- 296 - 297 - 298 - 299 - 300 - 
- 296 - 297 - 298 - 299 - 300 - Dr. H.L. Snyder's contribution to his home community were equally impressive. He served as councilman of Winfield when the city manager form of government was under consideration and did much to secure city managerial government for Winfield. Dr. H.L. Snyder later served as the first Mayor after adoption of the city manager plan. He was also the second president of the Winfield Chamber of Commerce. for more than 20 years he served as chairman of the roads committee which greatly contributed to service road improvement for Cowley County. Dr. H.L. Snyder further served as president of the Rotary Club for two terms and was a member of the First Methodist Church.
Dr. Howard Lincoln Snyder died on August 16, 1940 at St. Mary's Hospital in Winfield, Kansas, the victim of a serious heart ailment with which he had been afflicted for several years. One way or another, Dr. Snyder touched the lives of almost all the Winfield residents of his era. Four years after his death, his first two sons that followed in his professional footsteps, Dr. Howard Snyder and Dr. Cecil Snyder, founded the H.L. Snyder Memorial Research Foundation as a memorial to their father.
Submitted by John Walker Snyder
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 296.
Gone was a native of Omaha, Nebraska, the oldest of two sons of Bill and Renata Somer of Omaha. Bill was a tradesman in the bakery business in Omaha. Gene graduated from Omaha North High School in 1958 and the University of Omaha in 1963 with a B.A. in Instrumental Music. He received a masters of Fine Art in music in 1968 from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Gene taught band music at Curtis, Nebraska seven years. After which he taught at Adams and Sterling, Nebraska schools ten years. Presently, he is a full-time certified piano technician. He enjoys playing instruments in a dance band and plays piano and trumpet for weddings, church, nursing homes and area celebrations. He is also a Volunteer fireman in Sterling.
Lois teaches fifth grade in the Sterling schools since 1974.
Christian Eugene Somer was born August 9, 1978 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He enjoys music and plays drums and piano and often accompanies his father in playing at the nursing homes. He also enjoys swimming, basketball, Scouts & 4-H. During his fifth grade, this past year, 1989-1990, he had his mother as classroom teacher. He made the remark, she was more a teacher in the classroom, than a mom.
Davis Andrew Somer was born April 7, 1988 in Lincoln, Nebraska but died April 13, 1988, after six treasured days, and is buried in Sterling City Cemetery. He is forever in their hearts.
Gene organized the first running marathon race in Nebraska, held Memorial Day, 1966 at Curtis, that ran into the hills of western Nebraska. The first year 26 participated. This lasted four years and was well attended by local watchers. Gene ran in many marathons several years traveling to events across the country.
The family enjoys events in the Sterling community and are devoted members in the Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Sterling. Gene is church organist.
Gene and Chris were recently featured in a news story in the Lincoln (Nebraska) Journal and the Lincoln Star telling of their playing music programs for the area nursing homes from Beatrice to Omaha, Lincoln to Auburn. They present a 45 minute program with Chris accompanying on drums and Gene playing piano and often playing trumpet melody with right hand and piano chords with the left hand. They named their act "Somertime."
As told by Lois Somer to Janis Ramsey Reinhardt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 296.
Frank married Nellie Scott in 1898. Their first home was near Silverdale and in 1901 they and his brother, Stephen, homesteaded in Canadian County, Oklahoma. Nellie died in 1902. Frank with his three small daughter, Alma, Hazel and Nellie, returned to the family home. Alma died in 1913. Hazel and her husband, Clarence Klug, have observed their 60th Wedding Anniversary. They now live in Frankfort, Indiana. Nellie, the baby, was adopted by her mother's sister, Ettie McEwen and her husband, Tom. Nellie lives in Winfield.
In 1911 Frank married Grace Palmer and at that time took over the Soule family farm. Grace had taught school near Cedar Vale and at Mt. Zion, Dist. 50, west of Winfield. They became parents of four daughters; Blanche, Frances, Lila Grace and Olive Ruth. The girls attended school at South Vernon, Dist. 48 and Valley View, Dist. 12. The Mt. Zion Methodist Church located west of Winfield was the home church for three generations. The church disbanded in 1938 with several members transferring to First Methodist Church in Winfield.
