Biographies of Cherokee County Residents

HENDERSON, B.

B. HENDERSON, whose real estate, loan, rental, insurance and abstract offices are located in the Crowell Building, Columbus, Kansas, has been in business in this city since April 28, 1885. He was born October 5, 1862, at Deer Creek, Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Margaret (Thomas) Henderson. John Henderson was born in Pennsylvania and was 10 years old when his parents removed to Ohio and located in Pickaway County, where the family lived until 1885. They moved thence to Bates County, Missouri, where John Henderson bought a farm. There Mr. Henderson died, April 7, 1900, aged 67 years, but his widow still resides in Bates County. Mr. Henderson was an active Democrat and, being a man of education and responsibility, was frequently elected to local offices.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Pickaway County, Ohio, and from his 17th to his 21st year was engaged in teaching school there. Then he went to Nebraska where he was employed as a solicitor in the organ, piano and sewing machine business, and gained much necessary experience, by coming into contact with the great public. On locating at Columbus he entered upon his present line of business, and has become interested in, and identified with, a number of the successful mining operations of this section. He is secretary and treasurer of the S. H. & S. Mining Company, which has its headquarters at Columbus and its mines at Peacock, where the company has a mill and developing plant. He is also secretary and treasurer of the T. P. La Rue Investment Company, of which H. A. La Rue is president. This company was organized in April, 1902, with a capital of $12,000, and owns the Opera House Building. He is also secretary of the Electric Investment Company, organized at Columbus, with a capital of $20,000, the stock being backed by land adjoining Columbus on the east and north. Mr. Henderson also owns stock in the Cherokee County Lumber Company; he is interested in considerable oil land in Appallatchie, Oklahoma; in mining land at Galena and on Spring River at Badger and Peacock; he owns, with D. M. Bliss, 1,400 acres of farming land, which yields about 500 tons of hay, besides other farm products, and has a farm of his own, of 400 acres, in this county.

Mr. Henderson married a daughter of Lorin W. Camp, who was born and reared at Clayton, Illinois. Mr. Camp was born at Camptown, Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Edwards, born at Laceyville, and they later removed to Illinois. Their two children were Mrs. Henderson and Dr. J. E. Camp, of Brooklyn, Illinois. Mrs. Henderson's father was a piano tuner and also a teacher of music, and for a long time was manager for the musical negro wonder, "Blind Boone." In 1887, Mr. and Mrs. Camp located at Wichita, Kansas, and in June, 1898, removed to Columbus, where Mr. Camp died November 12, 1903, at the age of 73 years. He was a man of great musical ability, and was known to the profession and the public over a large extent of country. Mrs. Camp resides with her daughter Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have three sons, Lynn Camp, Leslie Thomas, and John, aged 14 years, nine years and one month respectively. Mr. Henderson occupies a handsome residence which he has built within a park of 15 acres, where he gratifies his taste for breeding high-grade stock and horses. Politically a Democrat, he has never accepted office beyond serving as chairman and secretary of the Democratic County Central Committee. His fraternal connections include the Knights of Pythias, of Columbus, in which he has served in all the chairs; the Elks of Galena; the Modern Woodmen of America, of Columbus; and the Knights and Ladies of Security, of the same city.

Mr. Henderson and his wife were reared in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Henderson inherits much of her father's musical taste and ability, and at her former home in Clayton, Illinois, served as the church organist. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 251-252)

McMLELLAN, GEORGE B. M. D.

GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, M. D., senior member of the firm of McClellan, Revell, Iliff & Newton, all leading medical practitioners of Cherokee County, was born in 1864, at Warrensburg, Johnson County, Missouri, and is a son of Dr. Andrew Jackson and Sarah (Rowntree) McClellan.

