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GEORGE T. WEBSTER.
A cultured and highly talented man, well versed in all the
intricacies of law, George T. Webster occupies a position
of prominence and influence among the leading attorneys of
Weatherford and vicinity, and is recognized as one of its
most substantial and valued citizens. He was born, March 1,
1856, in Logansport, Indiana, a son of John P. and Margaret
(Neft) Webster. His father resided in Logansport the greater
part of his life, for a full half century carrying on a thriving
business as a jeweler.
After his graduation from the high school of
his native city, George T. Webster attended Purdue
University, in Lafayette, Indiana. Having a strong inclination
for a professional life, he then read law in the office of
McConnel & McConnel for three years. Subsequently opening
an office in Sioux City, Iowa, he practiced there for four
years, then went to Bismark, North Dakota, where he continued
his law work for eight years, after which he spent seven years
in Chicago, Illinois. Coming from that metropolis to Oklahoma
in 1900, Mr. Webster located at Weatherford, which was at
that time the terminus of the Rock Island Railroad, and a
pretty lively town. He at once opened an office, and has since
been successfully employed in the practice of his profession,
having built up an exceedingly large and lucrative practice,
and won a place of distinction among the esteemed citizens
of the place his influence as a man of honor and integrity
being felt throughout the community.
Mr. Webster married Miss Ione Fraser,
who was born in Washington, Iowa, a daughter of Dr. W.
E. Fraser. She is a woman of refinement and culture, a
brilliant scholar, who was admitted in Oklahoma, to the bar
of the Supreme Court, and is now in partnership with her husband.
Mr. and Mrs. Webster are the parents of two children, namely:
Hugh and John. Politically Mr. Webster is a Republican,
and in 1903 served in the Council of the Territory. Fraternally
he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is
much interested in the Order of which he is a member.
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cont.
J. H. PYEATT. A
man of push, enterprise and ability, J. H. Pyeatt is
one of the foremost citizens of Custer City, and also one
of the ablest and most prosperous business men of Custer county.
He is essentially a self-made man, his education having been
largely obtained by reading and studying outside of school,
and being fond of books he has become well informed, and is
thoroughly posted upon local, national and foreign happenings.
A native of Arkansas, he was born, August 17, 1861, in Washington
county, and was reared on a farm. His parents were William
S. and Mary (Johnston) Pyeatt, who spent a large part
of their lives in Arkansas, dying in Washington countv.
Leaving the home farm when twenty-two
years of age, J. H. Pyeatt located at Cherokee, Indian
Nation, where he built a grist mill which he operated for
a period of five years. Turning his attention then to agricultural
pursuits, he farmed for himself and brother for about five
years, but did not meet with very satisfactory results. Coming
west to Custer county from Cherokee, Mr. Pyeatt located a
claim at Seven Oaks in March, 1892, built a saw mill, and
was there engaged in farming and milling for four years. He
then traded that property for a grocery store at Independence,
this county, and em-
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barked in mercantile pursuits. He was successful
from the start, and subsequently built the first business
house of that place, and leased it for business purposes.
Prospering so well in his operations in that town, Mr. Pyeatt
remained there until 1902, when, on the second day of October,
he took up his residence in Custer City, and here opened a
store of general merchandise. In 1904 he erected the large
building which he is now occupying, and is now the leading
grocer and general merchant of the place, his business being
one of the best and most thriving of any of the kind in Custer
county. This he has built entirely by his own efforts, as
he was not only without capital when he settled in this county,
but he was nine dollars in debt. He has since acquired a goodly
share of this world's goods, and has won a position of prominence
among the substantial, wide-awake business men of this part
of Oklahoma.
On October 1, 1885, Mr. Pyeatt married
for his first wife Serena C. Young, a daughter of Jackson
Young of Washington county, Arkansas. She died leaving
six children, namely: Frederick S.; Mary; Della, a
student at Epworth University, Oklahoma City; Robert; Lemuel;
and Nora Belle. Mr. Pyeatt married second, in April,
1901, Livie Grow, and by this union he has two children,
Pauline and John H. Politically Mr. Pyeatt is a stanch
supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and has
served one term as councilman, and for three years was village
treasurer. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons; of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows;
and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Religiously he belongs
to the Methodist Episcopal church, being an active worker,
and for many years an official member.
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cont.
C. A. GALLOWAY,
vice-president and manager of the German National Bank of
Weatherford, Custer county, was born in West Plains, Howell
county, Missouri, on the 16th of March, 1879, son of James
R. and Sarah A. Galloway. His father is an old merchant
of that place, also interested in various banking enterprises.
The son was reared in his native town, graduating from the
college in West Plains during 1898, and soon afterward entered
business as a bank clerk. In the year named Mr. Galloway became
a resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma, becoming bookkeeper and later
assistant cashier of the First National Bank. His next advance
was to assume the cashiership of the First National Bank at
Weatherford, which office he retained until March, 1904, when
he sold his interest therein and organized the German National
Bank, of which he was first chosen cashier and later vice
president and active manager. Under his energetic and sound
superintendency the institution has taken its place as one
of the substantial and progressive banks of western Oklahoma.