Blanche, Frances and Olive Ruth were graduates of Wm. Newton Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Blanche, upon completing her nurses training was employed in hospitals at Caldwell and Abilene. In 1943 she returned to Winfield and was supervisor at Wm. Newton Hospital. She later was office nurse for Dr. M.J. Dunbar. Blanche retired from the Snyder Clinic in 1973 and resided in Winfield until her death in 1990. Frances entered the Military Service in 1945 and served stateside with two tours in Japan. She was Chief Nurse at Tinker Air Base in Oklahoma, where she earned the rank of Major. She, also, served at Rhine Main Air Base, West Germany. Frances died in 1961 at Scott Air Base, Illinois. Lila Grace, later known as Gracie, was employed as bookkeeper at Pierce's Book Store and Winfield Farmers Union Coop before her marriage to Irvin McClung of Beaver Township, where they still live, Olive Ruth married Wayne Reiser of Wichita and they have two sons. She is still actively engaged in the nursing profession; they own the Ford-Mercury dealership in Kirksville, Missouri.
Submitted by Jim McClung
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 296.
Soule later wrote that "Winfield is growing rapidly, six or eight buildings nearly completed since I came. I am boarding with Henry Loomis...Hank has got a splendid claim here" (downtown Winfield). "Business is good and Noone is complaining."
In February he wrote, "I have taken a claim three and one half miles east of the village...Every claim is taken within two or three miles of town ...There never was any better or more pleasant country to live in."
At this time, he was clerking with Spencer Bliss at Bliss and Tousley. They delt in flour, meat, groceries, lumber, also had the post office which had "mails weekly" and sent out over 1000 letters weekly-and daily stage service.
In April he wrote he had paid $65 for a "sound pony" which he loaned to Loomis to go to Wichita. At that time Winfield had five or six dry-goods stores, three hardware stores, three blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, one bank, two hotels, one billiard hall, two meat-markets, one bakery, three or four grocery stores, one news depot, two drug stores, and 1000 population.
He wrote about the "county seat" contest with Tisdale when 800 voted and Winfield won by 200. Potatoes were $1.25 per bushel, corn was $1.50 and wheat $2.00.
Writing to his brother Chester, he said "I hardly know how to answer your questions about the prospects of this town and country. The rivers are nut navigable for any craft that would ever amount to anything. We have a beauty country surrounding and this is the county seat. The prospect for a railroad is pretty good-undoubtedly within two or three years."
Soule returned to New York, but his praise for Winfield influenced his brother, Chester, to come to Kansas in 1879 and he moved his family to a farm west of Winfield in 1880 where he remained until 1914 when he moved with two daughters to Colorado Springs.
His son, Frank, raised his family and lived on the family farm until his death in 1945. His daughter, Lottie, married Worley M. O'Neil (my parents) and they raised their eight children about four miles west of Winfield, retiring in 1942. He died in 1949 at the age of eighty-nine and Lottie lived to be 100. Many of the Soule descendants are still living here after 119 years.
Submitted by Ward O'Neil
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 296.
In 1918, upon Mr. Hunt's death, Ralph became company president, with Nehemiah retaining the vice-presidency, and son, Alfred, becoming secretary-treasurer. In the late 1930's, the respective sons of Ralph and Alfred, Jim and Dee, joined New Era upon their graduation from Northwestern University, Evanston, 111. unte 1945, when Alfred and Dee left to pursue personal interests, Dee, and his wife, Mary Dean have two daughters, Ann and Amy. (continued on page 297)
Submitted by A.J. Sowden
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 296.
After 1945, Ralph and Jim remained with New Era, Jim succeeding his father as president in 1955. Tom, Jim's son, a Naval Lieutenant and Northwestern University graduate, joined the company in 1966 and became vice-president in 1971. Archer-Daniels-Midland purchased New Era from the Sowdens in 1977, retaining Jim as local manager until 1984. Tom moved to Kansas city as vice-president of ADM MiEing Co., until his 1979 retirement to pursue personal interests.
During the past 68 years, the Sowden Family has continued a vibrant interest in both community and religious life of the area. Trinity Episcopal Church has shared their lives from Nehemiah's choir membership through the participation of Ralph and Gertrude, Alfred and Mfldred, Jim and Margaret and Dee and Mary Dean as wardens, vestrymen, acolytes, guild and choir members. The present edifice was built in 1921, as a memorial to A.J. Hunt, Ralph and Alfred securing nearly 20% of its cost from members of the Millers' National Federation, Mr. Hunt's friendly competitors.
