BIOGRAPHY: !Data from census records states the Alfred lived two residences away from
Thomas Fletcher with his wife Margaret and twin children Thomas and Grace
Fletcher 9/12.
Flags. War of 1812 Veteran
BIOGRAPHY: Physician?
DEATH: Died of Tuberculosis
DEATH: Died of Tuberculosis
DEATH: Died of Tuberculosis
BIOGRAPHY: Occupation: Santa Fe Railroad / Farmer
Tuberculosis Carrier
(Lt. 4, Blk. 6, Sec. 3) We are again called upon to chronicle the demise of one of our oldest citizens. Alonzo Bradner Boylan having been called to his Fathers, September 7, 1918, at the home of his daughter, after a short illness, being 77 years of age. Mr. Boylan was born in New York state, and came to Lakin in 1874, being the first agent of the Santa Fe at this place, which position he filled for some time, and except a short residence in Colorado, he has made his home here, being engaged in farming and stock raising. Funeral services were held at the home Monday morning, conducted by Rev. Wright, and interment in the Lakin Cemetery. He leaves a wife, a daughter and son, and friends innumerable to mourn his loss being the oldest citizens in point of residence in the county. His father was Firman Boylan and mother, Laura Hulbert Boylan.1
-Died as a result of being kicked in the chest by a work horse, died several days later
Fellow citizens! Friends! Ladies and Gentlemen!
The object of our meeting together today is not only to celebrate the glorious old 4th but to participate in the ceremonies of laying the corner stone of an educational structure that when completed will be, I am proud to say, a great credit to us as a people; and one in which we may all share a pardonable pride. But a few slight years have elapsed since this all was the range of buffalo, antelope and the wild horse. Little did I think when I first took up my abode on this then wilderness of a prairie that I would be called upon such an occasion, but so it is, and I will endeavor to give you an outline of the efforts of all. School District No. 3 was organized in 1884 in the month of October with the following officers: W.J. Price as clerk; J.E. Bennett -Treasure; and you rumble servant as the director. The only change made from that time to the present has been the superseding of T.W. Appleby to the office of clerk. We have during this time of less than two years had 14 months schooling for which $50 per month has been paid by the district more than three hundred dollars has been expensed for fuel and furniture of this structure before you. It has been planned to convince you of its superior workmanship, is an examination of the building so far, and when completed will be to each and everyone of us an ever recurring pride and pleasure. Presentation of the stone by the board wherefore with all gratitude, with fitting ceremony and circumstance, in the presence of an all seeing eye, in the presence of these ladies and gentlemen, in the presence of the new settler and the old denizens of the prairie. We, the first board of education, present this stone to the district for the corner stone. May it lay there for many a year in perpetual memory of the honor and gratitude that this board bears to the of this district. These mementos will no doubt be unearthed after other generations have succeeded us, other phases of our country's growth have come and gone. It has been said, and we know it to be true, that the deeds that men do live after them. May we bear in mind that the efforts of our forefathers remain to us secured by the same means, enforced by the same authority holding together a great, a united, and a happy people. And all largely because those who came before us advocated, upheld, and voted for public school education. And it is necessary that our children still have the advantage of education. That they may understand the Constitution of the United States, that they may form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity.A.B. Boylan
Chairman of the Board of Education
Occupation: Teacher/Housewife
Education: Moravian Academy
Blind in later years from Glaucoma
