Cowley County Heritage Book

Pages

- 146 - 147 - 148 - 149 - 150 -


Cowley County Heritage Book Page 146


(continued from page 145) riding he met an Indian on a pony who asked for and was given the chicken, and an armload of fresh corn. Another brother, Pleasant J. Copple, homesteaded the quarter section north of Enos and later sold Enos forty acres, making the original home place 200 acres.

Enos and Margaret had ten children while living on the farm: Kenascha O., Charles P., William W., Robert Lee, Nellie E., Nicholas R., Olive M., Katherine E., Flora B., and Six E. This sixth boy was reputed to have been named Six due to running out of male names! Many of the children were musical and the three oldest boys played in the 1894 South Vernon Band. One child, Charles, died before the age of three and is buried on the family farm. AD the remaining children married and left the Winfield area with the exception of Robert Lee.

Submitted by Ed Copple
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Robert Lee Copple Family

Robert Lee Copple married Laura Pratt in 1899 and lived around Winfield, farming. They had lived around Eaton, where their children attended the Rose Valley School, and returned to form the original home place around 1915. Robert went blind in the early 1930's andhad to quit farming. Around 1935-36 Robert and Laura bought two acres wesi of the present day Winfield Country Club. After moving there, Robert built a garage and chicken house which is still standing, when he was blind! Robert continued to work in the flower gardens and mow the yard using stakes and wire which he moved to keep him on track. Laura Copple was a member of one of the first extension units, Proto's, out around Kellogg. Robert and Laura had three children: Mary M., who married Sam Vaughn; Lee Henderson, who married Helen Drauden; and Ruth L., who married W. Russell O'Neil. Ruth and Lee both remained in the Winfield area.

Lee Henderson Copple worked as a mechanic for a Mr. Bruce before he got married in 1924, Then Lee worked at the Farmer's Union Co-op as a cream tester and buyer, farmed, worked as an electrician and for the Winfield School District. Lee was working for Guild Electric and then Shelly Electric when Strother Field was built. Lee worked with the Cowley County Fairs, was a school board member for Fairview School for several years, and was a 4-H Community leader when the family moved up by Akron. Fairview School District 106 had been established in the 1870's and the school was located a half mile east of the old Copple house (up hill both ways in the snow). Robert Lee and his brothers and sisters went to school there and Lee and Helen's children did also. Helen was active in the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, the William Newton Hospital Auxiliary, Cowley County Fciir Auxiliary, and Holy Name Sewing Circle. Lee and Helen moved to West Ninth Hill in the fall of 1951. Here they had an apple, peach and cherry tree orchard and extensive flower and vegetable gardens. Lee and Helen Copple had six children: Lee "Bud" Jr., L. Jean, Edward Joseph, Charles M., Patricia E., and Marcella A.

Edward Joseph Copple is the only Copple still living in the Winfield area. In 1960 Edward married Marie Rieth who taught at Holy Name School. Edward Copple has worked as an electrician, Postal Service employee, County appraiser, and presently for the school district. Edward and Marie have been 4-H Community leaders and project leaders, and active members of the Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Alter Society. Edward and Marie have five children: Joseph E., Michael L., Robert C., Kathleen M., and Mary T.

Submitted by Ed Copple
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Signor Sowers Copple

Signor Sowers Copple was born 9-30-1829 in Clark Co., Indiana, the oldest of five children of Signor Isaac "Doc" Copple and Elizabeth Plummer. He was married in 1854 in Shelbyville, Indiana to Martha Matilda Verner, who was born 6-8-1837 in Clark Co., Indiana. Signor and Martha moved to Pleasant Valley Township in Cowley County in 1873 and settled on the farm known as the Kickapoo Corral.

They were acquainted with the Indians in the area and Signor told this story of how Martha taught one Indian woman to make biscuits: Martha was firm in insisting that hands be washed before the biscuits were made. When the Indian woman was ready to make her own biscuits, Martha proudly watched her as she washed her hands, then watched as she used the same water to stir into her biscuits.

Signor died 11-30-1903 at Winfield and is buried in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, northwest of Winfield. Martha died 1-3-1923 at Winfield and is also buried in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. The known children of Signor and Martha are: Elizabeth lane Copple, born 1860 in Shelby Co., Indiana and married Joseph Dewitt; Mary Virginia Copple, born 5-16-1861 in Shelby Co., Indiana, died 2-26-1942 in Huntington Park, California, and is buried in Lynwood Cemetery at Long Beach, California. She was married first to Pearl Thornton and second 12-31-1891 at Winfield to Frank Morton Patterson, who was born 7-21-1860 in Scott Co., Indiana, died 4-7-1938 at Gardena, California, and is buried in Roosevelt Memorial Park at Garden, California. He was the son of Jerome Patterson and Elizabeth Caroline Bennett. Mary was the mother of nine children: Signor S.Thornton, born 9-13-1880 and died 10-16-1928 at Winfield; Pearl H. Thornton, born 3-10-1882 and died 5-16-1885; Pleasant James Thornton, born 9-26-1885 and died 6-221886; Leroy Thornton, born 7-19-1887 and died 2-25-1909 at Winfield; Mary Thornton, born 1-2-1890 and died 3-4-1890; Grace Matilda Patterson, born 11-9-1892 at Winfield, Kansas, and died 7-5-1983 at Long Beach, California; Robert LeRoy Patterson, born 8-5-1894 at Winfield and died 9-23-1973 at Fullerton, California; Dollie Patterson, born 12-4-1896 at Winfield and died 7-8-1981 at Kelseyville, California; Bird Patterson, born 12-3-1898 at Winfield and died 3-3-1985 in California.