Mr. Galloway is one of the substantial citizens of Weatherford,
his holdings consisting largely of bank stocks and real estate.
Mr. Galloway is a Mason well in the advance,
being a member of the lodge and council, a Knight Templar,
of the thirty-second degree and a Shriner. His wife, to whom
he was married in October, 1906, was formerly Clarice Lucille
Ballard, of Dallas, Texas, and a graduate of St. Mary's
College.
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cont.
REV. C. W. CLOWE.
Few of the Oklahoma ministers have met with more success in
their religious work than Rev. C. W. Clowe, of Thomas,
who is spoken of by his brother ministers, and by all others
who know him, as a man of earnest convictions, strong character,
and deep consecration, bound heart and soul to the cares and
duties of his chosen profession. He is an effective and pleasant
speaker, both in the pulpit and out, a man of excellent executive
ability, and since coming to the Reformed Church of this town
has been influential in having a fine church building and
parsonage erected.
Mr. Clowe was born, in August, 1868, at Glenville, New York,
and was educated in Schenectady, being graduated from the
Union University in 1893. Having a strong tendency toward
religious thought and feeling, he was desirous of preparing
himself for the ministry, and the following three years continued
his studies at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary of the
Dutch Reformed Church. Returning to New York, he had charge
of a church at Delmar for three years, and was subsequently
located for the same length of time at Shokan. Coming to Oklahoma
in the interests of his chosen work, Mr. Clowe accepted the
pastorate of the Reformed Church at Thomas, on January 1,
1906, and has since remained here. A faithful and hard worker,
he has met with eminent success in his la-
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bors, and has had the satisfaction of seeing
the membership of his church increase, and the enthusiasm
of its workers aroused, his extreme earnestness of purpose
awakening the religious zeal of his parishioners.
Mr. Clowe married, in 1892, Mary Ober,
daughter of John and Angelica (Van Wormer) Ober, and
they are the parents of five children, namely: Wilson,
Francis, Eve, Ruth, and Eleanor.
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cont.
J. P. JONES, M. D.
Distinguished as one of the original settlers of the town
of Clinton, Custer county, and as its first physician, J.
P. Jones, M. D., has been identified with the best interests
of the place from the time of its organization, and has contributed
largely towards its development, progress and prosperity.
A son of the late Dr. J. L. Jones, he was born, March
13, 1862, in Richmond, Virginia. His father migrated from
Virginia to Limestone county, Texas, locating in Wesley, where
he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession
until his death.
Receiving excellent educational advantages,
J. P. Jones was graduated from the public schools of
Wesley, Texas, where he was brought up, after which he entered
the Tulane Medical College, at New Orleans, Louisiana, where
he received the degree of M. D. in 1887. Returning then to
Wesley, he was there engaged in the practice of his profession
for thirteen years. In 1900 the Doctor, with characteristic
enterprise, came to Oklahoma, and after spending a year in
Greer county located at Arapaho, where he remained two years,
successfully employed in his professional duties. Coming from
there to Clinton at the time the town was opened up, Dr. Jones
has since resided here, and has here gained a large and lucrative
general practice, his natural talents, industry and skill
classing him among the most successful physicians of this
part of the state.
Dr. Jones married, in 1899, S. E. Ford,
a daughter of the late Dr. Ford, of Texas, and they
are the parents of two children, Anderson and Ellen.
Dr. Jones has met with financial as well as professional prosperity,
accumulating some wealth, and being the owner of town property
of value. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias,
and of the Woodmen of the World.
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cont.
M. L. LACY. The rapid
development and almost marvelous growth of Custer county has
been largely due to the energy and enterprise of a few of
its earlier settlers, among whom M. L. Lacy, the subject of
this brief sketch, holds a place of prominence. Public spirited
and open-handed, he has contributed liberally of his time
and means in aid or all movements for the benefit of town
and county, and has been associated with many of its leading
interests. A native of Iowa, he was born, in 1873, in Linn
county, and there received a practical common school education.
Beginning life for himself as a farmer,
Mr. Lacy was for a while engaged in agricultural pursuits
in, or near, Sioux City, Iowa. Leaving there in 1894, he came
to Oklahoma, and settled in Arapaho, seventy miles from the
nearest railroad. Taking up a claim, he proved up, and shortly
afterwards sold it. He then embarked in mercantile pursuits,
establishing a hardware business, and hauling his supplies
from El Reno, seventy miles away. Meeting with success in
his venture, Mr. Lacy continued as a hardware merchant until
1901, when he disposed of his Arapaho interests at a good
profit, and removed to Clinton. Foreseeing in a large measure
the future prosperity of the then undeveloped town, he conceived
the brilliant idea of here erecting a hotel, and when the
town was opened he had one in process of construction. This
house, widely and favorably known as the Lacy Hotel, is one
of the largest in this section of the county, having more
rooms than any public house west of El Reno, and the very
largest and most lucrative patronage. Clinton is most favorably
located for the business in which Mr. Lacy is employed, being
entered by three lines of railways, which are invariably well
patronized. Industrious and progressive, Mr. Lacy has accumulated
considerable property, all of which he has made since coming
to Oklahoma, his financial success being well deserved.
