Biographies of Cherokee County Residents

SAMUEL LEO ARMSTRONG

Samuel Leo Armstrong, lawyer, was born at Columbus, Kansas, August 21, 1891, son of Samuel Jackson and Mary Elizabeth (Wright) Armstrong. His father, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Kentucky, February 27, 1846, came to Kansas in 1882 and died at Colorado Springs, Colorado, October 16, 1932. His wife, Mary, born in Illinois, April 16, 1866, died at Manzanola, Colorado, July 25, 1897.

Mr. Armstrong attended public and high school at Baxter Springs and was a student at the University of Missouri. Since his admission to the bar, on June 20, 1917 he has been in the active practice of law at Columbus. He served as county attorney of Cherokee County, 1921-22, 1927-30, elected on the Republican ticket.

On September 9, 1917, he was married to Roxie Naomi Zimmerman at Columbus, and to them three children were born, Paul, November 22, 1918; Aileen, June 4, 1921; and A. Jay, October 9, 1925. Mrs. Armstrong was born in Neosho County, Kansas December 13, 1896.

Mr. Armstrong is a Mason (Consistory and Shrine), a member of the Cherokee County Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Columbus Country Club. Residence: Columbus. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 42)

CHARLES FREDERICK BALDWIN

Charles Frederick Baldwin, son of Alexander Hamilton and Susan Nurse (Vimont) Baldwin, was born in Ludlow Falls, Ohio, September 30, 1886 and for 45 years has resided in Kansas. His father is a retired railroad agent.

Mr. Baldwin attended public school at Louisburg, Kansas and in 1906, was graduated from high school at Columbus. He is the owner of the Baldwin Garage Company and the Almon Motor Company. He is a Democrat.

On April 7, 1909, Mr. Baldwin was married to Gladys Edgarda Whiteside at Columbus. There are three children, Barbara, born November 1, 1916; Mary Susan, July 14,1923; and Eberle, March 5, 1926.

Mr. Baldwin is a member of the Columbus Presbyterian Church, the Rotary Club (secretary four years), the Masons, the Columbus Country Club (secretary-treasurer), and the Cherokee school board, of which he has been a member since 1930. Residence: Columbus. Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 66)

CHESHIRE, ROBERT M.

HON. ROBERT M. CHESHIRE, former mayor of Columbus, ex-Probate judge of Cherokee County, and one of the leading attorneys in this section of the State, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born in 1844 in Ogle County, Illinois, and is a son of Michael and Margaret J. Cheshire.

The family is of English extraction, and, as the name indicates, at one time probably owned large estates in the shire of Chester. Early in the settlement of Virginia, this family was represented. The father, of Judge Cheshire was born in Virginia, and in 1839 removed to Ogle County, Illinois, where he resided for more than 60 years, becoming prominent and wealthy as a farmer and stockman. In early life a Whig, he later adopted the principles of the Republican party. His death occurred in January, 1903, at the age of 87 years. On the maternal side, Judge Cheshire is of Scotch extraction, his mother being a McAllister. She was born in Ireland in 1823. Her father migrated to Canada at an early day, but died before his family joined him. The mother and her children came to America in 1836, but she died shortly afterward, and the children were reared by strangers. Of the five children born to his parents, Judge Cheshire is the eldest of the three survivors; the other two are living in Illinois.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Ogle County, his boyhood being passed on his father's farm. He was favored with school privileges and attended a seminary of local note, at Mount Morris. Later, he read law, and took a special course of two years at Harvard University. In 1881 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois by the Supreme Court, being examined before the Appellate Court at Ottawa. After a practice of two years at Oregon, Ogle County, he went to Colorado, but not finding conditions there favorable for success in his profession, he came to Kansas and finally located in Cherokee County, where he soon entered actively into politics. In 1886 he was nominated by the Democratic party for the office of county attorney, and in 1887 he was elected mayor of Columbus, to which office he was subsequently re-elected. It was during the second year of his administration that occurred his noble appeal for law and order, which resulted in the suppression of mob violence in connection with the arrest of two desperadoes, William and John Blalack, of Columbus. When popular indignation had reached such a height that it seemed almost impossible to save the lives of the wretched men, Mayor, Cheshire mounted a convenient wagon in the street, and delivered an impassioned address calling upon the law-abiding citizens to avoid violence, and to entrust the prisoners to the care of the sheriff. It is still remembered that Mayor Cheshire thus placed his own life in jeopardy in the interests of law and justice.

