Pawnee County
KSGenWeb
The sickness of Mr. O. F. Taber
has kept him bedfast for seventeen weeks. From the very first week it was
thought that his attack was not only serious but almost fatal. Since then, he
has been hovering between life and death, with chances greatly in favor of the
last named occurring. He has displayed almost miraculous physical vitality, and
even now there are strong hopes being entertained by some that he will pass the
summer in fairly good health. He is cheerful and bright at all times, and in no
way does his affliction baffle his encouragement for ultimate recovery.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 22 April 1892
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
The subject of this sketch was born at Warren, Trumbull county,
Ohio, May 8th, 1846. As a child his first move was made with his parents to
Finley in 1853. In the spring of 1855 he went with his father to Iowa, the
family finally settling in Clinton county August 4th, 1856. From Iowa the family
moved to Fulton, Illinois, January 10th, 1863. January 23rd, 1864, he enlisted
at Lyons, Iowa, in Company B, First Iowa Cavalry, and served until the close of
the war, when he was discharged at St. Louis, Missouri, September 25th, 1865. In
November, 1868, he went back to Clinton, Iowa, with his parents, where they kept
the Junction hotel from August 11th, 1869, to August 11th, 1870. From Fulton the
family removed to Lanark, Illinois.
After engaging in the hotel business on
his own account Mr. Taber was married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Wolcott near Mount
Carroll, Illinois, November 30th, 1876. May 1st, 1877, he moved with his wife to
Lanark, Illinois, and became associated with his father in the management of the
Taber house at that place. In October he was attacked with hemorrhage of the
lungs and was confined to the house until February 1878. On February 13, 1878,
he started for Kansas, accompanied by his wife and arrived at Pawnee Rock on the
morning of the 16th. On the 21st day of the same month he filed homestead papers
on the southwest quarter of section three, and timber-claimed the northwest
quarter of section ten, both pieces being in township twenty, range twenty,
Pawnee county, Kansas.
On the 4th day of April he and his wife moved out on
the claim. June 3rd, 1878, he was commissioned postmaster at Lanark, Kansas,
which position he held until August 18th, 1883.
On the 11th of July, 1883,
Mr. Taber’s crops, feed, poultry, hogs, sheds, etc., were destroyed by a hail
and wind storm. Discouraged with farming, he quit his claim and went east as far
as Hutchinson to look up a location, but failing to find any pace he liked
better than Pawnee county, returned to Larned, went out on the claim, sold out
everything and went to Dodge City, where he remained about a week, when he
returned to Larned. After making a trip to Texas in company with Mr. James
Curley he bought out C. Bower’s restaurant on Fifth street, and became a
permanent resident of Larned in October 1883, when he resigned May 7th, 1884.
Mr. Taber became associated with J. K. Bartoo in the coal and feed business. A
few days after he became Mr. Bartoo’s partner the firm burned out, but they soon
afterwards bought Mr. John Lund’s coal and feed yard and continued the business.
In August Mr. Taber sold his interest in the coal and feed business to his
partner, Mr. Bartoo, and retired. March 15, 1886, he bought Joe King’s livery
barn and residence on the corner of Topeka avenue and Sixth street, but was
again burned out February 4th, 1889, losing everything he had, including his
home, which was mortgaged. In August 1890, he superintended the construction on
the embankment around the Larned mineral Lake for Senator Rush, and in April,
1890, directed the work of taking the island out of the lake. April 1891, he was
appointed and confirmed city assessor, and made such a good record that he was
re-appointed and confirmed in 1892. He was sick at the time of his
re-appointment and never got well enough to perform the duties of the office.
After a lingering illness of about six months, brought on by an attack of the
grip, Mr. Taber died Wednesday morning, June 15th, 1892, and was buried in
Larned cemetery, Friday afternoon, the 17th, with Masonic honors, Larned Lodge,
No. 176, A.F. & A.M, and B. F. Larned Post, G. A. R., turning out in a body, and
a large number of citizens following the remains to their last resting place.
The deceased was the father of but one child, a son, who was born March 7th
1881, on the claim in the county, and died July 29th, 1883, at the Central hotel
at Great Bend. He leaves a wife, a sister, a brother and a widowed mother to
mourn his death.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 24 June 1892
Contributed
by Richard Schwartzkopf
Frances Everett Taylor, 68
years of age, who will be remembered here by some of the older residents, died
Friday, September 25, at the Sutter County Hospital in Yuba City, California.
More than twenty years ago Mr. Taylor operated a barber shop in the basement of
the building now occupied by the State theatre.
He sold out to Guy Johnson
and went to Kinsley. Later he went to California, where he made his home until
his death. His wife died in 1902.
His granddaughter, Mrs. E. R. Stadell, of
San Francisco, California, accompanied the body here.
His daughter, Mrs.
Elsie E. Culp, of Hoyt, Kansas, came here for the services.
The Logan
Mortuary had charge of the services here. Burial was in the Larned cemetery.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 5 October 1929
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Mrs. Belle Taylor died Saturday
afternoon at the home of her sister, Mrs. George Finney, following an acute
illness of two weeks duration. Mrs. Taylor is well known to Larned people as she
has spent many years of her life here, and during her residence in other Kansas
towns she had made many visits here.
Mrs. Taylor was born November 22, 1856,
in Kentucky and died at the age of 72 years. She was married in Springfield,
Tennessee, on December 16, 1876 to Thompson Taylor. In 1879 they moved from
Kentucky, where they had made their home, to Girard, Kansas, and came to Larned
in 1884.
There were two children, a son and a daughter, Claude Taylor, who is
at present making his home in Wichita, and Pearle Taylor Williamson, who died in
1919. Mrs. Taylor was a member of the Baptist church in Wichita. She had made
her home with her sister, Mrs. Geo. Finney for the past two years.
Funeral
services were held from the Beckwith mortuary on Monday afternoon, conducted by
Rev. G. H. Cosper. Interment was made in the Larned cemetery.
Source: The
Tiller and Toiler, 5 October 1929
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Samuel Taylor was born in Champaign county,
Ohio, April 23, 1834, and died in Larned August 4, 1907, at the age of 73 years
and 3 months. He moved with his father to Louisa county, Iowa, 1851. He was
united in marriage with Ann M. Beam in 1856.
To this union were born nine
children, three of whom survive him, two sons and a daughter. The family moved
to Pawnee county in 1876 where they have resided since.
Mr. Taylor was
converted and united with the Methodist church in 1856. He was a veteran of the
Civil war and enlisted in Co. G, 19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry as private in 1862
and was discharged as corporal at the close of the war, being honorably
discharged at Mobile, Ala., July 10, 1865. He spent ten months in a Confederate
prison, most of the time at Tyler, Texas.
He leaves a wife and three
children, two of whom live in this county, Robert Taylor of Larned, and Mrs.
John Shaffer of Garfield. The funeral was held at the M. E. church Monday
afternoon, Rev. Barton preaching the sermon.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope,
8 August 1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Mrs. Mary A. Tennis died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Eva Bennyworth, in this
city, Monday night, May 22nd, aged eighty-seven years and twenty-two days. The
deceased was a native of Kentucky, having been born in Warren county, that
state, in 1812. She came to Kansas in 1877, and had been a resident of this
county ever since. She had been an invalid for a long time, and for eight months
prior to her death had not left her bed. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and died in the hopes of a glorious immortality. The funeral
services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon at three o’clock by Rev. C. D.
