Cowley County Heritage Book

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- 311 - 312 - 313 - 314 - 315 -


Cowley County Heritage Book Page 311


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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 312


(continued from page 311)Linda Ulbrich lives in Winfield and is in the housecleaning business.

My mom, Gloria Gordon Ulbrich, grew up at Atlanta and graduated from Central High School, Burden. She has one brother, Randy, who also farms near Burden. He is married and has two children, Kristy and Mark.

So this concludes my immediate family history. Who knows what the future will bring? Why should I shake my family tree? What's out there that could benefit me? To dig up the past, let history unfold.

Submitted by Crystal Nicole Ulbrich
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Lewis Leopold Unmack

Louis Leopold Unmack was born 11-1-1889 at Joliet, Il., the second of eight children of Charles Frederick Unmack and Caroline Dorothea Kiehnass. Louis first moved to Cowley County, Ks. as a teenager to try his hand at farming, but not liking it, he returned to Joliet around 1909. He joined the International Order of Odd Fellows in 1910. He worked as "physical director" of Joliet High School and wrestled professionally from 1913 until returning to Winfield in 1916. Louis was married on 6-14-1916 in the First Baptist Church at Winfield to Grace Matilda Patterson, who was born 11-9-1892 in Winfield. She was the daughter of Frank Morton Patterson and Mary Virginia Copple. Grace graduated from Winfield public schools from 1914 through 1916. Louis and Grace honeymooned in Kansas City on the way back to Joliet, 11., to live in a home Louis built. In 1918, they moved to southern California where Louis designed, built, and remodeled homes in the booming California housing market, including ones for Gloria Swanson and other movie stars. Louis died 9-23-1970 at Apple Valley, Ca. and is buried in Victor Valley Memorial Park at Victorville, Ca. Grace died 7-5-1983 at Long Beach, Ca. and is also buried at Victorville. Their two children are:

Louis Leroy Unmack, was born 4-4-1917 in Joliet, II., he was married on 3-16-1940 at Las Vegas, Nv. to Eleanor Florence Hauser, was born 1-23-1919 at San Francisco, Ca. They have three sons: James Louis Unmack, born 7-12-1941; Arthur Loren Unmack, born 5-24-1943; and Charles Frederick Unmack, born 1-24-1955.

Dorothea Mary Unmack, was born 9-20-1920 at Long Beach, Ca. She was married on 10-14-1949 at Wichita, Ks. to Albert Keith Becker, was born 10-11-1923 in Winfield, Ks. He was the son of Albert Earl Becker and Alba Barkley Stewart. They have one daughter: Connie Lea Becker, who was born 10-13-1954 in Wichita, Ks. She was married on 1-12-1979 at Wichita, Ks. to Robert Dean Lawrence, who was born 1-21947 in Winfield, Ks. He is the son of Robert Lee Lawrence and Irma Dean Brashear.

Submitted by Connie Becker Lawrence
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Albert & Claire Utt Family

My husband, William Albert ("Big Al") was born December 30, 1923, in Silverdale, Kansas, to Delbert McKinley Utt and Lola Daphna (Gilmore) Utt. While attending school at Silverdale, Albert's favorite teacher was Charlie McCaleb. Albert graduated from Arkansas City High School at age sixteen, and attended Jr. College there. He moved with his family to Winfield, Kansas, in 1942, where they resided at 1301 E. 8th.

I was born April 2, 1927 at St Mary's Hospital in Winfield - still have a copy of Mother's hospital bill. It was $86.00 for ten days, including $5.00 delivery room charge! My parents were Clarence V. Goldwater and Beulah (Wooldridge) Goldwater of rural Oxford, Kansas. Mother named me "Clarulah", using the first four letters of Dad's name and the last four letters of her name. I became "Claire" in high school. After graduating from Oxford Rural High School in 1944, 1 began my office work for Dr. Forrest Kelly in the Cowley County Health Department in Winfield. I first worked in the County Treasurer's office in the old court house in 1957, when Frank Hott was the Treasurer, and was working there when the move was made to the new court house. Except for six or seven years I have worked there since that time.

Albert and I were married September 22, 1945, in Winfield, by Rev. Joe Riley Burns. We are members of First Christian Church. I am secretary-treasurer of the Cowley County Genealogical Society, and a member of the Peleg Gorton chapter of the DAR.

