“Father Mize”: A Kansas Pioneer and Beloved Community Leader (1837-1918)
On January 7, 1837, as Martin Van Buren served as president of a young
nation comprised of just 26 states, Henry Mize was born near Somerset,
Kentucky. Little did anyone know this newborn would grow to become one of
Kansas's beloved pioneers, eventually earning the affectionate title
"Father Mize" among his neighbors.
Early Years on the Frontier
At seven years old, Henry moved with his parents to Washington County,
Iowa, where frontier life shaped his character and instilled in him the
resilience needed for his future adventures. By sixteen, his pioneering spirit
already burning bright, Henry struck out on his own and settled probably as a "squatter" near Kickapoo City, not far from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas Territory in 1853.
His arrival in Kansas Territory couldn't have come at a more pivotal
time. The Kansas-Nebraska Act soon ignited the tensions that would lead to the
"Bleeding Kansas" era. Special censuses and voter records confirm Henry's
presence in 1857, 1858, and 1859 in the Leavenworth (voting) District near the Missouri River, where he
witnessed firsthand the violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery
settlers that foreshadowed the coming Civil War.
Building a Family and Legacy
On March 29, 1859, the 22-year-old Henry married 16-year-old Sarah Ann DuBois in
Leavenworth County. He and Sarah are listed in the 1860, U.S. Census living in Kickapoo Township, Leavenworth County. As Kansas stood on the precipice of statehood, this young
couple began their life together, likely in a modest frontier home. While
specific details of their early married life remain scarce, records show Henry
participated in pre-statehood voting during a time when polling places often
became sites of violence and disruption.
Henry was 24 when the Civil War erupted. The 1885 Kansas Census shows that he served with the Kansas 16th Cavalry, in Co.A. even though no service records has been located at this time. The conflict undoubtedly touched
every aspect of his life during those tumultuous years, and may have contributed to he and Sarah selling their 40 acres in the Delaware Trust Lands in Leavenworth County in 1864 and moving by 1865 to Monticello Township in Johnson County.
Roots in Johnson County
It is there in Monticello
Township where they would establish deep roots. For nearly 60
years, Henry called Johnson County home, farming the same land for half a
century—a remarkable testament to his perseverance and dedication.
The couple raised nine children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. By
the time of Henry's passing, his family had expanded to include 23
grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, creating a lasting legacy in the
region.
Community Leader
Henry and Sarah became founding members of the Monticello Methodist
Episcopal Church, where Henry's strong faith and character made him a pillar of
the community. Those who knew him described Henry as a true Christian, a
devoted husband, and a kind, affectionate father whose cheerful disposition
endeared him to all.
According to contemporaries, no one in Johnson County had more friends
and fewer enemies than "Father Mize." This widespread admiration
speaks volumes about his character and the respect he commanded throughout the
region.
Family Bonds
Remarkably, Henry came from a large, close-knit family himself. As the
oldest of ten children, he maintained strong connections with his six sisters
and three brothers throughout his life. Despite being the eldest, Henry was the
first of his siblings to pass away, with even his youngest sibling having
reached at least 40 years of age by then.
Final Years
In the spring of 1918, during a severe illness, Henry's thoughts remained
focused on his family. His primary concern was seeing his wife and daughter
comfortably settled in their new home in Olathe, Johnson County, Kansas. This wish was granted, and he
was able to enjoy their new residence for almost a month before his passing on
September 7, 1918, at the age of 81.
The profound impact Henry had on his community was evident at his
funeral, held at the Monticello Methodist Church. It was reportedly the largest
funeral service ever conducted there—a final testament to the love and respect
he had earned throughout his 81 years.
A Pioneer's Legacy
While we may lack records of specific achievements, Henry Mize's story is
woven into the larger tapestry of pioneer life that shaped Kansas and the
American West. He arrived when Kansas was still a territory and lived to see it
transform into an agricultural powerhouse with railroads, growing cities, and
modern technologies like telephones and electricity.
Men and women like Henry and Sarah Mize were the backbone of their
communities—breaking prairie sod, building towns, and laying the foundation for
modern Kansas. Through decades of hard work, unwavering faith, and dedication
to family and community, Henry Mize embodied the pioneer spirit that built
America's heartland.
* * * * * * * * * *
This information is from a number of sources including newspapers, census records, federal government documents, and the "Descendants of James Mize" by Bill Herrman. My cousin, Evelyn Chesney Baumer, put me in touch with Bill many years ago and he was verygenerous with his research and family history.
Obituary from the Olathe Mirror 12 Sep 1918
From the Bonner Spring-Edwardsville Chieftain, 12 Sep 1938
Henry Mize and Sarah Ann Dubois had 11 children (not 9). My grandmother is Alwilda "Wilda" Mize Chesney.
George Washington Mize
Arvilla Mize d. 1875
Elnora "Nora" Mize Wininger
Lewis F. Mize d. 1879
Eudora "Dora" Mize Wininger
Alwilda "Wilda" Mize Chesney
Alfred Courtright Mize
Vilette "Lettie" Mize Stilley
Mioletta Mize
William "Will" Sylvester Mize
Leo Mize
Henry's siblings:
Johnson Mize
Martha F. Mize Reitz
James Harvey Mize
Elizabeth Mize Farmer
John Mize
Ella M. Mize Sarver
Charlotte "Lottie" F. Mize Adams
Melissa Ann Mize Drollinger
Nannie E. Prunty Hawker (step sister)
The information in these obituaries provided a lot of
clues about where the Mize family came from (and when) to Kansas and the
various places Henry and his family lived.
Kansas City Star (Kansas City, MO) Sunday, September 8, 1918
Henry's marker in Union Cemetery, Monticello, KS is left of the large Mize headstone. The marker on the right is for Sarah Ann Dubois Mize. I visited this cemetery in 2014,
