SANDERS, W.J.
Source:
Burlington Kansas Democrat Fri 21 June 1901 p 3
After a
lingering illness of more than six months, most of which time he was confined
to his room, WJ Sanders died at his home in north Burling last Saturday morning
June 15, 1901, aged 69 years. The cause
of his death was a complication of diseases. For years he was afflicted with
rheumatism and more recently he was an intense sufferer from stomach troubles.
He was cheerful during all the weary days and nights of anguish and at times
good humor, a strong character of the man, exhibited itself. He was perfectly
conscious up to within a few hours of his death and conversed freely with those
about him of the coming end. Once he
remarked to a number of old friends about his couch, “Boys, I would like to
stay with you awhile longer, but I guess it is my time to go.” WJ Sanders
deserves more than a passing notice. He was one of the very early settlers of
the county, locating in what is now Star Township in 1857 and his name is
frequently recorded on the pages of our history. He has been prominent in the
political and business affairs of the county from the beginning. In the very early days he was a US mail
contractor and at one time had a contract for carrying the mails from Council
Grove, Kansas to Butler, Missouri then a trackless, weary waste of country. The
historian says of him:
William J.
Sanders was born in Putnam County, Indiana in 1832, and lived in that state 24
years. In 1856 he moved to Union County, Iowa remaining there one year when he
came to Coffey County in 1857 and engaged in farming. He was married in Coffey
County in 1868 to Mrs. Sarah Bradford, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Holmes
and a native of NY. Mrs. Bradford had
one child, Letta Bradford (now wife of EE Mullnix). There are five children in the family:
Robert, Harry, Walter, Mary A, and Vannie T now wife of AH Gortner. Mrs.
Sanders was elected to the office of sheriff of Coffey County in 1864 and
served two terms; he was also deputy county assessor two terms. After moving to
Burlington he served two terms as mayor of the city and was a number of times
member of the council and of the board of education. In 1872 he engaged in the
grocery business with Frank Hoffmans as a partner. This partnership continued
as long as Mr. Sanders remained in active business, and during which time the
firm built two substantial business blocks. Mr. Sanders was a prominent member
of the Masonic order.” The funeral services
took place from the Congregational church last Monday at 3 o’clock, Elder Park
C. Herbert, of the Christian Church, preaching the sermon, assisted by Rev.
Nichols, of the Congregational Church, the Masons having charge of the services
at Mt. Hope Cemetery. The pall bearers were: David Grimes, ME Grimes, AP
Brigham, Frank Hoffmans, HL Jarboe and Peter Brandon. There was a large concourse of sorrowing
relatives and friends attended the funeral to pay the last sad tribute to an
honored and respected citizen. Among the relatives from abroad who were present
was his sister, Mrs. RB Osborne and her son, Guy of Chicago and James Sanders,
nephew, of Chanute. - kbz