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Northwest Oklahoma Territory

"M" (Woods) County Pioneers
Founding Fathers

    [From The Alva Pioneer, Souvenir Edition, January 1, 1904. Besides those whose pictures are shown here, the county officers chosen at the first election Nov. 6, 1894, were: Joseph Porter, county attorney; James Walker, probate judge; W. S. Ross, county clerk; W. E. Oxley, county supt; J. H. Gilmore, county surveyor; A. E. Frazier, coroner; J. W. Lappin, J. J. Bishop and A. W. Stone, county commissioners; all the above were Populists, and their majorities were from 105 to 225.]

H. Clay McGrath -- Native of Illinois, came to Barber County, Kansas, in the early eighties.One among the first to reach Alva, Sept. 16, 1893, secured the farm that is now the southeast quarter of teh city, was the first elected sheriff of the county all of 1894, re-elected 1896; first to offer 40 acres of land for the Normal college and campus, but on account of delay in receiving his patent from the government, J. T. Fryer gave 40 acres of his land for the college and Mr. McGrath paid him for half of it. Mr. McGrath was a splendid officer and citizen. He sold all his property here and in 1909 was living at Larned, KS.

James P. Renfrew -- 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 territerial 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.

Fred Hardy -- Native of Illinois, says he came west in the early eighties with short pants and has been panting like the mischief ever since to keep up with the band wagon of progress and prosperity of Alva and Woods County. But Fred not only kept up with it but got in on the spring seat and now rides serenely. He came here Sept. 16, 1893, and got a farm 14 miles southeast of Alva; was the first elected register of deeds in 1894, remained in Alva after term expired, and was elected councilman when Alva was made a city of the first class May, 1901; In 1909 he was deputy register of deeds.

L. D. Williams -- Native of Ohio, came to Harper, Ks., in 1883, came to Alva, Sept. 16, 1893, and was about the first to open a restaurant in a tent. The county commissioners appointed Mr. Williams the first trustee of Alva township, and at the first election of town trustees on May 7, 1894, he was one of the number, and at the organization of the board he was elected chariman, hence he was the first mayor of Alva; was re-elected trustee in 1895.
     The other officers elected were: J. D. Scott, John C. Roberts, S. B. Share and Wm. Whitworth, trustees; J. H. Boughan, Jr., clerk; E. Rall, treasurer; J. d. Carwile, justice of the peace; W. H. Dunkin, assessor; and Fred B. Jones, marshal.

J. D. Scott -- Native of Mississippi, spent many years in Kentucky, came to Kansas in 1876, came to Alva day of the opening and engaged in the general merchandise business. Was re-elected as town trustee and made president of the board, or mayor, for the yar 1895. In 1909 he was in the hardware business here.

S. B. Share -- Native of Michigan, came to Harper, Ks., about 20 years ago and engaged in the mercantile business; came to Alva in the spring of 1894 and opened a large general merchandise store; served two terms on the city council, years of 1894-5; always very liberal and enthusiastic in furthering the interests of the city. In 1909 he was of the firm of S. B. Share and Bros. large department store.

Eugene Rall -- Native of Michigan, came west when young man, came to Alva at the opening and engaged in theh grocery business, first city treasurer and has served tree terms as such, member of city council and school board, chairman of Democratic county committee, and nominee of the party for territorial councilman. Was cashier of Woods County Bank, sold his stock and became president of Alva State Bank; after two years sold his interest in that bank and around 1909 was elected president of the Bank of Commerce.

L. H. Taylor -- Is 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, Ks., in 1885, and was employed on the Satna 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 Mrach, 1893, and has been here ever since. On the day of teh 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, Kan., riding a white horse was the first man to reach Alva on the day of the race, and he landed on the spot where the Alva National Bank was later located. There were several others only 30 to 100 feet behind him. H. C. McGraith, J. H. Gentry and Grant Gardner, of Deerhead, Kan., 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 slowed 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. Higgins -- Native of Illinois, came west in w883, lived at Hazelton, Ks, 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 once 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. Harfield 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 there in 1894, and in 1898 erected the first dwelling (except the little claim house of teh original settler) on what was once college addition. The said house was once owned and occupied by Mrs. P. J. Brown and family.

S. L. Johnson -- The photo 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 gvernment 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 crder, and during the formative period of society his influence was most potent and of such a 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 swtanding 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 of 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 fireing line," spending two winters almost constantly in Guthrie in its interests, until success had crowned Alva's efforts. Infact and briefly, it is not too much to say that the early history of Alva and Woods county is closely interwoven with the life of Alva's 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, they said that the coming state of Oklahoma and Indian territory would need such citizens as "Sam Johnson" in it building, and that he was one of the potent factors in directing its future.

