitted by Loren Dale Watts and Ramona Watts Rucker
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Elmer P. & Mary Elizabeth Watt

Elmer Parker Watt and Mary Elizabeth Fuller were married September 6, 1911 in Winfield, KS.

Elmer was born September 17, 1889, the son of John Wesley Watt and Mary Katherine Williams in Wilmot, KS.

Mary Elizabeth was born to Judge Oliver Perry Fuller and Eva A. Tonkinson on September 9, 1889 in Winfield, KS.

At the time of their marriage Mr. Watt was employed by Josh Wallace Clothing Store. In 1912 they moved to a farm west of Cambridge on Grouse Creek where the town of Torrance once was, where they remained until 1927, when they moved to Seattle, Wash.

When they returned to Winfield, KS, Mr. Watt was employed by Stuber Bros. until 1933. That year they returned to their farm at Cambridge, which is still owned by the Watt family.

Mr. Watt passed away Feb. 21, 1954, and is buried at Union Cemetery in Winfield. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Winfield for many years.

Mary was educated in the Winfield Schools. She was employed at Kerr's for a number of years.

They both were members of the Cambridge Presbyterian Church in Cambridge.

Mrs. Watt passed away Dec. 19, 1984 and is buried in Union Cemetery in Winfield.

They were parents of three children, an infant who died soon after birth, Fuller Parker Watt of Winfield, and Randall Corwin Watt, Cambridge, KS, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Submitted by Evelyn Watt
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Fuller & Evelyn Watt

Fuller Parker Watt and Evelyn Alice Hammer were married 9/21/1940 in Winfield by Rev. R.C. Jackson, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.

Fuller was born at 820 E, 9th, Winfield to Elmer Parker Watt and Mary Elizabeth Fuller 9/23/1914.

Evelyn was born 7/18/1917 to Sanford Gibson Hammer and Alice May Williams at Maple City, Ks.

At the time of our marriage, Fuller was employed at Wiley's and farmed near Cambridge. Evelyn was employed at Kerr's. Our first home was an apartment at 615 Millington.

In May, 1941 we moved to San Meteo, Calif. Fuller was emplyed as marine electrican for Bethlehem Steel Co. inSan Francisco. Evelyn was emplyed by the Bank of America in San Francisco and later transferred to Palo Alto, Calif.(continued on page 317)

Submitted by Evelyn Watt
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 318


(continued from page 317) We returned to Kansas in 1946 and began a farming operation in the Cambridge, Burden and New Salem area. While living in the Cambridge area Fuller served on the Windsor Township Board, Cambridge School Board and was an Elder for the Cambridge Presbyterian Church. We resided in the Cambridge area until 1960 when we moved to Winfield. Fuller continued his farming and cattle operation while I was employed at Winfield Floral Co., and out children attended the Winfield schools.

When in 1963 the International Harvester franchise became available for the first time in 56 years, we decided to see if we would qualify. With his farming background and my accounting experience, we were able to obtain the franchise and established Watt Equipment Company at 1925 E. 9th. Fuller continued his farming operation along with his business until the present time.

In 1984 International Harvester merged with J.I. Case Co. and became known as Case IH. We continued our franchise with J.I. Case as a Case International Farm Equipment dealer serving a 50 mile plus area.

We retired in 1987 selling our business to Case IH and leasing our property at 1925 E. 9th for a company store at that location, which is now known as Case IH Power and Equipment.

Fuller is a graduate of Winfield High School. He is a member of the Elks Lodge, Winfield Country Club, and Western Dealers Assn. Evelyn is a graduate of Cambridge High School and attended Southwestern College. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority during the 1930's when it was first organized in Winfield, Soroptimist, Newton Hospital Auxiliary doing volunteer work as a Pink Lady, Walnut Valley Quilt Guild, and volunteer work for various other organizations. We both are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Winfield.

We are parents of two daughters, Linda Ann who was born in San Mateo, Calif. She is married to James 0. Booth and they have two children, Brian James and Stacey Ann. They live in Burlington, Ks., where Linda is a teacher in the Burlington School System. Jim is employed by Kansas Gas & Electric Company.

Eva Kathleen (Kathy) was born in Winfield and is married to Stephen J. Johnson. They have two children, Paige Anna and Erik Watt Johnson. Kathy is employed by General Electric at Strother Field. Steve is employed by Boeing, in the military contracts division.