Hestwood. The remains were buried in the Larned cemetery. Two daughters survive
the deceased, Mrs. Eva Bennyworth, of this city, and Mrs. Bessie Bowman, whose
home is in Ohio.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 26 May 1899
Contributed
by Richard Schwartzkopf
Mrs. A. A. Thorp died at her
home in this city Friday morning, Dec. 13th. She had been an invalid for several
years and a great sufferer, yet the last attack was very sudden.
Funeral
services were held at the house Sunday afternoon. Dr. Coltman conducted the
service. The interment was in Larned cemetery.
Martha McClung Thorp was born
near Jacksonville, Ill., May 1842. In 1845 she moved with her parents to Putman
county, Illinois, where she grew to womanhood. She attended the public schools
and later went to the Bloomington Norman school, and prepared herself for
teaching.
She taught for several years in Illinois and then came to Kansas
with relatives, taking a claim in Sedgwick county. She proved up on this claim
and later came to relatives in Larned.
Here she taught school several terms.
She was married to Capt. A. A. thorp Feb 24th, 1876, and has lived here since.
Her husband and daughter, Mrs. Henry Draut of Kinsley, survive her, also a
sister, Mrs. J. P. Worrell of this city.
Mrs. Thorp was a member of the
Presbyterian church of Larned. She became a Christian in her childhood and
united with the Presbyterian church at Union Grove, Illinois.
Upon coming to
Larned she united with that church here and has remained a faithful member.
During her years of suffering her faith has been a source of great comfort to
her. She bore her trials with patience and as her pastor said, “She battled with
disease and saw the end approach with cheerful resignation, for she cherished a
firm personal trust in Christ as her Savior.”
The sympathy of this community
goes out to the bereaved family, and to those who knew her, Mrs. Thorp’s death
comes as a personal loss. She has many friends in this county where she has
lived for over thirty years.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope, 8 August 1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Mrs. Henry Tickner died
at the home of her son, O. B. Tickner, twelve miles northwest of this city last
Saturday, of rheumatism, from which she had been a sufferer several months. The
remains were buried in the Larned cemetery Sunday, the funeral being largely
attended by people from Larned and the surrounding country. The deceased had
been a resident of Pawnee county for about ten years, and had a large circle of
friends who sympathize with the bereaved ones.
Source: The Larned
Eagle-Optic, 26 May 1899
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Death of David Tomlinson
He Had Been a Resident of Pawnee
County for More Than Forty Years
David Tomlinson, Sr., died at his home two
miles north and three west of Garfield, at eight o’clock Tuesday morning, at the
age of eighty-one years, five months and seven days.
He was born in
Germantown, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1848, of English parents. There he lived
until March 12, 1873, when he was married to Sarah Patrick, at Philadelphia. To
this union were born eleven children. Six of them were born in Pennsylvania and
immigrated with them to a small farm on the trail south of Larned in 1888. He
was preceded by the death in infancy of two small children, Clara and Thomas, by
George, who died in young manhood, and by his wife in 1921. He is survived by
his sons, William Tomlinson, of Herber Springs, Arkansas; Charles Tomlinson, of
Garfield; Edwin Tomlinson, of Garfield; Mrs. Ed Kline, of Jetmore; David
Tomlinson Jr., of Garfield; Mrs. Fred Mackey, of Garfield; and John Tomlinson,
of Kinsley.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock
in the Methodist church at Garfield with Rev. W. B. Summers in charge.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 29 August 1929
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
David Tomlinson, Sr., was born in Germantown, Penn., March 20,
1848, of English parents and departed this life at his home, two miles north and
three west of Garfield, Kansas, at eight o’clock Tuesday morning, August 27,
192, at the age of 81 years, 5 months and 7 days.
He grew to manhood in the
vicinity of his birth and on March 12th, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Patrick, of Philadelphia, Penn. To this union were born ten children; six
of them being born in Pennsylvania. Two children, Clara and Thomas, died in
infancy, and another, George, died in young manhood. He was also preceded in
death by his wife, in 1921.
In 1887 he came with his family to Kansas, and
settled on a small farm on the trail a few miles southwest of Larned. In 1891 he
united with the M. E. Church in Garfield.
As an early settler he had many
trials and hardships which he over came with true pioneer persistence. He was a
man of unusual good health due to his clean living and healthful habits and at
the age of 81 drove his own car and read without glasses. He was a man of
natural wit and possessed a keen sense of humor, which made him popular with his
friends (whom he loved to entertain with mirthful story.)
He was a respected,
enterprising and industrious farmer and attended to the pursuits of the same
until his death.
May his life of industry and frugality be an inspiration and
example to those who knew him.
His is survived by his children: William, of
Herber Springs, Ark.; Mrs. Ed. Kline, Jetmore, Kansas; John, of Kinsley, Kansas;
Charles, Edwin, David, Jr.; and Mrs. Fred Mackey, all of Garfield, Kansas. Also
23 grandchildren. He is mourned by a number of friends and other relatives.
The funeral services were conducted Friday, August 30th at 2:30 o’clock from the
M. E. Church, by the pastor, W. B. Summers, and the interment was in the
Garfield cemetery.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 5 September 1929
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Sylvanus Towne died at
the home of his daughter, Mrs. N. B. Freeland, in this city on Sunday, February
19th, 1899, at the advanced age of sixty-nine years and nine days. Mr. Towne was
borne in Calarogas county, New York, on February 10th, 1830, and in 1856 married
Mrs. Jane Devough. His wife died in 1871 and five years later he came to Larned
where he has since resided with his daughter and her family. The funeral was
held from the Methodist church in this city, Rev. C. D. Hestwood officiating,
and the remains were interred in the Larned cemetery.
Source: The Larned
Eagle-Optic, 24 February 1899
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Henry Jefferson Turner died at his home in the city Saturday, after
a sickness of several weeks. The funeral was held Monday at 2:30 pm. from the
house. Dr. Coltman of the Presbyterian church conducted the services. The
interment was in Larned cemetery.
The deceased was born in Wood county, West
Virginia, near Parkersburg, April 19, 1834, and died March 2, 1907, aged 73
years, 5 months and 14 days. He was married to Catherine Reed May 22nd, 1860.
Eight children, four boys and four girls, were born to them, three of whom are
dead. His widow and five children are left to mourn the loss of a kind and
loving husband and father.
The living children are, Wm. R. Turner, of Ennis
Texas, Mrs. Geo. W. Keller, Mrs. Chas. Allen, Mrs. John Shultz and W. A. Turner
of Larned. As a young man Mr. Turner united with the Methodist church. He came
to Larned in 1877 and resided here until his death.
Source: The Larned
Chronoscope, 7 March 1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Mrs. I. H. Ulsh died at her home on Monday, September 16, after a
week of confinement to her bed. Mrs. Uslh had been ailing for about a year
previous to her death.
Masena C. Long was born of Revolutionary stock in
Beaver Springs, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1848. She was married to Isaac H. Ulsh
at Middlebury, Pa. Three children were born to this union, one of whom died in
infancy. In 1877 the Ulsh family moved to Pawnee county and took a claim one
mile west of Rozel, where they lived for six years. They returned to
Pennsylvania for a short time and them came back to Pawnee county and lived near
Garfield for one and a half years. Since then they had their residence in
Larned.