Albert worked for Gott Mfg. Co. at 6th and Manning for some years. In March, 1955, he became a route salesman for Continental Baking Co., distributing Wonder Bread and Hostess Cakes. His routes over the years took him to Sedan, Wellington, Winfield, and Arkansas City, until his retirement September 1, 1986. In October, 1985, Continental Baking Co. awarded Albert and Claire an all expense paid week in Hawaii, for winning a sales promotion. What a 40th anniversary present!

Our son, James Kirk Utt, was born July 1, 1954 in Winfield. He was valedictorian of the Winfield High School Class of 1972, and attended one year of college at Southwestern, then on to Kansas University for a degree in Pharmacy, and on to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill for his master's degree. During his work at the UNC Hospital he met a pretty little nurse, Janice Black, of Concord, N.C. They married April 12, 1980, and have Emily Elisabeth, age six and Meredith Rebecca, age four. They live in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Jim is Director of Drug Information at the University of Tennessee Hospital, and Janice is a nurse for a pediatrician.

Our daughter, Marcia Ellen Utt, was born February 28, 196 1. She graduated in the top ten of her Winfield High School Class of 1979, and continued her education at Kansas State University, receiving her degree in Foods and Nutrition in Business. Marcia has been Quality Lab Supervisor for HybriTech since 1987. She married Steven Gordon of Winfield, June 2, 1984, and they reside in Wichita. Steven also graduated from Kansas State University. He is in the construction business, Their daughter, Molly Ellen Gordon, was born October 28, 1986.

If more information is desired on the Utt family, please refer to "Utt-Ventures, a History and Genealogy of the Ott-Utt Family in America 1742-1982", by Claire Utt, in the local library.

Submitted by Claire Utt
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Delbert & Lola Utt Family

My grandparents, Delbert McKinley Utt and Lola Daphna (Gilmore) Utt, lived most of their lives in Cowley County, Kansas. Delbert was born March 6, 1896, on a farm just west of Cedar Vale, Kansas, to William Henry and Olive Loretta (Gaunt) Utt. He grew to manhood there and at age 21 he entered the U.S. Army to serve in World War 1. As a private in the Machine Gun Company of the 350th Infantry Division, he was in France when the Armistice was signed. Following the war he returned to Cowley County. Lola was born Septem_ ber 1, 1900, to James Albert and Anna Lucinda (Woodard) Gilmore at Quincy, Greenwood County, Kansas. Her family moved to Winfield in 1907, and later to Silverdale.

Delbert and Lola married December 23, 1922 at the county court house in Winfield and made their home in Silverdale, living there twenty years. While residing at Silverdale, Delbert worked at the rock quarry, farmed, and operated and automobile service station. Lola operated Silverdale's telephone service(continued on page 313)

Submitted by James K. Utt
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(continued from page 313) for a few years. Their five children were all born in Silverdale, and they are as follows: (1) William Albert, born December 30, 1923, married to Clarulah ("Claire") Goldwater of Oxford, residing Winfield, Kansas; (2) Wilma Irene, born May 18,1927, married to Donald 1. Miller of Burden, living in Amarillo, Texas; (3) Ernest Eugene, born August 23, 1929, married Ist to Mary Jordan and 2nd to Pat Wolford, residing Hammond, Illinois; (4) Anna Mae, born August 15, 1933, married to Garland Bowyer, residing at Troutville, Virginia; (5) George Raymond, born August 3, 1941, married to Diane Murray of Boston, residing at Plymouth, Massachusetts.

In May, 1942, Delbert, Lola and family moved to 1301 E. 8th, Winfield. Delbert worked at Boeing Aircraft Company in Wichita during World War II, and following that time, worked for the Winfield Park Department. In the 1950's, Lola worked as a cook at Winfield High School. In the early 1960's, Delbert and Lola worked at South Vernon School west of Winfield, she as cook and he as caretaker. They enjoyed working among the many children. By 1965, Delbert and Lola had retired, but remained active, tending a big garden every year, socializing at Saturday-night canasta parties, attending First Presbyterian Church, and visiting family members. Delbert died July 30, 1972, and Lola passed away February 9, 1974. They are buried at Highland Cemetery.

Like all good grandparents, Delbert and Lola Utt were very kind and loving. Their wit and jovial humor made lasting impressions on everyone. Grandpa was a staunch Republican, and once said he didn't even want a Kennedy half-dollar in his pocket. He always owned a Chevrolet car and wanted Phillips 66 gasoline in the tank. Grandma's home cooking was delicious and will always be remembered. Delbert and Lola were typical of the many honest, hard-working, friendly people making up the backbone of Cowley County and rural America.

