LeSTOURGEON
FAMILY.
Ernest
D. LeStourgeon.
Arthur
E. LeStourgeon.
The LeStourgeon family is of French
ancestry. They migrated to Virginia in colonial times and settled there. Ernest
D. LeStourgeon’s father was an artist and an early settler in Illinois, passing
his last years at Centralia, Ill.
His son, Ernest D. LeStourgeon, was born
at Plainfield, Illinois, in 1850, and when a young man went to Centralia, where
he married Christina Kruse who was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1853. He took
up farming and later (in 1883) entered the ice business. He came to Arkansas
City in 1898. He purchased a farm southwest of Arkansas City and became active
in the Polar Ice Co., which was founded
by Dr. W. H. Heard in 1890. This ice plant was located at the southwest corner
of First and Tyler, which was on the Missouri Pacific railroad track. From 1921
to 1945 this building housed the Kansas National Guard, Battery F, of the 161st
Regiment. Ernest D. LeStourgeon later became a director of the American Paint
& Button Company.
Arthur E. LeStourgeon, their only child,
was born in Centralia, Illinois September 15, 1878. His father entered the ice
business in 1883, when Arthur was 5 years old. He graduated from High School in
the spring of 1898. The Spanish-American War started in February of 1898 so he
enlisted in the 11th Provisional Illinois Regiment. The war ended in September
of 1898 without his being called. Arthur enrolled at McKendree College in
Lebanon, Illinis. Arthur’s son, Lawrence, stated that Arthur only attended one
day. We surmise that he was informed that the family was going to move, so he
withdrew from College. On November 11, 1989, Mr. LeStourgeon’s parents moved to
Arkansas City and purchased a farm southwest of Arkansas City.
Arthur LeStourgeon started working at the
Polar Ice company in the capacity of clerk and driver, where he rapidly
advanced into the position of general manager. In 1901 he married Miss Kathryne
Heard, daughter of Doctor William Henry and Martha P. (Fouschee) Heard. They
had three children: Arthur H., born May 29, 1902; Lawrence F., born April 5,
1906; and Kathryne P., born February 3, 1909.
A. E. LeStourgeon held this position
until 1908 when the Polar Ice Co. consolidated with the Arkansas City Ice and
Cold Storage company,and he became a stockholder of the Arkansas City Ice &
Cold Storage company as well as manager of the consolidated interests. In 1909
he became a stockholder of the Arkansas City Ice and Cold Storage company and
served as a director, later becoming vice-president, and in 1920 President. In
May of 1920 the packing company took over the A. C. Ice company, and the
Keefe-LeStourgeon company was formed with Mr. LeStourgeon as president. Mr.
Henneberry died in February of 1921 and his interest in the company was bought
by Richard T. Keefe and A. E. LeStourgeon.
Arthur LeStourgeon had always been active
in civic affairs, giving generously of both time and money for the upbuilding
and progress of Arkansas City. He helped to organize the first Rotary club in
Arkansas City and the Arkansas City Country Club. Besides his connection with
civic affairs he served for several years as secretary and treasurer of the
Kansas State Military committee.
He served on the school board for 16
years, nine of which he was president. It was during his administration as
president of the board that the Manual Training and Junior High School were
developed. Through his financial assistance, twelve students have found it
possible to complete a college education.
Lawrence F. LeStourgeon, one of three children
of Arthur E.LeStourgeon, was born April 5, 1906, in Arkansas City. He attended
Third Ward School on 6th street where Miss Emily Hyatt was principal. He
skipped three grades and graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1921. He
graduated from Washington University in St.Louis. He returned to Arkansas City
and on October 5, 1926, married his high school sweetheart, Afton Thompson.
They were in school together from the Fourth grade through High School. They
had two daughters, Ann Elizabeth LeStourgeon, who was born in 1930, and Kathryn
Fontaine LeStourgeon who was born in 1933. In 1986 they celebrated their 60th
wedding anniversary.