PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF OKLAHOMA 1901
Biographies on this page:
Cecil, W. E.
Deardorff, William P.
Gerlach, Philip J.
Newman, R. J.
Richardson, D. P.
Thomas, David M.
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W. E. CECIL
is a successful farmer and has a choice farm on section 7, El Reno township, Canadian county. He came to Oklahoma in 1890 from Saline county, Mo., and has made these years highly productive. Mr. Cecil was born in North Carolina, of which state his father, Solomon Cecil, also was a native. He removed to Missouri in 1869 and spent several years there, but in 1895 went back to North Carolina, where he died in 1898. He was a farmer all of his life, as were the Cecils before him. They came to this country long before the Revolutionary war, and have always been closely identified with the cultivation of the soil. He married Edith Kennedy, also a native of North Carolina. She bore him five children, four of whom are now living: W. E., Sarah, Charles C. and Ellen Marticia.
W. E. Cecil was born in 1854, and was brought to Missouri by his parents in 1869. Reared to an agricultural life, he has had no desire to break away from it. He remained in Missouri until 1890, that year coming to Canadian county, and
buying a quarter section in section 7. This has been his home to the present time, and since his arrival here he has purchased additional land until he now owns six hundred and forty acres, all of which is available for tillage. He has handled about three hundred acres of wheat, and gives much attention to high-grade cattle. He has made liberal improvements, has extensive orchards and a vineyard. He was appointed postmaster at Liberty postoffice in 1896 under President Cleveland. He is a director of school district No. 37, and always has taken a lively interest in educational matters.
He was married to Sarah Burnett in Saline county, Mo., and they have five children: Robert W., Hugh, Walter, Lou and Goldie May. His family are members of the Christian Church, and he has, been an elder for several years.
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WILLIAM P. DEARDORFF
has a farm on section 8, El Reno township, Canadian county, that in completeness of appointments, excellence of cultivation, and profit of production would compare well with many a similar place in the older regions. He came here in February, 1890, from Jackson county, Kans., his birthplace being in that county. There his father, John Deardorff, is still living. He is a native of Ohio, and came into Kansas in 1855, while the border ruffian fight was still going on, and he is living to-day on the same farm which he pre-empted on his entrance into what was then the seat of war. He is a farmer and a stock-raiser on a large scale, and is a man of affairs. He was county commissioner for three terms, and is one of the leading men of the county. He married Miss Mary Corsage. She was born in Maryland, and was the mother of twelve children, six of whom are now living: Joshua B., of Liberty, Okla.; Mary, the wife of George Helm; William F.; Laura, the wife of William Fairbanks, of Jackson county, Kans.; Effie, the wife of Harry Biggart, also of Jackson county, and Hugh, on the old homestead.
Mr. Deardorff was born in Jackson county, Kans., in 1859, and attained his manhood while living at home. He had such educational advantages as the district school afforded, and was
reared as a farmer's boy, with no other expectation than cultivating the soil all his life. He was a stout and energetic lad, and developed into sturdy manhood. Thrifty and careful, he presently became quite forehanded, and in September, 1889, came into the territory, looking for a location. In December of the same year he bought the relinquishment of the one hundred and sixty acres where he now lives, and on the 8th day of that month put up the main part of the house which now is his home. February 26, 1890, he brought his family from Kansas, and every year they have done better than in the past. The first year he put in forty acres of flax, and devoted himself to the work of improvement. A little later he was able to purchase an adjoining quarter-section, and now owns one-half of section 8. He has two hundred and twenty acres under the plow and five acres are devoted to an orchard and a small vineyard. He has made all the improvements, from well and mill to barn and house, and may well take delight in the visible and substantial results of his life in Oklahoma. He puts in about two hundred acres of wheat every year. Having become interested in the raising of Shorthorn cattle, he will give them much more attention from this time forward.
In 1879 Mr. Deardorff was married to Miss Calista Allard, a native of Henry county, Ill., but at that time a resident of Jackson county, Kans. They have nine children: Maude, Amzy, Pearl, William, Ruth E., Calista, Charles, Lyman George, and Oscar LeRoy. He belongs to the Farmers' Insurance Company, for several years has served on the school board, and was a member of the first board of district No. 42. Though a Republican, he is not active in politics.
