SNETHEN, WILLIAM
ELDER SNETHEN DEAD – A letter received in Troy
from Mrs. Snethen, brings news that Elder William Snethen died at Council Bluffs, IA, about 11 o’clock, Tuesday.
His death must have been sudden, as a letter we published from him last week, reported them as enjoying themselves.
They had gone to Council Bluffs, several weeks ago, to visit their children. Mr. Snethen was somewhere in the neighborhood
of 70 yrs. of age. Her was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, and served in the Rebellion. He was a preacher in that
branch of the Christian Church commonly known as Newlights, and was a good man and citizen. We regret to learn
of his death. (The Weekly Kansas Chief, Jan. 8, 1891, submitted by Ruth I. Stude)
Elder Snethen died Jan. 6, 1891, of malarial fever,
at his youngest son’s home in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Ever since leaving the army, he had been afflicted
with sciatic rheumatism and had also, for a long time, a heart trouble. He and Mrs. Snethen left home Dec. 15th,
to pay his son a visit of a few weeks. On Christmas day there was a family reunion. Forty-two persons were present,
all but three of them relatives.
It was his purpose to remove to Council Bluffs,
and with that in view, went out the morning after Christmas to look for a suitable location. In the evening of
the same day he was taken sick, and lingered twelve days, during which he suffered much. For three days and nights
he had not slept. But from the first he was in a happy state of mind. He quoted a great deal of Scripture, prayed
much, and sang more than he had ever been known to do. He was conscious to the end. His last words to his wife
were: “My work is done. The last work I had to do, was to make a minister of you.”
The services were at the house, and were under
the direction of the G.A.R Post. The sermon was by Elder C. Munroe of the Disciples’ Church, from Paul’s words:
“I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” Also, from the words of John: “I
go to prepare a place for you.” He was laid to rest in the beautiful Soldiers’ Cemetery. At Mrs. Snethen’s request,
one of the Gospel Hymns, “Shall We Gather at the River?” was sung at the grave; and it was a remarkable coincidence,
unknown to Mrs. Snethen till afterwards, that a colored woman who joined in the singing was one to take part in
singing that same hymn at the grave of Mr. Snethen’s first wife, twenty years before.
Brother Snethen was born in Montgomery County,
Ohio, near Dayton, Nov. 6, 1823. He had been the father of thirteen children. Seven are now living; six sons and
one daughter. He was a member of the Christian denomination, sometimes know as New Lights, which is not to be confounded
with the Campbelites. His father was a preacher before him, in Kentucky, and was called “The Barefooted Preacher.”
He once allowed Alexander Campbell to preach in his house, when the latter was getting together his followers,
about the year 1827.
The Christan Church (New Light) ante-dated the
Campbelite Church several years, and had its origin in this way:
1st. The O’Kelly secession from the M.E. Church
took place in 1793. His followers were first called Republican Methodists, but afterwards Christians.
2d A Baptist Church was formed in 1800, by Dr.
Abner Jones, of Hartland, Vermont. He had many followers from the Baptists, Free Will Baptists, and others.
3d A body of Presbyterians of Kentucky and Tennessee
seceded from the parent church, in 1801, and took the name of “Christian” in 1803. One of these bodies it is said,
accidentally discovered one of the others, and upon finding that their views were very similar, exclaimed, “We
have found a New Light.”
These three Societies united, and formed the Christian
Church, often call New Lights. The denomination has a college in Lincoln Centre, Kansas, and several other educational
institutions in different States. The writer remembers having heard Brother Snethen say that the first religious
paper published in this country was published by their church. It was called The Herald of Gospel Liberty, and
is still published at Dayton, Ohio, under the same name.
Brother Snethen preached 46 years, twenty-five
years of that time in Kansas. He was associated with others in securing a charter in the state of Kansas under
the name of “The Christian Church”, and his denomination is the only one so chartered. Their principles are as
follows:
1. The Holy Bible our rule of faith, and
2. Christ the only head of the Church.
3. Christian character the only test of fellowship.
4. Individual interpretation of the Scripture the right and duty of all
5. The union of all followers of Christ, without controversy.
From the above, it appears that there is very little
difference between them and the evangelical denominations. They are extremely liberal in their treatment of those
who differ with them as to the mode of Baptism, receiving members from other churches without rebaptism, if the
applicant is satisfied in his own conscience.
Many of the Quakers who do not believe in any kind
of water baptism, but only in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, are members of this church.
Brother Snethen’s life was very exemplary. Many
a pleasant chat have we had together at his house, on topics social and religious. He made a pleasant call, a few
days before his departure for Iowa. He will be missed from this community by many friends.