Commercially, the succeeding generations of Nehemiah have actively supported the Area Chamber of Commerce, junior Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club (with Jim as a past District Governor), Salvation Army, Red Cross, Boy & Girl Scouts, as well as Leadership Ark City. Ralph's library still contains movies of 35 Arkallalah Parades.
Submitted by A.J. Sowden
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 297.
After my parents had lived in various places in Kansas, they returned to Cowley County from Isabel, Kansas where I was born. I grew up in Cowley County and attended grade school at Green Valley. I then attended high school at Winfield, Douglass, Latham and graduated in 1952 from El Dorado, Kansas.
June 24, 1951 I married Virgil Eugene Spencer at Rock, Kansas and we resided in Butler County five years before returning to Cowley County about four miles east of where I grew up. We have four daughters, Lore Jean, Shirley Dian, Brenda Lorraine and Jan Ranea. All were born and married in Cowley County and Lore Jean, Shirley Dian, and Jan Ranea graduated in Cowley County. Lore Jean, Shirley Dian, and Jan Ranea are residents of Cowley County. Lore Jean has a daughter, Amanda Ranec Kempton. Shirley Dian is married to Marion Reece and has two children, Adam Wayne and Erick Dian Reece. The children attend Udall school. Jan Raneci is married to Dennis Dobbs and has three boys, Shane Ramey, John Albert and Zachary Jerome Dobbs. They attend school in Winfield school system. Brenda Lorraine is married to Larry Dennett and resides at McPherson, Kansas. They have three boys: Tarl Alonzo, Aaron Spencer, and Micah Robert Allen Dennett.
I have been a member of the Christian Church for 40 years and my husband and daughters were members of Christian Church in Cowley County. There's no place like Cowley County for me.
Submitted by Edith Wilson Spencer
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 297.
Mick and his son Meryl Dean played on the New Salem baseball team many a Sunday afternoon. Mick was a pitcher and Meryl Dean was a catcher.
Meryl married Mary Martha King, daughter of Ervin and Angie King on May 19,1940. They had a double wedding with Inez King and Fred Foster at Grandview Methodist Church. The brides were sisters- Meryl and Martha have five children, all born in Winfield. Each graduated from Winfield High School, and all five presently reside in Winfield.
Gary Spencer works for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. He married Mary Johnston. Mary is the manager of Dillon's bakery department. They have three sons: Michael, Stephen, and Gregory.
Elaine Spencer married Larry Nelson. They are owners of Nelson Machine and Welding located in the Winfield Industrial Park. They have one daughter, Laura and two sons, Darren and Mark.
Shiela Spencer married Vernon Terrell. She is employed by Rubbermaid - Gott division and Vernon is a former heavy equipment operator. They have two daughters: Geri and Kitra.
Ronald Spencer married Jackie Hoyt, Hopper. Ron is employed by BoeingAircraft in Wichita and Jackie is employed by Rubbermaid - Gott division. They have five daughters: Tiffany, Peggy, Donna, Angela, and Miranda.
Jimmy Spencer married Terry Cowel Martin. Jimmy is employed by Boeing Aircraft in Wichita and Terry works at William Newton Memorial Hospital. They have one son, Bradley, and one daughter, Lindsey.
Meryl worked for the Consolidated Flour Mill in Winfield in the 1940's. He also helped build the water tower at Strother Field and worked for various farmers in the community. In the late 1940's and 1950's Meryl was a roughneck and driller in the oil fields of Kansas. He worked in Cowley County and also in the northern part of the state at Great Bend, Phillipsberg, Salina, etc. In the 1950's we returned to Winfield so our. children could continue their education without interruption.
On our return, we owned and operated the Vet's Cab Company in Winfield for about seven years. After the cab business, Meryl worked for Salem Township maintaining roads, then for the Cowley County Landfill until his death on September 20, 1981. He is buried at Highland Cemetery.
I worked for TG&Y in Winfield from September 1970 until my retirement in July of 1989.
