My Present Past
A genealogical experience
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Argentine, Kansas
Mrs. J. R. Capron Argentine,Kansas  February 02, 1887
Clara E. Colver was the daughter of Edward and Hanna D. (Webb) Colver, born in Princeton, Bureau County,
Illinois in 1863. Edward and Hannah were also married at the same location on June 06, 1854.
Hanna Colver died April 18, 1876 in Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois.
Edward Colver with his son Edward L, daughters Clara and Charlotta moved to Leadville, Colorado in the summer
of 1881. Edward being a carpenter found an abundance of work and his son Edward L. was an assayer for the
American Smelting Company in Leadville. In 1884, Edward L, Clara and Lotta Colver moved to Argentine,
Wyandotte County, Kansas and were living with Hugh Webb, their uncle who was a Superintendent at the newly
constructed (1880) Kansas City Consolidated Smelting and Refining Company in Argentine, Kansas.
Hugh Webb was also instrumental in the development of the Turner Smelting Company on the West end of
Argentine, Kansas in 1889.
1870 Clara Colver Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois
1880 Clara Colver               Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois
Clara E. Colver                                                                             Argentine, Kansas March 23, 1884
Mehitible (Hettie) (Magill) Capron was born October 07, 1834 in Warren County, Pennsylvania to Charles and
Sarah (Coursen) Magill. She met John Reese Capron and they were married around 1863. Of that marriage four
children were born, Stella, Harold, James and an unknown daughter who died early in life.
In 1870 they were living in Warren Borough, Warren County, Pennsylvania, where John was the acting County
Sheriff. They moved to Gilman, Iroquois County, Illinois and were living with Hettie's parents. Moving to
Argentine in 1883, John was working for the City of Argentine as the City Clerk, Justice of the Peace for
Shawnee Township and the acting Treasurer for the 40th School District of Wyandotte County. John was also
employed at the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe as a Car Account Clerk for eight years. He also served on
numerous juries throughout his residence in Argentine.
Moving to Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma in 1894, due to John's health, they resided on a farm, seven and
one half miles south of the city and 1 mile west of Charter Oak School.
John Reese Capron died October 16, 1897 and is buried in Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie Oklahoma. He was
a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen (A.O.U.W.), Lodge #90 of Wyandotte County, the Grand
Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (A. F. & A. M.). He served in the Civil
War on the Union side as a Corporal 12th Pennsylvania Calvary, Company E.
Mehitible (Hettie) (Magill) Capron died November 11, 1904 in Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma.
Stella Capron was the daughter of John Reese and Hettie (Magill) Capron. After moving to Argentine with her
family in 1883, she attended the Wyandotte Academy, which was founded by Orman C. Palmer and received her
teaching degree in 1885. She was tenured in the Wyandotte County School District #40 and was a member of
the Wyandotte Teachers Association. Moving with her family to Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma in 1894, she
quickly found work as the Oklahoma Territory had not been formally made a state and there were ample
opportunities in the Indian Territory. In January 1900 she was appointed Deputy Clerk for Capt. Hegler of the
Supreme Court at the State Capitol in Guthrie. She was also appointed Treasurer of the Capitol Court, Court of
Honor by State Organizer Remy in 1900. She left the State Capitol in August of 1900 to take a position in the
County office of Attorney E. W. Jones. In 1906 she had taken a position as Matron of the Indian Schools at
Colony near Weatherford, Oklahoma. She resigned that position at the end of the school year in 1907.
In 1930 she was living in Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma, employed as a stenographer.
Dear Friend,
May the wing of your happiness, Never lose a feather
Insthe wish of Stella Capron
Argentine, Kansas February 02, 1887
Background:
Argentine, Kansas in 1888
View from the bluffs looking north east