Cowley County Heritage Book

Pages

- 196 - 197 - 198 - 199 - 200 -


Cowley County Heritage Book Page 196


(continued from page 195) Mr. Estill was an engineer at Kanotex, Apco, Total Refineries until retirement. He also traces his ancestors to Captain James Estill. Their children are Bradford William, Huntington Beach, CA. and Janalyn Cheryl, Phoenix, Az. They both were graduated from Arkansas City High School before leaving Cowley County. Several years after Emer Strait died in 1932, Bessie Strait moved to Wichita and married Levert E. Murphy in 1949. As a widow, later she moved to Arkansas City where she died in 1987.

Submitted by Cheryl Estill
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 196.

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Growing Up in Arkansas City by Irma Hinson

Even though a war was going on, in the early 1940s, the 500 block of North 7th Street in Arkansas City was a peaceful, pleasant place to live.

We lived on the corner of 7th Street and Vine Avenue. Two houses north of us lived a family by the name of Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had two preschool children, a little girl Sandra and a younger buy, Frankie, Almost every morning I would see Mr. Brown kiss Mrs. Brown good-bye and leave for work, walking to the corner with Sandra on one side and Frankie on the other side. There he would hug the children good-bye and walk on to work while the two children scampered back home. This made an indelible impression on me, a young school girl just a few years older than their children.

About four blocks west of us on Vine Avenue lived a gentleman named Mr. Burris. Mr. Burris lived just this side of the dike (of the Arkansas River) and he grew, among other things, watermelons. In the summertime he would hook his horse up to a cart filled to the brim with watermelons and he would drive up and down the streets of Arkansas City shouting, "Watermelons, watermelons fresh and fine - freshly plucked from the vine." I always liked his little saying and can still relive it. Even after all these years, I remember him as honest, friendly and hard working.

Sometimes we fool ourselves by thinking no one notices what we do or say. How wrong - we are not an island to ourselves. Whether it's good or bad, that's up to us, but our lives always touch others. This was my neighborhood and these were just two of the many people I remember. Oh, did I mention? The two families I wrote about are Afro-American descent and I am German-American descent. To me, the color of the skin made no difference and it still doesn't.

Submitted By (Mrs. James) Irma (Wittenborn) Hinson
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 196.

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The Hinson Family

The family of Frank and Florence Hinson came to Arkansas City from Wichita in the summer of 1943. I, Florence, am the daughter of Chauncey C. Tubbs and Rosa martin Tubbs, the oldest of four children. The Tubbs family came from Massachusetts and the Martin family came to Kansas in the early 1870s from the Province of Quebec, Canada. They traveled by rail and settled in Riley County.

Frank's parents, Charlie Hinson of Wisconsin and Lovina Crandall Hinson of Iowa, settled in Riley County. They lived on a farm and their family consisted of four girls and five boys. We met when I was teaching school at Lasita, Kansas and he was working on a farm in the area. We were married at St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Clay Center in 1928. That same summer we moved to Chicago so Frank Gould accept a job as a government meat inspector. Never big city oriented, Frank applied, as soon as possible, for a transfer.

Our oldest child, James (Jim), was born that spring and we moved back to Kansas that October, right after the 1929 stock market crash. We bought a small house on the west side of Wichita near the old Mt. Carmel Academy and three more children were born, Floyd, Joanne, and Robert (Bob). We attended church a St. Joseph's Catholic Church where the children attended grade school.

When World War II broke out and people began moving into the city to work in the airplane factories, Wichita began to grow. Once more Frank applied for a transfer and we moved to Arkansas City. The hours were long and work hard. In the spring of 1945, our last child, Paul was born.

Frank always loved the farm so in the summer of 1950 we bought 160 acres northeast of Arkansas City.

Even though an five of our children married Cowley County residents, only two remained in the area. Jim married an Arkansas City girl, Irma Wittenborn. He is a self-employed builder and they live northwest of Arkansas City.

Floyd, too, married an Arkansas City girl, Marian Chapman. They lived near Winfield all their married life where they owned and operated the Sweetland-Hinson Equipment Company, the local Allis-Chalmers dealer. Floyd died in 1979.

Joanne married Orwin Maxson of Arkansas City. They lived several years in California moving to Ponca City, Oklahoma in 1961 where he worked in plastic research at Conoco until his retirement in 1985.

Bob married Ada Worden of Wilmot. Early in their married life they moved to Nebraska where they raised registered Charolais cattle.

Paul trained for the priesthood but later he married an Arkansas City girl, Monica Kelley Buzzi. They now live in Aurora, Colorado where he is in the building business.

Frank died in 1974 but he left behind a rich heritage of genuine values for his five children, twenty grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren.

Submitted By Florence Hinson
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 196.

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Abraham & Jennetta Florence Hoefgen Family

Abraham Hoefgen was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1858. He came west with his older brother Julius Nicholas (Jude) Hoefgen (the first Hoefgens to cross the Mississippi River). They settled on a farm near Valley Center, Kansas in 1877. Abraham's family were immigrants from Germany. Florence (Flora) Black Hoefgen was born in Mercer County, Ohio in 1867. In 1876 she moved with her family to Valley Center, Kansas.

Abraham Hoelgen and Jennetta Florence Black were married in 1887 and made their home in Valley Center until moving to Oklahoma in 1893. They moved to the Indian Territory on a claim, later moving to Carney, Oklahoma where they ran a hardware store. In 1910, they moved to a farm near Atlanta, Kansas. In 1920, they moved to Atlanta and purchased the hotel. They made their home in Atlanta, Kansas the remainder of their lives.

