Biographies of Shawnee County, Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS

BIOGRAPHIES

ALLEN, OTIS SMITH

Otis Smith Allen, prominent Kansas lawyer, was born in Pleasanton, Kansas, September 24, 1873, son of Stephen Haley and Lucina A. (Smith) Allen. The father, who was born in Sinclairville, New York, March 19, 1847, died at Topeka, October 26, 1931. He was a lawyer, who served as judge of the supreme court of Kansas from 1893 until 1899 and as judge of the district court of the 6th district from 1890 until 1891. He was the author of evolution of Governments and Laws; International Relations; and Creed of Universal Law, as well as other works. His ancestry was traced directly to the Mayflower.

Lucina A. Smith was born near Harvard, Illinois, March 4, 1850, and now resides at Topeka. She is the daughter of Otis H. and Phoebe (Thurstan) Smith, the former a pioneer, who went to California by ox team in 1852. He returned by ship through the Isthumus of Panama, and served as a captain in the 95th Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War.

Educated first in the public and high schools of Pleasant, Otis Smith Allen was a student at Kansas University from 1892 until 1895. While there he was made a member of Sigma Nu.

Admitted to practice in May 1898, Mr. Allen entered into partnership with his father under the firm name of Allen & Allen, in January, 1899. They were joined in 1916 by George S. Allen, youngest son of Stephen H. Allen. That partnership continued until the father's death. Mr. Allen is general counsel for the Liberty Life Insurance Company, the Alliance Co-operative Insurance Company and his firm for the Farmers Alliance Insurance Company. He is a director and member of the executive committees of the first corporations above named.

On October 9, 1904, Mr. Allen was married to Flora Belle Jones, at Bloomington, Illinois. She was born in Virginia, Illinois, December 15, 1876, the daughter of John A. and Ida Bergstresser) Jones. To them were born the following children: Catherine, January 2, 1906, who married Richard C. Matthews; Ellen Josephine, May 22,1907 who married Oliver Kepler Johnson, Florence Lucina, May 25, 1910, who married Wray Paine, Louise, July 25, 1911, Stephen Haley, December 17, 1913 and John Otis, May 1, 1919.

Catherine is a portrait and a landscape painter of unusual ability. Louise is a teacher of physical education, specializing in aesthetic dancing at Brenau College, Gainesville, Georgia. Catherine, Josephine, Florence and Louise have all attended Kansas University where Stephen is now a student.

Mr. Allen is a Democrat; he has never held public office. He has three times been a candidate of the Democratic party for justice of the supreme court.

For 18 years Mr. Allen served as secretary of the Topeka Bar Association. He is a member of the American Bar Association of Insurance Counsel. His other memberships include the Topeka Chamber of Commerce, the Co-operative Club International and the Sons of the American Revolution, of which he is a state vice president. During the World War he was active in numerous patriotic organizations and since then has served two terms on the committee on general public charities in Topeka and is secretary and treasurer of the Council of Social Agencies, etc. His hobbies are gardening, horticulture, home improvement and beautification. Residence: Topeka. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, pages 27-28)

ALLEN, STEPHEN HALEY

Stephen Haley Allen, lawyer, was born at Sinclairville, New York, March 19, 1847, and died at Topeka on October 26, 1931. His father, Caleb Johnson Allen, was born in New London, Connecticut, and died at Sinclairville in 1876. His mother was born at New London, and died at Sinclairville also.

Prominent in Democratic circles for many years, Mr. Allen was county attorney for Linn County, Kansas; district judge of Linn, Bourbon and Crawford Counties; justice of the supreme court of Kansas, member of the commission on uniform state laws of Kansas; for 18 years; chairman of the committee that revised the Kansas Code of Civil Procedure. He was also author of Evolution of Governments and Laws; International Relations; a Creed of Universal Law.

On December 24, 1872, he was married to Lucina A. Smith at Pleasanton. She was born Mach 4, 1850, daughter of Captain Otis H. Smith, There are four children, Otis S. born September 24, 1873 who married Flora Jones, Emily A., November 1, 1875, who married Charles H. Drew, Ellen A., February 13, 1878, and George S., August 8, 1880, who married Nina Nicholas.

