Born: April 1, 1852
Died: September 7, 1931
Interred: Maple Grove Cemetery
The first city manager, E.T. Battin, had a brief term of only two months. His appointment was made solely for the purpose of giving the commissioners time to look out of the city for a permanent city manager. The selection of Mr. Battin as the first city manager was a wise one. He had previous governmental experience having served as Commissioner of Finance for two terms under commission government in 1911 and 1913. He had been largely responsible for paying off the bond issues while he had held this office. As a result, city manager government took over the reigns of government with a satisfactory financial condition insofar as actual financial standing was concerned. Furthermore, Mr. Battin's appointment was entirely appropriate because it indicated to the citizens of Wichita that the new government was sincere in its attempt to free the city government, the new one effected only a gradual change in regard to all phases of city government but perhaps most notably in personnel. The wisdom of this course has given no occasion for criticism.
Mr. Battin, a cowboy, cattle raiser, banker, hardware merchant, manufacturer and real estate dealer was entirely in sympathy with the policies of the new commission and cooperated completely through his short term. Upon his resignation, the commission unhesitatingly recognized his integrity, intimate knowledge of city affairs, and his valuable contribution to the city during a strenuous and critical period in its history.
His contribution was great. With the advent of city manager government and the assumption of office by five new commissioners who had but little knowledge of departmental conditions, Mr. Battin took charge of a city of 65,000 whose entire governmental machinery had come to a stop. His handling of the entire situation and his relations with the commission were commendable.
Above text from City Manager Government in Wichita, Kansas.