“Let me die the death of the righteous, and let
my last end be like his.” -- H.N. Pond (The Weekly Kansas Chief, Jan. 22, 1891, submitted by Ruth I. Stude)
ALLEN, OSCAR
Death of Oscar Allen
Oscar Allen, age 72, was buried Saturday, Oct.
26, in the White Cloud Cemetery. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Oct. 27,1957)
CORCORAN, HUGH
Hugh Corcoran, age 73 died Saturday, September
11, 1954 in St. Joseph Missouri; he was born in Severance and lived there all his life, the son of Patrick Corcoran;
survived by his wife, May; two nephews, T. J. Lyons, Wathena, and Roger Morley, Independence, KS; two nieces, Mrs.
John Sheda, Severance and Mrs. Paul Hargis, Mission, and a great nephew, Larry Ebner, Kansas City; burial in St.
Benedict's Cemetery (The Atchison Globe, Sept. 12, 1954)
DITTEMORE, MARGARET
ELIZABETH PRICE
Funeral of Margaret Elizabeth Price Dittemore
The funeral of Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Dittemore,
age 81, was held on September 13, 1954. Burial was in the Mt. Olive Cemetery at Troy. She was born Nov. 10, 1872
near Sparks, and was one of nine daughters of Josiah D. and Elizabeth (Poulter) Price; On Sept. 6, 1891, she married
Wiley H. Dittemore in St. Joe. He survives, along with three daughters, Mrs. H. D. Williams and Mrs. G. H. Johnson,
both of Bendena, and Mrs. A. W. Denton, St. Joe; three sons, Homer P. Dittemore, St. Joe, and Earl C. and J. Marvin
Dittemore of Atchison; two sisters, Mrs. Etta P. Graves, San Jose, Calif., and Miss Daisy B. Price, Troy; 19 grandchildren
and 16 great-grandchildren. (The Atchison Globe, Sept. 13, 1954)
EMMERICH, JOSEPH
BEDE
Joseph Bede Emmerich, age 61, died Nov. 23, 1957
in Troy. He was born Aug. 7, 1896 in Bendena, the son of George and Anna (Hess) Emmerich; he married Anna Thurn,
Aug. 5, 1924 in Bendena. She survives, along with two daughters, Mrs. Esther Newman, Stuttgart, Germany, and Mrs.
Frances Ferrario, St. Louis; two brothers, Francis of Wadsworth and Albert of Nortonville; four grandchildren.
Burial Nov. 25 at St. Charles Cemetery, Troy. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Nov. 24, 1957)
EYLAR, CALVIN L.
Calvin L. Eylar, age 68, died Nov. 6, 1944 in Lancaster.
He was born April 15, 1878, at Bendena, to Aaron and Matilda Eylar. He married Ada Powell, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. James Powell, at Bendena on April 22, 1913. Survived by his wife, two sons, Eugene S, of Lancaster and Merle
D., of Atchison; a brother, Alfred, of Good Intent and six grandchildren. Preceded in death by a sister, Lydia
Welk/Weik/Werk. Burial in Denton Cemetery. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Nov. 6, 1944)
FRANK, DAVID
The Atchison Globe, June 4, 1883
Mr. David Frank, an old and respected citizen of Doniphan, died yesterday morning at 6 o'clock at the residence
of George Brenner, his son in law, at the advanced age of 70 years. Mr. Frank had resided at Doniphan off and on
since 1855, and was well known in this city. The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock, under
the auspices of the Masons, of which order he was an old and respected member. (The Atchison Globe, June 4, 1883)
GROVER, FRANKLIN
L.