Mr. Allen was a member of the American Kansas State and Shawnee County Bar Associations, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Kansas Authors Club. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 28)

ALLISON, GEORGE WILLIAM

The Reverend George William Allison, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, was born in Reddick, Illinois, December 26, 1887. His father, whose ancestors came from Scotland to Virginia about 1653, was born in Hendrysburg, Ohio, February 24, 1861. His mother was born in Reddick, Illinois, May 10, 1866, and died at Gardner, Illinois, February 4, 1908. She was of Manx ancestry, a cousin of Bishop Quayle.

Mr. Allison attended Hanover College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1910. He attended Auburn Theological Seminary, and in 1913 received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity from that institution. In 1915 he was awarded his Master's degree from Hanover College, and in 1925 the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

On August 26, 1913, Dr. Allison was married to Edna Cora Kunkel at Hanover, Indiana. She was born there February 23, 1887. There are two children, Clare Louise, born in South Bend, Indiana, January 21, 1916; and Eva Kathryn, born at South Bend, February 4, 1918.

In 1913 Dr. Allison organized the Hope Presbyterian Church (now Rosedale), serving as its pastor until 1917. From 1919 until 1930 he was pastor of the Irv-ington Presbyterian Church, and since 1930 has held his present pastorate. He is the author of A Place in the Sim (verse) ; Out of the Ashes (sermons) ; and Scottish Yarns (humor).

Dr. Allison served as a first lieutenant, 128th Infantry, 22nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during the World War. He is a former state officer of the Indiana department of the American Legion, and a charter member of Irvington Post No. 38 of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he served 11 years as chaplain. He is a director of the Tuberculosis Association of Topeka, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Masons (Ancient Free and Accepted, Royal Arch, and Scottish Rite). He is a member of the Fortnightly Club, and president of the Topeka Civic Theatre.
Residence: Topeka (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 31)

ASHWORTH, JOHN ALFRED

John Alfred Ashworth, chief probation officer of Shawnee County, Kansas, was born in Ghent, West Virginia, February 18, 1885, son of Charles Vincent and Ida May (Lilly) Ashworth. The father, who is a retired minister, was born at Bland Court House, Virginia, November 4, 1848. His wife, Ida, was born in Jumping Branch, West Virginia, April 24, 1850, and died at Ghent, December 12, 1894. She was the mother of six sons and four daughters, and was extremely active in educational and religious work in her commu-nity. Her ancestry was Pennsylvania Dutch, while that of her husband was English.

Upon his graduation from Shady Spring Free School in 1901, John Alfred Ashworth taught school in the mountains of West Virginia for five years. He was graduated as a captain of infantry from Fort Leavenworth Non-commissioned Officers School in 1913, and from Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1925.

Enlisting in the army in 1904, Mr. Ashworth was assigned as instructor in the Kansas National Guard in 1913. Fie held this position until the spring of 1916 when he went with the Kansas National Guard to the Mexican Border as battalion adjutant of the First Kansas Infantry. He is, at the present time, chief probation officer of Shawnee County.

On September 1, 1914, he was married to Lila Trecia Richter at Leavcnworth. She was born at Kansas City, Kansas, October 18, 1894, of German descent. Mrs. Ashworth attended public and high school at Belleville, graduating in 1913. Her grandfather, Joe Harkness, homesteaded 320 acres a mile and a half east of Belleville, and her uncle, Gene Harkness, now resides on this farm. Her grandmother lived to the age of ninety-seven and her grandfather to the age of ninety-four Mrs. Ashworth is a member of the Eastern Star and various patriotic organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth have three children, Lannie, borne March 29, 1915; John, born August 20, 1916; and Harvey Dell, born April 10, 1927.