Meryl and I have both lived in Cowley County all of our lives except for a few months while working out of state and about eight years in northern Kansas in the oil fields.
I grew up in the Grandview Community and was put on the Cradle Roll at the Grandview Methodist Church at birth. I still attend church there.
The Spencer boys all enjoy playing league baseball just like their Dad and Grandad always did!
Submitted by Mary Martha (King) Spencer
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 297.
Littleton Sphar's father managed to locate his family after the war and joined Littleton northwest of Burden to file his own claim, as did Littleton's brother, William Henry (Bud) Sphar. (Daniel; 1818-1893) (Soffira (Cottingham) Sphar; 1819-1871) (Bud; 1844-1920).
We have an interesting story handed down in the family telling how Littleton James met his wife, Rebecca. Littleton had settled in Cowley County before the Daggett family (Rebecca's family). When Rebecca's father moved to Kansas, he left the two oldest Daggett girls, Ida and Rebecca, in Illinois because Ida was teaching and she had to finish out the school year. Rebecca stayed so she wouldn't have to travel alone. (continued on page 298)
Submitted by Dorothy (Sphar) Flattery, Verla (Sphar) Whiteman, Anna Lee (Gregory) Touhey, and Elaine (Bogue) Linscott.
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 297.
Littleton and Rebecca were married in 1874. They had two boys and four girls but lost one daughter, Harriet, to diptheria. The children were (1) James Lee (Lee), (2) Littleton Louis, (3) Harriet, (4) Jennie, (5) Iona and (6) Grace. (Littleton J., 1848-1926) (Rebecca; 1852-1939).
1) Lee married Minnie Belle Walz in 1897. They lived northwest of Atlanta until building a new home northeast of Cambridge where they raised their family, (a) George, (b) Art, (c) Ralph, (d) Lottie and (e) Agnes. (Lee; 1875-1959) (Minnie; 1869-1958).
(a)George married Elsie Fern Simons in 1919 and they lived in the Wilmot area and also north of Cambridge before moving to Butler County. Their children were Harold, George R., Jr., Luella, Dorothy and Phyllis. (George; 1899-1988) (Elsie; 1896-1979) (Harold; 1920-1941).
(b)Art married Mae Sutton at Winfield in 1921. They raised a family of two boys and three girls, living in Butler County and eventually moving to Idaho. Their chidren were Jean, Bernice and Marjorie, Bob and Dale. (Art; 1901-1977) (Mae;1903-1985).
(c)Ralph married Mattie BonneU in 1924. They lived all their life in and around Cambridge where they raised their family, Verla and Jewell. Verta is married to Russell Whiteman and they live northeast of Cambridge. Jewell married a local Cambridge boy, Wayne Henrickson, and they live in Hooker, Oklahoma. (Ralph; 1904-1980) (Mattie; 1904-1985).
(d)(Lottie; 1906-1911).
(e)Agnes (born in 1908) married Howard Bogue in 1925 and they lived northeast of Cambridge until 1942 when they, along with her parents, Lee and Minnie, moved to Idaho. Agnes and Howard had three daughters, Yvonne, Joanne and Elaine. Agnes still lives in Sandpoint, Idaho. (Howard; 1905-1982).
(2)Littleton Louis married Zaidee Stephans in 1901 and they had one son, Harold. Harold married a neighbor's daughter, Ethel Orr. They had three children, Raymond, who died in the South Pacific during World War II, James and Gladys. Until their death, Harold and Ethel lived in the house his grandparents moved just south of the old homestead. This house was built down the road during the early 1900's by an oil company. The company had established an oil field in the area with a pipe line running to Bartlesville, Okla. A pump station and three houses were built on one corner but the pump station was only in operation three hours when the company ordered it shut down. Since the company owed Littleton for a year's lease, he asked for one of the houses instead of money. The company agreed and in 1919 the house was moved to the Sphar homestead. (Little Louis; 1877-1947) (Zaidee; 1874-1964) (Harold; 1903-1986) (Ethel; 1906-1986) (Raymond; 1927-1945). (Harriet; 1879-1888).
(4) Jennie married Dr. Harmon Rhodes in 1903. They had at least one son, Charles. (We do not have information on her except that she died in 1942). (Jennie; 1881-1942).