In 1892 he was elected a member of the Columbus Board of Education and served four years,-two years as its president. In 1894 he was again his party's candidate for county attorney. In 1900 he was elected Probate judge of Cherokee County, and served from January 13, 1901, to January 13, 1903. He was defeated for re-election by only 300 votes, his former majority having been 600. He has served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Committee for two years, and on several occasions and for various periods has served on the Democratic County Central Committee.

Judge Cheshire has been twice married,- first, in 1869, in Western New York, to Emma J. Bartholomew, a native of New York, who died in 1876, aged 28 years. She left one daughter, Mrs. Viola F. Brown, born in 1870, who died in 1897. Mrs. Brown left twin daughters who live with their father in Western Iowa. In 1884 Judge Cheshire married Sarah E. White, who was born in Rhode Island. They have three daughters, viz: Mary M., Hilah G. and Minerva White, all of whom are attending school. The family home is a handsome residence which Judge Cheshire erected in the outskirts of Columbus, near the Cherokee County High School building. In addition to this valuable property, he owns other property in the city and vicinity.

Judge Cheshire has always been public spirited, and has done much to promote the progress of the county, and for the advancement of the city's welfare. He was chairman of the committee of five appointed by the Commercial Club of Columbus to secure for the city the Cherokee County High School. On this board he rendered most efficient service, and much credit is due to him for advancing and fostering the idea which culminated in securing to the city and county the magnificent institution above named. He wrote and delivered, before the Commercial Club, of which he was a charter member, and which he has served as chairman, a general address in favor of the location and erection of a county high school at Columbus. An issue of 5,000 copies was distributed in pamphlet form, the perusal of which by the voters led ultimately to the calling of a general election. The result is shown by the beautiful, completed structure, which was built in 1900. It stands as a testimonial to his public spirit, enterprise and ability, and is most creditable to this intelligent and cultured community.

It was while Judge Cheshire was president of the Commercial Club that he, with T. P. La-Rue, C. R. Atchison, L. F. Williams, J. C. Murdock, of Galena, and others cooperated with Richard Nevins, Jr., a railroad promoter, by promising him financial support and moral encouragement at any time when needed, to such an extent that he (Nevins) succeeded in inducing the officials of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company to extend the mineral branch of the railroad to Joplin, which has proved of so much value to all points reached by the road. Public acts of this character done at the right time by the right man are what bring about all needed improvements. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 223-225)

McMICKLE, LINTON

LINTON McMICKLE. The high standard of intelligence among the agricultural class of Cherokee County is a subject of frequent comment. This is evidenced by the many rural telephones and rural free delivery routes, and the generally tasty and refined appearance of the homes of the people. Prominent among those who take delight in mental acquisition, is the gentleman whose name appears above. Though a man of but little scholastic training, owing to lack of opportunity in his youth, Mr. McMickle has by close observation and study during his mature years become enviably proficient in the different lines of astronomy, geology and physics, and still takes great delight in the pursuit of knowledge in those three fields. Mr. McMickle is one of the oldest continuous residents in the county, having settled on his present farm in section 30, Lola township, in the spring of 1866, after having spent the previous five years in saving to the nation "Old Glory," intact and without stain.

The subject of this sketch is a Hoosier by birth; he was born in Orange County, Indiana, December 1, 1838, and is a son of Lorenzo McMickle. When he was 10 years of age, his parents moved to Davis County, Iowa, where the war found him eager and anxious to do, and if needs be die, for the old flag. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company G, 2nd Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., Capt. James Baker commanding, under Col. Sam. R. Curtis. For the greater part of the war this regiment was brigaded with the 15th Army Corps, saw much active service in the Middle West and marched with Sherman to the sea. Mr. McMickle got to the front in time to take part in the fighting at Fort Donelson. Then followed Shiloh, the two Corinths and Iuka. He participated in all the principal battles of the Atlanta campaign, marched up through the Carolinas, and was present at that matchless parade of the defenders of the flag, known in history as "The Grand Review." He was honorably discharged as 2nd sergeant of his company, a position which he had held for about two years. He received a bayonet wound in the face at Frederickstown Missouri, was wounded in the leg at Fort Donelson, and at Atlanta was struck in the breast by a bullet; but none of these was sufficient to put him in the hospital. As an instance of the fact that not all the gallant deeds of the boys in the army received proper attention and reward, Mr. McMickle relates that at the Jones-boro fight, he was ordered by an officer on General Howard's staff to take several men and make a reconnaissance to find out whether the enemy was in retreat. He immediately set out on his perilous trip, and so well was it done that on his report, General Howard was able to order an advance that cut off about 500 of the enemy's wagons, loaded with supplies. Mr. McMickle received no reward, indeed no notice was taken of his gallant action.