(Lt. 4, Blk. 6, Sec. 3) Castella Florence Walter was born September 3, 1851 at Miami, Indiana and died October 14, 1922 at Lakin. On October 13, 1869, she was united in marriage with Alonzo B. Boylan at St. Lawrence, Scott County, Minnesota. Three children, Hannah Laura, who died at the early age of three years, Lenora Victoria and Ambrose Bradner, both of Lakin, were born to this union. Mr. Boylan died at Lakin, September 8, 1918 and of the immediate family, she leaves to mourn her passing, one son, one daughter, two sisters, one brother, three grandsons and one granddaughter. Mrs. Boylan came to Lakin with her husband in 1875, where she shared the lot of the early settlers and ministered largely to the needs of the entire community. Mrs. Boylan was liberally educated, having attended the public schools of Minnesota, a girls' seminary at Belle Plain and later the Moravian Academy at shaska, Minnesota. Her interest in educational matters was attested to by the fact that with money she earned and saved, she bought and equipped as a school room a building and personally assisted in establishing the first school in Lakin. Mrs. Boylan's interest in religious matters is shown by the fact that she opened her home for the first religious service ever held in Lakin, an itinerant minister preaching from the text, "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." In was in the Boylan home that the first Sabbath School held in Lakin was also organized and it was in the dining room of the Boylan home that the first Catholic service was conducted by a Catholic Priest from Dodge City, who said mass at 4 o'clock in the morning, his congregation being made up of railroad men then laying steel for the Santa Fe. Mrs. Boylan in childhood united with the Episcopal Church and later in life became identified with the Presbyterian Church. Toward the close of her life she became interested in Christian Science. About twenty one years ago Mrs. Boylan's eyesight began to fail and for the past twelve years she has been totally blind. Yet, she remained cheerful and sought to be a useful citizen to the close of her life. Her father was a practicing physician and from him she learned a great deal about the care of the sick, which knowledge enabled her to minister in many ways to the needs of the early settlers of Kearny County in the days when the nearest physician lived at Dodge City. Mrs. Boylan lived a useful and eventful life. She served her day and generation. Her's was the spirit of the pioneer and the empire builder. It was her lot to help make this western desert to blossom as the rose. Her death is mourned by a host of friends, but her memory lives on in the minds and hearts of those to whom she has ministered.1
Castella Florence Walter Boylan 2
Mrs. Alonzo B. Boylan of Lakin was one of these pioneer women. She was born at Miami, Indiana in 1851, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ambrose B. Walter. She received a good education, attending the local public school, then a girls' seminary at Belle Plain, Minnesota and finally the Moravian Academy at Shakska, Minnesota. After being graduated, she began a professional career in teaching. She taught for three terms, met Alonzo Boylan, and immediately decided to change her role of teacher to that of housewife. Boylan was then railway station agent at Blakely, Minnesota.
In September 1875, the Boylans came to Lakin, bringing with them their two small children.
A few years later, Mrs. Boylan's father, Dr. Walter, came to Kearny County for a few weeks to visit his daughter and son-in-law, as well as to have a good rest. He was kept as busy as ever, however, setting broken bones, attending cases of consumption and was called upon to care for a smallpox patient who was traveling across the country with a family by wagon.
The Boylans built the first home in Lakin and also held the town's
first Protestant church service in their home. An itinerant preacher conducted the first meeting. Preaching services continued to be held in the Boylan home whenever a preacher came through Lakin.
The first Catholic service in Lakin was also held in the Boylan home. It was conducted by a priest from Dodge City who said mass at 4 a.m. in the Boylan dining room, his congregation being made up of railroad men then laying steel for the Santa Fe.
Mrs. Boylan served as postmaster of Lakin during Cleveland's first administration, her term extending into the Harrison administration. While in that position, she was appointed a member of the Lakin School Board, District No. 3 of Finney County (1884) which then comprised the entire area of Kearny County as a single district. She did a fine job and was afterwards elected to the same office. Her associates on the board were W.P. Haywood, Samuel Corbett and F.R. French. At that time there were nine schools in the county, and Mrs. Boylan did practically all the supervision that was done.
Alonzo Boylan had given up railroad work at Lakin, and the two went into the printing business. They established a newspaper called the Pioneer Democrat, 1885-1890. The paper continued for several years, including the period of the county seat fight. The Democrat was traded to J.M. Goeden for Meade County land when the Boylans decided to retire from the publishing business.
In 1891, Mrs. Boylan accompanied her husband to Colorado, where he was in charge of some Santa Fe construction work.
