My grandfather was born in Tonganoxie in 1900, in the back of a covered wagon. His father, William Lawrence Reed (born in 1876, originally from Des Moines, Iowa), arrived in Tonganoxie in November 1900, by covered wagon, on his way from Oklahoma back to Iowa. His wife, Laura, gave birth to my grandfather, named William Jr. on Nov 30. Laura died several weeks later, and William Sr. sold the wagon and team to pay for the burial, and then placed Jr. up for adoption in Topeka through Children’s Home Society. He was adopted by Louis Mulanax of Denison, and his name changed to Claude Arthur Mulanax.

Apparently, William remained in the area after the adoption. I just found a record of Lawrence Reed in Leavenworth County tax records, 1917-1918, in Tonganoxie, P.O. Tonga 4.

My grandfather tried all his life to find out about his parents, without success before he passed away. My father has tried to follow up, but without success. My dad was born in Denison in 1921. He is trying to find out about his roots while there is still time.

Maybe someone in the area who is well-informed on local history might shed some light on the situation.

Richard Mulanax,

450 29th Ct. SW

Vero Beach, Fla. 32968

rbmu@bellsouth.net