The war over, Mr. McMickle passed the winter of '65 in Linn County, Missouri, and in February came to Cherokee County, making the trip alone on horseback. He secured 160 acres, 80 of which he still owns, in section 30, Lola township, and immediately began the erection of a log house, 13 by 13 feet, in size, there being but three others in the township. This with all his other possessions he lost by fire the following year, but he again built, and continued his fight for a home. And it was 2L fight, especially for the first few years. But the man who had faced death in a hundred forms in the army was not the one to be daunted by anything short of impossibilities, and so as the years passed Mr. McMickle found life becoming somewhat easier, and its rewards greater. As he looks out now on his splendid farm property, he has the satisfaction of knowing that it is all his in a double sense of ownership, based on the fact that every building and tree and fence is the result of his own hard labor.

Passing now to the consideration of facts pertaining to the family of Mr. McMickle, we note that on both sides he is of Scotch lineage, the original immigrants to this country being six brothers who enlisted in the English Army from Midlothian, Scotland, and, being sent to America during the Revolutionary War, were so impressed with the justice of the patriot cause, that they all deserted to a man and joined the American Army. Later they were joined by their father who was serving in the English Army in India. This was Dougal McMickle, the great-grandfather of Clinton. He was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree, having attained the remarkable age of 102 years. Lorenzo McMickle, father of Clinton, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in December, 1808, and died in Linn County, Missouri, at the age of 95 years. In his earlier manhood he was a printer, and spent many years in New Orleans, setting type on the Picayune. Later he was connected with what is now the Courier-Journal of Louisville, as assistant editor. In his later years he became a farmer. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, and a member of the New Light Church. He first married Ruth McWilliams, a native of Tennessee, who died when her son Clinton was three years of age, leaving three children. The eldest was Marinda, who married a Mr. Wise and is now deceased; and the youngest was Elizabeth, Mrs. McCallum, now of Kansas City. To the second wife were born 10 children, eight of whom are living. On the paternal side Mr. McMickle's grandmother was a Barton, a Spanish lady, for whose father was named Barton County, Missouri.

Mr. McMickle was united in marriage in April, 1868, to Bina Sanders, daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine Sanders, who were of German descent and natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Her birth occurred August 6, 1848. She came to Cherokee County with her parents in the late "sixties." Her children are: Bertha, now the wife of Albert Johnson, a farmer of Lola township; and Theda, who married James D. Duncan, and also resides in Lola township.

It is unnecessary to speak of the high character which Mr. McMickle sustains in Cherokee County. Suffice it to say that none knows him but to respect him. He is a worthy member of the Seventh Day Adventist denomination, a Republican in politics, and a gentleman by birth and training. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 225-226)

WHEELER, HENRY

HENRY WHEELER, a prominent and successful agriculturist of Crawford township, Cherokee County, Kansas, owning 178 I acres in section 26, is one of the early settlers
of this region, having been in the vanguard which entered Cherokee County in 1868. Mr. Wheeler was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, in 1849, and is a son of Nathan and Margaret (Milliken) Wheeler.

The Wheeler family is of English extraction, and of Quaker religious belief. Many of the name still reside in North Carolina, but the parents of the subject of this sketch moved to Indiana in 1859, and located in Morgan County, where the mother died in i860. The father continued in Indiana until 1868, when he came to Cherokee County, Kansas, where he died in 1881, at the age of 60 years. He was a mason by trade, but spent his later years engaged in farming. Like his father, he was a devoted member of the Society of Friends, and assisted in establishing a meeting house in his section of Kansas, in 1869. He was a man who commanded the respect of all who knew him, and whose life was in full consonance with his religious belief. The subject of this sketch has four brothers and one sister, the sister being Mrs. Phoebe Jane Stanley, of Lowell, Cherokee County. The brothers are all well known citizens in their respective localities. Isaac C, Benjamin Albert and Samuel E. live in Carthage, Missouri, and John F. lives in Los Angeles, California.

