Meade County, Kansas
Bios
BALLARD, JOHN P. AND WIFE
John P. Ballard was born in Logan County, Kentucky, August 7th, 1878. He came to Meade County in August,
to be exact, on August 21st, 1903, and made homestead entry in Cimarron township. He was married to Anna L. Shinogle
on April 19th, 1911. They have one child, Woodrow R. A. Ballard, born February 25th, 1913.
Mr. Ballard has been engaged in farming, doing a little real-estate business "on the side," and
has prospered.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, has served his township as Trustee, and his political party as
precinct Committeeman.
Anna L. Shinogle was born in Meade County, Kansas, on October 27th, 1890. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.
A. Shinogle. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 144)
BIRD, MARK A.
Mark Bird and his estimable family consists of, Mrs. Bird, and the children, Abner C, Lorene, Lillian A.,
Harry C, and Gladys.
Mr. Bird conducts a general merchandise store at Missler, and is also extensively engaged in handling horses and
cattle. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 143)
BISBEE, B. F.
B. F. Bisbee, frequently called "The Big-bellied Wheat King of Meade County," was born at Ann
Arbor, Michigan, on June 22nd, 1842. He was married at Mason City, Ill., in January, 1867, to Rebecca Grisson.
To this union were born six children, to wit: Carrie, Grace, Leona, William L, and Maud and Myrtie, the last two
being twins.
Mr. Bisbee came to Meade County in 1887, and has ever since been engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Years ago he earned and carried the title of "Farmer Bisbee'' because he was one of the very few men
in Meade County who were making a success of farming at that time.
He has been Trustee of his township, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Meade. (History of Meade County,
Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 142)
CASH, L. C.
L. C. Cash was born near Nolin, Kentucky, May 28th, 1861. He was married near East View, Ky., on Jan. 11th,
1883, to Katie Fife. The year following he started west in response to Horace Greeley's famous advice, and settled
in Sumner County in November, 1884. In September, 1886, he moved farther west, out where the grass was a little
shorter, the skies a little bluer, settling in Meade County on September 19th, 1900.
Then for five or six years he worked as head clerk in Parson's big store at Plains, but feeling the need
of more outdoor life he finally resigned, and engaged in farming for four years. He then built a modern hotel in
Plains, and has been engaged in the hotel business ever since. This hotel, which is one of the best arranged to
be found anywhere, was designed entirely by Mr. Cash, and was for the most part built by him and his sons. It is
of concrete blocks, the blocks having been manufactured by Mr. Cash in Plains.
His family consists of three sons and one grandson. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916,
Page 147)
CORDES, JOHN
John Cordes was born at Cole Camp, Benton County, Missouri, on July 15th, 1867, of German parentage. He
came to Meade County March 1st, 1885, and commenced life as a young pioneer on the pioneer prairies.
He was married April 16th, 1893, to Maggie Brunjes, a Meade County girl. To this union four children have
been born-Alice M., Barthold H., Lola K., and Earnest J. E.
Mr. Cordes has been engaged in the business of farming and stock-raising, and is one of the substantial,
prosperous farmers of Odee Township.
He has always taken a strong interest, and frequently an active part, in politics, and in 1912 was elected
County Commissioner for the Second District. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page
145)
COX, BENJAMIN F.
Benjamin F. Cox was born in what is now Platte County, Mo. but which was then unorganized Government land,
on August 19th, 1837. He came to Meade County on September 3rd, 1894, and remained until about 1908, since which
time he has had no settled domicile, but has spent his time in whatever place happened to strike his fancy for
the time being. He has been engaged in farming, stock-raising, banking, money-loaning, promoting, etc. At one time
he owned one-third of the Fowler townsite. He was Vice-President of the first bank in Meade County, of the first
bank in Fowler, and is now Vice-President of the Meade State Bank. He holds the first tax receipt issued in Meade
County; he drove the first railroad spike in Meade County; he discovered artesian water in Meade County; and he
wore out the first pair of boots made in Meade County, said boots being made by a certain bootmaker, Schwartz,
of Fowler. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 146)
DALGARN, J. CHESTER
J. Chester Dalgarn was born in Meade, Kansas, July 6th, 1895,- strictly a Meade County product. He graduated
from the Meade High School, after which he took a full post-graduate course. He has taught school, but the line
of work he intends following, and for which he is fitting himself, is electrical engineering. (History of Meade
County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 148)
FICK, FERINAND
Ferdinand W. Fick was born at Hansfelde, Prussia, March 7th, 1856. At about seven years of age his parents
came to America, and Fred's boyhood and youth were spent in St. Joseph, Mo. He was married at St. Joseph, Dec.
13th, 1878, to Louise Miller, she having been born in Loningen, Switzerland, June 8th, 1858.
