ROY GORDON BALDWIN
Roy Gordon Baldwin, doctor of veterinary
medicine, was born at Seneca, Kansas, July 7, 1877, son of Samuel John and Martha (Magill) Baldwin. The father
born in Griggsville, Illinois, January 1, 1846, died at Seneca on May 17, 1916. Martha Magill Baldwin was born
at Platte City, Missouri, December 31, 1856, of English and Scotch descent. She is active in the work of her church
and still resides at Seneca.
Gordon Baldwin attended the Kansas City Veterinary College from which he received the degree of Doctor of Veterinary
Science in 1909. He attended Kansas State College in 1897. For more than 30 years Dr. Baldwin has been engaged
in practice and has performed much work in state and federal tuberculosis eradication. He is a director of the
Blue Rapids Ice Company and from 1924 until 1926 served as city councilman. From 1926 until 1930 he served as mayor
of Blue Rapids. He is a Republican.
On July 7, 1903, he was married to Mina Lucille Beeler at Seneca. She was born at White Cloud, Kansas, April 10,
1877. There are three children, Merle, born December 2, 1904, Evelyn, August 31, 1908, and Lucille, December 14,
1913.
Dr. Baldwin is the author of a theme on Tuberculosis. He is a member of the Kansas State Medical Veterinary Association,
the Methodist Church and the Masons (worshipful master, past master of Blue Rapids Lodge No. 169 of the Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons; Knights Templar). He is also a member of the Shrine. Residence: Blue Rapids.(Illustriana
Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 66)
BENJAMIN H. BROCK
Benjamin H. Brock, of Atchison county, was born in Virginia, April 4, 1808. He died near Troy, Kan., April 11,
1893. He was educated at Athens, Ohio. He came to Kansas in October, 1854 and settled in Doniphan County. He married,
April 23,1 833, Elizabeth Caples by whom he had five children. Mrs. Mary Brock Montgomery of Troy, Kan., is the
only one surviving. (Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin,
Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka, 1908, page 209)
CURTIS GRAHAM
Curtis Graham, of Doniphan county, was born in Catskill, N. Y., April 5, 1818. He died in Brooklyn, N.Y., of old
age, in 1906. He came to Kansas in 1856, and settled near Highland. He was a Methodist minister and assisted in
the organization of the first Methodist church at Highland in March 1857. He was also one of the board of trustees
that founded Highland University. He was of much service to Senator Pomeroy in the collection and distribution
of aid in 1860. His wife died November 8, 1861, and shortly thereafter he returned east. (Transactions of the Kansas
State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka,
1908, page 210)
ALEXANDER A.
JAMESON
Alexander A. Jameson, of Doniphan county - unknown. He was one of the executive committee appointed by the Grasshopper
Falls convention to carry out the purpose of that movement. He was last heard of in St. Louis, about the beginning
of the Civil War. (Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin,
Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka, 1908, page 211)
BENJAMIN HARDING
Benjamin Harding, of Doniphan county, was born in Exeter, Otsego county. New York, November 26, 1816. In 1840 he
became a resident of Livingston county, Missouri, and in 1842 entered the Indian trade at the Great Nemaha agency.
He moved to St. Joseph in 1849, but returned to Kansas in 1862, engaging once more in the Indian trade at Wathena.
In 1864 Mr. Harding was judge of election, and incurred the enmity of the pro-slavery people; he was indicted for
serving in this capacity and twice went to Leavenworth to answer the charge, which was finally dismissed. He was
a delegate to the Big Springs convention, 1866. served in the territorial councils of 1867, '68 and '69, was a
member of the railroad convention of I860, and held the office of register of deeds of Doniphan county, 1862-'66,
after which he lived a somewhat retired life. He died at his home in Wathena, January 16, 1904. (Transactions of
the Kansas State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary, State Printing Office,
Topeka, 1908, page 205)
REV. H. N. SEAVER
Rev. H. N. Seaver, was a native of New England,
having been in Augusta, Maine in June, 1810. He removed to the state of New York, where he was for many years a
minister in the Methodist Church, being located at Elmira as presiding elder for some time. He came to Kansas in
1856, in company with General Bayless and several others and was one of the original proprietors and locators of
the town site of Highland, Doniphan County, where he lived until his death in July 1879. He was a member of the
senate of the first state legislature, 1861. (Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol.
X, edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka, 1908, page 242)
JOHN ASBURY SYMNS
John Asbury Symns, prominent farmer and stockman for many years, was born in Doniphan County, Kansas, July 15,
1869, and died at Whiting, November 12, 1931. He was the son of Joseph Alderson and Mary Katherine (Shanks) Symns.
The father, also a farmer and stockman was born in Monroe County, West Virginia, January 22, 1839, and died at
Atchison, July 21, 1911. He served three years in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, participating in the
battles of Fishers Hill, Winchester and Cedar Creek.
Mary Katherine Shanks was born in Clark County Kentucky, March 30, 1837, and died at Atchison, February 29, 1908.