Submitted by James K Utt
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Harry & Mary Vanskike Family

Harry Vanskike was the first Vanskike child born in Cowley County to parents William Preston and Sallie Vanskike, March 3, 1884, in East Bolton Township. Harry grew up and worked with his father, farming and learning the masonry trade from him. They plastered houses throughout Bolton Township and the "Strip" area in Oklahoma. Harry also farmed with his father and older brother, Roy, and did haying in Indian Territory (Oklahoma).

Harry and Mary Ann Bossi were married on October 9, 1919, and began living on one of the original Vanskike homesites: the Radcliff place, located six miles east of IXL and 3/4 mile north. An incident that occurred in Harry and Mary's early married life bears repeating: Wedding charivaris were popular in those days. It was the custom for the neighbors, unbeknown to the newly married couple, to get together a party of friends after dark and come driving over to surprise and celebrate the newlyweds. The people would walk around the house making loud noises! What a shock! What a surprise! The merrymaking went on until the couple opened the door and invited the crowd in for refreshments. And everyone would have a good time and go home!

On the occasion when the community came to surprise and charivari Harry and Mary, the two of them quickly dressed themselves in costume, left the house and mingled and celebrated in the dark, shoulder to shoulder with the neighbors, yelling and making noises with everyone else. When the crowd discovered Harry and Mary were celebrating with them, everyone had a big laugh and a fun time!

A few years after the marriage, Harry and Mary purchased "the river place" for additional farming, located 3/4 mile south and 1 1/2 miles east of the home site. The family made their living from farrowing and fattening hogs, from corn and wheat production, a few dual-purpose cattle, from poultry production, and masonry work Harry did when it could be worked in with farming.

Harry and Mary had three children: Mary Ruth, born March 3, 1921; William Vincent, May 21, 1923; and Dorothy Anna, January 25, 1931. They all attended Springside Grade School, Ark City High School, Ark City Junior College, and all graduated from Kansas State University, Manhattan. They were members of the Grandview Methodist Church, and East Bolton 4-H Club, where Mary and Harry were life-long associates.

Mary Ruth spent 15 years with the Kansas Extension Service before she resigned her position of Assistant State Home Economics Leader and married Jack Works, of Humboldt, Ks. on January 20, 1951, fulfilling her dream of becoming a homemaker. One son, John Lee, was born to this family on April 2, 1959. Mary Ruth died suddenly on December 5, 1961.

William, employed 39 years with the Kansas Extension Service's Extension 4-H, is recently retired. He married Grace Ellen Dickson of ElDorado on September 3, 1950. Their children: Keith, Roger, Jane, and Rob are all married and there are seven grandsons. William and Grace are now living in Great Bend.

Dorothy Anna, Home Economist with the Kansas Extension Service, resigned in 1959 to marry Karl E. Faidley of Wakefield, KS. They have three children: David, Richard, and Mary. And there are two granddaughters and four grandsons. After a management career in the meat industry, Karl is retired this year. He and Dorothy reside in Arkansas City.

Submitted by William Vincent VanSkike, son.
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William Preston & Sallie Vanskike

The Vanskike descendants originally came to America from the Netherlands and Germany in 1640. Through the years they migrated west. Some of them became established in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri and finally into Kansas in 1882. William Preston Vanskike was born March 6, 1848 in Shelbyville, MO, the son of Robert and Martha Ann (Houser) Vanskike, and was destined to be the first member of the Vanskike descendants to migrate to Cowley County with his wife, Sallie (Kendrick) Jones Vanskike, and their 11-month old son, Roy.

Early records of Wm. P. Vanskike show that he remained at home for the first 28 years of his life employed by his father, who did masonry work, and owned a grist mill. Win. P. married Sallie (Kendrick) Jones on January 4, 1877, in Saline County, MO. Sallie's ancestry is Irish-English. She was born June 29, 1845 in Missouri. Wm. P. and Sallie set up housekeeping on a 55-acre track which he owned in Saline County, Mo. He made a living for his new wife by doing masonry work, (which he had learned from his father), working at the mill, and selling farm products he and Sallie produced. After five years, and with their first child, Roy, Wm. P. and Sallie decided to sell their property in Missouri and move to Kansas. The Vanskikes, therefore, came to Cowley County, East Bolton Township, Arkansas City, for the first time on November 10, 1882, arriving by horse and wagon from Shelby County, MO. Their trip took 19 days (camping out each night on the trail) and covered 377 miles.

