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WILLIAM H. CLEVELAND,
one of the early pioneers of Oklahoma, and the present postmaster
of Mountain View, was born in Lake county, Illinois, August
24, 1853, and is a son of John M. and Mary (Tyler) Cleveland,
both members of families who have attained national fame in
the United States. On the paternal side he is descended from
three brothers who emigrated to this country from England
and settled in the New England states. From these three brothers
descends the Cleveland family in America. On the maternal
side Mr. Cleveland is a distant relative of John Tyler
ex-president of the United States, and of Governor Bradford.
John M. and Mary (Tyler) Cleveland were born, reared
and married near Kinderhook, New York, and there began the
earnest struggle of life. Later moving to Penn Yan in Western
New York he bought and conducted a farm there until he sold
and went to Waukegan, Illinois, again buying and conducting
a farm. He remained there until his death in 1887. He was
both a Whig and Republican in his political affiliations,
and was a great peacemaker in the settlements in which he
lived, being often chosen as an arbitrator to settle the difficulties
of his neighbors, always giving of his labor freely to save
friendship. His wife survived him for ten years and died at
the old homestead in Illinois in 1897. In their family were
eleven children, namely: M. H., a Kansas farmer; George
T., farming in Illinois; James E., also a Kansas
farmer; Charles, one of the early business men of Oklahoma,
and now an Indian trader at Anadarko; E. T., a farmer
in Illinois; Maria L., wife of T. Dyte; Mary
J., who has never married; Cornelia, who married
a Mr. Druce and is now deceased; William H.,
the subject of this review; C. M., an agriculturist;
and Edith, also unmarried.
William H. Cleveland was reared
to farm life, and received a good education in the common
and high schools, remaining under the parental roof until
his twentieth year. Deciding then to try the realities of
life on his own responsibility, he drifted to different places
prospecting, and in September, 1875, reached Wichita, Kansas,
then the railroad terminus, from whence he went by stage to
Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, then in charge of Colonel S. McKinsey,
and became a clerk for J. S. Evans, a post and Indian
trader of note and influence in those days. He also served
as assistant postmaster two years at Ft. Sill, later serving
in the same capacity at Fort Reno for four years, remaining
with Mr. Evans six years in an, and in that time became thoroughly
familiar with the Indians and their customs and could speak
the language of four of their tribes, the Comanches, Kiowas,
Wichitas and Caddos. In 1882 he formed a partnership with
his brother, Charles. A. Cleveland, and opened a trading
store at Anadarko, but during Cleveland's presidential administration
their license to trade with the Indians was taken from them,
and they accordingly went to Greer county, Texas, where they
could trade without a license, continuing in the business
there for four years. They then returned to the old stand
at Anadarko and resumed business as before, continuing successfully
until the partnership was dissolved in 1896, the brother continuing
the business
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and in 1898 he was elected to the territorial
legislature, the issue being the equalizing of taxes. He proved
to be the right man for the place, and acquitted himself creditably
and satisfactorily in the interests of the people.
When the partnership was dissolved William
H. Cleveland opened a store at the old town of Mountain
View, but during the disastrous fire of 1901 his store and
contents were destroyed, and he then turned his attention
to real estate operations and prospecting for oil. On the
28th of June, 1906, he was appointed the postmaster of Mountain
View, succeeding H. C. Huber. The office was established
in 1898 with C. Benou as the first postmaster, and
in 1902 it became a third class office, during the administration
of Mr. Huber. The office now maintains one star route and
rural free deliveries, and is creditably and efficiently managed
by its present postmaster. Mr. Cleveland also takes a prominent
and active part in the fraternal life of Mountain View. He
was made a Mason at Lawrence, Kansas, attaining the Royal
Arch degree, and after coming to this city he assisted in
organizing the lodge here. He is also a member of its auxiliary,
the Eastern Star, and of the Woodmen of the World.
He has been twice married, first at Whiting,
Kansas, in January, 1879, to Miss Etta Hutchins, who
was born in that state, a daughter of Dr. Roland Hutchins,
a prominent physician and surgeon of Wabash, Indiana, and
a member of the Quaker faith. Both he and his wife died in
Kansas. The Hutchins children are: Steven, an Indian
trader at Anadarko; Naomi, Mrs. J. Renny; and Etta,
who became Mrs. Cleveland. To Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland were
born six children, namely: Vivian, the wife of Richard
Mieth, a civil engineer and superintendent of the construction
of iron bridges in Kansas; E. R., with the Polar Hohsah
Grocery Company in Lawrence, Kansas; W. W., also of
Lawrence; Nancy, Nellie M. and Eva, who are yet in
school. Mrs. Cleveland, also a member of the Friends, died
on the 27th of March, 1904, and on the 26th of October, 1907,
at Mountain View, Mr. Cleveland married Miss Ida Lane,
who was born in Iowa, but was reared and educated in Kansas,
a daughter of Allen and Mrs. (Reddington) Lane, he
of Ohio and she of England. Mr. Lane, an agriculturist, enlisted
in the Federal army in Iowa during the Civil war, and going
to the front serve his country faithfutly until the close
of the conflict. He died in Kansas in 1875, and both he and
his wife were Methodists. Three of their children, John,
Anna E. and Ida, came to Mountain View, Oklahoma, where
they established the newspaper Progress in 1901, but
later death claimed the brother, and the two sisters then
continued the publication for five more years, when the plant
was sold. Anna E. then entered the official contest
and was successful in the race for county superintendent of
schools, her office being in Hobart. Ida became the
wife of Mr. Cleveland in 1907, and is his assistant in the
postoffice.