Five children, four girls, one boy, are the result of this marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Fick came to Meade County March 1st, 1888, and have been engaged in the mercantile business
most of the time since.
Mr. Fick has always taken a prominent part in politics; was Mayor of Meade for two terms, and for two terms
Clerk of the District Court.
He takes considerable interest in fraternal orders, being an active member of the Masonic order, both the
Blue Lodge and the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of the I. O. O. F., and of the Knights of Pythias. (History of
Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 150)
HULBURT, CHESTER S. "CHET"
Chester S. Hulburt was born at El Dorado, Butler County, Kansas, January 15th, 1875. He was married to Emma
J. Singley on November 30th, 1899, at Augusta, Kansas. Three children, Helen T., Helsey H. and Walter C, complete
the family.
He came to Meade County February 22nd, 1903. His principal business has been farming and stock-raising,
but for a year or two he was engaged in the real-estate business.
He is now, and has been for some time past, engaged in breeding registered Galloway cattle, and while others
can show larger herds, it would be difficult to find a herd of "classier" cattle than those on Mr. Hulburt's
farm.
He takes a great interest in educational matters, and is at present a member of the Board of Education of
the Meade city schools. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 151)
JOBLING, WILLIAM
William Jobling was born at Zanesville, Ohio, January 8th, 1864, He came to Meade County March 1st, 1879,
and has been a continuous resident of the county ever since. His father was president of a company that settled
a colony of sixteen families at Pearlette. Of all of that colony Mr. Jobling is the only one remaining in Meade
County, and it is probable that he is the oldest settler now in the county. He has always taken an active interest
in politics, and while never soliciting political honors for himself, has frequently had such honors forced upon
him. He has served his township as Clerk, Trustee, and Justice of the Peace; he has been County Commissioner from
the First District, and he has been Clerk of the School Board in his district for fifteen or more years.
Fraternally he is quite prominent in the Masonic order. He is a member of Webb Lodge No. 275, A. F. & A. M.,
at Meade; of Meade Chapter R. A. M. No. 243; R. S. M. No. 13, Hutchinson; K. T. No. 25, Dodge City; Consistory
No. 2, Wichita; and A. A. O. N. M. Shrine, Wichita. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916,
Page 153)
KEITH, JOHN O.
John O. Keith was born January 8, 1863, in Perry County, Illinois. He came to Meade County in 1894, and
on September 4th, 1898, was married to Matie B. Hinsdale. To this union two children have been born, Dot, the daughter,
only surviving.
Mr. Keith farmed and taught school until 1910, when he moved to Meade and engaged in the implement business, which
he conducted for two years and then sold out. He has served as Clerk of the District Court, and is Clerk of the
First Baptist Church.
He is quite prominent in fraternal societies, being a Past Grand of the I. O. O. F., and is at present Chief Patriarch
of the Encampment branch of the Odd Fellows order. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916,
Page 154)
KIRCHNER, H. H.
H. H. Kirchner was born at Worden, Douglas County, Kansas, January 5th, 1879. He was married to Delia Layman
at Arlington, Kansas, February 18th, 1903.
He is not an old resident of Meade County, having purchased the Gardner ranch and settled here on April
10th, 1915, but his year's residence in this county has convinced him that he has at last found just what he has
been looking for, and no inducement within the limit of human probability would tempt him to leave Meade County.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. (History of Meade County,
Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 155)
MURPHY, THOMAS L.
Thomas L. Murphy, shown above in a characteristic pose, is one of the biggest-hearted, whole-souled, most
congenial Irishmen that ever escaped from Cork, and how or why they ever permitted Tom to escape is a mystery.
He was born at Springfield, Ill., August 29th, 1858. He removed to Kansas, and on January 30th, 1888, was
married to Effa Cool, at Columbus. They are now the parents of seven children.
Tom came to Meade County on January 11th, 1904, being one among the old "new settlers."
He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and is well satisfied and prosperous. (History of Meade County,
Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 156)
PAINTER, R. M. "CAP"
R. M. Painter was born in the State of Iowa, a long time ago. He came to Meade County in the fall of 1884,
and filed on a homestead, where he resided until 1915, when he left the farm, or farms, it might be more accurate
to state, as he owns something less than half a township, and came to Meade, where he opened a law office.
"Cap," as he is usually called, has had a varied career, at different times following different
vocations. He has had experience in the law, newspaper work, the army, the legislature, and while he has never
made politics a business he has always been actively interested.
He was the first Representative of Meade County, the first Post Commander of the local G. A. R., for several
years President of the Southwestern Veterans' Association, and is now Department Commander of the G. A. R. of Kansas.
(History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 157)
PRICE, JOHN SHELBY
John Shelby Price was born at Kenton, Ohio, April 4th, 1874. He came to Meade County in the spring of 1887.