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PHILIP J. GERLACH
is an industrious and successful farmer, whose home is on section 24, El Reno township. Canadian county, and who has taken a leading position among the tillers of the soil since his arrival here in 1891. He came from Marion county, Kans., and was thoroughly familiar by long experience with all possible phases of pioneer life. He was born in Germany, in 1846, and was reared a farmer, but learned the stonemason's trade, tie served four years in the army, and actively participated in the Franco-German war of 1870-71.
In 1880 our subject came to this country with his family, and settled in Marion counfy, Kans., where he followed farming on rented land until 1891. That year he came to Oklahoma and bought a half-section of land in El Reno township, he has made substantial improvements, carries on general farming and stock-raising, and has brought his land to a high pitch of fertility. It is generally pronounced one of the best and most attractive farms in the county, he has been equally successful as a farmer and a stock raiser and dealer. He keeps a high grade of cattle and horses and is recognized as an authority in all matters that relate to Oklahoma stock and iarming.
Mr. Gerlach is a member of the Baptist Church of El Reno, and is quite active in its behalf. He was married in Germany to Caroline Hoehnle, a native-born German. They have no children, but adopted a son who has been with them since a boy. He bears their name, and hardly realizes that he is not of their blood. He is known as Albert Gerlach, and his home is in El Reno.
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R. J. NEWMAN
carries on a general mercantile business at the Darlington Indian Agency in Canadian comity, and is widely known as an enterprising and reliable tradesman. From Kingman county, Kans., he came to Oklahoma in July, 1889, and has since been identified with the development of this portion of the territory, contributing to its progress and advancement through his personal devotion to business and the high standard of his citizenship.
At the home of his parents in Terre Haute, Ind., where he was born, Mr. Newman remained until he was fifteen years of age. His father and mother were Jasper and Nancy (Ross) Newman. On starting out for himself he secured a clerkship in a general store at Saline City, Ind. Rising to a position of responsibility, for four years he had entire charge of Ms employer's business. In 1885 he settled in Harper county, Kans., and soon secured possession of the Norwich hotel, in Norwich, of which he was proprietor and manager for three years. When the news came that Oklahoma was to be thrown open to settlement he was quick to see the possibilities of business in the new territory, and accordingly closed oul his interests in Kansas.
Coming to Oklahoma Mr, Newman settled at old Reno City and opened a store in partnership with H. V. Clements, carrying a stock of notions and furniture and also doing business as undertakers. After one year he moved to El Reno, where he carried on the same lines, but more extensively. However, after a year he again sold out and accepted a position with E. F. Mitchell, in filling government contracts at Fort Reno. In 1893 he became manager for Mr. Mitchell in the latter's store at Darlington. When Gus Thelen bought out Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Newman continued to have full charge of the business until the building and stock were destroyed by fire in September, 1896. He then rebuilt for himself, since which time he has been successful, and has carried a well-selected stock of general merchandise. He is a Republican, but not an office-seeker, having his bands full of his business matters.
November 7, 1900, Mr. Newman was united in marriage, in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Jennie Mollenkoph, who was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and is a daughter of Louis and Jennie (Smith) Mollenkoph, natives, respectively, of Germany and Ohio. Mr. Mollenkoph is now manager of the wholesale hat establishment of Albert Mayer & Brothers, in Cincinnati. Mrs. Newman is a graduate of the Kindergarten Normal School of Cincinnati, Ohio, and for three years prior to her marriage she held a position in the government service as kindergarten teacher.
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D. P. RICHARDSON, M. D.
Prominent among the well-known physicians and druggists of Union City, Canadian county, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this personal biography. He came to Union City in 1894 and has won for himself an enviable reputation and a host of well wishing friends. All his time is spent in the study and practice of his chosen profession, and he has gained a practice and custom which would do credit to an older man.
