The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12

England. He was born September 6,
1929, at Nottingham. His father,
James CordIey, was born at Spalding
in Lincolnshire, and his mother. Ann
Minta, was native of Popsley, in the
same county. His parents came TO
America in 1893, when he was four
years old, and took up government
land in Livingston county, Michigan
The boy was taught by his mother
until he was nine years old, when
through his fathers efforts a log
school house was built, in which was
held three months of school each win
ter After his fourteenth year he at
tended school at Ann Arbor until he
was prepared for the university. In
$50 he entered Michigan university,
and graduated four years later, hav-
ing largely earned his money for his
expenses by his own exertfOnS- In the
same manner he worked his way
through three years at Andover The
illogical seminary Graduating in 1857
DR.. Cordley came to Kansas in the
fall of that year and preached his
first sermon in Plymouth church at
Lawrence, December 2, 1851 Janu-
airy p, 1858, he was ordained by the
council at Quindaro. 1t was a strug
Cling church of twenty-five members
when he came to it, with an unfin-
ished house of worship; and today it
has a membership of over 500, and
one of the handsomest church homes
in the state, worth $4,000.
DIR. Cordley was one of the men
marked for death by Quantrells men
in their raid on Lawrence, August 81,
1850. His home and all its contents
were sacked and burned. The bush
whackers wanted his life, but failed
20 find him.
In May, 1853. he was married to
Minta Cox, of Livingston county,
Michigan. Their daughter Maggie.
who was married in 1881 to William
K. Griffith, of Lawrence, died in 1899,
leaving two sons. In 1874 the de-
81
ferred upon him by Kansas univer-
sity- He was elected president of
Washburn college in 1871, but de-
clfned the position. He was several
times a member of the national coun-
Gil of Congregational churches. and
in 1891 was a member of the first
international council in London. From
the organization of the State Agricul-
tural college until 1872 DR.. Cordley
was one of it's regents and he was a
trustee of Washburn college since
1858. For number of years he was
president of the Lawrence board of
education In 1875 i'll health COM
polling him to try a change of work
and climate. he resigned his pastorate
and went to Flint, Mich, for a few
years He was later pastor at EN-
poria, kas., for six years, but returned
to Lawrence in 1884, and has been
there since.
In 1897 the fortieth anniversary of
the beginning of DR.. Cordley's pas
celebrated The Lawrence church was
founded in 1855. Just a month ago
semi festivities apropos to
this fact were held at Lawrence Dr.
Cordley was pastor of the church for
practically Al years.
For the things DR.. Cordley wrote he
will be remembered by many. For
eight years, from 1859 to 1857 he ed
tied and published the congregational
Record. a magazine, with Rev. Peter
McFicar, president of Washburn col
lege. On the cover. at the very top
was the line, "One dollar a year in
advance. On the back cover are the
advertising rates and read: lone mage
for one year, $50; one-half page for
one year, SIS; one-quarter page for
one year, SO" The magazine con-
tains an advertisement of Lincoln
college. new Washburn. All through
ance- Editorial paragraphs full of
good counsel, advice, wit and beauty
make the faded leaves interesting now
as they were then
A list of the books, pamphlets and
magazines edited and published by
DR.. Cordley follow: "A History of
Lawrence: Pioneer Days in KAN
sas"; Quarter Centennial Sermon
1875 and 1SS4-91": Address on
1885; "Congregationalism in Kan
sas.' 1876; discourse Delivered at
Ottawa at Twenty-fifth Meeting of the
Kansas General Association of Con-
gregationaI Churches" 1879; Rev
John II. Byrd, Biographical
Sketch" 1897; ''Snags in the Cur
rent; "Solon Otis Thacher"; III. P.
q