Butler County Genealogy Trails Kansas Susan B. Allen Bio

Butler County’s Eighty Years ~ 1855-1935

by Jessie Perry Stratford

A History of Butler County Biographical Sketches and Portraits with Foreword by Rolla A. Clymer

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SHERIFFS

*Jasper Goodall, (R.), El Dorado.................. 1865-65

*W. D. Snow, (R.), Towanda......................... 1866

*James Thomas, (R.), Chelsea...................... 1867-71

*N. A. McKitrick, (R.), Augusta.................... 1872-73

*J. E. Anderson, (R.), Glencoe...................... 1874-77

*F. M. Anderson, (R.), El Dorado................. 1878-79

*W. H. Douglass, (R.), Douglass................... 1880-83

*H. T. Dodson, (R.), Little Walnut.................. 1884-87

*Chas. Schram, (R.), Douglass...................... 1888-91

*J. W. Middleton, (R.), Augusta.................... 1892-95

J. A. Hopkins, (R.), Plum Grove.................... 1896-97

W. G. Turner, (D.), Towanda........................ 1898-1902

Geo. A. Young, (D.), El Dorado..................... 1903-06

M. E. Joliffe, (D.), El Dorado........................ 1907-10

W. W. Moss, (R.), El Dorado........................ 1911-14

Newt Purcell, (R.), Walnut............................. 1915-18

George Hughes, (R.), Potwin........................ 1919-20

Newt Purcell, (R.), Walnut............................. 1921-24

E. E. McKnight, (R.), Rose Hill..................... 1925-28

Newt Purcell, (R.), Walnut............................. 1929-32

A. L. Snodgrass, (D.), Augusta...................... 1933-

CLERKS OF THE DISTRICT COURT

*A. H Marchael, (R.), Chelsea...................... 1867

*W. W. Slayton, (R.), El Dorado................... 1868

*A. L. Petrie, (R.), El Dorado........................ 1869

*H. D. Kellogg, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1870

*J. R. Ward, (R.), Towanda........................... 1871

*H. M. Winger, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1872

*W. O. Redden, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1872

*M. D. Ellis, (R.), Towanda........................... 1873-74

*C. N. James, (R.), Augusta.......................... 1875-82

V. P. Mooney, (R.), Towanda........................ 1883-88

*W. H. Curry, (R.), Walnut............................ 1889-90

*J. F. Todd, (A.), El Dorado.......................... 1891-92

*Andy Swiggett, (D.), Towanda..................... 1893-94

*E. A. Makepeace, (R.), Augusta.................. 1895-96

V. A. Osborn, (D.), Augusta........................... 1897-1900

G. W. Lane, (R.), Augusta.............................. 1901-04

*A. N. Crowther, (R.). Douglass.................... 1905

*S. P. Karnahan, (R.), Douglass.................... 1906-1908

*Ray. R. Shepard, (R.), El Dorado................ 1909-11

J. C. Hoyt, (R.), El Dorado............................ 1912

Anna M. Avery, (R.), El Dorado................... 1913-16

Harvey L. Songer, (R.), Rosalia.................... 1917-30

Charles G. Smith, (D.), Prospect................... 1931-

*M. Vaught, (R.), Chelsea............................. 1864-66

*A. H. Marchael, (R.), Chelsea..................... 1867-68

*D. M. Bronson, (R.), El Dorado.................. 1869

*W. A. Sallee, (R.), El Dorado....................... 1870-71

*D. L. Knowles, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1872-76

*J. D. Porter, (R.), Prospect.......................... 1878-79

*E. E. Harvey, (R.), El Dorado...................... 1880-83

*J. A. McGinnis, (R.), Hickory...................... 1884-87

*Daniel Boyden, (R.), Benton........................ 1888-91

*M. A. Palmer, (R.), Little Walnut................. 1892-93

*S. H. Brandon, (R.), Douglass...................... 1894-97

F. S. Allen, (D.), El Dorado............................ 1898-1901

*F. W. Benson, (R.), Chelsea......................... 1902-1906

L. D. Hadley, (R.), Glencoe........................... 1907-1910

*E. J. Sharp, (R.), El Dorado......................... 1911-14

Zella Lamb, (R.), El Dorado........................... 1915-18

Alice Friend, (R.), El Dorado......................... 1919-20-22

Gail Shyrer, (R.), El Dorado.......................... 1923-26

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Edna Lucas Smith, (D.), Rosalia.................... 1927-30