During the late war Mr. Ashworth served with the 35th division in every engagement. He was wounded in action on Baulney Ridge, September 28, 1918. He commanded Company B, 137th Infantry, with the rank of captain. During the two years 1926 and 1927, he was state commander of the Disabled Veterans of America. He is also a member of the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. His religious affiliation is with the Flat-Top Baptist Church of Flat-Top, West Virginia. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, the Red Cross, and the Council of Social Agencies of Topeka, as well as Topeka Lodge No. 17 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of Chapter No. 5 of the Royal Arch Masons. At the present time he is serving as counselor for merit badge of the Boy Scouts. For the past 15 years he has been active in the National Guard, and is now in command of Howitzer Company of the 137th Infantry of the 35th Division. Residence: Topeka. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 45)

AVERILL, JASON MARINER

Jason Mariner Averill, sales engineer, was born in Milltown, Maine, November 19, 1875, son of George Warren and Hannah Elizabeth (Stanchfield) Averill. The father was born in Wesley, Maine, January 10, 1833, and was a blacksmith and machinist. He died at Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 30, 1893. He was descended from William Averill, the first of the family in America who settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts, before March, 1637. On that date he received his first grant of land from the town and his name is the first recorded in the Town Proceedings. His name appears there as William Avery. Evidence shows that he was born about 1611 or a little earlier, and came to the shores of New England at that time. He was a simple husbandman of small means. He was the oldest son of Nicholas and Dorcas Averill of Ash, Kent (near London), and a grandson of Robert Averell who was married at Ash and is mentioned in the Chancery case of 1638. He was the great-grandson of Thomas Averell of Ridley, Kent, who died in September, 1556, and who was mentioned in Chancery case 1838.

Hannah Elizabeth Stanchfield was born in Wesley, Maine, April 16, 1839, and died at Seattle, Washington, September 3, 1900. She was the daughter of Ezra Stanchfield, or Stinchfield, and Hannah Burbank (cousin of Luther Burbank).

Jason Mariner Averill attended public school at Minneapolis, Minnesota, and on November 16, 1898, was married to Maude Gertrude McKinney at Minneapolis. She died at Seattle, Washington, in 1928. His second marriage was to Corley Nell Douglass on September 30, 1914, at Kansas City, Missouri. She is a descendant of John Q. Adams. There is one child of his first marriage, Helen Majmard, born July 28, 1900, at St. Paul, Minnesota. She was married to Leon Keller in January, 1924, and now resides at Seattle.

In September, 1890, Mr. Averill entered the employ of Mr. Paul A. Pierce, son of the former governor of the territory of Dakota, who was a lawyer and remained with him as an associate until May, 1893. In November, 1893, after several months of unemployment, he finally found work as a conductor on the street cars in Minneapolis. There he remained until he entered the employ of the Great Northern Railway in its engineering department in June, 1895. Mr. Averill continued in this office until September, 1901, holding various positions in construction and maintenance engineering. At that time he was transferred from the engineering to the right-of-way and tax department, where in various positions from that of chief draughtsman, chief clerk, and afterward purchasing agent, he resigned in September, 1906. From the Great Northern Railway Mr. Averill went to Seattle, Washington, as an expert on right-of-wa3r and land values for the state of Washington. There under the state railroad commission, Halbert P. Gillette, chief engineer, he placed the values on the railroad terminals at Seattle and Everett as well as the rights of way of all roads in King and Snohomish Counties, Washington. Upon the completion of this work he was taken into the office of the county assessor of King County at Seattle as chief draughtsman and deputy assessor, having charge of railroad assessments. In 1911, his health forced him to leave and he came to Kansas as a representative of a bank supply house of Red Wing, Minnesota. After some two years of fighting to regain his health, he was an invalid for more than nine months and then went with the Road Sunply and Metal Company of Topeka, Kansas, as a salesman. He resided at Osborne and held this position until July, 1920, when he came to Topeka as secretary and sales manager for that company. In January, 1923, he resigned and moved to Illinois for a year, returning to Topeka in January, 1924.

For many years Mr. Averill was interested in church and Sunday School work, and in May, 1924, became superintendent of the business department of the Kansas Council of Religious Education under Frank Richard, then secretary. However, in October, 1924, he resigned to' take the position of factory representative for the Firman L. Carswell Company of Kansas City, Kansas. During 1929 and 1930 he was sales manager for this company, resigning in December, 1930. At the present time he is factory representative for the A. N. Eaton Metal Products Company of Omaha; the Heil Company, manufacturers of dump bodies and hoists of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the Kansas Paint and Color Company of Wichita; and the Capital Iron Works of Topeka, Kansas, fabricators of steel.