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cont.
HENRY E. CRAGGS,
cashier of the Mountain View Bank, was born in Macoupin county,
Illinois, July 25, 1866, and was reared to farm pursuits and
received a good elementary education in the common and high
schools, with special courses at a commercial school. He is
a son of John and Frances J. Leach Craggs, who were
born and married in Illinois, and a grandson of John Craggs
of England, where he was married and where some of his children
were born. He was a cabinet maker and joiner, an excellent
mechanic. His children were: Henry, John and Ann, the
daughter being now Mrs. Vinsel. Mr. and Mrs. John
Craggs were members of the Church of England.
John Craggs, Jr., was born and
reared in Illinois, and after his marriage he settled to farming
there. He is a stanch Republican politically, filling many
offices of his township and county, and during his term of
county commissioner Macoupin county suffered bankruptcy, and
the board was threatened with penalties of a fine and a jail
sentence if they did not comply with some things which they
deemed wrong, they refusing to levy a tax to payoff county
bonds which were fraudulently issued by a Democratic judge.
But they could not be forced. Mr. Craggs remained a useful
factor there for many years, finally selling there and moving
to Jackson county, Missouri, where he bought a valuable farm,
but after a few years closed out there also and invested in
Kansas City property. He soon became rapidly connected with
the building up of that city, but during the panic of 1887
he closed out his possessions there and moved with his family
to Anadarko, Oklahoma, then an Indian agency and the headquarters
for the government in dealing with the Indians. Mr. Craggs
secured a license to trade with the red skins, in which he
continued successfully
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for a number of years, becoming popular with
both the Indians and white men. Through creditors and a fire
which destroyed his store he lost heavily and retired from
an active business life. He is now seventy-four years of,
age and yet resides at Anadarko, where he is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. His wife died in the summer of 1907. She
was also born in Illinois, but her father, Thomas Leach,
was born and married in England, finally coming to this country
and becoming actively connected with the farming interests
of Illinois. In the mother country he was a member of the
Church of England and in America, of the Episcopal church,
and in his family were five children: Thomas, Alford, John,
Mahala and Frances. Four children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Craggs: Henry E.; Fannie D., the wife of H.
H. Little; Jessie B., who married a Mr. Hutchens;
and Grace, the wife of R. L. Boake.
Henry E. Craggs accompanied his
parents on their removal from Illinois to Missouri and then
to Oklahoma, and he remained in the parental home until 1889,
assisting his father in his trading with the Indians. He proved
a competent clerk, becoming well acquainted with the eventful
life of Oklahoma in those days and he learned to speak three
or four of the Indian languages. Before the steel rails crossed
this part of the country it was a two-days' journey to a railroad,
Mr. Craggs often making the trip alone and he at times brought
home large amounts of money. He can now look back with satisfaction
and pride from the Oklahoma that he first knew to its present
state of development and culture, and he can also feel a just
pride in the fact that he was an active agent in the transformation.
He continued to assist his father in the business until he
came, in 1889, to the old town of Mountain View, Where for
three years he was engaged in the livery and transfer business,
and during that time he bought stock in the State Bank. This
institution was organized in 1901 with Henry B. Johnson
of Chickasha as president and H. A. Earns as cashier,
but on the 20th of November, 1901, the stock was purchased
by Dunlap, Kobbs and Craggs, who reorganized with a capital
of five thousand dollars, moved the bank to the new town of
Mountain View and named it the Mountain View State Bank. The
institution now has a surplus of eight hundred and twenty
dollars, with five hundred and fourteen dollars of undivided
profits and nine hundred dollars of unpaid dividends. Since
the death of the president, A. J. Dunlap, the bank
has been again reorganized, Mr. Kobbs becoming the president,
S. E. Craggs the vice-president, and H. E. Craggs
the cashier, and these gentlemen own the entire stock. The
bank is among the solid financial institutions of southwestern
Oklahoma. H. E. Craggs yet maintains his home at the
old town of Mountain View, where he has a forty-acre tract
of land and a commodious homestead. He is a member, of the
Masonic fraternity.
He married in 1893 Miss Sarah E. Buck,
who was born in Maryland, June 21, 1874, a daughter of John
E. and Josephine (Hood) Buck. They were also born in Maryland,
were married there, and there his children were born. Mr..
Buck was a farmer in his earlier life and an influential factor
in the Republican party, and through the influence and assistance
of United States Senator George D. Day he was appointed
chief clerk at the Indian agency at Anadarko, Oklahoma. He
came to his new charge in 1891, remaining for a number of
years at Anadarko and then returning to Washington, D. C.,
his present home. Both he and his wife are valued members
of the Methodist church, and their three children are: Mannie,
the wife of A. J. Osterly, a prominent railroad official;
Sarah E., who became Mrs. Craggs; and John
E., of Washington, D. C. Four children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Craggs: Myrtle Dell, born in 1894;
John E., born in 1896; Nannie, who died at the
age of four years; and Josephine, aged four years.
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cont.
