Ninnescah Township Sedgwick County Kansas Genealogy Trails

Ninnescah

Ninnescah is one of the southern tier of townships bordering upon Sumner County. It is watered by the river from which it derived its name, and is rich in fine bottom lands and in a large belt of timber. The soil is equal to the Arkansas River bottom lands, but its valley is not so extensive. Some of the finest improved and best producing farms in the county are in this township. Its uplands afford the best of pasture, and are well adapted either for farming or stock raising. Fruit culture is largely and successfully engaged in this township.

Hon. William Ross, organized the township in Oct, 1872. The first officers were Thomas W. McCreadie, Trustee; J. G. Dunscomb, Treasurer; J. M. Tracey, Clerk; William Ross and F. Summers, Justices. The first settler was Edward Murray, a native of the County Down, Ireland, who located in the winter of 1869. He got out material for a "stockade ranch," on the north bank of the Ninnescah. He then left, and returning in April, 1870, found his claim occupied by Charley Smith, to whom he gave the material. Smith then completed what was known afterwards as the "Ninnescah Ranch." Jacob Swinddinger, known as "Dutch Jake," occupied it some time, and then Bob Bytle, a noted frontiersman, became Smith's partner. They sold to McLean & Russell, and for two years it was the rendezvous for all the desperados along the border. In 1872, J. G. Dunscomb bought them out and they left for Bluff Creek, Sumner County, where McLean came near being lynched with Bill Brooks, George Smith and others, whom the "vigilance" hung just west of Wellington. McLean escaped by interference of several to whom he had done favors in times gone. Murray located on the south side of the river and is still there. William Ross located with his family, August 10th. On the 18th he cleared off about four rods of the river bottom, stirred it with a pitchfork and sowed turnip seeds. About the 15th of November, 300 Osage Indians, on an annual hunt and drunk, camped in the bottom and harvested the first crop. The arrivals up to the last of August, were Messrs. Ingenine and family, Sohn, Cramer, Summers, West and Bright. In September the arrivals were Messrs. McCreadie, Brown, Stafford, Lane, Smith and Spicer. John Stewart came in March, 1871, and his son's is claimed as the first birth in the township. The first death was among the horse thieves at Smith & Lytle's ranch. Rev. J. P. Harson, assisted by Elder H. W. Lawrence, organized the first church (Presbyterian) February 3, 1874. The Ninnescah has numerous tributaries that afford an abundance of water, aside from the river. The postoffices are at Good River and Clearwater, the last mentioned having a very extensive store of general merchandise, besides a blacksmith shop. Four schoolhouses and a Presbyterian Church edifice, the latter on A. H. Mann's farm, are other features not unimportant. A. E. Chambers has a race park on his farm, and handles fine stock. Population, 350; valuation of property, $153,515. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 2, Township Sketches)