Dr. Andrew Jackson McClellan was born in 1834 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and died at Weir City, Kansas, in 1898, aged 64 years. His widow, who is a native of Kentucky, still survives and resides with her son, George B. The late Dr. McClellan attended the Michigan Medical University through 1858 and 1859 and at the outbreak of the Civil War was made a post surgeon, in the Federal Army. After its close he practiced at Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas, until 1895, when he settled at Weir City, where his death occurred, as stated. In political action, he was a Democrat. During several years of his residence at Baxter Springs, he served on the pension board. He was one of the early and prominent physicians of the county, and was both esteemed and beloved.

Dr. George B. McClellan was the only child of his parents to reach maturity. His mental training was pursued first at Baxter Springs, and later at Kansas City and in Gleason's Academy at Chicago. He read medicine with his father, whom he gratified by choosing the same profession, and then acquired practical experience in a drug store. In 1894 he graduated in medicine at the Northwestern Medical College of Missouri, and in the same year settled at Weir City. Here he has been successfully engaged in practice ever since, first alone, and later in association with other eminent physicians whom he has called into association with him. Dr. McClellan conducts his office at Weir City in conjunction with Dr. C. B. Coss, formerly of Topeka; Dr. A. T. Revell has an office at Scammon; Dr. D. A. Iliff is located at Cherokee; while Dr. Newton opened at office at Chicopee. These physicians and surgeons individually and collectively attend to a large proportion of the sick, injured and afflicted throughout the coal mining region, and all are men of proved ability and high character.

In 1895, Dr. McClellan was married to Lillian Revell, who is a sister of Dr. A. T. Revell. They have two children,-Adelaide and Robert Crowe, both of whom were born at Weir City.

Politically, Dr. McClellan is a Republican, but takes no very active part in politics. He is a member of the Cherokee County Medical Association; the Southeastern Kansas Medical Association; the Kansas State Medical Association ; the American Medical Association, and other State and county organizations, contributing to their literature, and keeping fully abreast of the times in scientific thought. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, A. O. U. W. and several other societies. He is the medical examiner of the Modern Woodmen of America and the A. O. U. W. Personally, the Doctor has a wide circle of warm freinds, and professionally, he enjoys the confidence of the general public. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 252-253)

WEAVER, THOMAS C.

THOMAS C. WEAVER, one of the honored survivors of the great Civil War, who is a well known business citizen of Baxter Springs, and a justice of the peace in Cherokee County, was born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, July 14, 1840, and is a son of George and Hannah (Moss) Weaver.

The Weaver family has descended from Dutch, Scotch and Irish ancestry. The father of our subject was born in Clark County, Ohio, where he was educated and engaged in a mercantile business until the age of 25 years, when he removed to Kosciusko County, Indiana, and embarked in cattle dealing, continuing in this business until 1854. The remainder of his life was spent in farming in DeWitt County, Illinois, where he died at the advanced age of 89 years. He married Hannah Moss, whose parents were natives of Ohio; she died at the age of 83 years. They had issue as follows: Louisa, wife of A. D. Cackley, who was in an express transfer business at Clinton, Illinois, but is now retired; Josephine,wife of J. D.Mitchell, who was a farmer and stock-raiser of DeWitt County, Illinois; Thomas C, of this sketch; Henry, who died in infancy; Martha and Caroline, who died in childhood; Mary and Horace (twins), who died in infancy; Harvey V., who is manager of a sanitarium at Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois; and Charles F., who is a merchant at Atlanta, Illinois.

Thomas C. Weaver received his early education in the schools of DeWitt County, Illinois, which he attended during the winter seasons until he became of age. His summers were devoted to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. The stirring events of the early months of 1861 aroused his loyalty and he testified to the reality of his patriotism by enlisting for service in the Civil War, on July 13, 1861, and he was mustered into the army on August 5th, entering Company C, 41st Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf. He served two years and re-enlisted as a veteran, on December 18, 1863. On April 12, 1864, he was transferred to the Veteran Battalion and was promoted to the rank of sergeant-major. Later he was transferred to the 53d Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf., as sergeant major, on April 24, 1865, and was promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant, to date from April 7, 1865. He was finally mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, on July 22, 1865. It will thus be seen that Mr. Weaver served over four years and during this time he participated in many of the most serious battles of the war, including: Fort Donelson, Fort Heilman, siege of Vicksburg, Hatchie River, Bentonville, Coldwater, Jackson and many minor ones.

