SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS
OBITS
BAKER, LURETTA
Last evening at 8 o'clock Mrs. Loretta Baker died of heart disease at the home of her son Mr. J. J. Baker, 2010 South Lawrence avenue. Mrs. Baker was a widow 73 years of age. She came to Wichita from Michigan three years ago. She was a member of the Methodist church, a sweet, gentle soul of great spirituality and in her days she put upon her sphere the impress of great kindness and nobility.
Mrs. Baker was an aunt of Mrs. J. M. Knapp of this city. The time of the funeral will be announced later. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, November 5, 1901, page 8 - typed as it was in the newspaper)
John E. Brown, an old-timer in Wichita died at Hiatville, Kan., Thursday of consumption and ws brought here yesterday for burial. The funeral will take place from the Cathedral this morning at 8'clock. He was one of the workmen on the Garfield university when it was being built. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and left his family well provided for. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, March 24, 1900, page 6)
William Cole, the pioneer auctioneer of Wichita, died last evening at 7:30 p.m. at the residence of Mr. T. A. Bailey corner of Philadelphia avenue and Harry street. The funeral will take place today from the residence at the hour of 2:30 p.m. Friends of the family invited. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, October 4, 1892, page 2)
The funeral services of Mrs. E. A. Crane, who died Monday morning will be held this morning at 9:30 o'clock at her late residence 635 South Lawrence avenue. Friends of the family are invited. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, August 16, 1899, page 6)
The infant child of Lewis Crum, who lives five miles west of Wichita, died yesterday morning. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, January 5, 1895, page 5)
News reached this city last evening that Mrs. A. N. Devin, a former resident of Wichita, died at Wellington with the grip yesterday. Mrs. Devin belonged to the Woman's Relief Corps, of which she an active and valuable member. She was a devout Christian, being a member of the Presbyterian church. She leaves a husband and three children, whose home is made desolate by the death of a devoted wife and the sweetest kindness and best of mothers. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, December 13, 1891, page 6)
E. L. Freeman yesterday received a letter from Denver, Colo., telling of the death of his cousin, William F. Freeman, a prominent lawyer of that city and a man well known in Wichita. Mr. Freeman often visited in this city at the home of his uncle, M. Y. Freeman. His many friends in Wichita will learn of his death with much regret. (The Wichita Eagle, November 22, 1902)
Mr. Eli H. Harvey, one of the old settlers of Wichita, died yesterday at his residene, Nineteenth and Hydraulic.
Nearly everybody in Wichita knew Mr. Harvey, although perhaps few of the newer settlers knew his name. He always made a peculiar noise on the streets, something similar to a bark, owing to a disease which had afflicted him for years. The malady which is known as ascending neurosis, killed him finally. Technically it involved the seat of the pneumogastric nerve which supplies circulation and respiration. In the case of Mr. Harvey the disease destroyed the nerve as the cutting of a wire would destroy the potency of a telegraph instrument and the circulation stopped.
Mr. Harvey was a most general man notwithstanding the fearful malady from which he suffered so long, always in good humor and always good natured. A dozen years ago, during the boom he was one of the wealthy men of Wichita but like a great many others, he became reduced in circumstances and after one piece of good property after another slipped away from him he retired to a piece of land east of the pocking house which he had been able to save from the wreck.
Those who knew him best have nothing but the kindest words to say concerning him. The funeral will be held from the residence Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, January 12, 1901, page 5)
J. W. Hollenger a respected citizen of Wichita died Saturday, October 4, at his residence, 1426 East Gilbert of heart disease. Mr. Gillbert was 88 years of age and a native of Pennsylvania. No arrangements for the funeral services and interment will be made until the arrival of a son of the deceased who is enroute from California. (Typed as was in the Newspaper, The Wichita Daily Eagle, October 7, 1902, page 8)
Charles Irwin of Conway Springs was kicked by a horse Saturday and died in a few hours. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, August 31, 1897, page 6)
Lorenza Ketzler, one of the pioneers of Wichita, died Sunday from a stroke of Apoplexy. He will be buried at 2 o'clock this afternoon, Garfield post conducting the funeral services at the house and George H. Thomas regiment, Union Veteran Union conducting the services at the cemetery.
Lon Ketzler was the third barber in Wichita and has shaved people of the Peerless Princess for a full generation. He was in the oldest barber shop in Wichita, John Thompson's until 10:30 o'clock Saturday night when he went home. The last man he shaved could not be remembered by his colleagues yesterday. The last time he talked to an Eagle reporter he estimated that he had shaved over 150,000 people since coming to Wichita. Charles Case was the town's first barber, John Thompson came here a few months after him and Lon Ketzler came exactly a month after Mr. Thompson in November, 1870.