J. V. MARTIN, the
popular postmaster at Lone Wolf and prominently identified
with the interests of Kiowa county since its opening to settlement
in August, 1901, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, but was
reared on a farm in Illinois and received an excellent education
in the graded and high schools. He is a son of Henry and
Emily (Dix) Martin, who were born and married in Indiana,
and a grandson of William H. and Elizabeth (Dill) Martin,
he of Virginia and she of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana
and were among the early pioneers of the state. Later in life
they closed their farming interests in Indiana and moved to
Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives, dying
as they had lived in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Mattin was both a Whig and Republican in his political
affiliations, a devoted church worker and loved and
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honored for his sterling integrity and true
worth. Their children are: John H.; Mary, the wife
of Joseph McCormick; Henry C., who is mentioned below;
W. S., a prominent physician in Tuscola, Illinois;
Sophia, now Mrs. Wilson; and Nannie,
who married a Mr. Jenkins. John H., the eldest son,
a prominent attorney, was a Federal soldier during the War
of the Rebellion, the major of his regiment, and he was at
one time in the service severely wounded, but recovered. Returning
from the War he engaged in the practice of his profession
and in farming.
Henry C. Martin was reared on a
farm in Indiana, and after his marriage began farming in that
state from whence he later moved to De Witt county, Illinois,
and after ten years in that state to Eldorado, Kansas. During
his second year in the Sunflower state the grasshoppers entirely
devastated his crops, and leaving then he returned to Illinois
and farmed for a number ofyears near Tuscola. Trading this
farm for forty acres adjoining the town of Muncie, Indiana,
he moved there and soon afterward discovered gas on his land,
while later he platted Martin's addition to Muncie and sold
lots. This proved a successful venture, and later he retired
from active business to enjoy the fruits of former toil, dying
at his home in Indiana, September 10, 1906. He was a fluent
speaker and popular in the political campaigns of the state,
also a recognized church worker of the Methodist faith, and
the soul of honor and integrity. He is still survived by his
wife, who resides at their old home in Muncie at the advanced
age of seventy years, also a valued member of the Methodist
church. Her father, John Dix, resided for over fifty
years in Cloverdale, Indiana, a prominent farmer and a staunch
Republican, and his death occurred at his old homestead there.
His children were seven in number, namely: Pauline,
who married J. Talbert, Charles W., a farmer;
Alfred, a farmer and stockman; Elizabeth, who
became the wife of R. Kerr; Emily, the mother
of Mr. Martin; George, who served through the Civil
war in the Federal army, participating in many of the hard
fought battles of the war, and returning home remained with
his father during his lifetime; and John, who also
served through the war and is now a farmer. The political
faith of the family is Republican, and all are worthy Methodists.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin: William
H., a real estate dealer in Anderson, Indiana; John
D. an Indiana farmer; J. V., the subject of this
review; Mary, the wife of J. Smith; Charles,
a mechanic; Henry, who contracted a- severe fever from
his services in the Spanish-American war, and after lingering
for some time died at his home in 1905; Rose, the wife
of William Tobin Frank, who also served in the Spanish-American
war, a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana Regiment,
and is now a dentist in Muncie; and Albert O., a dentist
in Richmond, that state. This family are also Methodists and
Republicans.
J. V. Martin accompanied his parents
on their various removals, and remained at home until his
marriage in 1887, after which he farmed for one year in that
vicinity. He left the farm then to become a merchant in Munci,
after which he was in the real estate, insurance and loan
business for one year, and then moving to Elwood, Indiana,
assisted in building up that community and remained there
two years. He was a member of the Commercial Club, of that
city, and with it attended the great McKinley day at Indianapolis
in 1891, where he served as secretary to the marshal of the
day and also had the pleasure of dining with the president.
Mr. Martin proved a valued factor in booming the oil and gas
fields of Elwood and vicinity, in starting manufacturing and
enhancing real estate values, but returning to Muncie in 1892
be resi4ed there until his removal to Joplin, Missouri, in
1899, where he invested quite extensively in the zinc and
lead industry, investing in five different mines. He closed
out his interests there in 1901 and came to Oklahoma, and
as this was the opening of Kiowa county he drew claim No.
849, which he has improved to a high state of cultivation,
and has erected thereon a, commodious house and barn. Since
his location here the town of Lone Wolf has been platted on
land adjoining his claim, and his residence is less than a
mile from the business center of the town. He has one hundred
and twenty acres in cultivation, forty-five acres of which
are devoted to alfalfa, the most profitable of his crops.
He was the first to engage in the real estate business in
Lone Wolf, carrying on that business in connection with his
farming until he was appointed the postmaster in 1904 when
he abandoned his real estate business. He was appointed first
by Cortelyou, and in February, 1907, was continued in the
office by President Roosevelt. The office was estab-
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lished at the opening of the town in 1901, with
S. E. Dewes as the first postmaster, and he was succeeded
by J. V. Martin in 1904.
In Tuscola, Illinois, in 1887, he married
Miss Laura McVicker, who was born in Danville, that
state. Her father, A. McVicker, sold his farm in Illinois
and moved to Muncie, Indiana, and in 1904 he came to Oklahoma,
where he now resides at Apache, retired from all active labor.
He served through the Civil war in the Federal army, proving
a true and brave soldier, and he has since been a stanch Republican
in his political views. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. McVicker
were three children, namely: John M., a merchant in
Roan, Indiana; George, who after graduating as a druggist
was appointed by President Harrison to take charge of the
medical department of the asylum at Kankakee, Illinois, and
he is now a druggist in Apache; and Laura, who became
the wife of Mr. Martin. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Martin
is a son, J. Fred, born August 11, 1904.
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cont.
WILLIAM
E. ELLZEY. Kiowa county numbers William F. Ellzey
among its pioneer citizens and business men. He was born in
Pike county, Mississippi, June 12, 1842, a son of James
W. and Nancy (Seals) Ellzey, natives respectively of Alabama
and Mississippi. They married in the latter state, and James
W. Ellzey farmed there until after the death of his wife
in 1844;, and later, when the war with Mexico opened in 1846,
he enlisted and went to the front under General Taylor, remaining
at the seat of war until the close of the conflict, when he
received his honorable discharge and returned to Mississippi.