During 1917 and 1918 Mr. Averill was active in Liberty loan drives. He is a member of the Central Congregational Church, the Gideons, the Christian Commercial Travelers Association of America, international, of which he has been a member since 1911. He was state secretary of Kansas Gideons in 1921; was elected national trustee at the national convention in Sioux City, Iowa, in July, 1921; was elected vice president, international, July, 1926, serving three years; and in July, 1929, at Trenton, New Jersey, was elected president, international, and is now serving his third term. A constitutional provision allows but three terms of one year each. At the national convention in Columbus, Ohio, in July, 1925, the association amalgamated with the Canadian Gideons who had been functioning under permission, and the association became international.

In 1930 Mr. Averill became acting president of the Anti Saloon League of Kansas, and has been a member of the headquarters committee of that organization since 1927, representing the Congregational Church of Kansas. He has served eight years as secretary and treasurer of the Kansas Engineering" Society, of which he became a member in 1915.

He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Women's Christian Association, and the Red Cross. His fraternal organizations include Topeka Lodge No. 17 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Topeka Chapter No. 5 of the Royal Arch Masons, Zabud Council No. 4 of the Royal and Select Masters, Topeka Commandery No. 5 of the Knights Templar, Topeka Consistory No. 1, Arab Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Topeka, and Media Grotto of Topeka. He is a member of the National Geographic Society. He enjoys baseball and motoring into the mountains and other places for recreation. His hobby is Gideon and other religious work. Residence: Topeka. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, pages 50-51)

BAKER, GEORGE CLAY

George Clay Baker, lawyer, was born at LeRoy, Kansas, February 15, 1896, son of John Henry and Nancy (Thornton) Baker. His father died at Topeka, June 5, 1930.

Mr. Baker received his Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Laws degree from Washburn College at Topeka, in 1923, and in 1921 was grand master of Kappa Sigma. On July 31, 1924, he was married to Ruth Francis Rodeen at Topeka. She was born there, March 13, 1899.

A Republican, Mr. Baker was deputy court clerk of Topeka 1920-22, and state senator from the 17th district 1924-. He is commissioner also of workmen's compensation for Kansas. He is a member of the Kansas State Historical Society, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Shawnee County Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Golden Rule Lodge No. 90 of the Masons. Residence: Topeka. (Illustriana Kansas, by Sara Mullin Baldwin & Robert Morton Baldwin, 1933, page 57)

NORDLUND, JOHN

John Nordlund, senior member of the contracting firm of Nordlund & Tulien, Topeka, Kan., is a native of Sweden and comes of that hardy race of Northmen whose bold navigators were probably the first white men to set foot on American soil. He was born in 1858, and was reared and educated in the schools of his native land. Early in life he was apprenticed to learn the brick-layer's trade, which he mastered and followed until he immigrated to America. The young man in Sweden who decides to learn a trade is compelled to devote several years toward learning it. In Mr. Nordlund's apprenticeship, he was required to work at the trade of brick-laying from the age of sixteen until he was twenty-two years old, before he was given a journeyman's certificate as an efficient and skilled workman. Immediately after mastering his trade he set sail for the New World, having Topeka as his objective point.

Soon after his arrival here in 1880, he went to Saint Marys, Kan., where he followed his trade one year. In 1881, he went to Denver, Col., and for the next six years or until 1887; he successfully worked at his trade of brick-layer on many of the best of that city's fine structures. However, in 1887, Mr. Nordlund decided to return to Topeka, and make the capital city his future home, as in that year he was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Carlson, who was also a native of Sweden. After returning to Topeka, he followed his trade independently until he formed a partnership with Swan A. Tulien, who was also engaged at the time in contracting brick and stone construction. The contracting firm of Nordlund & Tulien was formed in 1900, and from its inception has met with well merited success. They have had the brick and stone contracts on many of Topeka's best and finest buildings among the more recent being the Knights and Ladies of Security building at the southwest west corner of Seventh and Quincy streets, which was completed in 1911. The firm is well established in the confidence of the people, and are regarded by the public as being strictly honest and honorable in carrying out their contracts. As previously stated, Mr. Nordlund was married in 1887, and to that union have been born two sons: Carl A., born in Topeka in 1888, graduated from the Topeka High School in 1906, and is at present holding a fine clerical position in the office of the general superintendent of the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company. The second son, Theodore W., born in 1892, also graduated from the Topeka High School with the class of 1911, and at present is taking a commercial and business course, better to qualify himself for a business career. Carl A. also took a commercial course in a business college after completing his high school course. Mr. Nordlund has always given his allegiance to the Republican party, but of late years he has supported the men and measures that in his judgment are best calculated to conserve the interests of the people. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security. (Kansas Biography, Part 2, Vol. III, 1912, Pages 840-841, Transcribed by: Millie Mowry)

TULIEN, SWAN A.