Shortly after arriving in Cowley County, Mr. Vanskike bought and paid $1,550 cash (he wrote in his diary) for a 160 acre farm, known as the Armstrong place. This farm site is River." A second child, another son, Harry, was born to the family on March 1, 1884.

Wm. P. continued to make a living for his family through his work as a mason, farmer and stockman. He plastered many houses throughout the township and the Indian Territory. He worked cement, laid brick and stone, built chimneys, fireplaces, cisterns, and did cement work on several township road bridges.

Wm. P. enjoyed "writing and recording" and kept a personal 4 1 -year daily diary beginning at the age of 29. A daily entry was never missed throughout this 41 -year period.

Sallie Vanskike kept busy with the work of a pioneer wife and raising of her two boys, Roy and Harry. There was an incident once when grandfather (Wm.P.) was working away from home and grandmother (Sallie) was alone with her two small boys. A large buck Indian came riding up to the house and asked for food. Being afraid, she said, "No." To her horror the Indian then got off his horse and went to the grindstone nearby and began to sharpen a large knife! From these actions, Sallie concluded the Indian was very upset! So, she hurriedly changed her mind and called to the Indian and set out a good dinner for him! The Indian seemed pleased. You can imagine what a relief it was to see Wm. P. come riding home about this time. The Indian ate his meal and left peaceably.

William Preston Vanskike died in 1919. His wife, Sallie, died in 1930. They are both buried in Springside Cemetery in East Bolton Township, as is Robert, his father who came to join them in Kansas.

The sons of Wm. P. and Sallie, Roy and Harry, continued the farming and work operations establishing their families in the same community and living on the two home places.

Written and Submitted by William V. VanSkike, grandson
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The Vardys in Cowley County

The history of the Vardy family in Cowley County goes back to 1875, when Elijah and Thomas Vardy (brothers) established a freight hauling business and were among the few who eventually hauled freight into Indian Territory. They originally worked for the Holmes family, who operated dry goods stores in St. Louis and later Springfield, Missouri. Elijah later married and then later remarried, having several children by each marriage.

James Vardy, son of Elijah, tells of when his father hauled dry goods and non-perishables. His father and uncle would work up a trade for lumber, fowl or livestock. There would be no telling what either of them might return with. His mother used to fix molasses and sugar cookies, pound and sponge cakes, sacks of half-moon fry pies, and all kinds of dried fruit to carry on their trips with cargo. When James was old enough to handle a team of mules, and follow his father in a freight wagon, his most favorite thing was the corn dodgers. They were made of corn meal and flour rolled into little balls. You could eat them with breakfast, lunch and supper. James also tells of hanging his sack of supplies in a tree and during the night hearing a commotion when some squirrels were trying to get into it. He reached over and grabbed a couple of corn dodgers, hit the squirrel and knocked him cold. "Yep", he said, 11 skinned that squirrel, dusted off them corn dodgers and put em in the grease the squirrel meat was cookin' in."

In 1893, the family of Elijah Vardy took advantage of the opportunity given by the Federal Government and entered the great land rush into Oklahoma Indian Territory. James Vardy, Elijah's son, eighteen years old at the time, staked out a plot of land which is now known as Enid, Oklahoma. Along with the help of his younger brother Edward, in later years, was responsible for building the first railroad depot in Enid.

Edward Vardy married Vera Tinklepaugh and settled north of Enid where they raised a family of six girls and two boys.

In 1930, half of the Ed Vardy family stayed on the homestead in Oklahoma and continued planting crops and raising livestock for sale. Due to attempts to recover from the dust bowl of the 1920's, the other half moved to the Dexter area. Ed's sister, Edna Wilson, and her husband who lived north of Winfield and farmed, had located green pasture land and water in Abundance for rent and lease in the Dexter area.

Several of the Vardy girls graduated from high school adn attended Cowley County Community College and later became (continued on page 313)

Submitted by Willaim Vardy
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 314


(continued from page 313) teachers, nurses, etc. Ed and Glenn Vardy, at the onset of World War 11, joined the military.

Glenn Vardy, the eldest, served both in the Army during World War 11 and Air Force during the Korean War. He married Ruth L. Ferguson in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. In the summer of 1960 they returned to the Arkansas City area to establish their home after retiring from military life. Shortly there after they decided to join Glenn's brother, Ed Vardy, and homestead the old Vardv place north of Enid along with Glenn's two sons, William and Robert. In 1965 Glenn and Ruth decided to give up farming and again moved back to Arkansas City.