Moving to Louisiana soon afterward, he farmed there until
the opening of the Civil war, when he became a member of the
Twenty-seventh Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, and again faced
the sword and musket. While on his way to take part in the
siege of Vicksburg and just before it opened he was killed
by a passing shot, from a gun boat and was buried at Vicksburg.
He was a brave and loyal soldier, ever ready to defend his
country, and he valiantly laid down his life on its altar.
He was a stanch Democrat of the Breckenridge type, and a consistent
and worthy member of the Baptist church, as was also his wife.
Their children were: Joseph R., who served in the Civil
war and fought at the battle of Manassas under Stonewall
Jackson; Thomas C., who died at the age of eleven;
William F., who is mentioned below; and Nancy, who
married a Mr. McCulvin.
William F. Ellzey was left motherless
when but a babe of two years, and when his father left for
the Mexican war the children were given over to the care of
friends and remained separated until after his return. They
moved with him to Louisiana, and when the Civil war opened,
the older sons also responded to the call of their country,
William F. entering the Twentieth Louisiana Infantry
Regiment, under Colonel Thomas M. Scott, and was at
Camp Moore, Louisiana, for three months drilling. They were
then sent to the front at Columbus, Kentucky, and their first
battle was with General Grant at Belmont, that state, the
next at Corinth, on to Holly Springs and to Grenada, Mississippi,
with General Villipique in command, thence to Fort Hudson
and to Montgomery, Alabama. From there they returned to Ripley,
where the command was mounted and started after Sherman in
his march to the sea, but later this command was abandoned
and instead they were marched to Vicksburg and put on out
post duty near Raymond until after the battle of Jackson,
Mississippi. They were then ordered to Vicksburg and to burn
all bridges behind them, the siege beginning soon after their
reaching that city and lasted for forty-eight days. Most of
the time Mr. Ellzey with his command were in ditches, facing
the terrible heat of the sun and battle, and for many days
during this memorable siege he fired as many as eighty shots.
After the surrender Of Vicksburg the command was paroled and
Mr. Ellzey returned to his home in Louisiana, but soon afterward
joined a Texas cavalry regiment and was stationed at Brownsville,
that state. While there the last battle of the war was fought,
May 18, 1865. They had captured a number of Federals, and
their story of Lee's surrender was the first news this company
had of the end of the terrible conflict. On the 20th of May
they broke camp and all started for their respective homes,
Mr. Ellzey arriving in Lavaca county, Texas and settled down
to farming.
In 1870 he started on the overland journey
to California, but finding the Indians very troublesome he
went instead to Kansas City, sold his outfit and continued
the journey by rail. He remained in the Golden state until
1877, engaged in wheat farming, and then with his wife and
four children returned by rail to Limestone county, Texas,
where he bought land near Kosse, but in 1887 sold that farm
to move to Greer county. He followed the stock business and
farming there and in Wash-
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it a county, Oklahoma, until the opening of
Kiowa county in 1901, when he closed out his business in the
former counties and came here. Mr. Ellzey had learned Civil
engineering and did much surveying while in Washita county
and located claims for emigrants. He came to Lone Wolf in
December, 1901, and although the town had been platted not
a. house had been erected, the few settlers living in tents.
He at once engaged in the real estate and insurance business
in connection with his son, Thomas V. Ellzey, they
continuing very successfully until the son was elected the
first treasurer of Kiowa county. Mr. Ellzey, the father, erected
a commodious residence at Lone Wolf, beautified with fruit
and forest trees, and he also owns a livery barn and other
town property and seventeen acres adjoining the corporation.
During a number of years after coming here he conducted a
meat market and sold coal and ice, later giving up all but
the ice business and he yet owns his meat market building.
He has been active in organizing many of the industries of
the town, and has been a prominent church worker for over
thirty years, his membership being with the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, in which he has served as steward for many
years and also as the superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Ellzey married Miss Julia Force,
in 1865 who was born in Texas in 1848, a daughter of Benjamin
W. Force, who in an early day moved from his native state
of Georgia to Lavaca county, Texas, where he became a prominent
farmer and slave owner, but selling his possessions in the
Lone Star state he came to Greer county, Oklahoma, and resumed
his farming and stock raising interests and there spent the
remainder of his active and useful life. He was a worthy member
of the Christian church, and was three times married, his
first wife dying during the period of the Civil war. His children
by the first union were: Julia, who became the wife
of Mr. Ellzey; Anna, who married a Mr. Bremen;
Samuel, of Custer, Oklahoma; and Mattie, who
became Mrs. Herd. Nine children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Ellzey, namely: William F., Jr., who at his
death left one son; Maud, the wife of W. P. Brown,
Jr.; Emma, wife of J. F. Houston; Julia,
wife of C. G. Buley; Thomas V., who is mentioned
below; Mattie, who died at the age of six years; Frank,
a farmer; Lucile, at home; and James W., attending
Ft. Worth College. The children are all active and earnest
church workers. Mr. Ellzey upholds the principles of the Democratic
party, and has filled many public offices, including that
of justice of the peace in Washita county and Lone Wolf, having
been continually in that office here since the first election.
He is also the acting mayor of the town and a justice of the
township.