Martha Ellen Copple, born 2-18-1863 in Shelby Co., Indiana. She was first married to Edward McKinzie Crabtree and second to Daniel Scott.

Sarah Copple, born in Shelby Co., Indiana and married Henry Obermiller.

Parthena Copple, born around 1870 in Shelby Co., Indiana.

Philena Ann Copple, born around 1872 in Shelby Co., Indiana and married John Hoffman.

Submitted by Connie Becker Lawrence
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Cowley County Crabtrees

Vernie and Irene Crabtree, who celebrated their 50th anniversary on April 19, 1985 have lived all their married life in Winfield. Their family includes a son and daughter-in-law, Donald Lee and Beverly Ann McCaslin Crabtree,- daughter, Mary Jane Crabtree; grandchildren Gary Lee and Judy Ann Mills Crabtree, Jeff Leroy and Paula Jean Crabtree Wallace; great-grandchildren Justin Michael, Mandy Sue, and Brandy Lee Crabtree, Christopher Michael, Derek Leroy, Joshua Paul, and Kaysha Renee Wallace all of Winfield. Irene's parents were Edgar and Myrtle Starlin of Oxford.

Vernie's grandparents Arthur Lewis and Mary Jane Harmon Crabtree came to Cowley County in 1877 from Carmi, Illinois with their two sons Willard Alexander and Luther Eckle. Arthur was farm laborer and Mary Jane a housekeeper in the 1880 census. They had three children born in Cowley Co., George Washington, Mary Frances "Mollie" Kinney and Lula May. Lula died in 1887. She is buried in Union Cemetery in Winfield.

In 1889 Arthur moved his family to Oklahoma during the Oklahoma land run. Arthur died in 1923. Mary Jane died in 1934. They are buried in Ponca City.

In 1906 Willard Crabtree returned to Cowley County and married Carrie Belle Brooks James. Carrie was a widow with a three-year-old daughter, Florence Ella James. Carrie's parents were Enoch Charles and Ella Belle Wade Brooks, who came to Kansas from Illinois in 1884. Ella died in November 1897 at 36. Enoch was a farmer, who hired out with this team for hauling. Enoch died in 1955. Both are buried at Mt. Vernon Cemetery near Winfield.

Carrie and Willard had three sons Delbert Enoch, Herman Arthur, and Vernie Lee. Herman, who died in 1911, is buried in Union Cemetery.

Willard owned a windmill repair service for most of his life. His sons helped in the business until it declined with the coming of rural electric in the late 1930's.

Delbert left the windmill business to become a carpenter. His work can be found in Cowley Co, and other parts of the country. In the 1950's he worked on T.G.&Y. buildings in Texas and Oklahoma. In the 1960's he worked in California including a home for Liberace. He retired and returned to Winfield in 1970. Delbert died December 21, 1981. He is buried in Highland Cemetery, Winfield.

Vernie worked with his father until 1949. Then he went to work for the Cowley County Highway Department. He worked for the county for thirty years. His work required him to do everything from digging ditches to spreading blacktop in the hot summer sun to plowing snowdrifts in zero weather to running cement. His cement work can be found through the county from the Courthouse on Ninth to the county shop on North College to the low-water crossings on Grouse and Otter Creeks to the Silverdale stone at the Assembly of God Church on Seventh and Harter.

Submitted By M.I. Crabtree
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The Craig Family

We are descendants of William H. Craig and Henrietta (Tryon) Conner Craig. William was born in Laurieston, Scotland and immigrated to America with his two sons, Robert and Alexander. His first wife had died. William married Henrietta (Tryon) Conner. She was divorced from William Conner, who was an interpreter for the Osage Indians. She had two children, George and Ella. She and her brothers came from Ohio and settled at Kickapoo Corral. The Craigs then settled on their farm in the Mount Vernon Community northwest of Winfield, Kansas. Henrietta was a descendant of a Lady Mary of England. A distant uncle, William Tryon, was governor of (continued on page 147)

Submitted by Ima Craig
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 147


(continued from page 146) North Carolina during the Revolutionary War and later was governor of New York He built a mansion at New Bern, North Carolina, which was the first capitol of North Carolina. Now the mansion is called Tryon Palace and is a tourist attraction.

Ella Conner died as a child and George in later years lived on the family farm and raised his family there. Robert and Alexander Craig moved to Seattle to live and died out there. They had no children.

William and Henrietta had two sons, William Henry (called Henry) and James. James died as a young man and Henry is our ancestor.

Henry married Cora Bilyeu in 1902. Her family came here hom Kentucky. Henry and Cora then settled on the farm where Charles Craig, Jr. now lives. Henry raised sheep and cattle and named the farm "Bonnie View Stock Farm." He and his sons Bill and Charles ran a custom threshing outfit and did stom hay baling. Deep ruts from the old Wichita trail can still be seen in the pasture.

Henry and Cora had three children: Euphemia, William Jr. (always called Bill) and Charles. Euphemia had no children. Bill married Ruth Abbott, a school teacher and had two daughters, Shirley Pringle and Virginia Hanks. He farmed and worked in the oil fields. Charles married Ima Hall, an employee of The State Bank of Winfield.