Franklin L. Grover died Nov. 22 at his home near
Bendena. He was born Feb. 17, 1885 near Huron, to William Riley and Caroline Clem Grover; he married Ida Gaul in
1907; preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Mrs. Bessie Buck, and a brother, Leslie; survived by his wife,
Ida; two sons, Riley Franklin of Bendena and Leslie Franklin of Denton; two daughters, Mrs. C. A. (Gladys) Martin,
and Mrs. Ralph "Gertrude" Oswald, Kansas City; two brothers, John of Atchison and W. O. of Bendena; a
sister, Goldie Cummings of Huron and nine grandchildren. The funeral of Franklin L. Glover was Nov. 24, 1957; burial
at the Mt. Olive Cemetery, Troy. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Nov. 24, 1957)
LEINBACH, MARY
Mrs. Mary Leinbach, age 62 died Dec. 5, 1957 in
Lebanon, Ore. She was a former resident of Troy. Survived by her husband, five daughters: Mrs. Florence Karn, Bendena;
Mrs. Mildred Brown and Mrs. Betty Laughter, both of California, and Mrs. Frances Streaner and Mrs. Darlene Brechtel,
both of Oregon; a son, William, of Lebanon, Ore.; and two sisters, Mrs. Ella McKittrick, Bendena, and Mrs. Roy
Briggs, Troy. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Dec. 8, 1957)
LLOYD, ANDREW
The Atchison Globe, Feb. 27, 1879
Andrew Lloyd, the man who had both his legs cut off yesterday at Brenner, by an A & N freight train, died late
in the afternoon of his injuries. (The Atchison Globe, Feb. 27, 1879)
LYNESS, C. E. MRS. (HILDEBRAND)
Mrs. C. E. Lyness, age 71, died Dec. 5th at the
U.S. Naval Academy. Born in Lone Tree, Ia., the daughter of Jacob and Anna Hildebrand; she married Charles Lyness
in 1916; he preceded her in death. Survived by a son, Charles, of Annapolis, Md., two other sons and a daughter.
She was a former resident of Troy. Funeral will be Monday, Dec. 9, 1957 in Troy, and burial will be in the Mt.
Olive Cemetery. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Dec. 8, 1957)
MEIDINGER, GEORGE
George Meidinger, age 78, died today at his home
in Doniphan. He was born in 1876 near Wathena; married Nelita North in Waisenburg Colo..; survived by his wife,
an adopted daughter, Mrs. Floyd Chase of Doniphan, five grandchildren, Billy Lee, Diana, George, Joan and Gary
Chase; four brothers, Otto M., of Atchison, Louis, of St. Joe, Henry, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Edward of Elwood.
No burial information. (The Atchison Globe, Sept. 8, 1954)
O'BRIEN, MARY
Atchison Sunday Globe, Dec. 8, 1957 (abstract)
Mary O'Brien, age 76, died Dec. 6, 1957 in St. Joe. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Roundy of
Doniphan and married Dennis O'Brien on Sept. 20, 1909. He survives, along with two brothers, Elmer Roundy of Wathena,
and Dr. C. I. Roundy of St. Joe; three sisters, Mrs. L. C. Miller of near Doniphan, Mrs. Jack Garner of Kansas
City, and Mrs. Dwight Sawyer, Los Angeles. Burial Mt. Calvary Cemetery. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Dec. 8, 1957)
PAPE, CHILD
Death of child of Charles Pape
The Atchison Globe, July 30, 1878
The black and ominous cloud which gathered to the northwest this morning had blood in its eye. Near Norway,
Doniphan County, the farm house of Charles Pape was blown down, and his young child killed. (The Atchison Globe,
July 30, 1878)
POIRIER, BARBARA
BRENNER
Burial of Barbara Brenner Poirier
Mrs. Barbara Poirier, wife of Emil Poirier, and daughter of Jacob Brenner, died in St. Joe yesterday. The remains
were taken to Doniphan today for burial. (The Atchison Globe, Jan. 2, 1882)
SALTZMAN, MILTON
Death of Milton Saltzman
Great Bend Tribune, Sept. 8, 1964 (abstract)
Milton Saltzman, 29, of Bendena, died in an accident near Sparks. He drowned in a well he was rebuilding. (Great
Bend Tribune, Sept. 8, 1964)
SEVERTSON, GUNDER
Death of Gunder Severtson
Gunder Severtson, age 77, died Feb. 2, 1957 in Topeka. He was a retired farmer from Moray and a native of Norway.
Burial Feb. 4 at the Moray cemetery. Survived by a brother, Tillef Severtson of Norway. (Atchison Sunday Globe,
Feb. 3, 1957)
STRATTON, K. W.
Death of K. W. Stratton
K. W. Stratton, who has been suffering fourteen weeks from injuries received By being thrown from a wagon by a
runaway team died at Doniphan this morning at 2 o'clock. (The Atchison Globe, August 29, 1883)
STRICKER, JOHN P.
