EHS ’18’ Club

Guys and Dolls

An “18” Club at E.H.S. has been recently established. A student may become a member if he is 18 years of age, and with his parents’ consent, is willing to give blood at the Emporia Bloodmobile. Those who have donated a pint of blood are Robert Brecht, Larry Hayes, Richard Frederick, Marie Cisneros, Eva Gasper, Donald Miller, Jim Anderson and Richard Carlburg. Randy Murray and Elaine Taylor, members of the club, volunteered, but were rejected. Co-chairmen of the Junior Red Cross Bloodmobile Committee, Karen Courtney and Sandra Clinkenbeard, assigned Emporia High girls to help at the Bloodmobile Feb. 27^th and 28^th. Those who assisted as the Blood Bank this week were Adrianne Hotzel, Jean Resch, Darla Smalling, Darla Andrews, Judy Deputy, Linda Fredrick, Linda Pocock, Sandra Clinkenbeard, Marilyn Moore, Juanita Osborn, Glenda Lang, Alice Hayes, Judy Haley, Nelta Britton, Cynthia Lyster, Joy Vail, Joanne Beck, Elaine Wilson, Phyllis Burroughts, Myrna Williams, Janet White, Teresa Burch, Sharon Potter, Shirley Brockelman, Pat Lewis, Pam Hotzel, Mar Gene Blair, Sara Steerman, Karen Courtney and Chriss Fogg.

“Guys and Dolls,” The Emporia Gazette, 1 Feb 1958, p. 5; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 13 July 2018).

 

Edward Grant Briles

Edward Grant Briles was born on 18 Jul 1869 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.^1–13

He lived in California Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States on 26 Jun 1870.¹⁴ He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States on 1 Jun 1875.¹⁵ Edward lived in Neosho Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States on 2 Jun 1880.¹⁶

He attended Rosemound School in Coffey, Kansas, United States in in Aug 1880.

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1885.¹⁷

Edward  purchased the undivided one fourth interest n the west half of the northeast quarter of section twelve (12) township twenty three (23) South of range fifteen (15) east on 14 Jan 1889 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.¹⁸ He  sold land  on 6 Feb 1889 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.¹⁹ He received a mortgage on the undivided one half of the west half of the north east quarter of section no. twelve (12), township no 23 (23), range no fifteen (15) on 6 Feb 1889 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.²⁰

Edward Grant Briles and Frances Artlissa ‘Artie’ Ricketts were married on 19 Feb 1890 in Woodson, Kansas, United States.^{1,7,13,21–25}

Edward was released from the mortgage on the undivided one half of the west half of the north east quarter of section no twelve (12), township no 23 (230, range no fifteen (15) on 13 Apr 1891 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.²⁰

He was the father of Edward Osmond Briles^4,8,26–37 He was the father of Ethel Frances Briles^27,38–40 Edward was the father of Glen Briles^27,41–43

He lived in Neosho Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1895.⁴⁴

He  sold land being the undivided one half interest in the west half of the north east quarter of section twelve (12) township twenty three (23) South range fifteen (15) east of the sixth p.m. on 13 Aug 1896 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.⁴⁵ Edward received a mortgage for the west half of the north east quarter of section twelve(12) township twenty three (23) South range fifteen (15) east of the sixth p.m. on 15 Aug 1896 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.⁴⁶

He was the father of Lulu Belle Briles^27,47–48

He lived in Pleasant Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States on 18 Jun 1900.⁴⁹

Edward owned land being the S 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of section 26 in Township in 1901 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.⁵⁰

He was paid $11 for work on a bridge in Jan 1902 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.⁵¹

In Aug 1902, he  visited C. Kimball in Rock Creek, Coffey County, Kansas.⁵²

Edward attended a farewell party for Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Rockhill in Nov 1903 in Rock Creek, Coffey County, Kansas.⁵³

He lived in Pleasant Township, Coffey, Kansas, United States in Apr 1905.⁵⁴

He went to Iola Saturday to visit a few days with E G’s brother-in-law, M. Ricketts in Sep 1906.⁵⁵

Edward entertained Mr. and Mrs. Louis Ricketts on 25 Aug 1907 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.⁵⁶

He visited with his aunt Mrs. Laura Mentzer and family in Jun 1908 in Coffey, Kansas, United States.⁵⁷