I married Charles in 1937. He was always called "Pop," a name he cicquired during Winfield High School days. He atended Pittsburgh State Teachers College. During World War he ran a Civilian Pilot Training Service at the old city airlocated just south of Highland Cemetery. Later he was a instructor with the War Training Service at Wichita, s. He later farmed and worked in the oil fields.

We had two children: Charles, Jr. who married Janet House, nurse, and they have two sons, Kevin and Wesley. Janice married Thaine Morris, an engineer at Conoco at Ponca City, they have two sons, Chad and Shawn.

I still live in the family home where my husband, Charles, was born and where Henry and Cora started their married life. The farm has been in the family since 1902. Charles, Jr. and family built a new home just north of mine. Euphemia died in 1962, Bill died in 1961 and Charles died in 1971. All the family are buried at Mt. Vernon Cemetery northwest of Winfield. They attended Presbyterian Church which was across the road from the cemetery. We are not related to any other Craig families.

Submitted By Ima Craig
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Suzanne Crane Family

Suzanne Leah Larson Crane has found her life, and the lives of her children, influenced greatly by Cowley County history. One of twin daughters of Wayne and Lois Larson, she was born at St. Catherine's Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, November 29, 1953. She was raised, with strong ties to her Swedish-German ancestry, on her parents' livestock and grain farm, seven miles southwest of Oberlin in Decatur County in northwest Kcrnscis. She attended schools in Oberlin.

Following graduation from high school she enrolled at Colby Community College. After a semester, she transferred to St. John's College in Winfield because of her aspirations to attend a Lutheran school and to become a Lutheran Deaconess. After St. John's College graduation in May 1973, she went to Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, for her final two years. In May 1975, she graduated with a major in theology.

In preparation for becoming a Deciconess in the Lutheran Church/Missouri Synod, she completed an internship (19751976) working with a Mexican-American Lutheran Church in Harlingen, Texas and with physically and mentally handicapped residents at Winfield State Hospital and Training Center, under the guidance of Chaplain Paul Krause. Suzanne was consecrated as a Deaconess on November 27, 1976 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Oberlin. As a Deaconess she worked with Hispanic and German Lutherans at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

During her Winfield internship, she met Gregory Alan Crane, son of Hubert and Millie Crane of Derby, Kansas. She and Greg were married January 21, 1978 in St. John's Lutheran Church, Oberlin.

Greg and Suzanne began their married life together in Winfield. Greg is employed as a psychiatric aide at Winfield State Hospital and Training Center. Two children were born to them: a daughter, Eowyn Leigh, on December 12, 1978 at Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield, and a son, Ian Alan, on November 28, 1981 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita.

Employment opportunities which Suzanne took advantage of as home responsibilities allowed were; home child care provider, secretary at Trinity Lutheran Church, secretary of Project INTERCHANGE of Winfield State Hospital and Training Center, English As A Second Language instructor and jobs counselor with JTPA Project, administered through Winfield Chamber of Commerce.

Following divorce, Suzanne began employment cis Director of Winfield Child Care Center 1986-1989. In June, 1989 siie became Executive Program Officer with SER Corporation in Wichita where she administrates an United States Depcirtment of Labor grant which provides emloyment and training for migrant and seasonal farm workers throughout the State of Kansas.

Suzanne enjoys her children, exercise activities, musical and fine cirts events in the area. She was a pioneer and advocate for services to handicapped preschool children and their families in Cowley County during the years when her specialneeds daughter was an infant and toddler. Eowyn is presently a special education student at Pleasant Valley School and a proud Girl Scout. Her brother Ian attends second grade at Trinity Lutheran School, plays soccer, and collects fossils, insects, and reptiles for his home at 1423 East Third in Winfield.

Submitted By Suzanne Larson Crane
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Crowley

The Crowleys of Cowley County are descendants of Solomon Crowley, born 4-22-1840 at Cooksville, Tennessee and died 12-18-1908 at Augusta, Kansas. He married Mary Burgess, born 8-25-1840 at Cookville and died 12-8-1916 at Augusta. They were of Scotch-Irish decent. They had ten children and came to Kansas from Tennessee in 1889 in a covered wagon with part of their family Two older sons were already here. One son (Thomas) died enroute to Kansas. Three of their sons later settled in Cowley County. Mayhew and Winfield (W.S.) near Atlanta and Lafayette (Fate) between Atlanta and Burden. LaFayette married Ada Monroe of Augustci. They had two sons, Byron and Wilbur. Byron married Gladys Bolack and died in 1972. They are all buried at Burden. Wilbur married Mary C. Igou of Liberal, Kansas and they reside on the family farm north of Burden. Mayhew married Josie Markly of Atlanta. They had no children and are buried at Atlanta.

Winfield was born 3-2-1881 at Cooksville, Tennessee and died 4-15-1961. On 10-17-1906 he married Una Mary Cloud, born B-4-1885, at Augustci, Kansas. She died 2-5-1971. They are buried at Burden. They owned a farm near August where their three oldest children were born, Herschel, Mildred and BLford. After moving to Lamont, OK for a time, they moved to Cowley County and bought a farm southeast of Atlanta in 1915. Their fourth child, Velma, was born there They were members of the Atlanta Christian Church. The oldest son, Herschel, graduated from Atlanta, attended Wichita Business College and became a banker in OK until his death in 1974. He married Bertha Laurence of Wichita and had two daughters, Vivian and Virginia. Mildred graduated at Burden, received a teachers certificate from Pittsburg State College and taught school near Atlanta and in Rock. There she married Gilbert Davis of Rock, a dairy farmer. They later moved on Grouse Creek, south of Ccimbridge, then west of Burden where Gftert also worked for Parish Chevrolet.