Swan A. Tulien, a leading brick and stone contractor of Topeka, Kan., is a native of Sweden, where he was born in 1857. He was reared in his native land, and attended school until the age of twelve, when he left the school room to assist his father at carpenter work. Owing to the national custom of naming the sons of the family, the father's name was Simon Nelson, who was a contracting carpenter in Sweden. It was under the able direction of the father that our subject learned the carpenter's trade, and he continued to work with his father until he was of age. He then went to Stockholm, and was there apprenticed to learn the stone-mason's trade, which he followed fifteen years or until he immigrated to America. However, prior to coming to America, he was united in marriage, in 1885, to Miss Hilma Ockerwall, also a native of Sweden, and they made their native land their home until 1891, when they decided to bid farewell to the Fatherland and seek a home in the New World. After a long voyage across the mighty Atlantic, they landed in New York City, where they boarded a train for Topeka, their future home. On arriving here, Mr. Tulien immediately began working at his trade as a brick and stone mason, and although he had almost everything to learn as to language and the customs of the country, he never lost heart or became discouraged, but went to work with a will to make life in his new home a success. After working independently for several years, or until 1900, he formed a partnership with John Nordlund, who was also a native of Sweden, and from that date they began contracting brick and stone construction on an extensive scale. Among the many substantial buildings they have had the brick and stone contracts for, in Topeka, may be mentioned the Lafayette School building, the Potwin School building, the St. Joseph School building, and one of the buildings for the State Industrial School for Boys, and the remodeling of the New National Hotel. They also had the brick and stone contract for the recently constructed building on Seventh street, known as the New Kirkpatrick Building. The firm of, Nordlund & Tulien, general brick and stone contractors, have an enviable record as honest and reliable contractors, whose promises are always kept even to the smallest detail in all of their construction work.

Mrs. Tulien died in 1896, leaving a husband, one son and two daughters to mourn their loss. The daughters are: Mrs. W. F. Sanders, residing in Missouri, and Mrs. G. F. Johnson. The son, Ture Tulien, is now taking the mechanical engineering course in Purdue University, having won a free scholarship in that famous institution by his efficient services for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad in their shops at Topeka. He is an exceptionally bright young man and one in whom this great railway company takes pride in honoring and equipping for, a successful future.

In 1897 Mr. Tulien contracted a second marriage, when Miss Anna Youngquist became his wife, and to this union there are born two children; Alsie and Florence, both at home. Death again visited. Mr. Tulien's home, and on Feb. 5, 1910, the wife and mother passed away.

Mr. Tulien is independent in politics and usually supports the best man for office. He is a member of the Knights of Macabees and of the Knights and Ladies of Security, also of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and of the Swedish Benefit Association. (Kansas Biographical, Part 2, Vol. III, 1912, Pages 843-844 Transcribed as written by: Millie Mowry)

ALDRICH, HARRY L.