After the close of the war, Mr. Weaver returned to the peaceful pursuit of farming, in which he continued until 1882 in DeWitt County, Illinois, and then came to Cherokee County, Kansas, and engaged in a hardware business for two years, and subsequently spent four years in the grocery business. Since then his time has been engaged in the management of a successful insurance business at Baxter Springs and in attending to his magisterial duties as justice of the peace.
On September 20, 1870, Mr. Weaver was married to Ella Scroggin, who is a daughter of Humphrey Scroggin, a farmer of Logan County, Illinois. The five children of this marriage were: Edwin, who died aged two years; Alberta Maud, who died aged 12 years; George, who died aged four years; Olive (Mrs. W. C. Anderson), of Fort Scott, Kansas; and Nellie, who resides at home. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

From his earliest voting days, Mr. Weaver, has been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he has frequently been called upon to assume the duties of office. In Illinois he was a member of the local School Board and held the same office at Baxter Springs, of which city he was treasurer for six years. For, the past seven years he has filled his present judicial position, the powers of which he has many times used to quietly settle differences without resorting to continued litigation. His decisions have been very generally supported and his personal integrity has never been questioned.

Since the organization of the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Baxter Springs in 1889, Mr. Weaver has served as clerk. He is a member and the treasurer of the local lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is serving his fourth term as commander of the local G. A. R. post, of which he is a charter member. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 253-254)

BRANSON, WILLIAM W.

WILLIAM W. BRANSON, one of the highly respected citizens of Ross township, Cherokee County, located in section 32, township 31, range 23, is also a survivor of that gallant army which marched out in defense of the country's integrity, in the stormy days of 1861. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 10, 1837, and is a son of Abraham and Ann W. (Wilson) Branson.
Abraham Branson was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and the mother, in Pennsylvania. They were married at Bridgeport, Ohio, where our subject's father was in the business of manufacturing woolen goods. They had seven children: Lindley, Rachel, Jonathan, Elizabeth, William W., John C. and Abraham, the survivors being our subject and Elizabeth and Abraham, both of whom reside in Harrison County, Ohio.

William W. Branson obtained his education in the schools of Harrison County, and remained at home, assisting his father, until 21 years of age. He then made a visit to Cedar and Muscatine counties, Iowa, and while there, in April, 1861, he enlisted for three months, in Company C, 1st Reg., Iowa Vol. Inf., and took part in the battle of Wilson's Creek and later was mustered out. Seeing that the war would continue, he re-enlisted, entering Company C, 98th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and participated in many of the most terrible battles of the unhappy struggle. From Chattanooga he marched with his regiment through Georgia and on, with Sherman's army, to the sea, and took part in the battles at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro, and in innumerable skirmishes, his last fight being at Bentonville, North Carolina. His was an unusual case, for he was much exposed but was neither captured nor wounded and when he was finally discharged at Camp Dennison, he was able to go back to the farm and resume his work.

Prior to enlisting, Mr. Branson had married, in February, i860, Amanda Sergeant, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and died in 1873. She was the mother of seven children, viz: Hortense, who married J. H. Jacobs, a farmer of Oklahoma; Russell W., postmaster at Cherokee, Kansas, who married Edith Glover; Mary Ann, who is the wife of J. S. Larimer, of Greenwood County, Kansas; Rachel E., who is the wife of F. M. Curry, of Argentine, Kansas; Loretta, who is the wife of Montgomery Boore, a farmer of Cherokee County; Lizzie, who is the wife of George Millard, of Crawford County, Kansas; and John H., who married Huldah Johnson and resides at Argentine, Kansas.

