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Below is a family biography included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES CUTHBERT.
James Cuthbert, one of the leading business men of Topeka, senior member of the firm of Cuthbert & Sargent, general contractors and stone cutters, was born in 1849 in Nairnshire, Scotland, and is a son of James and Jane (Bowie) Cuthbert.

Mr. Cuthbert’s people are all Scotch and his maternal grandmother was a member of the noted old Scotch clan of McIntosh. The father of Mr. Cuthbert died on the old estate in Nairnshire, aged 85 years and the mother still resides there, having reached the age of 86 years. They had seven children, viz.: Isabella (Mrs. Duncan McDonald), of Scotland; Elsie, a maiden lady residing with her venerable mother; James, of Topeka; William, a sheep farmer in New Zealand; Mrs. Mary Mustard, deceased; Mrs. Jane Marwick, of New Zealand; and John, who died aged seven years.

When Mr. Cuthbert came to America in 1872, he had completed his education and had already acquired skill as a stone builder. He was employed by the government for three years at the St. Louis Custom House, and came to Topeka in 1879. Here he soon entered into a business combination, the firm of Smith, Sargent & Company being formed to do business as general contractors and stone cutters. This partnership continued for four years when Mr. Smith retired and the business has since been conducted under the firm style of Cuthbert & Sargent. They own a very valuable plant and large yards at 18th street and Topeka avenue, where they are well equipped for all kinds of masonry, cut stone and brick work. They employ a large force of men and their yards are a scene of busy activity. Many of the substantial buildings of Topeka have been constructed by this firm from foundation to finish.

In 1877 Mr. Cuthbert was married to Samantha Fitzpatrick, and they have had 11 children, namely: Mary Jane, wife of A. C. McKitrick, of Denver, Colorado; Jessie May, wife of N. G. Edleblute, of Baldwin, Kansas; Katie Bell, William R., James R., Mabel and John, who live at home; George, Charles and Elsie, who are attending Topeka High School; and Robert, who died in infancy. Mr. Cuthbert is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, of whose church edifice he was the builder.

While not active in politics, Mr. Cuthbert performs a citizen’s duty on on every occasion, and is identified with the Republican party. He is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America. Socially he is president of the leading Scottish society in Topeka. Mr. Cuthbert is a progressive and enterprising business man and is one whose fair dealing and honest work have brought him the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

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This family biography is one of 206 biographies included in History of Shawnee County, Kansas and Representative Citizens by James L. King, published by Richmond & Arnold, 1905.  For the complete description, click here: Shawnee County, Kansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Shawnee County, Kansas family biographies here: Shawnee County, Kansas

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