Back at Lakin, Mrs. Boylan continued her interest in Kansas politics. She was president of Kearny County Old Settlers' Association (1916).
The Boylans had two children when they arrived in Lakin, Lenora and Ambrose Bradner. Lenora was the first graduate of Lakin high school, and married George H. Tate, Jr., of Lakin. Ambrose Bradner became a second lieutenant of Company E 188th Regiment, serving with the Sixth Division of the U.S. troops in France. He was the first recruit from Kearny County.Early Kearny County Days 3
By Lenora Boylan-TateI suppose you may wonder as we all do, why people leave the land or place of their birth and come to the places they do and why they stay for the rest of their lives in that one place.The reason I came to Kearny County was because my parents brought me here. My father was born in New York State and came with his parents to Minnesota on account of his mother's health. My father was a railroad man; his job being a station agent on the Minneapolis and St. Paul railroad.When my father contracted tuberculosis, my grandfather, who was a doctor, said a warmer climate would be better for my father's health. He felt that my father should go by short stages to the warmer climate so we started for Santa Fe, New Mexico. I am wondering how any of us would feel starting on such a journey with a baby in arms, a two-year-old girl and a sick husband. Our first stop was at Sioux City, Iowa. We then traveled through Topeka, Kansas, Osage City, Kansas and finally to Dodge City, Kansas, where I celebrated my third birthday. At that time, Dodge City was a wild and woolly place and I mean wild! At the hotel that first night my mother sat up all night picking the bedbugs off my brother and myself so we could sleep. I forgot to say that because my father was a telegrapher he was working his way west. At the time he was in Dodge City, the Santa Fe railroad had been completed as far west as Granada, Colorado. My father's job was riding the train to Granada one day and back to Dodge City the next day; as his health was not good, this job was ideal for him. He carried his telegraph instrument with him, attaching it to the telegraph wires in case of an accident or any other emergency. After the first night's experience in Dodge City, my mother decided one night like that was enough! The next morning she rented a one-room house, procured some wooden boxes for furniture (there were no pasteboard boxes in those days), bought a mattress, a few cooking utensils and some food. My mother left word at the hotel for my father telling him where he could find us; when Father got home that night, he found a home-cooked dinner waiting for him. When the station at Lakin was opened, my father was asked to take charge. My mother, thinking nothing could be worse than Dodge City, was very happy to go to Lakin. She arrived in Lakin early one September morning complete with two children and a Newfoundland pup, by the name of Pedro. There are many tales I could tell you of Pedro, just let me say, she was a "mamma dog"; why we called her Pedro and why we happened to have her, I do not know! As we stepped off the train that morning, we saw a dugout store, a small two-room house, a water tank, and a building which was formerly used by the men who laid the rails for the railroad. The lower floor of that railroad building had been partitioned into three rooms for our family: a small office for my father, a bedroom and a kitchen. It was from this kitchen that I saw my first buffalo eating from Mr. John O'Loughlin's hay stack. You can't imagine what Kearny County looked like to my mother. She came from the deep woods of Minnesota and the vast rolling prairies without a tree in sight were quite a change for her.
The Boylan Ranch On The White Woman 4
A.B. Boylan, Lakin's first A.T. & S.F. Railway agent, came in 1874. Earlier he went back and forth on the trains from Dodge City to the end of division taking his telegraphic instruments with him. Some five years later, Lakin was growing and through development of the cattle industry and other activities, business had increased greatly. He decided he would ask for a higher salary when the officials were out on an inspection tour. He did but the officials looked over at his new home and decided he was doing quite nicely on the salary he had and refused a raise. Mr. Boylan quit. The capturing of wild horses had become quite important at this time so he, assisted by his brother-in-law, Roland M. Walter, followed this occupation for a time. They established a horse ranch on the White Woman, some forty miles north of Lakin. The accompanying story is of this period.