Willis Henry Wheeler was reared in Indiana, and attended the common schools. Farming has been his chosen occupation and in it he has met with much success. After coming to Cherokee County, in November, 1868, he located in Quaker Valley, Crawford township. In 1878 he purchased 40 acres of his present farm, now consisting of 178 acres, and moved onto the place in 1879. Mr. Wheeler is a man of taste, as his fine improvements show. The 14 by 16 foot shanty, on the place when he purchased it, has been replaced by a handsome modern residence, with commodious and substantial buildings, and all the necessary conveniences for scientific and successful farming. When Mr. Wheeler first made his home in Cherokee County, Baxter Springs was the nearest town, and where is now the busy little city of Columbus, with its fine residences, churches, schools and business houses, stood but a single log house, forlornly situated on the wide prairie. His neighbors were some distance away, several farm houses being just in sight. Mr. Wheeler made spring wheat his first crop, but since then he has carried on diversified farming.

In 1875, Mr. Wheeler was married in the Indian Territory, where he was employed for five years as farmer at the government Indian school of the Sac and Fox Agency. During 1873 and 1875 he was superintendent of the absentees' Shawnee school, of which Mrs. Wheeler was matron from 1875 to 1878. Mrs. Wheeler was formerly Elma J. Coltrane, who was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, and is a daughter of Jesse and Abigail Coltrane, who located in Johnson County, Kansas, as early as 1867, Mrs. Wheeler having located in Douglas County, Kansas, in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have two children: Horace, who married Viola Smith (born in Cherokee County, Kansas) and resides near the homestead; and Flora, who is at home. The family belong to the Friends' Meeting in Crawford township, in which Mr. Wheeler is one of the elders. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist. Few men in this locality are more universally esteemed than Mr. Wheeler, and the family represents the best intelligent element of Crawford township. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 226-229)

BLUE, R. W.

R. W. BLUE, of Columbus, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, has been identified with the professional and political life of Kansas since 1871, and is now one of the prominent members of the Cherokee County Bar, in partnership with J. J. Bulger. He was born September 9, 1841, in Wood County, Virginia, now West Virginia, and was reared in the vicinity of the present city of Grafton, West Virginia.

Colonel Blue attended Monongalia Academy, at Morgantown, West Virginia, and finally became one of the teachers of that institution. He went from there to Washington College, Pennsylvania, where he remained until half through the junior year, when he entered the army, enlisting as a private in the 3d Regiment, West Virginia Vol. Inf., but was later transferred to the 6th Regiment, West Virginia Vol. Cav., and served in the mountains of West Virginia and in the Shenandoah Valley. Later he took part in the campaigns against the Indians in the Platte Valley. He spent the winter of 1865-66 at Fort Casper, Wyoming, earning his promotion, first as lieutenant, and later as captain. He was mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas.

Returning to West Virginia, the young soldier engaged in teaching and also studied law in Taylor County, and in 1871 came to Kansas. He taught school during the first year, at Pleasanton, Linn County, and then entered upon the practice of his profession. Soon afterwards his ability was recognized by his election as Probate judge of Linn County in 1872, and again, in 1874. In 1876 he was elected county attorney, and was reelected in 1878. He became a potent factor in politics, and in 1880 was elected State Senator from the district composed of Johnson, Miami and Linn counties, and at the end of his term was reelected. His public services to his State were of such a character that he was awarded still higher marks of confidence and appreciation, by being elected to the 54th Congress in 1894. He was re-nominated by acclamation in 1896, but met with defeat in the Populist landslide of that year.

Since that time Colonel Blue has not consented to be a candidate for any office, confining his attention entirely to the practice of his profession.

In October, 1899, Colonel Blue removed to Cherokee County and located at Columbus, forming a partnership with the present judge of the District Court, W. B. Glasse, and later with J. H. Hamilton, who retired from the firm on account of ill health; subsequently Colonel Blue associated himself with J. J. Bulger. Colonel Blue has had a wide professional experience, practicing in the United States courts, the State courts of Kansas and those of the Indian Territory.

Colonel Blue was united in marriage, in July, 1866, to Virginia Protzman, a native of Morgantown, West Virginia. They became the parents of seven children, as follows: Florence B., Richard Clarence, Gracie, and Cordelia W., all of whom are deceased; Mattie, wife of Wilmer Bennett, of Concordia, Kansas; Madge A., wife of Dr. J. Dale Graham, of Columbus, Kansas; and John W., who is single and resides at home.