Geo. W. Neeley -- native of Indiana, came to Alva 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. Around 1900 he moved back to town and was hatching chickens with incubators and raised them for market. He was a member of the city council in 1902.

J. L. Miles -- Native of Indiana, he was in Alva nearly two years since 1902. He was an, agent for Wells-Fargo Express Co.

Albert J. Powell -- Native of Kansas, he was in Woods county and Alva since 1893. His business was in contracts for excavating and cement work.

C. B. Keith -- A native of Kentucky, he filed on the southwest quarter of section 28, township 26, range 15, west, on January 20, 1894. He had lived in Republic county, Kansas, since 1878.
      Like most all other early settlers of Oklahoma, he came here without any money and what was worse, without health. He had not done a days work for two years, owing to pulmonary trouble. Mptwotjstamdomg tjese omcpmvemoemces C. B. has made a success. In addition to the splendid home he has built up for his family on the homestead, he has added other land to his farm, and bought reaestate in the city and erected a comfortable home thereon at No. 29 Center street where he once lived, sending his children to school, and was himself engaged in the sale of fruit and ornamental trees.
      But that for which Mr. Keith is most thankful is the fact that he has regained his health. C. B. was one of the executive committee of the Populist party who in 1894 chose a name to be voted on in the election of that year for "M" county. This committee consisted of Clark Hudson, chairman, Jesse J. Dunne, C. B. Keith, G. W. Hall. The committee agreed to the name "Woods" in honor of the late Sam Wood of Kansas fame. The populists won in the contest and "M" county became Woods county.

F. P. Alexander -- The first Register of the US Land Office in Alva, came here from Greenville, Texas, and had the office open and ready for the transaction of business when the settlers arrived on Sept. 16, 1893. He was three times elected to the legislature of Texas, and was one term speaker. His public service in Alva was highly satisfactory during the four years he was register. From Sept. 1897 to Aug. 1901, he practiced law, and was the nominee of the Democrats for probate Judge in 1900. He went to Lawton in Aug. 1901, and has since then to 1904, he had resided there.

J. W. Coman -- Native of Mississippi, came to Alva at the opening, and was clerk in the US Land office for Major R. H. Allen, receiver. Mr. Coman held this osition until the death of Mr. allen on Nov. 9, 1895, when a few days afterward Mr. Coman was appointed to that office, which he filled with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the people, until his successor W. J. French, was appointed in June, 1898. he moved that fall to Harrison, Ark., where he had since been engaged in the mercantile business as of this 1904 article.

H. M. Bickel -- Born May 19, 1845, at Newkirk, Ohio; ran away from home to enlist in the army in the winter of 1861-62; found a loafer, who, for a consideration, said he was 18 years of age, and as his legal guardian, reluctantly consented to his being enlisted. He was seriously wounded at the battle of Shiloh before he was sixteen years old, and then thought one boy had made a mistake when he ran away from home. Law graduate Iowa State University. Democratic candidate for congress in the Seventh Kansas district in 1884 and received 63 per cent greater increase of votes than the increase of his leading opponent, Judge Peters. Held the office of receiver of Public Money at the US Land office at Larned, Ks., during Cleveland's first administration. Settled in Alva day of opeing. First US Court Commissioner in Woods county and first to open and record the District court records in Alva. First to build a double front, two story business block in Alva and first to build a mill in the county.

Geo. W. Crowell -- Native of North Carolina, came west in his youth with his parents and lived several years near Pittsburg, Ks. Came to Attica, Ks., in 1884 and engaged in the lumber business; came to Alva, Sept. 16, 1893, and opened the first lumber yard. Was appointed a county commissioner of the First District by Gov. Renfrow, chosen chairman of the board by the other two members. Mr. Crowell's service on this board during the formative period of the county's affairs was especially attentive, and has proved more and more valuable as the history of the county is recalled. He served in the office faithfully and creditably until Jan. 10, 1895. Geo W. Crowell is a liberal, public spirited, pushing citizen whose assistance in every public enterprise has been of great and lasting benefit to Alva, and he has served the city well as councilman and treasurer. He was vice-president of the First National Bank, and president of Crowell Bros, Lumber Co., with yards and elevators at several different towns; dealers in lumber, coal and grain.