Death and Burial of John P. Stricker
John P. Stricker, 23, was killed in action and
buried at sea in the South Pacific. He was born November 17, 1921 near Highland to Mr. and Mrs. John P. Stricker,
Jr. He graduated from Bendena High School in 1940. Besides his parents he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Geraldine
Hall, and an aunt, Mrs. Leroy Byers of Highland. (Atchison Daily Globe, May 28, 1945)
THERMAN, MINNIE
A. GUTZMAN
Mrs. Minnie A. Therman, age 75, died last night
at the home of her son, near Doniphan. She was a lifelong resident of the county. She is survived by four sons:
Arthur, of near Doniphan; William, North Kansas City; Oscar, of Cedarburg Wis.; Lothar, Hayburn, Idaho; a daughter,
Mrs. Alvin Brown, St. Joe; two sisters, Mrs. Laura Trader and Mrs. Ida Therman, both of St. Joe; a brother, Adolph
Gutzman, of Kansas City, Kas.; 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Funeral services were not set. (The Atchison
Globe, July 6, 1954)
THOMAS, PETRA JENSINE
Death of Mrs. Petra Jensine Thomas
Mrs. Petra Jensine Thomas, age 81, died Oct. 18, 1957, at her home in Troy. Services were Oct. 20, at Mt. Olive
Cemetery. (Atchison Sunday Globe, Oct. 20, 1957)
DONIPHAN, ALEXANDER W. GENERAL
Death of
General Alexander W. Doniphan
The Late General Doniphan; A Veteran of the Mexican War Who Died at Richmond, Mo.
The death of Gen. Alexander W. Doniphan, who was
a veteran of the Mexican War, was recorded but a few days ago, taking place his home in Richmond, Mo. He was for
many years a conspicuous figure. Born near Maysville, Ky., in July, 1808, of a revolutionary ancestry, he was graduated
at the age of 19 from the Methodist college at Augusta, Ky. In 1829, after a due course of study, he was admitted
to practice in the courts of Ohio and Kentucky. In 1830 he removed to Lexington, Mo., and thence to Liberty, then
on the border of civilization, three years later. In 1836 he represented his county in the state legislature, and
on two subsequent occasions was elected to the same position. In 1838 he was a brigadier general of the Missouri
militia, and his brigade was sent to drive the Mormons out of the state [transcribers note: he refused to obey
orders to execute Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormons]. He was prominent in Kansas in the days when ruffianism
was rampant there. In 1846, when the governor of Missouri made a requisition for volunteers to join Gen. Kearny
in his expedition to Mexico. Gen. Doniphan was made commander of the First regiment of Missouri Mounted volunteers,
and with his regiment marched 900 miles across a treeless desert and over lofty mountains, dispersed the Mexican
forces defending Santa Fe, entered that ancient capital and annexed all New Mexico to the United States. [transcriber's
note; although a brigadier general in the Missouri militia, Doniphan's highest rank during the Mexican war was
colonel] Late in September, Kearny started for California with several companies of dragoons, leaving Doniphan
in command of New Mexico, with orders to reduce the Navajoes on the western slope of the Rocky mountains to submission.
Crossing the mountains, Gen. Doniphan quickly subdued the Indians. On December 14 he started for central Mexico.
The force passed through a desert in whose length of ninety miles neither wood nor water was to be found, and were
about to go into camp on Christmas Day when the cry ran along the ranks that the enemy was in front. Doniphan quickly
formed his line of battle and awaited the attack. The Mexicans charged, but in less than an hour they were in full
retreat, leaving over 200 dead and wounded men men upon the field. Not a single Missourian was killed and only
seven were wounded. On March 1 he took possession of Chihuahua. Learning that Gen. Wood was at Saltillo, 700 miles
away, Doniphan set out for that place, and on May 21 bivouacked near the battlefield of Buena Vista. The war on
that line being ended, Taylor ordered the Missourians to Brazos Santiago, where they embarked for New Orleans,
and were mustered out of service. The regiment was welcomed home in a speech by Senator Benton and an enthusiastic
popular demonstration.
Resuming the practice of his profession, Gen. Doniphan
led a quiet life until 1861, when he was one of five from the border states, who, by special invitation, held an
interview with President Lincoln to counsel and advise as to the best method of preserving peace, maintaining the
Union and settling the difficulties that then environed the nation. He was the last of the five to "pass over
to the other side". (Atchison Daily Globe, August 31, 1887)
BIEDLEMAN, WILLIE
At White Cloud, Kan., July 30, of congestion of
the brain, Willie, 7 months 26 days, son of George L. and Jennie Biedleman and grandson to Loton. (Henry Republican,
August 11, 1881)
TEUFLER, THEODORE
J.
Obit: A GOOD MAN GONE
Theodore J. Teufler, County Commissioner, Died Last Sunday Night
It was with the keenest regret that old residents of Doniphan County learned of the death of Theodore J. Teufler
of Wolf River township on Sunday night, February 20th. He died about 10 o'clock p.m, and at his bedsides was his
wife and two sons and numerous friends.
