Welcome. I’ve been doing a lot of genealogical research on our families, and thinking about how to share the great stories and people.
Continue reading177 – A United Takeover
The vision was a huge loop of transmission lines from Hutchinson to Larned to Kinsley to Turon and back to Hutchinson. It was the most ambitious plan for electrical distribution in Kansas.
176 – Home Life 1920, 1921
Ralph and Chleo made their home with Chleo’s mother, Anna Webb. They lived in the Rock House.
Continue reading175 – Marriage, and Then More Work
1919 had been a successful year for The Pawnee Power and Water Company.
Nathan Jones had founded his fourth startup company, and was beginning to realize his vision. Ralph Jarvis had risen quickly to the superintendent of construction.
Both men would marry. And 1920 promised to be a busy year for the power company.
Continue reading174 – Electrical Development and Supply
While Ralph and the linemen crews were building transmission lines, Nathan Jones opened the Electrical Development and Supply Company store in Larned. It sold all manner of electrical appliances, from irons to ranges to fans.
173 – A Job As Lineman
After returning from military duty in the summer of 1919, Ralph Jarvis went to work as a lineman for the Pawnee Power and Water Company.
172 – Pawnee Power and Water Company
During the fall and winter of 1918, Nathan Jones tirelessly promoted this vision of providing electricity to small towns in the Pawnee and Arkansas valleys and connecting farms for irrigation by electric pump. He held dinners for local farmers where he promoted his plan.
171 – Electricity for Garfield, and a Vision
In September 1917, Garfield, Kansas engaged Nathan Jones to provide electricity. Electricity would be purchased from the electric plant at Kinsley, about 15 miles away.
170 – More Towns Want Electricity
Argonia, Milan, and Mayfield, Kansas lit up their electric lights in May 1916. Now, in September 1916, Conway Springs and Milton and Norwich want Nathan Jones to provide electricity to their towns.
169 – Western Sumner Light and Power
With contracts signed in summer 1915 to deliver electricity to Argonia, Milan, and Mayfield, Nathan Jones set about organizing a company to finance and build the lines.
Continue reading168 – Argonia Wants Electricity
Argonia, Kansas wanted electricity. Argonia is a small town 20 miles west of Wellington. Its 1910 population was 466 residents.