Abraham and Florence Hoefgen had eight children: Claude, Sam, Ruth, Elberta, Earl and Pearle (twins), Leonard and Jennetta. Ruth and Jennetta lived the remainder of their lives in Cowley County. Abraham Hoefgen died in 1922 and Florence Hoefgen died in 1950. They are buried in the Atlanta, Kansas cemetery.

Ruth Hoefgen and Otis Wadsack were married July 1, 1914. They farmed north of the Prairie View Church in Cowley County until purchasing a farm northwest of Wilmot, Kansas in 1926- In 1946, they sold the farm and purchased a farm on Timber Creek, two miles south of Wilmot, Kansas. Here they made their home until March 1968. The farm is now covered by the Winfield City Lake. Otis and Ruth moved to Burden, Kansas where Otis made his home until moving to Winfield, Kansas in 1988. Ruth died in May 1968. She is buried in the Wilmot, Kansas cemetery.

Otis and Ruth Wadsack have two children: Oran and Lorene. They have six grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Jennetta Hoefgen and Glen Groom were married in 1929. Glen was a trucker and farmer. They have lived in Wilmot, Kansas all their lives. Jennetta and Glen have three children: Darlene, Don, and Lois, all live in Cowley County. They have twelve grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Glen died in October 1986 and is buried in the Wilmot, Kansas cemetery.

I married Wayne Duncan in 1945. We make our home in Wichita, Kansas. I taught school in Cowley County, four years in Chanute, Kansas, and twenty-one years in Wichita, Kansas. I retired in 1978. Wayne was born in Cowley County. Our children cire: Michael, Darrell, and Sharon. We have seven grandchildren, Robert, Shelley, Michael, Heather, and Ronald Duncan, Brian and Kevin Jordan.

Lorene Wadsack Duncan
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 196.

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Holroyd & Johnson Families

Nestled among the peaceful hills of southeastern Cowley County in East Cedar Township there is a quiet little community known as Look-Out Valley.

It was in this beautiful area that Mark Ashworth Holroyd and his wife, Laura Ellen (Green) Holroyd, and baby daughter, Pauline Holroyd, came to make their home. This was about 1902. Here they farmed and raised livestock for many years, The spacious house was to be home to the following generations.

Mark was a very frugal man. If he had no money, he did not buy; therefore the homestead was always free from any indebtedness. He was a righteous man, having been reared in a family of five boys and two girls, where the father, Stephen Holroyd, was an early day Baptist minister of the gospel. They had pioneered to Kansas from Illinois in a covered wagon in the fall of 1870. Stephen Holroyd established churches in Hewins and Cedar Vale, in Chautauqua County.

Laura Holroyd was a devout woman who worked hard. Her devotion to her family was typical of the early-day women. But she always found time to help in the neighborhood, whether it was sickness, cooking for threshers, or just plain neighborhood socials.

The little girl, Pauline, attended Centennial School and also Cedar Vale High School, She showed an interest in music at an early age and soon learned to play the piano extremely well. She was also gifted with a beautiful singing voice which she generously shared with others.

It was in her late teens that she met a young man by the name of Henry Ivar Johnson. He had immigrated from Sweden (continued on page 197)

Submitted by Marila C. Hart.
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 196.

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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 197


(continued from page 196) when he was fourteen years old and was farming near junction City. He had come to Look-Out Valley to visit his sister and family, Nannie and N.T. Olsen.

The Olsen's and Henry came to the Holroyd place to get a puppy from a litter that the Holroyd's had. Henry became acquainted with the Holroyd's daughter, and they were married in 1921 at the Holroyd home in Look-Out Valley.

Pauline and Henry lived near Junction City for a short time until the crops were harvested and his lease fulfilled.

Mark and Laura Holroyd were getting along in years and they decided it was time to turn the management of the farm over to their daughter and new son-in-law.

Pauline came back to Cedar Vale on the train and joined her parents at the farm. Henry and an uncle, Alfred Olson, who lived with them, came in wagons with the horses, a milk cow or two, and a few other belongings. They found their way across the country as there were few roads. The trip took about two weeks.

Henry worked hard with old machinery. It wasn't long before he saw the need to buy some dependable equipment if he was to make the farming operation profitable. He bought the first combine in the neighborhood.

The four children born to Henry and Pauline brought much joy and pleasure to the grandparents: although Laura died before the youngest, a grandson, was born. The uncle who lived with them, Alfred Olson, also enjoyed the children.

The four children of Henry and Pauline Johnson are: Marila (Mrs. Zeb Hart), Glorine (Mrs. Harold McGregor), Anna Laura (Mrs. Robert M. Price), and Mark Henry Johnson. Mark became a partner with his father and mother after finishing high school.

Henry and Pauline moved to Cedar Vale in 1967 and Mark and his wife, Mary Evelyn, moved into the old family home. There they reared three daughters and a son, Marla Jean, Marjorie, Maratea, and Jon.

Although most of the descendants moved to other areas, their roots were firmly planted in Look-Out Valley and they continue to come to the home place where memories are dear.

Submitted By Marila C. Hart
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 197.