Harry L. Aldrich and his wife, Dr. Hattie B. Aldrich, of Caney, have achieved success in their special lines of practice, the formers specialty being the diseases of women and children, and the latter's that of chronic diseases. Dr. Harry L. Aldrich was born at Newport, Vt., March 29, 1869, son of Albert H. and Ruia R. (Tucker) Aldrich, the former of whom was born in New Hampshire and the latter in Vermont. Both on the paternal and the maternal sides Dr. Aldrich is the descendant of old New England families which originally came from England. His parents came to Kansas in 1871 and located on a farm in Shawnee county, eighteen miles from Topeka, where the father engaged in farming and stock-raising. There the boy Harry L. performed the usual duties of the farm lad, which included herding cattle, and attending the district schools. In March, 1883, the family returned east to Littleton, N. H., where our subject attended the graded and high schools, but in 1887 they once more returned to Kansas and located again in Shawnee county. There Dr. Aldrich completed his high school education in the Dover High School and then later attended the Kansas State Normal School. From 1889 to 1892 he engaged in the profession of teaching and was principal of the schools at Willard, Kan. He was then appointed postmaster at Dover, Kan., and served four years during which time he also conducted a general store which he sold at the close of his term as postmaster. In 1897 he began the study of medicine and spent his first year of preparation in the Kansas Medical College at Topeka. He completed his studies at the Herring Medical College, Chicago, Ill., where he graduated with the honors of his class in 1901. He located for practice in Waterbury, Conn., where he remained one year, and then returned to Topeka, where he practiced a similar period. In 1904 he located at Caney, Montgomery county, Kansas, where he at once secured merited recognition and at present he has an extensive and lucrative practice. He has served three years as city physician of Caney; was appointed a member of the Kansas State Board of Health in 1909 by Governor Stubbs, to serve a three-years term and in 1910 was elected president of the Kansas State Homeopathic Medical Society.

In 1901 Dr. Aldrich married Miss Hattie B. Bassett, who was born in Dover, Shawnee county, Kansas, in 1869, the daughter of James and Ann (Sage) Bassett, both of whom were born in England and are of English descent. They were married in the United States and settled in Kansas in 1854, being among the earliest pioneers in the state. The father crossed the plains twice, as those early days were before the advent of railroads into Kansas. Dr. Hattie B. Aldrich was reared in Dover, Kan., where she received a high school education. She then attended the Kansas State Normal School at Emporia and was graduated with the class of 1895, after which she, too, became a teacher and was principal of the Harper (Kan.) High School one year, then superintendent of the Clifton, Kan., schools one year, and then taught elocution and oratory in the Kansas State Normal School until her marriage to Dr. Harry L. Aldrich in 1901. She graduated from the medical department of Washburn College in 1904 since when she has been associated with her husband in the practice of medicine and shares with him an enviable success. She is a member of the Kansas State Homeopathic Medical Society and is president of the Ladies' Library Club of Caney.

Fraternally, Dr. Harry L. Aldrich is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and politically, he is a Republican, but not partisan in his views. His wife is an Equal Suffragist. Both are members of the Congregational church. (Kansas Biography, Part 2, Vol. III, 1912, Pages 841-842 Transcribed as written by: Millie Mowry)

DOYLE, OWEN B.