Mr. Lacy married, in 1898, Elizabeth
Franklin Gordon, daughter of William J. Gordon,
of Iowa, and they have two children, Nellie and Quinton.
Politically Mr. Lacy is an active worker in the Democratic
party, taking much interest in public affairs, and served
as first mayor of Clinton. Fraternally. he is a member of
the Knights of Pythias.
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cont.
WILLIAM THOMAS.
Distinguished as one of the original settlers of the town
of Thomas, Custer county, and as its pioneer merchant, and
the first postmaster of the place, William
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Thomas has also another claim for distinction,
the town in which he resides having been named in his honor.
He was born, August 20, 1849, in Wales, and there spent the
days of his boyhood and youth. His parents, John and Jane
(Griffith) Thomas, lived in Wales many years after their
marriage. Subsequently emigrating with their family to this
country, they settled on a farm in Pottawatomie county, Kansas;
where they passed the remainder of their lives.
Brought up in his native country, William
Thomas attended school but very little, obtaining his
education chiefly by reading and studying by himself. At the
age of twelve years he began working on a farm, and two years
later entered the coal mines, in which he was there employed
for five years. With the family, he then came, to America,
which was then looked upon as the poor man's paradise, and
settled in Kansas, where for many years he carried on farming
and stock-raising. In February, 1893, Mr. Thomas came to Custer
county, Oklahoma, and here took up a claim which was situated
forty-five miles from a railroad. He began the improvement
of his land, and, with characteristic enterprise and forethought,
started a store on his farm in 1894, and in it a post office,
to which the name of Thomas was given, was established, and
was continued until 1902. The railroad which was extended
through the county in that year was one and one-half miles
from that place, so the town was changed to its present site,
on the railway line, its name being retained. It has grown
rapidly, and is now a prosperous and populous town of two
thousand inhabitants. Mr. Thomas is still serving as postmaster,
and is still engaged in mercantile pursuits. His first store
building, on the site of the old town cost $20.00, and his
present building, in which he carries an exceptionally choice
line of general merchandise cost him $1,600. He now resides
on the farm which he purchased from the government, leaving
the management of his store and his mercantile interests to
his son-in-law, Charles Ogden.
Mr. Thomas married, in 1873, Clarinda
Jay, who died in 1902. Their only child, Maggie Thomas,
married Charles Ogden, who, as just mentioned, has
charge of Mr. Thomas's store. Mr. Thomas is a stanch Republican
in politics, and is a thirty-second degree Mason.
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cont.
WILLIAM B. WALKER,
editor and publisher of the Custer County News, published
at Clinton, is an active Democrat of Oklahoma and for fifteen
years has been an enterprising and strong factor in the progress
of that section of the present state. He is a native of Vernon,
Indiana, born in the year 1870. He received his education
chiefly at Tipton, that state, and cast his lot with the territory
of Oklahoma in 1893, four years after it had been thrown open
to white settlement and when its future was somewhat dubious.
But his faith in its ultimate advancement has been fully sustained
by the facts. For seven years Mr. Walker served as clerk of
Custer county and was a popular leader of the Democracy before
he assumed the editorship and business management of the Custer
County News. Under his energetic and able promotion this journal
has become one of the brightest and most influential weeklies
in the state. The plant includes a well equipped job office,
which makes a specialty of fine commercial printing.
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cont.
A. A. CROWELL,
a prominent architect of Enid was born in New York City, July
21, 1865, his parents were also born in that city, his father
residing there at the present time.
At the usual age Mr. Crowell entered the
public schools and in time completed the course and subsequently
entered the New York University, taking up the study of architecture
as a preparation for a life business. He was afterwards in
the offices of various prominent architects of New York City
and later engaged in practice on his own account in New Jersey.
In 1898 on account of ill health he came
west, the country proved so pleasing and the outlook and prospects
were so good for his profession that he decided to make Enid
his future home and opened an office there in 1902.
The buildings constructed from his designs
dot the city. everywhere and are conspicuous for good taste
whether it be his imposing court house erected in the public
square or some modest cottage; among the most prominent buildings
in Enid beside the court house are the Stephenson building,
the Oklahoma State Bank building, the Garfield Exchange Bank
building, the Presbyterian church, the Jefferson school, the
St. Joseph's Institute, and among the finer residences are
those of A. E. Stephenson, Edmund Frantz, J. B. Ferguson
and many others. He has also done considerable work in connection
with making plans for schools, churches, banks and other buildings
outside
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of Enid and his standing in the profession is
indicated by the fact that he was chosen as the first president
of the Oklahoma State Association of Architects, which office
he still holds.
In 1892, Mr. Crowell was married to Miss
Ethel L. Worden of New York. They are well known socially
and have won many friends during their residence in Enid.
Mr. Crowell is a member of the Masonic lodge of Enid, and
of the Chamber of Commerce and is always to be found doing
all he can for the advancement and improvement of his adopted
city.
Mr. Crowell has a fine private library
and is studious in all matters and especially his profession.
He has learned to correctly value life's contacts and its
experiences and is known as a man of well balanced capacity
and powers.
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cont.