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Holt

Calvin Carroll Holt was the seventh of twelve children born to John William and Clara Effie Kennedy Holt. He was born February 2, 1902, in Richland Township, and lived his entire life in this area west of Atlanta that is called the Prairie View Community. On February 9, 1927, he married Mabel Esther Lanier, who was born March 4, 1905 and raised a few miles away in Butler County. Calvin and Mabel had seven children: Raymond Francis, born May 1, 1928; Leonard Calvin, born January 21, 1931; Ralph William, born January 21, 1933; Gladys Lucille, born January 6, 1937; Eldon Dale, born March 19, 1939; Glen Wayne, born June 16, 1946; and Nancy Kay, born April 2, 1952. Their family, farm, and community activities were the main interests in their lives. Calvin died October 22, 1976, and Mabel, October 14, 1979. They are both buried in Wilmot Cemetery in Richland Township. Four children, Leonard, Ralph, Glen, and Nancy Finney, still live in Cowley County.

Submitted by Janet Holt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 197.

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Holt & Wayman

Wilbur Holt was the youngest of twelve children born to John William and Clara Effie Holt, on August 23, 1913. The story of his family is elsewhere in this book.

My parents were Thomas Washburn Wayman, born February 15, 1879 and Laura Ellen (Spears) Wayman, born September 26, 1878. They both grew up near Greentop, Missouri and married April 3, 1901. They arrived in Atlanta, Kansas by train, on November 2, 1907. A farm was purchased one mile west and one-half south of Atlanta where they lived the rest of their lives. His parents, William and Sarah Wayman, and a sister, Mary Gordon and two children, came to Kansas at the same time. They built a home one-fourth mile north of my parents. I, Vada (Wayman) Holt, was an only child born March 15, 1918.

After mother's death in 1936, Dad married Viola Venable on February 12, 1941. She was born near Cambridge, December 5, 1890 and grew up in the Prairie View Community in Richland Township. She spent her earlier life taking care of the elderly and new babies and their mothers. In fact, she helped my mother during my first six weeks. The Waymans and Gordons are all buried in the Atlanta Cemetery.

Wilbur and I were married April 21, 1937. Our home is located in the mile between the former Prairie View School (District 128) and the Prairie View United Methodist Church. Our three children started their education in the Prairie View School where their Dad and Grandmother, as well as many other relatives, attended at various times. I attended the Omnia School, two miles west and one mile south of Atlanta. The first three grades my cousin, Rosena (Gordon) Wilson was the teacher. Our transportation was a horse and buggy provided by our parents.

Our oldest daughter, Marilyn, married Warren Hahn. They had three children (one deceased in 1985). They live on a farm east of Atlanta. The only son, William "Bill" married Jo Ann Wallace and they have four children. They live in Nebraska. Their three sons are married and live in three different states in the east. The youngest daughter, Julia "Judy", married Joseph Coachman and they have four children. They lived in Ohio eight years. Now they live in central Kansas. At present, there are two great-grandchildren. We also have two foster sons, who lived with us while attending high school. They were Donald Russell, in California, and Robert Hill, Wichita. Six of us graduated from Atlanta High School and Robert attended that school one year before the school was consolidated into Central High District in 1966 and 1967.

Wilbur has served on various county and school boards. We both taught Sunday School for a number of years, and were 4-H leaders when the children were members.

It has been a joy participating in all the community activities with family and friends the past 53 years.

Submitted By Vada Holt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 197.

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Emil & Minnie Holtje Family

The Holtje family of Cowley County are descendants of Emil and Minnie (Ortmann) Hcltje. Emil Holtle was raised in the Haven community in Reno County, while Minnie was raised in the Cheney community in Sedgwick County. Both families were immigrants of Germany, Emil and Minnie were married December 22, 1925, and made their home in Reno County near Haven, Kansas.

In 1934 they bought and moved to a farm southeast of Udall. They were active in diversified farming. But for many years they specialized in dairying, selling Grade A milk to dairies in Winfield.

Emil remained active until his death in 1987. He had served on the school board of the Green Valley Rural School, which was a one room country school. He was also a board member of the Udall Rural High School for more that twenty years.

Minnie is a homemaker but worked for sometime at the C. R. Calvert Store and the Peerless Bakery in Winfield.

Emil and Minnie were 4-H leaders for the Udall 4-H Club which they both enjoyed very much. Many good friends and exciting experiences were gained from those years.

Emil and Minnie had three daughters. Aileen married Roy Wittenborn June 5, 1955 following the Udall tornado on May 25,1955. It was Afleen's wedding shower which had just ended when the tornado hit- Aileen has taught many years in the Cowley County Schools, she is now teaching first grade at C-4 at Arkansas City. Normajean Holtje has been a teacher in the Cowley County Schools for many years. She taught at Olive School near Udall and was a traveling reading teacher serving many of the rural schools in Cowley County. Normajean is presently a Chapter I Reading Teacher at IXL School at Arkansas City.

LaRue Holtje, the youngest daughter was a Kindergarten teacher in Arkansas City before her death in 1968. LaRue was awarded the OUTSTANDING YOUNG EDUCATOR award by the Arkansas City Jaycees. Normajean and Aileen received the Master Teacher award given by the Arkansas City Teachers Association.

Aileen and Roy have two sons Emil and Mark. Emil is an active farmer on the Hoitje family farm. He has a diversified farm operation with wheat and ratio. as well as cattle and sheep. Mark is married and lives in Oxford, Kansas and is employed by the Kellogg Co-op. Mark and his wife Judy were married in 1985. They have two daughters Kristina and Janetle. Roy and Aileen were leaders in the Evening Star 4-H Club. Roy served on the County Extension Board. Emil and Mark were active in the 4-H program. Roy was a member of the C-4 School Board. Roy worked forty-one years at the Arkansas City Traveler in Arkansas City. He has lived his entire life here at Arkansas City with the exception of three years with the United States Navy serving in the Pacific region. Roy retired from the Traveler in 1988. He now keeps busy with woodworking projects and general repair.

