Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1010 - 1013 

D. L. GREEN, capitalist, and dealer in real estate, with office at No. 105 Douglas avenue, is one of the foremost business men of Wichita. He is of English descent and a native of Rushville, Rush Co., Ind., where he was born June 15, 1829. His parents were John and Mary (Cruzan) Green, natives of Ohio. His father was extensively engaged in farming in his native State until 1825, when he removed to Indiana with his family, and became a pioneer settler of Rush County. In 1843 he removed to Marshall County, in the same State, where he remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in September, 1862. He was a man of upright character, high social standing, and much esteemed in the community. In politics he was a strong Democrat. His excellent wife, who survived him, passed away two years later, her death occurring in 1864. They were both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. To them were born a family of twelve children, seven of whom are now living: D. L.; Susan, now Mrs. Thayer; Julia, Mrs. Compton; Emma, Mrs. Dr. Burkett; Joshua W.; Elizabeth, Mrs. Wood; Alice, Mrs. Judge Sluss.

             D. L. Green, of whom we give a brief biographical notice, attended the public schools of his boyhood home, and from the time he was seventeen years old until he was twenty-one taught school during the winter terms. In 1850, October 31, Mr. Green was married to Miss Rebecca Parker, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Joel and Susan (Martin) Parker. After marriage our subject engaged in farming and stock-raising in his native State, and met with good success. In 1864, thinking Kansas better suited for his business than Indiana, he removed with his family to Miami County and located in Paola temporarily. In 1869, while in Indiana, he suffered a great loss in sheep, which crippled him financially. From that time until 1870 he was engaged in the hotel business, but not being particularly pleased with that occupation, or its results, he came to Wichita, and pre-empted 160 acres of Government land four miles east of the city, in Minneha Township. Mr. Green built a house 16x16 feet, two stories in height, and commenced improving his land, it being the first section of land broken in the county. He surrounded his tract of land with hedges and crossed it with hedge fences, and continued to live there for thirteen years. Meanwhile he added 320 acres to his original purchase, and had one of the finest and most productive farms in the county. Besides handling stock, he raised a great deal of wheat and corn, his usual crop of wheat being the produce of 160 acres. 

            In March, 1872, Death invaded the household of our subject, taking away the devoted wife and tender mother. She left four children, namely: William F. married Miss Lura Raumbach, and is engaged in the real-estate business in Wichita; Leonidas B. married Miss Sadie Collins; John F. married Mary Langden; George T. For his second wife our subject married Mrs. J. A. Parkerson, a native of Indiana, and daughter of S. P. Howard, of Rensselaer, that State. By this union two children have been born-Stella M. and Clarence H. That they might receive the advantages of Wichita's superior educational system, Mr. Green with his family moved into the city in September, 1883, taking possession of the residence he had previously bought on Topeka avenue. Mr. Green continued handling grain raised on his farm, and purchased stock through the county. The following year he entered the real-estate business; soon after he sold his farm and erected the fine brick block on the corner of Water street and Douglas avenue, which is 50x110 feet and three stories in height. Since then our subject has built many private dwellings and now owns five tenement houses, the aggregate cost of the buildings being many thousands of dollars.

             Mr. Green is a man of great financial ability, sound judgment, courteous manners, and one whose general worth impresses those with whom he comes in contact very strongly. He and his family now live in a fine residence in Riverside Addition, on Coolidge avenue, and their home, a model of comfort and good taste, is an attractive place for the large circle of friends whose esteem and respect they have won. In politics Mr. Green is a strong Democrat, and a warm supporter of the principles of that party. 

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