Biographies of Wyandotte County, Kansas

WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KANSAS

BIOGRAPHIES

BROKAW, CHARLES L.

The ancestral history of this representative citizen of Wyandotte county is one of the interesting order and touches closely and prominently the annals of the nation in the Colonial era. He has been an influential figure in connection with financial affairs in Kansas City, the metropolis of the county, for nearly a quarter of a century and is one of the well known and popular representatives of banking interests in the state. He holds the responsible office of cashier of the Commercial National Bank of Kansas City and the upbuilding of this solid and important institution has been signally conserved by his careful and discriminating administrative policies. His standing as a citizen and business man is such as to render specially consonant a resume of his career in this publication, dedicated to Wyandotte county and its people.

Charles Livingston Brokaw was born in Middlebush, Somerset county, New Jersey, on the 22nd of May, 1866, and is a son of Peter S. and Adaline (Brokaw) Brokaw, who were of distant kinship and both natives of New Jersey, where the respective families were founded in the Colonial days. The genealogy is traced back to Bourjon Broucard, a French Huguenot who, with many others, fled from his native land to escape the religious persecutions incident to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and who found refuge in Holland, whence he came to America and settled among the Hollanders in Harlem, New York, now an integral portion of the greater New York city. He married one of his countrywomen, Catherine LeFevre, and one of their sons was the founder of the New Jersey branch of the family. The mother of Peter S. Brokaw bore the maiden name of Johanna Van Dyne, and she was a representative of the prominent old Knickerbocker family of that name, one that gave valiant soldiers to the Continental line in the war of the Revolution. Peter S. Brokaw was reared and educated in his native state, where he became a prosperous farmer and merchant and where he continued to reside until 1870, when he removed with his family to Kansas and became one of the pioneer settlers at Somerset, Miami county, a village named in honor of his home county in New Jersey. In this place he became the first agent for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad and also the first postmaster of the town, in which he continued to reside until his death, in 1875, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife survived him by more than thirty years and passed the closing days of her life in Parkville, Missouri, where she was summoned to eternal rest in 1906, at the age of seventy-seven years and six months. Both she and her husband were zealous and consistent members of the Dutch Reformed church and in politics the father was a stanch Republican from the time of the organization of the party until his death. He was a man of sterling character and to him was ever accorded the high regard of his fellow men. Peter S. and Adaline Brokaw became the parents of eight sons and three daughters, and all of the number are still living except one daughter, who died in infancy, in 1864.

Charles L. Brokaw was four and one-half years of age at the time of the family removal to Kansas and he was reared to adult age in Miami county, to whose public schools he is indebted for his early educational training. As a youth he studied the art of telegraphy, but he did not long devote his attention to the same, as he secured a position as clerk in the Bank of Louisburg, under P. W. Goebel, at Louisburg, Miami county. He assumed this position January 1, 1884, and retained the same until 1888, after which he was similarly employed at Paola, in the same county, until 1890, when he came to Wyandotte county and, on the 1st of September, became paying teller in the Wyandotte National Bank. Through efficient service he won promotion to the position of assistant cashier and later to that of cashier, and of this latter office he continued incumbent until January 12, 1897, when he resigned and became associated in the organization of the Commercial State Bank of Kansas City. He was chosen cashier of the institution on the 1st of May of that year and has since retained this office, having been continued in the same after the bank was reorganized, in 1902, as the Commercial National Bank. This is one of the stanch and popular banking houses of this section of the state and its operations are based on ample capital and effective administration. As an executive officer Mr. Brokaw has shown marked discrimination and judgment and has gained prestige as one of the prominent figures in connection with banking affairs in the state, which has been his home from childhood. He has served as treasurer, secretary, vice president and president of the Kansas Bankers' Association, and this statement bears emphatic significance as showing his status in the banking circles of the state. He is a valued member of the Kansas City Mercantile Club, of which he has been president, as has he also of the Knife and Pork Club of Kansas City, Missouri. He is president of the board of trustees of Park College, at Parkville, Missouri, and is treasurer and a member of the board of trustees of Kansas City University, in his home city. He is an earnest supporter of all undertakings tending to advance the moral, social and material welfare of his home city and state and stands as a type of the model citizen, liberal, broad-minded and public-spirited.

Though never animated by aught of desire for political office, Mr. Brokaw is found aligned as a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and both he and his wife are most zealous members of the First Presbyterian church of Kansas City, in the various departments of whose work they take an active part. He is an elder in the same and also superintendent of its Sunday School. He has been earnest and influential in connection with the Kansas State Christian Endeavor Society, of which he has served both as treasurer and president.