Submitted by Aileen (Holtie) Wittenborn
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 197.

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Curtis & Maggie Holt Family

Curtis Kenneth Holt was born in the Prairie View community west of Atlanta, Kansas on 12-15-1892 to John William and Clara Effie (Kennedy) Holt. He was the second of 12 children, nine boys and three girls. He attended the Prairie View rural school and Salina Business College. He worked with a steam-engine threshing machine for two summers. He began carrying mail in 1917 on Rural Route 1, a 31-mile route out of Atlanta. He was called to military service on 9-18-17, and spent eight months in Camp Funston and a year with the 353rd Infantry in France and Germany. After the World War I Armistice, he was in Germany with the Army of Occupation.

When Curtis returned home, he carried mail on Route 3, a 30 1/2 mile route, with a 1919 Dodge An enclosed mail wagon with a coal heater pulled by a team of white mules was his bad weather conveyance. (continued on page 198)

Submitted by Freda Mae Holt Grade.
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 197.

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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 198


(continued from page 197) On 6-6-20, Curtis was married to Maggie Fay Billiter, also of the Prairie View community. She was the daughter of Edgar Franklin and Emma Josephine (Wood) Billiter who came to the area in 1917 from Milan, Kansas where Maggie was born 2-26-01. Maggie had one brother, Floyd Irl Billiter. She attended the Milan schools. She became a member of the Milan Church of Christ, transferring to the Atlanta Christian Church after her marriage.

Curtis and Maggie were active in many church, community and school activities. Curtis was a member of the Atlanta Christian Church where he served as a deacon and the Church treasurer for many years. Their home was open many times to church ministers and visiting evangelists. They served as sponsors for the young people until their own children were grown. They provided music for many occasions, Curtis with his bass voice and Maggie as a pianist. She served as church pianist until her death 6-3-56.

Curtis was a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, Veterans of World War I, Walnut Valley Barracks, Kickapoo Chapter of Kansas Campers and served as City Clerk for 25 years.

Curtis and Maggie were the parents of three children: Freda Mae and her husband, Max Grade, live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They have one daughter, and three granddaughters. Nelda Lucille and her husband, Don Meyer, live at Rock. They have three daughters, five granddaughters and two grandsons. Keith is married to the former Betty Lewis and they live in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They have one son, one daughter and two granddaughters.

Curtis was married to Beulah R. Pike, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Pike of Arkansas City, 8-22-59. Beulah was a teacher in many Cowley County schools in addition to teaching in the Atlanta Elementary School from which she retired, Curtis retired from carrying mail on Route 2, a 47 mile route, on 12-3-62.

Curtis and Beulah enjoyed nine years of retirement before his death 10-27-21. Beulah continues to make her home in Atlanta. Curtis and Maggie are buried in the Atlanta Cemetery.

Submitted By Freda Mae Holt Grade
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 198.

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J.W. & Effie Holt Family

Eliphaz and Julia Ann Holt and family of eight children moved to Cowley County, Kansas from Indiana in 1874. They lived on a farm four miles west, one mile south and one-half mile west of Atlanta. One of their children was John William (Will) Holt. At the age of twenty-one, he purchased 80 acres in Richland Township from his brother, Emberson, who had moved back to Indiana and married. Will received a handwritten deed for the farm.

In 1876 Alexander B. and Rachael Kennedy, with their ten children, left Illinois for Kansas. They traveled with two covered wagons and one spring wagon. They lived for a short time west of Douglass, then located on a farm where the Prairie View United Methodist Church is located, live miles west and one mile north of Atlanta. One of their daughters, Clara Effie, married Will Holt, October 20, 18B9 in her parent's home.

Will and Effie started housekeeping on the land he purchased four years previously, one mile west of the Kennedy home. Their twelve children, nine boys and three girls, were born at his home. They were: Arletha Velma 1891-1950, married Roy Henderson; Curtis Kenneth 1892-1972 married Maggie Billter, deceased, Beulah Pike; Stella 1895-1895; Rachael Naomi 1896-1940 married Jesse Lanier; Leroy Bryan 1898-1978 married Eunice Daniels; Daniel Everett 1900-, married Lois Johnson, deceased, Esther Haynes Case, divorced, June Wood; Calvin Carroll 1902-1976 married Mabel Lanier; Emberson Hollett 1904-1977 married Pearl Early; William Lester 1905-1933 married Erma James; Elbert Lacel 19081987 married Ula Hall; Aubrey Sheldon 1911 - married Betty Bals; Wilbur Evan 1912- married Vada Wayman.

The Holts had thirty-six grandchildren. There are many descendants scattered over the United States today. At one time, all of the families lived within twenty miles of the home place. When the families were young, several would come home every Sunday for a visit. They also came for Grandpa's and Grandma's birthdays and Christmas.

Will died in 1938 and his wife in 1953. They are buried in the Wilmot Cemetery, where the three daughters and four sons are also buried. David Everett, of Harper, Aubrey and Wilbur of Atlanta are still living.

The home, built in 1891, had had rooms added in 1901 and 1959. The farm has been in the family one hundred-five years. The youngest son purchased the place in 1952. The farm where the Eliphaz Holt family lived is now owned by a great granddaughter and her husband, Marilyn (Holt) and Warren Hahn.

