Republic County Bios

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HANZLICK, CHARLES WALTER - Charles Walter Hanzlick, farmer, was born near Belleville, Kansas, April 15, 1898, son of Anton and Helen (Jansek) Hanzlick. The father, who was born in Pilsen Cecho Slovakia, June 6, 1863, came to the United States as a young man working as a farm hand. He is now an extensive landowner. Helen Janasek was born in Cecho Slovakia, February 2, 1864, and died near Bellevill, November 5, 1924. She was a pioneer Kansan, and the mother of a large family. Her parents came to the United States when she was two years old, homesteading in Kansas. One brother died in the American Expeditionary Forces in 1918. Three brothers, Frank, George, and Henry are farm owners near Belleville. There are two sisters, Mrs. Rudolph Strumpha and Mrs. Arthur Brzon. Upon his graduation from Willow Dale rural school in 1914, Charles Walter Hanxlick attended Belleville High School from which he was graduated in 1918. While in High School he won three letters in football, two in basketball and one in track, and upon entering Washburn College in the fall of 1918 was a letterman in football. Mr. Hanzlick holds a state normal training certificate to teach, but he never followed that profession. He is an active and extensive farmer and secretary of the Republic County Taxpayers League. On March 11, 1926, he was married to Odessa Pearl Murphy at Belleville. She was born near that city on March 18, 1902, and before her marriage was a teacher. She is the daughter of Charles and Nellie Murphy. Mr. and Mrs. Hanzlick have two children: Joe Dwane, born February 16, 1927, and Charles Bud, March 20, 1932. Mr. Hanzlick joined the Students Army Training Corps in October 1918, serving as a private and was discharged on December 11, 1918. He is a member of the American Legion. Among his other memberships are the Farmers Union (county secretary and treasurer of the Republic County organization; former president of Willow Dale Local organization) and the Republic County committee of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Mr. Hanslick has assisted in the organization of various local Farmers Unions and is an ardent booster of Farmers Co-operative organizations. During 1924 and 1925, he served as treasurer of the Willow Dale District No. 41, and was president of the Republic County School Board Association at that time. He attends the Christian Church. He enjoys football, while his hobby is reading current events and editorials. Residence: Belleville. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, Page 479) (Submitted by Peggy Thompson)


HILL, LAURA MAUDE - Laura Maude Hill, county superintendent of schools of Republic County was born there on February 26, 1886 daughter of William and Margaret Lottie (Conwell) Hill. Her father, a stock buyer and farmer, was born in Davis County, Iowa, October 18, 1856. Her mother was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 24, 1859. Upon her graduation from high school at Belleville in 1905, Laura Maude Hill began teaching in rural school. From 1907 until 1923, she taught in the elementary schools of Belleville, obtaining her education by correspondence and home study during this period. She received 120 hours of college work, thus receiving in 1927 a certificate permitting her to teach in high school. From 1923 until 1929 Miss Hill was office assistant with the county superintendent and in 1931 was elected county superintendent. She is a Republican. Miss Hill is a member of the First Christian Church, chairman of the Junior Red Cross, a member of the Belleville City Library Board (president, 1931) and the Order of Eastern Star. In the last mentioned organization she held an office for six years and was worthy matron in 1923. Residence: Belleville. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, Page 526) (Submitted by Peggy Thompson)

HILL, MONTE L. - Monte L. Hill, insurance executive, was born in Republic County, Kansas, May 7, 1883, son of William and Margaret Charlotte (Conwell) Hill. The father, a livestock dealer and sheriff of Republic County from 1900 until 1904 was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, October 18, 1856. His wife, Margaret, was born in Ohio, November 24, 1859. Her ancestry is traced to Yeates Conwell, who came to Lewes, Delaware, from England, April 15, 1699, who was descended from Alfred King of England, according to family tradition. Educated in Republic County and Belleville schools, Monte L. Hill attended high school at Belleville three years, and in 1901 was graduated from Salina Normal University where he specialized in commercial law and bookkeeping. In 1903 he was graduated from a business and stenographic course at Elliott's Business College. A Republican, Mr. Hill was elected register of deeds in November, 1910, was defeated for the same office in November, 1912, defeated for county clerk in November 1914, and was elected to that office in November of 1922, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1930. On September 20, 1916, Mr. Hill was married to Edna U. Graham at Hubbell, Nebraska. She was born at Narka, Kansas, October 3, 1889. There are two children, Margaret, born March 17, 1921; and John William, December 6, 1926. Mr. Hill is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Masons (secretary, Belleville Chapter, Royal Arch Masons 1916-), and the Parent Teachers Association. His favorite sports are golf and baseball, and his hobby mechanics. During 1913 Mr. Hill was commissioned second lieutenant in the National Guard. He was secretary of the local draft board when organized, during the World War, and secretary of the Red Cross, also. Residence: Belleville. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, Page 526) (Submitted by Peggy Thompson)