We have resided at 1502 Cherry, Winfield, for the past 18 years.

Submitted by Evelyn Watt
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Ira and Rosa Watt

Ira James Watt was born at Wilmot, Kansas January 20, 1887, to John Wesley Watt and Mary Kathryn (Williams) Watt. He was the second of four children: Inez (Watt) Elliott, Ira James Watt, Elmer Parker Watt, and Clyde Francis Watt. Ira went to school in Wilmot. His father operated a grocery store there. As a young man, he worked on a nearby ranch and at a creamery.

Rosa Adaline (King) Watt was born in Valpariso, Nebraska April 26, 1887, to John George King and Mary Jane (James) King. When Rosa was five, her family moved to a farm six miles north of Winfield, Kansas. She was the youngest of eight children: Anna Eliza, Cora Belie, James Erbie, Thomas Ervin, Harriet May, Laura Ellen, Omer and Rosa Adaline. As a child, Rosa went to Grandview (Lollipop) School, which was located one mile south and one-half mile west of the present Grandview Church.

Rosa took music lessons from Sally Athern and continued her music training with Professor Archibald Olmstead at the Conservatory of Music in Winfield. She gave music lessons and was organist for her church for many years.

Ira Watt and Rosa King first met at a town pump in Floral, Kansas. There was a watering tank beside the pump and they had both stopped to water their horses. Rosa and a girl friend had been to Wilmot to a Sunday School convention and Ira was coming from work on the ranch. From then on their paths crossed quite frequently. They were married November 20, 1907, in Rosa's parents home.

Ira and Rosa lived all their married life in the Grandview community north of Winfield. They were parents of five children: Estel James Watt, Edna Frances (Watt) DeWitt, John Marion Watt, Thomas William Watt, and Clyde Leslie Watt.

Ira and Rosa were farmers. They worked hard through the years to put food on the table and buy clothes for the family. They milked cows and separated the milk to have cream to sell and churned their own butter. They raised their own meat to butcher - hogs, cattle, sheep and chickens. They put out a big garden so they would have potatoes and onions for the winter months, and green beans and tomatoes to can. At one time, they had an orchard and a strawberry patch for fruit.

During the depression years, Rosa got much enjoyment from her flowers. She loved to work in the soil planting seeds and setting out slips, bulbs and shrubs. Ira was known as being a good neighbor and having a good sense of humor.

Rosa was a charter member of the Grandview Extension Homemakers Unit. Both Ira and Rosa were members of the Grandview Church. Rosa was the last living charter member of the church. She passed away February 12, 1988 at the age of 100. Ira preceded her in death on July 6, 1966 at the age of 79.

They were the parents of the Watt Brothers Quartet who sang together for many years.

Submitted by Edna DeWitt, daughter
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John Wesley Watt

John Wesley Watt was born August 8, 1958 near Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio to Thomas Jefferson Watt and Jerusha (Parker) Watt. He came to Cowley County via Nebraska with his parents about 1872 settling north of Winfield near Rock, KS.

When his parents moved to Green Forrest, Arkansas, in 1882, he remained in Cowley Co., Kansas, living in the Wilmot community.

Mr. Watt was married to Mary Katherine (Kitty) Williams (in her obituary she is referred to as Mary J.) Feb. 25, 1883.

Mrs. Watt was born Oct. 22, 1858 in Polk Co., MO. At the age of six she moved with her parents to Leavenworth Co., KS. She moved with them in 1877 to Cowley Co.

Mr. Watt owned and operated a grocery store in Wilmot, KS until 1905. They moved to Winfield where for many years he owned a grocery store on College Street.

Mrs. Watt died Oct. 29, 1925 and Mr. Watt died at 1020 East 10th, August 3, 1928. They were members of the First Baptist Church. Both are buried in the Floral, KS Cemetery.

They were parents of four children, Inez (C.T.) Elliott, Ira James Watt, Elmer Parker Watt, and Clyde Leslie Watt.

Their grandchildren living in Cowley County are: Fuller Parker Watt, Edna Frances (Harold) DeWitt, Estel James Watt, Thomas William Watt, Clyde Leslie Watt, John Marion Watt of Winfield and Randall Corwin Watt of Cambridge, KS.