Mrs. A.B. Boylan (Castella) tells of how word came in from their horse ranch on the White Woman, forty miles north, for two loads of corn to be sent out there at once. The corn was sacked and loaded. For some reason the next morning, there was no one to take it out. She told them to hitch up the mules, and she would take it. Starting early in the morning with the two little ones, Lena and Bradner, on the seat, she reached the ranch house late in the afternoon and found it vacant. Hitching the mules and going down in the dugout, she found a slip of paper pinned to the center of the table with a butcher knife, saying, "Horses broke away; don't know when I will be back. Put corn in dugout and be sure to fasten the door." Rolla. This was her brother Roland M. Walter, who was in charge of the ranch. She took the babies in. She unhitched, watered, and fed the mules, and put them on stake ropes. She found a gunny sack in the dugout, dumped half of a full sack into it, and carried it in. Then carrying the other half sack in, she emptied it. So, half sack at a time, she unloaded the wagon. After she got supper, she slept sound all night, and early the next morning watered and fed the mules, got herself and the little ones breakfast, hitched up the team, fastened the door of the dugout securely -"That was orders"- and the next night was back in Lakin.
Buffalo, antelope, coyotes, cattle and wild horses were the only occupants of Kearny County outside of Lakin. Mrs. Boylan, however, thought it only an incident of everyday life in the early days to make a trip of this kind. Wives helped their husbands in those days and counted it a pleasure, when an emergency occurred that necessitated a little sacrifice or hardship on their part to help make Kansas history.
Mrs. Tate recalls that in the early days everybody was as helpful as possible to everybody else. One of her pet stories about her mother, Mrs. A.B. Boylan, well illustrates the point. One summer afternoon about 2 p.m., a stranger came to the door on his way to Colorado. Mr. Boylan was away, but the stranger had known Mr. Boylan and been invited to stop if he ever passed that way. He was hungry, of course, and the problem was how to cook him dinner as the town was just out of coal, it's only fuel. More was momentarily expected in on the next train. Mrs. Boylan looked around and saw an old pair of shoes. So she took one to the basement and filled it with soap grease. Then putting the shoe full of soap grease into her stove for fuel, she quickly turned out a hot dinner of eggs and biscuits and coffee for her husband's friend.
DEATH: The Boylan family had moved to Sioux City, Iowa when Lena was approx. 1 year old. One day while Hannah was playing on the train platform a passing freight train lost a wheel, which flew onto the platform killing her. She was 3 years old.
OCCUPATION: Merchant
RELIGION: Episcopalian
(Lt. 1, Blk. 12, Sec. 1) George Henry Tate (familiarly called Harry or Geo. H. Tate, Jr.) was born, November 13, 1869. He departed this life, May 23, 1944. His health had been failing for quite some time and for several months he had been restricted largely to the confines of his home and to the bed. He expected that a derangement of the function of the heart, from which he was suffering, would eventually prove fatal, but without complaint, with fortitude and resolute courage, he waited for the summons, with absolute faith and confident that all would be well with him, hoping only that his family and himself might be spared the struggle with which his malady often ushered in the end. God gave him this boon, in the evening twilight, he stepped to the front door for a breath of fresh air, and "the wheel of the cistern broke"; the "silver cord was loosed"; "the golden bowl was broken" and his spirit returned unto God, who gave it. He was son of George H. Tate and Susannah S. Tate, and was born in Chester, Illinois, where he received his education in the public schools. He came to Lakin with his father in April 1885, the rest of the family arriving a few months later. Shortly thereafter they opened a general merchandise store under the name of "Geo. H. Tate" at the same location where the store now stands, and which he operated until his death. While Mr. Tate was probably better known for his long career as a merchant, he had, for a number of years, also been engaged in the cattle business, and was interested in one or more banks, being at the time of his demise, Vice President of the Kearny County Bank in Lakin. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and of the Masonic Lodge. On June 28, 1894, he was married to Lenora V. Boylan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Boylan, pioneer residents of Kearny County. To this union there were born: James Noell, deceased; Victor B., Commander United States Navy; Cecil A. of Lakin; Roland H. of Garden City and Florence Tate Fletcher of Lakin. Surviving him also are his sister, Miss Sue A. Tate and his brother, Sidney S. Tate, both of Lakin; his sisters, Mrs. Ethel H. Danley of Greeley, Colorado; Mrs. Olivia F. Ramsey of Logansport, Indiana; four grandsons, two granddaughters, and his widow, who mourn his passing
BIOGRAPHY: First graduate of Lakin High School - 1890
Religion: Episcopalian
(Lt. 1, Blk. 12, Sec. 1) Lenora Victoria Tate died at Lakin Manor Rest Home, September 21, 1970 after a long illness. She was born June 29, 1872 in Belle Plain, MN. the daughter of A.B. and Castella Walter Boylan. She moved to Lakin with her parents, September 1, 1875 at the age of three. The Boylans were the second family of permanent settlers in Lakin. She was married to George H. Tate, Jr., June 28, 1894 at Nepesta, Colorado. He preceeded her in death, May 23, 1944.