Mary Britting, (R.), Bloomington................... 1931-

PROBATE JUDGES

*Henry Martin, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1864-65

*W. H. Thomas, (R.), El Dorado................... 1867-68

*Wm. Harrison, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1869-70

*H. I. Sumner, (R.), El Dorado...................... 1871

*D. M. Bronson, (R.), El Dorado.................. 1872

*S. W. Taylor, (R.), Douglass........................ 1873-74

*S. E. Black, (R.), El Dorado......................... 1875-80

*E. D. Stratford, (R.), Douglass..................... 1881-84

*G. P. Aikman, (R.), El Dorado..................... 1885-88

*W. E. Kilgore, (R.), El Dorado..................... 1889-90 and 1895-96

*T. G. Stansbury, (A.), Benton...................... 1891-92

*M. H. Morrison, (D.), Hickory.................... 1893-94

*J. M. Randall, (D.), Fairview....................... 1897-1900

*J. F. Glendenning, (R.), Pleasant................. 1901-04

*J. T. Nye, (R.), Fairvew............................... 1905-08

R. B. Ralston, (R.), Towanda........................ 1909-12

*C. E. Hunt, (R.), El Dorado.......................... 1913-14

*J. R. McCluggage, (D.), Augusta................ 1915-

V. P. Mooney, (R.), El Dorado ..................... 1915-33

W. N. Calkins, (R.), El Dorado...................... 1933-

SUPERINTENDENTS OF COUNTY SCHOOLS

*D. L. McCabe, (R.), Chelsea....................... 1867-68

H. D. Kellogg, (R.), El Dorado...................... 1869

*J. E. Buchanan, (R.), Chelsea...................... 1870

*S. L. Shotwell, (R.), Douglass....................... 1871-72

*S. L. Robards, (R.) Milton........................... 1873-74

*John Blevins, (R.), Prospect........................ 1875

*C. N. James, (R.), Augusta.......................... 1876

*Alvah Shelden, (R.), El Dorado................... 1877-80

*J. W. Shiveley, (R.), Douglass..................... 1881-84

*Hayward Webb, (R.), Augusta..................... 1885-86

Austin M. Brumback, (R.), Milton................ 1878-90

*Florence Olmstead, (A.), Richland.............. 1891-92

Clara Hazelrigg, (F.), El Dorado................... 1893-94

W. H. Ehlers, (R.), El Dorado........................ 1895-96

Morton Holcomb, (D.), Richland................... 1897-98

J. E. Mathers, (R.), Benton........................... 1899-1902

C. W. Thomas, (R.), Augusta......................... 1903-06

W. H. McDaniel, (R.), El Dorado.................. 1907-10

C. F. Smith, (R.), El Dorado........................... 1911-12

H. I. French, (D.), Little Walnut...................... 1913-20

C. W. Thomas, (R.), Douglass........................ 1921-22-4

H. I. French, (D.), Little Walnut...................... 1925-26

Geo. L. McClenny, (R.), Leon...................... 1927-30

Phil Higdon, (R.), Potwin............................... 1931-

CORONERS

*C. Harrison, (R.), El Dorado........................ 1867

*James Strickland, (R.), El Dorado............... 1870

*J. A. McKenzie, (R.), El Dorado................. 1871 and 1896-97

*Robert Holt, (R.), Chelsea........................... 1872

*E. L. Shirley, (R.), Augusta.......................... 1873

*Wm. Snyder, (R.), Fairview.......................... 1874-5

*J. M. Williamson, (R.), Lincoln.................... 1876-77 and 1880-81

*H. T. Sumner, (R.), El Dorado..................... 1878-79

*J. S. Dutton, (R.), El Dorado........................ 1882-86

*John W. Long, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1887 and 1890-91

*O. Counsil, (R.), Augusta............................. 1888-89

*F. M. Dodson, (A.), El Dorado.................... 1892-93

*N. L. Gunn, (R.), El Dorado......................... 1894-95

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F. E. Dillenbeck, (D.), El Dorado.................. 1898-99

H. A. Hill, Jr., (R.), Augusta........................... 1900-01-02

*C. E. Hunt, (R.), El Dorado.......................... 1903 and 1909-10

C. W. Harvey, (R.), El Dorado...................... 1907-08

*Minos West, (D.), El Dorado....................... 1911-12

*W. E. Turner, (P.), El Dorado...................... 1913-26

W. S. Dinsmore, (R.), El Dorado................... 1927-30

G. E. Kassebaum, (R.), El Dorado (Oil Hill).. 1931-

COUNTY SURVEYORS

*H. D. Kellogg, (R.), El Dorado.................... 1867-68

*T. R. Wilson, (R.), El Dorado...................... 1869-70

*D. M. Bruce, (R.), Prospect......................... 1871

*E. H. Stoddard, (R.), Towanda.................... 1872

*F. C. Buck, (R.), Augusta............................. 1873

*J. W. Weimer, (R.), Douglass...................... 1874-75

*J. H. Austin, (R.), Clifford............................ 1876-77 and 1894-97

*L. A. Hamlin, (D.), El Dorado...................... 1878-79

*H. C. Gabbert, (R.), Augusta....................... 1880-85

*W. S. Buskirk, (R.), Hickory....................... 1886-87 and 1890

*F. S. Bowen, (R.), El Dorado........................ 1888-1891

Artie Peffley, (A.), Lincoln............................. 1892-93

J. C. Smith, (F.) Union................................... 1898-99

Lee Scott, (R.), El Dorado............................. 1900-06

C. W. Buskirk, (R.), Hickory......................... 1907-16

SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS APPOINTED

Homer Austin, (R.), El Dorado...................... 1916-23

H. D. Barnes, Blue Mount............................. 1923-25

E. S. Elcock, Wichita...................................... 1926-30

L. W. Newcomer........................................... 1931-

COUNTY ASSESSORS

*Jordon Mabe, (R.), Chelsea......................... 1865-65

*W. H. Thomas, (R.), El Dorado................... 1866

*M. Vaught, (R.), Chelsea............................. 1867

*Alec Petrie, (R.), El Dorado......................... 1867

Office abolished............................................... 1868 to 1911

*W. A. Liggett, (R.), Rosalia.......................... 1911

Elmer Dickerson, (D.), Benton...................... 1912

*W. H. Clark, (R.), El Dorado....................... 1913-14

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(Insert picture of George J. Benson)