HOUSTIN JAMES. There
is perhaps no calling in which success depends so largely
upon individual merit as does the profession of the law and
he who enters upon this calling must possess not only strong
mentality but also a rare combination of learning, tact, patience
and industry. Well qualified for the work which he has chosen,
Houstin James has made a creditable reputation as a successful
lawyer of the Garfield county bar. He was born in Pike county,
Ohio, December 18, 1844, and the days of his boyhood and youth
were spent in that state, while its public schools afforded
him his educational privileges. He laid the foundation for
domestic happiness in his marriage in March, 1867, to Miss
R. Leo Marquis, and unto them have been born three
children, of whom the two daughters are married and now reside
in Chicago, while the son, Marquis Elliott James, is
at home.
At the time of the Civil war Houstin
James espoused the Union cause and enlisting with the
boys in blue became captain of Company H, One Hundred and
Seventy-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving
with that rank for one year before he reached the twentieth
anniversary of his birth. During that period he participated
in the battle of Nashville in command of his company and did
other important service in military lines which contributed
to the victory that finally crowned the Union arms.
It was after the close of the war that Mr. James began preparation
for the legal profession, becoming a law student in his native
state with George D. Cole, of Waverley, Ohio, as his
preceptor. He later matriculated in the Cincinnati Law School,
from which he was graduated in 1868 and was admitted to the
bar at Columbus, Ohio, on the 11th of June, of that year.
In the meantime he was married and established his home at
Waverley, Ohio, where he commenced practice, continuing as
a member of the legal profession at that place and in Hamilton,
Ohio, until 1886, when he removed to the west, settling first
at Springfield, Missouri. There he soon demonstrated his possession
of those qualities which are indispensable to the lawyera
keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense and a ready
capacity for hard work. He soon built up a good clientage
there and continued in active practice in Missouri until 1893,
when with thousands of others he made the famous run on the
opening of the Cherokee strip in Oklahoma in 1893. He rode
seventeen miles in fifty-eight minutes and located a claim
a half mile west of Enid. Then opening an office in the new
city which sprang up as if by magic he has since been prominently
connected with the legal profession here and has now a good
clientage, connecting him with much important litigation.
tried in the courts of this district.
Mr. James is an ardent Republican and
though not an office seeker, is now filling the office of
city attorney. He prefers to devote his time and energies
to his professional interests and his thorough grasp of the
law and ability to accurately apply its principles are factors
in his effectiveness as an advocate.
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cont.
WINFIELD SCOTT. Many
years ago one Winfield Scott, gained distinction in
military lines. He whose name introduces this review followed
that illustrious example when the nation became involved in
war with Spain and went to the Philippines in defense of American
interests, although not yet eighteen years of age. Enid is
proud to number him among her citizens because of his creditable
military record and also because of his activity in business
circles. He was born in Pennsylvania on the 10th of April,
1879. His father, H. F. Scott, was a resident of the
same state and still resides there. He represents one of the
old families of Pennsylvania, his great-grandfather having
located in Greene county, that state, about 1796. H. F.
Scott is now and has for eight years been the efficient
and popular
-437-
postmaster at Rogersville, Pennsylvania, and
is an active, influential Republican of his community. His
wife in her maidenhood bore the name of Susan Church and is
also a native of the Keystone state.
As boy and youth Winfield Scott
attended the public schools and eventually enjoyed the advantages
offered by a course in Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania.
He took up the study of law in Northern Indiana Law School
and was graduated in 1904. Before completing the course he
was looking about for a favorable location and the reports
which reached him concerning Oklahoma influenced him to select
Enid as a place of residence. Three days after his graduation
therefore he reached this flourishing city and here entered
into partnership with Charles West, now the first attorney
general of the state of Oklahoma. Mr. Scott is not a politician
nor an office seeker but is pre-eminently a studious, careful
and conscientious lawyer, whose devotion to his clients' interests
is proverbial. Whatever he does is for the best interests
of those whom he represents and for the honor of his profession,
and he has gained the admiration and respect of all who know
him.
As indicated, however, Mr. Scott has a
creditable military record and for the past year has been
captain of a local military company. At the breaking out of
the war with Spain he was a member of the National Guard of
Pennsylvania and joined the Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
which regiment went to the Philippines, where he remained
for sixteen months in active military service, although not
eighteen years of age. He did faithful service in that tropical
country in defense of the stars and stripes and was mustered
out at the Presidio in California, in October, 1899. He votes
with the Republican party and his interest in politics is
that of a public-spirited citizen who has, however, no desire
for office as a reward for party fealty.
In 1900 Mr. Scott was married to Miss
Etta Florence Smith, a daughter of John Smith,
of Greene county, Pennsylvania. Their three children are Winfield,
Vivian and John Harvey. Mr. Scott is loyal to the teachings
of the craft, belonging to the Masonic lodge at Enid and is
also a consistent member of the Church of Christ.
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cont.