Mrs. Tate was a member of the first graduating class of Lakin High School and was present at every alumni banquet until her health prevented her from doing so. During her lifetime she was an example of the fine type of people who first settled western Kansas. She was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Garden City. She was active in community affairs serving 13 years as chairman for the Red Cross. She also served on the Lakin School board, an active member of the Kearny County Historical Society, Missionary Society, W.C.T.U., Lakin Woman's Club, Mus-Art Club, Lakin Book Club, American Legion Auxiliary and Farm Bureau, She was an active member of Order of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Grand Matron and was a member of the Past Matrons Club. She was a charter member of P.E.O., Chapter F.Q. She was preceeded in death by three of her five children, James Roland and Cecil and a granddaughter, Beth Fletcher. Survivors include her son, Victor B. Tate of Virginia Beach, VA., and a daughter, Mrs. Florence Fletcher, Lakin, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. Funeral service was held at the United Presbyterian Church in Lakin. Father John W. Bartholamew, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Garden City officiated. Burial In Lakin Cemetery.
EDUCATION: University of Kansas, School of Civil Engineering
DEATH: Died of Influenza, Military
OCCUPATION: United States Navy
EDUCATION: United States Naval Academy
Military, World War II Veteran
(Lt. 2, Blk. 12, Sec. 1) Funeral services were held in Lakin foe a native son, Capt. Victor B. Tate (USN Retired), who died unexpectedly, November 17, 1972, of an apparent heart attack. Death came at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was born in Lakin on December 4, 1899, and attended schools here. He went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. and never lived in Lakin after that. Mr. Tate served 30 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in the 1950's with the rank of captain. He lived in Virginia since his retirement. He was a brother of the late Cecil Tate, who died in 1964. Another brother, was the late District Judge Roland Tate of Garden City. His mother, Mrs. Lenora Tate, reached the age of 98 before death here two years ago. Mr. Tate was married to Marion Ready, July 12, 1930. She is among the survivors. Other survivors include a son, Victor, Missoula, Mt.; a sister, Mrs. Murray Fletcher, Lakin and one granddaughter.
US Navy 30 years, retired 1953.
RELIGION: Presbyterian
Lt. 2, Blk. 12, Sec. 1) Marion Tate died at her home in Virginia Beach, VA., February 21, 1973. Her husband, Capt. Victor Tate, died of an apparent heart attack, November 17, 1972. He was a Lakin native and funeral services were held here. So it is believed that Mrs. Tate's funeral will be here also. She was born in 1902. She is survived by a son, Victor, Missoula, MT
OCCUPATION: United States Navy
EDUCATION: United States Naval Academy
Military, World War II Veteran
(Lt. 2, Blk. 12, Sec. 1) Funeral services were held in Lakin foe a native son, Capt. Victor B. Tate (USN Retired), who died unexpectedly, November 17, 1972, of an apparent heart attack. Death came at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was born in Lakin on December 4, 1899, and attended schools here. He went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. and never lived in Lakin after that. Mr. Tate served 30 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in the 1950's with the rank of captain. He lived in Virginia since his retirement. He was a brother of the late Cecil Tate, who died in 1964. Another brother, was the late District Judge Roland Tate of Garden City. His mother, Mrs. Lenora Tate, reached the age of 98 before death here two years ago. Mr. Tate was married to Marion Ready, July 12, 1930. She is among the survivors. Other survivors include a son, Victor, Missoula, Mt.; a sister, Mrs. Murray Fletcher, Lakin and one granddaughter.