Both William and Robert attended Cowley County Community College. Robert married Loretta Young, a fellow student from CedarVale. They resided in Cowley County and raised three children: Tammy, Brandon, and Amy. William Vardy went on to attend Southwestern College, received a Degree in Education, then married Rhonda Stickel of Wichita. In 1976, they returned to Cowley County to help care for WiUiam's aging parents. They have two children, William and Angelina, and reside in Arkansas City.

William and Rhonda Vardy, children of the 60's era, pretty much followed the people of society who believed in undoing the wrongs and injustices of the times and bringing about social and economical reform. They carried on with their campaign by picking a career that has taken handicapped individuals, confined to institutional settings, and reintegrated them back into community settings, which at times brought a lot of anti-handicapped criticism and controversy. William and Rhonda were responsible for the establishment of the first occupational training and residential facility here in Cowley County.

Submitted by William Vardy
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Francis M. & Edith E. Lacy Vaughn

Francis Marion Vaugh (1834-1928) was born in Kentucky, as was his wife, Edith Ellen Lacy Vaughn (1848-1908), daughter at W. P. (Perry) and Rebecca Wright Lacy. They came to Cowley County in their covered wagon, stopping in Garnett, Kansas, where their second son William Newton Vaughn was born. Horace Greeley Vaugh (1867-1893) their eldest son, was two-years-old.

Vaughn served in Kentucky during the Civil War, Three Forks Battalion, KY Volunteers from 1862-1865 (Union Army), and was the son of Thomas Vaughn and Elizabeth Carson Vaughn of Wolfe County, Kentucky. In Cowley County he took a claim three miles east of Arkansas City on Highway 166; was a justice of the Peace; had a large orchard, took a claim in 1889 near Stillwater, OK (with his son, Horace, who staked a claim nearby), as did his brother-in-law, George McClain. His son, Willie, made the run into the Cherokee Strip in 1893 and took a claim near Three Sands, OK.

Children of F.M. Vaugh and Edith Lacy Vaughn: Horace Greeley Vaughn who married M@a M. Jones in 1891. William Newton Vaughn (1870-1954) married Anna Katherine WaWenmaier (1877-1936) in 1898, daughter of John and Katherine States Wahlenmaier; the only ones to have children, who were Edith Katherine Vaughn (1898-1982) who married Ray Milton Quinn, son of James and Mary York Quinn; Mildred Marian Vaughn (1904-1990) who married Russell Walker Miller, nephew of Ray Quinn (1905-1969), son of Clara Quinn Miller and David arlando Miller; and Doris Elizabeth Grace Vaughn (1907-) who married Don Leroy Baxter, son of Frank L. and Caroline E. Kirkpatrick Baxter; married 2nd, Lawrence Harp.

Frances Ellen Vaughn (1872-1898) married James Albert CampbeR, son of J. H. and Agnes Campbell (made run into Cherokee Strip with husband and brother, William Vaughn. One of the first school teachers in outlet, she died from drinking alkalai water on their claim.)

George Augustus Vaughn, born and died 1874, buried on his father's claim and later moved a Parker Cemetery which his father helped to establish.

Ettie (Etta) Achsa Vaughn (1876-1961) married Samuel Pollack in 1946, her childhood sweetheart. Both are buried in Blanchester, Ohio. Baby Boy Vaughn (unnamed), born and died in 1881. Buried on his father's claim and later moved to Parker Cemetery. Gracie (Grace) Myrtle Vaughn (I 883-1920) married Harvey Leat Hendrix of FarmersviUe, Texas and died there; buried in Parker Cemetery.

Submitted by Mary K. Quinn Maxwell
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Theppathay Vayaphat

