One of the most instrumental pioneers of Burlingame was O.H. Sheldon. He came to Burlingame from New York in 1855, the year after Burlingame was founded. He was married to Charlotte Ann Smith on October 22, 1856. To this union was born three children:
- Leonora (Nora) M. Born December 30, 1857
- Lizzie B. Born January 25, 1860, died at 6 months
- Charles M. Born December 22, 1862
He was a man of apparently unlimited energy and ambition. He was involved in numerous different business ventures and amassed a considerable fortune through his varied investments. He owned the land and real estate agency as well as a book/variety store. He was the postmaster for the town. He was an agent for Aetna Insurance. He was the president of the Bank of Burlingame. He also was the co-founder and president of the Burlingame and Scranton Coal Company and along with his partner in that venture helped to lay out the town of Scranton.
Besides his numerous business interests, he was also involved in a variety of civic and political activities. For several years he was the county treasurer. He was a trustee for the Methodist church and in 1857 contributed $1500 to the erection of the first Methodist church building that sat on the site where today the Federated Church sits. He was an active member in the Masonic organization. At the time of his death, he also was state senator for the 21st District, representing Osage and Wabaunsee counties.
In the early 1870s, he built the house that today is Carey Funeral Home. The construction of the home was a matter of great interest about the town and almost weekly updates on its progress were provided in the Osage County Chronicle. In its day, it was "the finest residence in town" and considered "practically a mansion." One note from the March 30, 1871 Chronicle states "O.H. Sheldon is having splendid walks, steps and curbs of white magnesian limestone put down in front of his fine residence." Those same walks remain to this day. His daughter Nora was married in the front parlor of the home.
Unfortunately, he would not live a long life in which to enjoy the considerable wealth that he had amassed. As early as January, 1878, eight months before his death, there was a notation in the Chronicle stating, "O.H. Sheldon returned from Lyndon on Tuesday evening, still feeling quite unwell." In the summer of 1878, as was popular for the more privileged at the time, he took an extended trip to the mountains in an effort to regain his health.
From the July 11, 1878 Chronicle: "Hon O.H. Sheldon left for the mountains on Monday last, in the endeavor to recuperate his broken health. For a long time past he has been a constant sufferer, and while his many friends will miss him, they will feel relieved in the hope that the change will return him to his home renewed in strength and with recovered health. Too close application to business, resulting in general debility, seems to be the principle trouble."
And he did write home, letting his friends know of his progress as reported the following week in the Chronicle: "A note from Hon O.H. Sheldon, dated Idaho Springs, Colo., July 13, 1878, contained the following which will be read with interest by all: 'As you will see from my heading, I am among the Rockies and am trying the inviting baths of the hot sulphur springs at this place, said to be equal to any in the State. With the bathing and the coolness and invigorating influences of this climate, I am in hopes I will be able to return to Kansas, feeling like myself once more. There is no hunting or fishing in this locality. I expect to remain here about a week and shall then go into Middle Park about seventy miles from here. It is said to be the finest park in Colorado, and contains an area of 4,000 square miles. Hunting and fishing are said to be splendid, and I expect to live on bear meat, elk and trout to my entire satisfaction, and of my own catching. If I have good luck, you will hear from me again.' It is to be hoped the Senator will have good luck, improve in health, and not fail to keep the Chronicle posted as to his doings and whereabouts."
The next note in the Chronicle was dated August 8, 1878: "Hon. O.H. Sheldon arrived in this city from his visit to the mountains, on Saturday last. He is not perceptibly improved in health."
He died just five days later, August 13, 1878, at his home. He was 45 years old.
He was a highly regarded and influential man, as evidenced by his extremely lengthy obituary in the Osage County Chronicle and the following excerpt from "A History of Osage County", by James A. Rogers in 1879.
"Hon. O.H. Sheldon, recently deceased. A better fellow never lived. In friendship, generous to a fault. In business, honest to a farthing, in politics, shrewd and far-sighted. He bore a default with a smile and a success with a becoming modesty. He was a friend to every good enterprise, and always more than did his share. He had faults, but they were more than balanced by his virtues. His loss was deeply lamented, and long will he be sadly missed. He was the most active of the early settlers. He had thrice been County Treasurer of the county, and at his decease was a member of the State Senate, still rising in eminence and just past the meridian of life."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, Jan, 2003.