Owen B. Doyle, state labor commissioner of Kansas, is not only one of the most popular and efficient of the state's officials, but also one of the most democratic and approachable servants of the people to be found in the state capital. Mr. Doyle comes of stanch Irish ancestors, as both of his parents, John and Delia (Lyons) Doyle, were natives of Erin's soil. Each parent immigrated to America when young, met and married in this country and soon thereafter located in the little mining camp known as Rich Hill, Mo., where John Doyle secured employment as a coal miner, which occupation he continued to follow the rest of his active life. It was in that mining camp at Rich Hill, Mo., on March 20, 1881, that Owen B. Doyle was born and there amid the mines and miners he spent his boyhood and youth. He had but meager school advantages there, yet while in school he employed himself diligently to mastering the common branches, so that by the age of ten, when, as the eldest of a large family, he was compelled to enter the mines and assist his father in providing the necessaries of life, he had obtained a very good common school education. Therefore, it might be truthfully said that Mr. Doyle began life's battle at the age of ten and from that date down to the present he has been constantly on the firing line in the ranks of the wage earner. Realizing that his only opportunity to secure a better education depended on self-study and the burning of midnight oil he devoted himself for four long years to work in night schools, and thus secured a good business education. While yet a boy at work in the mines he began to develop more than an ordinary interest in the welfare of his co-workers and ere he had reached his majority he was one of the recognized leaders of his local. At the age of eighteen he came to Kansas and for a time mined coal at Litchfield, but later he decided to visit various states and while on that trip he worked in the mines of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Illinois. In commenting on that tour of investigation Mr. Doyle intimates that at certain stages of the journey he was not adverse to an occasional ride in a "side-door sleeper" when finances were low and the walking was bad. After satisfying himself that the lot of a miner was as well conserved in the State of Kansas as anywhere else in the country, he located at Mineral, and soon became actively identified with the miner's local at that place. Being a man of excellent address, an earnest and logical debater and a good mixer, he soon became a local leader in the United Mine Workers of America, and was chosen to fill various offices in his local. For two succeeding years he served as president and chairman of the grievance committee of the big local at Mineral, known throughout the district as the Giant Local, owing to its large membership. He was elected several times to represent his local in district, state and national conventions and wherever placed he always acquitted himself with becoming dignity and honor. In 1898 the state legislature created the State Society of Labor and Industry, which has proved a blessing to organized labor throughout the state. In the same act the legislature also created the office of State Labor Commissioner as well as that of assistant state labor commissioner, and provided that each of these officials should be chosen by the organized labor of the state in a convention made up of delegates from each local in the state. While Mr. Doyle had become recognized as one of the leaders in the miner's organization still he had never cast longing glances beyond the honorary positions conferred on him by his many loyal brother workers in his local, for all of which he felt most grateful to his host of friends. It was not until 1907 that Mr. Doyle was finally persuaded to enter the domain of practical politics, when he was so urgently requested by his friends to become a candidate for assistant labor commissioner, that he could not refuse their wishes in the matter. After deciding to make the race he entered the field to win and although he was opposed by several very popular candidates he won out and was duly installed as assistant state labor commissioner. He filled that responsible position for four years, giving entire satisfaction, not only to organized labor, but to every class of civilians within the confines of the state. After successfully filling the above named position two successive terms his friends, believing that he had made good, urged him to become a candidate for the office of State Labor Commissioner to succeed the efficient retiring commissioner, W. L. A. Johnson, who refused a reelection. At first Mr. Doyle declined to consider the opportunity offered to be elected to the office, until his friends assured him forty loyal votes that he could count on in the convention from start to finish. This support was tendered to Mr. Doyle while en route to the convention, and came with such a unanimity from his home local that he could not decline it, although being at a great disadvantage in the race, due to the fact that several other candidates who were very popular had been in the field for some time, and as might be expected had set their stakes to win. However, when Mr. Doyle consented to make the race he felt confident that his record as assistant commissioner for the past four years would certainly give him a prestige that would easily offset any advantage his opponents might have gained by an earlier canvass of the field, and with this heart-felt assurance, as the result showed, he won an exceptionally hard fought victory, although every subterfuge and scheme that could be honorably employed was taken advantage of by the opposition in its efforts to defeat him. It was when nominations were in order in that convention that the opposition endeavored to play their trump card, which they had figured on as a sure winner, provided Mr. Doyle had the nerve to refuse to follow suit, and right then and there Owen Doyle demonstrated the sort of stuff he is made of, by refusing in a straightforward and manly manner to be bound by any cheap vote-getting pledge in order to secure his election. It had all been well planned, and was sprung on the convention just before the balloting was about to begin, by one of the candidates arising and pledging himself to resign the office, if elected, provided he did not fill it satisfactorily to the electors. Another candidate went him one better by agreeing to place his signed, but not dated, resignation in the hands of the convention, to be used in case he was caught dealing from the bottom of the deck. Others followed suit, and many of Mr. Doyle's supporters and friends urged him to also make a similar pledge. But in the midst of that trying ordeal Mr. Doyle manifested an independence of spirit that was typical of all of the best traditions of the Irish race, by absolutely refusing to be bound by any pledge other than his oath of office and his word of honor to fill the office with impartial justice to all, be he friend or foe. He stood squarely on his four years' record as their assistant labor commissioner, and if he was elected, it must be wholly on his record and not from any pledge or promise, possessing an implication that he might go wrong. While on the spur of the moment many of his friends thought he had erred, now they frankly admit that he did the only manly thing to do, and instead of losing prestige and support, he has gained it in the estimation of every one. Under tense excitement the vote was taken and counted, and when it was announced that Owen Doyle had won by two majority there was a general shout of approval, even by many who had opposed him. It is needless to say that since he became the state's labor commissioner he has made good, and today is recognized as one of the best friends that organized labor ever had in any capacity in the great State of Kansas.

