Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1023 - 1024

WILLIAM A. PINKHAM, late of Wichita, and who closed his eyes upon the scenes of earth Feb. 9, 1888, was a gentleman favorably known among the people of Wichita as one of its independent capitalists and solid business men. He was engaged largely in real estate, and was the owner of a fine home at No. 151 Ellis avenue. He came to Wichita in September, 1875, built the first sidewalk on East Douglas avenue east of the Santa Fe Railroad, and the first sidewalk on North Fourth avenue.

       Our subject, upon coming to Southern Kansas, first engaged as a contractor and builder, which business he followed until 1886, and then practically retired from active labor. His earliest recollections were of a home in far New England, he having been born in Kennebec County, Me., March 1, 1845. His parents, Thomas D. and Rosalinda (Cashman) Pinkham, were also natives of the Pine Tree State, and the father a farmer by occupation. The latter, during the late war, enlisted as a Union soldier, and received an honorable wound, on account of which he was discharged as incapacitated for further military duty. Upon his recovery, however, he determined to return and assist until the conflict was over, and this time joined a battery, with which he remained until the close of the war.

            Our subject, although a youth of but sixteen upon the outbreak of the Rebellion, determined not to be outdone by his father, and also enlisted, becoming a member of Company I, 24th Maine Infantry, for three years, and at the expiration of his term of service re-enlisted, in September, 1864, in Company A, 16th Maine Infantry, with which he continued until the close of the war. He was slightly wounded in the head by a shell in one of the engagements in which he participated, and with the exception of this returned home unharmed. He was subsequently employed as a carpenter and contractor at Pittston, Me., but in 1868 determined upon a change of location, and set out for the West, and did not stop in his journey until reaching the Pacific Slope. Locating in Stockton, San Joaquin Co., Cal., he engaged as contractor and builder there, and at San Jose and vicinity, where he operated about two years.

            At the expiration of this time Mr. Pinkham, desirous of a sight of the old familiar faces at home, returned to Maine, where he followed his trade through the winter, then set out for Michigan, and locating at Albion, continued engaged as before in that vicinity for nearly two years. We next find him in Chicago, Ill., where he continued employed in the same business, but remained in the Garden City, however, only six months. From there he returned to New England, and continued in his native State until 1875. After another trip to California, where he remained but a few months, he made his way to this county, locating in Wichita in September, 1875. He worked at his trade here until 1879, then being seized with an attack of the Leadville fever, proceeded to Colorado, where he was engaged in prospecting and mining, together with his other business, five years.

             Mr. Pinkham returned to Wichita in November, 1883, and followed his former occupation about three years, then began buying and selling city property. In this he was very successful. In 1887 he put up the handsome family residence where he died, and besides this was the owner of a store and dwelling, which his widow now rents. He was a Republican, politically, and took a lively interest in the future prospects of Sedgwick County.

            The marriage of our subject and Miss Catherine Burr was celebrated at the home of the bride in Pittston, Kennebec Co., Me., March 1, 1866. Mrs. Pinkham is the daughter of Jonathan and Lucy (Wadsworth) Burr, natives of Maine, and the father a ship carpenter by trade. She was born in the above-mentioned county, April 20, 1846, and is one of the only two living children of her parents, whose household included two sons and four daughters. Her brother James lives in Pittston, Me. The mother died in 1873. The father is still living at the old home place in Maine. To Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham there was born one child only, a daughter, Lillian G., who died at the age of eight years and four months. The earthly remains of Mr. Pinkham were laid to their last repose in the cemetery at East Wichita. His later years were successful financially, and he left a handsome competency to his widow.

            A view of the Pinkham residence and surroundings, given on another page, illustrates one of the most complete homes in the city of Wichita, and one built up by the exercise of great industry and forethought on the part of one of its self-made men, who will ever be kindly remembered by all who knew him.

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