They moved to Winfield in 1968 where Gilbert worked for General Electric and Otasco. He passed away July 16, 1988. They had 3 daughters; twins, Mrs. Marolyn Lytle, Smith Center, KS, Mrs. Harold (Carolyn) Daniels, Abilene, KS and Mrs. Richard (Kathlyn or Kathy) Lady, Independence, MO.

Grandchildren; Mrs. Lori Arnold and Roger and Randall Lady all of Independence, MO. Rick and Julie Daniels of Abilene, KS, Mrs. Ladonna Weltmer, Smith Center, KS. Also four great-grandsons.

Buford graduated at Burden, married one of the Gregory twins, Devota, of Atlanta. They own a farm east of Atlanta and during his farming days delivered propane for Hittle Service. Later he became a minister, moved to Harper, KS and pastored several churches. They had four children, Dale, Janiece, Rogene and Mike. Dale and Mike still reside in Cowley County. Velma attended the old Baltimore School southeast of Atlanta and graduated at Burden. She married Ernest Parish, son of Samuel William and Mary Carey Parish, who came to Burden from Neosho, MO and operated a grocery store for 26 years of which Ernest and Velma were associated for the first 13 years of their marriage. They sold the store and moved on Grouse Creek south of Cambridge. Later they owned a grocery store in Moline, KS and the Chevrolet Agency in Burden. Their three children are Janet Sue, Gwenda Lee, and WiUiam Scott.

Submitted By Mildred Crowley Davis & Velma Crowley Parish
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Addison LeRoy Crow and Salina Crow

Addison LeRoy Crow, born 12-20-1852, was a school teacher, married ZeUa Rosalia Porter, 12-25-1877. She was born 7-25-1859 and son, Reason, was born 2-20-1879. Both (continued on page 148)

Submitted by Hazel B. Duncan Ward.
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 148


(continued from page 147) mother and son passed away 2-26-1879, and are buried in Union Cemetery, Winfield, Kansas. Salina Messinger, born 1-25-1862, married Addison LeRoy Crow on 6-30-1881 and moved to a farm three miles east of Atlanta where they farmed a good many years. They later sold the farm and moved to the city of Atlanta in 1912. He was the Justice of the Peace for many years and published the Atlanta Journal. Addison also helped in organizing the Atlanta Christian Church. To this union was born three children, Charles Elmer Crow, Shirley Evelyn Crow, and Edna Opal Crow. Addison LeRoy Crow passed away 12-30-1932 and Salina passed away 11-281946. Both are buried in Union Cemetery, Winfield, Kansas.

Submitted by Hazel B. Duncan Ward
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The George Cullisons

George Cullison was born in Harper County, Kansas, and his parents were Bruce and Carrie Cullison. He died in 1971. He grew up in Harper County, graduating from Anthony High School. The depression made college impossible, so further education was correspondence and night school. Immediately following graduation, he began working for the Badger Lumber Company as bookkeeper, and "lumber" became his lifelong interest. I, Frankie Snow, was born in Springfield, Illinois, to James Franklin and Annie Bulpitt Snow. Following my mother's decrth, father brought my brother, Herbert, and me to Anthony, Kansas, where we lived with my aunt Carrie L. Snow and grandmother, Sarah Sherman. Father pursued his carpenter trade there until we moved back to the family farm on which a new house had been built just prior to mother's death. I attended grade school in Illinois in Bulpitt and Kincaid, rode the local coal train to Pawnee High School until Kincaid High School was built. Upon father's death we again came to Kansas to live with Aunt Carrie, where I finished High School and met George Cullison - again. In the business world, I was a secretary/bookkeeper beginning with Williams Oil Company. Following our marriage, we lived in apartments and small houses until our income was down to $6. 00 per week from the $75-00 plus in 1930. So we moved back with Aunt Carrie, for which privilege we paid for all groceries.

George transferred to Badger Lumber Company, Arkansas City, 1934, and we enjoyed the experiences of new activities, new friends and being active in Central Christian Church. In late 1937, George became bookkeeper for Jarvis-Thompson Lumber Company, Winfield. after purchasing the yard in the '60's, we owned it until 1976 when I sold the business to William E. Long, who sold it to son, Rodney. I have a continuing interest in that property and business. George was a charter member of Winfield Kiwanis Club, active in community and church. His main leisure time was spent on golf course with some fishing- Upon returning from three years service in World War 11 in England and Africa, he was interviewed for suggestions for Winfield's growth and improvement. Two of these ideas were completed, the Country Club and Estates, and Geo. M. CuUison, England, 1943 the city lake. The Club House dedicated in May before his death.

I have been active in Girl Scouting, having organized the first Brownie Troop in Winfield, due to previous Girl Scout experience in Ark City. Other activities have been in Christian Education, locally and statewidel- a member of Rossetti Circle for almost 50 years, and other community functions. In 1985 I received my 50-year Girl Scout pin and award, having held numerous positions in Four Winds Girl Scout Council. Being a member of the Cowley County Historical Society, I have been actively interested in the Museum. My employment locally has been as secretary to First Christian Church, Franks Insurance, Gott Mfg. Co. and Higginbottom Insurance.

