Charlton E. Middaugh

CHARLTON E. MIDDAUGH, deceased, one of the prominent business men of Columbus, for two years its mayor and for a long period one of its most progressive citizens, was born September 22, 1835, in Monroe County, New York, in what are now the suburbs of Rochester. His death occurred on April 10, 1903, at his home in Miami, Indian Territory.

In Monroe County, New York, he married Martha A. Curtice, who was born in that county in 1836, and died in Miami, Indian Territory, on April 30, 1898. They had three children, viz.: Carl A., who is cashier of the Columbus State Bank; Anna, wife of W. C. Lykins, of Miami, Indian Territory, who was interested with Mr. Mddaugh in the mercantile business; and Mrs. Mabel W. Milligan, who also resides at Miami.

The late Charlton E. Middaugh came to Cherokee County, Kansas, on August 1, 1869, locating at Columbus, where he immediately entered into a mercantile business, first in partnership with C. A. Bliss, under the firm name of Bliss & Middaugh. Shortly after, however, Mr. Middaugh became sole proprietor. His was the first large establishment of the kind in this city and he continued its operation until 1880, when he sold his mercantile interests to his son-in-law, W. C. Lykins. Mr. Middaugh then engaged for a time in a stock business in the Indian Territory, but later returned to Columbus, where he erected the Middaugh Hotel, which he conducted himself for several years. The building was used for hotel purposes until about 1899, when it was transformed into a store and office building.

Mr. Middaugh was not a politician in the common acceptation of the term, but he was a stanch Republican and a strong supporter of the administration. During the Civil War he had served as a member of the 1st Regiment, Wisconsin Light Artillery. From 1883 to 1885 he served as mayor of Columbus, and faithfully advanced the city's interests during this period. While not a member of and religious body, he was liberal in his support of the Baptist Church of Columbus, and was ever ready to assist in the promotion and maintenance of benevolent institutions as well as public organizations looking to the general welfare. He was a man of strict integrity and high moral character, one who, in furthering his own affairs never lost sight of those of the community. He held membership with John A. Dix Post, No. 56, G. A. R., and fraternally he was an Odd Fellow.

Carl A. Middaugh, cashier of the Columbus State Bank, was born at Topeka, Kansas, November 1, 1867. He was educated in the schools of Columbus and later became a clerk in the post office and also in the office of the register of deeds. In 1886 he spent some months with the Equitable Trust & Investment Company, of Wichita, and in 1887 was interested in a loan and real estate business at Leota, Kansas. In 1888 he entered the bank of H. R. Crowell, at Columbus, and has been with the institution ever since, the Columbus State Bank being the successor of the Crowell Bank. He is a director of the institution and since 1894 has been cashier.

Mr. Middaugh married Irean Rhine, who was born near Warsaw, Indiana, and is a daughter of Abraham Rine, who located on a farm in Cherokee County in the early "seventies." Mr. and Mrs. Middaugh have one daughter, Lora. Mr. Middaugh has been prominently identified with the city's affairs, has served as treasurer and is now a member of the City Council. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, of Columbus, and for two years served on the finance committee of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of Kansas.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/11/97.