Thomas V. Ellzey was elected, as
above stated, the treasurer at the first county election of
Kiowa county, but after a year and a half resigned the office
to take up international Sunday school work, and is an enthusiastic
worker. Following his resignation from the treasurer's office
he was made the superintendent of the International School
for Kiowa county, and through his earnest and zealous work
he placed the county in advance of any county in the state
in the work. Later the Louisiana State Society made him state
secretary of the Louisiana work, and he now maintains his
headquarters at New Orleans and visits all the towns and schools
of the state. He is a fluent speaker and is doing a great
and good work. He is also the editor of a paper called the
Louisiana Success, which has an extensive circulation.
He has been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
South, since his boyhood days.
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cont.
DR. JAMES R. BRYCE,
prominent among the physicians of Kiowa county, was born in
Georgia, September 1, 1875, a son of F. S. C. and Susan
(Wynne) Bryce, both also natives of that state, and a
grandson of James Bryce. The last named was born in
Georgia, and was a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, a man of note in his day. He died in his native
state of Georgia, and in his family were seven children: Bascomb,
James, John, F. S. G., Ellen, Henrietta and Purthena.
F. S. G. Bryce married in Georgia
and there began the earnest struggle of life for himself,
finally becoming a minister in the church of his father. During
the '70s he moved to Texas, and soon afterward located in
Greer county, now in Oklahoma, and engaged in farming and
stock raising, at the same time spreading the gospel and assisting
in the moral development of the new country. He now resides
at Altus, this state, in the full enjoyment of a useful and
well spent life. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bryce are: James R., who
is mentioned below; Fulton, a business man in Altus;
Erasmus, of Okla-
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homa City; Alma and Willie, at home;
and Eugene, Ethel and Eudora, who are in school.
Dr. James R. Bryce after attending
the common schools entered the Dixon Normal College of Tennessee
and later the Oklahoma State Normal at Edmond. After completing
his education he taught school for three years and also read
medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. E. Fowler
of Altus and clerked in a drug store. Dr. Fowler continued
as his preceptor four years in all, and in 1899 he entered
upon four courses of study at the Medical College of Memphis,
Tennessee, but after the first course he began practicing
in his home town of Altus and continued practice each year
between medical sessions until his graduation in 1903. At
the opening of Kiowa county to settlement, Dr. Bryce came
to Mountain Park, where he was among the first to arrive and
staking his tent was soon ready for business. Soon settlers
came in great numbers, the settlement receiving the name of
Ragtown on account of its numerous tents, and it was not long
until Dr. Bryce was ministering to the sick and establishing
a large practice. But in the meantime he did not neglect his
medical studies at Memphis, where he completed the four courses,
and also pursued a special course in surgery, thus gaining
a keen insight in all work connected with the profession.
During this time the town of Snyder had
been organized, and after his graduation in 1903, Dr. Bryce
located here, and his constantly increasing practice stands
in evidence of his ability. His skill and energy were tested
when the cyclone struck this town on May 10, 1905. The two
other physicians here were injured and for five or six hours,
Dr. Bryce labored alone, until the trains brought assistance
from other towns. He soon established a temporary hospital,
and for forty-eight hours he neither ate nor slept, while
for twenty-one days and nights he kept up his vigilant care
and work, leaving nothing undone that he could possibly do
to relieve the sick and suffering. Although many of those
who were injured recovered, some were maimed for life and
one hundred and seventeen met death, the most of whom were
buried at Snyder. As soon as practicable the town began rebuilding,
and is now much larger than before, containing railroads,
churches, schools, all kinds of business and many modern improvements.
During his work here, Dr, Bryce has had remarkable experiences
in his practice of medicine and surgery, and one in particular
was that of a woman who was suffering with a disease of the
spleen, and having exhausted the skill of the community was
lying at death's door when the Doctor was called. After an
operation in which he removed the spleen, weighing four and
one half pounds, the cure was complete. He has an excellent
library and a well equipped office, and is prominent in the
medical fraternity of Kiowa county. His political affiliations
are with the Democratic party, and he has served his adopted
city of Snyder as its mayor for two terms. Fraternally he
is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows.
On the 4th of August, 1904, the Doctor
was united in marriage to Miss Lenna L. Holmes, a member
of a pioneer family of Texas, her birthplace. Her father was
a railroad man, and was last located at Shawnee, Indian Territory,
where his death occurred. His wife later married P. E.
Griffin, and now lives in Snyder. The Holmes children
are: Lenna, who became the wife of Dr. Bryce; William,
a druggist in Snyder; and Florence, a student at Oklahoma
City. Mrs. Bryce is a member of the Presbyterian church.
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cont.
W. W. MILLER, M. D.
Among those who have attained success in the practice of medicine
and surgery in Kiowa county, Oklahoma, is numbered Dr,
W. W. Miller, of Gotebo. He was born in Mercer county,
Illinois, July 7, 1866, a son of Reuben T. and Rachel A.
(Willetts) Miller, the mother also a native of Illinois.
The father, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, was born in the
Keystone state, and for many years of his life has been engaged
in merchandising, a portion of the time in Illinois. He moved
to Brookfield, Missouri, in 1868, where his wife died, and
soon afterward he became a merchant at Avalon, that state.
Returning to Illinois, he opened a branch store at Joy, but
after some time he closed out his business there, and has
since confined his efforts to his store in Avalon. He is a
Republican and a member of the Methodist church, as was also
his wife, and in their family were three children: Harry
E., a merchant at Bogart, Missouri; Lillie J.,
the widow of G. D. Alexander; and William W.
The mother of these children died in 1868, and later, in Missouri,
Mr. Miller wedded Miss Allie A. Washburn, who was born
in Ohio, and her father, John Washburn, died in Missouri.