Mrs. Ulsh became a member of the Lutheran church as a young woman,
but in Larned has been a consistent member of the Methodist church. She was a
helpful member of the various women’s societies of the church and was also a
Pythian Sister.
Beside her husband, Mrs. Ulsh is survived by a son and
daughter, Warren H. Ulsh, of Kane, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Ida M. Selig, of
Rozel; also two brothers, R. R. Long, of Williamsport, Pa., and A. A. long of
Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at ten
o’clock at the Beckwith Mortuary. Rev. G. H. Cosper will conduct the service and
interment will be in the Larned cemetery.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 19
September 1929
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
James Lockard Umberger died at his home, about eight miles southeast of Larned,
on the morning of July 8th, 1901, at 5:30. He was born in Wythe county,
Virginia, June 24th, 1840; enlisted in Company C, 45th, Virginia Infantry, C. S.
A., in May 1861; returned to his home after the surrender at Appomattox in April
1865; was married to Miss Matilda Ann Steffey November 21st, 1863, who preceded
him to the heavenly home a little more than four years ago. Nine children were
given them, seven of whom are living, four sons and three daughters, who were
with him in his last sickness and death. He came to Pawnee county, Kansas,
December 2nd, 1887.
On March 18th, 1900, he was again married to Mrs. M. B.
Whittlesy, who survives him. In early life he was converted and united with the
Methodist Episcopal church, living with an unwavering faith in God, and in death
showing the same trust in an all wise Heavenly Father, ever ready to depart and
in his great sufferings for many days saying “Thy will, oh Lord; not mine, be
done.” The writer had the privilege to be with him the last two weeks of his
life and can testify to his resignation and thought of others, not one word of
complaint, always satisfied with what was done to alleviate his sufferings, not
even forgetting several dumb animals, which had been for years faithful to him,
giving them into the keeping of his son. Last of all he made the preparations
for his funeral in selecting the scripture to be read, fourteenth chapter of
John, also hymns to be sung, all of which were faithfully carried out by his
pastor, Rev. Hestwood, assisted by Rev. Teal, pastor of the Baptist church, both
officiating at his request. Rev. Davis of the Methodist Episcopal church was
also present and kindly took part in the services at home and the cemetery.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 12 July 1901
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Mrs. Mary E. Van Horn, wife of A. R. Van
Horn, died at her late residence at Ray, Tuesday, July 5th. She was buried in
the Pawnee Rock cemetery. Rev M. P. Dixon preached the funeral sermon.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 15 July 1892
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Louis Vaughn, colored, died at his home a short
distance west of town, Thursday night, of congestion of the bowels. He was sick
only three or four days. The funeral occurred Saturday, and the body was buried
in the Larned cemetery.
We do not know how long Louis Vaughn had been a
resident of Pawnee county, but we had known him personally for some eighteen or
nineteen years. He was a quiet, honest, reliable man, and a good industrious
citizen. He was polite and respectful upon all occasions, and made friends of
all those with whom he became acquainted. His life was an example of honesty and
industry that might well be emulated by others. His death is a grievous loss to
his family, and to the community. In saying this we pay him a simple tribute
that is justly his due.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 3 November 1899
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Well Known Citizen Had
Occupied The Same Home in Larned for Forty-Four Years
The community was
saddened last Friday morning by the news of the death of George Vogt, for nearly
forty-five years a resident of Larned, and one of its well known and well
beloved citizens.
George Vogt was born in Franklin, Iowa, June 16, 1854 and
died at his home in Larned, May 24, 1929, at the age of 74 years, 11 months, and
8 days. He was married to Louisa Haeffner, October 10, 1878, in Franklin, Iowa.
They moved to Kansas in 1885, locating in Larned, and have resided in the same
house here for forty-four years.
In his youth Mr. Vogt had worked with his
father in his shop and learned the profession of shoe-making. He installed a
shop here upon his arrival and was actively engaged in this business for over
fifty years, retiring about two years ago on account of poor health, leaving the
shop in charge of his two sons, Gus and Edward, who have long been associated
with him in the business.
In 1886 George Vogt and his brother, Henry, who was
associated with him in the shoe business at that time, built the building at 621
Broadway, now owned by H. Kling.
Mr. and Mrs. Vogt celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary the tenth of last October with a family reunion at the home,
which was attended by all their children. This was a happy occasion in the Vogt
home and they were the recipients of many lovely gifts from their friends and
relatives.
Mr. Vogt was loved and esteemed by all who knew him, being a man
of high character, a devoted husband, an affectionate father and a fine
neighbor, and enjoyed a quiet home life.
He was only confined to his bed the
last two weeks and passed away at his home in this city last Friday morning.
He is survived by his widow, four sons, Gustave E. Edward F. Herman H., of
Larned, and Raleigh G., of Chicago, Ill., five daughters, Mrs. C. P. Fox and
Mrs. J. A. Steele, of Bartlesville, Okla., Mrs. W. O. Painter, of Hutchinson,
and Mrs. G. I. Millet and Rena S. Vogt of Larned. Three other children died in
infancy.
Funeral services were held at the residence Monday at 2:00 p.m., the
Rev. Charles Kitch, of Great Bend, officiating.
The large number of floral
tributes were evidence of the high esteem in which Mr. Vogt was held by friends
and neighbors and the community.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 30 May 1929
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
The twenty months’ old
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Wakeman died Sunday morning of the measles.
The funeral services were conducted by Elder H. A. Pearce of the Christian
church at the home Monday at 2 p.m. and the little body was laid at rest in the
Larned cemetery.
Baby Georgie was a particularly sweet and attractive child
and her death comes as a shock to the many friends of the family who sympathize
with them in their great bereavement.
The suddenness of the death, the
absence of the father who was working in Garden City and sickness of the other
members of the family makes their loss very hard to bear.
Source: The Larned
Chronoscope, 20 June 1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Mrs. W. C. Ware died at her home five miles west of this city Sunday
night. She had been suffering some time with heart and stomach trouble, but the
immediate cause of her death was paralysis, with which she was attacked
Wednesday night of last week. The funeral occurred Tuesday forenoon from the
Christian church in this city, and the body was buried in the Larned cemetery, a
large number of relatives and friends following the remains to their last
resting place. The deceased leaves a husband and four children, two boys and two
girls, to mourn her loss.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 17 May 1901
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Ex-Mayor W. S. Webb, one of the oldest, best known and most honored residents of
this city, died at his home on Topeka avenue and Twelfth street, Monday afternoon at
two o’clock, after a long illness, in the seventy-eight year of his age. The funeral
occurred from the residence Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. T. W. Rainey,
pastor of the Presbyterian church. Many of the Larned business men paid their
respect to the dead by closing their places of business during the hours of the
funeral ceremonies, while flags were half-masted on the public buildings and on
the pole in Dewey Square. The remains were buried in the Larned cemetery beside
those of his grand-daughter, Miss Belle Rush. William S. Webb was born at
Delaware, Ohio, June 16th, 1823. He was married September 16th, 1845, to Miss
Elizabeth Kelley, of Kelley’s Island, Ohio.
To this union was born three
children, Mrs. Sarah W. Rush, of this city, Mrs. Isabella W. Parks, of Atlanta,
Georgia, and Mr. Charles C. Webb, of Brooklyn, New York. His wife and children
all survive him, as does also a sister, Mrs. Isabella B. Chamberlain, of
Delaware, Ohio.
