William Elsey Connelley

“ Van Petten, whose death occurred July 12, 1914, was an untiring worker in all the ladies' branches of the First Methodist Church. A woman of broad sympathies and great heart, she was especially interested in the welfare of the children, was a member of both the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, to the work of which she gave a great deal of her time and much of her energy and strength, and in her death the deserving poor lost one who had ever been their generous friend and kind adviser. ”

“ The life of the financier is less conspicuous before the world than that of a member of a learned calling, or of one who mingles in public affairs, but is none the less one of arduous labor and thorough engrossment, requiring a high order of organizing talent, watchfulness of the trend of affairs and financial skill. ”

“ The strictest fidelity, the utmost watchfulness, good judgment and experience are needed to counteract the effects of contraction in monetary credits, the casualties of poor crops and unprofitable business, as well as a multitude of other influences which have their effect upon monetary affairs. In few other callings of life is success so sure a gauge of uncommon ability.
Mr. Van Petten was born on a farm in Peoria County, Illinois, May 4, 1854, and has been a resident of Kansas since February, 1880. ”