Submitted by Vada Holt, Betty Holt, & Freda Mae Holt Grade
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 198.

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The Honnold Family

I, George Herbert (Herb) Honnold, was born in 1939, the second generation Honnold born in Winfield. I lived in Winfield from birth through graduation from Winfield High School in 1956. I have always considered Winfield home and I plan to return to Winfield in 1990 to start a new career in teaching. This after 29 years in electronics research and development, the most recent 23 years in New Jersey. My two children, Marcy and Burke, were born in NH and live there today as young adults.

I am the seventh generation Hannold in this country, descended from Jacob Honnold who came from Germany around 1780 and settled in Virginia. About 100 years later, my great-grandfather, Benjamin Westley moved from Illinois to Kansas. Around 1885, Benjamin sold his farm outside of Kansas, Illinois to a cousin Isaac. That farm is owned and occupied today by Chester Honnold of my father's generation. After moving to Winfield, Benjamin built several houses. He did leave for a time to participate in the race for the Cherokee Strip in 1893. With him were his son Arthur and his daughter Lena; both stayed in Oklahoma. Benjamin returned to Winfield. A few years later, his son who was my grandfather returned to Winfield from Ohio. George Franklin Honnold returned to the Winfield area in 1895, and in 1901 established the family home at 1215 Loomis. My uncle, Lloyd, had been born in Ohio, but the other six children, including my father, Charles Arthur, were born near or in Winfield.

George first became associated with the Winfield newspapers in 1903. He negotiated on behalf of W.G. Anderson for the Courier's purchase from E.P. Greer in 1924. George became the Courier's business manager. My father, Charles, was born in 1910, and shortly after graduating from Winfield High Schoolinl928joinedtheCourier.Thewomanwhobecamemy mother, Myrtle Verlee Ross, worked in the Courier's business office for George. She had graduated from Winfield High School in 1930 and attended Southwestern College. My uncles, Lloyd Westley and Bernard Edwin, also worked for the Courier. My cousin, Robert Jack, son of Bernard, and I were carriers for the courier. Jack is in the newspaper business in Dodge City. Jack and I both graduated from Winfield High School and from KU.

One of my father's sisters, Marie Vivian Johnson, stayed in Winfield. Her daughter, Jo Ann Scott, now lives in Arkansas City. Jo Ann graduated from Winfield High School and Southwestern College. Jo Ann's late husband, William S. Scott, also a Southwestern graduate has a building named for him at Cowley County Community College.

Benjamin and George are buried in Union Cemetery, Winfield, along with their wives and other family members. Benjamin's service in the Civil War (Company H, 68 Illinois Infantry) is noted at his grave.

My father, Charles, and mother, Myrtle, are buried at Highland Cemetery, Winfield.

Submitted By G. Herbert Honnold
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 198.

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William Charles Houchin

William Charles Houchin, son of William Jesse and Lucille Rose (Strope) Houchin. Born 5 April 1945, Jefferson City, MO (continued on page 199)

Submitted by Bernadette M. Houchin
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 198.

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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 199


(continued from page 198) married 8 July 1966 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Derby, KS to Glenda Jean Cobb, daughter of Glen Oren Cobb and Joyce Cleone (Shields, Cobb) Callaway. Born 4 November 1947 Hutchinson, KS. Only child, William Charles Houchin II, born 28 March 1967.

Both William (1963) and Glenda (1966) graduated from Derby Senior High School, Derby, KS, They have lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona during their first years of marriage. In 1975 moved to Hunnewell, KS. Both were on the Sumner County Sheriff Reserves. William works at Boeing Airplane Plant in Wichita, Ks. He is a member of the 3rd & 4th degree Knights of Columbus. Glenda worked for 5 years at Century Systems Electronics Co., Arkansas City, KS. Then she was a certified nurse aide. In 1894 she became a Licensed Practical Nurse, graduating from the Pioneer Area Vo-Tec in Ponca City, OK. The family moved to Arkansas City in 1985. She is employed at Presbyterian Manor, Arkansas City. She is working on family genealogy. Both belong to the Cowley County Emergency Auxiliary and attend the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

William has a brother, James Paul Houchin and a sister, Deloris Johnson. Grandparents are Thomas Franklin and Mimmie Theresa (Farmer) Houchin. Herman H. and Elizabeth (Kern) Strope. Great-grandparents are Bernard and Catherine (Gerling) Strope. Anton and Anna (Dubbet) Kern.

Glenda has a brother, Johnny Lee Cobb and a sister, Karen Sue Brennan. Grandparents John and Edna May (Gray) Shields. Aaron Bert and Agnes Rose (Johnson) Cobb. Great-grandparents are Peris and Florence (Search) Cobb, (Peris is a descendant of Asa Cobb, Ulster Co., NY Minute Man). Frank Nelson and Myrtie Almeda (Bingham) Gray (Myrtie is a descendant of Thomas Bingham, Sheffield, England and Windham, Conn. He was founder and deacon).

Submitted by Bernadette M. Houchin
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 199.

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William Charles Houchin II

William Charles Houchin II, son of William Charles and Glenda Jean (Cobb) Houchin. Born, 28 March 1967 Wichita, KS. Married, 4 March 1988 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Arkansas City, KS to Bernadette Marie Fry. Daughter of Danny and Rose (Duncan) Fry. Born 23 December 1969 at Winfield, KS.

They have one child, Kayla Darlene Houchin, born 23 January 1989, Arkansas City, KS.