(5) Iona Sphar married Watis Gregory in 1905 and their two girlswere Eda and Anna Lee. They lived for awhile in Montana but returned to Cowley Co. (around Winfield and Burden). Anna Lee graduated from Atlanta High School in 1934 and Eda graduated from Southwestern College in 1931 with a degree in Home Economics. Eda married Robert B. Chastain and they lived in California. They did not have any children. Anna Lee graduated from Emporia College and taught school three years. She and her mother lived awhile during World War 11 in Washington, D.C., where she met her husband, Joseph Touhey. They have two children, Jana and John Gregory and live now in Granada Hills, California. (Watis; 1879-1931) (Iona; 1884-1973) (Robert Chastain; 1987) (Eda; 1907-1988).
(6) Grace married Frank Elkins in 1909 and they lived in Montana until his death. She brought the three children, Francis, Steve and Faye, back to the Burden area and later, moved to Oklahoma. Francis died in World War II. (Grace; 1889-1970) (Francis; 1911-1945) (Steve; 1914-1971) (Faye; 1918-1974).
Submitted by Dorothy (Sphar) Flattery, Verla (Sphar) Whiteman, Anna Lee (Gregory) Touhey, and Elaine (Bogue) LinScott.
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 298.
The family unloaded from the train at Pontiac in Butler County between the towns of ElDorado and Rosalia. They lived on a farm near Pontiac for a short time and then moved south to the Brownlow community between Leon and Latham.
Later they moved to the Rock community in Cowley County where Mr. Starkey's brother, Frank, was living. After a few years there they moved to a farm west of Silverdale, just east of where the road to Camp Horizon turns south. Both Mr. and Mrs. Starkey spent the rest of their lives in the Silverdale and Arkansas City area.
They were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls. Of the boys, Otway was married to Gertrude Gibbons, Leslie to Effie Anderson, Morell to Julia Morrow, Hearne to Helen Mosier, and Harold to Lucille Messner.
Of the girls, Della was married to Carl Bengling, Leona to Roy Phares, Eula to Robert Sherwood, Mildred to Lawrence Briscoe, and Velda to Ed Snodgrass.
Eula Sherwood is the only one of the Starkey children living. She is 92 years old and resides at John Knox Village in Lee Summitt, Missouri.
There are only two descendants of Basil and Fannie Starkey living in Cowley County in 1990. They are Janice (Mrs. W.H.) Allen, Hearne's daughter, who lives in Arkansas City. Morell's son, Thomas, married to the former Lois Wright from Latham and they live in Burden.
Submitted by Tom Starkey
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 298
Submitted by Rollin & Doris Stegelman
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 298
Doris, daughter of Guy & Elsie (Wood) McClure, attended Southwestern College, obtained an Emergency Teaching Certificate, and taught in the Elk & Greenwood county schools before her marriage to Rollin. Both the Wood and McClure famihes were early day settlers in the Grenola area having come there in the 1800s.
Doris & Rollin are the parents of 3 children, Stanley, Saundra and Linda. All were born in Winfield and graduated from Winfield High School. Stanley received an Electrical Engineering Degree from Kansas University and resides in Topeka, Kansas with his wife Jan and three children, Jeffrey Ryan, Heather Michelle and Derek Christopher.
Saundra (Schmidt) attended Southwestern College and received a degree in Music Education. Saundra lives in Scott City, Kansas with her husband Gary, and her two children, Daniel Gordon and Tiffany Ann Schmidt.
Linda (Scott) attended St. Joseph School of Nursing in Wichita. Linda is a registered nurse and lives in Loveland, Colorado with her husband Dan and their two children, Dustin and Christie Scott.
Rollin was engaged in farming before moving to Winfield, in 1954, to pursue the electronics trade at Mogle Appliance Co. He later was a partner in S&S Electronics, Sales & Service. RoEin sold his half of the business to his partner and was employed by the Cowley County Sheriff Department in 1976. He served with that department until February 1989, retiring as a patrol lieutenant.
After rearing her family, Doris entered the St. John's Nursing Program, graduating with the first Associate Degree Nursing Class of that institution in May, 1977. Doris was employed by Wm. Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield. She served as a charge nurse on 2nd East, and retired from that institution in January, 1989. The Stegelmans reside at 915 E. 8th Street in Winfield- Both are members of Grace United Methodist Church.