Dr. J. Dale Graham, son-in-law of Colonel j Blue, was born in Coffey County, Kansas, in I 1873, and is a son of the late C. H. and Elizabeth (McKelvey) Graham. C H. Graham was in for about eight years docket clerk of the Kansas State Senate, and was also treasurer of Coffey County, being one of its prominent politicians. He was also an extensive farmer and; stock-raiser. His death occurred in 1885. Dr. Graham attended the State Normal I School at Emporia, Washburn College at Topeka, and the State Agricultural College at ! Manhattan, Kansas. Prior to entering upon I the study of medicine, he was engaged in business at LeRoy. He was graduated in the spring of 1904, at the University Medical College at I Kansas City, Missouri, with class honors. He has a diploma from the University Hospital. He is fraternally connected with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 229-231)

WISWELL, JOHN

HON. JOHN WISWELL, senior partner in the law firm of Wiswell & Lucas, of Columbus, Kansas, is one of the prominent members and old practitioners of the Cherokee County Bar. He was born in 1857 in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and is a son of James H. Wiswell.

James H. Wiswell was a well known citizen of Ashtabula County, where he owned property and carried on a large shoe manufactory which gave employment to a considerable number of workmen. He also owned a tannery and a large farm, and was one of the prosperous men of his locality. His death occurred in 1897. He married a Miss Woodruff, who died when the subject of this sketch was nine years of age. The other members of the family are,-Edward, an attorney at Moscow, Idaho, and Mrs. Olive Pond, of Ashtabula County, Ohio. A half-brother, Edwin, is a contractor and builder at Cleveland, Ohio.

John Wiswell was mainly educated at the Grand River Institute in Ashtabula County, where he became instructor in writing and commercial branches. Later he attended the University of Wooster, at Wooster, Ohio, where he served in the same capacity for two years. He was associated with P. R. Spencer, Jr., the originator of the beautiful system of Spencerian penmanship. This favorable connection had to be broken on account of Mr. Wiswell's failing health, which occasioned his coming to the West.

Mr. Wiswell reached Baxter Springs, Kansas, in the fall of 1879, where he immediately entered into educational work. He served as superintendent of public instruction there in 1880 and 1881, and resided there about four years. He removed then to Columbus and bought out Mr. Hampton's interest in the law firm of Cowley & Hampton, and the firm of Cowley & Wiswell remained in business until 1885. After practicing two years alone, Mr. Wiswell entered into partnership with Judge John N. Ritter, as Ritter & Wiswell; later, with N. T. Allison, and still later, with W. H. Lucas, who is the present city attorney of Columbus. Mr. Wiswell was admitted to the bar on February 7, 1888, at Columbus, where he has followed general practice, devoting especial attention to commercial law. Whether in practice alone of in combination with another able attorney, Mr. Wiswell has developed professional efficiency of a high order, and enjoys the esteem of the county bar and court officials, as well as that of his large clientage.

Mr. Wiswell has other important interests outside his profession. For the past 15 years he has been the largest breeder of Jack stock, in Kansas, and he also breeds Scotch collie dogs and fancy chickens, shipping to all parts of the United States. He owns several farms, probably aggregating a section of land, which is especially valuable on account of coal deposits. He is also the senior partner in a general mercantile concern conducted at Sherman City, Sheridan township, under the direct management of his daughter, Alice J. Wiswell, who is postmistress there,-the firm style being Wiswell & Company.

Mr. Wiswell's first marriage was to Jennie E. Bishop, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in the winter of 1878. At that time she was a teacher in the Grand River Institute. She died in 1883, leaving two children,-Alice J.; and Florence, who is now deceased. Mr. Wiswell married for his second wife, Martha McMillan, formerly a teacher in the public schools, who was born and reared in Harrison, Arkansas. Both Mrs. and Miss Wiswell are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Politically, Mr. Wiswell has been one of the zealous and influential Republicans of this section. The esteem and confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens has been shown on many occasions, and upon four of these he was chosen for the city's highest municipal position his first election being in 1888. Mr. Wiswell takes pride in the fact that since his first election to the office of mayor, there has never been a saloon in Columbus. Since early manhood he has belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellow bodies, becoming identified with them in Ohio. He has been very prominently connected with the growth and development of this city. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904,Pages 231-232)

ECKE, O. C.

PROF. O. C. ECKE, superintendent of the city schools of Columbus, Kansas, and a prominent educator, was born in 1866, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a son of Henry and Dora (Rain) Ecke.