William, graduated from South Haven High School 1985, South Haven, KS. He graduated from Cowley County Community College 1986 with a welding degree.

He enjoys drag racing with a 1948 Angela race car. He is employed at Horton Inc, Wellington, KS.

His grandparents are Glen Oren Cobb and Joyce Cleone (Shields, Cobb) Callaway. William Jesse and Lucile Rose (Strope) Houchin. Great-grandparents are John and Edna May (Gray) Shields. Aaron Bert and Agnes (Johnson) Cobb. Thomas Franklin and Mammie Theresa (Farmer) Houchin. Herman H. and Elizabeth (Kern) Strope.

Bernadette is a Certified Nurse Aide. She enjoys tole painting and horseback riding.

Her grandparents are Norman and Darlene (Emmons) Fry. WiLis and Margie (Bazil) Duncan. Great-grandparents are Bennett and Jennie (Stutevifle) Emmons. Edward and Sarah (Vanpelt) Fry.

Submitted by Bernadette M. Houchin
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page .

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The Houston Family

Charles Elwood Houston was born on 8/15/1885 in Bantam, Ohio. Kate Y. Lemons was born 2/19/90 in Butler, Kentucky, and the two were married 8/11/1906 in Bantam, Ohio. Charles worked for Bell Telephone Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, a job that required him to move his family frequently around Ohio. As a result their children were born in the f allowing locations: Ellen Marie (3/25/1908) in Hamilton, Ohio, Unnamed child (b.5/13/1901, d. 5/13/1909), Charles Elwood, Jr. (11/27/1910) in Bantam, Ohio, and Katherine Lorraine (3/29/1912) in California, Ohio.

In June of 1919, Charles Sr. came to Winfield to accept a job as general manager of the Interurban Railway, a passenger railway that ran between Winfield and Arkansas City. He worked in that position until 1926 when the railway system was closed. At that time, the oil business in Cowley County was booming, which led Charles Sr. to form an oil field trucking company. He continued in the trucking business in the oil field, and elsewhere until 1944, when he and Kate opened one of the early self-service laundries in Cowley County in a converted garage behind their home at 601 E. 11th. They operated the laundry until their retirement in 1955. Charles Sr. died on 6/17/1962 at their home and Kate died at her daughter, Lorraine Bradbury's home, on 3/10/1972.

Ellen Marie was married 4/30/31 to Paul Turner and they had one child, Charlene Roberta (12/29/32). Ellen was divorced and raised Charlene in her parent's home. She worked at the Winfield Laundry and Beech Aircraft during those years. Ellen married George Albert on B/l/60 and they reside in Wichita.

Charlene Turner married James Boyd DeBerry (b. 6/5/31) in Wich?????? XX/8/53. James and Charlene moved a great deal during James' 22 years in the Air Force. Of their three children, Steven James (7/12/54) was born in Colorado Springs, Susanne Marie (11/10/59) in Winfield and Sonja Lynn (1/16/61) in Orlando, Florida. Charlene and Jim now live in Wichita. Steven married Michelle Erdman and now resides in Wichita. Susanne has one child, Jesse Alan (7/12/81). She works for the U.S. Postal Service and resides with Jesse in Wichita. Sonja married Jerry Thompson and they reside in Nobleville, Indiana.

Charles Elwood Jr. met and married Celestine Ruth Botkin (h. 4/10/06) on 6/17/36. They spent their married lives in Winfield and had two children; Jenny Lou (2/17/40) and Elwood Harrison (10/3/44). Elwood worked for a number of years as foreman for an off company and for Boeing Aircraft, but the last 12 years before retirement he worked for The General Electric Co. at Strother Field. Elwood died 8/6/78. Celestine received her college degree in education and spent ten years as an elementary teacher and 15 years as a speech and hearing pathologist for U.S.D, #465. She was married to George Henry Carroll on 3/8/80.

Jenny Lou married Joseph Lee Wright (h. 7/26/?????? XX/19/56 and they had three children; Teresa Celestine (10/1 I/ 57), Tammy Renee (1/23/60), and Jody Elwood (10/10/61). Currently, Jenny works for Boeing Aircraft, Joe for The General Electric Co. at Strother Field, and they reside in Winfield. Jody died on 9/12/86. Teresa married David Branine 4/18/ 82. They have one child, Beau Wayne (9/7/82), and reside in Wichita. Tammy has two children, Nicole Celestine (10/15/78) and Kristopher Dean (6/8/80), and resides in Wichita.

Elwood Harrison "Buzz" married Sheryl Donley of ?????? XX/24/64 and they had three children: April Marie (10/2/67), Chet Harrison (3/26/70), and Kimberly Raye (1/8/72). Buzz divorced but remarried on 6/l/74 to the former Judy Butterworth. Judy had one child, Shari Lynn Spatz. April is married to Barton Patton and lives in Winfield. They have one child, Calon LaWayne (3/8/89). Chet is in the U.S. Marines and Kimberly is a patient at Winfield State Hospital and Training Center. Buzz has worked for the Santa Fe Railway system all of his adult life and Judy works for The General Electric Co. of Strother Field. They reside in Oxford.

Katherine Lorraine married Noble Cleo Bradbury and their family is described in "The Bradbury Family" section of this book.

N. Dean Bradbury
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 199.

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Burt L. and Mary Howe Family

The Howes of Cowley County are descendants of George Edward Howe and Cassie Marie Lucas. Burt was raised in Sumner County, Kansas but was born at Indianola, Iowa on October 2, 1873. He moved to Cowley County in 1903 to north of Cambridge, Kansas.