The first Laotian family came to Winfield August 17, 1976, Theppathay Vayaphat, his wife, Thongchanh, his daughters, Phitsamay and Orasa, and his son, Pathouma, were sponsored by Mr. and Mrs, Russell Chapman, the Catholic Church, and Grace Methodist Church. The Vayaphats came from the capital city of Vientiane Laos, where Mr. Vayaphat was a graduate of the Police Academy and involved with the United States during the Viet Nam War. After escaping to Thailand by boat across the Mekong River with several friends who were also policemen, Mr. Vayaphat lived in a refugee camp for three months before being joined by the rest of his family. The family stayed in the camp another six months before being sponsored to come to the United States. After arriving at the Wichita airport with nothing more than the clothes on their backs, a few suitcases, and a few American dollars ("not enough", Mr. Vayaphat relates, as he reflects back on the past), Mr. Vayaphat found employment at Gott Manufacturing two days later, and his wife was soon working at the Wheat Road Good Samaritan Home. They bought a home on 5th Street, the first Lao family to do so, and were a major force in bringing other Lao families to Winfield. They opened their home to their countrymen, who had just moved to town, and helped in securing housing, jobs and education for the newest arrivals. Mr. Vayaphat became an interpreter for the English as a Second Language classes being taught at the high school, The Vayaphats became the first Lao family to obtain their citizenship, on April 13, 1982. Robert and Nancy, as they are now known, continue to live in Winfield, in another home they bought on the east side of town and still are heavily involved in the Lao community. Robert works at Rubbermaid and Nancy at Winfield State Hospital and Training Center. Their children are all grown, Phitsamay is employed at WSH&TC, Oraso attends WSU in Wichita and Pathouma will be joining the Marines this summer and then will be attending Kansas State, majoring in Engineering/Architecture. Robert and his wife plan to visit Thailand this summer and are hopeful that members of their extended family in Laos will be able to cross over into Thailand for a reunion. Robert says he misses his country, but will not return there. "We lost everything over there. Everything is very different herer. Everything is best here."

Submitted by Glenda S. Schmidt
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The Otis Wadsack Family

The Otis Wadsack family of Cowley County are descendents of William and Lora Kennedy Wadsack. William's family were immigrants from Germany. Wffliam was born in 1856 in Owen County, Indiana later moving with his family to the Atlanta area of Cowley County. Lora was born in Perry County, Illinois. In 1876 the Kennedy family loaded all their belongings in two covered wagons and started for Kansas. Their last camp was near Douglass, Kansas in Butler County under a very large elm tree. A man on horseback stopped by the camp and told them that four horse thieves were hanged on that tree a few days earlier.

In 1877, the Kennedys moved too farm belonging to Ernest Wadsack, about 21/2 miles north of the Prairie View Church. While living there they bought a farm nearby and lived there the remainder of their lives.

William Wadsack and Lora Kennedy were married in 1879 and lived on their homestead north of the Prairie View Church. They had six children: Bertram, Leslie, Alma, Emmett, Morton and Otis. All were raised in Cowley County. William died in 1892, leaving Lora to raise the six children. Lora died in 1936. They are buried in the Widner Cemetery, east of Rock, Kansas.

Otis Wadsack and Ruth Hoefgen were married July 1, 1914. They farmed north of the Prairie View Church until purchasing a farm northwest of Wilmot, Kansas in 1926. Here they raised their two children, Oran and Lorene. In 1946 they sold the farm and purchased a farm on Timber Creek, two miles south of Wilmot, Kansas. Here they made their home until 1968. The farm is now covered by the Winfield City Lake. Otis and Ruth moved to Burden, Kansas, where Otis made his home until moving to Winfield, Kansas in 1988.

Ruth's family also made their home in Cowley County.

Ruth Wadsack died in 1968. She is buried in the family plot in Wilmot Cemetery.

Oran Wadsack is now living in Wichita, Kansas. He taught in Atlanta High School from 1938 to 1942. Moved to Wichita in 1942. He was in public accounting for several years and became a C.P.A. in 1947. Since 1957 he was with the Wichita Regional Postal Headquarters. In 1971 he was transferred to Chicago, where he was Budget Manager for the Central Regional United States Postal Service until his retirement.

He married Alma Shockey, also a Cowley County resident. They had three daughters: Carole, Joan and Judy. Joan died in 1977. They have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

I married Wayne W. Duncan on Nov. 24, 1945. We have made our home in Wichita. I taught school in Cowley County, then taught four years in Chanute, Kansas. Taught twenty- one years here in Wichita, retiring in 1978.

Wayne was born and raised in Cowley County. Our children are Michael, Darrell and Sharon. We have seven grandchildren.

Submitted by Lorene Wadsack Duncan
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 315


John Fredrick & Mary Hosch Wahlenmaier

John Fredrick Wahlenmaier (1841-1904) born Asperglen Wurttemberg, Germany and died at his homestead seven miles east of Arkansas City, came to Kansas from Germany in 1864, with his mother and three brothers. Married, 11-19-1868, Mary Hosch (1848-1911), daughter of Jacob and Catharina Schwarzel Biegert Hosch. Her sister, Carolyn Hosch, married William Wahlemnaier, younger brother of Fred, all of Wyandotte, KS. Fred and Mary came to Cowley County in 1870, followed in 1872 by his brother John Michael, and wife, Kate, and two young sons.