J. E. Fritzlen -- Settled 8 miles northwest of Alva on Sept. 16, 1893, was appointed county commissioner for the second district, and served the people faithfully and well until Sept. 1894, when he resigned on account of his personal affairs demanding all of his attention. he now lives at Kiowa, but still had land and cattle interests in the this county in 1904.

G. H. Alexander -- First Probate Judge of the county. His photo was secured in 1904 from one of his friends in Alva, but could not learn anything of his history. He made a good officer. The first jury trial ever held in the county was before Judge Alexander on Oct. 23, 1893, and Urbie Weston was fined $5 and costs for disturbing the peace.

Other First Officers of County -- A. O. Nichols, register of deeds; W. P. Kendall, sheriff; Percy r. Smith, county clerk; O. R. C. Randall, county atty; M. R. Gillette, county treasurer; L. S. Proctor, county surveyor.

First Townsite Board -- H. F. Northcutt, H. C. Jones and John A. Moe. The townsite office (in what was then and in 1904 Capt. S. T. Carrico's building, south side of the square) opened on Oct. 2, 1893, and Orrin R. Cowgill was number 1 to apply to file on a town lot, (where opera house once stood in 1904) but Miss Petra Paulson had filed a contest because Mr. Cowgill was only 18 years old, and the board rejected both their applications and referred it to the Washington office. Miss Paulson afterwards won the lot.

Geo. W. Vickers -- He was for several years in the 1880s a resident of Southern Kansas, where he was a surveyor and attorney; came to Alva from Coldwater, Ks., Sept. 16, 1893, and opened a law office; in the first election of 1804 he was the nominee of the Republicans for representative for this (then the 20th) district, and in the count tied his opponent, B. B. Bain the Populist nominee; They cast "lots" and Mr. Vickers won, and was re-elected in 1896. Mr. Vickers did valiant work for our Normal college and this part of Oklahoma and will always be remembered by all the old timers. In 1904 he was living at Hobart.

J. P. Gandy -- Came from Broken Bow, Neb., to Alva, Sept. 16, 1893, and got a farm two miles south of town; a few weeks afterwards he started the Alva Star, sold that and opened a meat market; was elected territorial councilman by the republicans in 1894, and again in 1898. Mr. Gandy did faithful and effective work in the legislature for our Normal college and all western Oklahoma, for which service he has thousands of warm friends. In 1904 he was living at Ft. Supply, Ok., where he was US Deputy Marshal. J. P. Gandy, Republican, and Geo H. Coulson, Populist, candidates for territorial councilman in this 10th district, had a contest and Mr. Gandy was seated, for the reason that Mr. Coulson was then a member of the Kansas legislature, and it was claimed not a resdient of Oklahoma.

Geo. H. Coulson -- Is an old pioneer of the west and came from Harper county, Kansas, to Woods county in 1894; has held many iportant public offices, among them being representative in Kansas, county clerk of this county 1896 to 1898, and territorial councilman 1900 to 1902; he was a faithful and efficient officer. In 1904 he was in the nursey business at Cherokee.

R. E. Bray -- R. E. Bray, Populist was elected councilman in the 12th district; and T. T. Boyer, Populist, was elected representative in the 23rd district, both districts then taking in a part of Garfield county. H. R. Walling, Populist, was elected representative in the 19th district, Grant and part of Woods.

L. W. Moore -- Native of Kansas, lived in Iowa several years and returned to Kansas, was appointed register of deeds in Barber county in 1882 to fill an unexpired term, elected to that office in 1882, and re-elected in 1884, serving over 4 years; came to Alva, Sept. 16, 1893, was the first notary public appointed in teh county,nominated by his party (republican) for register of deeds in 1896, but was defeated at the election. In 1904 he was still a notary public and abstracter, and was a fine officer.
     Mr. Moore and family moved to their claim 5 miles southeast from the center of Alva, March 16th, 1894, and having an office in town L. W. traveled this distance to and from Alva, every day, since March 16th, 1894, except about once a year when he and family would run up into Kansas for a few days to visit his and his wife's relatives. In making these trips from his home to his office and return he has traveled 30,420 miles. He has never missed a day on account of storms and only one-half day on account of sickness. As regular as the sun rises and sets he makes his trips and is one among the first to open his office in the morning and the last to close in the evening.

C. W. Dicks -- Lived near Karoma, 45 miles southeast of Alva, was appointed county commissioner for the third district, and gave his attention to the affairs of the county until his successor qualified in Jan. 1895. In 1904 the Pioneer newspaper was unable to learn the whereabouts of Mr. Dicks.

More Prominent Citizens of Woods County

MORE To Come Later...