He gave a party to the young people that was well attended and all enjoyed a real good old time on 9 Mar 1909 in Vernon, Woodson, Kansas, United States.⁵⁸

Edward lived in Liberty Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States on 20 Apr 1910.⁵⁹ He lived in Liberty Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States in Apr 1915.⁶⁰ He lived in Liberty, Woodson, Kansas, USA in 1919.⁶¹

Edward lived in Center Township, Woodson, Kansas, United States on 6 Jun 1920.⁶²

In 1922,  a drilling rig was moved on the farm of he about 10 miles north of Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States.⁶³

He lived at 612 N. Jefferson in Iola, Allen, Kansas, United States on 1 Jul 1925.⁶⁴

Edward lived at First Ward in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States on 2 Apr 1930.⁶⁵ He lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1937.⁶⁶ He lived in Woodson County, Kansas, United States in 1938.⁶⁷ Edward lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1939.⁶⁸

He celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife, Artie (Frances Artlissa) Briles, on 18 Feb 1940 in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States.⁶⁹

He lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States on 15 Apr 1940.^70–71 Edward lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1941.⁷² He lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1943.⁷³ He lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1944.⁷⁴ Edward lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1946.⁷⁵ He lived in Yates Center, Woodson, Kansas, United States in 1948.⁷⁶

He died on 23 Jul 1951 at the age of 82 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas, United States.^{1,3–4,11–13,77–79} Edward was buried on 25 Jul 1951 at Crandall Cemetery in Coffey, Kansas, United States.^{3–4,11–12,80}

