Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-05-17
SKETCH OF THE CITY FATHERS


sketch OF the mayor and each ofthe council
men from the four wards, reporter has
gathered the facts that follow. The Fifth
ward will soon choose two additional coun-
cilmen, then the city council will consist of
ten members. Considering the personnel
the present administration is the strongest
in the city's history and will compare favor
ably with any like body in other cities of
the country, and is certainly one which our
CITY need not feel ashamed of. And it is
fortunate for a city situated like Wichita
that the whole administration is composed
of property owners who are SO closely iden-
tilted with its every interest. Their patriot
ism needs no higher test than that
they give their time for nothing. save the
usual amount of abuse meeted out by an I'M
grateful Democracy.
The mayor, Benajah W. Aldrieh, was
born in Comstock, Kalamazoo county, Mich,
July 10, 1916. He is druggist by occupa-
ton. While mere STRIPPING he enlisted in
the Thirtieth Michigan infantry, but owing
TO his being at that time quite frail and deli
cate, he was rejected from military service.
In 1870 Mr.. Aldrich settled in this city in
the drug business where be still remains as
one of the well known firm of Ardrich X
Brown. During the late municipal contest
Mr.. Aldrich was chosen as the candidate for
mayor on the citizens ticket against j. c.
Rutan. Republican, and was elected by
large majority. He needs no introduction
to any of the old citizens, and to the newer
corners it may be said that b. W. Aldrich is
one of the rare men who hew to the line and
LET the chips fall where they may.
The eouncilmen of the First ward are w.
A. English, who was born in Newark,
Ohio March 18th, 1850. Mr.. English re-
moved to Wichita in 1870 and has been iden
tilted with her fortunes ever since. He is an
extensive owner of and operator in real es-
tate. bv which his name will be handed down
to posterity in the several additions of his to
this CITY. Mr. English has served with cred
il two terms in the council, being now the
chairman Of the committee on railroads.
His colleage, Mr.. John b. Carey, was born
in Dublin, Ireland, June 2lst, 1898. He has
been eleven years in Wichita, is an extern
sive owner il real estate and well-to-do
lumber merchant Mr.. Carey is one of the
new members of the council. He is a eau
tious and courteous debater and looks close
after the interest Of the tax payer.
From the Second ward, councilman, T.
G. Smyth is conspicuous figure. He
was born at sea in 1927, of English
and French parentage. He followed the
sea in the English merchant marine for sew
eral wears and was for short time engaged
in the Opium war in China Mr. Smyth
has been partaler of the joys and sor
rows of Wichita for ten years. He has
been two years in the council, being now
chairman of committee on streets and pub
lie improvements. He is engaged in the ag
ricultural implement business with his sons.
J. c. Lichey is the colleague of Smyth.
| He was born in New Castle, Pa, July 18th,
1877. lie served in the L. :. navy in the
Mississippi dptilIa during the war. Mr..
R;chey is engaged in the real estate bust
ness. He is one of .he new members. and
has been chosen chairman of the mos. i'm
portant of the committees, thtt Of he. th.
From the Third Nlrd comes DR.. c. l.
McAdams, VIVA wa b--a in Midiletcwn
Rutler county, -, July /, -. and has been in
Wichita since 1873. lie hi, been chos-
en- to the council three term, and has served
| faithfully on nearly every Committee. The
Doctor i, one Of the most experienced coun-
cilmea.
p Y. Helly, his colleague. was born in
Scott county, Ky, July -. lSi7. Mr.. Heniy
has been in Wichita ten wears. lie is in the
real estate business. This gentleman is one
of the new members, and is chairman of the
COMMITTEES on gas and lights.
The Fourth Ward has honorei J. Z. Al
len for several terms in the council as its
trusted servant This gentleman was
born October ., 1888, in EIkhart. Indiana.
After serving three years in the Eighth Iowa
infantry during the war, Mr.. Allen returned
to Iowa and then came west, locating in
Wichita with his brother, the present secre-
tary Of state, a druggists, which business he
still continues lie is one of the old coun-
ciimen and has served on various response
bic committees with great crcdi; TO himself
and the city.
F. T. Stone is the other councilman from
the Fourth ward. He was born August 9,
1874, in Harrison county, Ohio. He is a
plasterer and contractor by trade. Mr.Stone
is quiet and observing man. He is a new
councilman, having been elected for the first
time a; this springs election.