Volume 2 , Issue 7

Prominent citizens of Woods County, OK 1893-1904

Information from the 1904 Souvenir Edition - of the Alva Pioneer, Friday, Jan. 1, 1904, Vol. 11, No. 16, by W. F. Hatfield, Alva, Woods Co., Oklahoma. W. F. Hatfield, Publisher Daily and Weekly Pioneer editor, sold the Souvenir Edition in 1904 for 50-Cents. It was printed to celebrate Alva's tenth anniversary since the opening of 1893.

Woods County Pioneers, Prominent Citizens of Woods CountyPioneers.

Jeff Bower

Bower was a Probate Judge. He was born and raised in Jackson county, Indiana, educated in the Clearspring High School of the same county and state. Taught school six years when young. Bower served in the federal army 1862-64. He was deputy sheriff of the county from August 1866 to Oct., 1870, then elected sheriff and re-elected in 1872, serving four years. He was admitted to the bar in 1874. In Jan., 1875, he was elected reading clerk in the lower house of the legislature where he served a regular and a special term. In 1886, he came west and located in Reno county, Kansas, where he practiced law and edited a newspaper. In 1895 he moved to the Cherokee Strip and located on a claim in Bishop township. Elected probate judge of Woods county in 1895, 1898 and 1902. In 1904 he was serving third term, which is sufficient evidence of the confidence and esteem in which he is held by the people.

Henry France

Henry France was a County Treasurer of Woods County. He was a native of Ohio but was raised in Illinois. He came west to Pratt county, Kans., in 1882. He made the race into this county Sept. 16, 1893, and secured a good farm near Cleo. He was elected treasurer of Woods county, Nov. 1898, and served until Oct. 1, 1901. He was not a candidate in 1900 but on solicitation of friends, he was a candidate in 1902 and elected by more than three times his majority of 1898, which was ample recognition of his efficient conduct of this important office. Mr. France at one time during 1904 had one of the finest fruit orchards in the county.

D. C. Oates, Sheriff

Oates was a native of Alabama. He came to Alva, September 18, 1893. Oates secured a farm in southeast part of the county. He was deputy sheriff 1895 to July 16, 1898. When he enlisted in the first Oklahoma regiment he tried for 9 months to get to the front in the war with Spain. He was elected as sheriff in 1900 by 106 majority, and re-elected in 1902 by 1175 majority, which is ample evidence of his excellent official ability and general popularity.

W. S. David, county clerk (1900)

W. S. David was a native of Illinois, but came west in his youth, and to this county September 16, 1893. He had large farming interests near Cherokee. He was elected county clerk 1900 and re-elected 1902. His increased majority being evidence that his public service had been satisfactory to the people.

J. B. Doolin

Doolin was a register of deeds in Woods County. He was a native of Missouri. He came to Alva in the Summer of 1899, and with C. M. Deppen, engaged in the clothing business, which they successfully conducted until January 1902, when they sold out. Mr. Doolin entered the campaign as a candidate for register, and secured the nomination and election.. During the his past years of services during 1903-1904 he was proved to be a model officer in every particular.

Luther Martin

Mr. Martin was county attorney of Woods County. Martin was a native of Indiana and came to southern Kanasas in 1896, and to Woods County September 16, 1893 and settled on a farm. He went to WAtonga and served as prinicpal of schools from 1894 to 1896. He came to Alva 1900, and was elected county attorney 1902. He is a vigorous and progressive young man of many admirable qualities.

J. P Cooprider

Cooprider was Superintendant of schools in Woods County. He came to Woods county soon after the opening and secured a farm. he was always active in school work. He was elected county superintendant of schools in 1900, and re-elected by a largely increased majority in 1902. He is a quiet, methodical and exemplary officer. There is Cooprider Cemetery was also known as the Livingston Cemetery located at Hwy. Jct. 8 & 45. It is 9 miles west of Helena. The cemetery marker reads, Jonathan (1827-1919) & Sarah (1832-1909) Cooprider. A Jonathan Cooprider is buried in the Cooprider Cemetery.

C. I. Overstreet, County Commissioner

Overstreet was a native of Missouri. An early settler in Woods County and had been very successful in farming and raising cattle, etc. He was elected commissioner in 1900 and re-elected in 1902 by an increased majority. he had a large, fine farm near Driftwood, Oklahoma.

J. W. Jones, County Commissioner

Jones was a native of Ohio, and moved west with his parents when 5 years old. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army in Kansas, served to close of war. He served two terms as justice of the peace in Kansas. He came to Woods county 1893 and in 1904 he was living on the homestead taken at that time. He was elected county commissioner in 1900 and re-elected in 1902.

O. A. Brewer, County Commissioner

Mr. Brewer came from Barton county, Kansas to Carwile, 49 miles southeast of Alva, where he had been engaged in the drug business, and also had interest in a bank. In 1904 he moved to Helena, Oklahoma. He was elected commissioner for the third district in 1902. Mr. Brewer was a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.