Mary was born in Butler County, Kansas on August 31. 1882 and moved with her family to Cowley County in 1906 as a young lady. Mary was the daughter of Charles William and Elmina Clark Bonnel.

Burt and Mary were married at Winfield on March 13, 1907 and lived their married life in Cowley County. They were the parents of Everett L. Howe, who is deceased and buried at Cambridge Cemetery; Edward William (Ted) Howe who lives at Lafeyette, Colorado, and C. Marie Howe Hamlin who resides at Winfield.

Burt L. Howe was a farmer an rancher. He made the Cherokee Strip run in 1893. Burt died March 28, 1930. Mary died August 15, 1964 and both are buried at Highland Cemetery at Winfield.

Submitted By C. Marie Howe Hamlin (daughter)
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 199.

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Arthur G. Hoyt, Jr.

Joseph and Frances Furman homesteaded the 90 acres located along K-15 north of Dexter, now owned by Arthur G. Hoyt, Jr.

Several years after death of Joseph Furman, 1889, Frances married T. G. Hoyt (grandfather of Arthur G. Hoyt, Jr.) who for some years had assisted on the farm. The wedding took place 10-25-1897.

T. G. Hoyt who was born in Addison County, Vermont in July 1845, was son of C,G. and Mary (Grinnel) Hoyt.

Arthur G. Hoyt, Sr., who was T. G. Hoyt's son by previous marriage, inherited the farm at his father's death in Sept. 1925. (continued on page 200)

Submitted by Bertha M. Hoyt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 199.

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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 200


(continued from page 199) Arthur G. Hoyt, Sr. had married Sarah Johnson, who taught school at Sunnyside in Cowley County. Originally from Ohio, Sarah was also known as Saidie, and Arthur had one son, Arthur G. Hoyt, Jr.

Arthur Jr. now resides on the farm in a house originally built for the Furman's in 1880.

Hoyt's first wife was Opal May (Southard) from Cambridge, KS. They had three daughters, Wilma Jean Stucky of Wichita, KS, Arthuretta May Courtney of Ponca City, OK, and Esther Catherine Mayer of Chesapeake, VA. Opal May now resides in Arkansas and has remarried.

Hoyt married Bertha Maxine (Love), a widow, on Sept. 13, 1967. She was married to Thomas R. Love who died in April 1966. Her four children are Arnold R. Love of Arkansas City, KS, Bertha Arlene Faber of Arkansas City, KS, H. George Love of Dexter, KS and Diana Jane Blevins of West Columbia, S.C.

The history of the farm and its owners is unique. The first post office and trading post in the Dexter area was located north of Hoyt's home. Cpt. James McDermott, a local attorney, who later moved to Winfield, operated the post office and trading post while he resided in the Dexter area.

One of Hoyt's earliest memories is of a Buick car the family owned. Purchased the year before Hoyt was born, the vehicle is still remembered because of an incident that happened shortly after it was delivered Feb. 21, 1917.

In a family diary from that time, Hoyt's mother Saidie said, "The Buick agent delivers our car, and Arthur ran into the side of the barn and broke the glass in one light and bent a fender."

Hoyt's dad, Arthur Sr., mentioned the delivery in a diary but simply said, "Learned how to run the car forward and back. The agent Mr. Sallee got here about 9:15 am. I think I will road it out tomorrow."

On Feb. 22 Saidie said, "Arthur took me to town in the new car and I took my music lesson. I'll ride in a car. I think Arthur will make a fine driver. I love to ride."

On Feb. 23, 1917, Arthur Sr., said, "It took 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to Arkansas City and it took 71/2 hours to f ix my car."

Like his parents, Arthur Jr. and Maxine raise chickens and other poultry, but, unlike his parents, they no longer farm. Arthur, Jr., age 71, leases out the farm ground.

Submitted by Bertha M. Hoyt
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 200.

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Edward Jonathan (Buckskin Joe) Hoyt

On 4 October 1840, in the shadow of Mt. Orford, near the village of Magog, Lower Canada, (now Province of Quebec), Edward Jonathan (Buckskin Joe) Hoyt was born, He was the son of Samual and Judith (Sampson) Hugins Danforth Hoyt. Buckskin Joe had three brothers; Warren, Albert, Alphonso, and a half-sister, Ellen Sampson.

Buckskin Joe joined the Army in 1861, and served the duration of the Civil War, in his adopted United States.

He married Belle Hutchins in Haverhill, New Hampshire, in 1865. Belle was a former neighbor in Canada. They played the circus off and on until 1870, as an acrobat, tumbler, weight lifter, and high wire walker. Their first daughter, Ella, was born 3/5/1868, and their second daughter, Clara Mabel, was born in 1870, while living with Joe's Uncle Charlie in McDonogh County, Illinois.

Joe and Albert came to Topeka, then to Emporia by train. They arrived in Cowley County in November, 1870 at a trading post called Creswell, now Arkansas City. Buckskin Joe took a claim two miles northwest of Arkansas City, in a Jackoak grove where he could hunt and trap on the Arkansas River. He built his home out of green cottonwood lumber. Of course, when the wood dried out, it left one inch gaps in the walls. He sent for his family in 1871. Joe planted the first hedge, fruit orchard, and planted some of the first corn and wheat in Cowley County. He helped build the first church in Arkansas City, called the Liberty Church, in 1872. In 1874, the grasshopper hordes moved into Cowley County, eating everything green.

