Biographies of Wyandotte County, Kansas

WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KANSAS

BIOGRAPHIES

BUNN, ASA M.

Asa M. Bunn is one of the best known civil engineers of the state of Kansas and he has been engaged in some of the most important construction work carried on in this section, and the son of one of the state's stalwart pioneers. Mr. Bunn can look back over a busy, extremely varied and thoroughly interesting career, and one of constantly increasing usefulness.

The subject was born in Bloomington, Illinois, February 2, 1848, and is a son of David M. and Hanna (Ilendricks) Bunn, both natives of the state of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandparents, Henry and Jane (Freelenheisen) Bunn, were also natives of the Keystone state, as were those on the maternal side-John and Sarah Hendricks. Mr. Bunn's parents came to McLean county, Illinois, with their parents when children and there married and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land. The father improved the same and added to it from time to time, and in 1868 he traded two thousand, eight hundred acres of swamp land for four thousand acres in Franklin county, Kansas, the chiefest treasures of the latter being three elm trees. Henry Bunn removed to Kansas and located upon this great tract of raw land and there raised the first Durham cattle in Kansas, having brought some of this famous breed with him when he came. He was a man of great executive ability and accomplished the remarkable achievement of putting over four thousand acres under cultivation. He died on the farm which had been the scene of his successful endeavors. The subject's father married three times, and he is the third and youngest in order of birth of the children of the first wife, whose maiden name was Hanna Hendricks, as has been previously mentioned. The second wife, Ellen Ritter, became the mother of one child: and the third wife, Elizabeth Horr, reared six sons and daughters. Mr. Bunn has one sister, Mary, now Mrs. John Michael, a resident of Bloomington, Illinois. The mother died when Mr. Bunn was an infant and he lived at the home of an uncle and aunt until the age of twelve years, when he went back to the home roof and remained there until he became twenty-two years of age.

Filled with the spirit of youthful love of adventure, Mr. Bunn secured work in railroading, which ever seems to appeal to the young. From Colonel A. C. Titus he secured a position as engineer with the Kansas City & Burlington Railroad, of which Colonel A. C. Titus was then superintendent, and from 1872 until April 1, 1876, he ran the train conveying the transit men. In 1878 he ran the train of the Adams Express Company from Ottawa, Kansas, to Burlington, Kansas. In 1881, he abandoned railroading and made a radical change, buying a saw mill near Garnett, Anderson county, Kansas. He conducted this mill for three years and then sold out and removed to a farm his father gave him in Franklin county, Kansas. Being still somewhat dissatisfied and having his ambitions set upon higher positions, the young man sold his farm and went to Ottawa, Kansas, where he studied civil engineering and became exceedingly proficient in this science. In 1887 and 1888 he put in two and one half miles of sewerage in Ottawa, and after finishing that important work, he removed to Pittsburg, Kansas, where he superintended the installation of five miles of sewerage. He next removed, in 1892, to Girard, Crawford county, where he was engaged in the same line of work and he then located for a time in Pittsburg, Kansas, where he engaged in real estate transactions. About this time Mr. Bunn entered upon an important work in the opening of coal mines in Illinois, and he remained there for six months, bringing in that time the mines to a state of successful operation. He subsequently went to Canyon City, Colorado, and took charge of the coal mines belonging to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad in Colorado. Over a year later he came back to Illinois, and after staying there for two months, went to Lansing, Kansas, where for a few months he held the position of superintendent of the coal mines of that place. A few months later he went to Topeka, Kansas, and in 1902, he went back to Illinois again. In the meantime he had also spent sometime in the Indian Territory engaged in the opening of coal mines, in which department his engineering skill has ever proved of the highest order.