O. H. Patterson

Patterson came here September 16, 1893, got a good homestead 3 miles southwest of Alva, afterwards he sold it and built a residence in the town of Alva. In 1904 he was a clerk in Eagle furniture store. he secured the first Postal note issued from the Alva postoffice.

L. H. Taylor

L. H. Taylor was a native of Virginia and is the oldest citizen of Alva, as far as we have been able to learn by diligent inquiry for several months past. he came to Kiowa, Kansas, in 1885, and was employed on the Santa Fe railroad. His work was mainly in this county, but he had more or less of the road to look after from Kiowa to Higgins, Texas. Mr. Taylor says he has seen trains plow through herds of deer and antelope and flocks of wild turkey in this country.

He located in Alva in March, 1893, and has been here ever since. On the day of the opening, he and his wife and her sister stood upon the Santa Fe stock yards and watched the people come into the town. They say Al Galbraith of Hazleton, Kansas, riding a white horse (have forgotten whether or not the man was red headed) was the first man to reach Alva on the day of the race, and he landed on the spot where the Alva National Bank is now located; but there were several others only 30 to 100 feet behind him. H. C. McGraith, J. H. Gentry and Grant Gardner, of Deerhead, Kansas, were just about next.

Mr. Taylor said one fellow came in from the northwest on a buckboard, with two ponies hitched to it. and when he got to the railroad he never stowed up, but put the whip to his steeds and when the buggy struck the track, the tongue broke. The man went on over the dashboard, and got up running toward town and left his team to take care of themselves. Mr. Taylor never saw him again.

W. H. Wiggins

W. H. Wiggins was a native of Illinois, came west in 1883, lived at Hazelton, Kansas, 25 miles northeast of Alva, several years. He built the US land offices here and at Woodward. He also erected for G. R. Follett of Hazelton, the building now occupied by Green & Green as a hardware store, which was one of the first good business houses in town. He also built for W. F. Hatfield the first new two-story business house in Alva, on lot 3, block 50, south side of the square. He secured a farm four miles west, moved his family thereon in 1894, and in 1898 erected the first dwelling (except the little claim house of the original settler) on what is now college addition. Said house is now owned and occupied by Mrs. P. J. Brown and family.

S. L. Johnson

The cut of S. L. Johnson represents features that are very familiar to the early settlers of Woods County. Mr. Johnson was appointed postmaster at Alva on the establishment of the town and on the first day of the opening had the post office in running order in a frame building on the government acre. During his incumbency of that position he was ever active and foremost in the establishment of institutions that make for good government and law and order, and during the formative period of society his influence was most potent and of such character as will be felt in this community as long as it exists. As postmaster, he not only gave us excellent service, but on his recommendation the first post offices were established in Woods County, and at one time almost the entire county received the mail through the Alva post office. Elected to the position of School director at the time when our bond issue was limited to $2,800, the board constructed Alva's first school house, which on the night of its completion was burned to the ground. Not appalled by this disaster, he boldly advocated the rebuilding with school warrants and before the ashes had cooled he called a school meeting and a new brick building was immediately constructed on the ruins of the first building and paid for with school warrants.

Alva lacked a church building and he arranged with the Board of Extension of the Congregational church of New York to move the large Congregational church, now standing on College Avenue, from Wichita, Kansas, to its present location, it was a Herculean undertaking in those early days and for several years was the finest church in Oklahoma, and its presence made the location of the Normal school possible here, for that institution was located in the church for the first two years of its infancy.

In the establishing of the city cemetery, Woods county fair and in fact every enterprise of a public character, he was foremost and tireless. In the location of the Normal school he was as had been aptly termed, The Commodore Dewey of the enterprise, many of our good citizens labored faithfully in this great work, but the faith of S. L. Johnson never wavered or faltered, from first to last. From the first time the matter was broached by him to the city council, until he negotiated and sold the first issue of bonds that made its opening possible; he was constantly on the firing line, spending two winters almost constantly in Guthrie in its interests, until success had crowned our efforts. In fact and briefly, it is not too much too say that the early history of Alva and Woods County is closely interwoven with the life of our former respected fellow citizen, S. L. Johnson.

He has held many positions of honor and trust in fraternal societies and in the Territorial Democratic committee, and while he has removed to the Indian Territory, we say that the coming state of Oklahoma and Indian territroy will need such citizens as Sam Johnson in its building, and that he will be one of the potent factors in directing its future.

George W. McNeeley

He was native of Indiana and came to Alva the day of the opening and was the first to put up a little house to live in. He moved to his claim 7 miles south and one west of town in the spring of 1894. Four or five years ago moved back to town and has been hatching chickens with incubators and raised them for market. He was a member of the city council in 1902.

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.

W. C. Darby

W. C. Darby was a native of Kansas. He came from Attica, Kansas, to Alva in 1898 and engaged in carpentering. He also served a term as 'night marshal' and was then elected 'marshal,' which he still held during the printing of the 1904 Alva Pioneer Souvenir Edition. It was reported in the Alva Pioneer, he attended to his duties properly and promptly.