Submitted by Evelyn Watt
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Jeremiah Weakley

Jeremiah Weakley was born in Kentucky 8-1-1813, son of Jeremiah who migrated from Maryland before 1790. Jeremiah married Sarah Cook in Harrison County, Kentucky 2-26-1835

Children born in Kentucky between 1836-1851 were: Jeremiah, Mary, Thomas, Sarah, John, Elizabeth, Perry and Susan. About 1852 they moved to Indiana where James Todd and Isabelle were born. After several years in Indiana the family moved to Illinois where they met the family of Azel Younger, who had recently come from North Carolina.

After several years in Illinois, Jeremiah moved his family to Wilson County, Kansas, where several of the children married: Jeremiah to Jennie Melton, Mary to William Ogle, Sarah to John Gardner, John to Susan Rovinson, James Todd to Rachel Parr, Isabelle to John Miles Hart and Susan to Joseph Frank Younger, son of Azel.

Mother Sarah died between 1870-1875. Jeremiah donated land near New Albany for the Weakley Cemetery, where she is buried.

At age sixty-two, Jeremiah married twice-widowed Martha (Thompson) Clemens Roberts. In 1877 they had a son Raymond, then the Weakley's made their last move, to Cowley County, settling near Cameron, where they obtained land and the third generation began arriving.

At age seventy, still active, Jeremiah went to the Arkansas City Mills, turned his wagon too short, was upset, thrown out, alighting on his head. He was unhurt except for a sprained wrist. Farming had its hazards!

Tragedy struck the family when Raymond, skating on Grouse Creek, drowned 1-22-1890. Railroad section hands saw him fall into an airhole, by the time they arrived with a rope, he had disappeared. The body was recovered later that day.

James and Rachel had two daughters born at Cameron; Elsie born 4-19-1888, married Charles Smith; Inez born 6-4-1890, married Joseph Golden.

John and Isabelle lost an infant son. Another son, Harry born 3-28-1888, married Hazel clark. (continued on page 319)

Submitted by Lois Harden
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 319


(continued from page 318) Azel Younger and wife Mary brought their family consisting of Levi, Joseph, Caroline and Violet, from Wilkes County, North Carolina to Moultrie County, Illinois, where Joseph enlisted in Company 'I', 143 Illinois Infantry. In Moultrie he met Susan Weakley. In 1872 he followed the Weakleys to Kansas. He and Susan married 1-5-1872. They settled in Winfield. Joseph continued his trade as a cabinet maker. Here daughters, Cora Belle was born 4-10-1874, and Clemmentine, born 7-17-1877, died 2-10-1900.

Cora married John Fillmore Hughes and became the parents of Elma lone, my mother, born 2-9-1894 in Winfield.

Jospeh, Susan, Clementine and Cora are buried in Union Cemetery, Winfield.

In 1903, Jeremiah celebrated his ninetieth birthday surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Of nine living children, seven were present. Two sons, were unable to attend.

Jeremiah died 10-21-1906, age ninety-three, at his home near Cameron, survived by nine of eleven children: Jeremiah, Mary, Thomas, Sarah, John, Perry, Susan, James and Isabel le. Raymond and Elizabeth pre-deceased him.

Jeremiah spent his last thirty years farming in Cowley County; is buried in Maple City Cemetery beside his second wife, Martha, son Raymond. Nearby lies son James and his wife Rachel. Scattered throughout America are Jeremiah's descendants.

Submitted by Lois Harden
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Clyde E. Webber Family

Clyde and Helen (Cook) Webber have lived on Route 2, Cowley County for fifty-three years.

Clyde was the fifth son of William D. and Mabel (Butcher) Webber.

W.D. Webber had the first harness shop in Winfield, selling out to the Leirmans when he decided to return to farming.

Clyde Webber graduated from WHS in 1931, has farmed with his father and by himself for sixty-nine years. Clyde married Helen (Cook) Webber on October 22, 1938, they purchased the Charles Martin farm in 1951. Helen attended Southwestern College for three years. The Clyde Webbers have two daughters. Helen was secretary of First Presbyterian Church for twenty-two years.

Patricia R. (Webber) Haynes, born 1940, graduated from WHS 1958 and graduated from KSU Manhattan, KS in 1962. She married William F. Haynes June 2, 1962. She is now Personnel Manager of Cook & Castle in Salinas, CA.