Yesterday Mr. Thompson paid his last act of duty to his old friend by going up to his house and shaving him.
Mr. Ketzler was a very quiet man and few outside of the old settlers knew him intimately. He came down to John Thompson's barber shop early in the morning and remained at his chair till quitting time when he usually took a car and went directly home. He was an old soldier, veteranizing in the Unino army. He belonged to the Fifthieth Illinois Volunteers and made an honorable record in defense of the unity of his country. He served more than four years, commencing in 1861. He was in his fifty-ninth year. He leaves a wife and two married sons.
Mr. Ketzler had some property. He left four acres of land on North Lawrence avenue to his widow. It is well located and is a valuable piece of ground for residence lots. He also left a few houses no South Water street, which he acquired in the early days of the city and two residence houses in El Dorado. He was a first class citizen, with a big heart in his breast. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, November 5, 1901, page 8)
Col. H. G. Lee aged 67 years died of pneumonia yesterday morning at his home 432 North Emporia avenue after a three weeks' illness.
Mr. Lee experienced a two weeks illness of the grip, but last Friday thought he had recovered sufficiently to come down town. He returned home in the evening and experienced a relapse. Pneumonia set in and he grew worse rapidly.
Mr. Lee was an old settler of Wichita and came here first in 1872 from New York. He left a short time later but returned in 1878 and engaged in the real estate business. He was engaged at that vocation up until the time of his death. For years he had offices over 201 North Main Street and was the oldest real estate dealer in Wichita.
He was born in Fulton, New York but later moved to New York City, from which place he came to Wichita. He was well known and leaves many friends.
Mr. Lee was an old soldier and served four years in the Union army. He leaves a wife and six step-children. The latter are: Clarence and Flora Hadler of Wichita, Mrs. A. L. Newbold of Argonia; Mrs. C. U. Speaker, of Milan, Harry Hadler of Woodward, O.T., Edward Hadley of Arkansas City. He leaves a brother, General Albert Lee, who resides in New York and two sisters, Mrs. William Saunders, of Springfield, Ill., and Miss Frank Lee who lives at Fulton New York.
No announcement of the funeral services will be made until the arrival of William Saunders, Mr. Lee's brother in law from Springfield, Illinois. He is expected this morning. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, March 25, 1904)
At Manhattan, Kan., Mrs. Eliza B. March, widow of the late Stephen March, of Wichita, died on the 16th inst. Of congestion of the lungs in her 70th year. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, Wednesday Morning, October 23, 1889)
The body of Morgan McDowin the man killed by the Missouri Pacific train Thursday was taken to Lebanon, Mo., last night. The Missouri Pacific furnished the widow transportation for herself and the body to that point over the Frisco. Mr. McDowin's home was in Lebanon and there his parents lived.
Mr. McDowin and his wife moved to this county a
little over a year ago and he worked on the farm of James Boone northeast of Colwich. He had lately rented a farm
and had just moved onto it preparing to putting out a crop. He was married five years ago to Miss Mollie McHollen
of Springfield, Mo. They have no children and the young wife is on the verge of nervous prostration, owing to the
shock of her husband's death.
J. F. Krieger, who was injured at the same time is progressing nicely at the hospital and it will be but a short
time until he is discharged a well man.
His son, Arthur is attending the Wichita Business College and his wife came down from Colwich last night. He has told them the story of the accident, but refuses to talk with any one. His story is that they supposed the train had gone by some time ago as it was a considerable time after the train was due when they arrived at the crossing. They did not hear the train coming and drove right up to the track. They had their coat collars turned up and their heads down facing the wind and dust and this accounts for their not hearing or seeing the train.