Submitted by Frankie S. Cullison
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The Cullumbers, Cowley County Teachers

During the decades of the 1920's through the 1950's, the name "Cullumber" was often mentioned in the annals of the Cowley County rural schools. William H. Cullumber and his wife, Ruby L. Franklin Cullumber, were early residents in the Windsor school district east of Cambridge. They had six children; two boys and four girls. Mintie, the eldest girl, after completing her elementary school education at Windsor School, came to Winfield to attend high school. There she majored in teachers training or Normal Training as it was called then. She received her teaching certificate and began teaching in 1917 at her home school, Windsor. Her father was on the school board, her younger sister, Blanche, was in the Bth grade and her younger brother, James, was in the 3rd grade. Eventually she was to teach in seven different communities, plus a second time at Windsor, where she had first started her career a generation earlier, teaching children of students she had taught before.

In 1921, her sisters, Hannella (Nell) and Mabel, began their teaching in the county and in 1923, Blanche began teachingfour Cullumber sisters now teaching in Cowley County.

Mabel taught at Banner and Windsor, the home school, for a total of six years. She then married and moved to Labette County.

Among Nell's schools were Baltimore, west of Atlanta and Willow Branch, near Dexter. At this school she "boarded" with the Dee Branson family, riding horseback to school on an aged horse named "Sawdust." Reminiscing, Nell tells of the day, with school in session, when the door suddenly burst open and a sheriff's deputy stood there holding a gun on a woman. The deputy ordered her to send the oldest boy with the fastest horse to summon the sheriff and three car loads of armed men, Holding the woman at gun point, with the startled students glued to their seats, he then instructed her to search the woman for weapons. The bank at Rock had been robbed, the woman was apprehended and her accomplice was also captured later after a wild chase on foot into the hills.

The Cullumber girls acquired their higher education through summer school work, extension and correspondence at Southwestern College and Pittsburg State Teachers College. Blanche received a Masters Degree from George Peabody College for Teachers (Vanderbuilt), Nashville, Tenn. Blanche taught at Martha Washington, north of Arkansas City, for 16 years and in the Winfield city schools at Irving and Stevenson for 16 years. She left Kansas to teach her last ten years in Arizona. She retired in 1969.

Mintie retired from teaching in 1958 from R-9, Pleasant Valley, a two-room graded school. Nell retired from Rock, (i two-room graded school in 1959.

The four Cullumber sisters contributed a Combined 120 years of teaching in Cowley County schools. They were dedicated and hard-working teachers who made teaching their life-long interest. They sincerely believed that children liked to study and learn and that children are happiest in their school life when they know they are achieving. They stressed the basics in education, but did not neglect the other phases as well, such as social, sports and cultural activities.

Their success in teaching might by illustrated by the remark of Carrie Carlyle, the County Superintendent at the time; she said, "If a student were in Mintie Cullumber's class, he would learn whether he were capable or not."

Submitted by Betty Sherrard
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William Franklin & Mildred P. (Sheets) Cullumber

William F., son of William Henry and Ruby (Franklin) Cullumber, born 1894 on farm east of Cambridge, Ks., which his father homesteaded in 1882, married Mildred Sheets, daughter of Guy U. and Abbie Sheets, 1918, at Winfield, Ks. They lived around Cambridge all of their married life. He was a farmer and later a fence builder, they had four children: Maurice G., Cleo W., Geraldine (Gerry), and Berkley G. They all got twelve years of schooling in Cambridge. He died 1963, she died 1969, both are buried in Cambridge cemetery. Maurice and Berkley played baseball on the Cambridge teams, an three of the boys worked for the Cities Service Gas Co. north of Cambridge. Cleo was working there when they shut it down in 1958.

Maurice Guy Cullumber, son of William F, and Mildred Cutlumber, born 1919 at Cambridge, Ks., died 1989 at Ottawa, Ks., buried Osawatomie, Ks., married 1943 at Winfield, Ks., Audine L. Miller daughter of George and Veva Miller of Cambridge, Ks. Had two children, Billy G. born 1948, Vickie Sue born 1951, both at Winfield, Ks.

Cleo Wilfred Cuflumber, son of William F. and Mildred Cullumber, born 1920, Cambridge, Ks. married 1943 at Winfield, to Faye Brashear daughter of Otto and Bessie Brashear of Winfield, had daughter Patsy A. born 1947 Winfield, Ks.

Geraldine Roselle, daughter of William F, and Mildred Cutlumber, born 1923, Cambridge, Ks., married 1943 at Champaign, II., Wilson William Hahn, so ' n of Mr. and Mrs. Harve Hahn of Winfield, Ks. Children: Sharon Kay born 1944, Roger K. born 1952, Bradley L. born 1954 all at Winfield, Ks.

Berkley Gene Cullumber, son of William F. and Mildred Cut-lumber, born 1928 Cambridge, Ks., died 1982 Greensburg, Ks., married 1950 at Winfield, Jacqueline (Jackie) Mann daughter of Gerald and Gladys Mann of Grenola, Ks. Children: (continued on page 149)

Submitted by Mrs. Cleo Cullumber.
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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 149


(continued from page 148) Van A. born 1951, Krin A. born 1954 Winfield, Ks. Kirk G. born 1957 Greensburg, Ks.