Marylin S. (Webber) Hefty was born in 1943. She graduated from WHS 1960, attended KSU Manhattan and married Dr. Donald Hefty, January 28, 1962. They reside in Akron, Ohio. Their son, Tim, is a college graduate of Akron University, and is a CPA. He is married to Jane Wolff. Their oldest daughter, Ellen, is a senior at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and their youngest daughter, Lisa, is a senior in High School.

Submitted by Helen E. Webber
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Weigle, Yount, Drake History

Neva Weigle (Geneva Dorothy) and Vernon Drake were married at Winfield, Kansas, 5/3/31. They have lived at their present home, 1½ miles north of Floral, for nearly 60 years.

A son, Don Weir, married to Joan David, and grandson, Scott, are carrying on the farming and ranching business on 3800 acres of bottom and pasture land owned by the Drake family.

The Drake children are Don, Mark, and Diane, married to Dr. W.L. Sidwell of Spruce Head, Maine. Drake grandchildren are: Debra, (Mrs. Milford Schulhof) of Littleton, Colorado; David Drake DVM, married to Krista Brown, Derby, Kansas; and Scott Drake married to Shana Nichols. Children of Mark Drake are Steven, Dan, Elisa, and Andrea. Kristin and Meridith Sidwell are daughters of Dr. W.L. and Diane Sidwell. Great-grandchildren are Lindsey and Erin Schulhof.

To date, the Drakes count seven Kansas State graduates, including two veterinarians in the family.

Living on Dutch Creek and seeing floods damage and wash away the soil, Vernon became very concerned and helped organize Timber Creek Watershed District which includes Winfield City Lake and 32 smaller lakes. Vernon has served as president of Timber Creek Watershed since 1962. Other local and community offices to which Vernon has given many hours are school boards, Cowley County Fair, Farm Bureau and Walnut River Watershed Association.

Our churches have been Wilmot Christian Church, which is no longer active, and presently the Grandview United Methodist Church.

Neva's father, Jacob Weigle came to Cowley County in 1884, buying a farm southwest of Burden. This farm is now recognized as a "100 year farm" as it has been owned and farmed continuously by the Weigle family for over 100 years. This farm was virgin soil with native bluestem grass as high as a horse's back when it was bought in 1884. A grandson, Jerry Weigle, owns and operates the farm today.

Mr. Weigle was a carpenter before coming to Kansas. He built the present house and barn still being used on the farm today.

Thanks to a Mormon relative in Idaho, records of the Weigle family go back to late 1700 in Germany through the Lutheran Church. In case future generations want more information, it is available in Mormon records in Salt Lake City.

Mr. Weigle made the run in the "Strip" but could not file for land because he was already a land owner. However, lots in towns were available and he got a lot in Newkirk.

Neva's mother, Elva Yount Weigle, came to Kansas from Martinsville, Indiana, in 1872 with her parents, Mary Ann Hine and George W. Yount. They came in two covered wagons with eight children, including a 4-month-old baby. It took real pioneer spirit for a woman to start on a trip of a thousand miles or so in a covered wagon with a family of 10 and to bring them all safely and healthy to Kansas.

They established their home on the farm north of Winfield and started a stone quarry. Many buildings in Winfield, as well as state buildings at Topeka, were built of this stone. The stone barn over 100 years old still stands attesting to Grandfather Yount's skill as a stone mason. Since he was a member of the Masonic Lodge, many Masonic emblems are carved in the rock.

My mother often told of her brothers skating down Timber Creek to Winfield, and of Charlie Lynn, neighbor boy and son of J.B. Lynn, hanging on the Yount boys' coat tails for a free ride to town.

Submitted by Neva Weigle Drake
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Weinrich Family of Cowley County

Members of several Weinrich families lived in Germany for many generations, some dating back to 1621. The Weinrich family which moved to Winfield was descended from George Justice Weinrich, who was born in 1781 in Alten Buseck, Hessen County, Germany.

George Justice married Anna Marie Koerber and they were the parents of nine children. He died July 11, 1832 in Alten Buseck, Germany. Three of their children immigrated to America in 1834 and settled in Missouri. In 1837, his widow and the remaining children made the journey to Missouri. A son, Johannes, died of cholera on the trip and was buried in Paducah, Kentucky.