Soon after his marriage Captain Webb took up his residence at
Kelley’s Island, Ohio, where in merchandising and steam-boating he accumulated
quite a competency. In 1864 he raised a company, of which he was elected
captain, and being assigned to the One Hundred and Thirtieth regiment of Ohio
volunteer infantry, went to the front and served under General Butler in the
fighting around Richmond, Virginia.
After the war he served two terms as
county commissioner of Erie county, Ohio, and was chairman of the board at the
time the present fine court house was built. His services in securing the
faithful completion of all the contracts in connection with the erection of this
fine building received the highest encomiums from the people of Erie county, who
presented him with a handsome gold-headed cane, properly engraved, as a
testimonial of their appreciation.
During his residence in this city, which
covered the last twenty years of his life, Captain Webb was a model of
rectitude. Public spirited, kind, genial, honorable and charitable, he was
respected by all who knew him. He was twice elected mayor of Larned, and also
served as councilman and president of the council a number of years. His
official and private life was marked by the strictest integrity, and he enjoyed
the confidence of the people of this community in an unusual degree. He was
constant in his friendship and absolutely true to his friends. Having known him
personally, and more or less intimately for twenty years, it is our opinion that
few men are entitled to a higher place in the hearts of his fellow citizens than
William S. Webb, whose honorable, Christian life was a living example of the
most perfect ideal of true manhood. The most valuable legacy that any one could
leave their posterity has been left by Captain Webb, the knowledge that he was
the “noblest handiwork of an all-wise Creator” an honest man.
Source: The
Larned Eagle-Optic, 25 October 1901
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Harry, infant son of H. A. and Mattie Webber,
died at the home of Mr. Hemen, five miles southwest of Larned, July 19th. The
funeral services were conducted at the home by Rev. C. D. Hestwood.
Source:
The Larned Eagle-Optic, 28 July 1899
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Georgia A. Weber, 94, died Monday, Nov. 5,
2001, at Presbyterian Manor, Topeka
Born April 20, 1907, in Rozel, Kansas, to
Steve and Josephine (Hoch) Maixner
Survivors: A son, Wallace, Dubuque; a
daughter, Cheryl Weber, Topeka; three sisters, Anna Anschutz, Wilson, Laverne
McConnell, Bristol, Conn., and Lillian Bonnewell, Chino Valley, Ariz.; and four
grandchildren
Preceded in death by: Her husband, Frank J. Weber, and a
sister, Alice Veverka
Source: The Hays Daily News, 7 November 2001
Contributed by Jan Reading
Harold, the eight-year-old son
of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Weimert, died last night at his home east of town. The
death is a very sad one. The little fellow had just gotten over a severe attack
of the whooping cough and was thin and worn out with the long siege but it was
thought that he was regaining his strength.
About 6 o’clock Wednesday evening
he was seized with a fit of coughing which they were unable to check and Dr.
Ewing was called and worked over the poor little boy for several hours but the
little fellow in his exhausted state was unable to clear his lungs and choked to
death in spite of all that could be done.
Harold was the only boy out of a
family of six children and was the youngest child, a favorite of the family. His
parents and sisters have the sympathy of the community in their sad loss.
The
funeral will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the house. The services will be
conducted by Brother Kellar of the Dunkard church, interment will be in Larned
cemetery.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope, 8 August 1907
Contributed by
Richard Schwartzkopf
John Calvin Welch, youngest son of
Elias B. Welch and Elizabeth Welch, was born at Zanesville, Ohio, April 23,
1857, and died at Garfield, October 5th, 1929, aged 72 years, 5 months and 12
days. At the age of three years his parents moved to Arcola, Ill., where he grew
to manhood and made his home until 1912, when he came to Garfield and made his
home with his brother, D. B. Welch.
He leaves to mourn his death, one
brother, D. B. Welch; two nieces, Mrs. Harry Hunsley and Mrs. Guy Wood, of
Larned, and two nephews, Lawrence Welch and John Welch, of Garfield.
Funeral
services were held Sunday afternoon at the Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Interment
was in the Larned cemetery. Rev. Summers, of the Garfield Methodist Episcopal
church, conducted the service.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 10 October 1929
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
One of the saddest
deaths it has been our duty to record for a long time was that of Mrs. R. C.
Welch, of Larned township, who died early last Saturday morning after being sick
only a few days with the grip. On the morning of her death she was feeling so
much better than she had for two or three days before, that she dismissed her
attendants and requested her brother and his wife, who had been with her the
night before, to go home and get some rest. In a very few minutes after this
request was made Mrs. Welch rapidly grew worse, and in ten minutes was dead, the
immediate cause of her death being the rapid enlargement and bursting of a vein
in her throat. The deceased was the wife of R. C. Welch, one of the oldest and
most highly respected residents of Pawnee county. She was the oldest daughter of
the late Mr. John Lawton, and the sister of Mr. Harvey Lawton and Mrs. J. H.
Beard. At the time of her death she was twenty-nine years, eleven months and
twenty-two days of age.
She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
March 24th, 1861, and came to Kansas with her parents in the ‘80s. She was
married December 31st, 1885, and was the mother of two children, Nina, aged
twelve, and Sara, aged eight, both of whom are living. She had been a member of
the Presbyterian church for a number of years. The funeral, which occurred
Monday afternoon, from the family residence, was conducted by Rev. T. W. Raney,
of the Presbyterian church, and was attended by a large circle of sorrowing
relatives and friends. The bereaved husband and children have the sympathy of
the entire community in their loss of a wife and mother whose Christian
character and sterling womanhood was an example of all that is good and noble in
humanity, and a guiding star to better and purer life beyond. Her death is felt
to be a loss to the entire community in which she had lived without blemish so
many years.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 15 March 1901
Contributed by
Richard Schwartzkopf
The funeral of Joseph F. Wells, last
Sunday morning, took place from the Methodist Episcopal church. A large
concourse of people attended the obsequies, and took part in the last sad rites
over the mortal remains of an old resident of Pawnee county. The sermon was
preached by Rev. Bixler, and the ceremonies were conducted by the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows of this city, one of whom he was.
Joseph F. Wells was
born, September 14th, 1838, in Indiana in early life he removed to Douglass
county, Illinois, where he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Hopkins, March
16th, 1861. He came to Pawnee county, Kansas, March 4th, 1876, and died on the
23rd day of December, 1891, and was buried on the 27th of December. Mr. Wells
left a wife and three sons, all of whom attended the funeral but Oliver, who is
enlisted in the regular army.
In the dozen years or more that Mr. Wells was a
resident of Pawnee county he became known and won the esteem of a large number
of its citizens.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 1 January 1892
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Mrs. Thornton L.
Welsh, one of the pioneer settlers of the Fullerton neighborhood, near Burdett,
died Saturday, September 14th, at the Gleason hospital.
Mrs. Welsh was born
September 9, 1859.
Rev. A. S. Allphin conducted the services Monday afternoon
at the M. E. church at Burdett. Interment was in Brown’s Grove cemetery. Mrs.
Welsh is survived by two children, Mose Welsh, of Kinsley, and Mrs. W. F. Rose,
of Pierceville. The body was lay in state at the Vernon Funeral home until
Monday noon.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 19 September 1929
Contributed
by Richard Schwartzkopf
Pioneer Passed Away
Yesterday After a Residence Here of Nearly Fifty Years
A. J. Wenkheimer, one
of the oldest residents and land owners of Pawnee county, died yesterday
afternoon, after a prolonged illness. He suffered a stroke of apoplexy which was
the immediate cause of his death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the Vernon Funeral Home.