Submitted by Rollin & Doris Stegelman
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 299
Bertha and her two brothers, Billy and Harry, and mother, Belle, moved to Kansas in 1911 for health reasons. Her brother William "Billy" settled in Oklahoma City and died there in 1912. His ill health was a result of years working in the Pennsylvania coal mines.
Bertha's mother, Belle, died in 1934 on the family farm southeast of Winfield. Bertha's brother, Harry, was a refrigercition engineer. He would install and repair refrigeration units in ice plants, He traveled all over Kansas to service ice plants. He assisted in the building of the ice plants in WeUing-ton and Winfield and several area towns. He died in 1935, just before the Winfield Independent Ice Company was completed, from tuberculosis caused by the ammonia fumes used in ice plant operations.
Bertha taught primary school grades in Pennsylvania before moving to Kansas in 1911. She taught Bible Study eight years, on a voluntary basis at Odessa School southeast of Winfield. She was a missionary in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City and Kansas for the United Presbyterian Mission Society.
Bertha married Walter Davis from Lyndon, Kansas in later years. He was a retired Presbyterian minister in northern Kansas.
Bertha died in 1969 and is buried at Hackney Cemetery with her mother, Belle, and brother, Harry.
Bertha was "at home" and a member of the family wherever she went. She had many close friends in this area and was adored and loved by all people she knew. She touched many lives in her teaching and missionary studies and set a good example for all of us to follow.
Told by Anna Ramsey Elam to Janis Ramsey Reinhardt
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Bessie married Kenneth William Sterbenz 21 June 1969 at Winfield, KS. Ken was born 6 Aug. 1949, in Wichita, KS, to William Valentine and Vera Mae (Souders) Sterbenz. Kenneth served in the Navy from 1972 to 1978. Bessie and Ken continued their education in the nuclear field. Ken teaches and writes nuclear safety procedures at Georgia Power, in Georgia, and Bessie also works there. They presently live in Vidalia, Georgia and have four children: Ann Marie, born 22 July 1971 at Winfield, KS; Kenneth William II, born 27 April 1973 at Travis AFB California; Michael Wesley, born 14 May 1978 at Pocateho, Idaho; and Joseph Fredrick, born 12 Mar. 1981 at West Columbia, South Carolina.
Written and Submittedby Glenda L. Martin, Bessie's sister
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 299.
Stewart(1727-1811), born in County Cork, Ireland, although he was English. This William was orphaned before coming to America.
William (the one born in Ireland) first settled in Pennsylvania. One day as he was riding his horse, the creature stumbled into a hole and had to be destroyed. William thereupon promised God that if He would forgive him for coming to Pennsylvania, he would move to "God's Country," meaning Virginia. He and his family did move to Virginia, with his son, Charles riding a yearling calf the entire distance. Later, part of that land was again lost to Pennsylvania because of the Mason and Dixon Line. William founded the present village of Stewartstown. He was a Revolutionary War soldier and his grave is honored by several patriotic organizations. The University of West Virginia has a "Stewart Hall."
But back to John Washington Stewart. He married Anna Lee (1822-lB99) and after the Civil War they moved from West Virginia to Kansas where they farmed. There were twelve children of whom several died at Arkansas City. Anna Lee's parents were Thomas Lee (1799-1864) and Catherine Baker (1801-1958). A one and a half-year old nephew of Anna Lee was killed by Union "home-guards" as he stood at his mother's knee on his own front porch. The buuet marks are there to this day. Thomas Lee died of exposure from hiding in a fodder shock to escape from the Unionists. Anna's brother, Captain John Baker Lee, CSA, is buried at Joplin, Missouri.
John and Anna's son, James Madison Stewart (18441923), came to Kansas with them. James had served the Confederacy and was a horse breeder. He married Harriet Frazee at Winfield in 1887. She died in 1952. Shortly after the opening of "The Strip," they moved to Oklahoma but after a few years they returned to Arkansas City with their two daughters, Elizabeth (Tressler) and Grace (Tyler).
Elizabeth Stewart Tressler and her husband, Bob Tressler, operated barbecue restaurants in Arkansas City for many years. They roasted chickens, turkeys and ribs in a large outdoor smoker, and prepared their own sauce. They shipped barbecued turkeys as far away as England. Elizabeth died in 1964 and her husband died in 1985.