B. L. Farris

B. L. Farris, Night Marshal, was a native of Missouri, and proud of it. He came to Alva in January 1897, and served as Deputy Sheriff two years. He was an officer fo the city most of the time since. Mr. Farris knows his duty and does it, promptly and efficiently.

L. T. Wilson

L. T. Wilson was a native of Missouri and came to Alva at he opening from Butler County, Kansas. He settled on a farm five miles southeast of Alva, and taught school. He also practiced law. He was also instructor in the first county teachers' institute. His law practice in 1904 demanded all his attention. The Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County had the following Wilson story on pg. 759 about Judge L. T. Wilson... CLICK HERE.

J. B. Maddox

J. B. Maddox was President of Farmer's Federation. He was a native of Ohio and belonged to home guards during the Civil War. He lived a few years in Illinois and Missouri. He came to McPherson County, Kansas, 1873. He was elected representative 1890. He came to this county in 1899 and engaged in farming until 1903, when he moved to Alva.

J. D. Stewart

J. D. Stewart was a native of Indiana and came to Pratt, Kansas in the early eighties. He came to Alva, September 16, 1893 and secured a farm and built a business house in town. He sold the farm and engaged in the mercantile business and auctioneering. In 1903 the firm was known as the Stewart & Campbell, Auctioneers.

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.

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.

A. C. Towne

A. C. Towne was a native of Nebraska and came to Alva at the opening and engaged in law and real estate business. He also published a newspaer for awhile. His law practice in 1903 & 1904 demanded all of his time.

h5>Joseph Schnitzer

Joseph Schnitzer was a native of Munich, Bavaria. He came to this country when a child, and to Alva in 1895. He opened a meat market which he conducted since this article in the Alva Pioneer was printed in 1904. He also had a fine farm a mile east of town.

F. C. Langley

F. C. Langley of Alva was the second man to register at Kiowa, September 1893, as a candidate to enter the promised land, for better or worse.

K. H. Kendal

K. H. Kendal was a postmaster and merchant at Galena, 25 miles south of Alva. He opened the first bakery in Alva.

J. C. Major

J. C. Major was a native of New york. He lived near Wichita, Kansas, a few years then came to this county a few months after the opening and made first filing on a farm in township 21, range 14. He was one of the leading farmers and stock raisers. He also was elected 1902 representative of this 16th district.

A. McTaggart

A. McTaggart of Augusta, was a representative of the 15th District in 1903. He was one of the early settlers of this county. He came here from Barton County, Kansas, where he served as County Superintendent of schools, and was always prominent in public affairs.

Alph G. Updegraff

Alpha G. Updegraff was a Territorial Councilman for the district of Woods County. He was a cattleman in the county long before the opening to settlement, but when he had to make a choice of a homestead he settled in 1893 near Aline. He was elected councilman in 1900 and re-elected in 1902.

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 commercial club in 1902. He is liberal, energetic and public spirited all the time.

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.

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.

Lew Headley

Lew Headley of the Pponca Courier recently in 1904 made a trip to his old stamping ground in Kansas, and here was the first thing he wrote when he returned, In a recent trip through Kansas we found no reason to change our opinion that Kansas is a good enough place for people to live who are unable to move to Okalhoma.

P. A. Monroe

P. A. Monroe wa a native of Tennessee and came west in 1884 to Attica, Kansas. From Attica he then ventured to Alva, in 1899 and engaged in the harness business. He was a member of the city council and a close observer of affairs and stood up for the general good of the city.

A. W. Henderson

A. W. Henderson was a native of Pennsylvania,. He was in Kansas several years before coming to this county at the opening and securing a farm northeast of Alva. Afterwards he engaged in the saloon business here. He had always stood up for Alva, and was a member of the city council.

Dr. L. L. Long

Dr. L. L. Long was a native of Kansas and a graduate of University Medical College, Kansas City, Missouri. He came to Alva, 1898, where he practiced medicine in partnership with Dr. C. F. Rutledge. Dr. Long was a county and city health officer and member of the city council, and was a careful, efficient physician and officer.

Claud McCrory

Claud McCrory was a native of Indiana and lived in Kansas several years, then came to this county at the opening and secured a farm near Waynoka. Afterwards he sold it and bought property in Alva where he still resided in 1904. He had taught school, was instructor in the county teachers institute, and was nominee for county attorney in 1900. He was reading clerk in the territorial council in 1901. He was elected city attorney 1901. He was re-elected 1903. He was a good lawyer and public speaker.

A. N. Devin

A. N. Devin was born in Indiana 45 years ago. He came to Kansas in the early eighties, and to Alva in 1894, as salesman in Share's store, where he was in charge of the clothing department several years. In 1904 he was in the poultry and produce business and was also city clerk of the city. He was about the jolliest citizen on the pike, and you just can't keep the old man down.

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