In 1877, Joe sold the farm and moved to town, and with partner Frank Spears, bought the Berry Brothers Indian Trading Post. They changed the name to the Athletic Grocery, and built a gymnasium in the back of the store.

Buckskin Joe entertained the people of Arkansas City with his Brass Band. He walked a tight rope across the two tallest buildings in Arkansas City in the summer of 1878.

Joe and Belle's third daughter, Flotina Noonday, wa?????? XX/22/1878. Joe's feet itched for show life, so he sold his interest in the Athletic Grocery to his partner Spears, and joined the Laiscell Family Troupe traveling show. They traveled over six states, always coming home to winter in Arkansas City. He had mastered sixteen instruments.

In 1885, Joe organized a new band called the Buckskin Border Brass Band. He built a new gymnasium in Arkansas City in 1885. The gym was also used for dances and concerts until the spring of 1886, when he sold it. In 1888 Joe joined the Pawnee Bill Wild West show.

Joe's daughter, Ella, married Eddy Blubaugh in 1886. She had two children, Ruby and Vance Joseph. Clara married Billy Parker. In 1889, Eddy Blubaugh was killed on the opening day of the Cherokee Land Rush. Joe adopted Vance and raised him as his own son, Vance Joseph Blubaugh Hoyt.

In 1893, the Government opened more land in the Cherokee Outlet for settlement. Joe obtained land on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River. He spent the next three years attending interests in the Outlet and Arkansas City. He also operated the largest apiary (bee business) in that part of the country.

Buckskin Joe sold all his interests in Kansas and Oklahoma and moved to California in 1909. He died in 19 18. Information for this story was taken from his book, Buckskin Joe.

Submitted by Glenda L. Martin
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 200.

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Hollis Ammi Hoyt

Hollis Ammi Hoyt, the son of Charles T. and Henneritt Hoyt was born in 1845 in New Hampshire. Hollis married Emily Elizabeth Cocks, born 28 Sept. 1855 in Illinois, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann (Jones) Cocks. Hollis and Emily lived in Good Hope, McDonough Co., Illinois. They had four children. Ada Sedell(1877-1972), Otis A. (1879-1945) born in Good Hope, McDonough County, Illinois, Ida May (1887-1945), and Arthur Roy (1899-1973) born in Cowley County, Kansas.

The family came in 1881 on the first Santa Fe train to come to Arkansas City. Hollis hired a freight car to bring the family, their animals, and all their belongings to Arkansas City. The family lived northwest of the city across the road from River- view Cemetery, and by the Santa Fe depot. The family remembers the digging of the canal, old board sidewalks, the building of the first Newman building in 1884, street cars, and visiting Chifioco Indian School. They remember when there were more Indians in Arkansas City than there were white people, and how they begged for food.

The family moved to a farm three miles east of Wilmot. Hollis raised sorghum cane, and had his own sorghum mill. Hollis was first cousin to "Buckskin Joe" Hoyt, a well-known name in Arkansas City. Hollis was in the Cherokee Strip Run, but did not acquire any land.

Hollis died 1 Mar. 1925 and is buried at Wilmot Cemetery. Emily married Otis Merry 28 Sept. 1925 in Caidwell, Kansas and moved back to the Hoyt farm east of Wilmot. Emily died 25 Nov. 1937 and is buried at Wilmot Cemetery. Otis Merry died 27 Jan. 1942 and is buried at Indiana, Oklahoma.

This information came from the 1985 Agriculture Census and the family register of Ada Sedell Hoyt.

Written by Glenda L. Martin, Great-granddaughter
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 200.

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Hudson Family

From Acklan, Yorkshire, England to Hills Green, Ontario to Olathe, Kansas, to Winfield, the path of the Hudson family into this area, the year 1869.

Robert Hudson, Sr. and his wife Sarah had both come to Canada from England. After marrying there and having five sons and four daughters, they became disenchanted with the long and arduous winters. They sold their Canadian farm and headed south, traveling by train as far as Brookfield, Missouri and on to Olathe. There they began to hear stories about the beautiful Walnut Valley. When they met a caravan of covered wagons headed this direction, they joined them, arriving in Winfield a few days before Christmas, 1869. The town was unnamed and consisted of only a few houses, some of them sod. Their campsite was Island Park. The first Christmas celebration took place there with a feast of wild game. There was Bible reading and singing of carols around a roaring campfire.

There were tragedies in that era and life was pretty wild before law and order was established in about 1880. Indians roamed the plains. One of their local headquarters was near Union Cemetery.

As the years passed, two of the sons, George and Will established a jewelry store. They taught their younger brother, Robert, the trade. In 1883 Robert started his business across the street from his brothers. The two stores operated without rivalry. They became known as the east and west side Hudsons. Another brother John, came into the business. After three of the brothers moved to California, Robert Jr. continued alone. When his oldest son, Robert Ellis, returned from the war, he joined his father in the firm. A jewelry store existed continuously at 915 Main until 1980. It remains in Hudson ownership today.

There were many interesting stories of the times, as told by Robert Hudson, Jr. in the December 23, 1950 Courier. (continued on page 201)


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EMAIL Cowley County Coordinator
Karen Rodenbaugh ....Arkansas City, KS
ksr3@cox.net

Email corrections and submissions to Steve.


State Coordinators
Tom & Carolyn Ward, Columbus, KS
ks@rootsquest.com
tcward@columbus-ks.com