Grace Stewart (born 1896) married Thomas T. Tyler II in 1913. She raised and sold berries, helped operate a miniature golf course for 38 years, upholstered furniture, and still found time for many hobbies. She had three children, Frances (Koetting), Iris (Dittmann) and Thomas T. Tyler III. Grace died at the Presbyterian Manor in 1990 aged 93.
Submitted by Submitted by Patricia L. Lawson
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 299.
Submitted by Connie Becker Lawrence
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 299.
A Clinton, Canada, newspaper reported 7-7-1908 that Samuel had mailed a nephew, Fenwick Stewart, a box containing two live horned toads and that they had arrived well. Not being native to the area, the creatures caused quite a stir among the Canadians.
Samuel died 8-21-1914 and Jessie died 10-27-1924, both at Winfield, and both are buried in Highland Cemetery at Winfield. Samuel and Jessie had six children:
Roland J. Stewart, born 8-15-1872 in Missouri- He made the run for the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma when it was opened up [or settlement in 1893 but, upon finding all of the good land taken by "Sooners", he returned to Winfield where he died 12-19-1953, He is buried in Highland Cemetery at Winfield.
Anna Beryl Stewart, born 5-23-1875 in Neosho Co., Ks. and died 5-1-1944 at Winfield. She was married 11-25-1899 at Winfield to James Lane Haxton who was born 2-17-1863 in Indiana and died 3-17-1949 at Santa Maria, Ca. Beryl and James are buried in Graham Cemetery in Winfield. Beryl and James had four children: Lawrence Stewart Haxton, Ursula Josephine Haxton, Hazel Haxton, and Helen Haxton.
Gertrude Elizabeth "Betty" Stewart, born 8-12-1877 in Neosho Co., Ks., died 2-10-1953 at Winfield, and is buried in Highland Cemetery at Winfield. She was married to A.E. Fosdick. Betty had one son, Cecil L. Stewart.
Alba Barkley Stewart, born 4-30-1882 in Neosho Co-, Ks, and died 7-14-1954 at Winfield. She was married 12-3-1906 in Winfield to Albert Earl Becker who was born 2-15-1883 at Winfield and died 8-11-1951 at Winfield. He was the son of Amos Albert Becker and Lillian May Seely. Alba and Earl are buried in Highland Cemetery at Winfield. Alba and Earl had five children: Alberta Aflene Becker, Lillian Ruth Becker, Kenneth Beard Becker, Albert Keith Becker, and Kermit Stanley Becker.
William Wentworth Stewart, born B-15-1884 in Neosho Co., Ks., died as a young child.
Mary Agnes Stewart, born 8-18-1886 in Neosho Co., Ks. and died 6-28-1945 at Winfield. She was married 6-19-1912 to Leon Orris Becker who was born 1-7-1885 at Winfield, Ks. and died 3-30-1941 at Winfield. He wasthe son of Amos Albert Becker and Lillian May Seely. Mary and Leon are buried in Highland Cemetery at Winfield. Agnes and Leon had one son, Donald Wells Becker.
Submitted by Connie Becker Lawrence
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 300.
Alice was born April 17, 1903 to Bert and Britto (Turner) Brodock. Orville was left to fend for himself at the young age of seven when his mother died and his father went with a railroad crew. After living in several homes in the Geuda Springs area, he came to live with John and Musuie Mumaw, west of Arkansas City. Here he lived until he was married. They became like parents to him and were the grandparents to his children. Orville was working for Vincent Bossi on a farm in East Bolton, where he met Alice and they were married January 11, 1919, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. They lived with the Mumaws for a short time, moving to Oxford, Kansas, where Orville broke horses and did farm work. Later they moved to Arkansas City to what now is the south side of the Total Refinery. He worked at the packing plant. Their first child, Cleo Marie, was born November 27, 1922. By the time she was four, she was quite adept to riding horses and by the time she was six, she was performing at rodeos and fairs. She was known for her feats and horsemanship. She broke horses and rode steers at rodeos along with being a jockey.
Robert Lee was born November 7, 1924. He also broke horses and was a bull rider at rodeos, served his country overseas, coming home to return to his job at the packing house, upon returning from there. He now lives on a tract north of Arkansas City.