There was no coroner's inquest over the body of Mr. McDowin. Coroner McCollister was not called upon by any one stating that they wished an inquest to be held and stated to a reporter for the Eagle yesterday that it was an acknowledged fact that the man was killed by the train and all an inquest could do would be to establish the fact of whether the engineer was criminally negligent or not. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, March 8, 1902, page 6)
Word has just been received here that Mrs. Fronia McQuade, wife of George McQuade formerly of Wichita died of yellow fever in Cartagena, South America, July 21st. Mrs. McQuade is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Stevens of 1141 South Lawrence avenue. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, August 16, 1899, page 6)
Worley Nance, the 18 year old son of J. J. Nance of West Wichita died Sunday morning of typhoid fever after a brief illness. The funeral was held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock from the residence and the remains were buried at Rose Hill. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, August 31, 1897, page 6)
William Parcel took a dose of strychnine Sunday afternoon and died in Gus Sauer's drug store on East Douglas avenue. Sunday afternoon the man came into the drug store and asked for some strychnine. He stated to the clerk that he wanted to kill some rat. He was given the poison and went to his home, 320 South Topeka. His wife and family were there and he talked to his wife a few moments and then took the poison. He went down to Douglas avenue and to the corner of St. Francis and Douglas and stood there for some time. Jack Dennet a friend, came along and Mr. Parcel told him he had taken the poison and asked the other to take him around in the alley so he could die. Mr. Dennet told him he would get a doctor and led the man into the drug store. Mr. Parcel sat down on a chair while his friend went up stairs to get Dr. Hoskins. While he was gone the sick man suddenly fell from the chair and became unconscious. He died before the doctor could reach him.
The sick man begged his friend not to get the doctor,
as he took the poison to kill himself, as he was tired of living, and was determined to die.
The cause of the man's suicide was brooding over family troubles. He and his wife separated some time ago and he
then threatened to kill himself. He went to the house Sunday afternoon and asked his wife to take him back but
she refused to do so and he took the poison when she absolutely refused to live with him any longer.
He was about 50 years of age and a stone mason, and has been working on a house on North Lawrence avenue for some time. He was a good workman and has always had employment. In his overcoat pocket was found a note saying that he took the poison to kill himself.
The funeral will be held this morning at half past nine o'clock from Gill's undertaking rooms. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, November 5, 1901, page 8)
The little son of Prof. and Mrs. D. S. Pence died yesterday afternoon. Funeral services will take place this afternoon at 4 o'clock from the residence of the parents, No. 1604 South Lawrence Avenue. (Wichita Eagle, June 20, 1888, page 5)
Henry John Reimers aged 79, one of the early settlers of Wichita died yesterday morning at St. Francis hospital where he has been since March 1. The remains were laid to rest in Maple Grove cemetery yesterday afternoon and at the grave Wichita Lodge No. 99, A. F. and A. M. carried out the beautiful burial ritual of the Masonic order.
Mr. Reimers was the fifth person to become a member of the Masonic home family catering that institution on December 15, 1896. Little is known of the of the history of his life. He was born in London, England, May 23, 1822 but emigrated to America. In 1865, he joined the Masonic order at Tipton, Mo., and since his residence in this city has been a member of Wichita Lodge No. 99. He also had taken all the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter.
Mr. Reimers came to Wichita at an early date and in 1872 he was running a stationery stand and jewelry store on North Main street. He afterwards retired from that business and went to Kansas City in the latter part of the '70's. In a few years he returned to this city.
He was an accomplished violinist and gave lessons on that instrument to many residents of Wichita. He was never married and left no relatives in this country. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, March 8, 1902, page 6)
When "Aunty" Robinson of Wichita, died night before last, Kansas lost possibly the warmest friend Kansas ever had.
"Aunty" Robinson, whose death was chronicled in yesterday's Eagle was one of the most interesting women of the nation, in fact one of the most interesting characters of the world. When many of the men and women of Wichita were little boys and girls, "Aunty" Robinson was a very old woman and the intensely interesting portion of her life had passed away. No house in Wichita was better known than "Aunty" Robinson's in an early day. It stood on the corner of Pine and Waco avenues and was a picture - cottage, covered in season, with morning glories and ivy. It must have been one of the first houses in the city, as the trees about the lot are now among the largest here and probably at one time when North Waco was the business street of the city, was the southernmost dwelling in town.
When "Aunty" Robinson settled here, slavery had so shortly before passed that it was then a dead reality not this misty almost impossible dream it seems now to young men and women. Of all experiences "Aunty" Robinson had probably not the most striking one, but told in her soft emotional voice certainly the most vivid among the ex-slaves.
As a slave her bright mind, her expansive soul, her intense love of liberty, must have caused her much trouble. In Missouri, where she was owned she once became fugitive and a big pursuit ensued. Here she just experienced religion and when she told of it, in a mystic mellifluous eloquence the effect upon the hearers were thrilling at times almost hyprotic. With the howl of the coming hounds and the crack of the distant guns behind her, she met in the country road with its hedge of greenery on either side, a presence an untangible, beautiful, invisible presence. She knew the Lord. Her fluttering heart quieted. Her heaving bosom rested. Her trembling hand palsied in fear set as if made of iron. The Lord comforted her. She ran no more but turned to face her pursuers and when they came up the dogs slunk away and invulnerable by faith, she with head erect and eyes of flashing fire, defied her master to shoot.