In 1902, Mr. Bunn became identified with Kansas City, Kansas, assuming the office of civil engineer with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad, and in the month of January of the ensuing year he began upon construction work. He was given charge of the division at Leeton, Johnson county, Missouri, and did not finish the work there before 1906. In that year he leased certain coal fields in Missouri, and engaged in the work of developing coal mines. His next change took him to St. Joe, Missouri, and he traversed the states of Missouri and Iowa, locating two railroads and at the termination of this great civil engineering work, in 1909, he became engineer in charge of the construction of the Kaw Valley drainage district, this being the largest work of its kind ever accomplished. In fact, Mr. Bunn's experience, executive ability, tireless energy, engineering skill and genius in the broad combination and concentration of applicable forces render his services of great and unusual value.

Mr. Bunn was happily married when in June, 1877, Miss Anna Harlan, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Chauncey and Nancy (Freede) Harlan, became his wife. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Albert L., of Kansas City, Kansas, who married Mrs. Charles Martin of Kansas City, Missouri; and Harlan D., who is at home.

Mr. Bunn is an altruistic and public spirited citizen and is an enthusiastic adherent of the Socialist party, which he believes will be a strong factor in working out the welfare of the world. He is a popular lodge man, being affiliated with the Knights of Pythias of Ottawa, Kansas, No. 53; the Modern Woodmen of America of Leeton, Missouri; and the Owls, No. 1425, of Kansas City, Kansas.

Mr. Bunn received his education in the Illinois State University and the business college of Jacksonville, Illinois. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 527-528)

EGAN, LEWIS M.

Lewis M. Egan certainly deserves representation among the men who have been instrumental in promoting the general welfare of Kansas City, Kansas, where he has maintained his home since 1892. He has aided materially in the development of business activity and energy wherein the prosperity and growth of the state always depend.

Mr. Egan is secretary and treasurer of the Woods-Egan Live Stock Commission Company and as such is promoting one of the most important business concerns in Kansas City. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois, on the 7th of December, 1861, and is a son of Samuel T. and Cordelia M. (Maynard) Egan. The father was born in the state of Indiana and he died in 1890, at the age of sixty-eight years, while the mother, whose nativity occurred in Ohio, died at the early age of thirty-eight years. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel T. Egan, but six are living at the present time. The father removed from the old Hoosier state to Illinois as a young man and there he purchased a fine estate, was married, and continued to be identified with the farming and stock raising enterprises until his death. He was aligned as a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party in all matters of national import but in local affairs he maintained an independent attitude, preferring to give his support to men and measures meeting with the approval of his judgment rather than to follow along strictly partisan lines. In their religious adherency he and his wife were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose faith they reared their children.

On the old homestead farm in Illinois Lewis M. Egan passed his boyhood and youth and he received his preliminary educational training in the district schools of Hancock county, later supplementing that discipline by a course of study in Carthage College, at Carthage which he attended as a member of the class of 1885. That same year he severed the ties which bound him to home and journeyed to western Kansas, engaging in the cattle business in Gove county for a period of seven years, at the expiration of which, in 1892, he established his home in Kansas City, Kansas. After his advent in this city Mr. Egan turned his attention to the live stock commission business, with which enterprise he has continued to be identified to the present time. For fourteen years he was secretary and treasurer of the Northwestern Live Stock Commission Company and when that concern was sold out to Evans Snyder Buell, Mr. Egan worked for that company, until January, 1910, at which time he and Mr. Woods organized the Woods-Egan Live Stock Commission Company. This concern was incorporated under the laws of the state of Kansas with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars and it is officered as follows: S. P. Woods, president; William M. Ott, vice president; and L. M. Egan, secretary and treasurer.

On the 20th of May, 1891, Mr. Egan was united in marriage with Miss Lu Verna Stone, who was born and reared in Missouri and who is a daughter of William and Lucy (Hill) Stone. The Hill family settled near St. Joe many years ago, and have been prominent and progressive Democrats, and one of the younger, an uncle of Mrs. Egan, is now judge of that district. Mr. and Mrs. Egan have three children, namely: Maynard, Lu Verna and Alfred B., all of whom are attending school in Kansas City. In his political proclivities Mr. Egan is an Independent and in a fraternal way he is a valued and appreciative member of Wyandotte Lodge, No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously the Egan family are members of the Christian church. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 528-529)

BAILEY, JAMES M.

