Back to Previous Page

Transcribed by Jane Becker who had purchased a copy of this booklet and wanted to share it with others who have an interest in its contents. "Thank you, Jane."

Early History

In those early days the market and principal trading place was Leavenworth. The farmer garnered his crop of wheat and corn and hauled it in the fall to Fort Leavenworth, where he sold it and laid in a supply of provisions and clothing sufficient for the winter. Those early pioneers endured many hardships in blazing the way for civilization. Schools, churches and social organizations, which form so large a part of the life of the people today, were unknown to early inhabitants. Homes were to build, farms to reduce to a state of cultivation. Local governments for the enforcement of law and for the development of the country were to be established. Most of the people had small means, and for many years the homes were not very comfortable. Almost no luxuries of life could be enjoyed, while some at times suffered for want of necessities. The border troubles of 1859 and 1860 proved a blessing to Kansas in sending many of the best families of New England and anti-slavery men of other sections to the new territory. The large increase of population made schools possible and established churches. History pubilshed in this edition elsewhere shows that Westmoreland kept well up to the front in matters of these natures.

The Westmoreland post office was established in 1858. The mail was carried from Louisville to Marysville, and the round trip was made once each week. The post office was named by John McKimens, in honor of his native county, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. Mr. McKimens was the first postmaster, and the office was, of course, located in his home.

Among those who came to this locality soon after Mr. and Mrs. McKimens, were Uriah Cook, Russell church, the Pease brothers, Jethro B. Pray, John and George Dailey, Dave Vroman, David Gard, the four Spalding boys (Dan, David, William, and Lish), George Bertram, Josiah Comfort, Volney Baker, Levi H. Stout and John Thompson.

The first house built upon the present site of Westmoreland was a log structure erected in 1860 by Volney Baker. This house stood in the southeast part of town, upon the site of the residence lately purchased by Ben Lunbeck. The old building was later moved two or three hundred feet north, where it was used for a stable.

Volney Baker was surveyor of Pottawatomie county from 1860 to 1869. In 1860, soon after coming to Westmoreland, he built a saw mill on Rock creek, on the farm now occupied by Charles Zabel. This mill was a great convenience in those early days. It furnished lumber for most of the early buildings in this section. In the year 1869, Baker sold the mill to Charles Zabel, who for a time had associated with him in the business J.Q. Buffington [sic]. Mr. Zabel enlarged the mill and added machinery for making flour and meal. This mill was a great convenience in those early days. It burned in 187_, and was never rebuilt. Mr. Baker succeeded John McKimens as postmaster, and held this important position for many years. He moved to California in 1869, where he still resides.

Josiah Comfort was one of the first men in this section to obtain a living from the public. He was a blacksmith, and for many years followed his trade at a shop on his farm.

The first store in Westmoreland was established by A.C Cochrun. He was one of the early settlers of Kansas, having settled near what is now known as Buck's Grove, southeast of Havensville, in 1860. he put up a small building on the northwest corner of what is now the Cochrun property. He occupied this structure as a residence, and put in a small stock of general merchandise, which he purchased at America City. His business propered, and he built an addition to his building. Mr. Cochrun's store was the second building within the present townsite of Westmoreland. The building was moved a block north and is now occupied by the RECORDER office. Mr. Cochrun was postmaster many years and was one of the most enterprising of Westmoreland's business men. He died in 1885.

The other oldest merchants in the town were Mrs. L.L. Van Brunt and D.B. Kitts.

The foregoing covers the principal part of the early history of Westmoreland previous to the time it became the county seat, except the history of its schools and churches, which are treated elsewhere under other headings.

The county seat was located in Westmoreland in the summer of 1882. At that time the town contained two stores, those of A.C. Cochrun and Mrs. L.L. Van Brunt.

James Detro accommodated the travling public at his residence, but his place could hardly be styled properly a hotel.

A.C. Cochrun had owned the blacksmith shop, and H.H. Good did the work for him, but at this time the shop was owned by Bill Jenkins, and Mr. Good ran it.

Dr. C.A. Skene arrived in Westmoreland in 1873, and has been practicing medicine here since that time.

The parties mentioned lived in Westmoreland with their families, and in addition there were J. Whims (justice of the peace), D.B. Kitts, Mary Hinekle, E.B. Place, and Rev. C. C.Culmer, pastor of the M. E. church.

The Methodists and Congregationalists had church buildings and parsonages, and the little old stone school house had been built many years before. Many new-comers arrived with the county seat, and rapid improvement was made from that time.

It was generally believed that Westmoreland would not hold the county seat, and even the Westmoreland Period admitted some months later that the county seat would be on wheels until a suitable court house should be built.

The removal of the county seat to Westmoreland is treated elsewhere.

Other

Marriages

Deaths

Transcribed by Jane Becker who had purchased a copy of this booklet and wanted to share it with others who have an interest in its contents. "Thank you, Jane."  More may be added at a later date.