He had his estate probated on 23 Jul 1952 in Woodson, Kansas, United States.⁷⁹

^ENDNOTES

1. Briles Genealogy (Crandall, Kansas: Max Briles, aft 1952), p. 7
2. 1900 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, [CivilDivision], [ED], [PageID], [HouseholdID], [Person]; digital imge, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : [AccessType] [AccessDate]); NARA T623. [FileNumber]
3. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online August 2016), memorial for Edward Grant Briles (1869-1951), Find a Grave Memorial no. #110405863, created by Marcia Philbrick, citing Crandall Cemetery, Le Roy, Coffey County, Kansas; accompanying photograph by Marcia Philbrick, Edward Grant Briles.
4. Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012).
5. Ancestry.com, Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009), Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1905 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: ks1905_31; Line: 24.
6. , Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1875 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: ks1875_4; Line: 18.
7. Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004), Source number: 434.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: MP1.
8. , Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1925 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: KS1925_1; Line: 18.
9. , Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; 1895 Kansas Territory Census; Roll: v115_27; Line: 12.
10. Edmund West comp., Family Data Collection – Births (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001), Edward Grant Briles.
11. Edward Grant Briles Funeral Book, Yates Center, Kansas, 1951, Crawford Family Papers, privately held by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, KS, 2016. passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Pauline Briles.
12. Crandall Cemetery (Crandall, Coffey County, Kansas), Eddie G Briles, Latitude 38:4:6.6 Longitude 95:43:8.99999; photographed by Marcia Philbrick, May 2018.
13. “Obituary,” undated clipping, from unidentified newspaper; Crawford Family Papers, passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Pauline Briles; privately held 2018 by Marcia Crawford Philbrick, [address for private use], Seneca, KS 66538.
14. 1870 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 10, household 60, Briles Noah; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T132.
15. 1875 Kansas State Census, Coffey County, Kansas, kansas state census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 10-11, household 81, N W Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society.
16. 1880 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, ED 49, Page 8, household 72, Sarah A Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T9.
17. 1885 Kansas Census, Neosho County, state census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 28, household 67, Briles Sarah; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online August 2017); Kansas State Historical Society.
18. Coffey County, Kansas, Deeds, Book 45, page 617, Briles, Ed, 14 January 1909; Recorder of Deeds, Burlington, Kansas.
19. Coffey County, Kansas, Deeds, Book 23, Mortgages, page 362.
20. Coffey County, Kansas, Deeds, Book 23 Mortgages page 362.
21. Lineage application of , , Newspaper Clipping “Celebrates 50 Years of Married Life” (Briles.KS.069).
22. Marriage License Record, Woodson County, Kansas, page 22 (Doc. # Mentzer.KS.016), Woodson County Courthouse, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas.
23. “Yates Center News”, (Yates Center, Kansas), to (), “Married” page 7 Col. 4 21 feb 1890 (Briles.KS.034); ,
24. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Provo, UT: Yates Publishing, 2004), Edward Grant Briles – Frances Artlissa Ricketts / 1890
25. Kanss County Mariages, 1855-1911: Wilson Marriage Records 1872-1880 , v. B, Woodson County, Kansas, Edward Grant Briles, 19 Feb 1890; digital image, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org . viewed online July 2018. Original Source: Marriage Record Vol. B 1872-1880.
26. Pauline Mentzer Briles family, The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments King James Version (: The World Publishing Company, ); Letha Doolittle, San Bernadino, California, Transcription (Charles Mentzer Notebook). Hereinafter cited as The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments.
27. Briles Genealogy (Crandall, Kansas: Max Briles, aft 1952), p. 23
28. “Edward O. Briles Dead,” undated clipping, from unidentified newspaper; Crawford Family Papers, E. O. Briles Notebook; privately held 2015 by Marcia Philbrick, [address for private use], Seneca, KS.
29. Edward O. Briles Dead, The Emporia Gazette (Emporia, Kansas), Emporia, Kansas, 28 May 1956. (Briles.KS.068)
30. “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” database with images, Family Search (www.familysearch.org : online 15 February 2016), Osmund Edward Briles; citing , image 48 of 1757; NARA microfilm M1509.
31. 1900 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Pleasant Township, Coffey County, Kansas, ED 43, Sheet 7A, household 124, Edward Briles.
32. “Family Data Collections – Births,” [ItemType:Lower:Abbrev], Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (Oct 2017), Edward Osmund Briles.
33. , Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925, Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, Kansas; Roll: ks1915_258; Line: 3.
34. Ancestry.com, U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010), The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Kansas; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: Box 276.
35. Ancestry.com, U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005), Registration State: Kansas; Registration County: Woodson; Roll: 1643943.
36. Ancestry.com, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015).
37. West, Family Data Collection – Births.
38. “Kansas, Births and Christenings Index, 1885-1911,” database on-line, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016), Ethel Briles.
39. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016), Ethel Darby, 514142329, before 1951.
40. “Kansas, Births and Christenings Index, 1885-1911,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.om : viewed online October 2017), Briles.
41. , (Briles.KS.002), Crandall Cemetery, , , .
42. “World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” database, Ancestry (Ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016), Glen Briles.
43. “Obituaries – Glen Briles”, Yates Center News, (Yates Center, Kansas), 7 July 1983, p. 7, microfilm; Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS.
44. 1895 Kansas Census, Coffey County, state census, Neosho Township, Coffey County, Kanssa, page 17, E G Briles; microfilm, Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka, KS : viewed online November 2017).
45. Coffey County, Kansas, Deeds, Book 55 Deeds Page 611.
46. Coffey County, Kansas, Deeds, Bood 34, page 521.
47. Edmund West, comp., “Family Data Collection — Individual Records,” database online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2016), Lulu Belle Briles.
48. “Family Data Collections – Births,” [ItemType:lower:Abbrev] Lulu Belle Briles.
49. 1900 U.S. Census, Coffey County, Kansas, population schedule, Pleasant Township, Coffey County, Kansas, ED 432, Sheet 7A, household 124, Briles Edward G.
50. Plat Book of Coffey County, Kansas 1901, (Minneapolis, Minn.: Northwest Publishing Co., 1901), page 19 and 20.
51. “Accounts Allowed,” The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 24 January 1902, p. 3; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online July 2018).
52. “Rock Creek,” local news, The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 21 August 1902, Osmund Briles …; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online January 2017).
53. “Rock Creek,” local news, The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 26 November 1903, ‘A farewell party was given to …’; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online January 2017).
54. 1905 Kansas Census, Coffey County, Kansas, state census, Pleasant Township, Coffey County, Kansas, page 18, household 127, Briles E G; digital image, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017).
55. “Rock Creek Sr,” local news, The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 8 September 1906, E G and Osmund Briles ..; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online January 2017).
56. “Rock Creek Sr,” The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 27 August 1907, p. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online July 2018).
57. “Victory,” local news, The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 18 June 1908, Ed. Briles and family …; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online January 2017).
58. “Vernon,” local news, The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 15 March 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Briles gave a party …; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online January 2017).
59. 1910 U.S. Census, Woodson County, Kansas, population schedule, Liberty Township, Woodson County, Kansas, ED 147, Sheet 2B, household 39, Eddie G Briles; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T624.
60. 1915 Kansas Census, Woodson County, 1905 state census, Liberty Township, Woodson County, Kansas, page 21, dwelling 1, Briles Ed; digital image, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017).
61. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, Briles E G, 1919; database with images, Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2018. Original Source: Kansas State Board of Agriculture.
62. 1920 U.S. Census, Woodson County, Kansas, population schedule, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas, ED 160, Sheet 3A, household 46, Briles Eddie G; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T625.
63. “X. Y. Z’s,” The Yates Center News (Yates Center, Kansas), 20 October 1922; digital iamges, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewd online July 2018).
64. 1925 Kansas Census, Allen County, state census, Iola, Allen County, Kansas, page 20, household 170, Briles Edward G; digital image, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017).
65. 1930 U.S. Census, Woodson County, Kansas, population schedule, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas, SD 10, ED 104-13, Sheeet 2A (image 3 of 42), household 710, Ed G. Briles; digital iamge, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online August 2016); NARA T626.
66. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, EG Briles, 1937; .
67. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, E G Briles, 1938; .
68. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, E G Briles, 1939; .
69. “Yates Center News”, (Yates Center, Kansas), to (), (Briles.KS.069); ,
70. 1940, Woodwon County Kansas, population, Yates Center, Woodson County, Kansas, enumeration district (ED) ED 104-13, Sheet 12B, household 95, Briles E G; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); National Archives adn Recods Administration, 1940.T627.
71. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, E G Briles, 1940; .
72. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, Briles E G, 1941; .
73. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, E G Briles, 1943; .
74. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, E G Bryles, 1944; .
75. 4, Kansas, City and County Census Records, 1919-1961, E G Briles, 1946; .
76. Kansas, City and County Census Records 1919-1961, Yates Center, 1948; database with images, Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017. Original Source: Population Schedules and Statistical Rolls: Cities (1919-1961).
77. “Ed Briles Dead,” Obituary, The Emporia Weekly Gazette, Emporia, Kansas, 2 August 1951; Newspapers.com (http://www.newspaprs.com : online September 2015).
78. “Ed Briles Dead,” obituary, The Emporia Gazette (Emporia, Kansas), 24 July 1951, p. 1; Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online July 2018).
79. F. A. Briles and E. G. Briles, 25 July 1952, Woodson County, Courthouse, Yates Center, Kansas.
80. “The Briles Rites Today,” The Emporia Gazette (Emporia, Kansas), 25 July 1951, p. 1; Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online July 2018).