- Leonora (Nora) M. Born December 30, 1857
- Lizzie B. Born January 25, 1860, died at 6 months
- Charles M. Born December 22, 1862
He was a man of apparently unlimited energy and ambition. He was involved in numerous different business ventures and amassed a considerable fortune through his varied investments. He owned the land and real estate agency as well as a book/variety store. He was the postmaster for the town. He was an agent for Aetna Insurance. He was the president of the Bank of Burlingame. He also was the co-founder and president of the Burlingame and Scranton Coal Company and along with his partner in that venture helped to lay out the town of Scranton.
Besides his numerous business interests, he was also involved in a variety of civic and political activities. For several years he was the county treasurer. He was a trustee for the Methodist church and in 1857 contributed $1500 to the erection of the first Methodist church building that sat on the site where today the Federated Church sits. He was an active member in the Masonic organization. At the time of his death, he also was state senator for the 21st District, representing Osage and Wabaunsee counties.
In the early 1870s, he built the house that today is Carey Funeral Home. The construction of the home was a matter of great interest about the town and almost weekly updates on its progress were provided in the Osage County Chronicle. In its day, it was "the finest residence in town" and considered "practically a mansion." One note from the March 30, 1871 Chronicle states "O.H. Sheldon is having splendid walks, steps and curbs of white magnesian limestone put down in front of his fine residence." Those same walks remain to this day. His daughter Nora was married in the front parlor of the home.
Unfortunately, he would not live a long life in which to enjoy the considerable wealth that he had amassed. As early as January, 1878, eight months before his death, there was a notation in the Chronicle stating, "O.H. Sheldon returned from Lyndon on Tuesday evening, still feeling quite unwell." In the summer of 1878, as was popular for the more privileged at the time, he took an extended trip to the mountains in an effort to regain his health.
From the July 11, 1878 Chronicle: "Hon O.H. Sheldon left for the mountains on Monday last, in the endeavor to recuperate his broken health. For a long time past he has been a constant sufferer, and while his many friends will miss him, they will feel relieved in the hope that the change will return him to his home renewed in strength and with recovered health. Too close application to business, resulting in general debility, seems to be the principle trouble."
And he did write home, letting his friends know of his progress as reported the following week in the Chronicle: "A note from Hon O.H. Sheldon, dated Idaho Springs, Colo., July 13, 1878, contained the following which will be read with interest by all: 'As you will see from my heading, I am among the Rockies and am trying the inviting baths of the hot sulphur springs at this place, said to be equal to any in the State. With the bathing and the coolness and invigorating influences of this climate, I am in hopes I will be able to return to Kansas, feeling like myself once more. There is no hunting or fishing in this locality. I expect to remain here about a week and shall then go into Middle Park about seventy miles from here. It is said to be the finest park in Colorado, and contains an area of 4,000 square miles. Hunting and fishing are said to be splendid, and I expect to live on bear meat, elk and trout to my entire satisfaction, and of my own catching. If I have good luck, you will hear from me again.' It is to be hoped the Senator will have good luck, improve in health, and not fail to keep the Chronicle posted as to his doings and whereabouts."
The next note in the Chronicle was dated August 8, 1878: "Hon. O.H. Sheldon arrived in this city from his visit to the mountains, on Saturday last. He is not perceptibly improved in health."
He died just five days later, August 13, 1878, at his home. He was 45 years old.
He was a highly regarded and influential man, as evidenced by his extremely lengthy obituary in the Osage County Chronicle and the following excerpt from "A History of Osage County", by James A. Rogers in 1879.
"Hon. O.H. Sheldon, recently deceased. A better fellow never lived. In friendship, generous to a fault. In business, honest to a farthing, in politics, shrewd and far-sighted. He bore a default with a smile and a success with a becoming modesty. He was a friend to every good enterprise, and always more than did his share. He had faults, but they were more than balanced by his virtues. His loss was deeply lamented, and long will he be sadly missed. He was the most active of the early settlers. He had thrice been County Treasurer of the county, and at his decease was a member of the State Senate, still rising in eminence and just past the meridian of life."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, Jan, 2003.