Mr. Branson was married, second, to Kate Marsh, who was born in Noble County, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Elsie Edith.
In 1878 Mr. Branson settled with his family, in Cherokee County, Kansas, for a period of four' months and then bought a farm of 80 acres in Crawford County, which he operated some years. In 1888 he bought one half of section 29, township 31, range 23, in Ross township, for a brother, and remained on that place until 1891. Since then he has rented his present farm in section 32, a property that shows evidences of good management.

Politically Mr. Branson is identified with the Republican party. He has never desired political recognition, and is satisfied to do his full duty as a citizen and to permit others the honors of office. He is a member of the Methodist Church. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 254-255)

HAYNES, THOMAS

THOMAS HAYNES. Old England, the little island upon whose possessions the sun never sets, has a number, of representatives in Cherokee County, and as a rule they are classed among her most thrifty citizens. The biographer is privileged to present here the name of one who, although born under the Union Jack, received the baptism of fire in the Civil War, which made him forever a "child of the republic." Thomas Haynes is a farmer who has for the past 27 years resided in section 35, township 32, range 2% in Ross township. He was born in Shropshire, England, March 29, 1834.

William and Hannah Haynes, his parents, were both natives of the same English shirer The father, who was a cooper by trade, died in middle life, in 1839; the mother lived to the old age of 84 years. They reared a family of five children, of whom Margaret, the eldest, is now deceased; Hannah still resides in England; Mary, also, is deceased; John resides in McLean County, Illinois; and Thomas is the subject of this review.

During the boyhood and early manhood of Thomas Haynes, there was small chance for him to procure an education, owing to the fact that his father died when he was but five years old. He early became inured to toil and' hardship of the severest kind, and it was the hope of bettering his condition that led him, when but a lad, to embark for America. Here he secured work on a farm, and was engaged at that occupation when the war cloud burst upon the country in 1861; at that time he was near Bloomington, Illinois. He was among the first in his neighborhood to enlist, and became a private in Company B, 52d Reg., Illinois Vol. Inf. He was mustered in at St. Joseph, Missouri, and arrived at the front in time to participate in the fight at Fort Donelson. The bloody battle of Shiloh followed. In both of these the subject of this sketch took the part of a soldier, after which, on account of failing health, he was detailed as a driver in the ambulance corps. In this position he continued with the Army of the West in its different operations, finally winding up with Sherman in his memorable "March to the Sea." His health now became so much impaired that it was necessary for him to return from the front, and he spent the remaining few months of the war in a hospital at Coney Island, New York. He rejoined his regiment but a few days before the final discharge of its members at Louisville, Kentucky, July 3, 1865. He now draws a pension of $17 per month.

Returning to Bloomington, Illinois, he remained in that vicinity for, about 11 years, thence moving, in 1877, to Cherokee County, Kansas. During the first year he rented a farm in Ross township, and then purchased the place on which he now resides. It contained 160 acres, only 25 of which had been broken, and on it was nothing but a small box house-no fences, no trees,-in fact the splendid farm property which he now possesses is the product of his own brawn and brain. His first crops were corn and flax, but he later branched out and took up the line of the diversified farmer, in which he has made so signal a success.

The marriage of the subject of this sketch was consummated in October, 1866, when he was wedded to Sarah Buzard, a native of Ohio. To them were born seven children, as follows: William, who died, aged 17 years; Clara (Mrs. Ernest Thatcher) ; John, a farmer of Ross township, Cherokee County; Anna, who married Jacob McCune, a farmer now residing near Kansas City; Sarah Agnes (Mrs. Fred Green), of Scammon, Cherokee County; Frank, a farmer of Lola township, Cherokee County; and Howard, who now manages the home place, his father having retired from active work about five years ago.

