Barber County Kansas

Medicine Lodge Cresset, June 23, 1893.

Obituary: Thomas P. Whitaker

An Old Settler Dead

T.P. Whitaker, of Sun City, departed this life on the 17th day of June, 1893, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma after an Illness of 1 year. He was a great sufferer during this time from paralysis.

Uncle Tom Whitaker was born in Floyd County, Kentucky in 1830. In 1949 he was married to Eveline Marshall. To them were born 6 children who are now left with their mother to mourn his death. The children are F.A. Whitaker of Sun City, Wilkes Whitaker of Alaska, Estell Whitaker, Mrs. Emily Van Trees, Mrs. Hattie Gilroy and Mrs. Kate Salyer of Oklahoma.

Mrs. Whitaker and two daughters left Sun City on June 13th for Oklahoma with Mr. Whitaker, in the hope that the change of Climate would bring relief and health. On reaching Kiowa the Odd Fellows took him in charge and put him on the train for Kingfisher. He was received at Kingfisher by the Odd Fellows of that city, and given every attention prompted by fraternal love. In a few days he was attacked with heart desease and at 11 am on June 17th, he died.

In early life he was engaged in the mercantile business in Kentucky, and also filled positions of honor and trust. When the Civil war broke out he joined company F, 14th Kentucky infantry and served his country throughout the war. In 1870 he moved to Douglas county, Kansas and in March 1873 moved to Barber county and erected the Whitaker House, famous among the cowboys and scouts of the day, at Sun City.

About eight years ago Mr. Whitaker attached himself to the M E church, and has been a conservative member ever since. He was a faithful worker a strove earnestly to imbue others with his faith. He was a member of Sun City Lodge No. 262, IOOF and was past grand at the time of his death. While it has pleased Providence to make inroads into our lodge for the first time, we bow with submission to the divine will, and extend our sympathy to the companion who has walked in life, through adversity and prosperity, through sunshine and shadow for 44 years.

For years he filled the office of Justice of the peace for Sun City township Uncle Tom, as he was familarly called, will long live in the hearts of the people of Sun City. Our loss is his eternal gain. May God comfort the bereved ones, and help them to confine in a loving saviour.


Arapaho Bee, March 3, 1899.

Obituary: Evaline Whitaker

Died
Grandma Whittaker died yesterday morning at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. H.E. Van Trees. Mrs Whittaker leaves 6 children to mourn her loss, to whom she had always been a kind and affectionate mother.

She had always lived on the frontier, coming to Kansas in the early days, and every community in which she lived found her a ready, cheerful and sympathetic helper in sickness or any other time of need. Her death was not unexpected as she had been in poor health for some time, but, nevertheless, it comes as a great sorrow to the community as she enjoyed the love and respect of everyone. Hers was a Christian life, and she died in the Christian's hope.

Funeral services will be held a 2 o'clock today.


Evaline Whitaker died at her home in Arapaho County, Oklahoma on March 2nd at the age of 66 years. She was the daughter of J.C. Marshall who died recently in Sun City. Her husband conducted a hotel in Sun City for a number of years. She leaves 5 children, 4 in Oklahoma and and 1 in Franklin, Ohio. She was a member of the Methodist church from girlhood. Medicine Lodge Cresset, March 1899


Also see:

Recollections of the Past - The Festive Buffalo - Chapter 1
(Frank and Tom Whitaker attempt to capture a buffalo.)
The Union, October 1, 1886.

Adjutant General's Muster Rolls & Payrolls for the Barber County Mounted Guards Under Captain L.H. Bowlus. (partial listing, includes T.P. Whitaker)


 

Thanks to Cathie Schuck for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!




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