One of the most instrumental pioneers of Burlingame was O.H. Sheldon. He came to Burlingame from New York in 1855, the year after Burlingame was founded. He was married to Charlotte Ann Smith on October 22, 1856. To this union was born three children:
- Leonora (Nora) M. Born December 30, 1857
- Lizzie B. Born January 25, 1860, died at 6 months
- Charles M. Born December 22, 1862
He was a man of apparently unlimited energy and ambition. He was involved in numerous different business ventures and amassed a considerable fortune through his varied investments. He owned the land and real estate agency as well as a book/variety store. He was the postmaster for the town. He was an agent for Aetna Insurance. He was the president of the Bank of Burlingame. He also was the co-founder and president of the Burlingame and Scranton Coal Company and along with his partner in that venture helped to lay out the town of Scranton.
Besides his numerous business interests, he was also involved in a variety of civic and political activities. For several years he was the county treasurer. He was a trustee for the Methodist church and in 1857 contributed $1500 to the erection of the first Methodist church building that sat on the site where today the Federated Church sits. He was an active member in the Masonic organization. At the time of his death, he also was state senator for the 21st District, representing Osage and Wabaunsee counties.
In the early 1870s, he built the house that today is Carey Funeral Home. The construction of the home was a matter of great interest about the town and almost weekly updates on its progress were provided in the Osage County Chronicle. In its day, it was "the finest residence in town" and considered "practically a mansion." One note from the March 30, 1871 Chronicle states "O.H. Sheldon is having splendid walks, steps and curbs of white magnesian limestone put down in front of his fine residence." Those same walks remain to this day. His daughter Nora was married in the front parlor of the home.
Unfortunately, he would not live a long life in which to enjoy the considerable wealth that he had amassed. As early as January, 1878, eight months before his death, there was a notation in the Chronicle stating, "O.H. Sheldon returned from Lyndon on Tuesday evening, still feeling quite unwell." In the summer of 1878, as was popular for the more privileged at the time, he took an extended trip to the mountains in an effort to regain his health.
From the July 11, 1878 Chronicle: "Hon O.H. Sheldon left for the mountains on Monday last, in the endeavor to recuperate his broken health. For a long time past he has been a constant sufferer, and while his many friends will miss him, they will feel relieved in the hope that the change will return him to his home renewed in strength and with recovered health. Too close application to business, resulting in general debility, seems to be the principle trouble."
And he did write home, letting his friends know of his progress as reported the following week in the Chronicle: "A note from Hon O.H. Sheldon, dated Idaho Springs, Colo., July 13, 1878, contained the following which will be read with interest by all: 'As you will see from my heading, I am among the Rockies and am trying the inviting baths of the hot sulphur springs at this place, said to be equal to any in the State. With the bathing and the coolness and invigorating influences of this climate, I am in hopes I will be able to return to Kansas, feeling like myself once more. There is no hunting or fishing in this locality. I expect to remain here about a week and shall then go into Middle Park about seventy miles from here. It is said to be the finest park in Colorado, and contains an area of 4,000 square miles. Hunting and fishing are said to be splendid, and I expect to live on bear meat, elk and trout to my entire satisfaction, and of my own catching. If I have good luck, you will hear from me again.' It is to be hoped the Senator will have good luck, improve in health, and not fail to keep the Chronicle posted as to his doings and whereabouts."
The next note in the Chronicle was dated August 8, 1878: "Hon. O.H. Sheldon arrived in this city from his visit to the mountains, on Saturday last. He is not perceptibly improved in health."
He died just five days later, August 13, 1878, at his home. He was 45 years old.
He was a highly regarded and influential man, as evidenced by his extremely lengthy obituary in the Osage County Chronicle and the following excerpt from "A History of Osage County", by James A. Rogers in 1879.
"Hon. O.H. Sheldon, recently deceased. A better fellow never lived. In friendship, generous to a fault. In business, honest to a farthing, in politics, shrewd and far-sighted. He bore a default with a smile and a success with a becoming modesty. He was a friend to every good enterprise, and always more than did his share. He had faults, but they were more than balanced by his virtues. His loss was deeply lamented, and long will he be sadly missed. He was the most active of the early settlers. He had thrice been County Treasurer of the county, and at his decease was a member of the State Senate, still rising in eminence and just past the meridian of life."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, Jan, 2003.
