13 Free Things That Your Library May Offer!

 This great article at ilovelibraries.org, "13 Things You Pay For That Your Library Has For Free" by Linda McMaken shares just how many great things that you may be able to do and check out at your local library, for free, besides books!  


Many libraries have DVD's, Music, Language Learning courses, and more that you can check out and enjoy at home, as well as using the free Internet and Wi-Fi access at the library.


Want to get started doing genealogy?  Many libraries have a family history and local history section, some have volunteers available to help you fill in the blanks in your family tree, and most libraries have someone who can point you in the right direction to do more local and county research.  


The Wellington Public Library, located in Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas has a local history room, quite a few local newspaper microfilms, and a few surrounding city newspaper microfilms available, as well as some census records on microfilm.


Surrounding towns, Argonia, Belle Plaine, Caldwell, Conway Springs, Mulvane, & Oxford all have libraries, though many in the smaller towns are open just for short times each week.


Need to do Research in Sumner County, Kansas libraries? 


Call the numbers or write the addresses below to learn the hours they are open, (many are small and hours around holidays may vary) and and find out what research materials are available.


Argonia Public Library
120 West Walnut; P.O. Box 95
Argonia, KS  67004
PH: 1-620-435-6979 
Website: http://www.librarytechnology.org/lwc-displaylibrary.pl?RC=18330


Belle Plaine Public Library
222 W. 5th Ave;  P.O. Box 700  
Belle Plaine, KS  67013
e-mail: bplib@sktc.net
Website:  http://belleplainelibrary.com/ 

Caldwell Public Library
120 S. Main StreetCaldwell, KS  67022PH: 1-620-845-6879
Website: http://caldwell.mykansaslibrary.org/
City Website: http://www.caldwellkansas.com/node/202


Conway Springs Public Library
210 W. Spring Ave.
Conway Springs, Kansas  67031
PH: 1-620-456-2859
Website: http://conwaysprings.mykansaslibrary.org/


Mulvane Public Library
101 E. Main St.
Mulvane, KS  67110
PH: 316-777-1211
e-mail: mulvanelib@gmail.com
Website: http://mulvane.mykansaslibrary.org/


Oxford Public Library115 S. Sumner
Oxford, KS  67119
PH: 1-620-455-2221
e-mail: oxfordlibrary@sutv.com
Website: http://www.oxfordks.org/oxford-public-library.htm


Wellington Public Library 
121 W. 7th
Wellington, KS  67152
PH: 1-620-326-2011
e-mail: wpl@sutv.com
Website: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Wellington/library.html

Amanuensis Monday - John A. Bishop Obituary

John A. Bishop Obituary
(born December 25, 1819 - died July 4, 1900)

John A. Bishop died at his home on North Heron/Herson avenue Wednesday morning at 10:50 o’clock after a lingering illness.  The funeral was held at the residence at 4 o’clock next afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. C. Ball, pastor of the M. E. church.

John A. Bishop was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, December 25, 1819, and died July 4, 1900. In the home of his birth he spent the years of his childhood, and also the earlier period of his boyhood until he was 15 years old.  Then he went to Lee county, IA and engaged in farming.  

In the more than forty years of his residence in Iowa, he had a varied occupation.  At one time he was in the mercantile business and afterwards was sheriff of his county for three terms.  

When the civil war broke out, he was among the first to respond to his country’s call and helped to raise the 1st Iowa regiment, of which he became a lieutenant, and served the full term of his enlistment, three years.  After the war he returned to Lee county, and in 1876, he came with his family to the farther west and settled in New Mexico, thence in 1878 to Kansas, and settled in Sumner county, where he had continued to reside.

Thirteen years ago he became a citizen of Wellington.  He was an industrious, active, helpful man, generous and always ready to lift up and lend a hand, and many an unfortunate one has felt the touch of his sympathy through his practical ministration to their needs.  He was especially fond of children, an affectionate and loving father and friend.  

He did not enter into churchly forms but was not indifferent to religious principles, hence he never belonged to any church, but believed in all that makes a Christian life; and in his last days, seemed to trust in Jesus for his salvation and readily yielded himself to be brought in prayer to a throne of grace.  

He was married in 1854 to Alice A. Cartwright in Farmington, IA.  She died in 1879, leaving him and seven children – two daughters and five sons, to mourn her loss.  All of these, except one son, still survive.  And three of them, one of whom crossed the continent to bring his presence to cheer the dying hours, were present to follow the broken weary form to its resting place.

The above information was transcribed by Sherry Kline from a photocopy of the obituary that was located in the Bishop Family Files located in the Pioneer Settler's Files at the Sumner County History and Genealogy Center.  There are many more files of Pioneer and early Sumner County Families located in the SCHGS Center files, and these are available for research on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to Noon, and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; other days by appointment.
E-mail:  schgs@sutv.com or scgs67152@yahoo.com

Mail:  Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Center
or  SCHGC
P.O. Box 402
Wellington Kansas 67152