My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD B. GUILD.
Edward B. Guild, proprietor of the oldest music house at Topeka and in the State of Kansas, is one of the city’s old and esteemed business men. Mr. Guild was born at Seneca Falls, New York, and is a son of Loring and Pamelia (Butts) Guild.

The Guild family is a New England one and is well represented in Boston, Massachusetts. The father of our subject removed to Wisconsin when Edward B. was small and for some years published a newspaper at Kenosha. Later he removed to Madison, whence he came to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1860, removing then to Boonesboro, Iowa, in 1864, engaging in mercantile pursuits and milling during these years. In 1875 he came to Kansas again and settled at Topeka, where his death took place in the same year. He married in New York and Mrs. Guild died in 1892, at the home of our subject.

Edward B. Guild was prepared by Rev. Mr. Montague, at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, for entrance to the State University, in 1853, where he was graduated in 1859, sharing honors with Alexander Botkin, who later became a famous lawyer and was selected to assist in revising the criminal laws of the United States. Another classmate belonging to that notable body of graduates of 1859 was Bishop Samuel Fallows, of Chicago, and still another was Leonard S. Clark, now a prominent attorney at San Francisco. In 1862 the degree of M. A. was conferred by his college on Mr. Guild.

From 1875 Mr. Guild’s business interests have been at Topeka. Until 1875 he was engaged in a general mercantile line in Iowa and then opened up in Topeka in the musical line, succeeding S. W. Stone. Mr. Guild occupies a commodious building at No. 722 Kansas avenue, 25 by 150 feet in dimensions, where he carries a large and complete stock of everything in his line.

Mr. Guild was married at Topeka in 1878, to Ovella H. Dunn, who is a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Ann (Morgan) Dunn, the father being one of the early merchants of this city. They have three children: Leslie E., Howard C. and Florence Gladys. Their beautiful home is situated at No. 515 Topeka avenue.

Mr. Guild is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security, is vice-president of the local council of National Union and is a member of the Commercial Club of Topeka. His long and honorable business career here has made him known to a large majority of the citizens.