He was married to Susan Winnifred Bonham, August 19th, 1907. To this union two children were born, Frances Evlyn,
now aged 6, and Shelby Winfred, aged 2.
With the exception of four years during which time he was sheriff of Meade County, Mr. Price has been engaged
in the livestock business. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 158)
PRICE, SUSAN WINNIFRED BONHAM
Susan Winnifred Bonham was born in Hardin County, Ohio, April 27th, 1876. She came to Meade County with
her parents in 1885, where she resided until her death, March 6th, 1914.
She was elected Register of Deeds in 1900, and served two terms. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank
S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 159)
ROBERTS, ALBERT B.
Albert B. Roberts was born at Richmond, Indiana. He was married at Lynn, Indiana, August 15th, 1880, to
Lizzie S. Johnson, and came to Meade County November 6th, 1895.
He has three children, Walter J., Adgar N., and Alice M.
He has been engaged in farming, and is now serving his second term as County Commissioner from the First
District. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 161)
ROBERTS, G. W.
G. W. Roberts was born on February 23rd, 1856, in Grant County, Wisconsin. He came to southwest Kansas in
1900, first locating in Pawnee County, coming to Meade County in the spring of 1913. He was married to Miss L.
M. Hockett in January, 1903, and is the father of six children.
Mr. Roberts has been engaged in farming, and has the distinction of never having experienced a failure of
his wheat crop in southwest Kansas. His lowest average yield per acre for any year is 10 bushels, the highest being
33 bushels. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 163)
SCHUMACHER, L. F.
L. F. Schuhmacher was born September 5th, 1882, at Mexico, Missouri. Lon early realized the possibilities
of Meade County, and emigrated here in 1886. He was married at Meade February 21st, 1907, to Maude Stansill.
They have three boys, L. F., Jr., Nelson R. and Gordon S.
Mr. Schuhmacher has been engaged in the real-estate business at Meade for the last ten years. (History of
Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 167)
STAMPER, J. I. (COL. JIM)
J. I. Stamper (Col. Jim) was born at Sweetwater, Tenn., December 22nd, 1869. He came to Meade County in
May, 1885. He was married at Meade, December 25th, 1900, to Lottie W. Snyder. They have one child, a daughter,
Jamie, born in Meade.
Jim has been rather versatile in his pursuits, having been at different times engaged in farming and stock
raising, well drilling, has taken a flyer in the mercantile business, was postmaster at Meade under President Taft,
but for several years last past he has devoted the greater part of his time to auctioneering, at which calling
he has met with remarkable success.
He is now President of the State Auctioneers' Association. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S.
Sullivan, 1916, Page 164)
STEVENS, O. R.
O. R. Stevens was born in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, March 22nd, 1879. He was married in Barber County,
Kansas, November 19th, 1902, to Miss Tressie Grigsby. A son, Ferol Clifford, was born at Coats, Kansas, August
16th, 1905.
Mr. Stevens came to Meade County April 30th, 1906, and was engaged in the mercantile business at Meade until
September, 1914, when he removed to Wichita.
Mr. Stevens is one of the prominent fraternalists of the State. He was Department Commander of Patriarchs
Militant from January 1st, 1908, to January 1st, 1913, with the rank of Brigadier-General, and is the present Grand
Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Kansas, being elected to that office October 12th, 1915. He is also a member
of the Judiciary Committee of the Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Kansas. (History of Meade County, Kansas,
by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 168)
STOUT, BERT
Bert Stout war, born at Logansport, Indiana, September 4th, 1884. He came to Meade County in 1908, and settled
in Mertilla Township, where he is engaged in farming. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916,
Page 162)
UNDERWOOD, CHAS A.
Chas. A. Underwood was born in Logan Co., Ohio, March 19th, 1860. He came to Meade County in 1905, where
he took a homestead and engaged in farming, which occupation he has followed ever since.
He was married at Meade on April 18th, 1907, to Margaret K. Nichols.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and was formerly a member of Co. E,
Ohio National Guard. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 169)
UNDERWOOD, MARGARET K. NICHOLS
Margaret K. Nichols was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1866. She was appointed postmistress of New Jerusalem,
Ohio, by President Cleveland, which office she conducted for eleven years. She also conducted a grocery store at
that place.
On April 18, 1907, in Meade, Kansas, she became the wife of Charles A. Underwood. (History of Meade County, Kansas,
by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 170)
WAY, MARION M.
Marion M. Way was born in McPherson County, Kansas, Jan 27th, 1876. He came to Meade County March 12th,
1900, and was married October 16th, 1901, to Rosetta F. Bunyan. He has one child, a boy nine years of age.
Mr. Way has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has served his township and school district in various
offices.
He is a member of the Masonic order. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 172)
WILSON, MORTON
Morton Wilson was born in Appanoose County, Iowa, February 3rd, 1865. He was married in Meade County October
30th, 1892, to Jennie C. Heape.