James M. Bailey manager of the Standard Electric Light Company, former superintendent of the Argentine Water Works Company, and since the taking over of that concern by the city of Kansas City, in charge of all stock supplies, is one of the well known citizens of the community and is one who very materially accentuates its public spirit. By the circumstance of birth Mr. Bailey is a Missourian, his eyes having first opened to the light of day in Dent county, that state, the date of his nativity being January 10, 1863. He is the son of Hezekiah and Eliza J. (Brown) Bailey, the former one of Dent county's agriculturists. Hezekiah Bailey was born in Kentucky in 1836 and the year of the mother's birth was 1841. Of the eight children born to this worthy couple-four daughters and two sons-all survive, the immediate subject being first in order of birth.

The father came to old Crawford county, Missouri, a part of which is now Dent county, when a youth of about sixteen years of age. In his maiden endeavors as a wage-earner he engaged as a freighter, but eventually drifted into the independent and wholesome occupation which he chose to make permanent and in which he achieved success.

He devotes his energies to general farming and is also a breeder of mules, raising a high class animal for the market. Hezekiah Bailey was a soldier of the Civil war, having worn the Gray during the great conflict between the states as a member of Burbage's Brigade in Price's army. He was wounded during a skirmish, near Warrensburg, Missouri. This gentleman is a Democrat in political faith, and has given heart and hand to its men .and measures since his earliest voting days.
Mr. Bailey, of this review, received his preliminary education in the schools of Dent county, attending the public schools in that community as a youth. He, like most farmers' sons, had an opportunity to glean some useful agricultural knowledge by actual experience, but the great basic industry did not present a sufficient appeal to him to induce him to adopt it for his own. In 1884, he came to Argentine, Kansas, and secured a position with the Santa Fe railroad, but after spending only a short in Argentine, he returned to Salem, Missouri, and there supplemented his education by attending school at the Salem high and preparatory schools, paying his own way during the two years he attended the latter. In course of time he returned to Argentine, again entering the employ of the Santa Fe and this second term of residence extended until 1887, when he went back to Salem to be married and remained in the old town until 1890. In the year mentioned he came back to Argentine whose charms remained vivid in his memory through many vicissitudes and he again became identified with the Santa Fe, and remained with them until April 1, 1899. At that time he was elected city clerk and his first year's service was of such efficient character that it was approved by re-election in 1900. He was then appointed in 1901, 1902 and 1903. In the latter year he left the clerk's office and tried several new ventures, being with a contracting company for a short time and then becoming associated with the Blacker Grain Company, until April, 1904, when Mr. Bailey became superintendent of the Argentine Water Company, and also manager of the Standard Electric Light Company. In April, 1910, the control of Argentine's water works was taken over by Kansas City and Mr. Bailey, as mentioned in the first paragraph, has ever since been in charge of all stock supplies.

On October 30, 1887. Mr. Bailey laid the foundation of a happy married life by his union with Miss Mary J. Hobson. Mrs. Bailey was born in Dent county, Missouri, and is a daughter of Charles W. and Cynthia A. (Watkins) Hobson, the father born in Indiana and the mother in Virginia. The former died in January, 1908, at the age of seventy years, but his wife survives. These admirable people were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, the subject's wife being the fourth in order of birth. Charles W. Hobson removed to Missouri when a small boy with his parents, where he became a prominent farmer and stock dealer, and eventually entered the mercantile field. He also owned a mill and elevator in Salem, Dent county, and was generally regarded as one of the leaders in Democratic politics. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, one is living-a daughter named Mary Esther.

Mr. Bailey is a successful exponent of the principles of moral and social justice and brotherly love exemplified by the Masonic order, his affiliations being with Ben Hur lodge, No. 322, Free and Accepted Masons, and with Caswell Consistory No. 5. He is a thirty-second degree Mason. ne belongs to Wyandotte lodge. No. 440, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to several other organizations in addition and his political allegiance is with the Democratic party. He belongs to that type of citizen which Kansas City is pleased to call representative and stands for all that is best in civil government. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 530-531)

JACKS, WARDEN T.