Ricketts News

Rock Creek Sr

August 25

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Cokely spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Briles, D. Ricketts and wife and Hazel, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Ricketts and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Ricketts of Kempton, Ind., were also there. Mr and Mrs. Louis Ricketts came in on the Saturday train as a surprise to his brother J. M. and his nieces, Mrs. Ed Briles and Mrs. Albert Cokely. As it has been thirty years since he saw Kansas he was a small surprise himself. He says Kansas has improved greatly and if it keeps up at the regular rate it will be as good as any eastern state by the time it is as old as they are.

Why I love gossipy newspapers!

“Rock Creek Sr,” The Daily Republican (Burlington, Kansas), 27 August 1907, p. 2; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online July 2018).

 

Farmers in My Tree

As part of #AncestorChallenge2018 on Twitter, David Allen Lambert recently asked “Who was your last farming generation in your family?” Since I nor my parents grew up on a farm, I had to think about this question.

I did grow up with two family stories related to farming. My grandfather, Leon Crawford, always talked about how he helped ‘Uncle Jimmy’ farm his land. The story involved him running the tractor on land just south of the Arkansas River in Dodge City. At the time, I didn’t think to question granddad about ‘Uncle Jimmy’, but wished I had. ‘Unlce Jimmy’ was likely James H. Crawford. James H. Crawford was the brother to my 2nd great grandfather. Thus, he was my grandfather’s great uncle. James H. Crawford did own land on the south side of the river in Dodge City.

The second story involved my grandfather Briles. Family lore says he rented farm ground where the Emporia Country Club is located. Although I don’t have any documentation to support this story, I do have a picture of my grandfather, Edward Osmond Briles on his tractor.