George Philip, born December 11, 1814, in Alten Buseck, Germany, was one of the three sans of George Justice Weinrich who immigrated to America and settled in New Mella, St. Charles County, Missouri. He married Dorothea Schnare on July 7, 1844. They had three children, one of whom was Phil lip, born January 22, 1847. As a young man, Philip served in the Army during the Civil War between the States. He later married Christine Wilhelmina Schroeder on October 27, 1872 in New Mella, Missouri. They had ten children. Their sons included George F., Wilhelm H., Philip F., Louis, Leonard, and a son who died in infancy. Their daughters were Augusta, Leona Weinrich Fink, Rose M. Weinrich Hoel, and Lenora D. Weinrich Watkins.

Philip Weinrich was a very patriotic Civil War Veteran. He was a god-fearing man, and many times during the early Chautauqua sessions in Winfield he was asked to give his own biblical interpretation of the American flag. His interpretation is included here: "This is the Bible history of the United States flag. The blue in the United States flag is the sky above us. The stars in the United States flog represent the star that was shown the Three Wise Men when Christ was born in Bethlehem. The stripes in the United States flag were given Christ before they crucified Him. The red stripes are the blood He shed for sinners on the cross. The white stripes in the United States flag represent the coming of the Holy Ghost upon His disciples on Pentecost Day. And that is the Bible history of the United States flag.

I claim for myself that the flag won't go to war unless she goes for justice. When we went into the Civil War, we went for justice and got it. When Spain blew up the Maine, our boys went for justice and got it. And when old Kaiser Bill and some body else undertook to lick the whole world, they kept licking France and England, until our boys got over there with Old Glory. Then they found out that they were up against some thing they couldn't lick, so they quietly signed the Armistice and quit. Thank You." Philip Weinrich, Sr.

Submitted by Edith Weinrich Shields
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 319.

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Phillip & Christine Wilhelmine (Schroeder) Weinrich

In 1902, Phillip Weinrich, a veteran of the Civil War, and his wife, Christine Wilhelmine Schroeder, moved from Lafayette County, Missouri to Alva, Oklahoma. In the fall of 1907, they came to Winfield where they resided for many years. A daughter who never married, Augusta, lived with them.

A son, George F., was born on June 28, 1873. In 1905, he had his wife, Susanna, moved to Winfield from Springdale, Arkansas. In 1907, they became the Superintendent and (continued on page 320)

Submitted by Edith Weinrich Shields
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 319.

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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 320


(continued from page 319) Matron of the Lutheran Children's Home in Winfield, a position they held for thirty-two years. Their children were Edith Weinrich Shields, Ralph, and Ruth Weinrich Nichols.

Another son, Wilhelm H., born November 20, 1874, and his wife Emma (Tegeler), owned a men's clothing store in Alva, Oklahoma. Later they also moved to Winfield with their children, Everett, Margaret Weinrich Much, and Carl.

A son, Phillip F., was born on August 8, 1877. He and his wife, Nellie (Collinson), were early residents of Winfield. He and his brother, Wilhelm, were the owners of the A.F. Dauber Mercantile Company which was located at 10th and Main Streets in Winfield. They had a son named Paul.

A daughter, Leona, was born on December 18, 1883. She married Homer Leroy Fink, who was a partner in Fink and Jenkins Pharmacy, located at 812 Main in Winfield. They had a son, Allen.

Leonard was born on November 16, 1892 in Higginsville, Missouri. He came to Winfield with his parents. He married Tillie Weaver and their children were Carol Weinrich Mitchell, and Phillip. Leonard was a World War 11 veteran.

Another daughter, Rose, was born on July 9, 1856. She married Leonard Hoel in Winfield and they had one daughter, Wilda.

Elenora D., another daughter, was born on March 27, 1880. She married Harvey L. Watkins and their children were Dorothy and Frances.

A son, Louis, was born when the family still lived in Lafayette, County, Missouri. He then resided in Winfield with his parents, but later lived in Humbolt, Kansas for a time before moving to California. His children were Mabel Weinrich Hatteberg and James C.

The members of the Weinrich family were, and continue to be, active and productive citizens of Cowley County. Deceased members of the family, with the exception of Louis, are buried in Highland Cemetery, located at the southwestern edge of Winfield.