C. O. Richardson, the father of our subject, a native of Virginia, was an early Missouri farmer, and still resides in that state. Dr. Richardson was born in DeKalb county, Mo., and for some time dwelt in Gentry county, Mo. He received his education in the Stanberry normal school, from which he was graduated in 1890, and taught school for four years, part of that period before his graduation.
Dr. Richardson began reading medicine in Gentry county, and in 1894 was graduated from the Louisville Medical College, being given the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Having also taken a special course in chemistry and surgery, he has found the knowledge thus gained of great value in his chosen work.
Opening an office in Union City during September, 1894, Dr. Richardson soon acquired a large practice, and in 1897 bought out Mr. Leadbetter's stock and opened a large drug store, carrying a full line of drugs. By close application to his work, and through his honesty and integrity, he has won an enviable place in the esteem and respect of his fellow townsmen. He is the local medical examiner for the New York Life Insurance, the Mutual Life of New York, the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Buffalo, and the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of the last-named order. He is also a member of the Canadian County Medical Association and the Territorial Medical Association. In politics headheres to the Democratic party.
The doctor was untied in marriage with Miss Katie Telford, of Illinois, in 1893. They have one child, Ivan
Glenwood Richardson.
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DAVID M. THOMAS
is the proprietor of a fine farm consisting of the northwestern quarter of section 3, El Reno township, and is a guod representative of the agricultural interests of Canadian county. He came to Oklahoma in the spring of 1889, from Wayne county, Iowa, bringing with him the push and thrift characteristic of that great state. He was born in
Brown county, Ill., and is a thoroughly western man in all his thoughts and ideals. His father, George Thomas, came from Kentucky, and settled in Illinois, but did not remain there long, moving to Iowa in 1840, where he found a home in Lee county. He spent his remaining days in that state, and died in 1860. He was a farmer all of his life, and had much experience in the darker phases of pioneering. His wife, Mary (Guthrie) Thomas, was born in Indiana, and became the mother of eleven children. Two of these are living in Oklahoma: David M., and his brother, Lemuel, in Payne county.
Mr. Thomas was a child of two years when his parents made their final move to their Iowa home, and in that state he passed his boyhood. He attended the common school, and was reared to a farming life, which has always seemed peculiarly noble to him. He spent several years in buying and shipping grain. He was energetic, and owning a farm of four hundred and forty acres, carried on operations on a large scale, giving much attention to high-grade stock and blooded horses. He sold out in 1887, and spent the next two years in traveling through the entire west frnm Colorado to Washington and Oregon, looking for a desirable location. He made the run April 22, 1889, into Oklahoma. From the Cherokee Strip line to Payne county, riding along the Stillwater river for twelve miles, but failed to locate a claim. In the next May he opened a general store in Frisco township,
Canadian county, and gave his personal attention to it for about a year. His was the first family to enter that town. Buying his present home May 13, 1890, he immediately began its improvement. He engaged in a wise system of general farming, and now has one hundred and twenty acres under cultivation, with good orchard and vineyard. Last year he put in a hundred acres of wheat, and has much success with his corn. He sent selections to Omaha in 1898 for exhibition. He has choice Shorthorn cattle. and recentiy sunk three wells in order that they may have abundant water. A successful business man, he owns two lots and a house in El Reno, in addition to his farm.
Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, and when he was in Iowa held the office of township clerk for four years. He was treasurer of the school board for fourteen years, and postmaster for two terms at Harvard. In 1879 he laid out a small town un his land, which was first called Grainvillc, and later Harvard, and he was its first postmaster. Since coming to Oklahoma he has taken a keen interest in educational affairs, and has served on the school board for six years, part of that time being treasurer of the board.
Mr. Thomas has an enviable record as a soldier in the great war for the Union. He enlisted in 1862, in Company F, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, principally in the Sixteenth Army Corps. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg, the Red River expedition and the battle of Arkansas Post. In 1862, while digging a rifle pit before Fort Morgan, in Alabama, he was knocked down by a cannon ball passing over his head. He had many close calls, but "lives to laugh at war's alarms." He belongs to Reno Post No. 13, G. A. R.. and was its commander in 1899. Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Alice Entsminger in 1889. She also was from Iowa, and they have one child, Merritt.
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