Warden T. Jacks, a prominent and well known agriculturist residing in Wyandotte township, has, during many years, been identified with the development and upbuilding of Wyandotte county. He is the owner of two hundred acres of* this valuable and most desirable section and until quite recently owned one hundred and thirteen more, which he has converted into money. In addition to his other distinctions. he is a veteran of the Civil war, sectional influences in the locality in which his youth was spent and loyalty to his southern ancestry having led him to adopt the Confederate cause.

Mr. Jacks was born in Howard county, Missouri, April 14, 1835. His parents were Elias B. and Mary (Warden) Jacks, of whom more detailed mention is made in the sketch of William Jacks, elder brother of the subject. The education of the subject was obtained in the district schools of Missouri and his attendance was, on account of the primitive character of the schools and the necessity of assisting in the farm work, restricted for the most part to winter terms. Mr. Jacks resided beneath the home roof until his marriage which occurred December 1.5, 1864, the young woman to become his wife and the mistress of his household being Miss Mary V. Rogers, a native of Platt county, Missouri and a daughter of John and Sarah (Long) Rogers, both of Tennessee.

For seven years after his establishment of an independent household by marriage, Mr. Jacks resided on his father's old homestead in Platt county, Missouri. The old estate was then disposed of and Mr. and Mrs. Jacks followed the rest of the family to Kansas, where fine fortunes had been the portion of the forerunners. The subject secured a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, the northwestern quarter of section 9, town 11, range 24, Wyandotte township. The country was then most of it in a condition quite difficult to imagine from present day conditions. The land was almost entirely covered with timber and brush and there were many Indian wigwams, the redman still lingering a little before the westward advance of civilization. On his newly acquired acres, Mr. Jacks built a log cabin and set up his household and with all the vigor and enthusiasm of youth set about clearing and improving the place. In the timber he found an immediate source of revenue, for he sold many hundred cords of wood in Kansas City, Kansas and the surrounding country. He and his family lived in the log house for about fifteen years and then found themselves in a position to build their present large frame house, in which they have since lived and which is so pleasantly known in this county for its hospitality. Mr. Jacks is a scientific agriculturist and believes in employing the best and most up-to-date methods in his cultivation of the soil. He has always been an extensive grain farmer and he has made a specialty of the raising of hogs, and on a smaller scale, of horses and cattle.

As previously mentioned Mr. Jacks is a Confederate soldier, having enlisted in the Missouri state militia in the fall of 1861, under General Sterling Price, major general in Missouri and former governor of the state. Mr. Jacks was in General Stein's division. The forces of which he was a part went to Arkansas and he participated in the battle of Pea Ridge. His military service was of comparatively short duration, for he became ill owing to the rigors of camp life, and returned to his father's home to recover. In 1862 he went to Jefferson county, Kansas and worked there until the fall of 1864, his career subsequent to that having been recounted. He has met with an excellent measure of success and is very loyal to the state in which and with which he has developed. For more than a decade Mr. Jacks has been retired from the more arduous duties of farm life, his son Leonard conducting the affairs of the estate in most satisfactory fashion.

Mr. Jacks and his worthy wife became the parents of the following children: Clarence E., accidentally killed when eight years of age; William B.; Richard E., of Wyandotte township; John M., a citizen of Leavenworth county, Kansas; Leonard Lee, mentioned before; Lena S., now Mrs. George Grinter, of Wyandotte county; Cora V., widow of John Grinter, of Wyandotte township; and Mary, now Mrs. Luther Mooney.

Mr. Jacks is independent in politics, esteeming the right man and the right measure far above mere partisanship. He and his family are affiliated with the Disciple church and he has been one of the most valued of the Sunday school workers. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 531-532)

JACKS, WILLIAM

One of the best known of the pioneer citizens of Wyandotte county is William Jacks. This gentleman who has resided in the state since Civil war days, is now a retired farmer, who in the prosperous leisure which has crowned an honest, honorable and thrifty life, can look back over an interesting and adventurous life, one of its most remarkable chapters being his experiences as a Forty-niner in the California gold fields. He is a man held in general confidence and respect and now, within three years of the four score and ten mark, is yet a useful member of society.