JOHN C. MOORE. From
the establishment of Enid John C. Moore has been prominently
and actively associated with its interests. He was the first
mayor of the city and is prominent in the practice of law,
being recognized as an able and learned member of the Garfield
county bar. He was born January 22, 1846, in Ohio. His father,
David Moore, was a native of Pennsylvania and served
throughout the Civil war and for a year and a half afterward
in the Union army, entering the service at the beginning,
July 4, 1861, as Colonel of the First North East Missouri
Home Guards which afterward became the Twenty-first Missouri
Infantry of which he became the first colonel. At the battle
of Shiloh his leg was shot off on the first day, and he was
sent to hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. On recovery he raised the
Fifty-first Missouri, becoming its colonel. While in the service
he was breveted brigade general, and placed in important command,
but in the active service. At the close of hostilities he
was placed in command of the post at St. Louis, Missouri,
which position he continued to occupy until December, 1866,
when he was mustered out. Soon thereafter he was elected to
the senate of Missouri, serving in the twenty-ninth general
assembly. He was twice married, first, in his younger days
to Miss Diadamia Schnable, of Pennsylvania, from which
marriage the subject of this sketch was born. At the close
of the war his wife died, and later he married Mrs. Mary
Carnegy, of Canton, Missouri, who survives him. His death
occurred in July, 1893, when he was in his seventy-sixth year.
John C. Moore pursued his education
in the public schools of Missouri. He entered the Confederate
army in 1862 when but sixteen years of age, joining the Seventh
Missouri Regiment and was taken prisoner at Helena, Arkansas,
July 4, 1863. He was then detained at Alton, Illinois, for
fourteen months as a prisoner of war and when being transferred
to Chicago made his escape by jumping from the car window.
Following the war he taught school in Illinois, Kansas and
Missouri until 1882 and proved an excellent educator both
in the matter of instruction and discipline. In the meantime,
however, he made preparation for the bar and following his
admission to practice in 1882 he was located in Memphis, Missouri.
There he remained in successful practice for about eleven
years, when in 1893 at the opening up of the Cherokee strip
he came to Enid. Since that time he has been closely
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associated with the affairs of this rapidly
growing and beautiful modern city. He organized the city government
and was elected the first mayor of Enid. Since his retirement
from the office he has given his attention in undivided manner
to his law practice and his son, Charles L., is now
associated with him as junior partner of the firm of Moore
& Moore. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness
and care, presents his cause with clearness and force, is
logical in argument and strong in his deductions. He has been
accorded a large clientage that has connected him with much
of the important litigation tried in the courts of this district
and his business is now extensive, while his position in legal
circles ,is among the foremost in that part of the state.
In 1867, Mr. Moore was united in marriage
to Miss Mary L. Freeman, a native of Illinois and a
daughter of Alexander Freeman. Her death occurred in
1878, and Mr. Moore has since wedded Miss Mary B. Smith.
He is well known as a member of the Masonic fraternity and
is a valued visitor at the lodge rooms. His name is an honored
one in Enid and this part of the state, for he has ever displayed
those qualities which make him known not only as an upright,
honorable man but also as a progressive, helpful citizen.
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cont.
CHARLES L. MOORE,
the junior partner of the well known law firm of Moore &
Moore of Enid, was born, in Fulton county, Illinois, June
2, 1868, and his prominence and success as a representative
of the legal profession is indicated by the fact that he was
the recent Democratic nominee for district judge of the twentieth
judicial district of the new state of Oklahoma, comprising
the counties of Garfield, Alfalfa and Major. Reared under
the parental roof, he determined to follow in the professional
footsteps of his father and became a member of the bar. After
a careful, thorough preliminary preparation he was admitted
to the bar of Missouri in 1891 but desiring to still further
qualify for his chosen calling he entered the Albany Law School
at Albany, New York, from which he was graduated in 1892.
The following year he located at Enid, where he has since
remained in practice and at the present writing he is serving
as president of the County Bar Association. He has been admitted
to practice in the United States supreme court and is a capable
and able lawyer, who has displayed marked ability in handling
the intricate problems that appear before the courts.
In June, 1898, Mr. Moore was married to
Miss Clara L. Pitkin, the wedding being celebrated
at Memphis, Missouri, He is in hearty sympathy with the principles
of Masonry and is identified with the craft. His political
allegiance has always been given to the Democratic party and
when he was nominated on that ticket for judge of the twentieth
judicial district, the Daily Wave said of him: "He
has never held an elective office except that he was twice
city attorney of Enid, and a delegate to the constitutional
convention." In the constitutional convention he was
chairman of the committee on federal relations and as such
prepared and reported Article 1 of the proposed constitution;
he was also on the sub-committees of the judiciary, judicial
apportionment, ordinance and county government committees
and assisted in drafting the reports of such committees, which
were adopted by the convention; he was one of the legal advisory
committee to whom all mooted legal questions in the convention
were referred; he was also one of the committee on revision,
style and arrangement, which put the finishing touches to
the constitution, During the recess of the convention he was
sent as one of three commissioners to confer with President
Roosevelt and Attorney General Bonaparte as to those legal
phases of the constitution which have to do with the relations
of the new state to the federal government; and upon his return
home assisted in meeting the objections raised by the attorney
general, by such changes in the proposed constitution as would
leave no question of doubt.
Mr. Moore was also appointed as one of
a committee of five to investigate the original legislative
apportionment; the report of this special committee was adopted
at the final session of the convention, and resulted in Garfield
county being given an additional representative in connection
with Kingfisher county, and Alfalfa county an additional representative
in connection with Grant county, also in Alfalfa and Major
counties alone being allowed one senator, while under the
original apportionment such senatorial district also embraced
the county of Blaine.