Guy Ulysses Sheets, son of Benjamin C. and Elma Sheets, was born in Neosho Co. Ks., 1879, came to Cowley Co., Ks. with his parents at the age of four years where he married Abi0 (Abbie) Mahar at Oswego, Ks., 190 1. They spent most of their life around Cambridge, Ks, He worked for the Katy R.R. for a while but farmed most of the time, died 19 6 1. She was 1881, Labette Co., Ks., died 1970 at Winfield, Ks. Both are buried in Cambridge cemetery. Had a daughter Mildred P. clipping taken from Winfield, Ks. Daily Courier, June 28, 1963 says Mrs. Abbie Sheets of Cambridge still uses the dug well and bucket to secure drinking water at her home. The well over fifty years old, Mrs. Sheets says, and has been in good ndition all those years. A cistern with hand pump provides r for other household uses. Mrs. Sheets, eighty-two, a ive Kansas, loves her old well and is just not concerned modernizing her house. (J. Keith photo) Shortly after the le came out someone stole the pulley off of her well. They re the grandparents of Maurice, Cleo, Gerry, and Berkley Cullumber.

Submitted By Mrs. Cleo Cullumber
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George & Annie Daggett Family

My grandfather, George Bradford Manchester Daggett, a had often, entered Cowley County in 1870 via train and wagon with his parents, William 4th and Harriet Merry Daggett. The family included three sisters, Ida, Rebecca, Emma and two brothers, William H. and Charles A. and his grandfather Witham 3rd Daggett. They came from Henry County, Illinois where they had farmed eighteen years following two years spent searching for gold in California by Capt. William 3rd and NiHiam 4th. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusettes had been home for the first nine generations of the family. Immigrant John Daggett arrived in America in 1630 from England and participated in the settlement of Watertown on the Charles River, Later as a grantee in the settling of Martha's Vineyard he became the owner of a 500 acre farm. Many of his descendants were involved in the whaling trade as was Captain Wflham 3rd. Decline of the whaling industry in the mid- 19th Century resulted in the California gold adventure.

The homestead in the county was within the north boundary of Silver Creek Township. Harriet died in 1871 during a diptheria epidemic and the death of William 3rd followed in 1872. William 4th remarried and was a merchant in California for several years prior to returning to Kansas where he died in 1901. Burial of the three is in the Wilmot Cemetery.

Except for George B.M. and Rebecca the other family members married and removed from the state. Rebecca married Littleton James Sphar whose farmland was just east of the Daggett farm. George B.M. married Annie Fell, daughter of John W. Fell and Susan Jarman. A farm of 120 acres was purchased on Timber Creek and was the family home for 44 years until George's death in 1935. The Winfield City Lake property now includes the farm, Annie died in 1947 and was buried in the W@mot family plot. Offspring of George and Annie were George F., Nola, Ralph and Violet, all of whom are now deceased.

George F. married Maud White and had one son, Loren. Nola married Everett Reeves and children of this union were Ralph, Alma, Floyd and Wilma. Both families farmed many years in the Atlanta community with the youth graduating from Atlanta High School. Violet was employed in Wilmot and Winfield before moving to Oklahoma City where she married Russell McClelland.

Ralph, my father, married Opal Jones and they had two sons, Lawrence and myself. They had farmed in the New Salem community before moving to Winfield in 1930. Dad was employed by Winfield Wholesale Grocery and later by Winfield Public Schools. Mother died in 1984 and Dad in 1986, he being 90 years of age. After his high school graduation, Lawrence, my brother, married Helen Hagan and removed to Oregon. Following service with the Navy during World War II they returned to Winfield where Lawrence began a career with Southwestern Bell. Their children, Larry and LaNita, received high school diplomas from Winfield and Arkansas City respectively before leaving to attend Kansas State and Kansas University. Lawrence accepted company transfers to Arkansas City and later to Independence where he is now retired.

After high school I began what proved to be a 41-year career with the Winfield Post Office serving the final six years as Postmaster. I married Geraldine Green in 194 1. We had four children, Ronald, Brent, Janel, and Carol. Following high school graduation all four attended Kansas University and are presently pursuing careers in New Jersey, California and New York. Now 120 years since the Daggett Family settled in Cowley County, the only descendant bearing the name Daggett in the county is myself.

Submitted By Merle Leon Daggett
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 149.

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Darr-Dyer Family of Cowley County

I was born in Cowley County, near Burden, to John Calvin Dyer and Minnie Luefla Darr Dyer. My grandfather, Charles Darr, homesteaded 160 acres just west of Burden on the north side of the road in 1873. He lived on the land in a sod house for several years, until he could build a house for his family. When it was ready, he went back to his home in Indiana and brought his wife, Margaret McKiegg Dcirr; his daughter, Minnie; and his son, Everett, to the Kansas homestead in 1882.

The Dyer family came to Kansas from Tennessee, probably about 1880. My grandfather, Zachariah Taylor Dyer, fought in the Civil War. He was a Southerner who fought for the north. Oral family history suggests that following the war he did not feel welcome in Tennessee. He brought his wife, Victoria Tate Dyer, and family to Cowley County and settled on a farm just west of Burden on the south side of the road. Their children were Nelson Dyer, John Calvin Dyer, Lou Dyer Goforth, Eva Dyer Davis, Ollie Dyer Nimrod, Lizzie Dyer Wingert and Maude Dyer Wingert.

My parents were married November 4, 1895. They lived in Burden most of their lives and raised their family there. Their children were Earl Dyer, Hazel Dyer (Mrs. Roy) Glass, Ermal Dyer (Mrs. Orvin) Bolack, and myself Treva Dyer Skinner.

I married Harold (Jack) Skinner in 1935. We have three children, Sharon Skinner Shetlar of Winfield, Robert (Skip) Skinner of Salina, and Jack Skinner of Burden.