In terms of my great grandparents, two (both on my mom’s side) are identified as farmers on the 1900 census. Edward Grant Briles is listed on the 1900, 1910 and 1920 censuses as a farmer. However, the 1930 census indicates he was a carpenter at the age of 59 with the 1940 census again stating that Edward was a farmer. Charles Oliver Mentzer is also listed on multiple censuses as a farmer in Woodson County, Kansas.

On my dad’s side, one family story says that my dad’s grandfather, Judson Foster Crawford, participated as a cook’s helper on a cattle drive. Since Judson was born in 1866 in Indiana and didn’t arrive in the Dodge City area until around 1884, it is highly unlikely that he helped with any of the cattle drives from Texas to Kansas. Like his son, Leon Crawford, Judson likely helped his uncle, James H Crawford, farm his land. As an adult, Judson Crawford worked for the railroad.

My dad’s other grandfather, Hiram M. Currey, did try his hand at farming. In 1908, he moved from Leavenworth County to Rooks County, Kansas. In Rooks County, Hiram rented land and took up farming. Hiram’s farming adventure as short-lived as he returned to Eastern Kansas by 1913.

“Delaware,” local news, The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas), 17 July 1908; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online September 2016).

Although I am two or more generations away from farming, many of my ancestors back to 1850 claimed the occupation of farming on the various census records.

 

Protestor in the Family – E O Briles

The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) states that as a genealogist I should do reasonably exhaustive research. So, when my grandmother left me a group of ‘Years Ago’ clippings stating that my grandfather, E. O. Briles had been arrested, I did what I thought was reasonably exhaustive research.

First, I visited the Kansas State Historical Society to read the Emporia Gazette from the time period. I then obtained the police and district court case files. I have looked in the obvious places to find documentation of my grandfather’s protest movement.

About two weeks ago, I was handed another source – a clipping ‘from a recent shopper.’ I would never have thought of looking thru shoppers for information! (In Kansas – particularly in smaller communities – a shopper is a weekly publication full of advertising.) Evidently, the Flint Hills Shopper has a ‘History of Lyon County’ column provided by the Lyon County Historical Society titled True Tales from the Tallgrass.

The March 6, 2018 issue of the Flint Hills Shopper contained the story of my grandfather, E. O. Briles.

Lessons learned:

• Research never ends
• Look everywhere — including the local ‘shopper’

Briles Homestead

The Briles family came to the Kansas Territory prior to the Civil War. Alexander Briles is listed on the 1859 territorial census in Coffey County, Kansas. On 1 Dec 1860, Alexander Briles received the patent to the Northeast quarter of section #12 Township 23 South of Range 15 East of the 6th Prime Meridian. This land became the family homestead for generations. The land was passed down thru the family to John Franklin Briles (1916-2004) and his children.

The United States of America
To all to whom these presents shall enter, Greeting
Whereas, In pursuance of the Act of Congress, approved March 3, 1855, entitled “An act in addition to certain acts granting Bounty Land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States,” there has been deposited in the General Land Office Warrant No. 76,800 for 160 acres in favor of Margaret Baker, widow of George Baker, Private, Captain Hook’s Company, Virginia Militia War 1812
with evidence that the same has been duly located upon the North East quarter of Section Twelve in Township Twenty three of Range fifteen in the District of Lands subject to sale at Fort Scott Kansas containing one hundred and sixty acres
according to the official plat of the survey of said Lands returned to the General Land Office by the surveyor general the said Warrant having been assigned by the said Margaret Baker to Alexander Briles in whose favor the said tract has been located.
Now Know Ye, that there is therefore granted by the United States unto the said Alexander Briles, as assignee as aforesaid and to his heirs
the tract of land above described: to have and to hold the said tract of land with the appurtenance thereof unto the said Alexander Briles, as assignee as aforesaid and to
his heirs and assigns forever
In testimony whereof, I, James Buchanan President of the United States of America, have caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty fifth
By the president: James Buchanan
By J A R Leenard Sec’y
J. N. Granger Recorded of the General Land Office

(United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online April 2018), Briles, Alexander.)

 

#52Ancestors / #Homestead

T – GenealogyPhotoADay

1916 Thresher

Edward Osmund Briles

Tractor – Likely 1950s in Emporia, Kansas