Many people have had similar experiences, but few have ever told them with the effect that "Aunty" Robinson did. She was a rhapsodist and was possessed of a moving power in words that no public speaker ever in Wichita equaled.
"Aunty" Robinson was the embodiment of comfort wherever you saw her. She wore the oddest little hood with a soft rushing about the face, a white handkerchief crossed below her throat and ample skirts starched to the last degree of neatness which she spread always in curtseying an accomplishment which in her was singularly graceful and charming and never omitted.
She loved Kansas. To her its soil was sacred as sacred as the manger of Bethlehem to Peter the Hermit, Kansas to her was synoumous with liberty the inspiration of freedom the heart's care of justice.
She was always unutterably loyal to the Republican party. She recognized no pardon for apostary and poliated no desertion. She held them no colored man should draw a pension and her husband a soldier and entitled to one, never asked for it.
"Aunty" Robinson said: When this nation freed you, she did all you should ever ask."
Upon the north side there is many a young man and woman who whether religious or not, with creed or without it, who knows that "Aunty" Robinson has a reward in Paradise. Generations of them around about her home, swung in the swing, sucked the pain honey from her morning glories and rollicked with her dogs, rolled on her rag carpets and sat wide eyed while this kind gentle woman with her eyes smiling over a face of soft and generous lines, told them a tale of wonder and awe. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, October 17, 1900, page 6)
James Smith died suddenly yesterday morning at about 4 or 5 o'clock. Thursday morning he began to fell bad and at noon he took a dose of laudlum. In the afternoon he took another dose and Dr. Bass was called and gave him some medicine. This seemed to relieve him and he appeared to be feeling better. His brother who runs a barber shop on North Main sat up with him until 2 a.m. yesterday and at that time he states that the sick man was resting easy and he went to his bedside three hours later, Mr. Smith was no more. Coroner McAllister has empanelled a jury and they will come to a decision today as to what caused his death. It is supposed that he died of painters colic. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, January 5, 1895, page 5)
A telegram was received yesterday by Dr. Sawyer of this city stating that Mrs. C. B. Sawyer was dead at her home in Jacksonville, Fla., and would be buried today. Mrs. Sawyer was well known by many people here having visited in this city several times. She was a near relative of Dr. Sawyer. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, January 9, 1903, page 8)
Thursday night Mrs. James Sullivan wife of one of the oldest and best known conductors of the Missouri Pacific road, died very suddenly at her home 426 Waco Avenue.
Mr. Sullivan with many other members of this very large family was sick with the grip and when Mr. Sullivan's medicine was due Mrs. Sullivan arose and went into another room to get it for him. Mr. Sullivan heard a noise as if some one had fallen and called to his wife without receiving an answer. He hastily left his bed and followed her only to find her dead. Her death was instantaneous and from what can be learned it was caused by a dropsical affection reaching her heart.
Mrs. Sullivan was a noble, kind and loving wife and mother and was admired for her many excellent qualities by a host of friends. Her husband, who is a popular and kind hearted man will have the sympathy of everybody who knows him.
They had a very large family of fine boys and girls. Funeral services will be held at the Pro-Cathedral Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Interment in Catholic Cemetery. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, January 12, 1901, page 5)
The funeral of the late Mr. Todd, who was well known in the city, will take place this morning at 10 o'clock from the residence of Mr. A. A. Hyde on College Hill. All friends of the family are invited to attend. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, October 17, 1900, page 6)
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Whited died at their residence yesterday morning at 8:20 o'clock. The funeral service will be held at their home at 233 West Central avenue at 9 o'clock this morning. (The Wichita Daily Eagle, August 31, 1897, page 6)
Margerette Wentz was born September 15th, 1808,
in Rockbridge Co., Virginia, and died in Colwich, Kansas, January, 18th, 1901, age 93 years, 5 month and 4 days.
She came to Reno County, Kansas, in 1883 and has since resided here until a short time ago where she went to Colwich
to live with her granddaughter.
She was converted and joined the M. E. church, December, 24th, 1835, since then she has been a faithful Christian
and a good worker in the master’s course.
Her special work was in her own home and as a result, all of her children are Christians.
She ever lived a life of faith and has now gone to enjoy the reward of a faithful life.
Her husband proceeded her about four years to the other world, and there awaited her coming.
Five sons and three daughters and a large number of grandchildren are left to mourn for her.