The life of Mr. Haynes during his residence in the county has been that of a quiet and industrious farmer. He has never aspired to office, but. in politics votes the Republican ticket. He and his wife are consistent and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the large circle of their acquaintance they are held in the- highest regard. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 255-256)

LISLE, SLEM

SLEM LISLE, deceased, formerly county treasurer of Cherokee County, and for many years one of its most prominent citizens, located here as one of the early settlers, and for 18 years was identified with its agricultural, business and political life. Mr. Lisle was born February 8, 1824, in Wayne or Holmes County, Ohio, and died at Los Angeles, California, December 9, 1887. Mr. Lisle received the best mental training the local schools afforded, and in 1846 began farming in his native State. Two years later, he removed to Berlin, Holmes County, Ohio, where he embarked in the grocery business, which he continued until the discovery of gold in California aroused the adventurous spirit of the youth of the land; in 1850 he sold his grocery and went to the West. There he engaged in mining for two years, and then returned to Ohio, where he bought 80 acres of good land in Allen County. This continued to be his home until 1856, when he moved to Lima and was there engaged in the mercantile business until 1868.

Deciding to select a permanent home in the West, Mr. Lisle removed to Kansas City, and a year passed before he had definitely settled upon a locality which he considered most desirable. In the fall of 1868 he returned to Ohio, settled up his affairs, and came back to Kansas in the spring of 1869, locating on the "Military Road" in Cherokee County, not far from Baxter Springs. Mr. Lisle was a man of caution and excellent judgment, and, after a careful survey of the country, he purchased a section of land in Shawnee township, where all the desirable conditions of fine prairie land and good water supply were combined. Here he conducted a large stock farm for six years, dealing principally in Texas cattle, buying, feeding and selling. When ready for the market the cattle were driven to Carthage, Missouri, whence they were shipped by railroad* This business was very successful, as were all of Mr. Lisle's enterprises, managed as they were with the greatest good judgment and forethought. In 1873 his Republican friends insisted upon his accepting the office of county treasurer, and he served in this capacity four years and four months,-up to 1878. He served also as councilman at Columbus, and was always actively interested in the success of his party.

After closing his service as treasurer, Mr. Lisle devoted his attention to the buying and selling of real estate, and improved about 12 different farms. At the time of his decease, he left four fine farms. He was largely interested also in lead* mining at Webb City and Galena, being one of the first investors upon the discovery of ore there.

Mr. Lisle was a Mason, a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Columbus and the Commandery at Oswego, and with his wife was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. As an Odd Fellow he was very prominent, and had the honor of instituting Lodge No. 56, at Columbus.

At the age of 20 years, Mr. Lisle was first married to Lamenta Steel, of Wayne County, Ohio. She died at Lima, Ohio, in 1867. The second marriage of Mr. Lisle took place February 16, 1869, when he wedded Anna Jenkins, of Lima, Ohio, who still survives, and is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Columbus. The death of Mr. Lisle left her with many business responsibilities. With remarkable ability she has successfully handled them. For about 10 years she conducted the four farms which came into her possession, and then disposed of two of them; she still manages the other two, which are located within 10 miles of Columbus. She also retains her interests in the mines at Galena.

For a number of years it had been Mr. and Mrs. Lisle's pleasant custom to winter in California and, as the climate seemed to agree with them, he was making preparations to establish a permanent home there, at the time of his death.

Mrs. Lisle has probably traveled more extensively than any other resident of Cherokee County. She has made 20 trips across the continent, and has* enjoyed all the advantages which wealth and leisure afford in her own country. She has also extended her travels through England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Switzerland and Russia, and is one of the few American ladies who have penetrated to the northernmost city of Hammerfest, and rounded the North Cape, in the "Land of the Midnight Sun." It is gratifying to her own people and to the city of her residence especially, that one who has enjoyed such unusual opportunities to see the finest and best things of other lands, should prefer to return to the old home, and pass the evening of her life among old surroundings, satisfied with the respect and affection of old friends. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 256-259)

DENNISON, ABIEL SAMUEL

ABIEL SAMUEL DENNISON, of Columbus, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is a son of Alvin and Rhoda Dennison, and was born on his father's farm, in the town of Floyd, Oneida County, New York, November 24, 1828.