William Jacks was born in Howard county, Missouri, April 24, 1824, the son of Elias Barnes and Polly (Warden) Jacks, both of Howard county, Missouri. His grandparents, Richard and Sophia (Barnes) Jacks, were Virginians. His grandparents, both paternal and maternal, removed to Kentucky in the early days and then went on to Missouri, locating in Howard county where they entered a large tract of land. There his parents were married and in 1837 removed to the Platt Purchase in Platt county, Missouri. They entered one hundred and sixty acres of land near Plattsville; improved and cultivated the land and resided upon it until the Civil war period, when they removed to Wyandotte county and township. Here they bought a large tract of land from the Wyandotte Indians and again engaged in the strenuous labor of bringing a farm to its best condition. In course of time they were called to eternal rest and their remains were interred on the old homestead in Platt county, Missouri. The subject was one of a large family of children, eight of whom lived to years of maturity and four of whom survive at the present time.
William Jacks was the oldest of his parents' family. He secured his education in the subscription schools of that part of Missouri in which his youth was passed and remained beneath the home roof until the age of twenty-three years. Previous to this, however, he conducted a grocery at Parkville, Missouri, but he had no desire to make this his permanent occupation.

When about twenty-three years of age, Mr. Jacks, who had decided to join the California gold seekers, set out with an ox team, in company with the members of the Platt County Company, and after a journey of many perils and much adventure, arrived at Placerville, California, which then rejoiced in the cheerful name of Hangtown. They began digging at once. Mr. Jacks was taken ill and for several weeks was laid up. The high hopes of many who had had dreams of at once finding a fortune had already perished and many were sick and dying. The desolation and depravity were terrible and Mr. Jacks could see souls taking flight; the dead being buried and men engaged in drunken gambling orgies, all within a few hundred feet. Mr. Jacks secured several claims and the first gold he found was at his claim near Georgetown, where a cousin died. The name of the unfortunate young man was William Andrews. Mr. Jacks vividly remembers how he and his other comrades sawed the rough boards for his coffin and nailed them together. The subject remained in California for about a year, like the others going from one strike to the other. Meantime he and fifteen other persons, banded together into a company called the Spanish Ranch and Plumas Water Company, for mechanical and agricultural enterprises, this being chartered at Quincy, Plumas county, California. One of their purposes was to construct a canal thirty miles long. Needing more money they borrowed from the Rothschilds' agents at San Francisco, but at the outbreak of the Civil war, the Rothschilds withdrew their cash and the company was broken up. Mr. Jacks .had secured two mining claims and he and a man named Smith secured some gold from one of them and sold the other. Then by a clever deal they got possession of the old company and conducted its developing enterprises for four years. He subsequently turned his share over to his brother, Elias B., and returned to the parental home on account of the serious condition of health of his father.

Mr. Jacks, who had purchased a forty-nine acre tract of undeveloped land in Wyandotte county, Wyandotte township, began upon its development and cultivation, happy in the more peaceful surroundings of his Kansas home. He added to this original tract from time to time and now possesses one hundred and twenty-four acres upon which he has successfully conducted general farming operations.

In that year Mr. Jacks chose a devoted wife and helpmeet in the person of Mary A. McDaniel, of Platt county, Missouri, a native of the stat"" of Kentucky, who was living in Platt county at the time of her marriage. Her lamentable demise occurred April 10, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Jacks had no children of their own, but adopted a daughter, V. Large, who is now the wife of Otto Freeman. Mr. Jacks now rents his property to Mr. and Mrs. Freeman and makes his home with them. The subject is a most public spirited citizen and has ever been stanchly aligned with the Jefferson Democrats. He has on several occasions given most faithful and enlightened service in public office, acting as justice of the peace; as county commissioner for two terms and as township trustee for two terms. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 532-534)

MESERAULL, SAMUEL I.