Her funeral was preached Sunday, at 11 a.m. in the M. E. church of Haven by the pastor, Rev. Wm. M. Harkness. The
interment was a t the Laurel cemetery. (Haven Weekly Journal Haven, Reno County, Kansas Saturday, January 26, 1901
page – 5 *** column – 2 submitted by Rose Stout)
Died - On July the 9th , the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Slayton. The burial took place Wednesday at Mt. Hope cemetery. Rev. Harkness of Haven conducted the funeral. (Haven Weekly Journal Haven, Reno County, Kansas Saturday, July 13, 1901 page – 5 *** column – 2 submitted by Rose Stout)
Mrs. Clara Needham was born Aug. 8th, 1869 and
death came to her home in Mt. Hope, October 5th, 1904. She leaves a devoted husband and two daughters, one sixteen
years old and the other six years old and a host o friends and relatives to morn her loss.
Mr. Needham has been a devoted wife, a faithful mother and a Christian always looking for the up-building of humanity
and she will be missed by many.
Tis hard to break the tender cord,
When love has bound the heart,
Tis hard, so hard to speak the word,
We must forever part.
Dear loved one, we must lay
In the peaceful grave, embrace thee,
But thy memory will be cherished,
Till we see thy heavenly face.
(Haven Weekly Journal, October 15, 1904, Saturday, front page, column 3, submitted by Rose Stout)
ROMING, EMMA H. (SNAY) (MRS. HENRY)
Emma H. Snay was born in Union Co., Penn. March
20, 1861. When a mere child she moved with her parents to Seneca Co., Ohio, where she was married to Henry Roming,
February 19, 1884. She then moved with her husband, to Sterling, Kansas, in 1885 where they lived until 1890, when
they moved near Haven, Kansas; where she lived until April 23, 1905 when the angel of death called her to her home
beyond. She leaves to mourn her loss, a devoted husband, two sons R. D. and Elmer A., one sister and six brothers.
The sister and two brothers living near Sterling, Kansas, one brother living near Haven, Kansas, and three brothers
in Ohio.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. B. F. Buck, in the Congregational church in Mt. Hope, Kans. April 25,
1905 at two o’clock p.m. The remains were laid to rest in the Mt. Hope cemetery.
A mother has just gone to that land to rest.
Leaving her sorrows for the home of the blest;
At home they will miss her forever more,
For her home is beyond, on that blissful shore.
The father will mourn, and the children so dear,
For the mother companion has always been near.
Her example before them has always been of the best,
Now her home is away with the Savior at rest.
She has mingled in life with the Christians each year.
The circle is now broken, yet be of good cheer,
For the beckoning hands call her up higher,
Then to be like her should be our desire.
The mother, and angel has joined the glad throng;
She can minister no longer in word or in song,
To her loved ones on earth forever no more;
Yet she will greet you on the happy shore.
Thus long in our journey shalt thou ever appear,
And friends will think of thee and then drop a tear;
We surely will follow when the Savior shall call,
Be ye also ready, when we know not at all.
(Haven Weekly Journal Haven, Reno County, Kansas Saturday, April 29, 1905 Page – front *** column – 2 submitted
by Rose Stout)
Thomas Jefferson Hilyard was born in Brownville,
Fayette county, Pa. March 22, 1825. He died at the home of his son W. H. Hilyard near Haven April 22, 1905 having
reached the ripe old age of eighty years. He left his native state with his parents when twelve years of age and
settled in Fairfield county, Ohio. In 1844 he was married to Miss Jemina Springer. Four children were born to
them, one daughter and 3 sons. One of the sons is now living at Pleasant Mills, Indiana and one at Haven, Kansas.
In 1849 he moved to Vanwert county, Ohio, and eight years later settled in Adams county, Indiana.
He was initiated into St. Mary’s Lodge No. 167 of the I.O.F. in 1860 and was a member of that lodge at the time
of his death. During the 45 years of his membership in that lodge he was a faithful and earnest member, always
trying to exemplify the true teachings of the order.
In 1898 he buried the wife that had been his companion and helper for 54 years.
Two years ago he came to Haven and made his home with his son where he died of pneumonia after a short illness.
During his short stay in Haven he had many friends.
Rev. B. F. Buck conducted his funeral services Sunday afternoon at the Mt. Hope Congregational church. The Odd
Fellows of Haven and Mount Hope showed their esteem for their deceased brother by attending __ __ body. His remains
were buried in the Mt. Hope cemetery. (Haven Weekly Journal Haven, Reno County, Kansas Saturday, April 29, 1905
page – front *** column – 3 submitted by Rose Stout)
Copyright © 2011 to Kansas Genealogy Trails' Sedgwick County host & all Contributors
All rights reserved