On his father's side he is descended from William Dennison, who came from the north part of England, and settled in Roxbury, Connecticut, in 1631, and on his mother's side from George Potter, who emigrated from England, and settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1638.

His ancestors on both sides fought in Cromwell's army in England; in this country fought for the English King in the French and Indian wars; against the King in the War of the Revolution, and the War of 1812; and for the Union in the War of the Rebellion.

He attended district school until 14 years old, then went to the Whitstown Seminary three years, after which he taught district school four years, returning home every year until 21 years old to work on the farm during harvest.

When about 21 years old, he commenced 1 the study of medicine with Dr. Babcock, who resided in Oriskany, Oneida County, New York. After studying with the doctor about a year and a half he attended one course of lectures at the Albany Medical College. Dr. Babcock was a popular doctor, and had a very large practice, conducted by himself and a Dr. White, assisted by one or more students. On entering the office as a student, he was immediately supplied with a horse and sulky, saddle-bags, medicine, tooth instruments, and put on the road to practice medicine, and kept on the road every day, including Sundays.
In the summer of 1851 his health failed; he was weary in body and mind, with symptoms of the dreaded disease consumption. Rest and change of climate were prescribed, and a trip to Chicago recommended. In September, 1851, he traveled from Rome, New York, by passenger boat on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, from Buffalo to Detroit by lake steamer, from Detroit to New Buffalo by the Michigan Central Railroad, then by steamboat to Chicago.

Chicago was then a city of from 25,000 to 30,000 people, with mostly wooden houses, located on a mud flat, from six to eight feet above the waters of the lake. The streets in many places were almost impassable, loaded teams often being stuck in mud holes in the business streets; there were no railroads, the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad being then in process of construction, running a few miles north by west, but not in condition to do much business; there was no good money, the money then used in Chicago having only a local value; times were hard and trade poor, and everybody wanted to sell out at almost any price, a lot near the lake front 100 by 120 feet being offered him for $100.

Mr. Dennison remained in Chicago about two weeks and then traveled from Chicago by stage to Rockford, which town he made his headquarters for about a month, visiting Janesville, Belvidere, Dixon and other towns. During this period he hunted and got lost on the vast unsettled prairies, fished in Rock River and other streams, and had a splendid time, being greatly improved in health.

Here was a fine looking, fertile country, with a healthy climate, that produced wonderful crops, but there was no market for anything, no railroads, or any prospect for railroads, no navigable rivers and no canals. Some grain three years old was still in stacks, not worth threshing and hauling to market.

The people had no money, lived in poor houses unsuitable for that harsh climate with very little furniture, wore poor clothes, but had plenty to eat, such as they raised. When they needed salt or medicine, two or more farmers clubbed together, hauled loads of pork or, wheat to Chicago, camped out on the trip, and sold. pork from one to two cents a pound, wheat at about 30 cents a bushel, the trip consumed from five to eight days.

From Rockford to Galena, Illinois, he traveled by stage, the last day of the trip being election day. Galena was then famous for its lead products, but it had seen its best days, and the production of lead was decreasing rapidly.

As Mr. Dennison could not figure out any speedy outlook of prosperity for Chicago, or the country tributary to it, he concluded to visit the Sunny South.

Here was the mistake of his life, but considering the experience and information he then possessed, no other conclusion could be reached. His own native country in a hundred years had made very slow progress, notwithstanding it had a navigable river (the Mohawk), later the Erie Canal, and still later the New York Central Railroad. The building of railroads at that time progressed very slowly. Capital avoided railroads. He could not foresee that Chicago and the country tributary thereto would in a few years be literally covered with railroads, and the country built up as by magic.

Mr. Dennison journeyed on a Mississippi River steamboat to St. Louis and found that city a dead town. Alton was then claiming to be the coming city.