Submitted by Edith Weinrich Shields
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 320.

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Wert Family

James (Jim) and Martha (Weaverling) Wert loaded their covered spring wagon and the rest of the possessions in a railroad box car at La Tour, Mo. and headed west in 1900. Their four children: Frank, Grace, Lottie, and Jay, helped to drive their cattle by riding horseback. They bought a farm two miles east of Udall and three miles south. Jim, being a German, thought the barn should be built first to take care of the livestock. The house was built latter.

Jim was a trader. He rode his horse as far as Arkansas buying and selling livestock. His wife and children stayed home and took care of the farm. The younger children attended Blue M stayed with his Uncle Frank and Sue Stall, four miles northwest of Winfield, and attended Southwestern College. He graduated in 1905 along with five others from "Normal Course." Their graduation was June I in the Opera building in Winfield. Grace and Jay attended Udall High School and Southwestern College. Grace married William (Bill) Cole, lived in Cedar Vale. They had two children: Claude and Mary. Because of Grace's health they moved to New Mexico. Bill had a machine shop. Lottie married Alva Smith near Winfield. Jay remained on the homestead. Frank moved to Kansas City where he was a street car conductor. He married Minnie Long. They had two sons: Harold and Herbert. In 1916, they bought the Phillip Stout farm one mile west, four miles south and one-fourth mile west of Udall. He farmed, raised sweet potatoes, and truck garden which he delivered to the grocery stores in Winfield. Harold, Herbert, and Maribel attended Ninnescah School and Udall High School. Harold joined the Army in 1929, and spent three years at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and two years in China. In 1934, he returned home and married Roxie Pool. He worked for the Sante Fe railroad. In 1942, Harold and Herbert joined the Air Force. Harold served in Europe, Herbert in U.S. Herbert married Emma Mathews, Shreveport, La. After the war they returned to the farm. Harold went to Japan to manage a large hotel. Harold returned in 1948. He worked at Boeing and Bethlehem Steel in Gary, Ind. until his health forced him to retire and move back to Udall.

Maribel worked at Wellington 1942-1946 at Clarkson and Startz. Worked in Winfield at Bergman Drugs, 1947-1949. Worked at Boeing 1950-1956. Married Ira Magnusson 1955, moved on a farm three miles east of Udall. Had a daughter Marilyn, who attended Udall School and graduated from Southwestern College in 1979. She worked for JC Penney's as a Department Manager and as a Buyer for Boeing. She married Jim Littell 1978, they had a daughter Andrea. Marilyn married Ron Pellegrini 1986, has a son Nicholas.

Submitted and Written by Maribel Magnusson
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 320.

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Frank & Treva Sartin White

Frank and Treva Sartin White live in beautiful Lookout Valley in Cedar Township in southeast Cowley County.

Treva's great-grandparents, John and Elizabeth Cable Sartin came to Kansas in 1869 from Monroe County, Kentucky. Elizabeth homesteaded land with her youngest son, Turner, just fourteen years old, in Lookout Valley. John returned to Kentucky to visit a brother and became ill. He died in Kentucky.

The Indians had their camp on Rock Creek in south Lookout Valley. When Elizabeth baked bread in her outdoor over, they could smell it baking, and came to get some. Soon there were so many coming she could not furnish them with bread. Finally she had to make them leave with her shotgun.

As Turner's older brothers gave up farming on their homesteaded acres, Turner purchased part of their land. Turner was a farming pioneer, acquiring land and making it pay.

Turner Sartin married Ruthe Summers. The Sartins had two sons, O.D. and O.C. In 1909 Turner and Ruthe moved to Cedar Vale and left the farming to their sons.

O.C. had many interests, he operated one of the first threshers in the country pulled by a steam engine. He threshed from Lookout Valley to Elgin area during wheat and oat harvest in summer and sargo harvest in winter.

O.C. was a photographer and many of the pictures of early day Cedar Vale and surrounding countryside were taken by him. He did woodworking; oil, charcoal and watercolor painting in his spare time from farming.

0.C. liked progress and had the third car at Cedar Vale. After the steam engine he was ready for advancement in agriculture and purchased one of the first conventional tractors in this vicinity. He had the first tractor on rubber around Cedar Vale and people came for miles to watch it work.