Fred and Mary's home was south of Baldwin School, which they were instrumental in forming so their children, and those of John and Kate Wahlenmaier, could begin their schooling. According to family legend, Fred was a tailor by trade in Germany, but he became a prosperous farmer in Cowley County. They were lifelong members of Prairie View Methodist Church. Their children, all lived and died in Cowley County: Wilhelmine (Minnie) Wahlenmaier (1870-1937) married Thomas P. Suiter (1871-1935), son of Henry and Mary lane Poulton Suiter. Their daughter was Edna, married Clarence Gilmore, later Ira D. Brashear.

Henry John Wahlenmaier (1872-193 1) married Katie May Moore, daughter of Theodore and Jessie Maude Jones Moore. Their son was Ralph Moore Wahlenmaier, married Joyce Kemper.

Jacob Fredrick Wahlenmaier (1875-1948) married 1902 Mae Lish (1880-1961). Their children were Weldon Wahlenmaier (1910- ) married Ogle Allen, and Donald Lish Wahlenmaier (1912-1985) married Lucille Lish.

William Franklin (Will) Wahlenmaier (1888-1972) in 1912 married Martha Lucy Turner, daughter of Edward and Sarah Ann Potter Turner. They owned the land where the country club and golf course now stand, east of Ark City.

Mary Bessie Wahlenmaier (1889-197 1) married Edwin 1. Turner son of Edward and Sarah Ann Potter in 1913. Their children were Edna Laverne Turner, who married Santford W. Craig, son of Santford S. and Essie M. Craig, and Orville Wayne Turner.

All of the children of Fred and Mary Wahlenmaier lived and died in Cowley County and are buried there. Many Wahlenmaier descendants live in Cowley County.

Submitted by Mary K. Quinn Maxwell
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John Michael & Katherine States Wahlenmaier

John Michael Wahlenmaier (1842-1917) was born Asperglen, Wurttemberg, Germany and died at his homestead 6 miles east of Arkansas City. He was the son of John Martin and Anna Beuttel Wahlenmaier and came to America in 1863, enlisted in Co. C, 16th Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalary, participated in the Powder River Expedition into Dakota Territary. In 1868 he married Catherina Stets (Katherine States) (1842-1916), daughter of John George and Sophia Regina Wilde States. John was a prosperous farmer and came to Cowley County in 1871 from Wyandotte County, at the behest of his brother, Fred Wahlenmaier, who had already stakes a claim here in 1870.

John and Kate (and Fred and Mary Hesch Wahlenmaier) were instrumental in beginning Prairie View Church (where they were lifelong members); Parker Cemetery; Baldwin School, and John was a Director in the Security State Bank in Arkansas City. They were the parents of 9 children, two sets of twins.

Learning English from the textbooks of their children, these God-fearing, frugal people, worthwhile American citizens, are buried in Parker Cemetery (with several succeeding generations of their family) by George and Melosina Stets (2nd wife of George). Their children: Michael George Wahlenmaier (1869-1847), who married Leticia Priscilla Shivers (18751976), daughter of Mike and Lientishey Haynes Shivers, in 1899. They had one son, Vernon.

Charles Trougoft Wahlenmaier (1871-1953) married Margaret Sophia Ralf, (1881-1976), daughter of Casper and Nancy Jane Elsbury Ralf. Their children were Helen Leona (Abrams), Edward Marion, Karl Kasper, John Milton, Leonard Charles, and George Elsbury Wahlenmaier.

Anna Sophia Wahlenmaier (1874-1965) married William James Norman (1868-1946), son of Thomas B. (first sexton of Riverview Cemetery, Ark City), and Emily Parry Norman. They had two sons, Ollie Raymond and Earl Moody Norman.

John Wesley Wahlermaier (twin, 1875-1965) married Minnie Mae Wallace, daughter of Harry and Alice Swinford Wallace. Their children: Alice Kathryn (Epler), Harold Wallace, Merle Christian, and Margaret Ruth (Hopkins).

John Martin Wahlenmaier died in 1875, lived three months.

Anna Katherine Wahlenmaier (1877-1936) married in 1898, William Newton Vaugh (1870-1954), son of Francis Marion and Edith Ellen Lacey Vaugh. Their children: Edith Katherine (Quinn), Mildred Marian (Miller), Doris Elizabeth Grace (Baxter/Harp), and two infant sons, John Francis and unnamed boy.