- Leonora (Nora) M. Born December 30, 1857
- Lizzie B. Born January 25, 1860, died at 6 months
- Charles M. Born December 22, 1862
He was a man of apparently unlimited energy and ambition. He was involved in numerous different business ventures and amassed a considerable fortune through his varied investments. He owned the land and real estate agency as well as a book/variety store. He was the postmaster for the town. He was an agent for Aetna Insurance. He was the president of the Bank of Burlingame. He also was the co-founder and president of the Burlingame and Scranton Coal Company and along with his partner in that venture helped to lay out the town of Scranton.
Besides his numerous business interests, he was also involved in a variety of civic and political activities. For several years he was the county treasurer. He was a trustee for the Methodist church and in 1857 contributed $1500 to the erection of the first Methodist church building that sat on the site where today the Federated Church sits. He was an active member in the Masonic organization. At the time of his death, he also was state senator for the 21st District, representing Osage and Wabaunsee counties.
In the early 1870s, he built the house that today is Carey Funeral Home. The construction of the home was a matter of great interest about the town and almost weekly updates on its progress were provided in the Osage County Chronicle. In its day, it was "the finest residence in town" and considered "practically a mansion." One note from the March 30, 1871 Chronicle states "O.H. Sheldon is having splendid walks, steps and curbs of white magnesian limestone put down in front of his fine residence." Those same walks remain to this day. His daughter Nora was married in the front parlor of the home.
Unfortunately, he would not live a long life in which to enjoy the considerable wealth that he had amassed. As early as January, 1878, eight months before his death, there was a notation in the Chronicle stating, "O.H. Sheldon returned from Lyndon on Tuesday evening, still feeling quite unwell." In the summer of 1878, as was popular for the more privileged at the time, he took an extended trip to the mountains in an effort to regain his health.
From the July 11, 1878 Chronicle: "Hon O.H. Sheldon left for the mountains on Monday last, in the endeavor to recuperate his broken health. For a long time past he has been a constant sufferer, and while his many friends will miss him, they will feel relieved in the hope that the change will return him to his home renewed in strength and with recovered health. Too close application to business, resulting in general debility, seems to be the principle trouble."
And he did write home, letting his friends know of his progress as reported the following week in the Chronicle: "A note from Hon O.H. Sheldon, dated Idaho Springs, Colo., July 13, 1878, contained the following which will be read with interest by all: 'As you will see from my heading, I am among the Rockies and am trying the inviting baths of the hot sulphur springs at this place, said to be equal to any in the State. With the bathing and the coolness and invigorating influences of this climate, I am in hopes I will be able to return to Kansas, feeling like myself once more. There is no hunting or fishing in this locality. I expect to remain here about a week and shall then go into Middle Park about seventy miles from here. It is said to be the finest park in Colorado, and contains an area of 4,000 square miles. Hunting and fishing are said to be splendid, and I expect to live on bear meat, elk and trout to my entire satisfaction, and of my own catching. If I have good luck, you will hear from me again.' It is to be hoped the Senator will have good luck, improve in health, and not fail to keep the Chronicle posted as to his doings and whereabouts."
The next note in the Chronicle was dated August 8, 1878: "Hon. O.H. Sheldon arrived in this city from his visit to the mountains, on Saturday last. He is not perceptibly improved in health."
He died just five days later, August 13, 1878, at his home. He was 45 years old.
He was a highly regarded and influential man, as evidenced by his extremely lengthy obituary in the Osage County Chronicle and the following excerpt from "A History of Osage County", by James A. Rogers in 1879.
"Hon. O.H. Sheldon, recently deceased. A better fellow never lived. In friendship, generous to a fault. In business, honest to a farthing, in politics, shrewd and far-sighted. He bore a default with a smile and a success with a becoming modesty. He was a friend to every good enterprise, and always more than did his share. He had faults, but they were more than balanced by his virtues. His loss was deeply lamented, and long will he be sadly missed. He was the most active of the early settlers. He had thrice been County Treasurer of the county, and at his decease was a member of the State Senate, still rising in eminence and just past the meridian of life."
Source: Compiled by Heidi Stromgren, Osage City, Kansas, Jan, 2003.
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