Augustus J. Wenkheimer
was born of German parentage in Holmes county, Ohio, on August 12, 1852. He was
the son of Leonhart Wenkheimer, who had become a prominent citizen in that
locality after many years residence. His son was surrounded by German influences
as most of the people in that neighborhood had come from the Fatherland, and
some of the sterling traits of character and the industry which he displayed
were the result of these early associations and training.
While still a very
young man, in 1878, Mr. Wenkheimer took a trip through western Kansas and bought
the quarter section of land near Belpre which he has occupied with his family
for so many years. It was not till 1882, however that Mr. Wenkheimer came here
to make his home. In Massillon, Ohio, where most of his youth had been spent, he
had been a teacher and had also followed other occupations at various times. He
was a man who profited by all experiences and had been a valuable community and
home builder through out his residence in Kansas.
When he came to Larned in
1882 the Larned school board offered Mr. Wenkheimer the position of first
assistant in the high school. He finished out the term and harvested the wheat
he had sown. He then went to Chicago and married a teacher with whom he had been
previously associated. This was Lucy J. Stoddard, who came to Kansas also, and
was one of the early teachers in the Belpre schools, and one of the most
admirable of the Kansas pioneer women. Mrs. Wenkheimer stayed for a short time
in Iowa before joining her husband while he planted a wheat crop and taught a
term in the Garfield schools.
The next year Mr. Wenkheimer renewed his
contract with the Garfield school, took up his residence on his land and Mrs.
Wenkheimer joined him. In 1888, he organized the first Belpre school, and
continued teaching there for three or four years; his wife remained a teacher
for five years. They carried on their farming operations as well and at last
prosperity smiled on them and they were able to erect the splendid farm
improvements which have been a conspicuous feature of the country near Belpre
for many years.
Five children were born to A. J. Wenkheimer and Lucy
Stoddard. They are Alberta M., who has been a teacher for many years, Frank, who
now lives at Hutchinson, Carl, who is a physician and now lives near Phoenix,
Arizona, Mrs. Gladys Milliken, of Amarillo, Texas, and Winnifred, who is also a
teacher. The first Mrs. Wenkheimer died in 1905 and in 1910 Mr. Wenkheimer
married Miss Margaret Dietriech, who was born in Berlin, Germany. Five
daughters, all living at home, were born to this union.
Augustus J.
Wenkheimer has been one of the fine community builders of this section of the
west. He had accumulated a competency through industry, thrift and the
application of good judgment to his affairs. By training, education and notably
fine traits of character he won the respect of everyone in the community, and
his passing causes general regret and sorrow.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler,
26 September 1929
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Augustus John
Wenkheimer was born in Holmes county, Ohio, August 12th, 1852, where he remained
until he was twenty-one years of age when he went to Massilon, Ohio, to attend
school.
In 1883 Mr. Wenkheimer was united in marriage with Miss Lucy J.
Stoddard, of Des Moines, Iowa, and to this union six children were born, five of
whom survive. Mr. Wenkheimer settled in Pawnee county in 1883. Mrs. Wenkheimer
died in 1905. In 1911 Mr. Wenkheimer was united in marriage to Miss Margarathe
Dietrick, of San Antonio, Texas, who with the five children by this marriage
survive.
Mr. Wenkheimer was a progressive farmer and was always interested in
the community in which he lived and was always willing to serve in any capacity
for the betterment of his community.
Mr. Wenkheimer has been in failing
health for the last several months, although his condition did not become
alarming until the past month. Mr. Wenkheimer died last Wednesday, September
25th.
Funeral services were held last Friday afternoon at the Vernon Funeral
Home, at 2:30 o’clock. Interment was in the Belpre cemetery.
All the children
were here for the funeral except one son, Karl, who could not be reached.
Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Frank Wenkheimer and
daughter Gladys of Hutchinson, Mrs. G. A. Cummins of Washington, D.C., Mrs.
Gladys Milliken of Kansas City, Mo., Miss Alberta Wenkheimer of Lewis, Kansas,
and L. E. Harris, of Anthony, Kansas.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 5
October 1929
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Manie Lillian, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Orval West, of this city, died Sunday
morning at four o’clock, of inflammation of the stomach, after an illness of a
little over one week, aged three years, six months, and twenty-eight days. The
funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at three o’clock and
were conducted by Rev. C. D. Hestwood, of the Methodist church.
Six of little
Manie’s playmates, Elsie Boyd, Lulu Shoup, Clara Swan, Bernice Wygles, Edna
Jordan and Mabel Haun, acted as pall-bearers, and each brought a beautiful
floral token to place upon the casket of their little friend. In addition to
these there were numerous other floral tributes presented by sympathizing
friends and relatives. The remains were laid to rest in the Larned Cemetery.
In the death of their only child, who was a bright, beautiful little girl, with
sunny hair and a sweet gentle disposition, Mr. and Mrs. West have the sincere
sympathy of all who knew them. Only parents whose hopes and aspirations are
centered in an only child, can appreciate how deep and poignant is the grief of
these afflicted parents, and that only God is capable of alleviating their
sorrow.
Source: The Larned Eagle-Optic, 19 May 1899
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Edith K. White, 91, died Thursday, May 24,
2001, at the Good Samaritan Center of Hays.
Born May 6, 1910, in Meade,
Kansas, to Howard W. and Ida Mae (LeVan) Fox
Survivors: Two sons, Asher Bob,
Hays, and Philip LeVan, Bella Vista, Ark.; a brother, Clyde L. Fox, Denver;
eight grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by: Her
husband, Asher A. White, two sisters, Verda Lane, and Dorothy Compton; and a
brother, Howard W. Fox.
Source: The Hays Daily News, 25 May 2001
Contributed by Jan Reading
Hazel Loretta White, infant
daughter of E. A. and Lucy White, died of pneumonia January 10th, 1907, aged
twenty-two days. Appropriate funeral services were held at the home near Wilson
Chapel on Friday January 11, by Rev. J. L. Rutan, and the little one was laid to
rest in the Garfield cemetery.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope, 25 January
1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Silas Lee White
died at his home here at 9:50 o’clock last Saturday evening. Mr. White had been
a resident of Larned for about five years. He was for some time manager of the
Harding cream station, when it was located on the present site of the Tiller and
Toiler building.
Silas Lee White was born in Webster county, Missouri, April
22nd, 1863. He joined the regular army in Co. D. 13 United States infantry on
the 28th of March, 1892, and received his honorable discharge on June 27th,
1895. He was united in marriage to Letha Smith, of Purdy, Missouri, August 6th,
1896. To this union seven children were born, Lewis and Calvin, who preceded him
in death.
He was converted in the year of 1916 at the Free Methodist church,
Macksville, Kansas, under the ministry of J. B. Hargadine. He joined the church
in which he lived a faithful and devoted member. He has been a resident of
Kansas since his marriage with the exception of five years, which were spent in
Missouri. He was in the produce business for thirty years, having retired two
years ago on account of failing health.
He leaves to mourn his death a
devoted wife, three sons, and two daughters: Susie Smith, of Kinsley, Kansas;
Charles White, of St. John; Sophia, Asher and George, of Larned, also seven
grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at
the Free Methodist church, Macksville, Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock, conducted
by Rev. N. I. Gilbert. Interment was in the Farmington cemetery at Macksville.