In the year 1888 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Brokaw to Miss Louella Cusey, who died in June, 1891. In 1894 he wedded Miss Margaret Ursula Mayou, and they have two children, Dorothy Louise and Margaret Adaline, both of whom are attending the public schools. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 623-624)

SCANLAN, JOHN

John Scanlan, the well known retired farmer of Quindaro township has had a noteworthy career. Perhaps the man who decides on a certain business or profession when he first starts out in life and devotes himself to that and that alone, may make more money than the one who has turned his attention to different lines, but the former misses a good deal of valuable experience which the man who has tried and made a success of several lines of work has gathered.

John Scanlan was born in Clare county, Ireland in June, 1835. He was the son of Patrick and Nora Scanlan. Mrs. Scanlan's maiden name was Myers and she, like her husband was born in Ireland. They lived there until 1848 when they came with their family to America. They first settled in Palmyra, New York and there brought up their family.

John was only ten years old when he left his native country and came to America. He had been to school in Ireland, but only for a short time. As soon as they arrived in Palmyra, New York, he was sent to school. He remained in New York state until 1859, when he went to New Orleans and got a job as fireman on a steamship. He stayed there for two years, when the Civil war broke out. During his residence in New Orleans he had seen something of the conditions of the negroes and believed that they would not be helped by being set free. Then too, he had the Irishman's instinctive feeling that the colored people were not made of just the same clay as the white people. He therefore, enlisted in the Confederate navy May 16, 1861, in which he served three years and nine months, practically throughout the war. For a time he was with the army, in the heavy artillery. He was a participant in the battle of Vicksburg, July, 1862. He was in the Ram and went through two northern fleets, going close enough to the northern flagship to have touched it. There was one hundred and eighty men in the crew under Captain Brown, Lieutenant Stevens being first officer. Mr. Scanlan seemed to lead a charmed existence, as he was never wounded. At one time six men were killed just four feet behind him, but he was not hurt and did not even know how close he had been to death until an hour later. He took part in several important naval battles. While on the Earn they were under fire of one hundred and twenty cannons a minute and the Ram was struck one hundred and eighty times, according to the dents. There are few men who had the narrow escapes that he did without a scratch. After the close of the war in 1866, he came to Kansas City, Kansas, but did not stay long. He next went to Denver, Colorado, where he worked on the Union Pacific Railroad and from Denver he went to Cheyenne, Wyoming. After a short time he came back to Kansas City, that being the place of all others where he felt he should like to settle. He bought one hundred and thirty acres of land, covered with timber, except for fifteen acres, which was cleared and on which was a log cabin. He lived in the cabin and set to work to clear the land, selling his timber at a good price. He used the land for pasture and in 1889 he built the home where he now lives and the barns which are near. He raises cattle and has a large dairy farm.

About 1879, he married Bridget Shay, the daughter of Patrick Shay, of Irish birth like himself. Three children have been born to this union, of whom Emmet is the eldest. He is a single man and lives on the farm, which he operates. He has forty-five head of cattle and gets one hundred gallons of milk each day, which he sells at wholesale.

Mamie, the second child, is living at home with her father and brother.

James, the youngest child died at the age of five months. Mrs. Scanlan died in 1901, at the age of sixty years.

Mr. Scanlan has led a very busy life since he began to farm, never finding time to take any very active part in public affairs. He is not now actively managing the farm, but still takes the deepest interest in all the details. He lives quietly on the farm which was purchased with the money he earned during the war, comfortably well off, surrounded by his children and the friends he has made during the years he has lived in Kansas. He is always glad to welcome any of his friends to his home and they delight in hearing him tell of his thrilling experiences during the war. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 624-626)

GERNER, GEORGE

George Gerner the well known grocer of Rosedale is a native of this state, who has attained his present standing in the county entirely by his own efforts. In speaking of him, one of his acquaintances asked another the cause of Mr. Gerner's success, to which the reply was made that he had become successful through "minding his own business." That is the truth, he having, since he first started in his mercantile career, attended strictly to his own affairs with the result that they have been well looked after.

He was born in Johnson county, Kansas, April 11, 1870, the son of Edward Gerner, a native of Germany, born in 1824. When a young man he left his home and came to America, at once settling in Kansas. He later married Mary Smith, a native of Germany who had also immigrated to America with her parents. They had eight children, of whom six are living, Carrie, Mary, Ida, George, Clara and Minnie. Those deceased are Millie, who died at the age of thirty-five years; and Edward who passed on to his reward at seventeen. Mr. Gerner died in 1898 at the age of seventy-four, but his widow is still living, making her home with a daughter in Johnson county. She is now seventy-two years old.