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cont.
DR. M. A. KELSO,
successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery
in Enid, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, June 6, 1857,
His father, Levi B. Kelso,
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was also a native of the Buckeye state, born
in Licking county, July 16, 1832. He was a farmer and stockman
who on leaving Ohio removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1869.
There he lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned ease.
During the period of the Civil war he served his country as
a soldier of the Union army with the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Ohio Infantry, with which he continued until the close of
hostilities. He married Miss Melissa Ashbrook, who
was a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, born December 9, 1836.
She came of German French ancestry who came to this country
at an early day. The Kelsos were of Scotch descent and the
first representatives of the name in America settled at Norfolk,
Virginia.
Dr. Kelso, whose name introduces this
review, was a young lad at the time of the family's removal
from Ohio to the middle west. He pursued his education in
the schools of Missouri and in Amity College of Iowa and early
in his business career was connected with newspaper interests
at Rockport, Missouri, establishing what is now the Atchison
County Mail. He afterward founded the Democratic Mail and
was the youngest Democratic editor in Missouri at that time.
He conducted the paper for a year and in 1880 established
the Tarkio Blade, which he also published for a year.
Thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, however, than
a journalistic career he took up the study of medicine in
1883 and was graduated from the medical department of the
University of Nebraska in the class of 1887. His preparation
for his profession was therefore thorough, and with broad
and comprehensive knowledge he began to put his theoretical
training to the practical test, establishing an office at
Ashton, Iowa, where he remained for four years. On the expiration
of that period he removed to Clyde, Missouri, and in January,
1893, he became resident of El Reno, Oklahoma. While enroute
for that place he passed through the present site of Enid
but there was nothing to indicate a town here at that time.
It was all wild prairie and gave' no promise of future development.
Dr. Kelso continued in active practice
at El Reno until the opening of the Cherokee strip, when he
came to Enid. He was very successful in making the run, being
the tenth man in line at the land office. Here he secured
one hundred and sixty acres of land, a portion of which he
still holds, the property adjoining the city limits. From
the opening of that strip he has practiced his profession
and has been very successful. He is most careful in the diagnosis
of a case and his judgment is seldom if ever at fault in foreseeing
the outcome of disease. His manner is cheery and cordial and
this is undoubtedly one of the elements of his success in
the sick room. Moreover, he keeps in touch with the constant
progress that is being made by the medical fraternity and
in his practice conforms to a high standard of professional
ethics. He is a member of the County, the State and the American
Medical Associations, was the first president of the county
society and was reelected to the office. In 1906 he became
the first vice president of the State Medical Association
and was first counselor of the third district. He became the
organizer of the Central Oklahoma Medical Association, of
which he was secretary for seven years and also filled the
office of president. He stands as one of the most progressive
representatives of the calling and moreover believes in adhering
to a high standard in professional labors.
In April, 1892, Dr. Kelso was married
to Miss Clara J. Kellum, a native of Boston, Massachusetts,
and a daughter of John H. Kellum. They are well known
socially and their home is justly celebrated for its warm
hearted and gracious hospitality. Dr. Kelso is a York Rite
Mason. He has filled the chairs in the chapter and the commandery
at Enid and he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks and to other fraternal organizations. He takes a most
active interest in the welfare of the city, with which he
has been identified from its establishment and has done effective
service in behalf of public education as president of the
school board. At one time he was a candidate for governor
but retired from the contest before the nominations were made.
He is a stalwart champion of the Democracy and retired after
several years' service as chairman of the Democratic county
central committee and at present is a member of the state
committee. Prominent in political and professional circles
and in community interests he is a man of high moral character
and unblemished integrity who commands and enjoys the confidence,
trust and good will of all with whom he has been brought in
contact.
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-440-
JAMES WALLACE STEEN,
who has directed his energies into the field of jurisprudence
with the result that the Oklahoma bar has gained an able member
while the community in which he lives has the benefit of excellent
professional service, was born in Logan county, Ohio, June
16, 1855. His father, James L. Steen, was a native
of Virginia, while his mother who bore the maiden name of
Margaret Wallace, was born in Ohio.
Reared by his grandfather, James W.
Steen pursued his early education in the public schools
of his native county and afterward attended Monmouth College,
at Monmouth, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1877.
When the time came when he must make a choice of a business
or profession which he wished to make his life work, he determined
upon the practice of law and after careful preparation was
admitted to the bar at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 2d of September,
1879. He then opened an office at Bellefontaine, Ohio, where
he continued in general practice for a year. He afterward
devoted three years to railroad practice in connection with
the Bee Line Railroad. In 1888 he removed westward to Kansas,
settling in Kingman county and at the opening of the strip
came to Enid, where he has since remained. Here he practiced
for several years as a member of the firm of Conkling, Steen
& Conkling and later as senior member of the firm of Steen
& Thompson. Since 1901 he has been a partner of Mr. Rush,
and the firm occupies a foremost place in the ranks of the
legal fraternity. Mr. Steen's legal learning, his analytical
mind and the readiness with which he grasps a point in an
argument all combine to make him one of the capable lawyers
of the Garfield county bar. His practice is extensive and
of an important character. At no time has his reading been
confined to the limitations of the case at issue. It has gone
beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone
for the expected but also for the unexpected, which happens
in the courts quite as frequently as out of them.
