The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-18

Webb McNalls connection with the
A. O. u W lodge began in 1880 when on
May u Gaylord lodge No As was or
ganfzed with Mr.. McNan as one of the
charter members, and his election to
the position of dnancier Since that time
he has taken a prominent part in all
the conventions Of the grand lodge of
this state and during recent years has
aided and it might almost be said has
guided in all affairs of important legis-
latiOn for the government of the order
in this state. He has mastered the de-
tails of the workings of insurance or
ders and is recognized as one of the
ablest authorities in the United States
on the question of fraterna1 insurance.
He was elected to the Office of over
seer in the supreme lodge three years
ago and has been elected successfully
to the offices Of guide, foreman and
master workman.
Mr.. McNan has been a past grand
master of the grand lodge Of Kansas
for ten years He has filled nearly every
Office in the grand lodge of the state and
has always been the representative of
the grand lodge of Kansas in the su-
preme lodge
Mr.. McNall was superintendent Of in
surance of the state of Kansas under
the Leedy administration, and because
of his thorough acquaintance with mat
ters of this nature he was in a position
to successfully carry out his policies of
the determination of disreputable insur-
state. He directed his attention almost
exclusively to old line insurance com
panies and his efforts to purify the in
surance business in Kansas attracted
attention in insurance circles all over
the world He forced many of the old
doing business in Kansas.
Webb McNaHs home in Kansas is a
Gaylord in Smith county. He was born
at Randolph. Cattaraugus county. n.
l.
Iowa in August 1861, and from there
to Gaylord, Smith county, Kan, Sep
tember II, 1871. He took a homestead
one mile northeast of Gaylord and since
purchased enough land in the vicinity to
give him a full section During his res
idence in Smith county. he has served
as cOnsta bic, and deputy sheriff, and
has not been afraid or ashamed to work.
As a consequence. he is now q prosper
Gus man. In March, 1868 he married
Miss Annie E. Hunberger of Musca-
tine, iowa.
In 1876 he was chosen as doorkeeper
of the house Of representatives and was
re- elected in 1877. March TO- 1877, he
was appointed on the capitol police
force at a salary Of 81 100 Mr. McNall
was admitted to practice in the dis
trict end inferior courts of Kansas in
May, 1879. AS lawyer he has been
very successful His friends claim that
in several railroad cases he procured for
his clients considerable sums more than
they had hoped to secure. He also has
had an unusual success in insurance
cases. He haSealWayS advocated that in
cases of loss fire and kindred insurance
companies are liable to the full amount
Of the policy on which they accepted
premiums IN all the cases OF this kind
which he took for collection he has been
uniformly successful
He was one Of the earliest settlers of
Gaylord, going there as he did in 1871.
He purchased the Gaylord Herald April
IS, 1880, and conducted it as a Republi-
can newspaper. He afterwards disposed
of the newspaper to Lou Headley. He
was the Republican candidate for con-
gress from his district in 1892
When the Free Silver Republicans de-
serted at the st. Louis convention, in
1895. Mr.. McNan was found in their
ranks. He was a prominent leader in
the free silver movement. In 1897 he
became identified with the Popu1ists
through his appointment to be superin-
tendent of insurance OF Kansas by Gov
ernor I.eedy. It was while he was in
this office that he created such a stir
in old line insurance circles When Gov
ernor Stanley was elected his most de-
termined efforts were directed towards