After staying in St. Louis about a week, he went on to New Orleans by river steamer. New Orleans was a live, prosperous city. The amount of property in cotton and sugar piled on the river front was astonishing. Business was rushing. He accepted a position as professor of mathematics in the Franklin High School, corner of Royal and Esplanade streets, at a big salary, and remained in that position until the school closed for the summer vacation.

Immediately on the closing of the school, he accepted a position in a drug store at an increased salary, soon received an offer of a better salary in a wholesale drug house, and in about three months received an offer of a larger salary in a wholesale cotton and sugar house, first as shipping clerk, afterwards as cashier. He remained with that house until August, 1853, when the yellow fever drove him, and every other person that could get away, out of the city. He went to St. Louis, and soon engaged in the manufacture of hardwood lumber with William Martin, their saw-mill being located in North St. Louis. He continued' in that business until March, 1857, when he took a railroad construction contract on the Keno-sha & Rockford Railroad, for grading and rock excavation near Rockford, and for building culverts and bridges from Harvard, Illinois, to Rockford, Illinois, with headquarters at Rockford, Illinois, and then at Poplar Grove, and Chemung, Illinois. He completed this work in June, 1859, after experiencing a great deal of trouble because of the financial crash of 1857. The railroad company failed to pay the money due for construction and finally Mr. Dennison settled with it by taking its securities, mostly farm mortgage bonds, at 80 cents on the dollar. He took another railroad contract for grading in Minnesota, with headquarters at Winona, but sold out this contract before it was completed in order to take another contract on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad in the State of Mississippi. Here was the second great mistake of his life, leaving the North to go South.

In the fall of 1859 he took a contract for grading and furnishing ties on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad with headquarters at Baldwin, Guntown, Booneville and Corinth. He finished this work in April, 1861, after experiencing serious trouble, owing to the disturbed condition of the country caused by the commencement of the Civil War. He had agreed to take a contract to build a railroad from Meridian to Vicksburg, but it was impossible to perform the work. All the energies of the people were used in preparing for war to whip the Yankees and Abolitionists. It became necessary to get out of the country as soon as possible, or join the Southern army to fight the North. He went north, arriving at Cairo, Illinois, about the time the Northern forces took possession of that place. He purchased a fractional half-section (338 acres) of raw prairie land, half a mile east of Hoyleton, Washington County, Illinois. He fenced it and put the land under cultivation. built two houses on it, divided it into three farms, and in the summer of 1864 sold the last farm.

On November 9, 1864, Mr. Dennison married Philena J. Chubb, and immediately settled in Bloomington, Illinois, where he remained about one year, without engaging in any regular business. In November, 1865, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he remained until February, 1867. At the time he moved to Lawrence, Kansas City had one railroad, the Missouri Pacific, with its depot in the south part of the city. The Kansas Pacific Railway, commenced at Wyandotte (now Kansas City, Kansas), and aided at Lawrence. While in Lawrence Mr. Dennison was engaged in building. In February, 1867, he moved to Baxter, Springs, Cherokee County, Kansas. The move from Bloomington to Lawrence was made to avoid the wet, cold climate of the former place, and the move from Lawrence to Baxter Springs was made to avoid the cold, harsh winters of Northern Kansas.

At first in Baxter Springs he engaged in the real estate business, buying lots, erecting buildings and selling the same. He also engaged in the drug business with G. G. Gregg.