James Bert was born one hot day, August 11, 1930, during the depression and he was sickly for sometime. Alice was told he was allergic to mothers milk so wean him. She did, and the cow died, no money for another cow, so Vincent Bossi loaned them a cow, Orville was working on the road gang for a dollar a day and two dollars a day with his team, times were hard at that time.
Orville got on at the Dixie Portland Mill and they began to get ahead. He worked there for twenty years before going to the Santa Fe Stock yards. He wasn't happy unless he was working with livestock. Poppy Stockton is one of the best Pick Up Men at the rodeos. Orville was known for his knowledge of horseflesh and the ability to break both riding horses and work horses. He passed away June 21, 1973.
Alice was known for her quilts, handwork and her cooking. She was called "Grandma" by everybody. She and Orville were always at the coyote hunts back when it was done horseback and later in pickups. They were always together and had celebrated fifty-four years of marriage. Alice passed away December 14, 1973. Both died of cancer.
Submitted by Cleo Craves
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 300.
Fred Oscar Stone was born May 18, 1868, in Derby Line, Vermont, to Oscar Pierce Stone and Susan Ann Blake. When Fred was ten, his parents moved to a farm, Bennet, Nebraska. Later his father quarried stone from his farm for the Nebraska Capital Building. They lived in Nebraska eleven years. Fred studied law at Valparaiso College, Indiana. He married Emma Dielks, Scotia, Nebraska, the daughter of John Isaac and Ana Marie Moon Dielks, Martinsville, Ohio, 9-14-1892.
In 1894 Fred and Emma moved to Bird City, Kansas, but a terrible drought came. Next year they moved to Colorado and operated a half-way house between Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek. This was during the era when gold was discovered by Stratton. They stayed two years, then moved to' Bentonville, Arkansas, for three years. Later at Portland, Kansas, Fred was a telegraph operator. He still wanted a farm and bought one at Brownsville, Texas. It turned into a disaster. His wife died there and he took his surviving children and moved to Arkansas City, Kansas. He was owner and manager of the Fred 0. Stone Tent and Awning Company, 1916-1940. He may have been the first soda pop bottler in Southeastern Kansas, marketing a product called "Geuda Pop" made from water from the springs at Geuda Springs, Kansas. Using a motorcycle, Fred went from town to town to take orders. The next week he would deliver his orders using a horse drawn wagon.
Fred and Emma's children were: Leo George, born in Bird City, on Feb. 23, 1894, and died in infancy Pearl Leontine, born June 3, 1895, in Colorado, deceased,- 6pal Mena, born October 3, 1889, Portland, Kansas, deceased,- Clifford Glenn, born May 4, 1901, Arkansas City, deceased; and Walter Vermont, born February 22, 1904 Arkansas City, deceased.
Pearl married Wayne Ruff in Arkansas City and they had one son, John Phillip. Opal Mena, who became an arthritic invalid in the home in Arkansas City, operated a magazine agency, Clifford served in WWI, was married and had two Sons. Walter Vermont graduated from Arkansas City High School and from Kansas City Western Dental College, Kansas City, Missouri in 1928, and became a practicing dentist in Humboldt, Kansas (and later in Arkansas City), married Ruth Elizabeth Bernard, July 26, 1930. To Walter and Ruth were born five children: Donald Lee, Bernard Oscar, Jon Paul, Walter V., Jr. (died at birth) and Diana Mae. Walter was a captain (Dental Surgeon) in the Tunisian Campaign, North African Theater of Operations and later was stationed in a hospital in Italy during WWII. Upon his return Dr. Stone bought a dental office in Topeka where he practiced until his retirement. He died in January, 198 1.
Submitted by Ruth Elizabeth (Bernard) Stone
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 300.
After Virginia and Sidney's marriage in 1897, they lived in England for two years, but Virginia was homesick for the USA and they returned to Palestine, Texas. Three children were born there: Elizabeth Ann Stott Light (B.1901-D.1984), Virginia Ruskin Stott Griffith of Manhattan, Kansas (B.1903- ), and Emerson Young Stott of Galveston, Texas (B.1905-D.1989).
Written by Ann Light Bums, Submitted by Brad Light
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 300.
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