Everett Darr married HaHie Triplett of Burden, but they had no children. Earl Dyer was married to Carol Osborn and their only child is Ruth (Mrs. Gene) LitteU of Burden. The Darr and the Dyer names have ended in this line of the family. But their spirits of the people who carried those names lives on in the hearts and minds of people called by other names today.

Submitted by Treva Skinner
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 149.

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Oliver Perry Darst & William James Darst Families

O.P. and Sue Jane Clark were married near Eureka, Illinois. With two sons, Charles (died at 14 years) and William James, they homesteaded near Dexter, KS in 1870. Other children were Walter (most of his descendants are in Oklahoma); Bertha (Switser) and Bert, twins; Arthur (some of his descendants are in the Arkansas City area); and Robert (Oregon - no descendants).

W.J. was two years old when he came to Kansas with his parents, October, 1870. They homesteaded an acreage threequarters mile west of Dexter, plus some more, is still in the hands of his descendants.

W.J.'s first wife and son were killed in the Warrensburg, Missouri, train wreck in 1890, In 1893 he was one of the area men who made the Cherokee Strip Run. In 1910, he married Vera Sandstrum (See Swan Sandstrum family, also of Cowley County). I am the only child of the above union. I married Dwain E. Wood, August 15, 1948, at Dexter. Our first son,(continued on page 150)

Submitted by Wilma Jean Darst Wood.
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 149.

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Cowley County Heritage Book Page 150


(continued from page 149) David W., was born in Cowley County. Then we moved to Sandwich, Illinois where Michael Dwain and Susan Darst were born.

WJ. died November, 1958; Vera in August, 1967. They are buried in the Dexter Cemetery.

We returned to Cowley County and the Darst Ranch in November, 1979 alter being away tar thirty years.

I live on the original homestead, across Grouse Creek tram the home dwellings. "Will" and Vera would have been very proud of their grandchildren. Vera lived to see David enter Kansas State at Manhattan. After a B.S. in Math, David got a MBA at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He was in the Air Force ROTC for 41/2 years. He's now in Aus tin, Texas with 3M. He is also a CPA and a H&R Block representative.

Mike married Susan Humpert in Abilene, KS. His first job, after B S. in Math at K-State, was in New Jersey with AT&T. While in New Jersey, he got his Masters and PhD in E.E. tram Princeton. They next lived in Los Angeles and San Diego, working for TRW. Their three children: Mollie, Shelley, and Spencer were born in California. They are now in Herndon, VA working tar TASC.

Susan Darst (Wood) Walker has an Accounting degree from Memphis State University. She is an accountant for Boeing, Wichita and lives on an acreage near Valley Center, KS. She is also a CPA

Besides Dexter and Sandwich, Ill., the family lived in Abi lene, KS and Brownsville, Tennessee during the thirty years we were away tram Dexter.

Submitted by Wilma Jean Darst Wood
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 150.

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Walter & Iris David Family

Walter E. David and Iris M. (Rahn) David both have farming roots in Cowley County.

Walter is the son of Roy and Edna David, and was born and grew up near Floral. He served in the Air Force during World War II.

Iris is the daughter of George and Lucy Hahn, and was born and grew up near Cameron, on Grouse Creek, east of Arkansas City.

Walter (Walt) and Iris were both active in 4-H Club work, and both attended Kansas State University. Iris worked for a short time as an Extension Home Economist.

They were married at the Central Christian Church in Arkansas City, and made their first home north of Winfield. In 1951 they moved to their present home, a farm southwest of Dexter, where they raised their three daughters, Jody M., Ruth A. and Karen K. They all attended the Central Christian Church.

Walt and Iris were active in County Extension work with both serving on the executive board as well as being community and project leaders of the Dexter 4-H Club for many years.

In addition to farming and ranching, Walt also served on the board of directors for Cowley County Community College, Soil Conservation Service, Caney Valley Electric Coop, and several other farm oriented organizations. He also worked at Rodeo Meats at Arkansas City for five years. Semi-retiring from farming, he was employed as Cowley County appraiser for four years before being hired by the State of Kansas as a district appraiser in 1988.

Iris is a horse enthusiast and also raises a large garden and grows many flowers. She and the girls helped with the farming chores, milking cows, driving tractors and operating other machinery. In 1967, Iris began working at The Traveler newspaper in Arkansas City where she is best known as farm editor and author of her weekly column, "Pitchforks and Scoopshovels."

All three daughters graduated from the Dexter High School and Cowley County Community College. They were members of the Dexter 4-H Club.

Jody received a degree in secondary education with major emphasis in Physical Education and Business from Emporia State University. Ruth received an Electrical Engineering degree at Wichita State University, then went on to get her Masters degree and Ph.D. at Stanford University in California.

Jody and her husband, Terry Beaver, live near Towanda, with their daughter, Amanda R. Both work in Wichita where Jody is merchandise systems manager at Rent-A-Center, Inc., and Terry is manager of operations development at Pizza Hut, Inc.

Ruth and her husband, Stan Dams, live in Albuquerque and both are employed at Sandia Laboratories. Ruth is a Division manager and Stan is a Department manager.

Karen and her husband, Mike Ferguson, live near Walt and Iris at Dexter with their children, Kasey L. and Kari A. Crow. Karen and Mike are both employed by the Postal Service. Kasey and Kari are both 4-H Club members.

Submitted by Iris David
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 150.

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E.P. Davis

E.P. Davis descendants from Robert Davies 1807 Montgomery County, Wales, to E.P. Davis, Cowley County, 1990.