Source: The Tiller and Toiler, 13 June 1929
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
The funeral of Mrs. S. W. Whited took place
last Tuesday morning. The services at the house were quite largely attended and
were conducted by the Rev. James Haswell, of the Presbyterian church. She was an
earnest member of the New Church and for twenty-five years lived a painstaking
and Christian life. A husband and three sons in New Mexico and one son and a
daughter, Mrs. Myers, who live here, are left to mourn her death.
Source: The
Larned Eagle-Optic, 15 April 1892
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
James M. Wilcox was born in Delaware Co., New
York, October 9th, 1823. He married Elizabeth Cleveland October 5, 1846. They
raised a family of seven children: four boy and three girls, all of whom survive
him.
He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1870. In March
1876 the family moved to Pawnee county, Kansas. Mrs. Wilcox died October 3rd,
1890. W. B. Barton conducted the funeral services which were held at the family
residence, and his body was laid to rest in the Pratt cemetery last Saturday.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope, 18 April 1907
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Mrs. Rebecca B. Wolcott died March
23rd, at the home of her niece in Decatur, Michigan, at the age of 92 years, 7
months. She had been ailing for ten days before her death, with a gradual
weakening on account of her advanced age.
The body was brought to Garfield by
her son H. G. Wolcott for burial beside her husband. The funeral was held at the
residence of her youngest son, D. B. Wolcott, at Garfield, Rev. Reaves
conducting the service. A more extended notice will be printed next week.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope, 28 March 1907
Contributed by Richard
Schwartzkopf
Rebecca Banning Webb was born in Johnson, Trumbull county, Ohio,
August 14, 1814, and died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. F. A. Armitage,
on March 23, 1907, aged 92 years, 7 months and 9 days. She was the eldest of a
family of six children and survived them all for many years.
At the age of 23
she married Joseph H. Wolcott of West Farmington, Ohio, living there more than
forty years and bearing to him five children: one dying in infancy and the
eldest, Col. Harlan P. Wolcott, at Topeka, Kansas, one year ago.
The living
ones are Mrs. Amoret Roseman of Fremont, Neb., Darwin B. Wolcott of Garfield,
Kan., and H. G. Wolcott of this city. Since the death of her husband Oct. 25,
1886, she has lived with her children in Nebraska and Kansas until July 1904,
when she came to live with her son in Decatur.
Mr. Wolcott left with her body
on Monday for burial at Garfield, Kansas, by the side of her husband and eldest
son, according to her desire.
She had great affection for her children, but
her patriotism was so strong that she freely consented to all her sons serving
in the army. For seventy years she has been a member of Congregational churches.
Her death was peaceful and painless, not from sickness, but failing simply from
extreme age. --Republican, Decatur, Mich.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope, 4
April 1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Jerry Ransom Wonsetler died at Larned hospital Friday afternoon, January 4,
after a sickness of eight days. Appendicitis was the cause of his death. He was
the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wonsetler and was born in Buchanan county, Mo.,
but moved to this county with his parents about ten years ago. He married Miss
Tiny Andrey of this county March 29, 1906. The funeral was held at the Christian
church Sunday afternoon and was under the direction of the A.O.U.W. Rev. Pierce
preached the sermon.
Mrs. Wonsetler was prostrated by the death of her
husband and is now in a very serious condition at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James
Marymee.
Source: The Larned Chronoscope, 11 January 1907
Contributed by
Richard Schwartzkopf
William V. Wood, an old resident of
this county, died of inflammation of the bowels on Thursday, July 19th. His
sickness was of short duration, and just a few days prior to his death he
returned from a pleasure trip to Minneapolis and other northern cities.
His
funeral occurred on Sunday morning and was conducted under the direction of the
I.O.O.F. No. 129, of this city, and was very largely attended. Rev. A. J.
Bixler, of the Methodist Episcopal church, officiated, the Coyote club
furnishing the music. The remains were buried in the Larned cemetery.
Mr.
Wood was a native of Orange county, New York, and was born December 19th, 1846,
and at the time of his death was in the forty-sixth year of his life. He has
resided in this county since 1878 and was one of Pawnee county’s most
progressive and intelligent farmers. He leaves a wife and two young children, a
boy and girl, to mourn his death. William V. Wood was well known throughout the
county and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
Source: The Larned
Eagle-Optic, 15 July 1892
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Captain J. P. Worrell died at his home in this city some time
Sunday morning, from heart trouble. The day before he had seemed as well as
usual and retired as usual Saturday night.
Mrs. Worrell noticed that he
seemed restless during the earlier part of the night but thought nothing of it.
In the morning he lay quiet as if asleep, and upon closer view it was seen that
he had passed away. He had fallen asleep never to waken. He had been subject to
heart trouble for some time and had been in poor health.
Captain Worrell was
one of the pioneers of Pawnee county, coming to Larned in 1873. He was a lawyer
in the early days and was prominent in the affairs of the town. He is well known
throughout the county.
He was 73 years of age and had he lived two more days
would have celebrated his fifty-third wedding anniversary. He was a veteran of
the Civil war and an active member of the G.A.R. A more complete obituary will
be printed next week.
The funeral was held this afternoon from the house and
services were under the direction of the G.A.R. The funeral was delayed until
the arrival of the oldest daughter, Mrs. Belle Worrell Ball, who arrived from
Washington Wednesday night. Of the other children, Geo. Worrell and Mrs. Myrtle
Buckles live in Larned, and one daughter in Alaska.
Source: The Larned
Chronoscope, 23 May 1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Capt. J. P. Worrell
The
funeral of Capt. J. P. Worrell was held at the home last Thursday afternoon. The
services were in charge of the G.A.R., assisted by the Sons of Veterans and Co.
F, K.N.G. It was a military funeral. After scripture reading and prayer by Rev.
Barton, the G.A.R. gave their impressive service. At the cemetery members of Co.
F, formed the firing squad.
At our request the following paragraphs regarding
the life of Captain Worrell were kindly prepared for us. It is very appropriate
at this memorial time that the life and splendid war record of Capt. Worrell be
reviewed, for the benefit of his many friends in this city and county. He is one
of the men we honor today, one of the nation’s defenders.
Those who came from
a distance to attend the funeral were Rev. J. S. McClung, of Wichita, brother of
Mrs. Worrell, Miss Helen Ball, of Lawrence, Kansas, sister of Mr. H. M. Ball,
and Mrs. H.M. Ball, who came from Washington, D.C.
From friends of Mrs. Ball,
who is president of the Department of Potomac, Woman’s Relief Corps, many
beautiful flowers were received from those who met Capt. and Mrs. Worrell on
their memorable trip to Washington.
Condolences were also sent by many of the
officers of both the Grand Army of the Republic and the Woman’s Relief Corps.
Among the other beautiful tributes received were the badge of the order in roses
and carnations from Larned Woman’s Relief Corps, roses from Mr. and Mrs.
Brubaker, roses and carnations from Miss Bess Baldwin, of Topeka, roses from
Mrs. Depew and daughters, and many beautiful tributes of flowers from the family
and friends at a distance.
