Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

William McKinney Caven

William McKinney Caven was born near Flectcher, Miami County, Ohio, on February 27, 1833. He passed away on February 2, 1914 aged almost 81 years.
He grew up on the farm where he was born and moved to Kansas in 1857 with his cousin Jack Caven and another man, H.H. Updike. They were the first white settlers in what is now Wilson County, Kansas.

Mr. Caven lived on a land claim near the Verdigris River east of Coyville until 1860 when he went to Illinois where he stayed until the following spring. He then joined a wagon train en route to Salt Lake City. He remained in the west for about four years, part of the time engaged in mining.

He returned to Kansas and in 1869, purchased land near Burlington where he had since made his home. In 1870, he married Mary Schlichter and they have six children.
Mr. Caven had one of the best stock ranches in that part of the country. He was honest, upright citizen, respected by his neighbors and friends. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to the needy.

He was very courageous, was an excellent marksman and had a good knowledge of the surrounding country. It was largely due to these attributes that the depredation of the vigilance committee in the area was broken up in the early days of Wilson County. His understanding of Indian habits and modes of warfare often prevented the early settlers serious harm from the Osage Tribe.
Thus has passed away the last of the first settlers of Wilson County.

Source:
“First White Settlers Of Wilson County,” Wilson County Citizen, Fredonia, 13 February 1914.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.