Her grandfather, Mitchell Byrd, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Educated first in country schools, John Asbury Symns attended Midland college at Atchison and Kemper Military School
at Booneville, Missouri, where he won honors in oratory, and from which he was graduated in 1891.
On April 19, 1905, Mr. Symns was married to Mary Nellie Green at Lawrence. She was born at Whiting, August 16,
1876, and is of Scotch, French, Dutch and English extraction. There are seven children, Frank Alderson, born February
18, 1906; Mary Katharine, May 23, 1907, Louise Jane, February 5, 1909, Isabelle, September 10, 1910; John Asbury,
September 8, 1912, Eugenia, September 20, 1916; and Virginia, December 23, 1919.
An active Democrat, Mr. Symns, served as a member of the state legislature (senator) from 1925 until 1929. He was
for many years a member of the school board and at the time of his death was president of the Whiting Telephone
Company, the Whiting State Bank, and the Whiting Farmers Co-operative Association. He was a member of the Red Cross,
a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner, and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. (Illustriana Kansas,
by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, pages 1140 & 1141)
JOHN B. WHEELER.
M. D.
John B. Wheeler, M. D. was born about 1822. in the state of New York. He settled in Kansas in 1866, at Palermo,
Doniphan county, where he opened a hotel and practiced his profession as a physician and surgeon. After a few years
at Palermo he removed to Troy, where he resided until his death, which occurred March 7, 1875. He was elected a
member of the first free-state legislature in 1867. When the Thirteenth Kansas regiment was organized, in 1862.
he enlisted at Palermo, and was appointed lieutenant-colonel serving; until the regiment was mustered out, the
greater portion of the time as acting colonel He belonged to the Masonic order. (Transactions of the Kansas State
Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka, 1908,
page 216)
DR. N. C. CLARK
Dr. N. C. Clark, representing Doniphan County in
the senate of 1868, was born in Ohio about 1823. He came to Kansas from his native state in May, 1859, settling
in Burr Oak township. He was a member of a Burr Oak company of the Doniphan county militia, organized in 1861 to
disarm all disloyal citizens of the county, and was mustered in as surgeon of the Eighth Kansas, serving until
November 28, 1865. He was a member of the house of 1863 and of the senate of 1867-68. (Transactions of the Kansas
State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin, Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka,
1908, page 265)
KLIPPEL, CLEMENS
M. D.
Clemens Klippel, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Hutchinson, was born in St. Joseph, Mo.,
Oct. 3, 1852, a son of Philip and Margaret Klippel, who were both born and reared in Germany. They emigrated from
the Fatherland and located at St. Joseph in the early '40s, when it was a small village. The father served in the
Mexican war and in 1854 took up a claim in Doniphan county, being one of the first white settlers in that locality.
He engaged in agricultural pursuits in the northeast part of the county, near Columbus. During the stirring years
of border warfare he took an active part with the free-state men, and was one of that brave band who struggled
so hard that Kansas might be admitted to the Union free from slavery. In 1860 he moved to a farm near Troy, Doniphan
county, where he continued to reside until 1895, when he went to the State of Oregon, and subsequently to Idaho
Falls, Idaho, where he died in 1908, at the age of eighty-four. Mrs. Klippel died about 1895. During his life Mr.
Klippel was regarded as one of the most prosperous and substantial men of the community in which he lived.
Clemens Klippel was the oldest in a family of eight children and was only two years old when his parents came to
Kansas. He attended the district school near his home and after completing his education taught school for five
years. While teaching the Doctor determined to devote his life to the study and practice of medicine and began
to read for that profession. He then took a course in the Ensworth Medical College, St. Joseph, Mo., in 1882, and
the next year entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., where he graduated in 1885. Immediately after receiving
his degree Dr. Klippel located at Hutchinson, where he has become recognized as one of the leading practitioners.
He has devoted much time and attention to surgical work and has made a specialty of treating the eye, ear, nose
and throat.
In 1889 Dr. Klippel married Sara M. Oakes, a native of New Jersey, who was descended from a family that settled
in New England at an early day. They have two children, Hildegarde and Philip C., both at home. Dr. Klippel is
a member of the American Medical Association; of the American Association of Railway Surgeons; is local surgeon
for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad; and belongs to the Rock Island Surgeon's Association. Fraternally
he is associated with the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Council and Commandery; he is also a
member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and in faith is an
Episcopalian. For some years he has been the examiner for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company; the
Aetna Life Insurance Company and several others. Dr. Klippel is the president of the Stewart Hospital Association,
which has erected and equipped one of the finest hospitals in Kansas. It is known as the Stewart Hospital, and
is located at Hutchinson. (Kansas Biography, Vol. III, Part 2, Page 774-775, Transcribed by: Millie Mowry)
ALLEN, BENJAMIN
DANIEL
Benjamin Daniel Allen, farmer and livestock feeder, was born in Highland, Kansas, August 13, 1879, son of Sereno
Dwight and Phemmie Agnes (Williams) Allen. The father, a native of Massachusetts, born January 4, 1844, was a fruit
grower in California from 1884 until his death at San Diego, on January 13, 1917. He planted one of the first apple
orchards in Doniphan County. He was of Scotch and English descent. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, August 2,
1846, and died at San Diego, March 23, 1916. She was a school teacher in her early days, and the mother of thirteen
children.