Four other children were born
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to John Washburn: Jewel, Mrs. Vanwermer,
of California; Jennie, Mrs. Berry and a resident of
St. Joseph, Missouri; William, who is farming in that
state; and Frank, also a resident of Missouri. Three
children were born to R. T. Miller by his second marriage:
Lara E., Vivian and Clyde. The latter two died of starlet
fever in 1883.
After attending the graded and high schools of his home town,
Dr. W. W. Miller entered upon a seven years college
course at Avalon, and graduated with the degree of A. B. After
this he spent four years in the University Medical College
and Hospital of Kansas City, in which he graduated with the
class of 1901, and later in the same institution he took a
clinic course and one term in the hospital. He was then able
to begin the practice of his chosen profession, remaining
successfully in Kansas City until failing health compelled
a change of climate, and coming to Oklahoma in 1901 he located
first at Union City, and thence in 1902 in Gotebo, where he
now practices over a wide field. During June and July of 1907
he took post graduate courses in the New York Post Graduate
Medical School and then returned to his practice in Kiowa
county. He has an excellent library of ancient and modem works,
and is a daily student. Soon after coming to Gotebo he bought
a drug store, which he conducted until his growing practice
compelled his entire attention and he sold his store. He is
the vice-president of and a stockholder in the Telephone Company,
and also owns some valuable farms, which he rents. He is a
member of the American, the Southwestern and the Kiowa County
Medical Associations, and of the Masonic, Knights of Pythias
and the Odd Fellows fraternities. As a Knight of Pythias he
has served as regimental surgeon for the state of Missouri,
has filled all the offices of the local order, has attained
the uniformed rank and has drilled at the national encampment
in Washington, D. C. He is also a member of the Rebekah degree
of Odd Fellows and of the Royal Neighbors.
In Union City, Oklahoma, in 1903, Dr.
Miller married Miss Clara E. Legg, who was born in
Edgar county, Illinois, in 1880, a daughter of Scott and
Deborah (Littlefield) Legg, he of Illinois and she of
Maine, and they were married in Illinois. The father moved
with his parents to Ohio and later to Illinois, where he grew
to manhood's estate, married and settled to farming and the
stock business, but in March, 1901, he sold his possessions
there and came to Oklahoma, locating near Union City, where
he and his wife yet reside. Of their two children, Mrs. Miller
is the elder, and her sister, Olive E. is now Mrs.
Slusher. One child has blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs.
Miller, a son, William Morgan.
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cont.
CLARENCE N. GRIFFITH,
president of the Lone Wolf State Bank, was born in Floyd county,
Iowa, July 25, 1872, a son of A. S. and Adaline (Rice)
Griffith, the father born in Ohio and the mother on the
present site of Zion City near Chicago. When young, A.
S. Griffith moved with his parents from Ohio to Iowa,
where he grew to manhood, married and engaged in merchandising
at Floyd. After a successful mercantile career there of thirty-four
years he retired, and his time is now devoted in looking after
his property interests and loaning money. He entered the Federal
army in Iowa during the Civil war, and after the close of
the conflict returned home and resumed his mercantile business.
He is a stanch Republican and has held many local offices,
having served his county for fourteen years as a commissioner,
a prominent and popular man. He is a member of the Masonic
order and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Griffith,
who died in May, 1904, was a daughter of Andrew Rice
of Illinois, who during the gold excitement of 1849 went to
California and spent a short time in search of the precious
metal; returning then to his home in Illinois. He later moved
to Kansas, but not satisfied with that location he returned
to Iowa and died at his home there many years afterward. He
was a member of the Methodist church and a Republican politically,
and in his family were five children: Adaline, Andrew,
James, William, Angeline and Nettie. Mr. Griffith was
one of a family of five children: Henry (deceased),
A. S., Sarah, Almira and Libbie. Three children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffith: Clarence N., of this
review; Lillian, now Mrs. Wodtke; and Tracy
M., who died young.
Clarence N. Griffith received
an excellent education in the common and high schools and
in a business college, and he remained at home and assisted
his father in business until the age of twenty-three, On account
of failing health he then accepted a position as traveling
salesman for a shoe manufacturing company of Dubuque, Iowa,
and continued on
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the road for seven years. While with his father,
who was both a merchant and banker, he had gained a valuable
banking experience, and in 1899 he came to Wapanucka, Indian
Territory, and organized the First National Bank, but in 1903
he sold his interest in that institution and came to Lone
Wolf, Oklahoma, where he assisted in organizing the Lone Wolf
State Bank in 1903, capitalized at fifteen thousand dollars.
The bank was organized with C. N, Griffith the president,
A. S. Griffith, vice-president, and H. C. Griffith,
cashier, the present officers. This bank is one of the solid
financial institutions of southwestern Oklahoma. Mr. Griffith
has also invested quite extensively in Oklahoma farms and
he now owns five valuable tracts, which he rents.
He married in Iowa, in 1896, Miss Hettie
Teape, a native of that state and a daughter of T.
S, and Mary E. (Montrose) Teape, both of whom were also
born in Iowa, where Mr. Teape is a railroad engineer of long
experience. His children are: Hettie, who became the
wife of C. N. Griffith; Marian, now Mrs.
Krouger and a resident of Indian Territory; Edith,
now Mrs, Babcock, of Oklahoma City; John, cashier
of a bank at Chattanooga, Oklahoma; Ida, now Mrs. Loomer;
Erma, assistant cashier of the Lone Wolf State Bank;
and Blanch. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are members of the
Congregational church.
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cont.