When George was nine years old his parents moved to Rosedale, where he was educated in the public school. After he left school he became a clerk in a candy factory and later was clerk in a bakery, but in 1901 he engaged in the grocery and meat business, his store being in the same block where he is now located, at 900 Southwest boulevard. Since that time he has built up a most prosperous trade. In 1899 he was elected city clerk which position he held for five consecutive years. The fact that a man is elected to an office does not necessarily show that he is fitted for it, but when he is re-elected and continues to hold it for so long a time, that is proof positive that "he is the right man in the right place." He is a director in the Rosedale State Bank, having held this office for four years, during which time the bank has prospered as never before.

On May 17, 1893, Mr. Gerner married Miss Margaret Howells, the daughter of David and Mary Howells. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: Edna M., who is a student at Loretta Academy; Leonard G., who is now attending the public schools; and Myrtle M., the youngest.

Mr. Gerner is a member of the Masonic lodge in Rosedale; he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Fraternal Aid Association, and is a man who has made many friends. He has obtained a fair competence for himself and his family, so that he is able to give his children the education that is to be their capital in life, and the entire family are respected and esteemed by all who know them. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 626-627)

DRENNON, EDWARD

The agricultural activities of Wyandotte county, Kansas, have an intelligent and progressive representative in this native son of the county-Edward Drennon, who was born here February 27, 1870.

Mr. Drennon's parents, George and Margaret (Alexander) Drennon, the former a native of Kentucky, born in 1839, the latter of Bates county, Missouri, born in 1844, are among the respected citizens of Wyandotte county, where they have made their home since 1868. Of their two children, Edward is the younger, the eider, William M., being engaged in a coal and feed business in Kansas City, Kansas.

His father has always been a farmer, and thus Edward early became familiar with all the details of farm life and work. His early education was received in the district schools, and was carried forward later in the university at Holton, Kansas. The farm still had an attraction for him, and after he finished his course in the university he settled down to farming on his own account. Now he "owns a hundred acres of fine land, on which his principal crop is corn, and where he feeds cattle for the markets.

In 1904, Mr. Drennon married Miss Eva Owens, a native of Wyandotte county, and they are the parents of one child, Margaret.

Politically, Mr. Drennon supports the Democratic ticket in national elections, but at the local polls he picks his man regardless of party lines. He takes an active interest in promoting the welfare of the community, and at this writing is a member of the Prairie township school board. He has membership in the Fraternal Aid, and in the Christian church. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Page 627)

CURRAN, ROBERT

As a general thing, a man who has spent the early years of his life on the water does not make much of a success on land, but this is not true of Robert Curran, the prominent dairyman in Quindaro township. If his record on sea was good, his record since he gave up the life of a sailor has been still better. He has won a reputation for himself as a dairyman of a first class character.

He was born in county Down, Ireland, August 18, 1852, where he received what little schooling he ever had. His father was a sailor and he used to take Robert with him on his trips, and thus he was really brought up on the ocean. When he was eighteen years old he came to America, locating in Chicago, and not knowing any other business than that of a sailor, he got a position on the lakes and sailed on the lakes for some years. He has had many interesting experiences during his nautical life, having once been where Sampson fired the first shot at the Spaniards. He came to Kansas in 1882, where he worked for Fowler's packing house in the winter and sailed in the summer time. He handled the first killing that Fowler ever made in America. He has been engaged in the dairy business several times and in 1911 he bought a farm of twenty-four acres at Bethel, Kansas, but his dairy of fifty-one cows he keeps at Wellborn six miles from Kansas City, Kansas, post office. He has a shed which is absolutely sanitary in all respects; all the feeding is done under covered troughs and he has an up-to-date bottling machine with which he bottles one hundred gallons of milk each day. He sells forty gallons a day to J3t. Margaret's Hospital in Kansas City, which in itself is a sufficient guaranty of the cleanliness of the dairy.