An active factor in promoting the industrial interests of Wyandotte county, Samuel I. Meseraull is carrying on a substantial business in Kansas City as a printer, having a large and well equipped printing establishment at 945 Central avenue. He was born, December 22, 1866, in Lapeer county, Michigan, a son of Isaac L. Meseraull, and grandson of Peter Meseraull, an early pioneer of Michigan.

Isaac L. Meseraull, a native of Oakland county, Michigan, spent a part of his early life in Lapeer county, that state, but subsequently located in Hall county, Nebraska, and from 1871 until his death, February 4, 1908, was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Doniphan, Nebraska. His first wife, whose maiden name was Frances E. Smith, was born in Lapeer county, Michigan, a daughter of Orlando and Mary E. Smith. She died in 1875, leaving two children, as follows: Samuel I., the special subject of this brief sketch; and Fred, of Holly, Michigan. He married second Esther Fry, and to them the following were born, namely: Morris and Blaine, residing in Doniphan, Nebraska; Mrs. Fannie Lane, of Newkirk, Oklahoma; Mrs. Maria Underwood, of Doniphan, Nebraska; Mrs. Kate Clarno, also of Doniphan; and Martha, Sidney and Anthony, living with their widowed mother in Doniphan.

Having obtained his early education in the public schools of Grand Island, Nebraska, Samuel I. Meseraull there, at the age of fourteen years, began to learn the trade of a printer. Five years later he went to Denver, Colorado, from there going to Telluride, Colorado, where he spent a year. Locating then in South Dakota, he worked in different places, following his trade in Rapid City, Chadron and Crawford. Coming to Wyandotte county, Kansas, in 1894, Mr. Meseraull settled in Armourdale, and in 1895 established a printing business in that locality. Subsequently, during the time of the disastrous floods, he had the misfortune to lose everything in his plant with the exception of two printing presses. Disposing therefore of his interests in that place in 1905, he purchased his present property at 945 Central avenue, and built, and throughly equipped, his present large, two story, stone building, which is thirty feet by ninety-four feet. Here he is carrying on a thriving business, being actively engaged in general printing, including job and book work.

Mr. Meseraull married, June 4, 1890, at Lamar, Missouri, Lulu M. Miller, who was born in Springfield, Missouri, a daughter of Cyrus M. and Rebecca (Allen) Miller, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Meseraull have one child, Samuel Paul, born July 23, 1891, is now engaged in business with his father.

Politically Mr. Meseraull casts his vote in favor of what he deems the best men and measures, regardless of party affiliations. Mr. Meseraull is affiliated with many prominent fraternal organizations, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America; of the Royal Neighbors; the Modern Brotherhood of America; the National Annuity; the National Union; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Royal Achates; the Improved Order of Red Men; and the Degree of Honor, all of the lodges to which he belongs being in Kansas City, Kansas.(History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 534-535)

ROSS, EDWARD P.

Edward P. Ross, president of the Auto Fedan Hay Press Company, Rosedale, Kansas, is the originator of the devise his company manufactures, and is a man whose influence as an enterprising, substantial citizen is felt in the community in which he lives.

Mr. Ross looks back to Princeton, Illinois, as the place of his birth; the time was December 8, 1863, and his parents, William B. and Mary (Russell) Ross. William B. Ross is a native of Ohio, born in 1832. In 1850 he came west to Illinois and settled at Princeton, where he engaged in farming, and where, subsequently, he and Miss Russell were united in marriage. He left Princeton, in 1870, and moved to Emporia, Kansas, where he afterward lived with the exception of four or five years which he spent in New Mexico. To them were given eleven children, brief record of whom is as follows: Harry R., engaged in farming and the real estate business at St. John, Kansas; Kate, widow of E. E. Townsend, is a resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma; Edward P., the subject of this sketch; Chettie, wife of Fred Long, lives in Walnut, Illinois; Louell V., wife of John M. Wilson of Wichita, Kansas; Louise, twin sister of Mrs. Wilson, also lives at Wichita; Joseph A., of Kansas City, Missouri; Gertrude J., wife of Otis Farr, of Gridley, Kansas; Albert M., of St. John, Kansas; William F., foreman of the Auto Fedan Hay Press plant; and Bessie F., wife of Fred Simpson, of Gridley, Kansas.