In 1887 occurred the marriage of James
Wallace Steen and Miss Sallie Pate, a native of
Virginia and a daughter of Richard and Susan (Wooding)
Pate, the former a captain of the Confederate army. Mrs.
Steen is a lady of marked intellectual strength and culture
and of literary taste. She has been a frequent contributor
to magazines and took the prize for the best story in Black
Cat when there were thousands of competitors. She has written
a history of the Oklahoma judiciary which gives a complete
account of the courts of the territory and the state. She
is equally prominent socially and is a most charming hostess,
having the happy faculty of placing her guests entirely at
ease. The only child of this marriage, Marjory, died
in infancy.
Mr. Steen fraternally is connected with
the American Yeomen and his religious faith is indicated by
his membership in the Episcopal church. He is interested in
public affairs and gives his political allegiance to the Democracy
but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate
his time and energies upon his professional duties. His devotion
to his clients' interests is proverbial and at the bar he
has won a creditable position, while his marked strength of
character has gained for him the high respect of his fellowmen.
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-440-
cont.
GEORGE A. BOYLE, M. D.
In a history of Enid it is imperative that mention be made
of Dr. George A. Boyle, whose success in professional
lines is indicated by the liberal patronage accorded him,
while in social circles he occupies a position that clearly
indicates his genial manner, his kindliness and his deference
for the opinions of others. He was born near Ballymena, county
Antrim, Ireland, on the 13th of March, 1857. His father, William
G. Boyle, was also a native of the Emerald Isle and was
a large farmer there, who also operated a scutch mill for
cleaning and preparing flax to be manufactured into linen.
Flax is a staple crop in the province of Ulster, which includes
county Antrim, and therefore the business is an important
one in that locality. William G. Boyle was married
to Miss Maria Wallace, also a native of county Antrim
and the family remained residents of that locality until 1865,
when they came to the United States. Crossing the Atlantic
to the new world they did not tarry on the eastern coast but
they made their way at once to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where
the father engaged in merchandising and also in agricultural
pursuits. In 1871 he removed with his wife and children to
southwestern Iowa. His life was one of intense and well directed
business activity and thus he has provided a comfortable living
for his family. His last years were spent in Kansas, where
-441-
he passed away on the 1st of June, 1904, at
the age of eighty-one years, having for a brief period survived
his wife, who died in 1900.
Dr. Boyle, whose name introduces this
review, was a youth of eight years when brought by his parents
to the United States. His early education was acquired in
the public schools of Wisconsin and subsequently he enjoyed
the benefits of instruction in Amity College, of Iowa. In
early manhood he engaged in teaching for a number of years
in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, but regarded this merely as
an initial step to other professional labor although he was
successful as a teacher both in the matter of discipline and
instruction. It was his desire, however, to become a member
of the medical profession and to this end he began study in
1883. He was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College
of Philadelphia with honors in surgery as a member of the
class of 1887 and located for practice at Paola, Kansas. He
afterward spent fifteen years in Lewisburg, that state, and
for two years was located at Winfield, Kansas, in the practice
of medicine and surgery. Since 1904 he has resided in Enid
and has secured an extensive business here as he has given
proof of his ability to correctly diagnose a case and administer
remedial agencies. Excellent results have attended his efforts
and he is now accorded an extensive patronage. He keeps in
touch with the advanced thought of the profession through
his membership with the County and State Medical societies
and also the American Medical Association.
Dr. Boyle is a representative of the Masonic
fraternity and has served as senior warden of Enid Lodge,
No. 19, A. F. & A. M., as high priest of Enid Chapter,
R. A. M., and as worthy patron of the Eastern Star a fact
which indicates his high standing among his brethren of the
craft. He has also been exalted ruler of the Elks lodge, belongs
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to other fraternal
organizations, being in hearty sympathy with the principles
and purposes of these societies. He is a member of the Presbyterian
church and his influence is always found on the side of truth,
justice and right. Highly respected for his good qualities
as a citizen and standing high in his profession, he has,
moreover, gained that warm personal regard which makes his
an extensive circle of friends.
Dr. Boyle married Miss Annie Farnham,
of Paola, January 18, 1888. One child, Claire, a daughter,
was born of this union. She is a student in the college of
Emporia, Kansas. Mr. Boyle died at Winfield, Kansas, June
25, 1903.
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-441-
cont.
D. W. EASTMAN.
The distinctive and specific office of biography is not to
give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself or his accomplishments
but rather to establish his record by the consensus of public
opinion and while D. W. Eastman does not claim any special
credit for what he has accomplished it is well known that
there are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and
respect which are uniformly accorded him. With him success
in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of mind
and a heart true to every manly principle. He has never deviated
from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honorable
between his fellowmen and himself; he has never swerved from
the path of duty and at the same time he has been a forceful
factor in public life in Kansas and is now equally prominent
in Oklahoma.
