John A. Oliphant (Biography)

[genealogynut]

History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

John A. Oliphant, attorney, was born in Johnson County, Mo., June 1, 1849.  In 1863, enlisted and served one year in the United States Volunteer Cavalry, and during the entire time was engaged in fighting bushwackers in the West and Southwest Missouri.  In 1868, migrated to Kansas and settled in Neosho County, where he engaged in farming for three years. In 1871, took a trip through southwestern and back through the south part of the State and assisted in locating the town of Boston in the center of old Howard County (now Elk and Chautauqua Counties), building the first house and selling the first goods in the place, remaining in the business about one year.  A short time after Boston was started, what proved to be one of the most bitter county seat wars in the State was begun and prosecuted with great determination, and the subject of this sketch being very desirous to make Boston the county seat, began reading law in order to be better qualified in furthering his project.  Was admitted to the bar in 1874, but in 1875 the county was divided, completely killing Boston, thus putting an end to his project of making a city of the place.  He then located at Howard and began the practice of law, and finished his law course in the Law Department of the Michigan State University, Ann Arbor, since which time, has been practicing law in Howard.  In 1878, was united in marriage with Miss Martha Greer, of Topeka, who was teaching school in Howard.  Mr. Oliphant is a member of Howard Lodge, No. 134, I.O.O. F., and E. M. Stanton Post, No. 123, G. A. R.

[Roma Jean Turner]

I so enjoy reading these biographies.  Some of these names are familiar from going through
microfilms of the old Howard and Moline newspapers.  Mr. Oliphant and my Great grandfather Joseph Henry Turner where in the same I.O.O.F. Lodge in Howard and probably friends.
All of these posts just make Elk Co History and my family come alive.  Thanks.

[genealogynut]

Thanks!  I think some of them are pretty interesting myself.  Stick around, as I have a bunch more to post on here. 

[genealogynut]

The following is a rememberance of John Oliphant that appears in the Howard Courant on January 22, 1931.

The early settlers will hear of John Oliphant's death with sincere regret.  I first met John in 1872 or'73 at Canola.  A bunch of Boston sports came over with a running horse, and beat Jim Fletcher's pony in a quarter race.  A gambling fellow named Eckles rode the Boston horse which was owned by Pat Nulty, and Carl Fletcher, a 12 year old boy, rode the Canola pony.  There was but $25 up on that race, and the Boston sports were disappointed that they counldn't get more bets, for they had a sure thing, and knew it.  John Oliphant came with the Boston bunch and he unloosed a laugh that was the real thing and never to be forgotten once heard.  Some months later my follks moved over to Boston, and Oliphant boarded at the little hotel kept by my parents.  He was supposed to be a lawyer, but was very poor and always hard up for while litigation was quite an industry among the pioneers, everybody was too poor to afford the lawyers very rich picking, and Oliphant couldn't always pay his board on time--but he always finally paid it and as he was jolly and kind, our folks liked him.  Some years later when my folks came to Howard, Oliphant was already here, having drifted this way in the general exodus from Boston after the division of Howard county.  He had absorbed some ideas of printing and country newspaper work by helping around th old Boston Messenger office, and after coming to Howard was frequently called in to help The Courant printers, for he could write locals, set type and yank the lever of the old hand press.  As Howard grew, Oliphant grew and prospered moderately.  He married Miss Mattie Greer, a primary teacher in the town schools, and later moved into other and richer fields, occadionally coming back to the old home town to shake hands, and laugh over early incidents with the pioneers.  Eight or ten years ago he was invited to come back to Howard to make an address at the home-coming, but he failed to get here till the evening of Old Settlers Day.  However, he talked briefly the following day, and greatly enjoyed himself with old friends.  Two or three years ago I visited him and his wife at Tulsa.  His three daughters were married and gone, and I never saw them except as little girls.  Mrs. Oliphant passed away only a few weeks after my visit, and now jolly old John is dead, and his ringing Laugh is stilled forever.  Good old boy--John Oliphant.----T. E.T.

Note:  His obituary may be found on the Obituary board.