US Navy 30 years, retired 1953.
MARRIAGE: 1928, Divorced after 3 years
OCCUPATION: Rancher, Grocer, Banker
EDUCATION: Kansas University
RELIGION: Presbyterian
(Lt. 4, Blk. 12, Sec. 1) Cecil Alan Tate was born, July 13, 1902, at Lakin, the third son of George H. and Lenora Boylan Tate. During his boyhood, he worked in the Tate Store founded by his grandfather in 1885. A 1920 graduate of Lakin High School, Mr. Tate attended Kansas University where he was president of Pi Upsilon fraternity in 1924. Due to the death of his uncle, he returned home to help his father operate the family store in 1925, June 18, 1931, he married Maude Edson Tunnell In Dodge City. To this union one son was born, Bradner A. Tate. They operated a ranch at Coolidge, Kansas for several years. Mr. Tate served two terms on the Medway District school board in Hamilton County. Mr. Tate moved his family back to Lakin when he became cashier of the Kearny County Bank in 1937. Due to the illness and death of his father the previous year, he resigned in 1945 to manage the estates of his aunt, Miss Sue Tate, and his father, George H. Tate. The latter estate included: the family general merchandise store, interest in a hardware store, banking interest, and extensive farming and cattle interests. As well as gas and oil properties extending over Kearny, Grant and Hamilton Counties. The general merchandise store was sold in 1948 so that more time could be devoted to the family estate interests. In 1960, Mr. Tate and his son, Bradner, started the Tate Quarter Horse Ranch located north of Lakin. Mr. Tate was a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Lakin, Kearny County Historical Society; Southwest Kansas Royalty Owners Association; Director of the Kansas Quarter Horse Racing Association during 1962; and Kearny County Saddle Club, serving one term as president and several years as secretary. Always interested in youth, Mr. Tate gave generously toward youth projects. In 1961, he and his wife gave a tract of land in Hamilton County for the use of the Girl Scouts. Two brothers preceded him in death: James N. Tate in 1918, and Judge Roland H. Tate on November 9, 1963. He is survived by his wife, Maude E.; his son, Bradner A.; his mother, Mrs. Lenora V. Tate; two step-children, Glenn Tunnell of Yuma, Arizona and Mrs. Peggy Tunnell McCormick of Lakin; six grandchildren; his brother, Capt. (Ret.) Victor B. Tate of Virginia Beach, Virginia and his sister, Mrs. Florence Fletcher of Lakin. Services were held at the United Presbyterian Church in Lakin conducted by Rev. Sid Raymond and Rev. B.F. Henry. Burial in Lakin Cemetery.
RELIGION: Presbyterian
(Lt. 3, Blk. 12, Sec. 1) Mrs. Maude L. Tate died, April 17, 1977, at Kearny County Hospital. She was born, November 13, 1895, in Chillicothe, MO. and married Cecil Tate, June 16, 1931 at Dodge City. He died January 2, 1964. Mrs. Tate was a long time resident of Lakin. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Lakin, the Twentieth Century Club, Civic and Study Club, Blossom Garden Club, LYW Club soon after it was organized, and charter member of the LaFlora Club and Read-A-Book Club. Survivors include daughter, Mrs. Peggy Davis, Lakin; two sons, Brad, Lakin and Glenn Tunnell, Fresno, CA; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral was held at the church, the Rev. Michael Clark officiating. Burial in Lakin Cemetery