In May, 1869, Mr. Dennison was chosen president of The Joy City Town Company, composed of G. Vanwinkle, J. E. Slater, A. S. Dennison, W. H. Hornor, G. G. Gregg, William Street and William Armstrong of Cherokee County, Kansas, Almond Botsford of the State of Ohio, David Philips of Kansas City, Missouri, and J. B. Grinnell of Iowa. This company purchased the squatter right (no other title could be obtained at that time) to about 2.000 acres of land at the cost of about $20,000, for the purpose of building a town about six miles west of Baxter Springs. The Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad had located its road to Columbus, Kansas, and it was intending to build the road south from Columbus through these lands to reach the Kansas State line in the valley of the Neosho River, to receive from the United States the only north and south right-of-way through the Indian Territory, granted by the Indians to the United States by treaty. This great prize the United States offered to the railway running north and south through the State of Kansas, that first reached the south State line of Kansas in the valley of the Neosho River. The Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, running from Kansas City, Missouri, south and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway, running from Junction City south were competing for this right-of-way, the former leading. Unexpectedly, the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad Company located its road from Columbus to Baxter Springs, arriving at Baxter Springs and the State line first with weeks of time to spare. The United States decided that Baxter; Springs was in Spring River Valley, and the road lost the right-of-way. The coveted right-of-way was awarded to the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway that reached the State line at Chetopa. That road enjoyed the monopoly of the only north and south railroad through the Indian Territory for many years. The town company lost its prospective profits and some of its capital. The railroad company, by losing the right to reach the Gulf of Mexico, was only a short road from Kansas City to Baxter Springs, and in a short time went into the hands of a receiver, then was sold at master's sale on mortgage foreclosure.

In January, 1874, Mr. Dennison was appointed under-sheriff of Cherokee County by Sheriff Alfred Palmer, and in 1876 was re-appointed for another term. j In 1877 he ran for the office of sheriff, and j with the entire Republican ticket was defeated. Soon after the election, it was rumored that I fraud in two wards of Empire City was the cause of the loss of the election. The election was contested and he lost. The Republican County Central Committee, believing fraud had been perpetrated, insisted the case of the sheriff should be appealed for the purpose of exposing the fraud. The case was appealed, but the cost of bringing a large number of witnesses to court was so great that a change of venue was taken, so the depositions of the witnesses could be taken, and it required about the remaining term of the office to take the depositions, so the case was dismissed. The proof, however, showed to the satisfaction of the people of the county that the ballot-boxes in which the voters' ballots were placed in the first and second wards of Empire City were, after the election was closed at night, while the judges of the election were at supper, changed for similar boxes that had been stuffed.

In 1879 he was elected sheriff, and re-elected in 1881. On November 22, 1875, he was appointed United States Circuit Court Commissioner for the district of Kansas, which position he held about seven years, and then resigned, not having time to attend to the duties thereof.

On June 29, 1878, he was admitted to the bar of the District Court of the Eleventh Judicial District of Kansas.

On the 14th day of April, 1877, Dr. William Street of Baxter Springs and A. S. Dennison bargained with Egidius Moll, for the west half of the southeast quarter, and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 14, township 34, range 25, in Cherokee County, for the consideration of $10,000. This purchase was the commencement of the organization of the Galena Town & Mining Company, composed of W. H. Fairbanks, S. H. Sanders and John M. Cooper, who founded the city of Galena.

In March, 1881, Mr. Dennison moved from Baxter Springs to Columbus, and in a few months thereafter built a residence on a 10-acre lot in Salamanca township, a quarter of a mile west of the west line of Columbus, and has resided there 23 years up to this date.

Since 1884 he has been engaged in the real estate and loan business and the practice of the law.
Politically he is a Republican, and has often served as chairman of the Republican County Central Committee. His fraternal associations are with the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias. In religious connection he is a Congregationalist. He was the organizer, in its present form, of the Old Settlers Association of Cherokee County, Kansas, and was its president for several years.

Mr. Dennison has had seven children in his family, of whom Eva, Clarence, Ernest and Ralph died in infancy and in early childhood; Nina, Samuel and Rhoda survive. Nina is a successful teacher; Samuel is engaged in mining in Arizona, and Rhoda is married and resides in Arkansas. (History of Cherokee County, Kansas and representative Citizens, Edited & Compiled by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, A. M., Columbus, Kansas, 1904, Pages 259-263)