Ernest L. Sexton, 79, formerly of North Topeka, died Friday, June 5th, in Wichita. He was born November 26, 1873, in Topeka. Ernest worked on re-building the bridge that was destroyed in 1903, also the building of Fort Funston at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was a member of the Pentecostal Tabernacle of Topeka. He moved to Wichita four years ago. Ernest became a Penacostal Minister and died at a church gathering at Wichita, KS. His wife died five years ago. He is survived by two daughters: Mildred of Maple Hill, and Bertha of Topeka; two sons, Earl of Oakland, California and Ralph of Shaw Field AFB, South Carolina, and 11 grandchildren.
Information from his daughter Bertha (given to his only granddaughter): Mother (Thacher?) died in childbirth. His birth father was a Presbyterian circuit rider - gave baby to Sexton's. Adopted by Charles Atwater Sexton. Spent boyhood in Ohio, attended college in Ohio, then came to LeCompton, KS.
UPDATE: Found adoption record in Shawnee County Court Records: Birth parents were William E Thatcher and Mary R CRAIG Thatcher. His mother died December, 1972, and Ernest was adopted by Charles and Anna Sexton on 11 March 1873.
