Volume 8 , Issue 17

Pioneers of Woods County (M), Oklahoma Territory...

These are a few more of Woods County, Oklahoma's town fathers that helped shape and build this northwest part of the State.

G. W. Snyder -- G. W. Snyder was a native of Ohio. He came to Kansas in the early eighties, and to Alva at the opening and started the first dry-goods store in the city. His business grew with the city and at the beginning of 1904 he was at the head of the Snyder, Makemson Mercantile Co., which occupied three large rooms, and was one of the largest department stores in Oklahoma. Mr. Snyder had always been a loyal supporter of public improvements in Alva, and in 1904 was a member of the city council.

H. E. Noble -- H. E. Noble was a native of Wisconsin. He came to Winfield, Kansas when a young man, thence to Medicine Lodge where he was in the hardware business several years. He came to Alva September 16, 1893 and was among the first to open a hardware store and was still in business in 1904. He was a member of the old "push" crowd that started Alva going, and has never stopped pushing. In is 1903 he was serving his second term as member of the city council and was progressive all the time.

T. F. Fennessey -- T. F. Fennessey was one of Alva's early merchants, and by paying close attention to business and square dealings his general mercantile store grew with the town by 1904.

F. M. Cowgill -- F. M. Cowgill was a native of Iowa, and raised in Missouri. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868. He practiced law in Cassville and Joplin, Missouri. He also engaged some in mining. For some years he was in the banking business in Iowa and Kansas. He came to Alva, September 16, 1893, and opened a law office. In 1899, he published the Alva Courier, sold it and resumed law practice. In 1903 his firm was known as "Cowgill & Dunn."

G. A. Harbaugh -- G. A. Harbaugh was a native of Iowa. He came to Barber County, Kansas, 1884, and to Alva at the opening and secured a farm five miles southeast. He sold the farm, and bought property in Alva and engaged in the grain, feed and coal business and built elevators at several different points in the county. He was a member of the city council and president of the Alva National Bank. He was moves ahead all the time in business and popularity.

A. J. Ross -- Mr. Ross was a native of Indiana. He came to Alva from Lincoln county, Kansas, soon after the opening. He practiced law. He was one of the first justices of the peace elected for the Alva township. He was nominee of his party (republicans) for probate judge. Sept. 1897, he bought the Alva Courier and he continued as its editor and publisher.

Geo E. Nickel -- He was a member of Territorial Board of Education for Normal Schools. He was a native of Missouri. He engaged in business in Kansas and Colorado, and before coming to Alva, he was in the banking business at Amarillo, Texas. He came to Alva in August, 1897, and entered the Exchange Bank as a partner and cashier, which he had retained that position as of 1904. He was considered one of the best banking men in the west. In 1902 he was appointed, by Gov. Ferguson, a member of the Territorial Board of Education for Normal schools. Mr. Nickel is a progressive citizen who is always ready to give a liberal portion of his time and means for the good of Alva and Woods county.

A. T. Sniggs -- Sniggs was an old soldier who entered the army in 1862 and served three years; has held a number of important public offices; came to Alva from McPherson, Kansas, Sept. 16, 1893, and secured a fine homestead five miles south of Alva; sold it and moved to town; was elected representative of this district in 1900, and in the Sixth legislature passed the bill providing for the payment of $100,000 for our Normal College, together with an additional $8,000 for it, for which service our people will always feel grateful to him. In 1904 he was engaged with Crowell Bros. as a grain buyer. It was also known that his son-in-law was Momam Pruiett, a famous criminal lawyer in Oklahoma.

A. H. Beegle -- Beegle was a native of Pennsylvania; came to Kingman, Kansas, 1888; came to Alva, September 6, 1893, and engaged in the restaurant business; member of city council two terms, mayor in 1896; he is an old soldier and takes great interest in affairs of the old veterans and always stands up for Alva.

James P. Renfrew -- Renfrew - Alva Pioneer was a farmer, school teacher, editor, native of Iowa, but lived in Missouri most of his life, came to Barber County, Kansas, 1887, and to Woods County Sept. 16, 1893, locating on a farm north of Alva. Was first treasurer of Woods County elected by the people in 1894, which office he very excellently filled for two years; was nominee of his party (populist) for territorial councilman 1898; he published with E. Madison as partner, the Alva Review from May 1899, to May 1902; in July 1902, started Renfrew's Record, which he still published in 1909.

E. A. Haines -- Haines was a native of Indiana. He was acclimated in Kansas and came to Alva in 1899 and engaged in the clothing business, which had grown with the town. He always did his best to keep the "bandwagon" moving ahead.

J. W. Monfort -- Monfort was a native of Missouri and lived in Kansas a few years, coming from Elk City to Alva and engaging in the drug business November 30, 1894, in the present location on the nw corner of Barnes & College Avenue. Alvae never had a more willing or substantial friend than J. W. Monfort, and he had been one of the leading members of the commercial club ever since it was organized.

Geo D. Carter -- Geo. D. Carter was a native of Iowa and came to the Cherokee Strip, September 16, 1893. He came to Alva 1900 and with H. G. Hackney, W. A. Chain and W. F. Laird, built the Alva Roller Mills. He was elected president of the commerical club in 1902. He is liberal, energetic and public spirited all the time.
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