Towns of Clay County, Kansas

INDUSTRY

In the fall of 1879, A. L. Beard, an eastern speculator laid out the town of Industry. It is situated in Athelstone Township, in the extreme southern portion of the county, sixteen miles from the railroad. Industry contains a few business houses and a small hotel, but from its position it can never attain to the dignity of more than a brisk trading hamlet. (Taken from History of Kansas by A. T. Andreas, 1883, page 1319)

MORGANVILLE

Morganville, formerly known as Morgan City, situated on the Junction City & Fort Kearney Railroad and the Republican River, eight miles northwest of Clay Centre, was laid out in 1870, by Ebenezer Morgan. W. R. Mudge opened the first store in 1871.

The Morganville Baptist Church was organized by Rev. George Balcam in 1872.

The Morganville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1872. It has a good building and an active membership. (Taken from History of Kansas by A. T. Andreas, 1883, page 1319)

REPUBLICAN CITY

Republican City, now the ruins of a fond ambition, was laid out in 1867, by Stickney and Streeter. Milton Clark started the first store. It was Clay Centre's rival for the county seat. It was in the exact center of the county from which Clay Centre is two miles removed. It, therefore, was more entitled to the honor, but the location was not so favorable it was claimed, at any rate, it failed to receive a requisite number of votes, and the fond hopes of its founders failed to "materialize."

The Republican City reformed Presbyterian Church was organized July 20, 1871, with twenty-five members, which have increased to seventy. (Taken from History of Kansas by A. T. Andreas, 1883, page 1319)

WAKEFIELD

Wakefield was laid out August 26, 1869, by the Kansas Land and Emigration Company, composed of Richard Wake, in honor of whom the place was named, J. Wormald, A. Maitland, Col. Loomis, C. Wake, R. H. Drew and J. D. Bennett. The first house was built by J. S. Dodson. A. Maitland was the first postmaster, and B. Budden opened the first store. The town has a good situation on the banks of the Republican, about fifteen miles southeast of Clay Centre. The Junction City & Fort Kearney Railroad passes through the town and has greatly increased the growth and business of the town since its completion in 1873.

The Wakefield Methodist Episcopal Church was organized May 8, 1870, by Rev. Richard Wake, in honor of whom the town was afterwards named. The church has a commodious church building, dedicated January 18, 1880, and is in a flourishing condition.

The only Congregational Church in the county was organized as a Union Church in the winter of 1868-9, at Madura schoolhouse, just below Wakefield by Rev. William Todd.

St. John's Episcopal Church, three miles west of Wakefield, held its first vestry meeting at Dr. Hewitt's October 14, 1872. A stone church was built in 1873 and blown down in 1874. The present church and parsonage were erected in 1875-6. (Taken from History of Kansas by A. T. Andreas, 1883, page 1319)