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BUTLER COUNTY BAR – THREE MURDER CASES

(By Stanley Taylor)

In the year 1934 we find from a search of the records that more than 100 lawyers have practiced in Butler County. Seventy-three of this number are now deceased. One member of the Butler County Bar, A. W. Dennison, of El Dorado, served as a Justice on the Kansas Court of Appeals. Seven have been elevated to the position of District Judge: T. O. Shinn, A. L. Reddin, C. A. Leland, G. P. Aikman, A. L. L. Hamilton and George J. Benson, the present incumbent in the Second Division of the Thirteenth Judicial District of Kansas.

Nine probate judges of Butler County have been selected from the local bar: V. P. Mooney, W. E. Kilgore, S. E. Black, G. P. Aikman, S. W. Taylor, R. B. Ralston, E. D. Stratford, H. T. Sumner and W. N. Calkins, the present probate judge. Twenty-five have held the office of county attorney.

In December 1934, Hon. A. T. Ayres, is judge of the first division, Hon. George J. Benson, judge of the second division; R. C. Woodward, county attorney; C. Glenn Morris, (county attorney-elect) assistant county attorney; Charles G. Smith, clerk; F. H. Steiger, deputy clerk, A. L. Snodgrass, sheriff; B. P. Harrison, under-sheriff; A. Hall, court reporter first division; E. Hall, court reporter second division; C. T. Marcum and Charles Young, bailiffs. The last bar docket shows these attorneys listed in El Dorado; C. L. Aikman, F. S. Allen, George J. Benson, L. J. Bond, F. H. Cron, W. N. Calkins, W. H. Coutts, Jr., E. W. Grant, K. M. Geddes, Robert H. Hazlett, C. L. Harris, C. L. King, F. J. Leasure, B. R. Leydig, F. E. Lichlyter, V. P. Mooney, C. Glenn Morris, R. T. McCluggage, Walter F. McGinnis, Jr., J. B. McKay, J. M. Pleasant, R. B. Ralston, Robert S. Scott, Stanley Taylor, H. Pauline Woodward, R. C. Woodward and Clem Silvers. At Augusta are R. A. Cox, M. A. Merten and F. R. Vieux. At present, Charles W. Steiger, a member of the local bar, is the attorney for the Corporation Commission of Kansas. R. T. McCluggage, of El Dorado, is now the first assistant United States Attorney for the District of Kansas.

Five members of the Butler County Bar have been state senators. They are: A. L. Redden, A. W. Dennison, C. L. Harris, K. M. Geddes and R. B. Ralston, the present senator. In the house of representatives are listed R. A. Cox, of Augusta, E. D. Stratford, J. B. Adams, B. R. Leydig, F. H. Cron, K. M. Geddes and D. W. Poe. Looking into the archives, A. L. Redden took his seat in the senate in 1885; D. W. Poe, the first lawyer representative, took office in 1887. In 1871, H. T. Summer became the first member of the bar to hold the office of probate judge. In 1867, S. N. Wood, of Chelsea, was sworn in as the first county attorney of Butler. In July of 1866 was held the first term of the district court in this county, with J. H. Watson, presiding. The first law shingle to be displayed in Butler County was that of the firm of Redden & Redden, in 1870.

The history of Butler County is colorful. The lawyer has played his part in building a great state. He was here with the early settlers. He saw built upon these plains post offices, stores, homes, schools and churches. He helped to make the records of the courts. Property was valued and assessed. Townships were laid out. Towns were built upon the open prairies. A new civilization of a high order was founded here in the heart of America. Drought and grasshoppers stripped the soil of its crops, but a dominant will and courage conquered the threats of nature, and a great commonwealth was established and passed on to our generation. Stage coaches carried the mails. Lumber was freighted across the prairies. Ease and comfort were unknown. Yet the pioneer lived, loved and was happy. Conditions began to improve. Fourth of July celebrations were held. A county fair was established. In those days the lawyer was a speechmaker. He was required to orate upon all occasions. Those were the days of lengthy arguments to the jury. We still hear of the oratory of Smith, Gardner and Cubbison. About this time, S. A. Webb began the study of law at Augusta; following his removal to California, he became the attorney general of that great state. Lawyers came and went. Some became skeptical of the future of Butler County; others stayed and prospered.

Many important civil cases have been tried in this county, but the case that draws the attention of the public is on the criminal side of the ledger. Three local