1916 A History of Meade County, Kansas

BIOGRAPHICAL.

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B. F. BISBEE

B. F. Bisbee, frequently called "The Big-bellied Wheat King of Meade County," was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan, on June 22nd, 1842. He was married at Mason City, Ill., in January, 1867, to Rebecca Grisson. To this union were born six children, to wit: Carrie, Grace, Leona, William I., and Maud and Myrtie, the last two being twins.

Mr. Bisbee came to Meade County in 1887, and has ever since been engaged in farming and stockraising.

Years ago he earned and carried the title of "Farmer Bisbee" because he was one of the very few men in Meade County who were making a success of farming at that time.

He has been. Trustee of his township, and is a member of the I. O. O. F at Meade.

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M. A. BIRD AND FAMILY.

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M. A. BIRD AND FAMILY.

The accompanying picture shows a cozy home view of Mark Bird and his estimable family, Mrs. Bird, and the children, Abner C., Lorene, Lillian. A., Harry C., and Gladys.

Mr. Bird conducts a general merchandise store at Missler, and is also extensively engaged in handling horses and cattle.

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HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.

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JOHN P. BALLARD AND WIFE.

John P. Ballard was born in Logan County, Kentucky, August 7th, 1878. He came to Meade County in August, to be exact, on August 21st, 1903, and made homestead entry in Cimarron township. He was married to Anna L. Shinogle on April 19th, 1911. They have one child, Woodrow R. A. Ballard, born February 25th, 1911.

Mr. Ballard has been engaged in farming, doing a little realestate business "on the side," and has prospered.

He is a member of the I. O. O F. Lodge, has served his township as Trustee, and his political party as precinct Committeeman.

Anna L. Shinogle was born in Meade County, Kansas, on October 27th, 1890. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Shinogle.

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JOHN CORDES AND FAMILY.

John Cordes was born at Cole Camp, Benton County, Missouri, on July 15th, 1867, of German parentage. He came to Meade County March 1st 1885, and commenced life as a young pioneer on the pioneer prairies.

He was married April 16th, 1898, to Maggie Brunjes, a Meade County girl. To this union four children have been born—Alice M., Barthold H., Lola K., and Earnest J. E.

Mr. Cordes has been engaged in the business of farming and stock-raising, and is one of the substantial, prosperous farmers of Odee Township.

He has always taken a strong interest, and frequently an active part, in politics, and in 1912 was elected County Commissioner for the Second District.

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HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.

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"UNCLE BEN."

Benjamin F. Cox was born in what is now Platte County, Mo., but which was then unorganized Government land, on August 19th, 1837. He came to Meade County on September 3rd, 1894, and remained until about 1908, since which time he has had no settled domicile, but has spent his time in whatever place happened to strike his fancy for the time being. He has been engaged in farming, stock-raising, banking, money-loaning, promoting, etc.

At one time he owned one-third of the Fowler townsite. He was Vice-President of the first bank in Meade County, of the first bank in Fowler, and is now Vice-President of the Meade State Bank. He holds the first tax receipt issued in Meade County; he drove the first railroad spike in Meade County; he discovered artesian water in Meade County; and he wore out the first pair of boots made in Meade County, said boots being made by a certain bootmaker, Schwartz, of Fowler.

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L. C. CASH.

L. C. Cash was born near Nolin, Kentucky, May 28th, 1861. He was married near East View, Ky., on Jan. 11th, 1883, to Katie Fife. The year following he started west in response to Horace Greeley's famous advice, and settled in Sumner County in November, 1884. In September, 1886, he moved farther west, out where the grass was a little shorter, the skies a little bluer, settling in Meade County on September 19th, 1900.

Then for five or six years he worked as head clerk in Parson's big store at Plains, but feeling the need of more outdoor life he finally resigned, and engaged in farming for four years. He then built a modern hotel in Plains, and has been egnaged in the hotel business ever since. This hotel, which is one of the best arranged to be found anywhere, was designed entirely by Mr. Cash, and was for the most part built by him and his sons. It is of concrete blocks, the blocks having been manufactured by Mr. Cash in Plains.

His family consists of three sons and one grandson.

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HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.

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CHESTER DALGARN.

J. Chester Dalgarn, was born in Meade, Kansas, July 6th, 1895, strictly a Meade County product. He graduated from the Meade High School, after which he took a full postgraduate course. He has taught school, but the line of work he intends following, and for which he is fitting himself, is electrical engineering.

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DAMON AND PYTHIAS

The above engraving was made from a flashlight kodak picture taken of Ferol Stevens and John Sullivan, sons of their respective "dads." The young fellows decided to "sit up" until the "old fellows" returned from lodge, but the old boys proved to be the "best stayers," and on their return home found the "untried neophytes" fast asleep in each other's arms.

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HISTORY OF MEADE COUNTY.

[IMAGE] F. W. FICK

[IMAGE] LOUISE FICK.

Ferdinand W. Fick was born at Hansfelde, Prussia, March 7th, 1856. At about seven years of age his parents came to America, and Fred's boyhood and youth were spent in St. Joseph, Mo. He was married at St. Joseph, Dec. 18th, 1878, to Louise Miller, she having been born in Loningen, Switzerland, June 8th, 1858.

Five children, four girls, one boy, are the result of this marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Fick came to Meade County March 1st, 1888, and have been engaged in the mercantile business most of the time since.

Mr. Fick has always taken a prominent part in politics; was Mayor of Meade for two terms, and for two terms Clerk of the District Court.

He takes considerable interest in fraternal orders, being an active member of the Masonic order, both the Blue Lodge and the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of the I. O. O. F, and of the Knights of Pythias.

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