Henry Ecke was one of the three earliest settlers of Crawford County, Kansas, coming early in 1866, when pioneer conditions prevailed in what was then known as the Cherokee Neutral Lands. He cleared up a farm and cultivated it until 1871, when his death occurred, and his was the first burial in his section of the county. His widow still survives and resides at Walnut, in Crawford County, where several of her children also live.

Professor Ecke was a pupil in the early schools of Crawford County and later graduated from the Walnut and Girard high schools. Subsequently, he secured a State certificate as a teacher at Emporia. He has devoted his life to educational work, having begun to teach about 13 years ago. Since then he has followed the profession continuously, meeting with the success which his scholarly attainments and earnest endeavors deserve. In 1895 he removed to Columbus, first in the capacity of ward principal. Then he became a high school teacher, and afterwards, was made city superintendent, a position for which he is eminently fitted, and which he has filled with dignity and efficiency for the past five years.

Professor Ecke married, in Crawford County, Hattie M. Culbertson, who was formerly a teacher in the Crawford County schools. They have one daughter, born in Columbus. Professor Ecke and wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Fraternally, the Professor is a Mason, and a Modern Woodman. His work in Columbus has been most satisfactory, and the high standard maintained by the schools of the city must, in a great measure, be attributed to his care, influence and encouragement. Personally, he commands the respect and enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Page 232)

HAMILTON, JOHN H.

JOHN H. HAMILTON, an attorney-at-law of Columbus, Kansas, of which city he has been a resident for the past 17 years, is identified with large business interests both in Cherokee and in other counties. He was born in 1857 near Glasgow, Scotland, and is a son of Andrew and Jane (Foxe) Hamilton.

Both parents of Mr. Hamilton were of Scotch descent and came to America in 1864. Andrew Hamilton, Sr., located with his family at Braidwood, Illinois, and engaged in coal development, both as an operator and miner. He died at Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1881, aged nearly 70 years. The mother still survives, at the age of 86 years, and resides at Weir City, Cherokee County. The surviving members of their family are: J. H., of this sketch; William, a coal operator living at Weir City, Cherokee County; Matthew, formerly a coal operator, now a farmer and stock raiser of Missouri; and Mrs. McClennehan, a widow, and Mrs. McGregor, who are engaged in farming near Weir City, Cherokee County. Andrew Hamilton, Jr. (a brother of our subject), formerly a coal operator, died in 1898 at Weir City. The family own extensive coal interests in this locality.

J. H. Hamilton accompanied his parents to Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, August 20, 1878, and for a time engaged in coal mining there, but for some years has been interested in lead and zinc mining in the Galena district, Cherokee County, owning several tracts of land there. He is also one of the largest stockholders and the vice-president of the King Lumber Company of Chanute, Kansas.

Prior to leaving Illinois, Mr. Hamilton had commenced the study of the law, but this was interrupted during his active operations in the Crawford County coal fields. At a later date he resumed the study of the law in the office of Blue & Glasse and was admitted to the bar at Columbus, in May, 1902. For a time he practiced in partnership with Col. R. W. Blue, to whom he has but recently sold his fine law library with the intention of devoting his time to coal developing. Mr. Hamilton has purchased some land near Greenwood, Arkansas, which is underlaid with a coal vein of from five to nine feet thickness. He proposes to open shafts on the land and will devote his personal attention to the work. This coal, which on analysis has proved to be semi-anthracite, is of a much better quality than any yet found in Cherokee County. Two railroads already run into the district, thus insuring transportation facilities, these being the Iron Mountain and the Midland Valley, the latter of which runs through Mr. Hamilton's land. His prospects could scarcely be brighter for a large development and his previous business success is indicative of probable prosperity.

At Weir City, Mr. Hamilton married Anna B. Brown, whose parents came to Kansas 24 years ago, and whose mother still survives. They have four children, all born at Columbus, viz: Benjamin Harrison, Andrew Alexander, Jennie Foxe and John H., Jr. The pleasant family home is situated opposite the Cherokee County High School building.

Politically, Mr. Hamilton is a Republican. In 1886 he was elected clerk of the District Court of Cherokee County, in which capacity he served two terms. He is prominent in a number of fraternal organizations, .among which are the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Columbus Camp, and the Masonic order, in which he has taken the 32nd degree. As a Mason he is a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Chapter, R. A. M., at Columbus; the Commandery, K. T., at Oswego; the Consistory, S. P. R. S., at Wichita; and Isis Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Salina. With his wife, he is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. They attend the Presbyterian Church. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 232-233)