John Christian Wahlenmaier (1879-1911), married Bertha Sindicy Wallace (1880-1864), daughter of Harry and Alice Cordelia Swinford Wallace. Their children: Gladys Mae (Bush) and Kathryn Ruth Wahlermaier.

Emma Melosina Wahlenmaier (twin, 188 1- 1969), married Marvin DeVore (1881-1970) in 1904, son of John and Penelope (Seacat) DeVore. Their children: Cecil Lilburn, Jessie Fern (Chesbro), Ruth Lucille (Hensley); Zella Penelope (Hensley/ Shaffer).

Lydia Mae Wahlenmaier (twin 1881-1973) married Alonzo Casto Messner (1882-1921). Their children: Harold Leroy, Nelson Milton, Forrest Leonard, Ethel Ferne (Smith), Leona Kathryn Messnier (English), Kenneth Alonzo Messner.

Submitted by Mary K Quinn Maxwell
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 315.

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Leon A. Waite Family

The ancestors of R.B. Waite arrived in Boston in 1596 from England. Part of the family moved to Champion, New York where R.B. was born 5-30-1824. He married Deborah Bent, born 4-20-1828, on 3-10-1846. Children were: Llewellyr, 2-22-1852; Leon 1-21-1868; and Coleman 10-23-1870.

R.B. was a farmer. He was crippled with rheumatism and his doctor advised him to find a warmer, dryer climate. He chose to come to Winfield. The family traveled by train to Wichita, then by stage coach to Winfield. Arrived here 11-23-1872. His business was real estate and money lending. R.B. died 1-13-1889. Deborah died 10-16-1899. Both are buried in Highland Cemetery as is Llewellyr, who had married Sam Pryor.

On 6-27-1888, Lin married Chat Hamlin, whose family had come to Winfield in 1879 from Farmer City, Illinois by covered wagon. They started farming on the home place. In 1889, moved to a farm in the Akron area for sixteen years, before moving back to the home place. In 1918, they rebuilt the large twelve room house as it stands today. Six children were born: Ralph, 6-17-1889; Leora 12-28-1892, (Berry); Vie 11-24-1894; Delmer 3-15-1902; Boyd 2-15-1910; and Kenneth 6-23-1914.

In 1906, Lin added Hereford cattle business to the farming operation,

When Boyd and Kenneth reached their tenth birthday each got a heifer. If the cow had a heifer call they got to keep it to build their own herds. The bull calves were given to their father. Boyd and Kenneth continued this plan with their children. Boyd and Kenneth both earned State Farmers and American Farmer Degrees.

In 1913, the boys formed a partnership with their Dad which was the beginning of the Walnut Valley Hereford Ranch. To promote the industry, they became members of the American Hereford, Kansas Hereford and Cowley County Hereford Associations. They helped to organize the County group in 1946 and Kenneth served as its first president.

Registered cattle sales were held in Winfield for three years. After building our own sale barn in 1954, sales were held at the Ranch from 1955 through 1985. In 1974, the cattle and machinery were sold to Dwaine and Larry, Boyd's two sons. Then they sold out in 1985. The ranch is now rented.

On 7-24-1932, Boyd married Delores Williams, daughter of C.P. and Mae Williams, of Burden. Their children are: Maxine 10-4-1935; Dwaine, 9-22-1937; and Larry 10-23-1939. Boyd has seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Larry died 11-17-1987 and is buried in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Kenneth married Geneva Kittelson, daughter of Amos and Ary Kittelson on 11-5-1933. They had two children: Ralph 10-2-1934; and Arlene 9-25-1940. Arlene died 12-27-1954 and is buried in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, northwest of Winfield. Kenneth has three grandsons and six great-grandchildren. Another grandson died at age seventeen and is buried at Lenapah, Oklahoma. Both families were active in 4-H, Future Farmers, Merrymakers, (a social club), and Presbyterian Church. Lin died 5-27-1944 and Chat died 1-27-1951. are buried in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Submitted by Kenneth Waite
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 315.

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James B. & Fatima E. Wall

James B. Wall resided on a farm, which is the not quarter of section 32, Rock Township. He arrived it December, 1869, from Garrard County, Kentucky, nf town of Harrodsburg.

He was born in Garrard County, 3-5-1836, the son liam Wall, born in Cork, Ireland, and Fatima Burnside in Garrard County, Kentucky. James B. lived at home until the(continued on page 316)

Written and Submitted by Leota Candace Wall Elder
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 315.

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State Coordinators
Tom & Carolyn Ward, Columbus, KS


tcward@columbus-ks.com