JOHNSON, CARL OSCAR - Carl Oscar Johnson, city manager of Sterling, was born at Salina, Kansas, September 9, 1872, son of John and Christina (Anderson) Johnson, John Johnson, who was born near Visby in Sweden, September 29, 1826, came to the United States in 1868. He engaged in farming until his death in Mitchell County, November 5, 1906, where he had homesteaded. His wife, Christina was born in Halmstad, Sweden, June 20, 1845 and died at Lindsborg, Kansas, April 9, 1932. Carl Oscar Johnson attended public and high school and was graduated from commercial college at Saint Joseph, Missouri. His education in public school was supplemented by home study and reading. From 1922 until 1923 he was secretary of the Mitchell County Fair Association, and from 1919 until 1920 was president and director of a building and loan association at Beloit. A Republican, Mr. Johnson has never held a political office by election. He served as city assessor by appointment three terms, and as city clerk from 1926 until 1929 at Beloit. He was appointed city manager of Sterling by the city commissioners in July 1929, and is still serving in that capacity. On January 9, 1907, he was married to Hilma Victoria Swenson at Beloit. She was born there on February 5, 1888 of Swedish parentage. Her father was born near Visby, Sweden, September 29, 1834, coming to America in 1869. The mother was born near Nybro, Sweden, December 18, 1859. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were among the very oldest settlers in Solomon Valley. There are three children, Ralph O., born November 2, 1907, who is a salesman for Montgomery Ward & Company, Paul E., February 9, 1909, who is a bank clerk in the First National Bank at Beloit; and Louise H. October 18, 1915, who is a student. Paul E. was married to Gladys M. Rhodes at Beloit, May 28, 1931. At the present time Mr. Johnson is a member of the Beloit Presbyterian Church, the International City Managers Association, the United Charities Board of Sterling, the Sterling Chamber of Commerce, and the Odd Fellows at Beloit, which he joined February 8, 18098 and of which he has served as noble grand. His hobby is reading. Residence: Sterling. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, Page 595) (submitted by Peggy Thompson)


MILLER, A. Q., SR. - A.Q. Miller, Sr., publicist and political leader, was born in Washington County, Kansas, February 7, 1874, and received his early education in the public schools of Clifton. He later attended Alamo City Business College at San Antonio, Texas. At the age of 17, Mr. Miller entered the office of Clifton News for the purpose of learning the printers trade. At the age of 21 he purchased the paper which he sold three years later at a profit. He then bought the Riley Regent which he published for nearly four years, selling it as a profit and moving to Victor, Colorado. There be became a stockholder and business manager of the Victor Daily Record remaining three years. In 1904, Mr. Miller returned to Kansas, purchasing the Belleville Telescope, which he has published for 29 years. During that period he purchased and consolidated seven Republic County newspapers, and today the Telescope has the distinction of having the largest audited circulation of any weekly newspaper in Kansas. This paper won first prize in the National Editorial Association Circulation Progress Contest in 1931 and in 1930 was designated as one of Casey's All American Newspaper Eleven. For the past six years, Mr. Miller has been engaged in various civic and political activities. During this time the Belleville Telescope has been under the able management of his son, A. Q. Miller, Jr. For a period of eight years, Mr. Miller was division chief of the internal Revenue Department with headquarters at Salina, Kansas. He served as executive secretary of the United States Senate, a part of two sessions on Congress in 1930 and 1931. He was appointed by Governor Arthur Capper as chairman of the State Board of Correction in charge of the state penal institutions during the former's administration. Active in Kansas politics, Mr. Miller was presidential elector in 1912 and was an alternate delegate at large to the Chicago Convention in 1920. He has served as sergeant at arms in two national conventions. During the Harding campaign he was publicity director of the Republican state committee for Kansas and introduced paid political advertising in Kansas country newspapers. He has served as president of the Republican State Editorial Association; president of the Fifth District Editorial Association; and recording secretary of the Kansas State Editorial Association. He served as vice president of the Kansas Day Club and appeared on its program in 1914. During recent years Mr. Miller has interested himself in the Good Roads program for the middle west. He has been vitally interested in the organization of two national highways, United States Highway number 81 and United States highway number 36. It is significant that these highways cross at Belleville, Kansas. A the present time he is president and executive head of United States highway number 81, better known as the International Meridian Highway, which reaches from Winnipeg, Canada, to Mexico City. Under Mr. Miller's direction plans exist at the present time for extending this highway to Central America and South America. This extended highway crosses 16 nations, and is known internationally as the Pan American Highway. Because of his interest in highways and good roads Mr Miller was elected president of the State Good Roads Association in 1916. Mr. Miller is in demand by the various radio stations to lecture on good roads, and is known as an authority on that subject. Recently he has taken an active part in the flood control and water conservation program in Kansas, helping to organize the Republican Valley Water Control Association. He was also active in helping organize the Kaw Valley Basin Flood Control Association at Salina, Kansas, attending most of the meetings in an executive capacity. Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge of Belleville, Kansas, a member of Isis Shrine and the Consistory of Salina. He is a member of the Salina Lions Club, the Salina Country Club, the Gridiron Club and the Topeka Press Club. He is also a member of the State Editorial Golf Club. On October 9, 1895, he was married to Martha L. Patterson of Clifton, Kansas. Mrs. Miller is the daughter of James and Isabelle Patterson. To them were born six children, Lloyd R., who is county engineer of Ottawa County, Kansas, Carl P., who is vice president and manager of the Wall Street Journal with headquarters in Los Angeles; A. Q. Jr., who is business manager of the Belleville Telescope; Enola Perry, wife of W. C. Perry, county attorney of Belleville; Merle M. and Luman who are seniors in the Salina High School. The first four children have had the advantage of educational training at the State College at Manhattan. Residence: Salina. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, Page 793) (Submitted by Peggy Thompson)