He married Anna Cloyd, daughter of L.N. and Martha Lyon Cloyd and they had four children: Farris Sartin Rogers, Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Loral Sartin Dobelbower, St. Petersburg, Florida; Glen, who died at age two; and Treva Sartin White, Cedar Vale.

Frank and Treva grew up in the Cedar Vale are and were married in 1941. In 1942 Frank joined the Navy, serving nearly four years during WW Il. Two sons, Frank Jr. and Robert, were born while the family was stationed at Corpus Christi, Texas.

In January 1946, the family moved to Manhattan, Kansas, and in the next two and one-half years, Frank got his degree in Vocational Agriculture from Kansas State University. Following graduation the family moved to Alma where Frank taught Vocational Agriculture for five years. A daughter, Cheryl was born at Alma.

In 1953, Frank, Treva and family moved back to Lookout Valley and purchased the farm where they now live from Treva's parents. A part of the original home built on the farm during the 1870s has been preserved in the modern home occupied by the Whites.

Frank and Treva's three children grew up on this farm, and, they are the fourth generation to do so.

Frank Jr. is Chautauqua County Attorney and the Prosecuting Attorney for Montgomery County. Robert is a U.S. Treasury Agent, A.T.F. Division, Dallas, Texas. Cheryl Raborn is Curriculum Coordinator for Barton County Junior College at Ft. Riley. The Whites have two daughters-in-law, Donna and Peggy; one son-in-law, Glen Raborn; and five grandsons: Sean, Frank III, Bill, and Matt White and Chris Peteete.

Submitted by Mrs. Frank E. White
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 320.

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Frank L. White Family

Frank L. White was born Feb. 19, 1882 in Bourbon Co., Kansas, near Fort Scott, to William and Lucinda White. He was a miller and millwright by trade and got his early education in Coffeyville. Frank came to Winfield from Florence, Kansas. The big flood took all of his belongings and his job. He rode a bicycle and worked in the harvest fields on the way.

Frank went to work at the Alexander Mill and met and married Myrtle Hutto, Aug. 31, 1907, rented and operated the Dunkard Mill south of Winfield and worked for Henry Jarvis in the Big Mill. He also worked for the New Era Mill in Arkansas City. Frank worked with Charles Champeny at the New Era Mill and in 1935 worked at Oxford helping build the New Mill and worked also in the Old Mill that they are restoring as a Historical Land Mark.

Frank suffered a stroke in 1938 while rebuilding a mill in Colo. Not wanting to give up, he soon was busy taking long walks with his grandson and doing what ever he could around the Oxford Mill. Wallace Champeny still operates the Mill. Frank L. died May 2, 1943. Myrtle and Frank E. moved to Winfield where Frank E. went back to College at Southwestern, studying and also teaching Morse Code to the men at Strother Field. He was a ham operator and in 1943 went into the Navy in communications. After the service he continued his education at Kansas State, graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He took a job with Eastman Kodak at the Chicago plant and when he retired was Plant Engineer and Vice President. He met and married Audrey Eggers and they have one daughter, Linda.

James, the oldest son, married Opal Spitler in Oxford and remained here during the war. He worked at the mill and also opened up an appliance shop selling and repairing electrical appliances. They have three children; Gary, Joyce and Arden, all born in Winfield. They also moved around and were in Neodesha, Erie and Creston, Iowa. He retired as Anthony, KS City Engineer and still does some electrical work for the schools there.

Myrtle lived in Winfield till she died at the age of 91. She is buried in Union Cemetery where her husband and several of her family are buried. She had five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. One granddaughter, Jennis Manny Wilcox, lives in Winfield, and teaches music in the Winfield Elementary Schools. She has two daughters, Ginger and Nancy, who were 4 and 2 and remember her. Zoa, her mother, and Gene, her father, have lived here since 1941. Only 21/2 years, when Gene was in the Navy, were they away.

Submitted by Zoa Manny
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 320.
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The White Family

Stephen and Josephine White migrated from Owen County, Indiana to Butler Kansas soon after their marriage in (continued on page 321)

Submitted by Hazel A. McGuire
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 320.

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EMAIL Cowley County Coordinator
Karen Rodenbaugh ....Arkansas City, KS

Email corrections and submissions to Steve.


State Coordinators
Tom & Carolyn Ward, Columbus, KS
ks@rootsquest.com
tcward@columbus-ks.com