Edward P. Ross spent his boyhood days working on the farm and attending district school. His first business venture was as a dealer in hay, and he early realized the need for a better device in the way of a hay press than was then in use. Accordingly he set about the work of making a better one, and the Auto Fedan Hay Press is the result. For a time he manufactured this devise in small quantities at Emporia, and Topeka, Kansas, until the demand for them having .increased to such an extent as to go beyond his capacity, he came to Rosedale, in 1908, and organized the Auto Fedan Hay Press Company, of which he is president. The product of this company's plant is now being shipped to all parts of the United States, and it is the intention of the company to make shipments to foreign countries next year. It is a matter of record that the Auto Fedan Hay Press Company is selling more presses than any company manufacturing a similar device.
While Mr. Ross' father is a Democrat and has always taken an active interest in politics, he is inclined to affiliate with the Republican party, and always votes for the candidate he believes to be the best man suited for the office irrespective of party.

Mr. Ross married, in 1905, Miss Alice Goodhue of Topeka, and they are the parents of two children, Dick G., five years old, and an infant. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ross are enthusiastic golf players, he having won the Kansas City tournament in 1910; and motoring also has a great fascination for him. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 535-536)

BJORKMAN, JOHN F.

The Swedish type is one which has found many representatives in the New World and it has assuredly contributed its quota toward the onward movement of progress. America owes much to the Swedish stock and has honored and been honored by many noble men and women of this extraction. Among the enterprising representatives of the nation in Kansas City, Missouri, is John F. Bjorkman, of this notice, whose business headquarters are in the city mentioned, but whose home is maintained in Kansas City, Kansas. Since 1903 he has conducted one of the best and most exclusive tailoring establishments in the city and as a citizen and a business man his loyalty and patriotism have ever been of the most insistent order. Mr. Bjorkman was born in the city of Linkoping, Ostergotland, Sweden, on the 14th of April, 1863, and is a son of Gustaf and Johanna Bjorkman, both of whom are deceased. The father was engaged in merchant tailoring during the major portion of his active career and of the four children born to him and his wife, he whose name inaugurates this review is the youngest in order of birth.

After availing himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native land, young Bjorkman entered upon an apprenticeship as a tailor. In 1884, having become familiar with the trade and being just attained to his legal majority, he came to the conclusion to try his fortunes in the land across the seas whose advantages he had heard so greatly vaunted, and accordingly he severed home associations and immigrated to the United States. He located in New York City and in that great metropolis engaged in the work of his trade for the en-suing four years. In 1888 he followed the tide of immigration westward and established his home in Kansas City, Missouri, where he has ever since maintained his business headquarters. lie worked as a journeyman until 1903, in which year he decided to go into business on his own account. He then formed a partnership with E. G. Zimmer, under the firm name of Zimmer & Bjorkman, and their splendid tailoring establishment is now located at 914 Grand avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. In due time the firm built up a large and lucrative trade and it now enjoys distinction as one of the most enterprising concerns of its kind in the state.

On the 20th of November, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bjorkman to Miss Anna C. Edlund, whose birth occurred in the city of Stockholm, Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Bjorkman are the proud parents of two sons, concerning whom the following brief data are here entered: David is paying teller in the Commercial National Bank of Kansas City, Kansas; and Eric is in business in Kansas City, Kansas. The latter spent several years in the most fashionable shops in New York City learning the secrets of tailoring and he is considered the best cutter and the nattiest tailor in the state of Kansas. In fact he enjoys a large share of the patronage of the best-dressed men of Kansas City, Kansas. Both boys were afforded an excellent education and a brilliant and successful future is prophesied for them.
Mr. Bjoricman is affiliated with several social orders of a representative order. He has taken an active part in unifying and uplifting the Swedish people of this community. In polities he endorses the cause of the Republican party. While undoubtedly Mr. Bjorkman has not been without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. In community affairs he is active and influential and his support is readily and generously given to many measures for the general progress and improvement. He is a man of splendid executive ability and unusual energy and by reason of his sterling integrity is accorded the whole-souled regard of his fellow men. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 536-537)

SUTHERLAND, THOMAS W.