Educated in the public schools of San Diego, Benjamin Daniel Allen attended Russ High School there until his graduation
in June, 1900. He was star half-back on the high school football team.
At the present time Mr. Allen is president of the LaCygne Gas Company, president of the Allen Gas Corporation,
and president of the Louisburg Gas Company. He is treasurer of Highland College at Highland, and the manager of
extensive farm lands and livestock. He served as cashier of the First National Bank at Highland for seven years
and as president for ten years.
On April 23, 1907, he was married to Maude Mabel Hale at Hiawatha. Their one child died in infancy, Mrs. Allen
was born at Highland, December 23, 1879 of English and Pennsylvania German descent. She is the daughter of John
R. and Sarah J. (Benfer) Hale, the former a veteran of the Civil War and a prominent Doniphan County farmer until
his death.
Mr. Allen is a Republican. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Highland, the Masons (Scottish Rite),
and the Shrine. Residence: Highland. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933,
page 21)
CURTIS, WILLIAM
H. H.
William H. H. Curtis, late probate judge of Doniphan
county, was born Nov. 10, 1840, in Adams county, Illinois, a son of John. N. and Mary (Warren) Curtis, both born
and reared in Tennessee. His father located in Illinois at an early date and engaged in farming, but he heard of
the fight the people of Kansas were making to have the state admitted free from slavery and joined that brave band
of men and women who settled in the territory for that purpose. He was one of the strongest of free-state advocates
and played an active part in all the events that led up to the admission of Kansas free. In 1854 John N. Curtis
preempted a claim in sight of St. Joseph, which he cleared, built a house and established a home. He entertained
many of the free-state men there and was host to the famous John Brown, of Ossawatomie. From the time of casting
his first vote he was a stanch Republican and never swerved in his allegiance to that party throughout his life.
Although he never held office Mr. Curtis was a public-spirited man and ever worked for the good of the community.
He lived to the hale old age of ninety-three and was laid to rest, after a long and useful life, in 1906. Mrs.
Curtis died in 1892, after rearing a family of fifteen children, ten of whom are still living.
William H. H. was fourteen years of age when his
parents left Illinois and had already attended the common schools in that state. Soon after coming to Kansas he
determined to devote his life to the study and practice of law and was a student at Atchison when the Civil war
broke out. In May, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the First Kansas infantry, Company K. The first time Mr. Curtis
was under fire was at Wilson's Creek, Aug. 10, 1861, and later, with his regiment, took part in the battles of
Corinth, Tusangua, Luddinton's Mills, Abbeville, Holly Springs, Lake Providence, Bayou Tensas, Bailer Bayou, Cypress
Bend, Milliken's Bend, the siege of Vicksburg and the many engagements before its fall. From there the regiment
was ordered to Natchez, Lake Washington, Vidalia, La., and took an active part in the engagement of the Yazoo river,
and thence back to Vicksburg; from there to St. Louis, then up the Missouri river to port Leavenworth, where it
was discharged. Mr. Curtis was wounded at Wilson's Creek, Lake Providence and three other engagements, but as soon
as he recovered from his wounds he always reported for duty. At the close of the war he returned to his home, and
shortly resumed his studies at Atchison. Within a short time, after careful preparation, Mr. Curtis took the bar
examination and was admitted to practice. Soon after this he saw a good business opening at Severance, Kan., and
engaged in the lumber and grain business there. The affairs of the concern prospered. Mr. Curtis seemed to have
marked natural business ability and made a comfortable fortune during the twenty years he remained in that city.
During this time, however, he had ever longed for his profession, and disposing of his interests, he engaged in
the practice of law, soon gaining a reputation as an able attorney. Mr. Curtis has always taken an active part
in local affairs and politics and was elected probate judge of Doniphan county, where he had lived some years.
Judge Curtis filled this office with marked credit and ability and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents;
was reelected to the office three times, serving four terms, or eight years. He was a man of strong character,
just and upright, and was held in the highest respect and esteem by his associates in the law, and loved as a man
by his many acquaintances. During the years of stress and storm in this state he never swerved from his allegiance
to the Republican party and was one of the earnest workers in its interests. He was a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic and a past commander of Severance Post No. 191. His death occurred May 3, 1911. In 1872 Mr. Curtis
married Fannie Leonhard, of Philadelphia, Pa., and two children were born to the union: William J., a traveling
passenger agent for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad, and Grace, the wife of Ralph Valentine, of Kansas
City, Mo., manager of the American Surety Company for the states of Missouri and Kansas. (Kansas Biography, Part
2, Vol. III, 1912, Pages 900-901, Transcribed as written by Millie Mowry)