While Mr. Curran was living in Chicago he married Isabel J. Cochran, a daughter of John Cochran. Pour children have been born to this union, Agnes, Rachel, James and Robert. Agnes is now Mrs. Henry Pflanz, of Wichita. Rachael is married to Russell Savage and lives on Riverview avenue, at the corner of Tenth street.
Mr. Curran is contemplating the erection of a handsome home, having been successful in his business. He has invested some in real estate, having bought and sold various properties, in which transactions he made good bargains each time. Since his arrival in America Mr. Curran has been very successful and has become greatly respected in the county in which he lives. He is possessed of the impulsive temperament of the Irish, with the warm, generous nature that usually accompanies such a temperament. It is his pride to have everything connected with his dairy thoroughly modern and clean and to sell only milk which is unusually rich and pure. He has many friends who admire him for his sterling character and like him because of his fund of humor and the many interesting stories he can tell them in regard to his varied experiences. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 627-628)

TAGGART, JOSEPH

Among those who have served as county attorney of Wyandotte county none has made a more admirable record for faithful and efficient service than has the present incumbent of this responsible office, and, as may readily be inferred, he is numbered among the representative and brilliant members of the bar of this section of the state. He engaged in the practice of his profession in Kansas City, this county, in 1900, and here has won assured vantage ground as a specially strong and resourceful trial lawyer and conservative counselor, so that he was altogether eligible for the professional office to which he was called and in which he is now serving. As a lawyer he has a remarkable equipment, a manner of singular grace and charm, a voice of ringing quality and great carrying power, and an extraordinary power of marshalling and presenting significant facts so as to bring conviction to the average mind. He is one of the progressive and loyal citizens of the county which thus claims his services and where he has secure hold upon popular confidence and esteem.

Joseph Taggart was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 15th of June, 1867, and is the scion of one of the honored pioneer families of the fine old Hawkeye state. He is a son of John and Bridget (McDavitt) Taggart, and he was an infant at the time of his mother's death. John Taggart was one of the venturesome spirits who joined the historic argonauts of 1849 and made his way across the plains to the New Eldorado in California, where he remained for several years and where he was measurably successful in his quest for gold. Upon his return from the Pacific coast he located in Iowa and purchased a farm, continuing to be actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Iowa until the year 1885. At that date he came to Kansas and settled in Saline county, where he continued to be identified with the same great basic industry for a long term of years, at the expiration of which he established his home in the city of Spokane, Washington, where his death occurred in 1908.

Joseph Taggart passed his boyhood and youth on the old homestead farm which was the place of his nativity and he waxed strong in mind and body under the sturdy discipline involved. He availed himself in the meanwhile of the advantages of the public schools of his native state, and that he made good use of his opportunities is evident when it is stated that he proved himself eligible for pedagogic honors while still a mere youth. He devoted about ten years to teaching in the schools of Iowa and Kansas and in the meanwhile attended different universities at such intervals as his -means justified, although he did not complete the full course in any of them. He was eighteen years of age at the time of accompanying his father to Kansas, and in pursuing his higher studies, both collegiate and professional, he depended almost entirely on his own resources. In a private way he was indefatigable and ambitious in his studies and he thus gained the full equivalent of a university education through his own well directed efforts and now sustains the reputation of being one of the best read men of the state. He keeps in touch with the events of current history and his opinions, not only in the departments of politics and statescraft, but in the arts and sciences are widely sought and highly esteemed.

While engaged in teaching in the public schools of Kansas, Mr. Taggart devoted his evenings and vacations to the reading of law under effective preceptorship, and he was admitted to the bar, at Salina, this state, in 1893. He served his professional novitiate in Salina county and in 1900 he removed to Kansas City, where he has since been active and successful in the general work of his chosen calling. It may well be understood that a man who had the ambition to gain his academic and professional education largely through his own efforts could not be lacking in the elements of success and this has been significantly shown in the professional career of Mr. Taggart. He has been a hard worker and has had full appreciation of the dignity and responsibility of his chosen vocation, to which he has brought most excellent intellectual and technical powers and the strength of a self-reliant and honest manhood. He was first elected county attorney of Wyandotte county in 1906, and he has since continually retained this office through re-elections in 1908 and 1910. Few, if any, who have previously retained the position of county attorney have made so excellent a record and few members of the Bar of Wyandotte county have won in the same period more noteworthy victories before court or jury. Mr. Taggart has been earnest and fearless in his work as public prosecutor, has successfully handled several murder cases and other important causes in the criminal calendar, besides which he has shown tantamount facility in the prosecutions of civil cases, the while the popular estimate placed upon his services is best shown in his long retention of his present office.

On the 30th of December, 1908, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Taggart to Miss Elise Dorothy Mills, who was born at Atchison, Kansas, and who is a daughter of Frederick D. Mills, a former member of the Wyandotte county bar. Mrs. Taggart is a niece of Hon. John A. Martin, former governor of Kansas, and this cultured and charming lady is affiliated with the patriotic society, the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart have an infant daughter, Mary Ellen. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 628-630)