Mr. Doyle is one of the youngest of the state officials, and only recently, on Sept. 6, 1911, was united in marriage with Miss Catherine M. Kane, of St. Louis, Mo., where she was born, reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle have taken up their residence in Topeka, where both will be welcomed in church and social circles. Politically, Mr. Doyle may be classed as a progressive independent, and gives his support to the men and measures that he believes will best conserve the interests of the people. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and at present holds the office of deputy grand knight in Topeka Council, No. 534 He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Woodman of the World, and both he and Mrs. Doyle are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Doyle belongs to that type of self-made men who believe that the opportunities for the young men of our day are as many and as alluring as in the days of old, and that all that any young man needs to start him on the road to success is honesty, sobriety, perseverance and industry.
(Kansas Biography, Part 2, Vol. III, 1912, Pages 883-886, Transcribed as written by Millie Mowry.)

CHANDLER, THOMAS E.

Thomas E. Chandler, S. T. D., district superintendent of the Ottawa district, Methodist Episcopal church, and a resident of Ottawa, Kan., was born at New Athens, Harrison county, Ohio, June 1, 1864. He is the son of John A. and Elizabeth C. (Morris) Chandler, both natives of Ohio and early settlers in Harrison county. The Chandler ancestry can lie traced back in England to William the Conqueror, under whom one of the direct ancestors was a general. John A. Chandler is a descendant of the old and well known Chandler family of Pennsylvania and was a birth-right Quaker. He served in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio infantry and saw service at Harper's Ferry and in the Virginia campaign. His brother, Thomas, was one of Lincoln's body-guard and is now a minister in New York. After the war John A. Chandler gave his attention to farming at New Athens, Ohio, until 1867, at which time he removed to near Kansas City, Mo., and continued his occupation of farming. Later he removed to Baldwin, City, but is now a retired resident of Belton, Mo. He is an ardent Republican and an active participant in political affairs, though he has himself never sought official preferment. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Isaac Chandler, grandfather of Thomas E., was a native Quaker of Pennsylvania, but while yet a young man he settled at Flushing, Ohio, where he accumulated a large estate, and where he continued to reside until his death. He was with Perry in September, 1813, when the latter won his brilliant victory on Lake Erie, when for the first time in history was effected the capture of an entire English fleet. John Morris, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Chandler, was born in West Virginia, was of English descent, and relative of Bishop Thomas Morris. In 1805, when yet a young man, he moved to New Athens, Ohio, where he became wealthy and where he lived until his death.

Dr. Chandler, after being a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, graduated at Baker University, Baldwin, Kan., in 1890. Then after two years in the Northwestern University, he entered the Boston Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1894. Four years later he returned to Boston where he took a post-graduate course in the graduate school of arts and sciences in Boston University, completing the course in 1900. He began his ministry as pastor of the Central Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church at Kansas City, Kan., followed by a pastorate at the Kansas Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, Topeka, Kan. From there he was transferred to the Swampscott, Mass., Methodist Episcopal Church, thence to the First, Methodist Episcopal Church, Newport, R. I., the oldest Methodist church structure standing in the New England states. He remained there for three years, then accepted the charge at the Pawtucket Methodist Episcopal Church, Providence, R. I, at the conclusion of which pastorate he went abroad and traveled throughout Europe. In 1905 he was transferred to Paola, Kan., where he held the charge three and a half years, and was then made successor to Dr. Bernard Kelly, as district superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal church, Ottawa district. He removed to Ottawa in 1909.

In 1894 Dr. Chandler was united in marriage with Caroline Boughton, his classmate at Baker University and the daughter of Homer Boughton of Topeka. Mr. Boughton settled in Auburn, Kan., about 1870, but has been a resident of Topeka for the past twenty-six years and is there engaged in the real estate and investment business. He is a brother of Gen. Horace Boughton of Massachusetts. Dr. and Mrs. Chandler have one daughter, Elizabeth, who is attending the Ottawa public schools.

Dr. Chandler is prominent on the lecture platform as well as in the ministry, one of his best lectures being entitled, "Kissing the Blarney Stone." In 1900 he was chaplain of the Rhode Island state legislature and while at Newport, R. I., he became a member of the old Washington Commandery No. 4, Knights Templars. He is also a member of the Kansas State Historical Society, and in 1910 he was made president and manager of the Ottawa Chautauqua Assembly. (Kansas Biography, Vol. III, Part 2, 1912, Pages 1001-1002, Transcribed as written by Millie Mowry)