ALLAN W. TRAIN, On
the 16th of March, 1901, there arrived in the old town of
Mountain View, Oklahoma, one who was destined to play an active
part in the subsequent history of the community, and from
that time to the present the name of Allan W. Train
has been prominently associated with the varied interests
of Kiowa county. He is descended from the Train family who
located in Massachusetts in 1623 and helped organize the moral
and physical development of the new world, and from them many
statesmen and men of prominence have sprung. The family have
numbered among its members such men as George Francis Train,
at one time the largest vessel owner in Massachusetts and
a world-wide reputation, and Charles R. Train, attorney
general of Massachusetts.
Roswell Train, a farmer and blacksmith
in that state, became the grandfather of Allan W.,
whose father, Horace Train, as a contractor and builder
did a great deal of railroad work for different companies.
He never desired the honors or emoluments of public office.
To Horace and Martha M. Brown, his wife, were born
the following children: George N.B., who served in
the Federal army during the Civil war and is now a contractor;
Mary, the wife of John Jones; Addison,
of Hartford, Connecticut, and Ida, who died before
marriage. The father was twice married, but there were no
children by the second union.
Allan W. Train was born in Massachusetts
April 16, 1847, and when seventeen years of age he left home
to enter upon a four years apprenticeship to the stair builder's
trade, but after its completion he engaged instead in the
mercantile business, continuing this for a number of years,
first in Boston, then in Chicago from 1873 until his removal
to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was in business for six years.
He then withdrew from mercantile interests, and going to Nashville,
Tennessee, received the contract and erected a large rolling
mill for the state penitentiary. From there he went to Birmingham,
Alabama, and erected a large rolling mill there, went then
to Fort Payne, Alabama, organized a stock company and erected
a $365.,000 steel and iron rolling mill and, plant, and also
assisted in the building up of the new south. As a member
of an organization he went to Boston and procured the names
of many investors, to whom he mailed a letter after his return
setting forth the facts pertaining to the advantages of investing
in the south, also stating that at a certain date a train
of Pullman cars would convey at a nominal price all who wished
to view the prospect. At the date named a train of ten cars
was filled and the project carried out to the letter, resulting
in the investment of a million dollars and the building up
of a large town. But the panic incident to Cleveland's last
election ruined the business, and before the tide had turned
the company had been obliged to surrender. In 1895, Mr. Train
went to Chicago and arranged with the Union Carbide Company
to handle their goods at Kansas City, he having been the first
to handle that line of goods in the west, and was finally
bought , out by the Union Company.
It was then that he came to Oklahoma where
he soon became connected with the townsite company of Cloud
Chief, known as the Southwestern Mutual Townsite Company of
Oklahoma. They sold certificates entitling the holders to
a lot in the town of Harrison, then platted on the railroad.
but yet in the hands of the government. The quarter section
platted was No. 71, and the man holding
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this government number, who would be entitled
to the land at the drawing, lived at El Reno. The organization
sent a committee there to complete the arrangements for a
title to the land, and the man drew the land and allowed the
town to be started, resulting in the erection of several buildings,
but he finally went back on his contract, and this caused
an expensive law suit, which he finally won, resulting in
all having to buy their lands a second time. Mr. Train had
purchased one hundred and fifty certificates and had sold
one hundred to friends in Kansas City, and wishing to protect
their interests accepted the position of director of the townsite
company, but his hope of clearing the title was in vain. The
second addition to Gotebo is a quarter section west of the
original plot, and was drawn by Alice Jones, who had
left her husband and could not thus lawfully hold the land.
Her claim was contested by three different parties, none of
which were won, and the town board of Gotebo had concluded
with the government to allow the land to be used by the board
for townsite purposes, but soon after the last contests and
before arrangements were completed another party contested,
but the government has now issued a patent for the land. This
addition is well built over and contains some of the most
desirable residences in the town.
After the loss of all his lots, Mr. Train
engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and he
soon assisted in the organizing of a state bank with a capital
of five thousand dollars, becoming a stockholder and director.
The bank continued successfully in business until the memorable
fire of July 4, 1902, which wiped out the business portion
of the town, including thirty-two business houses. He yet
holds the charter, and has since been engaged in closing its
affairs. He helped organize and became the president of the
Harrison Gin Company, the first industry of its kind in Gotebo,
and also raised the bonus of the establishment here of a merchant
flour mill. He was also instrumental in the erection of the
largest stone block in the town and superintended its building,
was the first trustee of the township, appointed by Governor
Jenkins, and was made a member of the school board. His connection
with that organization was a difficult and arduous one. It
was then illegal to issue warrants for building school houses,
but legally right to issue them for paying rent, and in order
to give to the people the school house they so much desired
he raised the money and built the school and then rented it
until the debt was wiped out. During all these years he has
served as a notary public and has continued actively in the
real estate business, buying and selling property of all kinds,
and he has located many farm homes for successful Oklahoma
agriculturists. He owns some business property in the town,
and in January, 1902, bought a claim of one hundred and six
acres adjoining the corporation limits, where he has his residence
and is extensively interested in the raising of fine registered
hogs. He also has a fine herd of cattle, and is gradually
drifting into the raising of alfalfa. He is also interested
in another farm, which he rents. The town of Gotebo, like
the Phoenix bird, has risen out of its ashes, and is now a
flourishing business center and trading point. Mr. Train has
from the first been one of its enthusiastic supporters, and
although he has had many difficulties to overcome in his work
of development he has been equal to the occasion and deserves
to be classed among the builders of Greater Oklahoma.