The funeral ceremonies were strictly military, as
Capt. Worrell wished. The music was that of the fife and drum, its purely
martial effect fitting the surroundings. The casket was placed in the center of
the lawn under the shadow of the flag Capt. Worrell so loved, with the trees
about him that he had planted and tended with proud care, on the carpet of thick
grass where he had passed many delightful hours with his friends in social
intercourse, and where he was so fond of sitting with his grandchildren and
family.
About four years ago, Mrs. H. M. Ball, Capt. Worrell’s eldest
daughter, brought to him from Washington a handsome bunting storm flag. Capt.
Worrell immediately planned a flag pole. With the assistance of Capt. A. A.
Thorp the pole was made, and the raising was turned into a gala occasion to
which the whole country was invited. A regular baked bean campfire supper was
served on the lawn about the hospitable home of Capt. and Mrs. Worrell, and the
flag was raised just at sunset, with a salute by Co. F. National Guard, the
playing of the Star Spangled banner by the Larned Band, and the grandchildren of
Capt. Worrell drawing the flag to the top of the staff amid loud huzzas.
Last
Thursday, at the conclusion of the impressive military funeral, the same
grandchildren, Carlos and Wayne Worrell, Rex, Moree, Gail, and Gladys Buckles
marched out to the flag staff, and reverently lowered the flag which had been
flying at half staff during the week. As it came fluttering down, the children
caught the ruddy folds, and walking to the casket laid above their loved
grandfather the flag he so loved, and wrapped about the casket, it formed his
winding sheet as he had so often desired should be done.
During the long day
and nights that passed while waiting the arrival of relatives, details of B. F.
Larned Post, G.A.R., the Sons of Veterans, the National Guard and the Masons
stood guard over the remains of the man whom they had honored in life, and who
loved them all. Capt. Worrell was extremely fond of young people, and it was
appropriate that they should watch over him, as he had often watched over them
in sickness, or helped them during hours of sorrow or trial.
Only his
comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic were permitted to see his features
for the last time.
Capt Worrell died as he had often expressed the wish to
die. “He wrapped the drapery of his couch about him and laid down to pleasant
dreams.” At night he went to sleep like a little child, and when the sun was
rising the next morning, he lay still as though asleep, with his hand under his
silvery white head, his eyes closed. When his spirit winged its way above, it
went so softly that no one knew, and no shadow of pain rested on his placid
face.
Something of His Life and Character
James Purcell Worrell was born in Alexandria, Va., April 8, 1834. When
about four years old his father, Samuel Worrell, with his family removed to
Fayette county, Ohio, where Capt. Worrell grew to manhood. His father was a
shipwright, and built and launched the first ship ever set afloat at Alexandria,
in that day a port of entry, and promising to be a great city. Just a few years
ago one of the Washington newspapers which was making a feature of historical
incidents of early Washington and Alexandria had a long article about the wharfs
and shipyard of Capt. Worrell’s father at Alexandria.
The genealogy of Capt.
Worrell’s family reaches back into the ancient history of Scotland and the north
of Ireland. On his mother’s side he traced ancestry to the Scottish King James,
through the Stuarts, and a Worrell lies in Battle Abbey. The first of that
family came to the new west world in 1619, in the “Good Ship Elizabeth,” which
antedated the Mayflower one year and landed at Philadelphia.
That the
Worrell’s were sturdy men of affairs in the history of the country is shown by
the fact that the early records of Philadelphia show that men of that name were
mayors of the town, and filled many places of importance prior to the Revolution
nearly 100 years. That the Worrells were fighters is shown also by the
Revolutionary records. In Philadelphia there is one very large chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, the eligibility clause for admittance to
the chapter being that one shows kinship to a Worrell who fought in the
Revolutionary war.
The ancient spelling of the name shows it to have been in
all probability of Welsh origin, it being variously spelled in old documents
across the water as “Wherle,” “Whorle,” “Whorrell,” “Wherrell,” about the time
of coming to this country the ‘h’ being dropped.
Capt. Worrell went to
Illinois in 1853, and May 21, 1865, was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth
McClung; of Putman county, Illinois. The McClungs, like the Worrells were of the
old Scotch and Irish stock and came to this country very early after the
settlement of Jamestown. They located in Rockbridge county, Va., and the McClung
homestead is still in the McClung name in that historic county which gave
Washington to the country.
Mr. and Mrs. Worrell settled in Marshall county,
Illinois, and there most of their children were born, eight in all. Four of
these died while small, and are buried in the little churchyard at Snechwine,
now Putnam, Ill.
Mr. Worrell was one of the first to enlist when the shots
from Sumter’s guns echoed around the world, but the quota for Illinois was
filled before his company was reached and he had to wait for a time to get into
the service. His second enlistment was in Co. D. 47th Ill. Vol. Infty. In 1862,
while home on furlough he helped to recruit Co. B., 86th Ill., the men being
nearly all of them his personal friends in and about Henry, Ill., then his home.
He took service in this company where his record as a fighting man among
fighting men became notable. So notable in fact that the records of the War of
the Rebellion printed at tremendous expense and long years of compilation carry
pleasing mention of his gallantry in action. At the battle of Stone River Gen.
Geo. H. Thomas personally praised his conduct in the face of falling fire, and
bestowed upon him his own sword, and a sash which he had worn. Capt. Worrell’s
captain was branded a poltroon at that battle and Capt. Worrell led his company
into the fight on the order to hold a “forlorn hope at all hazards.” He held it.
Endorsement of Capt. Worrell’s action was made by the general upon Capt.
Worrel’s commission as a Captain, but the sword, sash, and the commission have
all been stolen since coming to Pawnee county.
Capt. Worrell was promoted to
captain from first lieutenant for Stone River, over the heads of many aspirants,
and bore himself with such gallantry as to command the unstinted praise of his
superior officers.
He led his regiment in the Chickamauga campaign, being
actively engaged in the skirmishes and battles leading up to the mighty conflict
and ending with the battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary
Ridge. Capt. Worrell had his horse shot from under him and rolled with it down
Lookout mountain, and his cap shot off at Mission Ridge. He was wounded twice in
different battles.
Col. D. W. Magee, the lieutenant colonel commanding the
86th at Chickamauga several times mentions Capt. Worrell in his report of that
battle. He reported that Capt. Worrell’s company was ordered to hold a forlorn
hope along with Co. L of the 86fth. “These two companies did a splendid work,”
says the report. “The advance of the rebels now became so formidable and rapid
that before our skirmishers were well aware of it, they had turned our right and
threatened to cut them off entirely from the regiment.
“But becoming aware of
their perilous position, they jumped from tree to tree retreating the while,
until Capt. Fahnestock (who held the right) got his company within reach of the
rear of our column, which was then moving by the flank (by order of Gen.
Steedman) toward the old LaFayette road.
“Captain Worrell, however, was not
so fortunate, his left being so far advanced and acting under an order to hold
his position until he heard Barnett’s battery open on the enemy, remained too
long, and when forced to retreat, found his right covered by the enemy in
force.”
The report goes on to state that Captain Worrell was so nearly
surrounded by the enemy that he lost four men, all four of whom were taken
prisoner, and spent many months in Andersonville. Capt. Worrell succeeded in
rejoining his company and the regiment with the remainder of his company.
“The conduct of Captains Worrell and Fahnestock with their companies on this
occasion, I am proud to say, was that of brave and true soldiers, and worthy of
the great cause for which we are all battling.”
In conclusion of the report,
which covers very fully the action of the 86th regiment in that campaign, Col.