MUNFORD, RAYMOND HUNTER - Raymond Hunter Munford physician and surgeon since 1907 was born in Coulterville, Illinois, October 13, 1880, son of James Renwick and Martha Hunter (McMillian) Munford. The father, a farmer and school teacher was born in Coulterville, August 18, 1847 and traced his ancestry to Huguenot settlers in North Carolina in the 15th or 16th century. He homesteaded in Hodgeman County in 1884, and died at Jetmore, Kansas, March 4, 1895. Martha Hunter McMillian was born in Swanwick, Illinois, February 14, 1856, and died at Belleville, March 23, 1923. She was a school teacher of Irish and Scotch ancestry. Educated first in the public schools of Hodgeman County, Raymond Hunter Munsford was graduated from Jetmore High School and attended Cooper College and Washburn College at Topeka. In 1907 he was awarded his medical degree from Kansas Medical College. While at Washburn and Cooper he was a member of the football team. Since he was twelve years of age he has been entirely upon his own resources. On September 29, 1909, Dr. Munford was married to Emma Rohrer at Lawrence. She was born in Dillon, Kansas, January 5, 1882, daughter of Christian and Apolona (Hoffman) Rohrer. Before her marriage she was a school teacher in an Indian School at Pawnee, Oklahoma in rural and city schools. She was also a nurse. She is descended from one of the three first families of Switzerland. She is past matron of Ophel Chapter No. 115 of the Order of Eastern Star at Belleville, past president of the local Legion auxiliary and is active in her church. There are two children, E. Anita, born March 16, 1911, who was an honor student in high school and who graduated in June 1933, from Kansas University where she majored in bacteriology, and minored in play writing. She is a member of the Girl's Glee Club there, president of Alpha Omricon Phi, National Sorority, having been elected to that position in 1932; James Hunter, born August 29, 1913, is a freshman at Kansas University Medical College; he is a member of Delta Tau Delta, National Fraternity and while in high school won letters in football and baseball. In active practice since 1907, Dr. Munford was surgeon to the Garnett Hospital from 1915 until 1917. He was surgeon to Patterson Memorial Hospital from 1924 until 1929, and at the present time is chief surgeon of the Belleville Hospital and Home. During 1914 to 1916 he was local surgeon for the M. P. R. R. at Garnett, Kansas. Since 1922 he has been a member of the United States Government Pension board. A Republican, he served as coroner of Republic County two terms, from 1922 until 1926. Dr. Munford is a member of the American, Kansas State and Republic County Medical Societies, the National Roentgenology, the Red Cross (home service chairman eight years), the Chamber of Commerce, the Belleville Lodge No. 69 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, (Royal Arch), the Order of Eastern Star (past patron), and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Belleville Country Club, the First Presbyterian Church of Belleville, and of the American Legion. In the latter organization he served as post commander in 1926, and now holds the rank of major in the Medical Reserve Corps. During the World War he enlisted as a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps on June 21, 1917, at Ft. Riley, Houston, Texas, then to base hospital Camp Mills, New York, and was promoted to the rank of captain. On December 21, 1918 he received his honorable discharge. Among his prized possessions is the original land grant covering his father's homestead of which he came into possession in 1914. Residence: Belleville. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, Page 845-846) (Submitted by Peggy Thompson)