He was married in Massachusetts to Miss
Ann G. Norris, who was born in that state, a daughter
of Lewis T. Norris, long connected with a large print
works at Fall River, Massachusetts. Three children were born
of this union, namely: Lillian, the wife of William
J. Rainey, a lumberman of Detroit, Michigan; Lulu,
the wife of W. J. Peck, in the automobile business
at St. Louis, Missouri; and Ethel, who died at the
age of eighteen years. Mrs. Train is also deceased, dying
in Massachusetts, an earnest member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Train is a leader in the ranks of the Republican party
in Oklahoma, and is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.
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cont.
JAMES B. TOSH, proprietor
of Elk Horn Farm, the banner farm of Kiowa county, and also
a member of the State Constitutional Convention, has been
prominently identified with the interests of Oklahoma since
an early day in its history. He was born in Hancock county,
Indiana, November 13, 1856, a son of John L. and Jane (Bennett)
Tosh, both natives of Virginia, and a grandson of George
Tosh, who was from Pennsylvania and of German descent.
On attaining his early manhood he located in Virginia, where
he became a farmer and slave owner, and was a soldier in the
war of 1812. He died in the Old Do-
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minion state, and in his family were the following
children: John L., who became the father of James
B. Tosh; George and Dan, both farmers, the latter
residing in Indiana; and Bettie, who became Mrs.
Bennett. Mr. and Mrs. Tosh, the parents, were members
of the Methodist church.
John L. Tosh was born, reared and
married in Virginia, and after the birth of his first child
he moved to Indiana and became a landowner and farmer there.
In 1867 he sold his property in Indiana and moved to Jefferson
county, Kansa$, where he bought land and made another good
farm, continuing actively in business until advancing age
compelled his retirement, and he died at the home of a daughter
in that state, October 7, 1907, aged eighty-three years. His
wife died February 22, 1906. She was a member of a Virginia
family, where her father, a planter and slave owner, lived
and died a pious Christian gentleman. John L. Tosh
and his wife were Methodists, and he was a Democrat politically.
Their children numbered seven, namely: George L., whose
home is in Day county, Oklahoma; Rebecca, wife of John
Strawn; James B., who is mentioned later; Catherine,
wife of R. Ferrell, of northeastern Kansas; John
H., an agriculturist; Elizabeth J., wife of William
Capus; and Jessie, who married a Mr. Fallas.
When a lad of ten, James B. Tosh
moved with his parents from Indiana to Kansas, and in 1881
he located on a farm of his own and continued as a farmer
and stock raiser there until 1893. In that year occurred the
opening of the Cherokee Strip, and Mr. Tosh with a good team
kept in the lead in the rush to this locality and secured
a choice claim. Returning then to Kansas he sold his possessions
there, and moved to this claim in Kay county, succeeding in
time in bringing his land to a high state of cultivation,
and in 1901 he sold it for a good price and came to Kiowa
county. Here he selected a school section in the valley of
Elk Horn creek, paying one thousand dollars to secure his
claim, and he now has an entire section under fence and cross
fenced, improved with a commodious residence and barns, and
has an orchard of fine fruits of many varieties, Over four
hundred acres of his land is in cultivation and he also has
Indian lands leased and cultivated, farming in all over five
hundred acres. He at one time raised the largest crop of cotton
in the county, but has abandoned this altogether. In 1906
he raised and shipped over twenty thousand bushels or grain,
and he also has two hundred acres planted to alfalfa, which
he cuts four times in the year.
Mr. Tosh is Democratic in national politics.
and reserves the right to vote for the man of his choice at
local elections. He is broadminded in his views, and has been
called upon by his fellow citizens to fill some important
public positions which he has done creditably and satisfactorily.
During his residence in Kay county he served as a justice
of the peace, and in Kiowa county, without his consent, he
was made a delegate to the state constitutional convention
and won the race by a large majority. He served over one hundred
days and acquitted himself with honor, having been a member
of five committees, namely: Chairman of the legislative department
and school lands, the printing of contracts, the liquor traffic,
convention accounts and the auditing committee of expenses
and coal lands, on which he was continued indefinitely. He
was an active member of that august body. Mr. Tosh is president
of the Farmers Gin Company of Hobart and the Farmers Elevator
Company, and was the first to secure a charter in Oklahoma
for an elevator. He has been active in looking after and promoting
the farmers' interests, and has been the means in blocking
for them many grafts and party grabs.
Mr. Tosh was married in Kansas to Miss
Luella Sills, who was born in that state May 15, 1857,
a daughter of John and Henrietta Cain Sills, he of
England and she of Virginia, and they were married in Illinois.
The father was a son of William Sills, who came from
England to America after the birth of his children and followed
plastering during the active years of life, dying at Topeka,
Kansas. He was a member of the Church of England. His children
were: Thomas, of Dakota; John; Edwin, a resident
of Topeka, Kansas; George, who was killed in the Federal
army during the Civil war; and Sarah, who married a
Mr. Neill and resides in Hobart. John Sills
also became a plasterer, which he followed in connection with
farming; He filled many minor offices, justice of the peace,
township trustee, etc., and is a Republican in politics and
a member Of the Methodist church. He yet resides at Valley
Falls. Kansas, but his wife died in 1890, a Baptist in religion.
In their family were six children: Jane, who became
the wife of George Tosh; Luella, the
322-
wife of James B. Tosh; George,
a resident of Denison, Kansas; Warren, a farmer in
Kansas; Anna, the wife of George Elling; and
Jesse, a merchant in Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Tosh have
been born two children, Harry B. and Ella O. The son is a
graduate of the Oklahoma Normal, and is now the bookkeeper
for the Farmers National Bank at Hobart. The daughter is attending
school.
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