Mr. Eastman was born in Republic, Seneca
county, Ohio, on the 18th of September, 1839, and is a son
of William and Sabra (Wallace) Eastman. The father,
a native of Canada, was a minister of the Methodist church,
devoting his life to the cause of Christianity. He died in
Ohio in 1842 at the comparatively early age of twenty-nine
years, his birth having occurred in Canada in 1813. His wife,
a native of New York, was born in 1818 and died in 1889. Following
the loss of her first husband she married again and the family
removed to Michigan in 1847.
In that state D. W. Eastman of
this review was reared and in early boyhood worked at farm
labor, becoming familiar with all the duties that fall to
the lot of the agriculturist. When eighteen years of age he
began working as a farm hand in the employ of others, following
that occupation through the summer months, while in the 'winter
seasons he taught school. Desirous of acquiring a more advanced
education he resumed his studies as a student in the high
school at Battle Creek, Michigan, from which he was graduated
in 1861.
That year was a momentous one in the history
of Mr. Eastman, for in the month of August he responded to
the country's call for aid and enlisted in an independent
regiment known as Merrill's Horse. Afterward by order of the
war department this was
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mustered in as the Second Missouri Cavalry and
with that command Mr. Eastman served until 1864, he reinlisting
before his term expired in the same regiment and served in
Missouri and Arkansas for some time, while during the latter
part of the war he was in Tennessee. He participated in fifteen
battles which contributed to the success that led up to the
final victory that crowned the Union arms. Although he enlisted
as a private his meritorious conduct and his unfaltering loyalty
won him promotion and he became successively sergeant, quartermaster,
sergeant-major, of the regiment, first lieutenant, then adjutant.
He then resigned in 1865 on account of death in his family.
He certainly did his full duty to his country and with a most
creditable military record returned to his home. After being
mustered out Mr. Eastman engaged in farming until 1868, after
which he turned his attention to merchandising, in which he
continued for three years. On the expiration of that period
he removed to Emporia, Kansas in 1871 and for several years
conducted a drug store in that place. Deeply interested in
politics, his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability
called him to office. He was first appointed assistant postmaster
at Emporia, Kansas and later his capability and fidelity in
that position led to his selection for the position of county
treasurer of Lyon county, to which he was reelected, serving
for a term of four years. Further political honors were accorded
him in his election to the legislature in 1893 at the time
when the political strife was between the. Populists and the
Republicans, each party putting forth most strenuous efforts
to gain supremacy. It was a stirring time in the legislature
and affairs were finally settled through the decision of the
supreme court, which favored the Republicans. It was naturally
to be expected that a man of Mr. Eastman's energetic nature
and firm opinions would take an active part in the affairs
of the times. He was also mayor of Emporia for one term and
gave the city a business like, progressive administration.
He likewise served as a member of the board of education and
in every office which he filled made a creditable record for
faithfulness and efficient integrity.
In 1899 he was appointed receiver at the
land office at Enid without his solicitation. Just prior to
this he had been appointed supervisor of census for the fourth
district of Kansas. He continued as supervisor until the office
was discontinued but in the meantime had become much interested
in the country and decided to remain here, believing that
it was entering upon a most progressive era in its history.
He took up the banking, real-estate and loan business and
has been so engaged to the present time.
Mr. Eastman is not only prominent in business
circles but is well known and popular in other lines. He is
a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been post
commander and quartermaster general of the department. He
was also, department commander, being elected to that office
on the day that war was declared with Spain. He has always
been deeply interested in the cause of the Union soldier and
through his association with the Grand Army of the Republic
maintains pleasant relations with those who as his fellow
associates served with him on the battlefields of the south.
He is also well known in Masonry as a member of the blue lodge
and the commandry and his life is in harmony with the salient
principles of the craft.
In 1864 Mr. Eastman was married to Miss
Marion H. Hale, a daughter of Hiram Hale, a
native of Coldwater, Michigan. They became the parents of
three children, of whom two are living and residents of Topeka,
Kansas: William H. and Mary, the latter the
wife of J. H. Abrams. Mr. Eastman, is a member of the
Methodist church, active and prominent in its work. He is
serving as one of the church trustees and as superintendent
of the Sunday school, and in 1904 was a delegate to the general
conference of the church at Los Angeles, California.
Perhaps no better estimate of the character
of Mr. Eastman could be given than in the following extract
of a letter from Governor Hoch, who said: "Before removing
to Oklahoma, Mr. Eastman was for many years one of the best
known and most prominent and most highly esteemed public men
of Kansas. He is a man of high character and I highly recommend
him to those who wish to have business relations with him."
While elected to many offices in Kansas he met defeat on one
occasion when he was a Republican candidate for the constitutional
convention. This was due to the fact that he is a well known
temperance man and those opposed to temperance combined to
cause his defeat. Mr. Eastman, however, would never swerve
from a course which he believes to be right and stands as
a splendid type of [page 443] honorable, progressive, patriotic
American manhood. His life has at all times been straight-forward
and he has used his ability which, is of superior order,
for the benefit of his community, his state and his country
and at the same time in business affairs he has manifested
the spirit of enterprise and industry most commendable.
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