MaGee said: “The conduct of the officers and men composing my regiment on the
three days we were connected with the troops engaged in the conflict referred
to, was such as to reflect credit upon themselves and the state they represent,
and especially Captain Worrell, commanding Co. B, and his brave officers and
men, I most cordially thank for the heroism displayed.”
Capt. Worrell’s
record all through the war was of the same high order. He was often complimented
and commended by his superior officers, and held many commissions of trust and
confidence during his service, which was not concluded till he was mustered out
in August 1865. His health failed him during the latter year of his service and
he was placed in charge of the cattle for Gen. Thomas’ army as commissary of
subsistence.
At the close of the war, though he had handled hundreds of
thousands of dollars worth of cattle for Gen. Thomas, he was able to settle his
business to the last penny without the slightest difficulty.
Capt. Worrell
always kept the muster rolls of his company, and copies of his official papers,
and upon those muster rolls depended the fate of most of the men of his company
who desired pensions, and whose pensionable status were easily settled by
reference to those rolls.
In this connection Capt. Worrell once related with
a good deal of satisfaction a story of how he was ‘investigated’ by the pension
office at Washington. The singularity attending all those of Co. B who applied
for pensions was that they could tell almost to an hour when they were in
hospital, when wounded, when furloughed for sickness or anything else that would
give them a pensionable status.
The commissioner of pensions, some 20 years
or less ago, concluded to find this “Capt. Worrell” and investigate on the sly
the man who gave to the men of his company so glibly a pensionable status. The
pension examiner came, called on Capt. Worrell under some other guise, and led
him to talk of his regiment and company. Finally the examiner asked about the
record of the last man who had applied for a pension, and Capt. Worrell replied
again with satisfactory evidence for the man to get a pension.
Finally, the
examiner remarked that Capt. Worrell must have a very retentive memory. Capt.
Worrell replied that he had what was better, the company rolls, and that he
could give the history of every man who had ever served under him. The special
examiner looked over the roll books, and after that when one of Co. B, 86th
Ill., applied for a pension, establishing his grounds on the report made by his
Captain, that pensionable status was not questioned.
Capt. Worrell was a
member of “Our Country’s Defenders,” the organization which practically
antedated the Grand Army of the Republic, and became a member of the Grand Army
as soon as he could form a post. He was a charter member of B. F. Larned Post,
G.A.R., and never held membership anywhere else. He was several times commander
of the post, and had held many other offices in it. He had been many times upon
the staff of the commander-in-chief, and at Washington, in 1902, he was a
special aid upon the staff of Commander-in-Chief Torrence, acting as his
personal escort and orderly.
A Tribute from a Comrade
Comrade Capt. J. P. Worrell
Because of old time
acquaintance may I be permitted my humble tribute to an old comrade and brother.
In the spring of 1873, third of a century ago, in our little town of Larned, I
first met Capt. J. P. Worrell; and the friendship then begun has ripened into a
bond of comradeship which has never been severed. Captain Worrell and family
soon became identified with all the interest of our little town.
He was a man
of sterling qualities, of strong and positive convictions, and naturally became
a factor in all the enterprises for the good of our community. He tried the
first case, the old depot being the court room. He helped to organize the first
school district, his family furnishing the first teacher. He took an active part
in the building of and was one of three trustees of the first church built in
Larned, it being a union church, and he was ever found in the ranks of those who
were working for the best interest of our town and country.
He was an
uncompromising patriot, and his devotion to his country and flag was such that
he could brook no aspersions upon either, or their defenders, and was just as
loyal to his home, family and friends.
In the transition of all frontier
towns, these were times that tried men’s souls; and Larned was not an exception,
and some of the old settlers well remember times when men like Captain Worrell
were needed, and that he was ever found ready for the occasion. He was out
spoken and positive. If he liked you, you knew it, and his enemies never failed
to know where he stood. But he never fought under cover, but out in the open,
face to face.
And yet with all, he possessed a big loving heart, easily
touched with the feelings of others, and ever responsive to the needs of his
fellow man. And in this, he was no respecter of persons. For the rich and poor,
white and black, friend and foe, when in need of sympathy and help, alike found
a ready response in the heart of Comrade Worrell, and his heart and hand were
ever open to the needs of the suffering and bereaved.
During the terrible
scourge that swept away so many of our dear little ones, leaving desolate homes,
and bleeding hearts, Oh, how many can testify to the ready response of Captain
Worrell and his good wife.
Do you think we will ever forget these gracious
ministrations of this couple, who like as the Master, went about doing good,
visiting the sick, binding up broken hearts, and giving sympathy and comfort to
sorrowing ones, and we are now speaking from experience, and out of the depth of
our grateful heart.
And because of these things we will ever cherish the
memory of this departed comrade and brother; and because of these things, we
also, can confidently entrust him to the loving care of the blessed Savior, to
whom all hearts are open, and who said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
In behalf of the
old comrades and friends, we bide him farewell until we meet him again at that
grand muster over the river, where there will be no more parting forever. As
ever, an old time comrade and friend, W. R. Adams
Source: The Larned
Chronoscope, 30 May 1907
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Pioneer Pawnee County Settler Dies At His Home Here at Age 88 After Long Illness
In the death of Benjamin Yates last Thursday, Pawnee county lost one of its
oldest settlers. For more than half a century he had lived in Larned, having
moved here with his family 53 years ago, in October 1875. He was 88 years, 9
months and 8 days old at the time of his death.
For the past 15 months Mr.
Yates had been confined to his bed, but during all of his illness was
exceptionally patient. He died December 27, 1928, at the home of his son, Leo.
Mr. Yates watched the growth and development of the town. Coming here in 1875 as
a pioneer settler, he saw the small prairie settlement transformed into the
modern city of today. In his earlier years in Larned he ran a transfer line and
later was in the restaurant business. The last 20 years of his life he devoted
his time to bee culture, and for years has been known as Larned’s bee man.
Benjamin, son of William and Annie Yates, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on
March 19, 1840, and died at the home of his son in Larned on December 27, 1928.
He was the youngest of a family of seven. The Yates family moved from Ohio to
Iowa, where Benjamin was married on April 22, 1875, to Mary Elizabeth Brown. In
October, 1875, they came to Pawnee county, Kansas, where they made their home.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Yates, one of whom died in infancy. Two
daughters, Mrs. Minnie Blount and Mrs. Carrie Neely, preceded their father in
death. Mrs. Yates died in June, 1911, and since that time Mr. Yates has made his
home with his children.
Mr. Yates was reared in the Quaker faith and followed
his conscience in this faith. He is survived by a son, Leo Yates, of Larned, and
a daughter, Mrs. Alice Banks, of Wichita, twelve grandchildren and five great
grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the Beckwith
mortuary, and interment was in the Larned cemetery.
Source: The Tiller and
Toiler, 3 January 1929
Contributed by Richard Schwartzkopf
Edward B. Yeager, 85, died Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, at the Russell Regional
Hospital.
Born March 19, 1914, in Rozel, to Wesley Ralph and Christine (Reed)
Yeager
Survivors: His wife, Maurine C. (Schrock) Yeager; Russell; a son,
Douglas, Wichita; a daughter, Marsha Martin, Georgetown, Texas; a brother, Bob,
Larned; and three grandchildren
Source: The Hays Daily News, 20 February 2000
Contributed by Jan Reading
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