Tom Bowlus left a large gift to Allen County, the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. His philanthropy has inspired many families throughout the county to give back to their communities. Tuesday night five area families shared their stories. Moran — The Franklin and McAdam Families LaHarpe — The Lee Family Iola — The Toland and Thompson Families Iola — The Gilpin Family
“The idea of community service ties into what our parents do and what you choose to do later on in life,” executive director Susan Raines said. “Each family has given but have different examples.”
Humboldt — The Works Family
Dick and Joe Works were representatives for the Works family. They are fourth-generation members living in Humboldt. Their great-grandfather, Robert Miller Works, was born in New York but when his father died his mother sent him to live with a farmer when he was 11. He worked for the farmer until he was 21. He arrived in Allen County in 1857 and settled along the Neosho River to farm. After returning to Humboldt from the Civil War, Robert sold some land to the city. The city borrowed money from him to help pave the streets of Humboldt.
Dick said their family doesn’t have much information on his grandfather because he died when his father was very young. Dick and Joe’s parents, George and Jane, ran a successful farming operation in Humboldt. They volunteered their time to many organizations including the Humboldt Historical Society, Humboldt PEO and 4-H. George was named Kansas Master Farmer and Jane was named Kansas Master Farm Homemaker in 1966.
“We tried to carry on the tradition,” Dick said. “We have resources at our disposal now but there were times when we didn’t have much of anything. It’s not about assets it’s about the giving of time.”
Beverly Franklin and her brother Bill McAdam talked about their parents’ family business in road construction.
Married in 1929, their mother had her teaching certificate from Pittsburg and their father had an eighth-grade education. As a child he lost one eye in an accident and in 1950 he became blind in his other eye.
Bill was a graduate of Moran High School and Iola Junior College. He went into the Air Force in 1951 and when he was discharged returned home to join his father in road work. They grated and paved roads and owned a rock quarry. Their parents belonged to the Methodist Church and volunteered a lot of their time.
Beverly married Jack Franklin. Jack grew up in Stark and served in the Marines. Beverly and Jack have both served on city council. Jack was a USD 257 board member and a Shriner. Beverly worked at Iola State Bank and became a loan officer. She is part of the Sorosis club and a 4-H booster.
Harry Lee’s father came to LaHarpe in 1950 when he purchased a telephone company. His mother wasn’t too excited at the idea of moving from Kansas City to rural Kansas.
“They said you could see fingernail marks dug into the road from her being drug down there,” Lee joked.
But once she was in the community she fell in love with the area. She would organize people to help community members when they were ill or there was a death in the family. Lee said his father could fix most anything.
“He was a guy of great vision and moving here really was the best thing that could have happened to me,” Lee said.
Lee met his wife, Joyce, in high school. They were in a school play together and played boyfriend and girlfriend. In the play they had to kiss and that sparked a relationship. They’ve been married for 56 years.
Lee enlisted in the military in 1956 as a private E1 and when he retired he was the chief of staff colonel. Many of his family members followed his footsteps by joining the military. Lee and several family members continue the family business, LaHarpe Telephone.
Lee read one of his favorite quotes by William Shakespeare to the audience. “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.”
“In our communities we can play a major role,” Lee said. “I can serve in my church or help with the hospital. There is a part we can play.”
David Toland read his family history that his father Clyde wrote.
“Our history of giving is not as a monolithic family but simply as individuals who through the generations have seen local needs and who have worked to make our town and county better places to live,” Toland said.
Clyde’s parents, Stanley and June Thompson Toland, were Phi Beta Kappa graduates of KU. Stanley practiced law in Iola for 62 years. He was involved in many areas of the community including the Presbyterian church and Iola Public Library. He served as a state senator for Allen and Woodson Counties for four years.
Clyde studied history at KU with the hopes of becoming a history professor, but the pull of Iola led him to law school and a career with his father and brother, John.
Clyde has been a part of the Friends of the Iola Public Library, Rotary and First Presbyterian Church. He helped start the Buster Keaton Celebration and open the Funston museum. Clyde’s wife, Nancy, was a longtime teacher and has worked with youth through Scouts, PTO, Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.
David received his degrees at KU and served the mayor of Washington, D.C. in city planning and economic development initiatives.
David returned to Iola in 2008 with his wife Beth to become the first executive director of Thrive Allen County.
Jim Gilpin’s grandparents Claude and Helen moved to Iola in 1944 to take over Iola State Bank. The Gilpin family has been in the banking business ever since, including his father, Howard, and brother, Ken. Jim is currently president of Community National Bank.
Jim stressed the many ways to give to a community.
Anyone can be a giver, Jim said, and it doesn’t have to be with a check.
“Whether it’s keeping your yard nice or volunteering, everyone can make the community better,” Gilpin said.
Jim’s father helped grow the community by working to bring new businesses to town.
Giving can be extended beyond one’s earthly days by establishing trusts and scholarships, Gilpin said.
Gilpin said he and his wife Karen derive great satisfaction from their volunteer activities. Karen serves on the board of trustees for Allen County Regional Hospital.
Families share histories of giving