A prosperous and highly esteemed resident of Kansas City, Kansas, Thomas W. Sutherland has been actively identified with public affairs for several years, and in addition to his business interests is prominent in fraternal organizations, being one of the leading Masons of Wyandotte county, and a valued member of other beneficial societies. He was born, September 22, 1861, in Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, a son of Philemon Sutherland, and of Virginian ancestry.
Philemon Sutherland was born, in 1818, in West Virginia, and in early life located in Lafayette county, Missouri, where he became, in course of time, owner of a magnificent farm of six hundred and forty acres, in the superintendence of which he took much pride and pleasure, although he was not actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He carried on an extensive and lucrative business in Lexington, Missouri, as a contracting painter, in the fulfillment of his contracts keeping from two hundred to three hundred men busily employed. He died at his home, in Lexington, in 1863, while yet in manhood's prime. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Ann Fewell, was born in North Carolina in 1823, and as a child accompanied her parents to their new home in Ben ton county, Missouri, where she was reared and educated. She survived her husband, passing away in 1899. Nine children were born of their union, three of whom are living, as follows: Sallie F., wife of Titus 0. Samuels, of Oceanside, California; John P., a resident of Ramona, California; and Thomas W. The parents were members of the Missionary Baptist church, and the father, who was a Whig in politics during his early life, was afterwards a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.

Left fatherless when but two years old, Thomas W. Sutherland was educated in the public schools of Lexington, Missouri, and at the age o£ seventeen years began life on his own account, going to Odessa, Lafayette county, Missouri, where for two years he was engaged in the transfer business. Selling his interests in that venture, he continued there as a general merchant until 1884, when he removed to Emporia, Kansas, where, for five years, he was Grand Recorder for the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Coming from there to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1889, Mr. Sutherland embarked in the wholesale bakery and retail grocery business, and in that line of industry met with success. In 1900 he had the misfortune of being burned out, the disastrous conflagration destroying his entire property. Never losing courage, however, he secured a position as conductor on the North East Electrical street car line, and held it for two years. Crossing the river then into Kansas City, Kansas, Mr. Sutherland became conductor for the same system on the West Side street car line, continuing thus occupied for a year. The ensuing ten years he was time keeper for the Armour Packing Company, leaving in 1903 to go south for the benefit of his health, which had become impaired. Returning to Kansas City, Kansas, after his recovery, Mr. Sutherland was engaged in the wholesale and retail tobacco business until 1908. In 1906 he was elected Register of Deeds for Wyandotte county, and having been re-elected in 1908 served with fidelity until January 1, 1911. He is vice president of the Home State Bank.

Mr. Sutherland uniformly supports the principles of the Democratic party at the polls. He stands high in the Masonic fraternity, being a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Caswell Consistory, No. 5, and of Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3. Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. Both he and his wife are members of Mandias Chapter, No. 1, Order of Eastern Star. He was also one of the directors in the building of the Masonic Temple. He belongs to Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and to Encampment, No. 9.

Mr. Sutherland married, November 26, 1898, Minnie B. Taylor, who was born in Audrain county, Missouri, a daughter of Isaac P. C. and Mary (Da Zell) Taylor, being one of a family of five children, three of whom are living, as follows: James T.; Mrs. Sutherland; and Charles W. Isaac P. C. Taylor was born in Pennsylvania in 1836, and spent his last days in Kansas City, Kansas, passing away in 1899. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic Order. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have one child, Everett William T. Sutherland. (History of Wyandotte County, Kansas and It's People, by Perl W. Morgan, Vol. II, 1911, Pages 587-588)