Mrs. Wilson came to Meade County in March, 1885, Mr. Wilson coming in May of the same year.
They were engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1915, when they retired and moved to Meade.
They have two daughters, Ethel and Marie, both at home. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan,
1916, Page 171)
WOLFE, WILLIS
Willis Wolfe was born at Wheeling, Missouri, February 5th, 1888. He was married at Wheeling, Mo., October
5th, 1910, to Lulu Mae Norman, and came to Meade County in March, 1911.
Two boys, Leonard M. and Norman B., have come to brighten their Meade County home.
Mr. Wolfe has been engaged principally in the cattle business, but as a side line he sells automobiles and
Fords. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 165)
SOURBEER, FRANKLIN
Franklin Sourbeer was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Nov. 19th, 1838. He was married to Annie M. Kessler
at Harrisburg, Pa. Mr. Sourbeer is one of the earliest settlers, locating in Meade County June 30th, 1879. His
principal business was farming, up until a few years ago, when he retired and moved to Meade. For six years he
has been one of the magistrates of Meade Center Township.
Mr. Sourbeer enlisted in June, 1861, in Co. D of the First Pennsylvania Volunteer Reserve Corps. He was
wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, August 29th, 1862. In 1863 he was made Captain of Co. H, Fiftieth Pennsylvania
Volunteer Militia. He served as Second Sergeant in Co. K, Two Hundred Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. (History
of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 175)
STEELE, R. E.
R. E. Steele was born in 1850, and reared in Prince William County, Va. In 1874 he came west, locating in
Douglas County, Kansas. In 1878 he removed to Barber County, and came to Meade County in 1892.
He was married in Meade County to Miss Jennie W. Mills. Two children were born, both girls, and both of
whom are married, one to Mr. Eustace Smith, a prominent young lawyer of Hutchinson, and one to Mr. E. W. McNaghten,
also of Hutchinson.
Mrs. Steele died in 1907, and afterwards Mr. Steele was united in marriage with Miss Curtis Harsha, of Pittsburgh,
Pa.
Mr. Steele has been engaged in the cattle business practically all of his life, and has probably handled
more cattle than anjr other Meade County citizen. The names, Steele & Cockins, Cockins & Steele, The Meade
Land & Cattle Co., the Crooked L Ranch, are familiar to everyone. While Mr. Steele has been interested in many
ranch propositions, the Crooked L, located about three miles south of Meade, is his best known venture. This ranch,
while not extensive in acreage, is one of the best little ranches in the State. Here is to be found several hundred
acres of alfalfa under a good system of irrigation, and here is produced the feed that fattens several thousand
of the Crooked L brand yearly. (History of Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 174)
WYSONG, D. P.
D. P. Wysong was born at Lynville, Franklin County, Va., January 16th, 1851. He was married at Stewartsville,
Bedford County, Va., April 6th, 1876, to Dora Stewart. Two sons were born, James T. and Ansel S.
He came to Meade County March 25th, 1885, and, like many of the other early settlers, has been engaged in
several different lines of work, among which are teaching, contracting, farming, and the practice of law.
Mr. Wysong has served his county as County Superintendent, County Clerk, and County Attorney. (History of
Meade County, Kansas, by Frank S. Sullivan, 1916, Page 173)
DAVID ELLENWOOD BALLARD
David Ellenwood Ballard, was born in Franklin County, Vermont, March 20, 1837. He is of English descent, his paternal
great-great-grandfather coming to this country twenty years before the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, in
which five of his ancestors participated. His father, Appleton Ballard, moved to Morrow county, Ohio. His mother's
name was Epiphena Ellenwood. Her father was a seafaring man, and was murdered and robbed in the harbor of Halifax
after he had disposed of his cargo. In may, 1857 David E. Ballard came to Kansas, locating in Brown County. In
1858 he moved to Washington County and was the first county clerk, having assisted in organizing the county. In
1859 he was elected to the first state legislature and in the senatorial election was an active partisan of James
H. Lane. In November 1861, he enlisted in the Second Kansas as a private and in 1862 was made first lieutenant.
He was mustered out in February 1865. He was in the battles of Fort Wayne, Fort Smith, Cane Hill, and Prairie Grove.
In 1867 he was appointed a commissioner to audit the Price raid claims. For two years ending in 1869, he was an
assessor of internal revenue. At Leavenworth, December 25, 1865 he was married to Miss Louise Brown. He served
also in the legislature of 1879. He has large farming interests in Washington and Meade Counties. His home is in
Washington, Kan. (Transactions of the Kansas State Historical Society 1907-1908, Vol. X, edited by Geo. W. Martin,
Secretary, State Printing Office, Topeka, 1908, pages 243-244)
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