Mr. Teufler was born March 28, 1865, just at the close of the Civil war, on the very farm where he died, or a continued
residence of nearly fifty-two years. This long residence in one place from boyhood to middle age is an indication
of the steady and true character of the decresed. He was educated in the country schools of Doniphan county.
Theodore J. Teufler was married May 21, 1889, when twenty-four years old, to Miss Anna Mertz. Two boys and two
girls were born to them. The girl twins died when about four months old. The sons surviving are Frank P. Teufler,
a fireman on the Burlington out of St. Joseph, and Roy M. who has been farming with his father on his splendid
farm in Wolf River township.
In 1908, Theodore Teufler was elected trustee from Wolf River township, and in 1910, he was appointed deputy county
assessor. He always fulfilled the fondest hopes of his contituents when in public office, and was made several
times to accept a public office whether it was his will or not. He did not neglect his public duties for the sake
of his farm, and on the other hand, his farm and family never lacked his kindnes and care. He was a man who was
thoroughtly capable of doing two things well, and in these days of hurry and worry and fast living, it is comfortable
to reflect that a man could devote himself to only two things and make a success of them, instead of attempting
scores of things and perhaps failing at all of them.
In 1912, Mr. Teufler was chosen assessor. This called for hard work and long hours, and Mr. Teufler did not shirk.
He made one of the best records as county assessor that has ever been made by an incumbent of that office. The
people approved of his efforts and the results which he attained to the extent that in 1914, he was elected county
commissioner, and succeeded to the office on January 9, 1915. He made a fine man for the responsible position,
which is no sinecure (sic), as many who have held the office have learned. He never failed in his duty and up to
the time of his death was actively engaged in the work connected with his office. The cause of Mr. Teufler's death
was Bright's disease.
The funeral services were conducted at the home of the deceased in Wolf River township, and burial was at the Denton
cemetery one mile west of Denton. Many friends of the dead man followed the body to its final resting place, and
paid a last token of respect to his early career. The deceased was the son of John and Mary D. Teufler, who settled
on the old home place where Theodore was born and where he died. (The Troy Chief, February 1916, submitted by Sherry
McCrann)
Obit: COMMISSIONER TEUFLER DEAD
Theodore J. Teufler, a wealthy and progressive farmer of this section, and county commissioner for this district,
died at his home three miles south west of Severance on the night of February 20, 1916, at the age of 51 years.
He had been ailing for several weeks, suffering with a kidney trouble, which was the cause of his death. Theodore
Teufler was born March 28, 1865, on the farm where he died. He received a common school education and made of himself
a useful citizen. He has always been known as an industrious man, full of healthy energy, and was a mam of high
personal qualities, honest, upright and sincere in all his dealings. His neighbors loved and respected him highly
and his death will be keenly felt in that community. He faithfully performed the duties of county commissioner
for his district. He has also served the county as assessor, and the township as trustee, and he served his school
district as clerk for 27years. At the time of his death he was president of the A.H.T.A. He was married at Goff,
Kansas, May 21, 1889, to Miss Anna Mertz. His wife, two children--Frank and Roy Teufler, one sister, Mrs. Anna
Hetherington, of Everest, and one half brother, John Overman, survive him. His funeral which was held Tuesday,
February 22, was largely attended. He was laid to rest in the Denton cemetery after services conducted at the home
by Rev. C. C. Clampitt. (The Troy Chief, submitted by Sherry McCrann)
RITTENHOUSE, NOAH
ANDREW
Noah Andrew Rittenhouse born Dec. 31, 1881, passed
away at his home on Dec. 31, 1959. Mother and father was Casander Ware and Noah Andrew.He was born on the old Rittenhouse
farm located West of Troy, KS in the Moray neighborhood. He lived on the farm until he moved to Oakley, KS in 1907.
There he met and married Mary Belle Wise on Nov 12, 1913. In 1919 they moved back to Troy. He was a member of Christ
Lutheran Church. Died at the home without warning after doing chores in the evening with a sudden heart attack.
Funeral services were held at the Christ Lutheran Church.
Father of Inez, Ruby, Noah, Mary Ruth, and Robert.
Info from: The Kansas Chief, Jan 7, 1960.
Submitted by Dennis Rittenhouse
HARGIS, C. W.
C. W. Hargis died up on his farm near Troy, Doniphan
county, last week. Mr. Hargis was an old timer in Kansas having come to this state in 1803. (Topeka Weekly Capital,
February 22, 1894, page 10)