Robert came to America in 1828 married and had eight children. Second being Newton G. Davis, Aug. 1844. No record of Robert's wife or her death. Newton married Louisa M. Gardner in 1866, in Delaware, Ohio. They moved to Winfield in a covered wagon in late 70s or early 80s. They located on the north bank of the Walnut River, under where the bridge is now. Newton was a truck gardener selling to local grocery stores.

Newton and Louisa had eight children, one of whom was Chas. Edwin Davis in 1885. Louisa died in 1907, Newton in 1924.

Ed attended Lowell School and much later spent five years with circus' posting bills in the summer. In winter he worked with his brother in K.C. MO as a stage hand in theaters.

Returning to Winfield, he learned the watch-making trade from Lirten Mogle at 903 Main. Ed then went to school where he earned his degree and became a registered optician. He also was stage manager of the Grand Opera House on N.E. corner of 11th and Main.

Ed married Edith Martin, Sept. 21, 1905. Edith's parents were Joseph and Mary Martin of 803 E. 5th. Ed was then working at Robert Hudson Jewelry. In 1909 Ed and Edith bought the property at 1705 Main.

Edith loved to work outdoors and after childbirth she was in and out of the Pilcher Hospital, on the South West corner of 10th & Manning. During this time her sister, Blanche Walch took care of Paul.

Her love of gardening stood her in good stead as Doctors pre scribed this for her. Edith raised vegetables, plants in hot beds, for spring sales to gardeners. In 1916 they put up their first greenhouse. By in the 20's they had three. At this time raising tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers for local grocers in the winter. Ed had quit the jewelry store by then to help Edith with the greenhouses. A competitor, lake and Nora Schmidt, of Schmidt Floral and Greenhouse, 301 Andrews, showed and coached them in raising flowers. Ed and Edith started raising pansies. That business grew until they were known as the largest growers of pansies west of the Mississippi, having shipped by rail or parcel post to all states and D.C. from border to border and coast to coast. One Oct. saw over one ton of them shipped out.

Paul met a girl in nurses training at St. Mary's hospital. Alter her graduation in May 1934, they were married in July 34. They had three children, Robert Paul 1937, James Edwin 1939 and Catherine Louise 1949.

Catherine and Paul Davis improved and carried on the Floral Business until they retired in 1978 and sold out to Donna and Paul Homan. The shop in now known as Donna's Designs.

Submitted by Paul Davis
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 150.

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The "Jackie" Davis Story

My parents are Oliver Rogers and Sarah Spurlock. They moved to Sallisaw, Indian Territory, about 1895, from Arkansas. Father was a trader and died in 1912 in Kentucky while delivering mules. Mother was born in 1863 and died of influenza in 1914 at Sallisaw.

My brother, James Walker Rogers, was born in 1892 in Arkansas. He served in the Army during the First World War and was injured by German Mustard Gas. He never married and died in 1928 in Sulphur, Oklahoma.

My name is Lillian Bryan (Jackie) Rogers and I was born in 1900 in the Indian Territory, Sequoia County. Indian Territory became the State of Oklahoma in 1907. In 1909 the Indians began schools in Sequoia County. School was taught in a log cabin and the seats were split logs resting on the floor. Chief Sequoia taught in this school and illustrated his teachings with large drawings which he made while he taught.

My mother died in 1914 so I had to leave school in order to support myself. In 1919, 1 met George W. (Joe) Davis, who was a World War One veteran. We married January 19, 1920, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. We moved to Tulsa County where Joe went to work in the oil patch as a gauger. We had two children, George L. Davis (born in 192 1) and Calvin D. Davis (born in 1922). Joe died in an oil field accident in 1924.

Joe had to make a trip to Oxford, Kansas, on business and I came along with him. We came through Arkansas City and I fell in love with the town. It had four railroads and lovely Opera House.

Joe died in 1924 leaving me with George and Calvin, both less than four years old. In 1926 I decided to move to Arkansas City and raise my family. In 1927 my boys started school here and both have graduated from college.

I held a lot of jobs including marcelling hair, being one of the first elevator operators at the Fifth Avenue Office Building and becoming a practical nurse. During the Second World War, I worked in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

George L. Davis (born in 1921) served in the United States Air Force as a radio operator and tail gunner. In 1945 he married Nadine Parish in Cartridge, Texas. They have two children, Dr. George Randall Davis (born in 1946 in Arkansas City) and Barbara Davis (born in 1948 in Arkansas City). Barbara is a surgical nurse in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1989 she married Thomas Brown.

Calvin D. (Kelly) Davis developed infantile paralysis at the age of 18 months, which continues giving him trouble walking. He met and married Elizabeth Patterson, who is the daughter of an American diplomat. She was born in Ireland. They have two children, both born in Hollywood, California; James C. Davis, born in 1962, and Susannie Davis, born in 1965.

Submitted by Jackie Davis
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page 150.

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The Kenneth L. and Gladys Day Family

The Days of Cowley County are descendants of James Day, who came from England to America, by boat in the late 1700s. He fought in the war of 1812, married in Mississippi and had seven children. He packed family and belongings in a covered wagon and headed northwest. While traveling through Washington County Indiana, both parents got cholera and died the same week. One of the orphans was John Wesley Day, the father of four Day brothers, who came to Cowley County in 1877. They were George, Jacob, William, and James Samuel (continued on page 151)

Submitted by Gwen Day Fox
Scanned out of the Cowley County Heritage book, Page .

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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